Hey guys one of my favourites are wheel guns but I'm having trouble deciding on which one to buy budget is $1000 dollars or less and caliber is not really an issue as I love them all. So once again I'm going to ask for your help which one should I get? What are you guys and gals shooting that you love? Which ones should I stay away from? Any advice is appreciated thanks!
Wheel guns, wheel guns need advice
- Thread starter Darky
- Start date
Smith & Wesson 686 .357 mag. with 6 inch barrel and full lug underneath.Target shoot,plink,train you name it.Excellent trigger!Shoots full house .357 or sedate .38 specials.Warranty was used a few years back (limited lifetime) with no hassles for me.Had mine for 15 years thus far.Won many competitions and never gets old.Too bad can't say the same about me.
Still alive
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Rainy mosquito infested part of BC
Anything S&W and Ruger will work.
If S&W, get at least an L frame if you want to shoot a lot of .357 loads.
You can get excellent Rugers and S&Ws for your price range.
Avoid Alfa Projects unless price is a factor. They're fine but not in the league of the other two brands.
If you want to go all out, Korth and Menurhin come to mind. But you probably won't want to nick or scratch these!
If S&W, get at least an L frame if you want to shoot a lot of .357 loads.
You can get excellent Rugers and S&Ws for your price range.
Avoid Alfa Projects unless price is a factor. They're fine but not in the league of the other two brands.
If you want to go all out, Korth and Menurhin come to mind. But you probably won't want to nick or scratch these!
$1000 budget...you can probably get the Korth cleaning kit for that
reddog9x19
CGN frequent flyer
I had a S&W 19-5 in .357 mag. Loved that pistol. Wish I had never gotten rid of it.
Lonesome Donkey
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Central Alberta
What do you want to do with it? Action shooting, Cowboy shooting, target shooting, or hand-loading?
For action shooting, an S&W 686 or a Ruger GP100 in .357 magnum, in stainless, with good target sights.
For Cowboy shooting, a Pietta SAA or Uberti SAA in .45LC or .357 Magnum.
For informal Target shooting, whatever you like.
For handloading and testing loads, a stainless Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk in .357 magnum, .44 magnum, or .45 LC, or a Ruger Redhawk in .44 magnum.
If you want to shoot at longer distances, then a 7 1/2" barrel Ruger Super Blackhawk or Redhawk.
In general, I would go with Stainless Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk in either .357 magnum or .44 magnum, with a 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" barrel, fluted cylinder, and standard short grip frame. I find the 7/1/2" Super Blackhawk heavy and awkward in general for general range shooting.
If you consider a blued Blackhawk, bear in mind that the ejector rod housing and grip frame are anodized aluminum, not steel. No big deal, but an all stainless steel Blackhawk is so much better IMHO.
.357 magnum is the more practical choice if you don't hand load. You will thrill at the power and recoil of a .44 magnum, but you will probably tire of the toll it takes on you as you shoot 50 full house loads. The .357 is less punishing and you can shoot .38 special loads most of the time for plinking and target shooting.
686 was the first revolver I shot and I loved it, although I ended up spending more money and buying the 8 shot 627 and the TRR8. I don't think you can go wrong with .357 magnum, my favorite revolver cartridge, I reload and they are super easy to make hot or light. I also have a stainless GP100 with the 4.2 inch barrel and it is a very solid well built revolver as well.
I would add that for Cowboy Action Shooting - the most popular is the Ruger Vaquero but the Blackhawk is right up there. Calibers usually .38/.357 and .45 LC
This would be for target shooting. Thanks for all the info guys you really help out when it comes to making an informed decision. Once again I really appreciate all the info!
This would be for target shooting. Thanks for all the info guys you really help out when it comes to making an informed decision. Once again I really appreciate all the info!
easyrider604
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Greater Vancouver, BC
Lots of great advice /\
Since the OP said his revolver will be for target shooting, not for CCW or hunting or self defense (since we can't defend ourselves with a firearm anyway
d
), we have the same need.
Can't have enough revolvers and you can start with any S&W or Ruger, 357, 44, 22lr whatever. Doesn't matter as it will only be the first of many.
All I can say is my first revolver was a 686-3 back in the late 80s, actually I bought a second one within days of the first. I've had around 20+ different Smiths and Rugers and a Colt, pass through my hands. Not many in comparison to others in this forum.
Mulitple 586s (2) and 686s (5), and GP100s (2), Smith J, K.L.N frames in blue and stainless, Ruger Security 6, 357 Blackhawk and even a Colt Python, among the mix.
Have decided to keep only three, a Smith 686-3 practically new when i got it, 3K+ rounds by now, a GP100 new from Reliable Gun with 2K+, and an Alfa Project 9mm unfluted bought 100 rds old and another 100 by me.
Eventually I wll give two to my son and grandson, keep only the 686-3 for myself. I will have gone complete circle.
Guess what I'm trying to say is, for me, the best all around revolver is the LFrame 686, pre-lock. I think the -3 is the best of the breed. 38 special/357 magnum is the best all around caliber and if you cast and reload, cost is close to .22lr ammo. JMHO, YMMV
Since the OP said his revolver will be for target shooting, not for CCW or hunting or self defense (since we can't defend ourselves with a firearm anyway
d), we have the same need.Can't have enough revolvers and you can start with any S&W or Ruger, 357, 44, 22lr whatever. Doesn't matter as it will only be the first of many.
All I can say is my first revolver was a 686-3 back in the late 80s, actually I bought a second one within days of the first. I've had around 20+ different Smiths and Rugers and a Colt, pass through my hands. Not many in comparison to others in this forum.
Mulitple 586s (2) and 686s (5), and GP100s (2), Smith J, K.L.N frames in blue and stainless, Ruger Security 6, 357 Blackhawk and even a Colt Python, among the mix.
Have decided to keep only three, a Smith 686-3 practically new when i got it, 3K+ rounds by now, a GP100 new from Reliable Gun with 2K+, and an Alfa Project 9mm unfluted bought 100 rds old and another 100 by me.
Eventually I wll give two to my son and grandson, keep only the 686-3 for myself. I will have gone complete circle.
Guess what I'm trying to say is, for me, the best all around revolver is the LFrame 686, pre-lock. I think the -3 is the best of the breed. 38 special/357 magnum is the best all around caliber and if you cast and reload, cost is close to .22lr ammo. JMHO, YMMV
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I think you could save a lot by going more high end and getting the S&W R8 or TRR8 or 627. They shoot 357/38 spl. You get a wide selection of ammo and endless reloading options.
The R8 / TRR8 have a top rail to mount optics which really multiplies the options and fun.
Wouldn't worry about the high price since this gun will be used a lot and by the time you have 10,000 round through it, you have spent $4,000 on ammo (factory) or maybe 2,000 if you reload.
Also the guns will all take moonclips and you get 8 shots. Picking up your brass for reload is easy and easy on the back.
The R8 / TRR8 have a top rail to mount optics which really multiplies the options and fun.
Wouldn't worry about the high price since this gun will be used a lot and by the time you have 10,000 round through it, you have spent $4,000 on ammo (factory) or maybe 2,000 if you reload.
Also the guns will all take moonclips and you get 8 shots. Picking up your brass for reload is easy and easy on the back.
It is rumored that S&W K frames don't like a steady diet of full power .357 loads. (my handloads for my model 19 are a sedate 158gr LSWC around 900-1000fps) I've read that the L,M,N Frames can take the punishment better. The S&W Highway Patrolman is a N frame and extremely robust. Don't forget to look at the Taurus line also.
Smith & Wesson revolvers are finer fit and finish, fantastic triggers. Rugers are robust, dependable and available in single or double action. Either will serve you well, however I love my two Ruger Bisley Vaqueros, but I lust after my S&W Model 17.
The question is are you keen to shoot really hot .357's or not? Is the 'big bang" important to you? If not, given your budget, I don't think you could go far wrong with a classic S&W. Model 14's and 19's can often be found on the EE and are superb revolvers for the money they bring.
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I'm not all about the Big Bang lol, I like what I see from both the model 14's and 19's and am leaning towards one of those or a ruger. ( just because I have good luck with them.)
I'd have to say the older Smith's are more finely made and more elegantly finished guns than Rugers I have seen. The Rugers have a reputation of being more robust and strongly made. Purely a matter of what you prefer.
I'd suggest some nice Colts but that's more a question of collecting.
