need help selecting a revolver

While short barreled 357's can be accurate, they are far from being shootable for a beganer. I would get a six inch barrel to help you gain confidence in handgun shoot/hunting. My favorite would be the GP 100 Ruger with a six inch barrel. Second choice the Ruger Blackhawk with a six inch or longer barrel. The difference in shootability between a 4 and 6 inch barrel is like night and day. For conciel carry I love the snubby 38/357 but had I started out pistol shooting with a 2 inch barrel, I would have been discouraged and quit.

Since I reload I could get by fine with a 44 Mag and shoot 44 specials for plinking but 44 special ammo can be hard to find if you are not in a good size sporting goods store. The same goes for the 45 Long Colt. You won't find ammo just anywhere and when you do, your choices may be slim. I shoot a 45 LC Blackhawk and have a 45 LC rifle to go with it. However, I am a avid reloader.
 
I have a 22 and a 38 . For plinking the 22 gets the nod. The 38 is hard on the ear drums.
 
A Ruger Single Six in 22/22mag would likely handle all your needs. The ability to carry 6 rounds safely over the older style single actions is a large plus to a beginner. They are also built to last and hold their value. My Single Six gets more of a work out than my .357 or 44-40. Even with the ability to reload I gravitate more to the 22. If you really become a shooter after that then step up to a .357. I have been in some iffy places and the sight of even the 22mag makes people step back. On the other hand if they are set on getting you then they will try even if you are carrying a cannon. I am almost 48 and I have never had anyone actually threaten assault on the trail. Even the bears run. Biggest problem is with wild dogs. Ultimately you need to decide your full needs. You might want to find a gun store that has a range and rents guns to use there. Try them out and see what feels right to you.
 
I suggest any Smith K frame 4", or any of the older Ruger Speed Six or Security Six models in .357.

I guarantee you that while an N frame Smith or Ruger GP100 style revolver is a more comfortable shooter, they are not easily concealed and they are no fun to carry on a long day hiking.

The K frame line from Smith has been replaced in favor of the L frame, which is somewhat beefier, but the K frame is a good choice for hiking. I would recommend a 4" barrel, but the 3" models are also well balanced and that 1" give or take won't make that much difference in shootability.

The old Speed Six and Security Six revolvers have been replaced by the larger GP100 revolver line also, but they can still be found.

They can be found in fixed or adjustable sight versions, in blued or stainless steel. I recommend stainless.

Have fun with your search!

Andy
 
udtjim said:
While short barreled 357's can be accurate, they are far from being shootable for a beganer. ~~~ The difference in shootability between a 4 and 6 inch barrel is like night and day. ~~~ but had I started out pistol shooting with a 2 inch barrel, I would have been discouraged and quit.
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I would have to agree with your thoughts on the 2 inch barrel. :thumbup:

However, the difference between the 4 & 6 in barrel is far from "night and day". It would be slight at most.... even for most beginners.
 
dipbait said:
I have a 22 and a 38 . For plinking the 22 gets the nod. The 38 is hard on the ear drums.
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:eek::eek::eek:
They are all "hard on the ear drums" IF a person does not wear hearing protection. :thumbup:

WEAR HEARING PROTECTION.... at least when plinking/target shooting. :thumbup:
 
teacher said:
:eek::eek::eek:
They are all "hard on the ear drums" IF a person does not wear hearing protection. :thumbup:

WEAR HEARING PROTECTION.... at least when plinking/target shooting. :thumbup:
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True. Its easy to forget earplugs, at least for me it is, .And you never know when a discarded washing machine will:D rear its ugly head.
 
http://www.pyramydair.com/p/crosman-357-air-gun-revolver.shtml

Crosman 357W airgun is based on the Colt Python. It has a 10 round clip and uses CO2 carts to shoot 0.177 lead pellets. Adjustable sights. DA and SA. It hits hard enough to pierce pop cans. You can easily set up a basement range by making a wooden target trap lined with duct putty or plumber's putty.

You can get 200 pellets for under 5.00. CO2 is about 1.00 a cart. Each cart will give you about 50 shots. Carts will operate down to about 50 degrees. They work better in warmer temps. Order some pelgun oil and put a drop on the end of each CO2 cart each time. Also, DO NOT overtighten the CO2 screw, hand tighten until the CO2 stops hissing and then back off just a bit. Overtightening will destroy the valve.

I used to train at a local range w/ a .22. As cheap as the ammo is, when you add range fees, gas, travel time and waiting for a lane time, it was expensive and inconvenient. With my Crosman 357W, I can punch paper and cans in my basement or back yard. Instead of a .22 and a .357, get a $50.00 Crosman for training and put the rest of the $ into your .357. That way you can practice at home with the Crosman and by dry firing your .357. Be sure to practice at a range as the Crosman, like dry firing, has no recoil at all.

Shoot safe!
 
One gun only would be a 357 with a six inch barrel. Taurus is as good as S&W or Ruger and less expensive. With old eyes the two inch difference is like daylight and dark. Self defense-Hunting-Plinking-Cheap 38 whats left?
 
dipbait said:
I have a 22 and a 38 . For plinking the 22 gets the nod. The 38 is hard on the ear drums.
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NO DISRESPECT MEANT....

But, man, WEAR EAR PROTECTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I see that others have responded with the same thing. Buy a bunch of the foam ear plugs and stash them in your ashtray, shooting bag, etc, so you'll always have something.

Once, I was shooting with a friend and his friend. Shooting full house .357's, in fact. We both had ear plugs, but the buddy didn't. I had an extra set, so I asked him, "Hey, you want my extra set of muffs?"

He said, "No, I'm used to the noise."

I said, "You're used to the noise?"

He said, "Whatja say?"

True story.

.

.
 
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I love my S&W 686 .357 6" Barrel
Picture044-2.jpg
 
My first two hand guns were Single Action revolvers. a Ruger Single Six convertible and a Blackhawk convertible. I've also shot double action pistols and I think either action makes a good woods gun. It's more personaly preference I think. Try to handle and rent some pistols if you can before you purchase one.

Heber
 
David E said:
NO DISRESPECT MEANT....

But, man, WEAR EAR PROTECTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I see that others have responded with the same thing. Buy a bunch of the foam ear plugs and stash them in your ashtray, shooting bag, etc, so you'll always have something.

Once, I was shooting with a friend and his friend. Shooting full house .357's, in fact. We both had ear plugs, but the buddy didn't. I had an extra set, so I asked him, "Hey, you want my extra set of muffs?"

He said, "No, I'm used to the noise."

I said, "You're used to the noise?"



He said, "Whatja say?"

True story.

.

.
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Thats good advice. I wear ear protection most of the time. Still , I dont know one person who uses fireams who has used ear protection 100 percent of the time. Ive only fired the 38 once without earplugs.The 22 gets fired occasionally without them.
 
texastonydobbs said:
I love my S&W 686 .357 6" Barrel
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for the DA that one is my favorite, it has a more refined look than the ruger imo. thanks for the pic.

my uncle showed me one of his revolvers about 15 years ago. i will see if he still has it and others that i can try out before i buy.

keep the pics coming if you got them.:thumbup:

thanks,
mark
 
I would get myself to a gun range that has a good selection of handguns and try any that you are interested in. I would probably stick to .357 even though it isn't my favorite caliber but it does seem to be the best all around caliber. If all you are looking is a plinking and trail gun you might also think about a .22. It is undoubtedly the cheapest to shoot and the best plinker of all.
 
ok, lets change this up for the sake of discussion.

if i decided to break down and buy two guns, a .22 for practice and plinking would the .357 still be the way to go? many have said it is the most versatile because it can shoot .38 for plinking but since that would be for the .22 now where does this leave my other wants in a trail gun?

i'm trying to figure a budget between two guns and ammo and one gun and lots of ammo. it is hard given all the advice on a clear winner.
 
I have two 625 Mountain Guns in .45 Colt - definite keepers. Of course, I reload - so ammo is easier for me to come by. You cannot beat a .357M/.38 for utility - and frugal/available ammo. Below is my purchase from last spring - new for this year. It's a 627 Pro - an N-frame 8-shooter. My local 'pusher' has them for $120 over the basic .357M - the 620, which is also an excellent choice. You can personalize either, as I did my 627 Pro. The original front sight is an orange ramp - and one of the 'extras' for the 'Pro' is a spring-loaded front sight - for tool-less changes - like the HiViz fiber optic sight shown. I also replaced the original rubber Hogue grips with wood. That can be done later - get the gun first. It will also take moonclips, a steel clip that holds the eight rounds together for faster reloads (It comes with a few.). I feel it is this year's 'bargain' - even if it runs $719 + s/t!

IMG_0622.jpg


I love my latest buy - a S&W 617 4" .22 LR. But - for a woods gun, you will want a bit more oomph. That 617 is a heck of a lot of fun for inexpensive plinking, that's for sure. I funded my last six months of purchases by selling my Rugers, especially my old single action 'friends' - I just like double action capability better. Good luck!

Stainz

PS If you do go two guns, I'd consider a 5" 63 for .22 LR and a 625JM, a 4" .45 ACP revolver. If you reload, you can load .45 Colt-ish lead in .45 ACP or AR cases - at a wide range of load levels. If you don't, UMC brass-cased .45 ACP ball ammo is <$82/250 at Wally World. That's a true 'big bore' that is both frugal in cost and punishment dished out to the shooter (Not a wrist snapper!). Choices...
 
I ended up with a stainless Smith K frame model 65 in 3 inch barrel in 357 flavor. My favorite, but shoot the ruger mark II stainless target more often. As said previously, a rifle would be a good companion, mine is a rossi lever gun in 357.
 
crossada said:
ok, lets change this up for the sake of discussion.

if i decided to break down and buy two guns, a .22 for practice and plinking would the .357 still be the way to go? many have said it is the most versatile because it can shoot .38 for plinking but since that would be for the .22 now where does this leave my other wants in a trail gun?

i'm trying to figure a budget between two guns and ammo and one gun and lots of ammo. it is hard given all the advice on a clear winner.
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Anyone that likes to shoot owns a .22 of some sort. A double action .22 revolver will cost more, generally speaking, than a quality equivalent semi-auto. Single actions off-set that somewhat, tho. If you shoot even a little bit, the cost savings between .22 ammo and factory .38 or .357 ammo will pay for the gun sooner than you might think.

I gather this is your first handgun. The .357 is not my favorite caliber, but one cannot deny its versatility in factory available ammo. If you're not going to reload, then the .357 still has much to offer.

Let's look at your stated use for the gun: defense and emergency hunting.

I really can't see a realistic need to "emergency hunt" for very long. Evenso, the animals that you'd be likely be able to get would be rabbits and squirrels, which the .22 would be plenty of gun for.

Now defense........that's another thing altogether. A six inch revolver may be the better choice for hunting, but not so much for defense. It's just bulkier enough to hinder the effort. Again, concealment may not be on your horizon NOW, but I suspect it will be in short order. The 4" is just easier to hide.

For defense, a DA revolver is a far better choice than a single action.

That said, is a revolver a good choice for trail defense? Well, probably it'll be fine. But how many rounds will you take with you? This matters, since resupply ain't gonna happen in the woods.

A case can be made for a good semi-auto, but since the thread specifies revolvers, we'll focus on that.

The .44 magnum, .45 acp and .45 Long Colt require a large frame. That may or may not matter. The full moon clips are nice, but they are a bit more fragile than a good speedloader.

A .44 magnum will kick more than you want to deal with until you get a good grasp of the basics. Even then, it may not be too fun !

Really, I think we're back to the .357. Unlike anything else, it can be found in small, medium, semi-large and large frames. You can find ammo that will work anywhere that sells any ammo at all.
 
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