picking a s&w revolver to restart revolver collection

[Fishslayer]

I think id just start with the first gun you run across that would be on your list that met your requirements.

That's a good policy here in The People's Republik. Older S&W revolvers aren't on the sacred roster so are somewhat hard to come by. When they DO show up in the consignment case they usually don't last long so ya kinda gotta be quick on the trigger.

I hunted for a year before finding my 4" 686. I happened to be in the shop when it went in the case & snagged it before the ink was dry on the price tag. I won't say I payed too much but I bought it pretty early.

 

[Florida Guy]

MG357, do you plan to reload? Is so, I'd say any of the .38/.357's, If not, go with a fine .22. You can shoot a bunch for $20!

I agree with that advice.
I have (2) m63's no dash, along with a m34-1 (2 inch).
Costs almost nothing to shoot.
I'm teaching my sister to shoot on the m63.
Great starter gun.

 

[Rawhyde]

All of the guns you mention are great additions to any collection. Since you mention wanting it for a training tool and also mention that you have no experience shooting a handgun, go for the 617. You'll get an easy to control, well crafted, very accurate gun that is cheap to shoot. If you want to become a good shot, you have to send a lot of lead downrange.

 

[TheHobbyist]

I think your best bet is to learn with the .22 first. As others have mentioned, it is the most cost effective and will afford lots of practice for the basics (yet still challenges) of sight picture, trigger control, grip, and overall learning.

I hope whatever you decide on you are more than satisfied with!

 

[SD357]

I was also new to revolvers and first got a 617 about 4 months ago. Put 2500 round thu her then just bought a 686 4 inch the other day (10 day wait in CA). The 617 gives you a lot of cheap practice. My ammo cost for the 2500 rounds was only about $150. Where the same amount of shooting will cost me about $750 with the 686.

 

[nachogrande]

TRAINING is the key word I'm hearing and vote for the 617 in 4". better yet get both.

 

[QasoSwat]

I recently bought a S&W model 10-10 4". It was a used Australian police gun from buds $229 delivered and the finish was almost gone. At first I was sorry I purchased it, then I took it to the range. It shoots like a dream, the action is smoother than any other gun I own and I have more than a few. Accuracy is unbelievable, you can put round after round one on top of the other from 20 yards away.

My vote is model 10.

I also purchased a model 13-2 which is identical to the model 10 just shoots .357

 

[pawncop]

Another vote for a solid .22 caliber revolver as an initial revolver. The 617 is good as is the 63.

The 686 is a solid next step. I carried a 586 nickel plated for years and is one of the top three(3) guns I regret trading.

I now have a 686 2 1/2" that is an assigned off duty sidearm as well as a 686 4" and 681 (fixed sights) that are prized.

Good luck with your quest. Remember, the joy is in the quest.

 

[Bello]

+ 1; Agreed.

 

[Moonman]

617, or a 63 22LR to learn and cheap practice,

A USED MODEL 10, for centerfire (38 Special practice),

Transistion to a 686,

A "J"-Frame for carry.

EVERYBODY SHOULD EVENTUALLY HAVE A "DIRTY HARRY"

MODEL 29 44MAG "JUST BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO."

 

[austintexas]

Depending on how much shooting you will be doing and you are not buying a handgun for serious business I would opt for the 617 for the first handgun. Then if you are going to collect S&Ws you need to decide on a catagory (blued, stainless, prewar, postwar, N or K frame, ETC) because believe me you can't collect them all. But some of us try.

SWCA 892

 

[jaykellogg]

For a "first gun" I recommend a .22. If you were just buying it to sit by the bed for home defense I would get a bigger caliber, but you said you wanted to start shooting. My concern is you would hold back from the cost of ammunition. With a .22 you can shoot as much as you want.

 

[7shooter]

Depends on how rich you are going to be. If it's real rich I'd get them all. If it's sort of rich I'd start with the 22 because they are a lot of fun to shoot and the ammo is cheap. Then I would get a Model 64 which is also fun to shoot and is about as perfectly balanced as a revolver can be. I wouldn't be concerned about not being able to shoot 357 unless you are willing to put up with the recoil or the noise if you are forced to use it in an indoor self defense situation. There are excellent 38 special +P rounds that are effective in self defense situations if that is one of your purposes in owning one.

You are not likely to go wrong with any of the choices on your list. Good luck.

 

[steamloco76]

the 4 inch 617 in any of its "dash" models is the best training revolver one could own, plus it is a near twin to the best all around revolver on your list, the 686 4 inch. I own both and they make a superlative pair of revolvers. Both are accurate in the extreme.

If you are buying only one to start, go for the 617 .22 LR, then as soon as you feel comfortable spending the money get the 686.

 

[sipowicz]

mg...I like the 686 but I also find the L frame a bit heavy for .38 plinking. I would go with a 4" Model 19...great weight and balance....if you find an old 15 and don't need to shoot magnums, that would work too. I have a 4" 10 and a 2" 15 along with a 6" 17, and 6" 19. Love them all.

Hey, it's been over a year...so what did you decide?

 

[jaykellogg]

Hey, it's been over a year...so what did you decide?

I looked at his posts. He has asked recently about Model 10s. He posted about severe health issues also.

 

[DeathGrip]

^^^ Agreed with Sip.

 

[long colt frazier]

Another 617 vote here;-)

 

[Muley Gil]

I'd look for a good used M17 K22. Lighter weight than a M617 and better balance INHO.

I got lucky a few years back and found a 1947 K22, cheap. Poor finish, perfect bore and chambers. Can't ask for anything more.

 

[mg357]

Folks i went with a heritage manufacturing rough rider single action revolver with a 3 inch barrel. In fact if you want to read the thread that i started on my .22 revoler please look for a thread that is titled i have some gun news to share. It gives a little more information about my .22

p.s. i want to say thank you for all of the advice and suggestions that you gave me on this thread i really appreciate it very much