Originally posted by SIGthusiast:
Is the a difference between an older gun versus a more newly manufactured gun?
Are you kidding me? You just guaranteed that this thread will go on for 10 pages.
As to your original question:
Sounds like you want a shooter that's also a little uncommon and you like stainless. In current production, your all-around stainless steel workhorse revolver is the 686. Comes with 2.5", 3", 6", or 6" ported barrel and six or seven shot cylinder. Lots of accessories (holsters, speedloaders, etc.) are made for that model, too, so you'd have lots of choices. 686's are .357 magnums, so you can shoot .38 special wadcutter target loads that kick like a mouse-burp all the way up to heavy bullet .357 magnum hunting loads that kick like a mule and everything in between. Ammo in these calibers is abundant and not too outrageously expensive. If you are interested in a big bore stainless current production revolver, try a 629 (.44 mag) or 625 (.45ACP). If you want a new gun that has the look of an old gun, but with modern materials and manufacturing, try something from the "classics" line like a 29 (.44 mag), 27 (.357 mag), or 22 or 25 (.45 ACP). Most of those come in blue, nickel, or color case finish. I wouldn't count on them becoming high value collector items any time soon, however. They all have modern metal injection molded (MIM) innards and the internal lock (except the model 40). K-frames are great, too, but current production of those is limited to three .38 special models and some special runs. Finally, in current production, if your wallet is fat and you want something really special that will almost certainly hold if not go up in value, go for a Performance Center revolver. They make quite a few interesting variations on the regular production models. I've been eyeing a 629 "carry-comp" myself. The ones I've seen and shot are very nice. Watch out for the "V" barrel guns; I've seen the compensator fly off those during firing.
If you go used, you open up your options considerably, and prices will generally be less than new for common fairly recent models. There's just too many possibilities to really discuss thoroughly here. Look around the gun stores, on-line, and try to shoot some (either rentals or your friends', if they have one you like). If you really like stainless and want something a little uncommon, try to find a used Mountain Gun. They made them in 629's, 625's and 686's (the most uncommon). Basically, it's a regular production gun with an aesthetically pleasing tapered (read "old-fashioned") barrel made in limited numbers.
My final word: if I could have only one revolver (or one handgun), it would be a 4" 686. They are very durable and very versatile.
Good luck to you and have fun.
