Semi auto or D/A revolver?

[johNTO]

As for revolver, I'm leanning toward to .357 d/a ones.

357mag can get costly to shoot. Sure you can feed .38spl in it to save a few bucks.
Did you consider an Alpha Project 9mm revolver? When you're ready for a semi it would make perfect sense to get one in 9mm also….then a 9mm AR…then a...

 

[Prairie Hunter]

357mag can get costly to shoot. Sure you can feed .38spl in it to save a few bucks.
Did you consider an Alpha Project 9mm revolver? When you're ready for a semi it would make perfect sense to get one in 9mm also….then a 9mm AR…then a...

That's a really good suggestion! I had never checked into 9mm revolver before. How's Alfa Project compare with other brands, say Ruger, S&W?

 

[johNTO]

As far as I'm aware…Ruger doesn't make a DA/SA 9mm revolver and S&W has their 9mm Performance Center JM revolver for about $1400. For around $500 you can get an Alpha Project (Steel version) 9mm revolver. There are some good reviews on them…..

 

[(((Echo)))]

That's a really good suggestion! I had never checked into 9mm revolver before. How's Alfa Project compare with other brands, say Ruger, S&W?

Haven't tried the other's, but my Alfa Project shoots real nice, is accurate and feels very well built.

(E)

 

[Prairie Hunter]

I see some revolvers use moon clips, some don't. Are they brand and model specific? Is it hassle to use moon clips?

 

[(((Echo)))]

I see some revolvers use moon clips, some don't. Are they brand and model specific? Is it hassle to use moon clips?

I would assume a lot depends on the dimension of the cylinder. Each manufacturer will do their own thing. Unless you're really tough on your toys, they should last a while. If you go that route, buy a dozen when you buy the gun.
They're not a huge hassle, but they are slower than throwing 10 in a mag and going crazy on the target .
Apparently with the Alfa's, you can use either moon clips or free load. The rounds will headspace in the cylinder without the clip. You have to knock them out individually though, as there's nothing for the ejector to hit.

(E)

 

[Pancake81]

Not too many semi auto revolvers out there... Unless you meant "semi auto, or, D/A revolver?"

Then There are those of us that argue every revolver is semi auto... This is a complicated thread, no?

 

[johNTO]

I see some revolvers use moon clips, some don't. Are they brand and model specific? Is it hassle to use moon clips?

I use polymer moon-clips. Load them up before I hit the range. They pop in and out of the cylinder with all the shell casings intact. I prefer polymer ones because they are inexpensive and don't require a "tool" to remove the spent casings from the "clips".
Most modern revolvers that use rimless ammo can take advantage of moon-clips.....

 

[rustynut1]

Moon clips are a little tough to load ammo into but much tougher to unload the spent brass. You need a tool basically to remove the brass. The trouble is the semi-auto brass has no rim on it so there is nothing for the D/A extractor to grip on to eject the brass.

 

[Mark-II]

Lets see....

My first two handguns, when I was just a kid

Ruger mkII

S&W model 10

Get a used Ruger mkII target model with the bull barrel - I understand the mkIII has a lot of lawyer crap in it.

Find a 38 special revolver - a classic model 14 smith is the gold standard, or if buying new perhaps an Alfa Proj? They seem to e going on sale cheap these days at several dealers.


I'll add my current preference - the single action. Used Ruger Blackhawks are always around. Go with the Blackhawk for the adjustable sights for a first single action.

For 9mm pistols... Used Glocks, Girsan Beretta clones, SAM 1911 - fairly inexpensive ways to test the waters there. Check the Dominion Outdoors sub forum here: they have a pre buy on S&W SD9 that I'd buy for the hell of it if I was looking for a pistol right now.

Those are my random thoughts

Edit - oh, and no moon clips with a single action 9mm Blackhawk .

 

[BCRider]

The moon clips needed for the AP revolvers do not fit on the older S&W 9mm. And likely the new S&W will be compatible with the old one so no luck using S&W moonies with AP or vice versa.

.357Mag is only expensive if you don't reload. For those of us that do reload the cost difference between a .38Spl round and a .357Mag round will vary from about 1 penny up to maybe 3 pennies depending on the powder used. The cost of bullet and primer is the same either way. So reloading is the way to go if you want to play with anything in a Magnum chambering. Hell, the cost for the last box of .38Spl I saw made me gulp a little and feel good that I've been reloading for around 5 years now.

And if you ever get into anything chambered in a ".4-something" other than .40S&W you really need to get into reloading to hold the cost down. Reloading for calibers other than 9mm and .40S&W lets you shoot double or more per dollar compared to buying factory ammo. And even for those two reloading lets you shoot at least 1.5x more shots per buck.


I've been very happy with my AP revolver. But this is a brand new product from what I gather is a fairly new company. There's not a lot of history to go with yet. So despite my being happy with my own gun I'd suggest that a S&W or Ruger is a better way to go unless you're a gambling type of guy.

 

[IanC]

Wow big question, kind of like is Jimmy Page better with his accoustic or his electric... Dont know both are pretty good for different reasons.

Other than the brass issue, reloading, whats cool a good question is what are you going to do with it.
Do you want to shoot just paper at 25 yards?
Do you plan to shoot PPC, IDPA, IPSC, or Bullseye or other styles of action shooting like Cowboy Action Shooting?

Most people i know own a 686 or 38 revolver of some sort, a .45 or 9mm auto and a semi auto .22

Personally i own a GP100, and a pair of .357 Blackhawks
These allow me to shoot paper, compete in PPC, Cowboy action shooting and IDPA, although in IDPA i am usually the only one in my division which is ok with me
as long as i beat the time of a bunch of the auto shooters im happy.

I like revolvers because i think they are cool, are very accurate and take a little more work to get good at reloading and shooting in double action.
I prefer a .357 mag revlover since i think .357 has a pretty good thump and i can make .38 special loads exactly how i want.

The only other handgun i would really like is a .22 semi auto which would allow me to compete in the Bullseye league at the club.

If i were you i would buy a semi auto .22 for a few hundred bucks, a used CZ-75 and a used S&W model 14, 27,28,586,686 or Ruger GP100
Figure out what you like/want to shoot and sell what you dont you wont lose money buying a good used firearm.

 

[Prairie Hunter]

Wow big question, kind of like is Jimmy Page better with his accoustic or his electric... Dont know both are pretty good for different reasons.

Other than the brass issue, reloading, whats cool a good question is what are you going to do with it.
Do you want to shoot just paper at 25 yards?
Do you plan to shoot PPC, IDPA, IPSC, or Bullseye or other styles of action shooting like Cowboy Action Shooting?

Most people i know own a 686 or 38 revolver of some sort, a .45 or 9mm auto and a semi auto .22

Personally i own a GP100, and a pair of .357 Blackhawks
These allow me to shoot paper, compete in PPC, Cowboy action shooting and IDPA, although in IDPA i am usually the only one in my division which is ok with me
as long as i beat the time of a bunch of the auto shooters im happy.

I like revolvers because i think they are cool, are very accurate and take a little more work to get good at reloading and shooting in double action.
I prefer a .357 mag revlover since i think .357 has a pretty good thump and i can make .38 special loads exactly how i want.

The only other handgun i would really like is a .22 semi auto which would allow me to compete in the Bullseye league at the club.

If i were you i would buy a semi auto .22 for a few hundred bucks, a used CZ-75 and a used S&W model 14, 27,28,586,686 or Ruger GP100
Figure out what you like/want to shoot and sell what you dont you wont lose money buying a good used firearm.

I won't do any competition, as far as I know. I might change my mind down the road. Now, just planning to shoot paper. Looks like when someone starts to shoot a lot, reloading is the way to go. That's on my wishing list too. One day, I will start to reload. With factory load, looks like 9mm d/a revolver is going to be the one I'm going to start first.

 

[animalamidon]

you should probably buy some sort of 1911. anything else would be uncivilized.

 

[curseyou]

There is no greater joy than shooting .357 out of a nice 6" revolver.

 

[Prairie Hunter]

There is no greater joy than shooting .357 out of a nice 6" revolver.

I just missed out a great deal on a Dan Wesson with 6" and 10" barrel. Someone bought it right before me! I just have to keep looking for deals then.

 

[Prairie Hunter]

Alpha Project 9mm or Rossi .357? S&W 686 would be probably the best. I have to keep an eye on EE.

 

[Canuck44]

Alpha Project 9mm or Rossi .357? S&W 686 would be probably the best. I have to keep an eye on EE.

I would limit myself to the following:

Alpha Project - new but seems to have a loyal following, well made and with support.
The S&W 686 ought to be on anyone;s list of wants and don`t forget the Ruger GP-100, gun is hell for stout, the same size as the 686 with a very nice trigger and more importantly price. I paid quite a bit more for my 686 but it doesn`t shoot any better than the Ruger, the gun I use in competition with the 686 as back up. I am not sure about Rossi. I have two of their rifles and they are good but not sure what I would do if the gun needed servicing. It might be different with revolvers.

If you are looking at .22 revolvers you might take a look at the Ruger SP-01 in .22lr. I have one and it is a fun 8 shooter. I prefer shooting it over my 22 semi auto. Just more fun.

Take care

Bob

 

[johNTO]

I just missed out a great deal on a Dan Wesson with 6" and 10" barrel. Someone bought it right before me! I just have to keep looking for deals then.

…the great thing about great deals is that there's always another around the corner. Know your prices, know what you want and act quick.

Alpha Project 9mm or Rossi .357? S&W 686 would be probably the best. I have to keep an eye on EE.

If the cost of ammo is moot the difference in $$ between the Alpha Project 9mm and a 686(357mag) is not enough for me not to buy the S&W.

 

[magnumair]

Whatever you do settle for buy the best you can afford, because a good quality revolver or pistol will last you a lifetime and they will hold their value over the years.