Whats your favorite budget-friendly DA revolver?
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diabeticfreak
CGN frequent flyer
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If you don't mind paying a bit extra for ammo and dealing with a heavy trigger, an Enfield revolver is an excellent choice. I love mine (one of the "Tanker" models). It's fun to shoot, and the recoil is very easy to handle. The trigger takes some getting used to, but I really enjoy mine.
BattleRife
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I have 12(6), so my answer is a 4" S&W model 10, without question. I cast my bullets and load .38 special for about the same cost as current prices for .22LR.
Although for younger folk without their 12(6) the answer would have to be a S&W .38/.357 of slightly longer barrel. Lots of older used ones with nicely slick actions out there, or with a bit more money it's possible to start the journey from shiny-new with a fresh one.
If you can find one in good shape you cannot go wrong with a S&W Model 14. Yes, they're in 38 Spec only but in reality very few people shoot a steady diet of 357s anyway. I have 4 of them and except for a 14-5 full underlug that I picked up near new so paid a little extra ($700) I haven't paid more than $500 for any of the others and they all shoot like champs, very accurate and excellent triggers. Model 19s/66s or 586s/686s are also fine guns if .357 turns you crank but they will usually be more money. Rugers are very solid performers but typically unless you're willing to work on them their triggers just don't compare to the Smiths.
There is nothing wrong with .22 revolvers but I think you will tire of them more quickly. If you get a fixed sight gun that shoots to point of aim and you are only going to shoot at one distance then it would be OK but if you want to do more serious target work an adjustable sight version is the way to go.
There is nothing wrong with .22 revolvers but I think you will tire of them more quickly. If you get a fixed sight gun that shoots to point of aim and you are only going to shoot at one distance then it would be OK but if you want to do more serious target work an adjustable sight version is the way to go.
I have bought a few S&W K frames that have been modified for competitive shooting. These are really fine guns and do not demand big $$. You get a bull barrel, excellent sights, good trigger. Stay away from bobbed hammer is my thought. I have bought three, one had a modified cylinder that would only take 38 special SWC that was fully encased in the brass. I sent that one back. But the other two are great guns.
https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/attachments/s-w-davis-competition-revolver-001-jpg.95001/
If this comes out it is kind of what I'm talking about
https://www.smithandwessonforums.com/attachments/s-w-davis-competition-revolver-001-jpg.95001/
If this comes out it is kind of what I'm talking about
As others have stated you can't go wrong with a S&W K frame. I've had several S&W L frame, Alfa Proj, Ruger, and Colt revolvers. There are several K frame guns in my collection and they are my first choice to shoot.
Cheers
Moe
Cheers
Moe
A lot of those competitive K frames are rebuilt specifically for PPC matches, so they have that rail (usually made by Aristocrat) that can click from "normal" aim to "neck hold" on the specific type of target they use, at 25 yards or 50 yards. If that happens to be exactly what you want it for then it's wonderful, but otherwise it's a bit of a weird thing.
Likewise wadcutters are great with paper targets, giving you a nice clean hole at full bullet diameter with best chance of scoring well. Maybe not the best thing against steel or game or whatever else, or to share with a lever gun if you're playing Cowboy.
And there's a minimum trigger weight in PPC, and in a DA/SA revolver that has to get measured cocked SA, while if that notch is deleted then the DA pull is what counts, and many of the PPC stages are DA-only so it's an advantage to have a DA-only gun with a trigger tuned to within a millimetre of only being able to light those nice soft Federal #100 primers. Again, if you're not shooting PPC then a gun that still has its SA notch may be a more versatile toy.
For most uses, a gun innocent of PPC-customization will be more the thing, although PPC is a fun sport to get into especially if you have one of those guns.
Likewise wadcutters are great with paper targets, giving you a nice clean hole at full bullet diameter with best chance of scoring well. Maybe not the best thing against steel or game or whatever else, or to share with a lever gun if you're playing Cowboy.
And there's a minimum trigger weight in PPC, and in a DA/SA revolver that has to get measured cocked SA, while if that notch is deleted then the DA pull is what counts, and many of the PPC stages are DA-only so it's an advantage to have a DA-only gun with a trigger tuned to within a millimetre of only being able to light those nice soft Federal #100 primers. Again, if you're not shooting PPC then a gun that still has its SA notch may be a more versatile toy.
For most uses, a gun innocent of PPC-customization will be more the thing, although PPC is a fun sport to get into especially if you have one of those guns.
Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Another vote for the Ruger Security Six,
Next would be a S&W model 10 with a 5inch barrel
Next would be a S&W model 10 with a 5inch barrel
The Ruger Wrangler would be last on my list of single actions, the original single six without the transfer bar is a sweet gun that can be picked up easily for under $500 used..... prices are going up, but a few years ago you could get them for around $350 used. The newer single six's are nice as well but the old model just has a more elegant look and the way the action and cylinder works is superior in my opinion for loading.
But your not looking for a single action (yet)....
The 9mm Alfa is cheaper to feed then a .38sp/.357mag. Alfa also makes .22l models but I haven't tried one.
You will find people that prefer the trigger on a Smith& Wesson or some prefer Ruger's I don't think I've heard anyone say the prefer Alfa's but the thing I notice is the different brands due have a different feel. If your used to one you might not like changing to something else but it's not that hard to master the different triggers and if you're not spoiled by an old smoothed out Smith and Wesson or Ruger you will be fine.
Shooting and dryfiring with a double action trigger pull is a great way to increase your trigger finger strength and improve your trigger finger.
What is your budget?
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Trade Ex use to have a few, I got 2 real nice ones, One was Single action only , the other is a full target one in about 95% condition , with no import stamps.
Check them out every few days , stuff pops up and goes fast.
P.S. I will add , I shoot 22rf , but always use a target semi auto, never seem to keep a 22 revolver and had lots , Colts, Smiths, ruger single six, etc.
But I shoot more 38 revolvers, Colt 357M, s-w 19, and 14 than 9mm or 45ACP. Have had 45LC Anaconda, never cared for it, and I can't hold a heavy gun that good anymore. Why I like 4 inch guns. The S-W 14 is a 6 in, but not a bull barrel, so it is nice weight.
I have never had a Alfa, have shot a 22, Seemed well made, but I wanted to get into it and do a trigger job. LOL.
9mm could be neat, but cost wise ,if you hand load 38 sp is cheap as hell to load.
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I have found my best deals at gun clubs where guys are offloading extra stuff. Two years ago I got a full underlug S&W 14-5 (my second one) PLUS a Ruger MK II thin barrel target model for $700 and that included two cheapie red dot scopes, some ammo and a metal carry case. The seller was a long time shooter who just decided he was finished with sport. The funny thing was his ad was up on the "For Sale" board for a few days before I asked him if he still had the guns. I couldn't believe no one had jumped on that deal. I also picked up a 14-2 about 6 years ago at another club for $375. Gun was like new with the fancy S&W finger groove wooden grips that are worth over $100 by themselves. $375 was the asking price. Obviously I didn't bother haggling.
Revolvers have always been my friends since 1965.For me a budget friendly gun is one that does not break the bank with things
you do not need , but works well for many years.
My choice is a Used S& W-17 , .22 LR. The gun that has a low price tag may not work well or last , which is just $ down the drain.
I have had & used these cheaper types before & got ride of them in short time. Another good choice is a used Ruger SP-101.
I just put 1 in Switzer's April Auction. No issues with it ( like new), only grip is a bit small 4 my large hands, or I would have kept it.
you do not need , but works well for many years.
My choice is a Used S& W-17 , .22 LR. The gun that has a low price tag may not work well or last , which is just $ down the drain.
I have had & used these cheaper types before & got ride of them in short time. Another good choice is a used Ruger SP-101.
I just put 1 in Switzer's April Auction. No issues with it ( like new), only grip is a bit small 4 my large hands, or I would have kept it.
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When i ear budget in shooting , i immediately think .22LR.
You must take the same care while aiming ,breathing and carefully pull the trigger than on bigger boomer.
.22 LR shooting is a way to shoot on a budget.
A budget gun is not necessarily a cheap one.
Since a well maintained gun can live longer than you , price is realliy to relativize.
I saw a licensed 1927 Colt 1911 last week at the club... Almost 100 years ang going strong.
Your grand-son may appreciate.
Beeing able to shoot .357 and 38 special ( even 9mm ) in the same gun is another way to go on a budget.
Cheaper ammo or less reloading materials.
To the original question , i can say my best budget gun is also a Smith 17 bought for $750 on EE.
The cherry over the cake is that the beauty likes el-cheapo ammo Blazer and CCI SV.
A dream to shoot.
I can say my new to me Redhawk convertible wasn't cheap to buy but since it goes well with 45acp and 45 Colt makes it a bargain.
I love my 686 too. It shoots 38 special wadcutter beautifully.
Many way to go on a budget but each his own.
You must take the same care while aiming ,breathing and carefully pull the trigger than on bigger boomer.
.22 LR shooting is a way to shoot on a budget.
A budget gun is not necessarily a cheap one.
Since a well maintained gun can live longer than you , price is realliy to relativize.
I saw a licensed 1927 Colt 1911 last week at the club... Almost 100 years ang going strong.
Your grand-son may appreciate.
Beeing able to shoot .357 and 38 special ( even 9mm ) in the same gun is another way to go on a budget.
Cheaper ammo or less reloading materials.
To the original question , i can say my best budget gun is also a Smith 17 bought for $750 on EE.
The cherry over the cake is that the beauty likes el-cheapo ammo Blazer and CCI SV.
A dream to shoot.
I can say my new to me Redhawk convertible wasn't cheap to buy but since it goes well with 45acp and 45 Colt makes it a bargain.
I love my 686 too. It shoots 38 special wadcutter beautifully.
Many way to go on a budget but each his own.
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sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Budget friendly? It depends how you look at it.
- Initial purchase price, Alpha/Taurus will be cheaper initially
- In the long run, S&W/Ruger/Colt will be cheaper, as they will retain (or gain) value better over time
- Initial purchase price, Alpha/Taurus will be cheaper initially
- In the long run, S&W/Ruger/Colt will be cheaper, as they will retain (or gain) value better over time
I carried a S & W Model 15 adjustable sights in 38 special first 15 years of my police career .
Loved that revolver accurate as hell. I think barrel was under 105 mm thought ? so its a prohib.
Too bad i had to turn it in to be chopped up when we got issued semi autos .
then I was issued a Glock model 22
Loved that revolver accurate as hell. I think barrel was under 105 mm thought ? so its a prohib.
Too bad i had to turn it in to be chopped up when we got issued semi autos .
then I was issued a Glock model 22
