need help selecting a revolver

AmmoHouse said:
STR: the Mountain Gun in 45LC is one of my double actions...I love that gun!
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Yep. That S&W Mountain gun is a gem man! I love it also. The 44 was nice too but to me the problem with anything that says magnum on it is the report. I mean man the crack of a 357 mag or 44 mag in certain spaces where it can echo off around you is enough to nearly render you unconscious briefly and although I know in a crisis the report is something that will be the last thing on your mind it sure is on mine most of the time otherwise.

But the 357 is a good size so it would be a nice one to carry compared to some of the big bores. I like the 454 but again, size and report.

On the 44 air lights/ultra lites. I bought a S&W AirLite hammerless 44 Spcl a few years ago. Shot it once and traded it off the next day. You better have some good strong wrists to be popping off an airlite 44 mag if that is out there. The 44 spcl was all I want to handle. Not the kind you'd be plinkin cans with much I don't think. Generally speaking I'm a Smith fan. I'll buy anything if I like it and I can't say I've ever had but one Ruger I liked (and kept) and thats the Super Red Hawk 44 Mag. Now thats a wheel gun!

STR
 
If you just want a gun for plinking and such while hiking, I suggest that you look at the Ruger Single Six (.22 rimfire) or Taurus double action .22 (94???). Ammo is cheap, recoil is minimal and you can learn to shoot a handgun without developing that pesky flinch.

I'm not so sure these big bore centerfire cartidges are best for a first gun.
 
mogwai said:
If you just want a gun for plinking and such while hiking, I suggest that you look at the Ruger Single Six (.22 rimfire) or Taurus double action .22 (94???). Ammo is cheap, recoil is minimal and you can learn to shoot a handgun without developing that pesky flinch.

I'm not so sure these big bore centerfire cartidges are best for a first gun.
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Agreed! :thumbup:
Get a Single Six........22 and .22 magnum cylinders, blast to shoot and cheap to shoot!
 
mogwai said:
If you just want a gun for plinking and such while hiking, I suggest that you look at the Ruger Single Six (.22 rimfire) or Taurus double action .22 (94???). Ammo is cheap, recoil is minimal and you can learn to shoot a handgun without developing that pesky flinch.

I'm not so sure these big bore centerfire cartidges are best for a first gun.
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this is something i read on many threads in the w/s and practac forums. buying a .22 would ultimately make me have to buy another gun to have the caliber i want. i was hoping to buy what i wanted the first time because i would rather buy knives than guns. is it possible to shoot .38's and not develope a flinch?
 
Crossada do you have a place to get some shooting lessons? While shooting is pretty straightforward, there is alot to learn in a competent shooting school - eve if it's only a few classes.

Yes, you don;t need to start on .38 to avoid flinching when learning - you can start on a bigger caliber. I'd recommendstarting with .38, but it can be done with larger. Look around for a school or a shooting range like a rod and gun club.

My first handgun I ever fired was a Ruger Sec Six .357. I learned at a fed police academy (Border Patrol) and we shot .38 wadcutters - thousands of them. Additionally, we shot .38 +P+ and .357 mag. Lots of dry firing, etc. THis is why I recommended a shooting school or group classes at a rod and gun. There isn;t a need for anyone to flinch regardless of which weapon they first decided to learn on.
 
crossada said:
i am planning on getting a revolver in the coming year and would like some advice from the gun guys around here. my primary uses would be for plinking and a trail gun while hiking.
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You have received many replies so far. Some actually read your question, some suggested their favorite gun.....not that there's anything wrong with that....:D

You say that if you buy a .22 you'll still have to buy another gun to "get the one you want." Well, ok....I have a couple questions for you:

Plinking is probably understood, but what, specifically, do you expect or require a "trail gun" to do for you? It's quite possible that a .22, especially one with an interchangeable cylinder, will fulfull that role quite handily.

So you need to truly define your needs.

i have read on here that getting a heavy caliber is a bad idea for the novice shooter as it can cause bad habits.
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Absolutely !!

with that being said i only want to buy one gun and would like a caliber that is versatile and powerful.
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Ok, so you want "versatile and powerful." That knocks out the .22...(but still define your actual needs/wants) For the non-reloader, the most versatile caliber is the .357 magnum. It's been around since 1935, can shoot any and all of the dozens of .38 Special loads in it, including shotshells, full wadcutter paper (or squirrel) punchers, and can handle some pretty nasty full magnum loads, all in the same cylinder.

So, based on your own posts, the .357 is THE caliber for you.

i'm undecided if i want a single action or double. i'm leaning towards single action because i figure it is more simple? plus the "cowboy" look is appealing to me. i really like the looks of the ruger vaquero models which comes in .357
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If you want ONE gun to "do it all," then the single action ain't the one. A double action gun is better for defense, reloads faster and has a sweet single action trigger pull when you have the time to cock the hammer.

It's also safer. Why? Because to unload a single action, you have to turn the cylinder all the way around, making sure you took out all 6 rounds. Maybe that case you know is a fired round is really a live round. (As a general handling rule, for single actions, always rotate the the cylinder 7 times, just to make sure you rotated it 6 times) With a double action revolver, open the cylinder and look at ALL the chambers at the same time.

Another thing. If you're going to shoot .38 wadcutters thru full magnums, you might consider adjustable sights. The Ruger Blackhawk has adj sights, the Vaquero does not. Also, the sight picture that adj sights give you is much better than the "blade in a groove" the Vaquero gives you. A better sight picture = more hits on target. Adjustable sights allows you to make your chosen load hit where the sights say it should. Fixed sights, it's luck of the draw.

any advice people can give on ACTION TYPE, caliber, barrel lengths, and brands would be very helpful to me.!
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Double Action.

.357

At least a 4" barrel. A 6" may work, but a 4" is more versatile. A 4" will easily hold "minute of pie plate" at 50 yards. A barrel shorter than 4" is not a good choice for the guy buying his first and maybe only handgun.

My number one pick for this role would be the Smith & Wesson Model 686. (they make a 7-shot version, but I'd go with the 6-shot because the action is better) It has enough weight to "block that kick," but not so much to make it burdensome. One version, the SSR, is lighter than the standard 686, but it costs more.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=11001

Another option for this role is the current S&W Model 627. It's available as a 4" and a 5", either of which would work. It is the next frame size larger than the 686, but it holds EIGHT shots instead of 6 or 7. It also has the option of using a full moon clip for speedy reloads, but it is not required.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ING&attributeValueOperator1=EQUAL&isFirearm=Y

Ruger makes a good one, the GP-100. Strong and stout, it's not quite as 'finished' as the S&W's are.

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Revolver&subtype=Double Action&famlst=8
 
You can't go wrong with Smith & Wesson's 66 or 60. They have a 6 and 5 shot capacity respectfully in .357 and you can shoot that load or .38's all day. I love mine!

Model 66 (Customized big time!)

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Standard Model 60

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+1 on the Ruger GP100 with a 4 inch barrel. It can give you the powerful .357 rounds if needed, but the .38s are a breeze to shoot. Its a good, reliable gun and is fairly beginner friendly.
 
Awesome revolvers Kev. That 60 is exactly what I am looking for. Went to a show yesterday for one, and had 0 luck. I am still on the hunt though!!
 
If you are going to go with a 357 Mag the best one is the 5" S&W model 627 8 Shot revolver. Pricey but what a gun!

STR
 
lots of food for thought so far. thanks for taking the time guys:thumbup:

for a trail gun i was thinking along the lines of personal defense and survival purposes. something capable of hunting game in an emergency if the need should arise.

as far as firearm training goes i know there is a local skeet shooting place but i'm not sure otherwise. i will have to do some checking.

David E you made a strong recommendation for the DA. sounds like some very good advice, i just wish they had that "old west look" though. i'm not crazy about the rubber grips on most of them i have looked at but maybe i can find some aftermarket upgrades for it in a nice wood?
 
Look into NRA safety courses, in your area. This will give a good introduction to gun handling AND put you in proximity to hands on experience. The course I'm thinking of has hands-on range time. Contact the instructor in advance. The one we went through years ago, the instructor brought a few extra firearms for folks who were in your shoes.

Shooters tend to be a friendly sort when discussing their hobby. Locating a range can easily lead you to to someone willing to let you send a few rounds down range.

DavidE's notes on DA v SA are spot on. Do you KNOW a SA will serve you better, and can say why it would be so? For the purposes you outline, you require service before "that old west look" (nostalgia). Modern DA Rugers and S&Ws give up nothing in terms of durability and reliability compared to Ruger's Blackhawks.

PS: I can attest, GP100 grips help. I found they offset fatigue from long strings of light recoil .38. and take the edge off of heavy .357. The Ruger product does weigh a bit more than the S&W. Still, I feel the benefits make up for the extra ounces. The Vaquero grips gave me fits.
 
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PrimitiveMan said:
.357 all the way and you can't go wrong with a Ruger. I also would go with a 4" but 6" is fine if you prefer it.

.357 for these reasons:

It is a great defensive round for man or beast

You can shoot .38's all day long

You can buy shotshell snake rounds

You can buy a lever gun later in the same caliber

You can buy a concealed carry later in the same caliber
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:thumbup::thumbup:

Rugers are an A+ gun. I also have a Taurus Tracker and LOVE it. It is everything you described that you wanted, other than a single action cowboy gun. Excellent trail gun, it is light and very well balanced, plus it holds 7 rounds of .357
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STR said:
My favorite trail gun would be the S&W Mountain Gun in 45 Colt. But these are hard to find. They made it in 44 Mag also but I like the 45 better. I know a friend that could hand load some cast bullets for that 45 that would bring tears to your eyes but thats another story. :D

I have a Taurus bought this year I like a lot too. Its the first Taurus I've bought that I like. All titanium. They call it, "The Judge" and its available in several barrel lengths. Mine is the blued 3". The Judge shoots 45 Colt, and 410 Gauge shells or slugs up to 2.5" long. It was hard at first to find good sheaths for them but they are more readily available now. I have a pancake style molded fit one that I like bought off ebay.

I tell ya a lot of folks shoot this one down for being a novelty only and that could be if you plan to use it as a shot gun. Although I've been able to knock branches off trees at 20 yards with mine and #6 shot I can't say its all that impressive past maybe 10 or 12 feet with the shotgun loads. Even the #4 is not that super but this one really impressed me with how well it shoots the 45 Colt loads and if you like plinking its lots of fun with the Cowboy loads too. Its sold as a close and personal self defense gun. I got it because it was just so cool I had to have it, novelty or not but truth be told I like it! Most of the folks shooting it down as a novelty would pee their pants if the thing was pointed at them. I'd say look it over for your trail gun. A longer barrel option than my 3" may suit that need better but I wouldn't hesitate to carry it. I know the next time ole slim (snakes) comes sticking his head out when I'm cutting firewood he'll get introduced to my Judge right quick I can tell ya that! :D

STR
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+1

I love my tarus judge it isn't sexy looking unless you like old western style cowboy guns. It multi purpose gun, think of mini shot gun, slugs and .45 colt.

Taurus and ruger tend to be cheaper than smith and wesson quality of smith and wesson tend to be higher than the other two. They all come with lifetime warranty. You can't go wrong with any of them, however if you buy used ruger, I heard they had bad patch of guns that when dropped would go off.

.357 tend to have major kick and major muzzle flash in rounds that are meant to stop 2 legged or 4 legged animals. One of the major advantage of the .357 is you can fire cheap .38 rounds.

45 acp or .45 colt they are comfortable to shoot when you compare them to .357. I like the performance of the .357 magnum, but I enjoy shooting my .45 more by far. ammo cost more than .38 if you are looking to practice and plink

With any known revolvers produceror you. For whatever reason i just don't like how rugers feel in my hand, so I'm not as good with them as with other revolvers. You can't really go wrong these days, things you should look for is how the gun fits in your hand, which makes a huge difference in shooting imo. Is the gun balance to your liking, are the sights adjustable or fixed. If you have old eyes you may need to have some new sights put in for you.
 
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crossada said:
for a trail gun i was thinking along the lines of personal defense and survival purposes. something capable of hunting game in an emergency if the need should arise.

David E you made a strong recommendation for the DA. sounds like some very good advice, i just wish they had that "old west look" though. i'm not crazy about the rubber grips on most of them i have looked at but maybe i can find some aftermarket upgrades for it in a nice wood?
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I surmised that "personal defense" on the trail was one of your parameters. This is where the double action leaves the single action in the dust. It allows for accurate rapid fire, if needed and can do it one handed. Compare shooting 6 rounds into a pie plate at 7 yds, one handed, with each type of gun. The DA will run rings around the single action.

People that don't like guns won't like single actions any more than double actions, so don't base your choice on what anti-gunners think. If they'll listen, You can always say it was your Dad's duty gun...

Of the guns suggested, that 8-shot Five inch 627 is a real cool gun.

Grips are easily replaced.

http://ahrendsgripsusa.com/revolver.htm

The recall that Ruger has going on involves ONLY their semi-auto pistols, NOT their revolvers.

If concealment really isn't a concern (and I suspect this may well change once you start to carry it) then a good holster for your gun would be the "Cyclone #111" by Bianchi. It's a cross-draw holster that carries very well.

A quick note: years ago, I went with a couple friends to hike a trail in the Colorado mountains. At the trailhead, we encountered 3 folks: 2 women both wearing halter tops and one guy. They had llamas with them (the animal) I had a handgun visible on my belt, which was entirely legal in the National Forest we were in, but the guy about had a heart attack and stammered: "A Gun ?!?!? What the hell do you need a GUN for ??!?!" I had an assortment of answers immediately pop into my head, like, in my best Clint Eastwood: "Well, you never know when a wild llama might jump out at you...." or, "Hell, that one is for the little stuff, THIS one (pulling back my outter garment exposing my shoulder rig) THIS is for the big stuff....." But I picked the best answer of the three in a normal tone: "Well, you just never know."

I've thought about that incident many times since. I probably ruined his "outdoor experience" by allowing him to see my gun. So what? you might say. I hear you, but the fact remains, his outdoor experience was tarnished, even tho it was his own prejudice, etc, etc that ultimately caused it.

But had it been concealed......he wouldn't have seen it, his outdoor experience wouldn't have been tainted and I'd have a gun for the reasons I have a gun. See? We're both happy.

Something to consider.

.
 
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crossada said:
my primary uses would be for plinking and a trail gun while hiking.

first off i am not a gun guy meaning i don't have much experience shooting hand guns. ..... i only want to buy one gun and would like a caliber that is versatile and powerful.

i'm undecided if i want a single action or double. i'm leaning towards single action because i figure it is more simple?

any advice people can give on caliber, barrel lengths, and brands would be very helpful to me.
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Keep it as simple as you can.... cause this is a deep subject. Everyone you ask will have a different opinion/answer .. [me included]... based on their experience.

For instance... one pistol.... :confused: ... heaven forbid. :D
What about the .22, .380, 9mm, .38/.357, Glock in a .40, .44 Mag, .45 Auto ??? :D

Buy 2.........

First......get a .22 .

Second....... get a larger caliber.

A good all around caliber is a .38/.357. You can shoot very mild .38 Specials all the way to "Full House" .357 Mags..... IF, you get a good solid gun like a Ruger or S&W revolver.
I myself like a DA in the 4 inch barrel range.

BUT, first of all......... find some way to shoot a few different guns & calibers first.
Go to a range, find friends that shoot, something........... ;)

Good luck in your quest ............. :thumbup:
 
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