A center fire revolver to fill a beginners needs would be a 4” 357 with adjustable sights. 6” is to long for practical CCW and frame bigger than K is added weight. Both would be the better range gun but that’s not what OP is looking for. I would look for used m19 Combat Masterpiece 4”, Ruger Security 6 4” or a Colt of similar size. I would hesitate to suggest Taurus or Charter Arms or other 2 rate firearms. Would never buy used and for new money could find a good top shelf used. Would go with 357 only because you can use 38sp too. With 9mm easy to find at $11-$13 box of 50, 38sp running close to double that. 357 is crazy. Ammo manf only got so many machines and they can sell all the para military ammo they can pump out. They don’t want to shut down to change tooling for cartridges with limited sales. The way the political situation is, I don’t see any changes in near future. Maybe a 9mm 4” revolver would be perfect all around revolver.
Need help choosing good 1st Revolver for a beginner..
- Thread starter jammer216
- Start date
SWOH
Member
I fail to see the point in getting fixed sights on anything but a J-frame - the S&W micrometer adjustables are pretty unobtrusive and the only downside is the rear insert blade can get buggered up and it's a bear to change out with all the small plungers and springs to shoot everywhere, even inside a plastic bag.
DADS44
Member
I like a S&W Model 60, a model 586 or 686 is also great in a 4" barrel. Need to consider hand size and carrying / concealment possibilities as well. The beauty is multi caliber, 38 or 357 rounds, the most important things to consider no matter what, can you handle the recoil... consistent practice and bullet placement in order to feel the gun truly. Shooting once or twice in a blue moon wont cut it. Wad cutters are great for practice and then graduate into higher power 38 and 357 cal. Also no one is willing to stand in front of a 22 cal to the best of my knowledge, will it be my choice for self defense...no...however if I had nothing else, then constant practice & bullet placement then becomes the most important thing. Just my humble opinion...to many much more seasoned veterans here...Blessings!
If you want to 'start' and work up to something else, consider a K22. They are a joy to own and shoot (and ammunition is very inexpensive). I learned the fundamentals (and much more) on a K22 and can say it was a great experience. Let nobody tell you that they are not lethal, either. The Combat Masterpiece K22 is a shorter barrel that may suit you better. For my carry piece I now have a Mod. 649 that is a .38 Special, and I feel well protected with it. (I still have a K22 in my safe. They are hard to beat.)
Grips will totally change the 'feel' of the gun. A model 10 4" HB with target grips will feel 'in the hand' totally different than with the magna service grips that came with it.
YeshuaIsa53
Member
It will come to you.
Matt_X
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2023
- Messages
- 335
- Reaction score
- 301
This is so true. One can change the grips (stocks in S&W speak) to better fit one's hand as well as other reasons.
Since we don't know anything about Jammer216 I feel its inappropriate to be too specific on a model or configuration. Fit, weight, action smoothness and reliability all are important but some of this comes down to getting what one likes.
Sometimes we change our opinions. I thought I was going to love the adjustable sights on the Model 15. It turns out for me they are a mixed bag with some things I like and in other ways they've been a bit of PIA. Or getting back to the stocks, the magna's with a filler on a K-frame fit me well, but for two handed shooting I do a little better with target stocks.
What will also change the 'feel' of a gun will be a square-butted revolver vs a round-butted revolver.
Well Armed
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1,100
- Reaction score
- 1,358
Some, not all most, revolver guys are obsessed with 4" barrels. I wouldn't recommend them for carry guns. I'd recommend a ~2" if you want to pocket carry and/or want something very small and lightweight. 2"-2.5 if you want to OWB carry concealed on the belt. 3" if you want lightweight and to carry IWB on the belt. Last, but not least, 4" or more only if it's a woods or range gun. You don't really gain much of anything with going 4"+ for defensive purposes against humans, so there's not much of a point in carrying the longer barrel and extra weight.
If you want to shoot 380ACP, 9mm, 45ACP, etc, stick with semiautos. My suggestion would be to go with a 38 Special +P or 357 MAG for your first revolver. With a 357 MAG, you can primarily shoot and carry 38 Special or 38 Special + p, but you still have the option for 357 in the future.
You’ve got some good, albeit conflicting info. You want three different things: (1) A first revolver. Many are recommending a .22 model because they are easy and expensive to shoot, therefore they are great to learn the fundamentals. However, they are slightly better than nothing for home defense and carry. (2) A home defense revolver. Definitely a .357 Magnum is the go-to revolver for home defense. A 586 (blued) or 686 (stainless) loaded with some 125 grain JHPs is pretty much perfect poison for any home-intruder. They can also fire less-expensive .38 Special ammo, so that is a plus. (3) you want a carry gun. Well, a .22 is weak, and a 586/686 is a big gun to be carrying concealed. If you open-carry, they would be an option albeit a very large and heavy one. A more comfortable option would be a K-frame in either .357 or .38 (models 10, 15, for .38 and 19 for .357). While still large for concealed carry, they are slightly smaller than the L-frame 586/686 and the 19 still packs the same punch. The best option for concealibility, while still packing a punch, is the Model 36 which is built on the smaller J-frame. A 36 loaded with the right ammo will stop a bad guy at close-range, but is still very concealable. Undercover police officers counted in this gun for decades, and I’m sure some still do. So, you have to make a choice between several compromises, concealibility, stopping power, ease to learn, and affordability. Good luck!
Or the (stainless steel version) Model 64. Or the Models 13/65, 15/67, 19/66 (blue/stainless). All K frames.
Last edited:
nksmfamjp
Member
Like many in here. I would recommend a 3-4” K frame or L frame revolver. K frames are not weak! I have had amazing luck on gunbroker getting good condition guns. Ideally you would buy something you can handle in person. Learn the basics of checking lock up. It is tunable, but good revolver smiths are getting less common.
GP100, 10,13,14,15,19,36 3”, SP101 3-4”, not to mention the SS models.
I would strongly suggest 38 or 38/357.
I would look
GP100, 10,13,14,15,19,36 3”, SP101 3-4”, not to mention the SS models.
I would strongly suggest 38 or 38/357.
I would look
SWOH
Member
It represents a good compromise between a field gun and a carry gun - jack of all trades, master of none.
SWOH
Member
Frame isn't weak, but the forcing cone cut to clear the gas ring of a .357 is.
The best advice is often the simplest. This wins the thread. Try some rentals at your range OP and you will know when you have tried the right one. Wise words from Yeshualsa53
Well Armed
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1,100
- Reaction score
- 1,358
So it excels at nothing and sucks for what it would be primary used for by most that carry it who don't live in or frequent bear country. Even those who do, .38/.357 would still not be optimal. Buy a revolver that best fits the role for carry. Then buy another that best works for bears, hunting, target shooting, etc.
OP
Inquiring minds have asked, so here goes some background. first experience with shooting beside BB guns. Was approx. as an 8-year-old skinny kid. Adult gave me a shotgun, took one shot it knocked me to the ground and had a sore shoulder for a while. I have looked back on it as irresponsible adults looking for a laugh.
Then in my twenties acquired a snub nose 38 special unable to recall brand/model. Had it for a bit but money was tight ending up selling it. Many moons had passed finally decided it was time for a home defense firearm. Ended up with a Glock G45.
Since then, have went down the rabbit hole.... but I do my research and research and rent before I purchase. 1911, Mossberg Shotgun, SW Shield Plus, TX 22, Ruger 22, SW BG2.0. Member at Indoor range, try to go at least twice a month. Consider myself an average shot, my son says I must have been a cowboy in a past life due to the fact that I shoot better one-handed.
To be continued...... Joe
Then in my twenties acquired a snub nose 38 special unable to recall brand/model. Had it for a bit but money was tight ending up selling it. Many moons had passed finally decided it was time for a home defense firearm. Ended up with a Glock G45.
Since then, have went down the rabbit hole.... but I do my research and research and rent before I purchase. 1911, Mossberg Shotgun, SW Shield Plus, TX 22, Ruger 22, SW BG2.0. Member at Indoor range, try to go at least twice a month. Consider myself an average shot, my son says I must have been a cowboy in a past life due to the fact that I shoot better one-handed.
To be continued...... Joe
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
And about 100 years of Law Enforcement service.
I suggest buying 2 revolvers. Buy a medium frame revolver for training and target practice. If you like it and become proficient with it, keep it for home defense and buy a small frame snub revolver for carry.
If you get a Smith and Wesson, try to get one without a lock. If you buy a used Smith and Wesson revolver, keep in mind that the older ones sometimes have narrow grooved triggers that can be painful to shoot in double action. I much prefer Smith and Wesson revolvers with wide smooth triggers. Some of the older Smith and Wessson revolvers may not be compatible with +P ammo.
I also recommend buying the book "Defensive Revolver Fundamentals" by Grant Cunningham. It's available on Amazon.
If you get a Smith and Wesson, try to get one without a lock. If you buy a used Smith and Wesson revolver, keep in mind that the older ones sometimes have narrow grooved triggers that can be painful to shoot in double action. I much prefer Smith and Wesson revolvers with wide smooth triggers. Some of the older Smith and Wessson revolvers may not be compatible with +P ammo.
I also recommend buying the book "Defensive Revolver Fundamentals" by Grant Cunningham. It's available on Amazon.
Last edited:
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Joe, my grandpa WWI Veteran and pa WWII Veteran were cowboys too and taught me shooting one handed as well as horsemanship.
Good luck, Sarge
