Looking for revolver recommendations for a newbie

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Torgirl65

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Hi everyone. I just got my license last week and am trying to find a few handguns before the ban goes through. I purchased a Kimber 9mm semi automatic and am now on the hunt for a double action revolver. I’m completely new to this and will be using the revolver at our gun club for target shooting. I’m a petite lady with small hands. Wondering if you all have any suggestions as everyone seems so helpful and knowledgeable. Thanks in advance.

I found a used S&W 686 on gun post but not sure that’s the right one for me. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Have you tried anything out previously? I'm wondering how much recoil you can handle with comfort and confidence. The ideal bore size for you may well be .32 but those were all prohibited long ago. So you are looking at stepping up to .38 or down to .22. Anything more than .38 is probably too much for you to really enjoy.

I am a big fan of Smith & Wesson. The 686 you are looking at is built on their L frame (medium-large). You will probably do better with a K frame (medium) or even a J frame (small). A model 14 is a K frame, 6-shot .38 Special with adjustable sights, that would be something for you to investigate.

A nice thing about Colt and S&W revolvers is the grips are easily changed and there are many options for replacement, so you can find something that fits your hands.
 
I'll respectfully disagree, I've seen petite women who own .44 Rem Mag revolvers. If you want a .38/.357 Mag, go for it. If you can hold the weight of the revolver at arm's length steadily, you'll be able to shoot and will handle the recoil.

Anything Smith and Wesson will work, the 686 is a time proven platform. The only thing I would add is to not overlook Rugers, they are overbuilt and will shoot magnum loads for 3 life times, something Smith and Colts could only dream of.
Ruger security six, or the GP 100.

(close the gap)
https:/ /www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwTEIKWu2SQ
 
Smith and Wesson in 357

You can shoot light 38 special loads for practice and less recoil

Or load it up to 357 and shoot hotter loads too

The Smith's are more reliable than the Colts better engineered than the Colts, and always a lot cheaper too...
 
Excellent info. I’ll see what I can find. It’s tough right now to find specific models. I appreciate your suggestions!!!
 
Every lady I’ve taken to the range, loves revolvers. I show them the proper safe grip and load up some .38 special (soft shooting) and they think it’s great. Once you have more experience, you can shoot the magnums so don’t be afraid of the S&W 686. Great gun, as is the 627, the TRR8, and the GP100 which I have and think are great. I’m sure you’ve been told but just in case, .357 magnum revolvers can shoot .38 special, but a .38 special revolver can’t shoot .357 magnum.

Good luck, enjoy.
 
Wow thanks so much. Very helpful info here. You are all so wonderful!!! I may buy that 686. It’s a great price.
 
BattleRife said:
Have you tried anything out previously? I'm wondering how much recoil you can handle with comfort and confidence. The ideal bore size for you may well be .32 but those were all prohibited long ago. So you are looking at stepping up to .38 or down to .22. Anything more than .38 is probably too much for you to really enjoy.

I am a big fan of Smith & Wesson. The 686 you are looking at is built on their L frame (medium-large). You will probably do better with a K frame (medium) or even a J frame (small). A model 14 is a K frame, 6-shot .38 Special with adjustable sights, that would be something for you to investigate.

A nice thing about Colt and S&W revolvers is the grips are easily changed and there are many options for replacement, so you can find something that fits your hands.
Click to expand...

k and l frames take the same grips
 
I shoot a 4 in model 19 smith - Wesson the most, K frame 357 m, but it is a short barrel, so you will have to fins a newer model 4 1/4 in , The L frame 686 , stainless or the 586, blued are made in that barrel length. Better gun if shooting lots of heavy loads, not something you want to do, till you get use to the gun .
Ruger's are great guns, priced reasonable, some of their triggers are a little heavy, if set up with service springs ( heavy).
Check out the EE here, Be very careful on #######, I hear lots of bad things.
I have never used it , do your research on the seller, get phone number , talk to him/ her and if something sounds OFF , walk away, look at trader rating.
I know a fellow that is on Gun Post lots and has had no problems.
I just sold my last model 14 smith, super gun , but not a magnum , but something you can shoot all day with cheap reloads.
My model 19 will never get sold. I shot lots of 22's over the years, 90% of those are semi auto target guns, mainly Hi-Standard's

Good luck, good hunting , these days.

There are also the Alpa Project's, but not as smooth as the US made stuff, thou they do make a 9mm in them, never used any.
 
Torgirl65 said:
Just found a GP100 for sale. Just came up today. May try to get that! Thanks for the suggestion
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I'm older and I reload, and I was getting tired of chasing brass all over the range after shooting, so I decided to get a .38/.357 revolver. I looked at, handled, dryfired everything that I could get my hands on at the time and I also watched reviews and read what I could on forums. Bottom line is that I narrowed it down to S & W and Ruger as both were rated very well for accuracy and durability; the triggers on both were excellent in both double and single action (different from each other, but smooth and consistent). I had no preference between the two; so I started looking for a good used one of either at a good price. Before long I found a blued 4.2" Ruger GP100, new, but had been a "counter" gun in a gun store for a great price and I bought it; only make on it was the "Ruger Ring" drag mark on the cylinder, something it would have the first week I owned it. I have never looked back; was out shooting it yesterday, and my cousin who is not a shooter, was putting respectable groups on paper in both single action and double. I shoot PPC with mine, and I shoot it better than I do my Semi-autos. Great gun. Buy it.

A few advantage these do have over the S & W is that they can be easily completely stripped for full cleaning and lubrication; I do mine about once a year. No side plate on the frame, so frame is stronger; tipple lock up (Lock up and frame is plenty strong on the S & W regardless); and easy change front sights and grip system.
 
I have a pretty good collection of S&W K frames. When I was buying them I would get one good one and a bad one, or two good ones and a bad one. The trouble is the K frame cannot really handle the .357 magnum round so it gets shook up. But I got a bad .22LR as well. These are old guns and I guess use caution when dealing with them.

The GP100 is a solid gun. I do not own a 586/686 L frame but I own a bunch of N frames. These are very nice guns.

One sweet spot I found in the K frame world is retired revolvers used in competitive shooting sports. These guns have great sights, bull barrels, reworked triggers. Really nice guns and not expensive. But mine only shoot 38 special.

EDIT: I assume you are in Ontario. Ontario transfer times are crazy long, were about a month wait before, don't even know how long now. I have two sold into Ontario and both are coming up on a month now and crickets. If you are in Ontario I would suggest buying from a registered dealer, that might work better for you? Not sure but private sales transfers are sure slow. It maybe that if you have a reference number you are alright but you just never know until the piece is in your hands.

Maybe others can comment on the above idea,,,buying from a registered dealer?
 
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Thanks. Yes I’m a bit hesitant buying from a private individual as they all want full cash up front and some don’t have any reviews so who knows. I got my Kimber from Epps and already have a transfer number. I’m looking at a .22 as well. Epps has a new Walther PPQ so I may go with that. It’s tough to find anything right now.
 
Torgirl65 said:
Thanks. Yes I’m a bit hesitant buying from a private individual as they all want full cash up front and some don’t have any reviews so who knows. I got my Kimber from Epps and already have a transfer number. I’m looking at a .22 as well. Epps has a new Walther PPQ so I may go with that. It’s tough to find anything right now.
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Look for somebody with 100% trader rating and 20+ deals, at least half as the seller. Don’t be shy to reach out to those who have left previous feedback, they’re more than willing to elaborate in my experience. Never be afraid to ask for all of the seller’s specifics before committing to a deal. Name, PAL#, Phone Number, Address, Serial# of the firearm in question. Any hesitance in providing the info is a red flag. Include these details in your EMT payment message block. Finally, if a deal is too good to be true.....well, you know the rest.

I’ve done some buying/trading/selling on the EE. Least expensive was free, most expensive was $9200. Never had a problem.
 
I just picked up a new S&W Model 66 with a 4 1/2 inch barrel, nice gun, I'd forgotten the joys of not scootching around on your knees looking for brass. The Ruger is slightly heavier, with a beefier frame, but they're both lifetime guns.
 
Torgirl65 said:
Thanks. Yes I’m a bit hesitant buying from a private individual as they all want full cash up front and some don’t have any reviews so who knows. I got my Kimber from Epps and already have a transfer number. I’m looking at a .22 as well. Epps has a new Walther PPQ so I may go with that. It’s tough to find anything right now.
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There is a large amount of trust that any buyer places on the seller. If you're getting 'spidie sense' tingles...(I'm giving a lot of money to a stranger, and don't have what I bought in my possession, this is dumb.) it is how transactions are done. I've been buying for over 20 years and it still feels odd to me every time.

As always, caveat emptor. Buyer beware.
 
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