Starting into revolvers

Nic3500

Nic3500

CGN frequent flyer
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Location
Montreal,Qc
Greetings, I would like to know what you recommend as a first revolver model.

Some background:
- I already own pistols and rifles. I can shoot.
- I have been looking at .357 Mag revolvers (for 38 compatibility!).
- I see a lot of S&W 686 for sale on the EE (bad sign or just very popular?). Some claim it is the best, others hate newer models, some reliability and QC comments, ...
- EE has some Ruger P100 as well.

Criterias:
- .357 with .38 compatibility.
- I have somewhat smaller hands. My 1911 is setup with slim grips.
- reliability is crucial! I keep my "toys" a long time.

Let me know what you think - recommend.

Thanks, Nic
 
I can recommend the S&W 586 (presumably the shiny 686 as well). Smooth action, light trigger, good groups. Put a pachmeyer (sp?) or hogue grip for smaller hands and you should be good.
 
Buy the one that fits your hand best. GP's fit smaller hands better than Smith 'K' or 'L' frames do. My GP, that I've had since they first came to Canada in the mid 80's, fits my short hand perfectly. Had a Smith M19(K frame) for years I never did get to fit right. It was just a tick too long no matter what grip I put on.
Best thing to do it go to your local shop and try 'em on for size. Triggers are irrelevant as any firearm requires a trigger job when new. And repeatedly dry firing or shooting it does not fix a crappy trigger. Mind you, just changing the springs helps.
When you get that far, loading .357 cases to .38 Special velocities makes the lube gunk ring that forms in the cylinders go away. Isn't a big deal either way though. The gunk ring comes out with normal cleaning using a .45 calibre brush. However, if you're shooting cast .38's then want to shoot .357 on the same day, it needs to come out first.
 
lots of good choices, depending on your budget. R8, TRR8, 686 and GP100 are all very good.

Nic3500 said:
Greetings, I would like to know what you recommend as a first revolver model.

Some background:
- I already own pistols and rifles. I can shoot.
- I have been looking at .357 Mag revolvers (for 38 compatibility!).
- I see a lot of S&W 686 for sale on the EE (bad sign or just very popular?). Some claim it is the best, others hate newer models, some reliability and QC comments, ...
- EE has some Ruger P100 as well.

Criterias:
- .357 with .38 compatibility.
- I have somewhat smaller hands. My 1911 is setup with slim grips.
- reliability is crucial! I keep my "toys" a long time.

Let me know what you think - recommend.

Thanks, Nic
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S&W Model 19 or new style 66, Ruger GP100. If your thinking single action have a look at the ruger blackhawks.
 
GP100! There's a great looking 4.2" one on the EE now ;)

Otherwise I have a new made 586, 66, 686 4.2" and they are all fine. The latter two have had trigger jobs, the 586 has not, and the single action has broken in nicely, so I think putting a few hundred down the pipe before deciding to get a gun worked on is important.

Out of the box the Smith has a superior single action and the GP 100 has the nicer DA. At least mine do. SA on the GP is pretty good - just a bit of creep. The Ruger is a lot of gun for the money. The cylinder lockup certainly looks more secure.

I don't know about Taurus, Alfa, or any other brands. Never owned them
 
I have very positive experience with S and W 686 and also the blued 586. Both great shooters. Solid, well built and accurate.
Personally I prefer the blued version 586. I even sold my 686 (which functionned flawlessly) to buy a brand new 586. I am a blued steel and wood kind of guy.

Gilbert
 
I've owned some of both Ruger and S&W. I prefer the S&W triggers. The Ruger in DA has a funky little "click" in the travel just before the hammer breaks. I dislike that because it's a warning of the impending BANG! For .38's it won't matter much at all. It's still annoying though. With full house .44Mag it's a notice that it's time to flinch at the upcoming punishment about to be wreaked on your poor hands.....":d So I just prefer S&W guns as a result.

The L frame 586 and 686 are superb guns. If there seems to be a plethora of them on the EE it's only due to a momentary blip in the selling practices and due to the guns being so popular that there are oodles of them out there.

Me? I prefer the slightly more compact K frame guns for my .38Spl shooting. For .357Mag shooting I've got a nice sturdy and little more massive model 28Highway Patrolman. But for many the "baby bear's porridge" is the nice middle ground L frame '86 models in either colour/metal
 
S&W K frames feel the best IMO and as long as you use normal 357 loads with 158gr bullets you will have no issues. It runs into problems when people abuse them with hot reloads or 125gr factory ammo.
 
I think that as long as you stick to S&W, Ruger, or Colt, and find something that fits your hand you'll be happy. Other than those mentioned (K frame 19/66, L frame 5-686, GP100) which I also enjoy and recommend, I'd also throw out to look at the Colt Trooper Mk III as an option in the same price range (if you can find one). I quite enjoy shooting mine. They do fit the hand different then the others, you might find it works for you. Of course I'd also suggest a Python, but that requires a different budget. I am one of those that likes the older S&W as well, pre lock and no MIM. You may find revolvers are like M&Ms though, pretty hard to stop at one. Or a dozen.....
 
netguy1999 said:
I agree with many others - S&W is an excellent choice. I have the TRR8 and love it!
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I'd like to pick up a new fangled N frame .357 to compliment my 27-2. I'm edging towards the 627, when I can afford it. The R8s look great, but I'm heavily biased towards steel
 
JP - I've reached the point where I assume you already have something unless you state otherwise ;)


The "classics" series guns are good. Just still priced higher, for the most part, than a decent used older model.
 
Mark-II said:
JP - I've reached the point where I assume you already have something unless you state otherwise ;)


The "classics" series guns are good. Just still priced higher, for the most part, than a decent used older model.
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I zeroed a scope on a 27 for a member this week and this revolver did impress me, was shooting as good as my 627, grouping 3 inch or less at 50 yards over the bags...
It would be a great match for my Model 29... JP.
 
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