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Which Would You Choose?

Which Would You Choose

  • Colt Diamondback .38 Special 4" Blued

    Votes: 27 25.7%
  • S&W PC M66 F Comp .357/.38

    Votes: 22 21.0%
  • S&W (older model) M66 4" And Send To S&W PC Center For....?

    Votes: 22 21.0%
  • None Of The Above, I'd Suggest....

    Votes: 34 32.4%

  • Total voters
    105
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nero45acp

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Joined
Nov 28, 2003
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1,404
Location
Tampa Bay area
I am planning on buying another revolver in the next few months and I appreciate not only your vote for which one, but also some info/opinions on my revolvers listed.

This revolver would be used soley for informal target shooting and plinking. Also, I have small hands, and I want a revolver that will fit my hands well. Thanks.

nero
 
Personally, I like the Ruger SP 101 with the 3" barrel. This is one heck of a revolver, small enough for easy concealment, but heavy enough and with a long enough sight radius to make it easy to shoot.
 
From the three choices listed, I'd go with the Diamondback hands down. I had one years back and it's the only gun I've gotten rid of that I sorely regret.

The example I had was well made, accurate and was a deep, beautiful blue - a 4" in .38. I was an idiot, but those new SS guns were becoming popular and I just had to have one. I traded for a 67. Still kicking myself. :(

The 66 is an excellent choice as well, but they just don't make 'em like the Diamondback anymore.
 
colts2.jpg


Hard to go wrong with a nice little diamondback!
 
Look for a 4" 357 K or L frame.

There's tons of them out there.

13/65, 19/66, 581/681, 586/686.

These guns are always available.

I have an F Comp. It's a nice gun also.
 
I'd go with the 66 F-Comp, but not for the purposes you intended, just because I want one. If you know of one for sale, and decide to go a different way, please let me know if it's still available. Thanks!
 
None Of The Above, I'd Suggest....

You might try a Smith model 67 (adjustable sights) or a model 64 (fixed sights). Both are 38’s, both are K frames, both are stainless (won’t rust easily). You can find these used in excellent condition (with no lock). Great plinking - target guns and with the right bullets good for self defense too.
 
Security Six

I would go with the Security Six although the Diamondback definitely has visual appeal (can I have both?). The Sec 6 allows the use of .357's and should outlast the others in round count with the hot rounds.
 
I think an older model 66 or 19 S&W as it came from the factory or a Ruger GP 100 with a 4" or 6" barrel hard to beat. Have a bit of issue with Colt and own a 6" model 66 S&W that has and is serving me well. You might have to get grips to suit you for the S&W.
Baker
 
A 4" or 6" 66 is hard to beat as a plinker. An even better choice - especially in a new revolver - is the new 4" 620. It is an L-frame (same grip as the K-frames) with a little more meat - and an opening big enough for the 7-shot cylinder, but still carrying the nice half-lug. My pusher has both a late 4" 66 and the 620 - I'll pay the few extra bucks for the additional round... when I get some more mad money. the 620 weighs a bit less than an ounce more, too - it handles and points nicely, although I don't like the 620's Hogue monogrip as well as I do the 66's Uncle Mike's Combat grips.

Stainz
 
Target shooting, is that going to be a formal event or just poking holes in paper.
formal event get a K38 or S&W 15, 19, 66, 67
informal poking holes in paper, plinking get a S&W mod 10.

A 3" round butt heavy barrel mod 10 can do a lot.
 
If you can get a 4" Diamond Back, then by all means don't pass it up, but since they are no longer made, and the fact that I'm a big fan..(and owner of several)...of Smith & Wesson revolvers, I'd have to reccommend you go with the 4" 686 and no compensator. Comps on a short barrel are nothing more than fluff, they are not needed, and you may find that they spray in your face. I have 4 S&W wheel guns, 3 with 6" barrels, and 1 with a 4", and not one of them are comp'ed......
 
If you are only gonna plink and shoot paper with the gun.......

Have you considered an S&W .22 revolver? The 617 is a mighty fine gun. I have owned a K-Comp and still own several Model 66's and 686's, not to mention a Model 15. For pure fun and tack-driving accuracy, there is nothing like a K-frame .22.

Clemson
 
I would buy the 66 or 686 and leave it stock for at least 500rds. You might not want to have it worked on except maybe a little trigger work.

I have been very happy with my older S&W's. My 686 has a trigger that would be very hard to beat.
 
I should have mentioned in my original post, I currently have these revolvers:

S&W M640 .357 Magnum
S&W M432PD .32 H&R Magnum
S&W M63 4" .22LR
S&W M60 5" .357 Magnum (on layaway, will pick-up in 2 weeks)


nero
 
For the purposes stated; the ability to find a grip that fits smaller hands; and getting a new gun that is extremely strong and is just naturally a good buy:

Ruger GP-100 6" bbl. .357
It could be the blued or the stainless version.

I have a high-polished stainless, full-underlug version ( GKGP-161 ) with a Hogue grip.
It's a great revolver for all the reasons you have stated.
It's worth a look at these revolvers. :)
Good Luck.
 
For informal target shooting, plinking, and a good fit for a smaller size, I think the 4" K-frame S&W's are just the ticket. They're fairly light and with the right grips can fit smaller hands very well. 4" is a nice balance. I'd pick a 4" 13 or 65 with fixed sights or, easier to find, a 4" 19 or 66 with adjustable sights - so you can really dial in the gun's POI if you wish to.

Probably the most practical and easiest to find would be a lightly used 4" 66: adjustable sights, stainless finish, fairly light weight, but sturdy and durable. I would shoot mostly "light" .357 handloads in the gun. Alternatively, a 4" 67 in .38 special would be great.

ADDED:

The 3 or 4" GP-100 is a very fine revolver worthy of your consideration as well.

KGPF331_L.jpg


KGPF331_R.jpg


KGPF331_LF.jpg
 
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