IMO anyone who is at all serious about shooting a handgun well should have at least one revolver. Quite simply, there is no better choice for training in good trigger technique than a revolver. I purchased my first revolver in order to improve my shooting with the DA portion of the DA/SA trigger on my Sig Sauer P239. That old model 67 not only allowed me to accomplish that goal, I also improved with the SA trigger. I also became a bit hooked on wheelguns and now own more revolvers than semi's.
They are also superb for training a new shooter because of their operational simplicity. Aim, pull the trigger, and they fire. No need to worry about feed issues, racking a slide, or someone getting "bit" by putting a thumb in the wrong spot. If you want an absolutely superb handgun for teaching a brand spanking new shooter, a 4 inch 22 caliber model 18 or 617 cannot be beat.
Then there is the matter of ammunition variability that a revolver can work with. If you want to load up with a couple of shotshells for snakes, follow that with a couple of wadcutters for plinking, then progressively increase the power with a 38 spl., a 38 +P, and finish with a full blown hunting Magnum, you can do that with the 7 shot 686 and it won't jam once. An admittedly foolish carry load, however just one example of what a revolver can do. Point is, if you want a couple of shotshells loaded for snakes followed up by something more serious for bear or the like, it's practical in a revolver and allows some serious power to be available after one or two strokes of the trigger. You can't do that with a semi, they will "choke" on the shotshells every time. This tolerance for variable loads also makes it much easier to progress up the recoil chain to the hard hitting Magnums.
Then there is the matter of brass, or more specifically retention of those valuable once fired casings. I lose about 30 to 40% of the brass shot with my semi's when they bounce forward of the firing line at the indoor ranges in my immediate area. I haven't lost one single casing with my revolvers.
I also have a moon clip equipped model 610 and these are fantastic for allowing nearly uninterupted shooting. Load up 16 or 24 clips in advance of a range trip and it's nothing but dump and load at the range. Most semi shooters practice with just one magazine, I now practice with a minimum of 8 clips and some days will use all 24. As a result I spend more time shooting than most semi shooters can even dream about. Unfortunately, the 610 has again been dropped from production and they are NOT easy to find. That's a real shame because mine works perfectly with the rather inexpensive 40 S&W.
Finally, there is the matter of Accuracy. You won't find a semi auto capable of sub 4 inch groups at 50 yards for under 2000 dollars. Mount a scope or red dot sight on a 686 and for a much lower cost, shooting this accurately is a simple matter of ammo selection and training. If you want even more accuracy, hunt up the now discontinued model 620, it will shoot under 1.5 inch at 50 yards with the right shooter and ammo. I have a 620 and my present personal best is currently 1.75 inch at 35 yards using a red dot reflex. I have no doubt the 620 can do better, however I'll need a scope with some magnification and a source for an ammo that Speer stopped making, the 125 grain Lawman TMJ. Unfortunately, the 620 didn't sell well enough to support it's continued production. Today the closest you can get in a 38/357 Magnum is the M&P R8, the 327 TR8, or the 386 XL Hunter, all of which cost more than the 620 did.
BTW, I just noticed a trend here. Both of the S&W models that I've chosen to purchase new have been dropped from production. To those who hated the 2 piece barrel in the 620, you probably have me to thank for it's being dropped, it seems I may be a jinx. On that note, if you also hate the 2 piece barrel in the 327 TR8, it's on my wish list. No doubt as soon as I get the funds to purchase one it'll get cancelled. For those interested in this model, you have at least 2 years. Currently I've enough squirreled away for a 4 inch 610 and it'll be at least 2 years before I can afford the TR8.
PS; note that I'm just a bit hooked on wheelguns. They are a bit more of a challenge to shoot well with at speed but I like a good challenge. I've also get a pretty broad streak of Scotch miser in me and just hate losing brass.
