What gun should I buy?

What gun should I buy?

  • Ruger SP101

    Votes: 82 90.1%

  • Taurus M415

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Charter Arms Bulldog Classic

    Votes: 8 8.8%
  • Total voters
    91
  • Poll closed .
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O

onebadcaballero

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
41
Location
northwest florida
Hi everyone, this is my first post and I just want to say that I have been using this site as a "non member" know for some time and have found many great discussions made by knowledgeable folks.

Here's my question. I'm looking for a concealed carry/trail gun as I turn 21 in about a moth and have some extra money saved up. I plan on shooting this thing a lot so durability is a big factor. I have a lee aniversery reloading kit (but no dies or molds). These are the 3 guns I have narrowed it down to.

First is the Ruger Sp 101 in .357 magnum with a 3" barell. Ammo is cheap and this is suppose to be a real durable gun. Can anyone tell me how accurate this weapon is?(I would eventually buy some dies and molds but that would be down the road) aprox. $500

next is the Taurus 415 (.41 magnum 5 shot) 2.5" barell. From what I can tell this is just a snubby Taurus tracker without porting. Some reviews show accuracy to be in the 2-3" range at 25 yards. Ammo is very expensive for this gun so I would have to reload (witch means buying dies and molds) but this is a lot of fire power in your pocket. aprox. $500

Finally the Charter Arms 44 special Bulldog Classic in a 3" barell. I've heard they are pretty accurate but the thing that scares me is I've heard long term reliability issues. Is this true? I would have to reload for this gun since 44 special is a little pricey (again this means more molds and dies) but the price is aprox. $400

By the way I have shot a 44 magnum accurately and i'm not afraid of recoil so none of these weapons should be a problem for me to shoot.
Thanks
 
Ruger

My gunsmith won't work on a Charter Arms.
I owned a Bulldog and sold it. Nice idea cheaply executed.
No personal knowledge on 41's or Taurus wheel guns.

The Ruger is a proven design and .357/38spl. is a very flexible affordable round to reload for.
 
I own an older 2.5" Bulldog. Mine is a pre-charco, Stratford gun- which are usually considered pretty good. I paid like $179 OTD for it- older Charters are usually pretty affordable used. I have no experience with the newer Charter revolvers. The Bulldog is probably my favorite carry gun. It is light and despite the cylinder, conceals way easier than my autos. (I'm skinny) The single action trigger is good, the DA leaves some to be desired, but it is sufficient.

I bought Hornady ammo for CCW, because it was the only expanding option available locally. I also have some other options now as well with heavier bullets (e.g. Winchester Silvertips, etc...)

With full house 246 LSWC grain loads, you feel it. However, the gun is controllable and not painful. Mine has a wood grip. The new ones are rubber- might help. With 240 LSWC plinking loads, loaded with trailboss (the one's that arcticap is referring to) the gun is a pussy cat. Mine shoots more than accurately for what it is.

You will end up reloading if you buy a .44 SPL or .41 MAG. In the short run, you may be better off buying rather than casting, though that will cost more.

I have a Taurus 94 (.22LR). Taurus revolvers can be good, functional guns. However, they can be hit or miss. Make sure you check out the one that you are buying before buying it...if you go the Taurus route.

The Ruger is probably the highest quality gun you are considering. However, they are heavy guns- which is detrimental for carry.
 
I figured the Ruger was the best quality /durable gun, but has anyone had any experiences with a new model bulldog classic. Does anyone know witch gun would be more accurate? Thanks
 
My wife has an SP101 that she loves. They are built like tanks. For plinking don't overlook the GP100 in 4" or 6" in the same caliber. Easier to shoot well.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // I have not shot the Taurus or the Charter but have used the SP101.
I think the 3" .357 is a great revolver for multi use from plinking to SD.
I have carried a Ruger and trust the quality.

The added option of .38 makes it less expensive than the other two for range sessions also.
Good luck finding what works for you.
 
I would have to go with the Ruger SP101 from the three guns listed. Not too impressed with what I have seen in terms of quality and long term durability of Taurus and Charter Arms revolvers.
 
Ruger. Period. End of story.

Ruger is one of the best made revolvers around, anywhere. My opinion.

As far as accuracy goes, all firearms start out as an accurate weapon, at least they are supposed to. And I shot better, or at least as well with my Ruger 2" bbl. .357 mag. as I do with a 5" 1911. Accuracy is really up to the shooter
 
Thanks for all the responses. It really is too bad they don’t make the charter arms like they did back in the day (those were suppose to be pretty good). I was leaning towards the ruger and all of your responses solidified my stand. I'll be getting the sp101 then sometime in early May. I'll be sure to post a review and some videos on youtube. By the way I have nothing against S & W it's just that there a little out of my price range.
 
Of your choices, it sounds like the Ruger best meets your needs.

By the way I have nothing against S & W it's just that there a little out of my price range.
Click to expand...

You never know, you may well come across a nice used S&W J or K frame with a 4" or shorter barrel in .38 or .357 Mag. Many of the used guns can be horridly overpriced too (like a 2" Model 60 in .357 Mag I saw last week for $675), but there are decent to great deals out there if you just scope out the right pawn and gun shops. You might even find a good deal on a used 3" SP101. Just make certain it passes the revolver checkout procedure, be it new or used, and you'll be GTG.

As for accuracy, it's hard to say which is most accurate. Assuming the timing is on and the crown is clean, they should all be capable of sub 2" groups at 25 yards or better.

Speaking of used guns, I happened on a blued 3" Taurus 431 in .44 Special last year. Really wonderful shooting gun, and being a fairly slim 5 shot cylinder, it is pretty easy to carry too. Though I only paid $268 for it, ammo is pricey as you well know.
 
Ruger sp 101 no question as you are in NW Florida.
It will handle any trail problem you might encounter by it 2 or 4 legged or even if it slithers along the ground.
 
Of the 3, I'd get the Ruger, but with the recently introduced 4" barrel. It'll suit your stated parameters better.
 
I sent a Charter Arms back to the factery twice. 44 spl. Heard older ones are better. I do not want another. Warrenty did not cover shipping. Charged me BOTH times.
 
It really is too bad they don’t make the charter arms like they did back in the day (those were suppose to be pretty good).
Click to expand...
I have an older Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Spl, and while it is a nice little gun which has served me well, it isn't near the quality of the SP-101.

The SP-101s DA can be slicked up very, very nicely by a Smith, and unless abused, will still be there for your grandchildren.
 
Ruger vs Charter vs Taurus? No question.

Ruger is a top name for reliability and durability. The only thing they give up to S&W is in refinement. As a working gun, take care of the Ruger and it won't let you down.
 
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