Good choice for first revolver.

Garaldtao said:
If money is no object than a Manurhin or a Korth should be in the running. These revolvers new is easily $2gs but the best bang for the buck and most under valued (IMO) is the S&W model 10. The last one I picked up was from one of the site sponsors for $250. I bought it sight unseen and was quite surprised when I picked it up because it came with the original box and paperwork and look almost brand new. The bluing on the older S&W's are much more deeper and richer than the new S&Ws.
Click to expand...

Can't believe I forgot this recommendation... for just a little bit more money than a S&W another consideration should be a Dan Wesson. Their build quality is much better than a S&W and I think might be my next revolver.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I’m leaning towards a 686 or GP100 in 5”. They look “right” to me.
Of course I have to go handle both, and some others, to see. With any luck I’ll get some range time with one or the other.
 
If you want durability then a Ruger GP 100 in either a 6 inch barrel or a 4.2 inch barrel . you might not like the trigger and you might want to get it lightened up . they lighten up somewhat on their own after a while. then you could look at a 686 Smith & Wesson . the Smith's have a nice trigger pull right out of the box so I have always felt. do you have big hands or medium hands ? you have to pick up the pistol and see how it points and how it feels in your hand . I would stick with Smith or Ruger. I have never liked anything else. or couldn't afford it . forget the 66 like someone else said. it can't take that many Magnum loads . lighter frame. and as for decent 357 loads they aren't a problem . I have held an Alpha Pro or whatever they are called and it felt cheap . too each their own . good luck in your choice.
 
Last edited:
My first and i love it
i was looking at this or the 686 and finally went with the gp100
for three reasons price , ease of teardown and then personal preference
just liked the look more
your price range might be a bit tight though i got this for 800 and the 686
was about 900 when i was looking everywhere used
you might consider a classic cowboy pietta right in your bracket new
4MNyZE6.jpg
 
McHoss said:
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I’m leaning towards a 686 or GP100 in 5”. They look “right” to me.
Of course I have to go handle both, and some others, to see. With any luck I’ll get some range time with one or the other.
Click to expand...

When you do handle them don't worry too much about the feel of the grip scales. If they do feel good then great. But the scales are easily changed to whatever you wish if the ones on the guns don't feel right. Focus on how the weight and balance feels in your hands. And on the trigger.....

The S&W has a nice long smooth DA pull and a surprise break. The Ruger has a little "click" in the pull where the cylinder bolt drops into place. You can feel that through the trigger and for me it's highly annoying. I WANT the break to be a surprise so I don't have a tendency to stage the trigger. Look up "staging a trigger". Then do what you can to avoid the temptation. Most folks I've seen that do stage the trigger shoot worse then they would if they simply pulled through smoothly and consistently. And in fact I've seen the improvement in a few of them personally when it was obvious that they were snatching the trigger from the staging point. I got them pulling smoothly in a little post match training and their group sizes improved instantly. Better to just avoid it by buying a S&W with a trigger that doesn't let you know just before the break occurs.... :D
 
20171120_233946.jpg
This is my first revolver. A old model single six without the transfer bar. Loving the cowboy feel. Maybe one day get a slightly larger one. At the end of the day I chose a 22lr because I have ammo for it. Saves from having to jump into new calibers if you don't already have 38special or 357's...etc..
 

Attachments

  • 20171120_233946.jpg
    20171120_233946.jpg
    72.3 KB · Views: 243
So I have a bit of an opportunity that I might need to follow up on sooner than I had anticipated. A colleague wants to sell a revolver. It’s a S&W M19 .357 with a 4 1/8” barrel.
I mention the 4 1/8 because the bill of sale listed that as barrel length. I was under the impression 4 1/4 was the minimum. I realize the difference is 104.775 compared to 105. But 105 is the minimum. Not 104.775!!!!
So back to the bill of sale. He showed it to me....wait for it....$256. Yup, in Canadian dollars.
The pistol is in good to very good condition, it needs a serious clean up though. The grips are in good shape with no dings or chips but were redone at some point but not too well. The urethane is slightly “lifting” for lack of a better word. In my mind they could use a clean up or maybe get a new set to use and keep the petina on these.
Can I get some honest values from you guys. I realize you haven’t seen it and it’s very hard to put a value on it without that. But maybe just a range.
Assuming it’s restricted and not prohibited.

Thanks in advance.
 
Last edited:
My first one was brought a month ago from sponsor site here, S&W 617 in 22 LR. If you want revolver as collection, pass it. but if you want SHOT buy it.

Pro. Same size of 686, GREAT feeling, and maybe i am lucky the revolver is perfect without any defect.
Cheap to shot, I usually shot 300 rounds every chance I went to ranger. think if that is cost of 357 or 38.
All on line review has good rating about this model.

Con. Same size of 686. 44 oz is no kidding, that is the only thing make me shot ONLY 300 rounds. after shooting that, my SIG 226 like toy gun.
 
McHoss said:
So I have a bit of an opportunity that I might need to follow up on sooner than I had anticipated. A colleague wants to sell a revolver. It’s a S&W M19 .357 with a 4 1/8” barrel.
I mention the 4 1/8 because the bill of sale listed that as barrel length. I was under the impression 4 1/4 was the minimum. I realize the difference is 104.775 compared to 105. But 105 is the minimum. Not 104.775!!!!
So back to the bill of sale. He showed it to me....wait for it....$256. Yup, in Canadian dollars.
The pistol is in good to very good condition, it needs a serious clean up though. The grips are in good shape with no dings or chips but were redone at some point but not too well. The urethane is slightly “lifting” for lack of a better word. In my mind they could use a clean up or maybe get a new set to use and keep the petina on these.
Can I get some honest values from you guys. I realize you haven’t seen it and it’s very hard to put a value on it without that. But maybe just a range.
Assuming it’s restricted and not prohibited.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

If the bill of sale showed that price, it’s very likely a 70-80s model. They were 4” barrels back then and the gun will likely be a prohib. If it’s verified as restricted, then I would offer $450 in its current condition. The M19 is not particularly rare and there is a modern version of it out now with a reinforced frame to handle a steady diet of magnum loads. The old K frames were not known to like full magnums, hence the evolution to the L-frame 5/686, 581 line.
 
Save your money and buy a 686 and don't look back but be warned that if you start with a 686, a 929 will not be far behind and then of course when you think you can stop, you will have to get a 617. When does the fun end? Then again, I have never shot a Ruger so I am sure it would be the same thing with those but much less confusing!
 
I'm surprised nobody has thrown an N frame .357 into the mix. The model 27 is "THE" classic .357 mag. You're very unlikely to find a nice one for $750, but the Model 28 is well within reach. Essentially just a lesser finished but equal quality gun to the 27. It'll shoot magnums all day long and unlike the 66/686 is classic blue & walnut. Save the stainless steel for kitchen implements!
 
I’m still in the searching phase so will see what he is asking for it etc.
I don’t plan on shooting it more than a box at a time at the range (for now) and have access to reloading equipment so I can mitigate costs if I start to shoot it a lot more. Which would also help with longevity as I could load light rounds.
We will see.
Thanks for the info everyone.
 
Single Six if you want a .22/ .22mag; S&W 686 if you want a .357/.38. I have burned through a few revolvers and these are now the only two I have kept and shoot. I will probably never sell either.
 
I know you’ve mentioned in DA, but a Uberti Conversion .38/.357mag « Man with no name » ..., with the snake is a beautiful piece to have, also available without the snake .

https://ibb.co/dgXoZm
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom