Need help choosing good 1st Revolver for a beginner..

[Bruceboy]

Hopefully, some of the veteran shooters can help. As the title suggests revolver beginner. I have tried a few revolvers 38 and 45 and do have a ruger wrangler in 22. Most of the shooters I know are into the polymers no idea on revolvers. So here I am. Looking for a reasonably priced good option. Most SW I researched are +500 or more. Just not sure. I was thinking about a 9mm but not sure of the moon clips. Open too all suggestions, plan on renting at the local indoor range. Just need ideas.. primary use home defense possibly carry. I just want a good revolver. Thanks in advance guys for your recommendations.... Joe

Suggest either a 4" S&W Model 19 (.357 mag.) or a 4" Ruger Security 6 (.357 mag.). Both have adjustable sights and are fine revolvers. Sounds like you will be mostly be firing .38 Special ammo which is both available and still reasonably priced. The reason I'd pick adjustable sights model is 6 months after your purchase, you will still be happy rather than wishing you had spent a few more dollars in the first place.
If budget is the main concern, pick up a S&W model 10. (.38 Spl.) Great revolvers, and lots of 4 inch available on the used market.
Good luck with your purchase,

Al

 

[AQBill]

How about a nice pair of vintage K-frames in .22lr and 38 Special? That would be a great place to start!

 

[Okie Red]

yes sir. I have a good friend shooting buddy who has shot longer than I have but not with revolvers. He wanted to scratch that itch and picked up a Colt Official Police. He was all over the target and thought he had a gun with a bad barrel. I loaded 6 rounds and put them in a 2” circle at 15 yards with half the rounds touching. I shot his old gun better than my 80’s vintage model 19 that day.

He was relieved and also disgusted that he couldn’t just shoot a revolver as good as he can shoot with his Sig 320. The next time out we shot some of my cast loads and he did better.

It takes practice.

 

[Okie Red]

About 6 months ago I was looking at GB and found several model 64-8 revolvers that were trade-ins from a security company. They were offered at under $300. I purchased one and am very satisfied with it. It had marks from being carried but doesn't appear to have been shot much. It cleaned up nicely. If you watch they do come up for sale.

 

[jammer216]

Yesterday made a trip up to the local range having a sale on 9mm 124 grain for .22 each. Picked up a case, of course I did check out the used offerings. I did handle a Ruger SP 101 .357 4" for $450. It felt good in my hand cylinder seemed tight. Not much wear, the trigger pull was not bad. I tried to get them to let me fire it but ... no go. Took my ammo and left...

 

[Elder Shooter]

Hopefully, some of the veteran shooters can help. As the title suggests revolver beginner. I have tried a few revolvers 38 and 45 and do have a ruger wrangler in 22. Most of the shooters I know are into the polymers no idea on revolvers. So here I am. Looking for a reasonably priced good option. Most SW I researched are +500 or more. Just not sure. I was thinking about a 9mm but not sure of the moon clips. Open too all suggestions, plan on renting at the local indoor range. Just need ideas.. primary use home defense possibly carry. I just want a good revolver. Thanks in advance guys for your recommendations.... Joe

After wading through nine pages, I can see that everyone is quite willing to spend your money. You already have a Ruger Wrangler, which is a good gun for inexpensive practice. Unless you wish to have the experience of firing a double action 22 I would just stick with that. Your dealer can put you on the track of the least expensive and reliable double action 22 revolvers. Good inexpensive beginning 38 Special revolvers are the 856 from Taurus and the 200 from Rock Island. There is also the Taurus 605 for 38/357 magnum. They are available in various barrel lengths. The Taurus have stiff double action pulls, but you can remedy that by installing aftermarket springs from companies such as Galloway. The Taurus Ultralight 856 experiences a good bit of recoil from +P loads so I only use light loads in mine. Recoil can also be reduced by installing Pachmayr or Hogue grips. Take all these nine pages with a grain of salt and suit yourself!

 

[ikat]

You have been given a great deal of advice from many different perspectives, the thing to remember is we all have our own favorite gun manufacture. I would suggest going to both a gun store and ask to handle the different types of revolvers, and then go to a range that lets you rent a gun. What works for me may not work for you. I love my police issue S&W model 10, works great and yes i can carry it.

 

[smithman 10]

Can't go wrong with a nice used Model 10 or 64, in good operating condition. Funny that the answer to this question has, at least in my mind, been the same for the last 30-40 years!

 

[PaulM&P]

Ruger or S&W .357 Magnum with 3 or 4 inch barrel. I like stainless for the esthetics but if you're in a wet or humid climate this is invaluable. My wife has one from Charter Arms which is basically an air weight that she loves. My law enforcement spies tell me they're popular as backups locally; you can even get different colors. All the best!

 

[Thomasino]

I have these:
S&W 64-5 (38SP)
S&W 686-6" (357mag)
S&W 629-5" (44mag)
Rug. Bisley 45 colt)
Rug. Birdshead (45 colt)-Fav revolver
Of all the revolvers I listed above, my suggestion for you would be something like the 64-5 38 Special. It is not that expensive if you can find one, but buying new Smith & Wesson revolvers can't get expensive. A 64-5 you could probably get for about $400. Along with that cost, the price of 38 Special is much much cheaper than 44, or 45 lc.

 

[jammer216]

Had the day off, son and I went to the range had a blast. No revolver to rent but picked up another case of 9mm. Great price.
Wow, I am overwhelmed with the responses and recommendations. Still sifting through them all. Thanks again everyone...

Here's another guide to revolvers, this one you can print and take with you:

http://tinyurl.com/revocheck

Just downloaded, Thanks @SWOH