Help me buy my first revolver

[MattO]

I belong to a range that does have rental guns that are included in my membership. I just have to buy ammo from them. Shooting a variety of .40 S&W models is how I ended up with my new carry gun. I suppose common sense would tell me to go back and shoot several .357 models and decide which I would want. However I honestly know ZERO things about revolver which is why I came here to try and get some information about good models and then I could chose from those that you helped me dwindle it down to.

Thanks

 

[GerSan69]

Either of those SP101s will work well for you, too. I'd actually pick one over the 637 as a regular shooter. Naturally prejudiced toward S&W on this Forum, but Ruger revolvers are built like tanks, and there are several grip makers that produce aftermarket grips for them as well. The 637 is nice to carry, but you won't want to shoot more than 10-15 rounds out of it at a time (IMHO of course.)

 

[MattO]

Ruger SP101® Double-Action Revolver

This is the gun I held tonight. With the fiber optic sight. I really liked it, it was a beautiful gun and felt good in my hands. I could see shooting it at the range more often than the smaller ones. And the LGS actually has it cheaper than buds does. This gun will likely be what I purchase. I am going to the range to see if they have one I can shoot.

Matt

 

[raylan007]

Check the Classifieds

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to the forums. But certainly not to guns. I've owned Semi-autos for about 20 years. Before I owned all shotguns for hunting.

I "want" notice I didn't say need a .357 revolver. I'm not stuck on a brand. I'm not stuck on much. I'd like to spend $500 or less, and I'd prefer a shorter barrel. 3" or less. I've scoured the net looking, I've been to the Local gun stores, I've held several. many don't feel that great to me in my hand. I've shot an EAA windicater and actually liked it. I've shot a Rossi and liked it. Both can be bought for under $500 new. But I'd like to get a Smith and Wesson if possible. Suggestions?

One thing to note I do have small hands. Not exactly T-rex here but I do have smaller hands and prefer to have all three fingers on the grip along with the one on the trigger. Thanks

Matt

You just missed a S&W M65 3" that had been in the Forum classifieds for the past few day for $550 I just checked, it must have sold today. I have checked Buds Guns but only found .38 specials.
There of are a couple of S&W model 681 .357 4" on Guns America for under $550 being sold by Robertson Trading, they are Aussie police trade in's, check them out. Anything in the 2-1/2" barrel in m66 or 19 you better be willing to spend $700 for unless you get lucky.

 

[willb1961]

In the last month, I bought a new Ruger SP101 TALO .357 for $469 plus tax at a gun show from a trusted dealer, and a used (obviously) S&W 64-3 .38 special for $350 out the door from Clarks Guns. Ruger's a 2", Smith's a 4". I did add some factory Ruger/Hogue finger groove grips to the SP101 so I could get an extra finger on them. What this shows is there are decent deals out there if you have patience. Smith is the lower left in the photo. Ruger is the upper right.

 

[rwsmith]

686 6 shooter.....

I don't know why suggest a 7 shooter. I'm so glad I held off for my 686 no dash instead of going with a cheaper (lesser) brand. I'm super happy with it. The 686 is an 'L' frame which is a REAL .357 magnum. You can shoot max loads all the time with no problem. If you want a smaller gun a model 60 is a nice one. If I weren't able to afford that one, a Ruger would have been nice.

Welcome to the forum. Whatever you get I hope you like it.

 

[MattO]

Well I went to the LGS this morning after working 18 hours yesterday. I tried to beat them down on the price of the gun. I couldn't get them to budge. He said they already bought new inventory and the price on the gun I wanted went up. But I bought it anyway to support the local store, it wasn't much more than Buds, and I had it in hand. And to keep this S&W related a photo of what my son picked out while we were there.

Untitled by MattOphotog, on Flickr