chaim
Member
This isn't a traditional "which should I get" thread as I'm probably going to eventually buy 1/2 to 2/3 of what is on this list. It is more a situation where I'm having trouble prioritizing my next revolver purchase. I've been concentrating a lot more on my autos and carry needs and I have some big holes in my revolver collection. As you'll see in my discussion, even in these (mostly) medium frame revolvers, carry considerations are still complicating my decision making.
So this post isn't unmanageable I'll start with the priorities, and add the guns I'm considering in the next post.
Priority 1: A 4" revolver
It recently occurred to me that I haven't had a 4" .38spl or .357mag for at least 10-15 years when I had to sell my S&W 19 (P&R, it pains me to think about it). The only 4" revolver I have right now is a .45LC (S&W 626MG). A 4" is a fun length (even though I like a 3" better), it will get a little more velocity out of the round and thus better penetration and expansion in a defensive JHP, and it would make a great home defense gun. A 4" K-frame or L-frame would also be lighter than my 625MG and get more out of the .357mag than my 3" guns making it a better woods gun for around here (where large bears aren't much of a worry). However, I do like 3" revolvers more, and compared to the 1 7/8 and 2" revolvers a 3" doesn't lose as much velocity vs. a 4". Most of the info I could find online where it was actually compared, once you get to about 2.5", the differences from gun to gun variation were greater than the differences from barrel length.
Priority 2: A .357mag
I love shooting .357mag and I haven't shot a lot of it in a long time. My S&W 65LS has well over 10K rounds (I stopped counting at 10K around 16 or 17 years ago), and for a while, I shot a lot of magnums through it. I don't know what year S&W fixed the forcing cone issue with K-frame magnums, and I love this gun. So, I rarely shoot magnums out of it for fear of a cracked forcing cone. My Colt King Cobra is a small framed revolver (Colt's D-frame is roughly halfway between a K-frame and a J-frame), and at 28oz it is a bit light for all but the lightest .357mag unless I only want to shoot a cylinder or two. So, a new K-frame (my understanding is they strengthened the forcing cone when the re-released the K-frames a few years back), an L-frame or similar would let me shoot a lot more of my favorite cartridge again.
BTW: Because of the potential forcing cone issue, I'm only considering a S&W K-frame if it is new or the newer production guns if used.
Priority 3: A home defense revolver
I have other HD guns. However, I don't use the 625MG as much as I planned (it is too large for my quick access safes so it stays locked in my main safe), the Colt, J-frames and Taurus small framed revolvers are a little smaller and lighter than ideal for home defense. Even shooting .38+P, a 30 some ounce revolver will better manage the recoil and allow for faster follow up shots (not saying the Colt or steel framed Taurus 85 are bad, just a heavier gun would be better). The longer barrel length and sight radius should result in better practical accuracy.
Priority 3: Carry
While this won't be primarily a carry gun (with one of the guns I'm considering being an exception), I have that covered, several I'm considering would sometimes be pushed into that role. I don't think I've bought a gun in the last 10 years without it having some utility as a potential carry gun, well, not until I bought 3 steel framed, full sized 1911s this past fall (I am selling my least favorite of the two .45s, the Colt Gold Cup Match, and it may help finance one or two of the guns on this current list). Also, it will often be carried when camping or fishing (and maybe when kayaking).
Priority 4: Cost
Cost is always a factor, and I've bought a lot of guns lately. So, the more inexpensive the better, so long as it is a decent gun.
So this post isn't unmanageable I'll start with the priorities, and add the guns I'm considering in the next post.
Priority 1: A 4" revolver
It recently occurred to me that I haven't had a 4" .38spl or .357mag for at least 10-15 years when I had to sell my S&W 19 (P&R, it pains me to think about it). The only 4" revolver I have right now is a .45LC (S&W 626MG). A 4" is a fun length (even though I like a 3" better), it will get a little more velocity out of the round and thus better penetration and expansion in a defensive JHP, and it would make a great home defense gun. A 4" K-frame or L-frame would also be lighter than my 625MG and get more out of the .357mag than my 3" guns making it a better woods gun for around here (where large bears aren't much of a worry). However, I do like 3" revolvers more, and compared to the 1 7/8 and 2" revolvers a 3" doesn't lose as much velocity vs. a 4". Most of the info I could find online where it was actually compared, once you get to about 2.5", the differences from gun to gun variation were greater than the differences from barrel length.
Priority 2: A .357mag
I love shooting .357mag and I haven't shot a lot of it in a long time. My S&W 65LS has well over 10K rounds (I stopped counting at 10K around 16 or 17 years ago), and for a while, I shot a lot of magnums through it. I don't know what year S&W fixed the forcing cone issue with K-frame magnums, and I love this gun. So, I rarely shoot magnums out of it for fear of a cracked forcing cone. My Colt King Cobra is a small framed revolver (Colt's D-frame is roughly halfway between a K-frame and a J-frame), and at 28oz it is a bit light for all but the lightest .357mag unless I only want to shoot a cylinder or two. So, a new K-frame (my understanding is they strengthened the forcing cone when the re-released the K-frames a few years back), an L-frame or similar would let me shoot a lot more of my favorite cartridge again.
BTW: Because of the potential forcing cone issue, I'm only considering a S&W K-frame if it is new or the newer production guns if used.
Priority 3: A home defense revolver
I have other HD guns. However, I don't use the 625MG as much as I planned (it is too large for my quick access safes so it stays locked in my main safe), the Colt, J-frames and Taurus small framed revolvers are a little smaller and lighter than ideal for home defense. Even shooting .38+P, a 30 some ounce revolver will better manage the recoil and allow for faster follow up shots (not saying the Colt or steel framed Taurus 85 are bad, just a heavier gun would be better). The longer barrel length and sight radius should result in better practical accuracy.
Priority 3: Carry
While this won't be primarily a carry gun (with one of the guns I'm considering being an exception), I have that covered, several I'm considering would sometimes be pushed into that role. I don't think I've bought a gun in the last 10 years without it having some utility as a potential carry gun, well, not until I bought 3 steel framed, full sized 1911s this past fall (I am selling my least favorite of the two .45s, the Colt Gold Cup Match, and it may help finance one or two of the guns on this current list). Also, it will often be carried when camping or fishing (and maybe when kayaking).
Priority 4: Cost
Cost is always a factor, and I've bought a lot of guns lately. So, the more inexpensive the better, so long as it is a decent gun.