Which wheelgun for an auto shooter?

[Big Arm]

I am a semi auto guy, but 1911's. Have been shooting them for more than 30 years. Just this year I began exploring Smith & Wesson revolvers. My oldest son has been a fan of them for quite a while. I find I like the N frames the best. My newest favorite is a M28. It is very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. However, I really like my 25 in 45 acp, my 25 in 45 Colt and my 29. I think at this time my second favorite is the 45 colt, but if my 45 acp were 4" instead of 6.5" I think it would be my favorite of all of them.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I agree, the L frame 586 or 686 are fine revolvers for the .357 Mag or .38 Special. If you want a N frame may I suggest a five inch 625. Nice balance between a 4 or six inch. Moon clip for speedy reloads with the .45 ACP or .45 Auto Rim for more traditional single loading, and it makes a fine cartridge for those 255gr LSWC's. I load the heavy's in the Auto Rim to keep em out of my 1911's.

 

[JMC502]

3" model 65 of the 5 revolvers I have this by far is my favorite to both shoot and carry. Great balance in size and power

 

[silentflyer]

Model 19 or 15,66,67 with 4" barrel.

 

[Mark6005]

Looks not being important get a gp100 you'll be well worn out before it will

 

[Rick_A]

If you like capacity a 627/327 8 shot 357 Magnum should do it.

If you like big bores and already have a 45acp a 625/325 is ideal.

Both are very practical, rewarding to shoot, versatile, and will put the autos to shame in mechanical accuracy.

I went 357 and 45 with one a classic and the other a replica:

20140916_110247 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20140914_093831 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[OKFC05]

Learning to shoot the normal DA is the whole point of this project. I want a gun that will teach me things not just a gun that has a round magazine.

Oh, trust me, you will find the SSR the best "out of the box" "normal double action revolver" action in a S&W Production gun. Learn to shoot it well DA and you will have met your goal and then some. Start out with a Rossi with a scratchy 18# pull and you may never learn to shoot DA revolver.

 

[Laketime]

For the money your talking,Taurus might be your best bet.Since your buying this for a tool only,you won't miss heritage.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

S&Ws 60-10, 3", and 640-1, 2-1/8", both DAO and .357Mag/.38Sp work for me.

 

[629shooter]

Since you said, "you're not a revolver guy," I just have to say that I have seen a lot of people change their minds after trying a 686.

 

[ankona]

Just go buy a 3 inch 686+. With a little searching on the net they can be had new for just under 7 bills.

 

[Elliot45]

I was in your position about a year ago. At the time I was looking for a Model 19, K frame or a 27 (N). However, much like you I wandered into a gun shop and purchased a S&W 686+ Pro (7 shot, L frame) with a five inch slab barrel. Because it is from the "Pro" series, I've been told it has the same trigger as those from the performance series, so it's a great shooter. The 5" barrel doesn't have any more weight than a 4" because it is tappered to reduce weight and to make it easier to get in and out of a hoster but I think the extra inch makes it more accurate. You can also use moon clips with it that allows you to load 7 bullets at once. Since purchasing it, I have picked up a 4" Nickel model 27 that I really love too. It is also accurate and fun to shoot and I admire the beauty of it but it would be heavy to carry. I will also get a 19-2, 3 or 4 in blue but you have to be careful about the wear and tear they might have had because there are known issues about those who shot excessive magnum loads causing issues with the force cone. My final piece of advice is that I like shooting magnum rounds and I prefer a barrel longer than 3" to help reduce recoil. Stay away from a 3" J frame, it is just plain painful to shoot magnum loads much at all. If you can, I would borrow or rent a revolver to get a feel of what you like. Best of luck. Regards, Jim

 

[Chase]

You've been warned about the addiction factor...

Ranges usually have K and L frame revolvers to rent. You will quickly determine which weight you like better. If they don't quite hook you, try an N frame. The longer barrel you like, the further up the alphabet you'll probably go.

As you can see, grips to your liking are not going to be a problem--settling on just one set may be.

I have ended up with at least one of each but I don't know if I'm done yet.

Still split range time between revolvers and semi-autos as both are good but the revolvers have taught me more.

 

[old&slow]

Hey, I joined this forum basically to ask this one question...

I'm a Glock shooter

My condolences ( just kidding )

For a general all around, range use, field gun, just fun to play with, I would recommend a 4" L frame, .38 / .357.

If you wanted to stay with the same 9mm ammo a S&W 986 L frame might be of interest. But it's going to be over the $700 mark and it's moon clip fed..

N frames are nice, and if you have big hands,, like larger guns,, or want a larger caliber, might be to your liking. A model 625 would use the same 45 acp ammo and is a moon clip gun also.

For carry, a J frame or a short barrel K frame is hard to beat..
And everybody should have a 4" K frame model 10 38 spl. , just because they are cool.

The only problem with revolvers,,,, They are addictive..

 

[frankcr]

It is not possible to tell someone what he would like and he is losing one enjoyable factor by not just looking at revolvers until one tickles his fancy.

A Heritage .22 is a fine starting point in revolver shooting or a used Smith of about any model. He will have to try several and find what suits him best.

We have a plastic wonder which serves its purpose, but it is far less enjoyable than a revolver at the range as far as I am concerned. Should not say this but it is the difference between a work truck and a well appointed personal truck with all the trimmings. They both do the job, but one satisfies the soul.

 

[johngalt]

I got into revolvers later in life, I'm primarilly a 1911 shooter. I like the grip size and reach of the N frame the best. My favorite revolver is the 625 in .45 auto.

 

[jtcarm]

I endorse all the K and L
frame .357 suggestions, with one more for consideration: a K-frame .22 LR. Unless you reload, that's the cheapest way to practice DA shooting.


Since you want a shorter barrel, that points to a model 18, or I guess one of the later 617s were/are made in 4" lengths, I'm not sure.

 

[dakota1911]

I would vote 625. You can stuff it with moon clips which if you practice can be faster than changing magazines in an auto. I carry a Colt Commander in .45 by the way.

 

[Biggfoot44]

If you WANT an N Frame on purpose , I won't dissuade you.

Otherwise just lay you hand(s) upon any and every 4in K Frame or L Frame you can find , until one of them feels right to you.. A .38spl will fill your wishes just as well ( unless you have some latent handgun hunting desire you didn't mention).

And the later fixed sight guns also have decent sight pictures.

 

[at_liberty]

Hey, I joined this forum basically to ask this one question...

I'm a Glock shooter and I consider myself pretty good with it. I can shoot 99/100 on a B8 target at 25 and shoot Todd Green's FAST test sub six seconds. I'm not a collector as my only current pistols are 3 G17s and a 1911. I don't have any intention of straying from my Glocks for serious use.

With hat said, I want a sixshooter. I've got it in my head that learning to shoot a DA revolver well will make me better with my other guns. I'm just not sure which guns I should be looking at. I'm near certain I want something with a 3-4 inch barrel with adjustable sights. I really like the looks of an N frame and the older gunfighter types I've talked to speak highly of them, but they seem to be $$ and I'm not sure that's really what I want or need for a gun that I'm going to just shoot a lot for the purpose of learning to work a revolver. A cheap ruger probably fits my needs best but they seem a little ugly and I kind of want some swagger with this piece....

Hell, maybe I'll just stuff six or seven hundred in my pocket and wander the gun shops until something "speaks" to me.

I guess I'll quit rambling and let you guys educate me.

38 S&W Special in a S&W Model 67 is a good place to start.