Big Decisions

[Gunhacker]

Ah, the classic "what if"...

All three of my choices would need to be multi-caliber to maximize my choices of available ammo and be useful for a variety of purposes.

1) 632 Carry Comp 3"bbl .327 Federal - small enough to still be a concealed carry, wife would be able to shoot it if necesssary (.32 S&W), the .327 Federal is still potent self defense medicine even though the .32 is considered by many a "mouse" caliber.

2) Performance Center 627, .357 mag/38 spl, 8 shots and a 5" bbl, for "all around" use.

3 ) 460XVR - 10.5" bbl, compensated and integral scope mount base. The big boomer for hunting use that has the flexibility to also fire the .45 Colt for a "reduced load" and the .454 Casull, for a not so reduced load

 

[Marshall 357]

My 66-1 2.5'' for carry- My 29-3 8 3/8'' for hunting and SD in the home and a 3'' 629-that is on my to get list.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Only three!?

1. K-22
2. L frame .357 Mag
3. 25 in .45 Colt
And to cheat I have to have .44 Special in the mix for number four!

 

[scooter123]

"Newer"? Ruger SP-101, 3-inch bbl, Ruger GP-100, four-inch bbl., and the discontinued GP- 100 with six-inch half lug bbl.

No MIM parts, no lock, and great ruggedness and reliability.
Reasonable prices usually, too. Also great versatility. (All in .357.)

Might skip the six-inch and get two of one of the others.

I don't even consider current S&W handguns. To be sure, some here don't share that opinion. But I'm not answering on their behalf.

T-Star

Per Ruger's web site, all pistols manufatured after 2004 will feature internal locks. I could quote the pertanent statement, however that might violate a copyright. Better look elsewhere for a gun without an internal lock if you want something new.

As long as they don't interfere with the action or corrupt the trigger, locks don't bother me. Fact is at times I find them convenient. What is regrettable is that S&W's internal lock has proven problematic in the feather weights, however on the heavy weights it's not been a problem.

Now, 3 newer revolvers. Personally, I am biased towards the stainless guns, less worry about cleaning products, less risk of rust, and it's easy to touch up a mark on the finish.

One would be a 4 inch model 617, preferably a 6 shooter because I'm an old fart and I like 6 shooters. Next would be a 4 inch model 610, because 40 caliber is pretty cheap to shoot. Finally, a model 627 with a 3.5 or 4 inch barrel, because it's a new age Registered Magnum, just wish it was a 6 shooter because I may be too old to learn how to count to 8.

BTW, note the 4 inch barrel preference. I've learned from experince that 4 inch barrels are easier to shoot than long barrels, less fatigue and less sensitivity to recoil management.

 

[Grog]

642 2"
625 4"
681 4"

 

[Guitardujour]

Fantastic choice on the 460XVR.
The piece may look like it's a wildcat, but it takes the heaviest loads and makes them seem tame. I have the 460XVR 8-3/8" and 454's, even 460's feel very controlled. The overall weight of the gun balances these heavy charges and provides a great deal of confidence. Extremely accurate. If you are comfortable with 44 Magnum this piece just feels like the next chapter. Today at the range I shot next to another guy who had the performance model. He was crazy about his 460XVR as well. He said that he wanted to move up to 454 after enjoying 44 Magnum but did not want to be confined to a 454 ceiling or threshold as in the Ruger. The 460XVR gave him more flexibility. I had to second his opinion. For me, I never enjoyed the ascetics of the Ruger SRH. When I found the 460XVR it was perfect in every way. All the things I enjoyed on my 629 but bigger!