What revolvers should I look in to?

Levon12345

Levon12345

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So I've decided I require a revolver in my life. I'm sticking with .357 as I already reload for it having a lever gun. I started just looking for used single actions on the cheap but never quite jumped on one. Then I started looking at a double actions. Something I had never really given any attention to in my young foolish life.

I just window shopped gun counters, nothing really catching my eye until I handled a performance center 8 shot 627. Now I'm interested in the M&P R8 or TRR8 variants for the two piece barrel design and alloy frame. Then when I got on that train of thought I looked into the Dan Wesson revolvers with their user changeable barrels and the layout of the cylinder lock.

Obviously I'm all over the place in this decision. So now I'm asking the crowd to muddy the decision further. What other revolvers should I take a look at before taking the plunge? My only real stipulations are it has to be a .357 and it's blued. I'm not a shiny gun guy. This would be for blasting paper with the possibility of screwing around on an action shoot range.
 
I have a Ruger New Vaquero in 357 and it's my favorite gun for shooting paper or steel. It balances well in my hand and has a nice heft to it.

I'm not a big fan of most of the double-action trigger pulls I've tried so single-action is good enough for me. It is also easier to clean than my double-action revolvers.
 
I've got the 627 and TRR8, love them both but the TRR8 is special in that it is lighter, has a scope mount, if that's your thing, and has more cool factor.
 
Budget?

Looking for new or a used gun like an older S&W,Colt,Dan Wesson?

Something to take a steady diet of hot .357 or mostly target shooting with .38 spl and an occasional box of .357?
 
S&W K frame ether a older 6" model 19 or new 66-8 4.2"

L and N frames I find are bulky feeling

If you want a single action then the Ruger New Vaquero is very nice too
 
I have a late 70's Model 19 that's very nice to shoot. I don't have small hands but I still find my 27 to be a bit bulky. I also have a Colt Trooper MK V that I like a lot as well....they are less common but that might be another option.
 
I started with the Dan Wesson Kool-Aid and never tried another potion. Being able to swap barrels is great, plus their triggers are smooth and the gun is simple to work on.

 
Before you purchase a revolver, learn how to test that it locks up properly, and check the cylinder gap. I have been casually looking at new smith and wesson 629's (I know not a .357 but the same principles apply). I've looked at ~10 so far that had excellent triggers, however they were built like crap otherwise. The one TRR8 that I looked at though was awesome. I'd probably only buy a s&w custom shop gun at this point if I was looking for a da/sa gun.
 
Good morning Levon,
In the 80's, Bill Jordan, Border Patrolman, of American Handgunner magazine fame, wrote that the S&W model 19 was the answer to a police officer needs.
I bought a brand new one, shot 38 Spl commercial loads with no problem.
The first 357 Mag I shot, the gun bind.
Idem for a model 66.
I understand the L-frame is better.
I carried S&W model 10, 2" and 4"barrels and a 4" Ruger GP-100.
If I had to shoot again a revolver, Ruger GP-100 with full underlug would be my first choice; this piece is a tank, whatever diet you feed it.
Otherwise, you choose any revolver you are confortable with.
Dan
 
sailor723 said:
Budget?

Looking for new or a used gun like an older S&W,Colt,Dan Wesson?

Something to take a steady diet of hot .357 or mostly target shooting with .38 spl and an occasional box of .357?
Click to expand...

My budget goes up to an including the TRR8 so close to two grand. I plan on feeding it fairly stout reloads to learn to tame real recoil from a handgun. If I want to shoot something lighter recoiling, I have a 9mm. I'm open to anything new or used.

Wendell said:
Decisions, decisions.
Click to expand...

If some of those are still around when I have the requisite cash, we may have to talk. Some of those full underlug 568s are speaking to me.

Smcx said:
Before you purchase a revolver, learn how to test that it locks up properly, and check the cylinder gap. I have been casually looking at new smith and wesson 629's (I know not a .357 but the same principles apply). I've looked at ~10 so far that had excellent triggers, however they were built like crap otherwise. The one TRR8 that I looked at though was awesome. I'd probably only buy a s&w custom shop gun at this point if I was looking for a da/sa gun.
Click to expand...

I've done some research on timing and lockup on Smiths and how and what to replace if things are off. The Midway USA videos are surprisingly informative. The "get a cheap used revolver and buy the shop manual" thought is in the back of my mind as well.
 
I always liked the S&W 586/686.
I had a 6" 27-2 with the full target setup, but it was a beast.
I also had a 4" GP 100 when they first came out and I really liked it too.
Never much for Colt or Dan Wesson, but that's just me...
 
Levon12345 said:
So I've decided I require a revolver in my life. I'm sticking with .357 as I already reload for it having a lever gun. I started just looking for used single actions on the cheap but never quite jumped on one. Then I started looking at a double actions. Something I had never really given any attention to in my young foolish life.

I just window shopped gun counters, nothing really catching my eye until I handled a performance center 8 shot 627. Now I'm interested in the M&P R8 or TRR8 variants for the two piece barrel design and alloy frame. Then when I got on that train of thought I looked into the Dan Wesson revolvers with their user changeable barrels and the layout of the cylinder lock.

Obviously I'm all over the place in this decision. So now I'm asking the crowd to muddy the decision further. What other revolvers should I take a look at before taking the plunge? My only real stipulations are it has to be a .357 and it's blued. I'm not a shiny gun guy. This would be for blasting paper with the possibility of screwing around on an action shoot range.
Click to expand...

If you're going to shoot a lot of full magnum loads, go with a Ruger GP100 or SW 586 or a SW 27. If mostly .38 spl, then a SW 15 or whatever number they call the K-frame 357 with adjustable sight and front ramp. I do find the K frame is too light and not durable enough for a shooter. My SW66 was almost off time when I got it and I didn't shoot it much for that reason before I sold it. I love SW K-frames for occasional shooting or just looking at. They are so well proportioned (IMO).

Single action? Ruger Blackhawk, but I got bored quickly with mine and sold it off. Besides, the grip felt funny.
 
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