time for a revolver

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hyphen

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so, i've decided that i want a revolver. nothing to expensive (roughly in the 400-600 range), nothing too big. i'm leaning towards a .357/.38 special with a 4-6 inch barrel, preferably with a blue or matte finish but that isn't a big deal. i also wouldn't exlude a smaller snub nose from my options. i'm taking all recommendations but here are the few that i've been looking into:

Ruger GP100

Ruger SP101

S&W model 686

Taurus model 66

surprisingly the ranges that i've been to do not have any of those for rent. the last 2 only had a few larger revolvers that i wasn't too interested in. if you all could give your experiences with the above listed i'd be greatly appreciative.

this wheel gun should be able to accompany me when i go camping as well as be a decent hd gun that my gf could handle if it came down to it. any advice, recommendations, or insight would be great. thanks :)
 
Are you looking at new guns exclusively, or are used guns an option? If new only my leanings are toward the 4" GP or 3" SP from Ruger since I'm opposed to internal lock S&Ws.

If you're open to used guns a Ruger Speed/Service/Security Six with 4" barrel are excellent revolvers, as are any of the 357 Magnum S&W K Frames like the model 19 and model 66. These earlier guns are built on slightly smaller medium frames than their current production counterparts. Many prefer the handling & balance of these older guns to the current ones.
 
i prefer NIB. not for any other reason than knowing that i have brand new wheel gun in my hands that no one else has touched or probably ever will. in the future i may try out some used if it's out of my price range.

also, i've read a lot about these internal locks on the s&w revolvers. has there ever been a documented incident of it actually causing the gun to malfunction? i was under the impression that it could simply not be used and switched off.
 
also, i've read a lot about these internal locks on the s&w revolvers. has there ever been a documented incident of it actually causing the gun to malfunction? i was under the impression that it could simply not be used and switched off.
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There are a handful of cases of it locking under recoil, albeit mostly in scandium frame AirLite revovers in magnum chamberings. In some of these cases the key wouldn't unlock it and brute force had to be applied. The biggest point of contention most folks have is that its unnecessary and adds a potential point of failure - not a welcome thing on a defensive gun. I'll leave it at that and let you do a search and start another thread if you want more info. I'd prefer that I not turn your revolver recommendation thread into a lock discussion. I ask that my fellow THR members do the same.

Back to the topic at hand.
i prefer NIB. not for any other reason than knowing that i have brand new wheel gun in my hands that no one else has touched or probably ever will.
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That's understandable. Now, and this comes from a die hard S&W fan, I honestly think Ruger is making better revolvers than S&W is when current production guns are compared. I prefer both Ruger and S&W over Taurus for much better warranty service & parts availability. If you told me I could only have one revolver for all around use and it had to be something NIB currently produced I'd pick a 3" or 4" barrel GP-100. The utility & versatility of a 3 or 4 inch barrel mid frame .357 Mag revolver is unrivaled. A 3" SP-101 would be my second choice.
 
yeah, that was the revolver that my eyes have been constantly been drawn back to. additionally, i've not once seen a bad review.

now, in comparison how does the taurus "judge" rank? i know they're not even in the same class, but for practicality's sake. aside from the sheer ugliness of the judge, i like the idea of being able to fire .45 rounds alongside pellets. i like to think of this gun as a pretty versatile tool as well. would you still pick the GP100?
 
now, in comparison how does the taurus "judge" rank? i know they're not even in the same class, but for practicality's sake. aside from the sheer ugliness of the judge, i like the idea of being able to fire .45 rounds alongside pellets. i like to think of this gun as a pretty versatile tool as well. would you still pick the GP100?
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The Judge is cool, and does have some versatility. A coworker has one, and reports that it patterns .410 3 pellet 00 buckshot relatively well. Patterns with smaller shot sizes fall apart quickly outside of a few feet; this is no doubt attributable to the rifled bore and lack of any choke. Of course if you need the .410 buckshot for something, the .45 Colt rounds are likely going to work better for whatever it is you need it for. My conclusion is that it's a nifty woods & snake gun.

I'd still take the GP100. Not only is it a better made revolver, but the wide range of .38 Special and .357 Magnum loadings which are readily available really do make it a versatile gun.
 
Gp100

GP100: You'll have something to give your grandchildren when the time comes
 
3 or 4'' GP100 is the best bet here. 686 is also good. My preference is the GP, and in CA you'll have an easier time finding the GP in your price range. For your needs, I would stick with a medium frame rather than the snubs. Better fit for your criteria.

The Judge is at best a mediocre self defense piece, and is NOT a good outdoors gun. .410 out of a short barrel is damn near useless, and the Judge will not take "Ruger only" .45 Colt loads. A good .357 is far and away a better all around revolver than the Judge.
 
I have a 3" Ruger GP100 and it is used precisely for the purpose you state. It is not a long range gun. It's just about perfect for the role you state. I felt exactly the same way you do when I bought my first few handguns.

I have nothing against the Smiths. I like them too. I don't have a 686. If I could find a 3" 686 at Bass Pro (special for them), I'd pick up one of those instead of the Ruger simply because I expect they won't last for ever.

Again, 3" revolvers are a great size. The barrel is long enough that you can shoot it comfortably, and it's still small enough to point easily and to carry discretely in the woods.

I'd like to buy a Taurus Judge (44/10) revolver. It would be a fun gun, but not a primary protection piece. Buy the Taurus as a fun gun and perhaps a woods/lake gun for snakes and so forth. Go with the 38/357 first and then go from there.
 
lots of great info, thanks for chiming in guys. i guess i'll be set with the GP then. hopefully, i'll find one to test fire.

on another note, will this be enough to fend off a bear? the reason i ask is because i had gone camping a few weeks ago and a fairly large brown bear had decided to pay our campsite a visit. i knew that i should've brought my 870 but i hesitated because of the large group of people i was with (i didn't want anyone screwing around with it while i wasn't watching). it just ate our food and wandered off, but it brushed by my tent and gave me quite a scare.

i think i'd feel more at ease (around a large group of people) with a holstered gun that i can keep an eye on at all times, but would a .357 round dent a bear from close range? please know that i would never open fire unless it was attacking, but just to have that peace of mind.
 
This is a gun forum, where you don't really need to make disclaimers about shooting a bear. If you shoot a brown bear and don't kill him, I doubt you'll "fend (him) off". More likely, you'll p-ss him off. If you absolutely must shoot the thing, use a 44mag minimum. Go for the head shot.
 
The best bargain is a new S&W 620. It's essentially a half lug L-frame 4" 7-shot 686+. The usual K/L/N-frame lockwork - which breaks in quickly and is easily 'improved', although it is quite good stock. It'll enjoy a long life with SAAMI spec'd .357M's - and much longer with .38 Special +P's, etc. Trouble can be resolved by calling their 800# - you'll get a prepaid overnite label to return it for any needed repairs - gratis. Any round butt K/L frame grip will fit it, too.

A lot of folks don't care for S&W's new (Since '02.) 'internal lock' (IL), but I have a bunch so-equipped, and, while I'd rather they weren't there (Heck, I didn't like paying for external trigger locks! I'm cheap!), they haven't been a problem here.

Before you go buy a GP100 for it's heavier construction, compare the 4" SS GP100 to a 4" 686... that massive shroud probably accounts for the mass difference - a whole ounce! And... the Ruger is cast SS - the S&W is forged and heat treated. But, if running overloaded .357 Magnums is your intent, and you can stand the less smooth lockwork, the GP100 is also a fine choice... just not mine. YMMV.

Stainz
 
Make sure you try out a GP100 before you buy. I wanted one before I played with one. The cylinder release, IMO, is horrid and really affects quick reloads.
 
I personally prefer the Ruger cylinder release system over the S&W, but you have to try it and see.

The Ruger, Smith, & Colt are all just fine, just different.
 
I think the last 2 posts bring up good points: The best revolver is the one that feels best in your hand. Even if you can't rent one, pick up an example of each. Try the trigger & cylinder release. How's the balance? How 'bout the sights? etc. Don't get caught up in the Ruger vs S&W strength thing. IMO, it's minutae, compared to the above issues. Both are plenty strong enough.

Bears? You'd probably be best served with pepper spray. Do a search here, and you'll find a ton of threads on bear protection. The # of "What Caliber for Bear?" threads probably approaches the number of total "9mm vs .45acp" threads.
 
Img_15_5.gif

Here is one of my 25 cent targets (8.5x11 sheet with a bull the size of a quarter) from 15 yards standing. 15.5 grains of H110, 158 grain Oregon Trail Laser Cast LSWC, Fed 150 primer (which I can't find at the moment) and Starline brass.

Ruger Gp100, 4" barrel. Probably the fourth time I shot it, IIRC. Sweet revolver. No buyer's remorse here.
 
Ruger: GP100, Security Six (if you can find one), if semi-snubs are an option it's tough to beat a SP101 w/3.06" barrel.

S&W: 686, 19, honestly...too many good choices to list.

Taurus: I'll pass
 
Ruger GP100
or
Ruger SP101
or
S&W model 686
All are great guns.

I'd Pass on the Taurus too
 
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