First wheelgun

R

ryroru

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SE Sask
Hey cgn as the title states im thinking about getting my first revolver. I was thinking about getting a 357 mag because it can also shoot 38 spc if a newcomer wants to try it and creats a little more options for reloading. This will purely be a bring out to the range to mess around with a few times a year kinda gun, not planning on any kind of real competition shooting with it. So I'm wondering what is out there in the sub 1000 preferably sub 800 category for a da/sa six shooter. I'd like to safe a little money but not a the cost of reliability/quality. So far im leaning towards an alpha projects but can't find a lot on them. Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks
 
I would buy one of these.

Ruger GP100 4"
New S&W 4" 686 or 66-8 "buy inperson so you can inspect it..."
Used S&W model 19

If you plan on shooting it in DA than DO NOT buy a Alfa Project...
 
I just picked up a S&W 686 with the 4.25" barrel :dancingbanana:. Lightly used revolver from Wanstalls. I will be shooting mostly 38 Special loads.
 
i picked up the GP100 a few weeks back love it ,my first wheel gun
save some money and easier take down too
4MNyZE6.jpg
 
A good S&W model 19, 586 or 686 from the EE at $700-800 would be my first choice. Actually it would be the K frame 19 for me but that's just personal preference.
 
Do not buy a Taurus or other cheap revolver.

Get either a used Smith & Wesson Model 19, 66, 586 or 686, or a Ruger GP 100. Expect to pay about $700-800 plus shipping for a nice one.

You will end up shooting way more .38 Spec than .357 Magnums. Rugers are stouter than Smiths. Smiths have better triggers.

If you get a Ruger, get a SS model. Their bluing is not nice.

Smith's bluing is second to none.

As far as finish quality goes, older Smiths are nicer than current models.
 
Tenda had great prices on new S&w 686's. You can't go wrong with a 686 and for $800 new you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal. If there's any quality issues with it, Murray Charlton is an excellent warranty depot to deal with in Canada.
 
Stick with the older (pre-lock) S&W revolvers so you will be looking for a used one or buy a new or used GP 100 and replace the mainspring with a lighter one IMHO.
 
tobin said:
Stick with the older (pre-lock) S&W revolvers so you will be looking for a used one or buy a new or used GP 100 and replace the mainspring with a lighter one IMHO.
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Good advice. I will add:

I have an early 686-No Dash made for US Customs. These guns, and there is/was one on the EE recently, were made with 4" barrels that were actually >105MM. Mine is 105.14MM. They are excellent guns if you can find one....buy it! I would suggest significantly better finished than what S&W puts out today. If you opt for a S&W check it out before you buy. If you are not familiar with revolvers have someone you trust come with you who does.

I also have a 4.2" stainless Ruger. It too, is an excellent revolver. While stouter in design the gun is lighter than my 686 and has a better trigger than the S&W. Out of the box it was "as good as" but after hammer and trigger shims and lighter main and trigger return springs much better. Too, it is easier to clean internally due to it's design. The downside to the Ruger is their guns tend to be "kit guns". Aside from the need for hammer and trigger shims the cylinders on mine were way to tight and initial accuracy suffered. Three of the cylinders would not allow a .356 bullet pass through them and three would not allow a .357 bullet to pass through them. After reaming they are all now.358 and the gun is a tack driver when I do my part. I should note if you intend to shoot lead bullets in the gun the forcing cone should be cut to 11 degrees from its initial five degrees.

Both guns are excellent choices and accurate.

New production from both Ruger and S&W can vary in quality. When they are good they are excellent when they are bad....not so much.

Take Care

Bob
 
I got a taurus 22 a long time ago. It is one of my favourite pistols to shoot. I've dabbled with 9mm, and 357s before it. I don't spend allot of time at official ranges, but I always come back to the 22 every time I'm at the range. 22 is really cheaper to shoot in a revolver and I find it very enjoyable. it doesn't kick hard, and you can really enjoy a full day of practicing your marksmanship with one. If we were allowed to carry handguns in Canada I think it would be a great companion to a hunting rifle. 357 and 44, so on, are satisfying, for a few rounds but honestly as a Canadian shooter the money could be better spent as those revolvers and ammo are expensive. We don't need to worry about shooting a a group of thugs in a corner store. So the big revolver calibers (while fun) is kinda overkill in my opinion. Start with a 22, they are fun, cheap, and it leaves allot of room to grow.
22s are awesome, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

*ive put thousands of rounds through my taurus 22. no issues. maybe they have issues with guns that command higher pressures, but my 22 has been a great little handheld friend.*
*also I would challenge anyone to put 200-300 rounds of 357 through their hands in one day. (it sucks)*
 
rickymo said:
I got a taurus 22 a long time ago. It is one of my favourite pistols to shoot. I've dabbled with 9mm, and 357s before it. I don't spend allot of time at official ranges, but I always come back to the 22 every time I'm at the range. 22 is really cheaper to shoot in a revolver and I find it very enjoyable. it doesn't kick hard, and you can really enjoy a full day of practicing your marksmanship with one. If we were allowed to carry handguns in Canada I think it would be a great companion to a hunting rifle. 357 and 44, so on, are satisfying, for a few rounds but honestly as a Canadian shooter the money could be better spent as those revolvers and ammo are expensive. We don't need to worry about shooting a a group of thugs in a corner store. So the big revolver calibers (while fun) is kinda overkill in my opinion. Start with a 22, they are fun, cheap, and it leaves allot of room to grow.
22s are awesome, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

*ive put thousands of rounds through my taurus 22. no issues. maybe they have issues with guns that command higher pressures, but my 22 has been a great little handheld friend.*
*also I would challenge anyone to put 200-300 rounds of 357 through their hands in one day. (it sucks)*
Click to expand...

Has it occurred to you there are other uses for center fires revolvers beyond plinking and shooting thugs. Most here I suspect who shoot their revolvers regularly, if not exclusively use them on PPC, IPSC, IDPA, ASI, US Steel Competitions and Cowboy Action to name some top of mind sports....and plinking It wasn't that long ago I was reloading 9MM, 40 cal and 45acp cheaper than I could buy .22LR as the cheap plinking bulk .22 disappeared from the stores shelves. I went through over 5K primers two years ago shooting 38spls in several different handguns and one rifle.

I should also add whole three of my revolvers will shoot .357 most enjoy a steady diet of 38spl. You don't have to shoot heavy .357 loads but it is nice if you can and want to.

I do own and have owned several .22LR revolvers. Frankly. it gets old quick for me. Some like it a lot. I try to spend most of my time on shooting my GP100 or 686 and my .22 provides no help in developing my skill sets to shoot IDPA with a revolver. If anything it hinders my progress as I can quickly develop bad habits with the lighter recoiling .22LR.

To each his own, both can turn folks cranks. Depends on what you want to do.

Take Care

Bob
 
We just got our first revolver yesterday, the wife picked up an Alfa Project 9mm. We obviously haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but it is an inexpensive option to give us a look into the world of revolvers. We realize it is not on the same level quality wise as the S&W or Ruger revolvers, but I'm hoping it is enjoyable enough that we get something better down the road and keep the Alfa for friends and new shooters to try. She will probably try it in a few steel challenges and revolver matches just to see how she enjoys it.
I understand the Alfa's are made by CZ, so I'm hoping it is a quality piece for the price.
 
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