Which revolver for a newbie?

Mark-II said:
I can't add much to our fellow from BC. I will say that the only .22 handgun that I plan to buy is either a K22/model17 or a 617. I've just not yet weighed in the pros cons of 6 shots and a light barrel versus 10 shots and a less desirable full lug barrel. Honestly, I'll probably go with the K22 in the end. It's just a matter of finding the right one.

I've never shot factory .357. I reload my own. Some factory .38 /158 that I shot recently has more go than my handloads for that, and my .357 isn't anywhere near max because I load for accuracy first, and use the faster powders currently, because I can't buy 2400 for love or money.

I will say that .357 is IMO the single best all around revolver cartridge for range fun. Recoil isn't punishing like the bigger bores get to be, and you can load it down to .38 special levels. For me it ranks up with 45ACP for enjoyment.

.38 target loads are powder puffs that seem closer to a .22 in some ways, but I've always enjoyed them.

My only real ding against .22 is that I get no instant feedback on how I'm shooting since I can't see the holes until I bring the target in.


PS - I'll always opt for adjustable sighted guns first, though I did use to own and shoot a Model 10 when I was younger, and had no issue with it.
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I didn't like not being able to see where I landed on the paper target, so bought shoot n see stickers for like $9 and free shipping :p
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0000C51GH?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
 
BCRider said:
First off the Alfa Proj is NOT a copy of the S&W. Lots of differences in both appearance and especially internal action. The only thing they have in common is that they use the same cylinder spacing so speed loaders for the K frame S&W guns will work for an Alfa.

This will be your first revolver. And from the sounds of it you don't have many guns yet. So as much as I like my own Alfa I'm going to suggest against it for you. Instead I strongly suggest a S&W. Why? Because they have a well proven 100 year history and you will have very few issues with finding parts or service for them. Alfa, on the other hand, is a new game and their track record is only a couple of years old now. If they go "Poof!" we, yes I have an Alfa, might end up with orphan guns with parts availability issues. As a new gun owner I doubt you want that sort of risk.

The 686 or the blued 586 version are both excellent guns with a long reputation. And having shot both brands I prefer the S&W over the Ruger for the trigger. Both can be slicked up and the trigger pull reduced with a spring kit but the S&W still retains a slight edge on the quality and sharpness of the trigger feel. You'll find fans in both camps but that's my experience on the matter. It hasn't stopped me from getting a couple of Rugers though. In fact if anything while I really like my Rugers it just confirms that S&W makes a better trigger.

GOOD .22 double/single action revolvers are not common and not cheap. In fact the list of good revolvers that are commonly available with good triggers is only two models long and they are all from one maker. We're talking S&W models 17 and 617. Blued or stainless respectively. All others are either badly made or have really nasty triggers. The currently available Ruger SP101-22 is nice and nicely made but the DA trigger requires the shooter to take up muscle building to pull without shaking the gun around. There's spring kits available but in the end the action in the smaller frame Ruger does not produce as nice a trigger as the bigger S&W revolvers. If you're willing to gamble on an Alfa this is the place to do it. An Alfa Project .22 set up with a Rusty Wood Trading mainspring swap is going to have a nicer and easier trigger pull than the Ruger SP101.

If you're after a smaller size grip and slightly lighter gun I would also suggest the S&W K frame guns. In particular the Model 10 with fixed sights or the model 14 with adjustable sights. Both are .38Spl only. But both are a delight to handle and shoot. The fixed sights on the 10 are not a big hardship. It shoots regular power 158gn loads to the Point Of Aim (POA) and for your wife if she wants a lighter recoil the 148gn wadcutter target ammo also shoots dead on POA while producing a soft thump worth of recoil that is very easy to take. The only downside to the fixed sights is the requirement for shooting the right ammo. But that isn't tough since 158gn is a .38Spl standard. The only downside to the K frame size guns is that we don't see many of them new in the dealer cases. So you have to be a little patient and buy used from a gun store or off the EE.

And yes, revolvers ARE that much fun regardless of which way you go. And WHEN the ammo prices eventually push you into reloading to cut costs .38Spl cases last many loadings before any splitting and with the large case volume they are very tolerant of slight variations in loading.
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Not really sure where you get this whole "new" thing with Alfa Proj. They used to go by Holek and have been around for like well over 100-years. Pretty sure they come with a lifetime warranty, too - at least that's what I was told. Honestly, you're 100% right about them not being a Smith. But, I mean, for what you're paying, you just can't do any better. I picked up the 9mm not long ago and haven't a single complaint. Trigger might be a little heavier than I'm accustomed to, but if you get a hold of Rusty Wood you can get that fixed up no problem.
 
I'm too cheap to buy targets. I print them off on a laser printer for pennies lol

shooterschoice.ca had the S&W 66 listed but I think he's sold out. You could shoot Dale an email and ask if he can get another in. He's a good guy.

If you see sticker shock, remember that his list price includes the GST.
 
If you are thinking about getting into semi-autos any time in the future, you may want to consider getting a revolver in 9mm. It's cheaper than 38sp and you can get +P loads (pricey) if you want something with more kick.

The reviews I read on the Ruger 9mm convertible were not that great, and the S&W 9mm's were not in production yet, so I went with Alpha Project last year. Still really liking it. I found the fit and finish is slightly better than my Ruger Blackhawk, but not as good as my S&W 625. The stock grips should be fine for smaller hands. For under $1000 in 9mm it's your best option.
 
glad to see you have fun and welcome! another potential club member @ my club. :)

You gave out good background info in helping choose your revolver, like the budget, but feel recoil is different from person to person, not necessarily with your physical size and strength. so, it's hard to say.
having said that, if your mind is set at 38/357,ruger gp100 and a used S&W 686 should fit your bill fine and they both are solid. I only have up to 45ACP, but shot GP100 once with +P .357mag handload very accurately @ 7 meters with isosceles stance. And I was shooting all DAs. Amazing revolver. I am saving up for a S&W 627PC/R8/TRR8 for the 8 round capacity, but they will be $2000 after tax, shipping and accessories.

amolkapoor said:
Hello guys,

I blew a hole in my pocket yesterday at Target Sports (and loved it!), so there goes my fun money for a a few days. It was my birthday, so didn't add up the cost of ammo before ordering, while getting carried away with excitement, lol! Still waiting for my RPAL, they are taking their time as I am a first time applicant, so getting by with Silverdale and Target Sports to scratch my itch. :p

I totally loved shooting a revolver for the first time, and was wondering if you guys had any recommendations for someone new to firearms, looking for many fun and peaceful days of target shooting ahead. Here are the things I would look for in a revolver, I think(I'm new, so please feel free to correct me):
1- Shouldn't be too heavy, as I would like my wife to use it too on occassion.
2- Manageable recoil. Not crazy like a 12ga shotgun, of which I am still sore.
3- Under $1000, as I am not Mr.Richie Rich
4- Affordable ammo, so my guess was 9mm or .357 magnum/.38 special, but open to advice.

Thanks in advance for helping me with my research, I want to have my choices ready to order/purchase as soon as I have my licence delivered to me. So far I have shortlisted a Ruger 10/22 Takedown, a Ruger SR22 handgun(I like the single action double action, and it is for my wife primarily), a Stack on 8-gun cabinet from Amazon(It is black, $169 and free shipping, and I have to move later this year so won't be too heavy to move or too expensive to leave behind). Plus already bought eyes, ears and some shoot and see targets to keep in my little Cabelas range bag along with other stuff.

Can't wait to hear what you guys say! :)



Amol
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amolkapoor said:
Thanks, I'll look into these. I'm thinking stainless steel finish so it lasts longer, plastic grip, cheap-ish ammo.

Any idea why revolvers cost more than pistols? In my untrained mind, they seem simpler, so not sure why they cost more.
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I've thought about that myself. Could be the sheer weight of metal in a revolver, I could also see that maybe they are more labour intensive to manufacture, but that's just a semi-educated guess.

I have the SP101-22 and got the Wolff spring kit. Apparently because each gun can be a little different, there are three hammer springs in the kit (but only one trigger spring to replace). I tried the lightest hammer spring first, 13 lb vs. factory 16 lb, and found that it would not fire in double action. I've since put in the 15 lb spring but haven't made it back to the range yet. It still feels a lot easier to dry fire in DA than with the factory springs. If you'd like your wife to enjoy shooting it, and you mentioned a shoulder issue, you'll want the spring kit I expect.

In terms of how 38 special vs. 357 feels: I've also got the GP 100 with a 6" barrel. It's pretty heavy to hold, but the recoil with 38 specials is very manageable. With 357 magnums, much more noticeable snap but not bad with the weight of the gun. With a friend's Smith with a 4" barrel, my 14 year old son found the 38s easy but the 357s were unpleasant.

I'm with you, I just like the simplicity of a revolver. Another personal quirk is that I particularly despise magazine limits, it just bothers me to have to violate the design intent of a finely crafted tool like that. I'm sure everyone on this site also hates the limits, but for me it's such that I prefer to have a handgun that was designed with a capacity of 10 or fewer. My only other handgun is a 1911, as one might guess... Maybe some day I'll get a Glock or something, but knowing that the mags are pinned will haunt my days...
 
^^ If you like revolvers and 1911's I think a Glock may disappoint. I've been there ;)

Look to a CZ Shadow in the "something" department. Best 9mm I ever shot.
 
Mark-II said:
^^ If you like revolvers and 1911's I think a Glock may disappoint. I've been there ;)

Look to a CZ Shadow in the "something" department. Best 9mm I ever shot.
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Thanks - I'm curious, can you describe a bit what it is that you like about a CZ Shadow? I've only shot a few mags with European semi-autos in 9 and 40 but never a CZ.
 
HappySoA said:
Not really sure where you get this whole "new" thing with Alfa Proj. They used to go by Holek and have been around for like well over 100-years. Pretty sure they come with a lifetime warranty, too - at least that's what I was told. Honestly, you're 100% right about them not being a Smith. But, I mean, for what you're paying, you just can't do any better. I picked up the 9mm not long ago and haven't a single complaint. Trigger might be a little heavier than I'm accustomed to, but if you get a hold of Rusty Wood you can get that fixed up no problem.
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Not sure where you got that info.. According to their own site the company was founding in 1993 making handcuffs and starter pistols....moved into actual firearms later. Any connection with Holek is tenuous at best...(maybe as a successor company that bought the name?)

I have a 9mm Alfa and you're right....it's a decent gun for the price but it ain't no Smith.

As to the OP's question I'd look at a nice S&W from the EE in the 600-800 range. 600-ish for a nice K frame .38 special and more like 700-800 for a L frame 357 like the 686/586
 
luckey said:
glad to see you have fun and welcome! another potential club member @ my club. :)

You gave out good background info in helping choose your revolver, like the budget, but feel recoil is different from person to person, not necessarily with your physical size and strength. so, it's hard to say.
having said that, if your mind is set at 38/357,ruger gp100 and a used S&W 686 should fit your bill fine and they both are solid. I only have up to 45ACP, but shot GP100 once with +P .357mag handload very accurately @ 7 meters with isosceles stance. And I was shooting all DAs. Amazing revolver. I am saving up for a S&W 627PC/R8/TRR8 for the 8 round capacity, but they will be $2000 after tax, shipping and accessories.
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Hello Luckey,

Do you find that you're breathing in too much smoke at the club? My first time shooting indoors, and our RO was wearing a mask, so wondering. Also, after you get a licence, do they still charge $10 for 10 rounds?

It is pretty cool to have a club you can shoot at in every season. :)


Thanks,
Amol
 
Bittereinder said:
Thanks - I'm curious, can you describe a bit what it is that you like about a CZ Shadow? I've only shot a few mags with European semi-autos in 9 and 40 but never a CZ.
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I like the feeling of an all steel gun, and it's a nicer shooter than a 9mm 1911 IMO. The LOP to the trigger is a bit short for me, but I can cope. the single action pull is also quite nice out of the box. I'm not a fan of 9mm pistols in general, as up to the point of getting the Shadow I hadn't found one that I really liked. This will be my last 9mm pistol, I think.

The Shadow has a better trigger than the 75B or 85 models. Different angle on the sear, and no firing pin block.
 
silverfoxdj said:
My vote would be a Smith 617 22 cal
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Thanks Silverfox! I'm pretty sure I won't get to shoot something like the 617, but it does look nice and affordable to shoot long term. Now I feel like there should be one in .22 and one in .357, is there no end to how much money you can throw down the barrel of a gun?
 
Ok, thanks very much.

Mark-II said:
I like the feeling of an all steel gun, and it's a nicer shooter than a 9mm 1911 IMO. The LOP to the trigger is a bit short for me, but I can cope. the single action pull is also quite nice out of the box. I'm not a fan of 9mm pistols in general, as up to the point of getting the Shadow I hadn't found one that I really liked. This will be my last 9mm pistol, I think.

The Shadow has a better trigger than the 75B or 85 models. Different angle on the sear, and no firing pin block.
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