Working Man Revolver

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Obturation said:
Gp100. Easier to service, costs less. Sold by a company that will actually provide cs if needed. Ruger is king of common folks guns. Sw is like a European car, slick, smooth and good looking but kind of dainty , harder to service and I doubt many would call them robust - I don't.
Depends on your plans though . I'm hard on everything and don't baby my gear. SW guns did poorly for me, ymmv
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I have ten's of thousand of round through three different S&W revolvers in competition and my Model 10 is approaching 5 figures too and they have never given me an issue. I am hard on my revolvers and S&W has held up well to lots hard use. No doubt Ruger are good revolvers but there is a reason S&W dominates the Revolver division across the practical pistol competition world and it is not because they are dainty.
 
Mr. Mosin said:
Utilitarian, common manufacturer, easy service and parts, along with plentiful aftermarket upgrades.
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I was thinking my old 4" Ruger Security Six is a good example of a "working man revolver." But "common manufacturer, easy service and parts, along with plentiful aftermarket upgrades" sure wiped out that idea! Once upon a time maybe, but not anymore.:(
Edited to add: I bought my 4" Security Six used, 25 or 30 years ago, and I knew it had problems (someone had done some kitchen-table gunsmithing on its trigger) when I bought it. But I also knew Ruger would fix it for me. So the first thing I did with it was ship it back to Ruger along with a letter stating that I'd bought the revolver used, knowing it had problems, and I would pay for the repairs.
Ruger shipped my completely repaired Security Six back to me a few weeks later - no charge. Sadly, I've heard Ruger doesn't even stock parts for their great Security Six line of revolvers anymore.
 
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While a good Single Action Army is very useful for hunting or snakes, that kind of thing, it is a sorry choice for personal defense. 2021 is not the cowboy westerns we grew up on as kids. I no longer carry a revolver of any kind out in the field but if I did it would be a 6-shot double action service sized gun with a couple Safariland Comp III speedloaders to back it up.

They look pretty in pictures and are fun to shoot, but if anyone considers “personal defense” as a criterion for their “working man’s revolver” then leave the photogenic but obsolete single actions at home. Your life is worth more than betting on 1870s technology.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
While a good Single Action Army is very useful for hunting or snakes, that kind of thing, it is a sorry choice for personal defense. 2021 is not the cowboy westerns we grew up on as kids. I no longer carry a revolver of any kind out in the field but if I did it would be a 6-shot double action service sized gun with a couple Safariland Comp III speedloaders to back it up.

They look pretty in pictures and are fun to shoot, but if anyone considers “personal defense” as a criterion for their “working man’s revolver” then leave the photogenic but obsolete single actions at home. Your life is worth more than betting on 1870s technology.
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We don't yet know what the OP's "work" is. However, the OP did specify a large or medium framed "belt revolver" - double-action revolver in .357 so the posts recommending a .44 revolver - regardless of action type - are also and equally as OT. If personal defense in an urban setting, from two-legged assailants, is the only criteria, it certainly was not in the original post. I understand many here are solely and exclusively focused on the, "...and in this scenario, two armed men come out of the shadows..." mentality but, that's not what was asked. What was asked was, of these three or four options, which revolver in .357 would you recommend for a working man's budget. Not a high-dollar, custom-made, super-concealment kit but an affordable and obtainable, solid, reliable "belt revolver." For myself and many here, that first and best, most utilitarian and reliable 4" .357 was a Ruger Blackhawk. Not concealable but, that wasn't mentioned as a criteria... was it.
 
Re-reading the OP it is clear he wants a double action:
Thoughts on a "working man's" belt revolver ?

I'm thinking perhaps a 4" barreled .357 Magnum, double action; along the lines of a S&W Model 19 or a Ruger GP100/Smith 686. Utilitarian, common manufacturer, easy service and parts, along with plentiful aftermarket upgrades.
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But of course the thread turned into folks seizing the opportunity (every opportunity they can) to post their $$$$ thousands upon thousands of dollar custom SINGLE action revolver collection, that has 0 bearing whatsoever on the subject at hand. A little conceited perhaps?

OP: You’re already on the right track. Get you a Ruger GP100, you’ll love it. Imminently practical, as durable and reliable yet more versatile than any single action (including the strong Blackhawk), and a gun still in production with good quality and amazing customer service. You cannot go wrong with that gun.

Check out the excellent holsters from Simply Rugged or El Paso Saddlery. Both outfits can also fix you up with a single or double speedloader pouch so a quick reload can be at hand for any task, or you can carry a speed strip or old fashioned cartridge loops.

Whatever you choose good luck! :)
 
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GP100 is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear working man's 357. Only ~$200 more than the Brazilian guns and about 10x nicer. It needs no maintenance beyond a brush and oil (that's true of any revolver to be fair) and is up for multiple lifetimes of shooting.

S&W gets a reputation as the Cadillac to Ruger's Toyota, but a 686 is only $100-$200 more than a GP100. If a GP100 is in your budget, a Smith probably is too.

I'm all for a good deal, but IME the Taurus and Rossi revolvers aren't really a deal. I'm not happy with my Brazilian 357s that would cost $500 new today, while I love my 4" GP100 that would cost $750 new today. Buying the Brazilian guns is just money that would have been better spent on a Smith or Ruger.

The Security Six guns are cool, but I wouldn't call them a deal anymore. They're more at fair market value. For comparison, the glut of police Model 10s on the market pushes their price down below what they're really worth - $300 won't buy you a nicer revolver anywhere.

I don't think anyone has ever called the Colt Python a working man's gun.
 
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Charlie Martinez said:
A 4" revolver in 357 Mag sounds about right but instead of a S&W, Colt or even Ruger, a Taurus or a Charter Arms revolver are to me more along the lines of a "working man's" weapon.
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I dunno about that considering what many of us wrote on page 2. Just plug in our old pay and old gun prices into a inflation calculator and it wouldn't be much different today if it wasn't for this gundemic we happen to be in.
 
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Mr. Mosin said:
Let's let the OP clarify.... I'm not purchasing anything now. This was more of a poll.
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Then I'd say the best buy considering budget, support, and options is the Ruger SP-101, not the GP-100. You lose one round in the chamber but lose a lot of weight and gain a lot of concealment. I have large hands and still find the SP-101 handier than the GP-100, especially with moderate .38Spl loads. Yes, the full-throat heavy 160gr. + .357 magnums are going to be harder on the average shooter but, they aren't necessary for most applications. I wouldn't try hunting with a SP-101 but I would pack one on my hip while carrying a Marlin .35 Remington. It's a tidy little package and slightly less expensive to boot.
 
I bought a Model 19 back when I was a working man although I was getting up at 4 AM and at work at 6:30 AM. None of that lazy 9 o'clock stuff for me. I also bought a Python and then a Dan Wesson. I never really cared for the Python and sold it for what I paid for it. I still have the others. The DW was tops in accuracy and more pleasant to shoot than the 19 with hot 357 loads. Th be truthful I never enjoyed shooting 357 in the 19. I have used three different sets of grips on it and Hogue rubber grips are on it now. They are the most comfortable so far but the thing still makes the web between my thumb and hand ache quickly even with 38 special loads. I 've turned into a wimp I suppose.
 
If you have ever shot a "full power" 357 Magnum revolver without ear protection you quickly realize it's hard to make it a working/utility revolver. I can pull my 38 Special out, shoot one or two shots and though loud and no doubt contributing to long term accumulated hearing damage it does not leave my ears in physical pain and ringing with significant short term and immediately diminished hearing the way unprotected shooting of a 357 Magnum does. If I honest think I need that much power I would rather shoot my 10mm revolver or my 44 Mag than that barky little 357 Magnum. The 10mm is similar in power and easier on the ears and the 44 Magnum at least bites as bad as its bark. Honest my next choice for a working revolver after my model 10 in 38 Special would by my Model 625 in 45 ACP. Lot bigger heavier revolver but it is also easy on the ears and fast reloading. Moonclips rule.

ETA: I am a well documented 357 Magnum hater so YMMV.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
While a good Single Action Army is very useful for hunting or snakes, that kind of thing, it is a sorry choice for personal defense. 2021 is not the cowboy westerns we grew up on as kids. I no longer carry a revolver of any kind out in the field but if I did it would be a 6-shot double action service sized gun with a couple Safariland Comp III speedloaders to back it up.

They look pretty in pictures and are fun to shoot, but if anyone considers “personal defense” as a criterion for their “working man’s revolver” then leave the photogenic but obsolete single actions at home. Your life is worth more than betting on 1870s technology.
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I'm not about to try to rehash the use of a SA for personal defense. There are better choices, we all can agree on that.
However, by your logic you should probably just leave your 1911 home next to your SA. I mean.... It is 110 year old technology. Therefore should not be relied upon for self preservation.

Personally I guess I've never given much thought to the age of the technology, just weather or not it still works. Last I knew big bore SAs still made big holes.
 
mcb said:
If you have ever shot a "full power" 357 Magnum revolver without ear protection you quickly realize it's hard to make it a working/utility revolver. I can pull my 38 Special out, shoot one or two shots and though loud and no doubt contributing to long term accumulated hearing damage it does not leave my ears in physical pain and ringing with significant short term and immediately diminished hearing the way unprotected shooting of a 357 Magnum does. If I honest think I need that much power I would rather shoot my 10mm revolver or my 44 Mag than that barky little 357 Magnum. The 10mm is similar in power and easier on the ears and the 44 Magnum at least bites as bad as its bark. Honest my next choice for a working revolver after my model 10 in 38 Special would by my Model 625 in 45 ACP. Lot bigger heavier revolver but it is also easy on the ears and fast reloading. Moonclips rule.

ETA: I am a well documented 357 Magnum hater so YMMV.
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I'm a fan of the .357 and have to agree: unprotected use of hyper-velocity rounds is a great way to end up with tinnitus.

When I was hunting regularly with the .357 I used a handload of 10 grains of 2400 under a 200 grain hard-cast flat-point bullet which was moving from a 4-5/8" Blackhawk fast enough to put pigs down flat without too much flash or that sharp "bark" of hyper-velocity loads. It wasn't exactly tame but it wasn't a flame-thrower, either.

I prefer .45AutoRim or .38Spl for in the house. I'm not shooting 100 yards at a deer...
 
Mr. Mosin said:
None, and I don't plan on owning any. Far better things to do than spend $1500 on a .357 Magnum with a shotgun rib and well known timing issues.
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Dan how many times in the emails we trade have you listed a Python on your list of Fantasy Guns? Several times. And how many times have you and I had this same conversation? Several times. And like I have done in the emails I will once again point to you getting a GP-100. And when that gets heavy to carry a model 15. I love my 32oz model 15 for wearing on a belt. It rides so easy and has all the power I need for a belt gun.

Early on another poster (post #4) mentioned a 3" J-Frame for a working mans gun. I agree with that too. I have a model 36-6 with 3" full lug barrel and adjustable sights. It weighs 24oz and is a real pleasure to have on a belt.

Now all we have to do is have the OP define what he means by "working man". That will make it easier to pin down the ideal revolver.
 
Based on the OP’s definition, I can only imagine that a S&W 442 or 642 would qualify. Other S&Ws are too expensive and less expensive brands don’t have the extensive aftermarket support.

That said, I think it is completely understandable to get a second mortgage in order to get a nice revolver.
 
ontarget said:
I'm not about to try to rehash the use of a SA for personal defense. There are better choices, we all can agree on that.
However, by your logic you should probably just leave your 1911 home next to your SA. I mean.... It is 110 year old technology. Therefore should not be relied upon for self preservation.

Personally I guess I've never given much thought to the age of the technology, just weather or not it still works. Last I knew big bore SAs still made big holes.
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You must live in a special world in your own mind if you believe a 1911 is on equal terms with a rootin’ tootin’ cowboy sixshooter. A LOT can (and did) happen in firearms development between those time periods.

Try this on for size Tex:

DE21-DAD6-DDA0-4466-82-C8-6-F691-DE939-E3.jpg

Your “argument” is pathetic.
 
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