1st revolver

[my1stpistol]

Hey all. Been shooting semi auto pistols for a few years now and have added a few to the collection.
I want a revolver! I have shot a few .44 and .357.
Not for carry purposes just for general plinking.
Would like to keep it under 650$ and I'm good with used.
Leaning toward .357/.38spl.
Any advice or used buying tips would be great. Don't see many used at the LGS I go to.
Thanks in advance.

[LumberZach]

Ruger gp 100. You might be able to find one new around your price. You will definitely be able to find one used at that price. 4" for idpa, 6" for walking in the woods. Personal preference if you are just having fun. Let me know what you decide. I still can't decide between the best barrel length.


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[LePetomane]

.357 magnum. I'd look for a used Smith & Wesson 686. The gun is well built and the factory trigger is very nice. Bill's in Hudson had one a while ago. Ruger makes a nice one as well. The SP 101 is a nice gun if you want to shoot .38 specials. It is chambered for .357 but .38's are more manageable.

I would stick with either of those two brands. I have handled a Taurus and was not impressed.

Buy it nice or buy it twice.

[gun_fan111v2]

When faced with the same dilemma I ended up with a 4" S&W 586 as I prefer black guns - love it!!!

SP101 was not comfortable for me to hold and I did not want to go in search of new grips right away.

GP101 are nice guns and available in black as well, but Smith just felt more refined and smooth for not that much of an up charge.

[Ron Burgundy]

I bought a 4" 686. .38 special is really fun.

[mmcnx2]

If it is a range/hunting gun I'd go with a 6 or 5 inch barrel over a 4. I's also agree the Smith or Ruger in 357/38 are the way to go.

[Amazi]

Rugers are a lot more durable then a smith and there triggers are better. Taurus makes some nice revolvers also at a really nice price.
id stay away for the light weight ones unless you are going to carry it. Sp101 and 640smith is about as small as I'd go with a magnum round. I carry my 640 with magnum rounds it's a handful but it's very manageable unlike my lcr and my dads air weight.

Only ones I stay away from is an eaa windicator, and the rock island 38special.
Can't really go wrong with a revolver bigger the barrel the nicer it will be to shoot.

Realize you gotta hold them to find the one you like. A 357/ 38 special will be the cheapest to shoot.

[LumberZach]

Sp101's look nice, but if you aren't carrying it, I'd stay away from the 5 shot guns, i.e. Sp101 or j frames. The gp100/686 will be a lot more enjoyable, and easier in all departments. These are the only two guns you should be looking at. Just say no to Taurus. Just buy a nice gun and you won't worry about it again. I only recommend gp100 over the 686 due to price. I've shot both and they are both nice no two ways about it.


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[goatroper]

Will toss in my .02 I have two revolvers, one is a sp101 that I use a lot for carry. The other is a JM625 from S&W, not really for carry, but for fun at the range and trying to keep up with the bottom feeders in competition I can't recommend it enough. Everyone says that the price on used ones should be dropping due to the eight and nine shot revolvers taking over its top spot on the revolver competition level. You will have to look around to see if this is happening. Also if you reload for 45ACP it's a great idea.

[my1stpistol]

Wow!Thanks for all the replies. I was already pretty sure it would be a Smith or a Ruger. Looks like I should go shoot a few mentioned above.
When assesing the condition of a used revolver what are a few key areas to look at?
Sorry if I'm being redundant. I search for things on here but don't always find!

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[JJ]

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=19

Full rundown on how to inspect a used revolver.

[OldmanFCSA]

My preference is a 6" heavy under-lug GP100 Ruger with a trigger polish job.

That's what I used for the last steel shoot with 38Special rounds.

Works great for deer hunting also with heavy loads of Win296 under Hornady 180 grain XTP's in 357 Magnum cases.

[Erik_Pakieser]

I'd look for a secondhand S&W .357 magnum.

[Amazi]

Rust basically all I look for, newer guns have lifetime warrantys.

[karlobag]

The old Dan Wesson 15 series are also good guns. You can often find them at lower prices than Smiths and Rugers.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/5358694/m ... n-15-2-357

The biggest thing is finding one that you like and then shoot the heck out of it!