I am looking for a revolver (S&W of course) in the $900 range. Thinking maybe more self-defense.4"- 5" barrel....suggestions...Just want something really nice and the biggest bang for the buck

Thank you
Bill

I am looking for a revolver (S&W of course) in the $900 range. Thinking maybe more self-defense.4"- 5" barrel....suggestions...Just want something really nice and the biggest bang for the buck

Thank you
Bill

I would suggest the .357 for any beginner, as the ability to use 38 special for practise is a good thing.

I would suggest a Model 627 in .357 Magnum. It is an N-Frame (a little heavier) and these revolvers come in three variations, the Standard, the Pro, and the P/C (Performance Center) versions. It holds 8 shots. If you want an L-frame, I would recommend the 686P, and it holds 7 shots. These guns shoot .357 magnum, .38Sp, and .38Sp+P.

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NRA Lifetime Member

Welcome to the forum will919. I would have to agree with Match10 on this one. The .357 is a good choice because it can be used with ammo ranging from mouse fart loaded .38 specials to lion roaring .357 magnums, and everything in between!

You might want to think about what kind of SD you are planning to use it for. Home defense only? CCW carry? Both? If CCW is a possibility, you might want to rethink the 5-6" barrel choice. Much harder to conceal.

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

Well the .44mag might give you the biggest bang but for the purpose stated, I'm with all the rest, .357 mag

I would suggest a 686 SSR

And a couple hundred less.

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May God Bless The USA

Get the 610. It also shoots 40S&W. Buy several packs of moon clips. You can shoot it all day with 40S&W's and if you need more power load it with 10MM's. I have one and love it. 357 is ok I guess, but I have a problem with anything that doesn't start with a 4.
Phil

I would suggest a 638 and a used 66. You can get them both for $800! You will have a small pocketable .38+p for hot weather & difficult to conceal conditons. You will also have a K-frame that can use .357s but is very effective with the .38+P. Best of all you'll have two guns, one for the bed & one by the door. One in your pocket another at home with your wife. Etc, etc

Perhaps a prelock 586 or 686 4"?

A .357 can shoot both 38spl and .357 and it's a well known SD caliber.

Easy to find and far less than the $900 you mentioned - enough for ammo for quite a while to come.

I have 4 S&W revolvers I really like.

1 - 686, 4" barrel. It carries well in the out back country and is a great shooter at 25 yards.

2 - 627 PC, 5" barrel is a great shooting hand gun out to 50 yards. It has a smooth trigger and carries much as the 686.

3 - 629Classic, 6-1/2" barrel, POWER port. The revolver shoots very nicely with full factory loads and I would use it to hunt with out to 75 yard. A bit heavy, though I have carried it in the Winter in a shoulder holster into the outback.

I think it comes down to what you want one for. Home defense, general range, carry handgun I'd go with the 4" 686, or the 5" 627PC if I wanted to shoot competatively, or close in hunting, as a back up revolver. For middle range hunting porposes I go with the 629 Classic, For personal protection, home, or field, I go with the 329PD and carry

4 - 329PD, 4" barrel, is a light weight .44 magnum. It is easier to carry that the other two. It can be painful to shoot full factory loads, but .44 Special, even Buffalo Bore Heavy 185 grain JHPs. I reload a 200 grain GDHP which is light for a .44 magnum, but is at the upper .357 magnum level. This is my favorite to carry into the outback when fishing, hiking, or just packing a camera.

I actually think it comes down to your intended use. For home defense, general range, or field carry, the 686 is great. If you want similar, only also a little competition shooting, or light close in hunting, then the 627PC is great choice. If you mostly want a mid range hunting revolver and the extra weight is not a factor, the 629 Classic makes for a good choice. Now if you are thinking personal protection, home, or in the field, the 329PD is a good pick, as long as you accept it will be best to use .44 Specials, or low recoil .44 magnums like Speer Short Barrel 200 grain JHP.

I recommend one of each.

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Hook686

I love the 45 ACP revolvers with those full moon clips. I guess the model 625 would be the only revolver that I would still buy.

Don't forget about the 22-4

Can't go wrong with a 686 (357/38) or a 610 (10mm/40 S&W Auto). Both great guns and great calibers. A 625 in 45 ACP would be my 3rd choice. The 44 Mag is a nice round, but you are better served by the other 3 for self-defense. That is my opinion. I could be wrong.

Man some fool just gave $900 for a used 610-2 4", unfluted cylinder with box and papers!!!

I really want a 4" 610, but I am unable to find a reasonable priced ($550 to $650) used one thanks to people snapping any older gun up for crazy high prices just because of the damn internal lock on new ones.

Oh well maybe I will just buy a G20 or 29 and say to hell with my 610 4" for now. I just hate chasing brass, but the $400 saved will buy a lot of brass to replaced that what gets lost.

If I was smart I would sell my 610, the 1500 or more rounds, dies, and just stick with my DW 744 for a big hole maker.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy