Whats the best buy?????????

[azhunter12]

Hi. I'm looking to get my first revolver but have no idea what's the best buy on the market. I know that I want a 357 mag and that I want to spend less than $325 total. Does any one have experience with the Taurus m65 or 66. These seem to be inexpensive at budsgunshop but is this an example of you get what you pay for? Also the Ruger GP100 looks like a good choice too.The only down side is the prices are a bit higher. Does anyone know if SOG still has GP100's? These are what I came up with so far but I am open to suggestions on other revolvers. Thanks. Azhunter.

 

[earplug]

What are you going to do with it?

Carry, plink, hunt, bedside, vehicle or ?

For A good deal on at least three out of the above six, check out a used S&W M65 four inch or its blue bro M13
Many enjoy Ruger SP101, another good sold .357.

 

[azredhawk44]

Look for a used S&W out of J&G Sales in Prescott. They have used police issue Model 19's (I think) for about $250 or so if memory serves.

Heck of a first .357. No lock on it either.

 

[markmc753]

My Taurus 66 works great

 

[Blue .45]

If you're going to have only one revolver and if you're planning to shoot a lot of .357s through it, you should probably get a GP100. S&W k frame such as a M19 or similar Taurus model's don't hold up to full power .357s very well. However, if you can find a used L-frame Smith 586/686 , that would be an excellent choice too. My personal preference is the GP100. the factory grips fit my hand perfectly and absorb recoil well also. Plus I like the interchangeable front sights.

 

[Jim March]

Before the GP100, Ruger made a different, smaller series of DA sixshooter 357s - the "Service/Security Six series".

The "Service Six" was fixed-sight, "Security Six" is adjustable...other than that, basically the same gun. Most people have no idea how cool these were and they tend to go for much less money than they're worth. In reality, their size is just a hair bigger than the S&W K-Frames such as the 19 and 66, but the Rugers were stronger. Not as tough as the later GP100 but not too far off it.

The S&W K-frames had a weak spot, a place at the bottom edge of the barrel where it screws into the frame that had a "flat point" which could crack. Despite being similar in size, the Ruger Service/Security guns had no such flaw.

S&W then came out with the L-Frame, a larger gun that also solved the barrel weakness issue and was designed for heavy use of full magnum loads (per S&W). The GP100 was Ruger's response, a gun that clearly looked to be as big, beefy and tough as the L-frame. Ruger took the opportunity to design the GP100 to be cheaper to manufacture than the hand-fitting needed for the Security/Service series, and discontinued the older guns. Most people assumed it was because the older series was "inferior".

On the contrary: those old Rugers were nearly as tough as an S&W L-Frame while being similar in size to the K. How is that not cool?

 

[Confederate]

Look for a good stainless Ruger Security-Six .357 in 4- or 6-inch barrel. Or go with a GP-100 with a 4-inch tube. Better to get something that will take a steady diet of full magnum loads. The Smith 19/66 are fine guns, but not too robust. Ditto with the Taurus 66. A Smith 686 also is a fine gun.

My own personal opinion is that the .357 is about the best "first" revolver a person can own. Don't scrimp on it. My first revolver was a Security-Six and I couldn't have made a better choice, though when I decided to buy one I knew nothing about handguns and I had never heard of Ruger. The gun store proprietor said, "I'll tell you what. You buy this gun today and go do some reading. And if you decide you want to spend more money on a Smith & Wesson, you bring it on back and we'll work out another deal." (It was the only SS he had in stock and I paid $169 for it.) I went down the street and picked up a few gun magazines before returning home and, after reading them, was convinced I'd made the right decision.

Ever since then, I've been a big Ruger fan. The 6-inch Security-Six is especially sweet.

 

[logical]

I just picked this up new in a wood case for $330 shipped from a Gunbroker seller. 6" security six Ohio State patrol 50th ann. commemerative.....but to me it's a shooter. You can find barely used Security and Service sixes all day long for under $300

 

[glockman19]

Get a 686 and you'll be happy for whatever you use it for. Great all around revolver. You can find one for around $400.

 

[skeeter1]

Not to be too snobbish, but the best deal is probably the most expensive one you can afford. Colts and S&Ws are fine handguns, and I've yet to see one go down in value. Save your money and get one of the premium ones. Trust me here.

 

[azhunter12]

Is the security six DA? Azhunter.

 

[Jim March]

Yes, the Security Six/Service Six series are DA.

The "Single Six" is SA. Caused a bit of confoosion.

 

[rolltide]

I have owned S&W and Taurus 357's and I have shot Rugers and often have thought to buy one, but all my 357's are Dan Wesson. With the interchangeable barrels you can do everything with the same gun from 2.5" CCW, to 4" trail gun to 6" target gun to 8" hunting gun. Using the same gun for all those things really helps you become VERY familar with the feel of the action and helps build muscle memory. Your CCW practice helps you in your hunting accruacy and vice versa. All the makers listed above make fine guns but the Dan Wesson is the most accurate and most versatile, that is why I settled on them myself.

Roll Tide

 

[Geister]

If you do some hunting, you can find a K-frame Smith for less than $325.

Also, don't count out a Dan Wesson revolver. In all honestly that's probably the best deal for what you are willing to spend. They are about the size of a L-frame Smith. About 6" tall, 1.46" wide at the cylinder. That, and if you happen to wear out the barrel on one you can just buy another one and replace it yourself. VERY accurate. More durable than the K-frame.

I also think the Ruger Service Six and Security Six are worth a look.

 

[Confederate]

Get a 686 and you'll be happy for whatever you use it for. Great all around revolver. You can find one for around $400.

Yep, fine guns but they're a bit heavy to haul around. I have a 6-inch 686 and it's good for range use, but carry it around all day in a holster?

Not!

That's why I prefer a Security-Six.

 

[G95]

i'd say Ruger GP100 if your new to revos and want a tank of a revover at a great price that will shoot just as good as a S&W 686 or 686p if you want something a little fancier and lighter go with a 686 or 686p if you want the 7th round

cant go wrong with either of these two just pick a barrel length thats not too long or short for what you intend to use it for

 

[DeerHuntr]

I bought a used GP100 6" stainless 4yrs ago and have NEVER regreted it. A typical day at the range it gets at least 100-150 magnum loads fired through it as well as a few .38's and it has never let me down. I shot it every weekend for the first while I owned it, probably only shoot it once a month now but it is always ready to go.They are a fine gun, my wife even enjoys shooting it with .38's, the Magnum loads are a bit too much for her though. The ability to shoot non magnum and magnum loads is the best feature of the .357 mag, my wife and I enjoy it very much