If you could have just one revolver....

circleshooter · May 4, 2013

I've had a hankering for a revolver and wanted one that would be versatile and easy to carry. Not sure how iconic it is, but I have a Ruger SP101 with the 4.2 inch barrel on order. Hopefully it shows up before October. Already been waiting 3 months.

Full size revolvers are great, but too big (IMHO) to easily carry or slip into a brief case or bag. I had an SP101 years ago with a 2 inch barrel and didn't really care for it (I thought it was hard to control because of the short barrel) but when they came out with the 4.2 inch I knew that's the one I wanted. The SP101 is a very nicely made gun, versatile as it handles .38 special/38 +P/.357 magnum, and is really quite handsome I think. Can't wait to get it.

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inkd · May 4, 2013

GoGoGadget said:
I haven't seen a "help me pick a wheel gun" thread, so here it goes.

I'm trying to round out the collection and make my first revolver purchase before October. I've shot a few, but don't have enough experience or knowledge with revolvers to have a preference or to be able to key in on something I want.

I'm thinking something that is:

- fairly easy to locate/buy locally from an IP
- iconic or has some historic significance, but still "modern" and practical
- in a commonly-stocked caliber (.357 mag, etc.)
- I'm leading toward S&W and Ruger
- no preferences regarding SA vs DA
- I'm a lefty, not that it should make a difference with a wheel gun, I assume...
- fun to shoot, puts a smile on your face - above all else

I'm not really looking for consensus, just ideas to help me figure out what I want.

Thanks!

I'm a lefty as well and I really like the GP-100. I shoot one for IDPA SSR and I find it easier to push the cylinder release in with the knuckle of my trigger finger as I go for reloads. Whereas with a S/W, I swing my thumb over the hammer to push forward on the release.

I do shoot a 625 for ESR but I have the hammer bobbed to make it easier to get my thumb over.

I tried using my trigger finger knuckle to push the cylinder release on a S/W but all I could reliably do is take the hide off my knuckle.

stu929 · May 4, 2013

I only have one and its a pretty sweet taurus 82 from engage.

Now to just find some nice grips and settle on a new finish.....

101combatvet · May 4, 2013

586 or 686 with 6" or 8" barrel.

501st · May 4, 2013

GoGoGadget said:
I haven't seen a "help me pick a wheel gun" thread, so here it goes.

I'm trying to round out the collection and make my first revolver purchase before October. I've shot a few, but don't have enough experience or knowledge with revolvers to have a preference or to be able to key in on something I want.

I'm thinking something that is:

- fairly easy to locate/buy locally from an IP
- iconic or has some historic significance, but still "modern" and practical
- in a commonly-stocked caliber (.357 mag, etc.)
- I'm leading toward S&W and Ruger
- no preferences regarding SA vs DA
- I'm a lefty, not that it should make a difference with a wheel gun, I assume...
- fun to shoot, puts a smile on your face - above all else

I'm not really looking for consensus, just ideas to help me figure out what I want.

Thanks!

S&W 686/686+ (Or 586 from the classic line if you want a blued finish)

They are popular guns with solid aftermarket support. Very strong, reliable, quality firearms.

Barrel length is up to you, I prefer the longer barrels (5-6 inches) for range use/recreational shooting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j26aIgo667w

Boats · May 4, 2013

It will be a little hard to find, and you will definitely pay for it but it is worth it:

Colt Python.

It will happen eventually anyway, so dont fight it.

101combatvet · May 4, 2013

Boats said:
It will be a little hard to find, and you will definitely pay for it but it is worth it:

Colt Python.

It will happen eventually anyway, so dont fight it.

I always wanted one.

Deep Creek Rock · May 4, 2013

Id go with a Ruger Blackhawk, or a Freedom Arms if you want a 45LC. Stay away from modern Colt SAA, beside being pricey, they have a bad habit of uneven & greatly oversized cylinder sizes, and do not group as well as some of the other guns out there.

Id also would steer away from current Ruger New Model Vaquero's if you want to fire stout (+P) loads, the frames & cylinders are not beefy enough to handle them. Same goes with alot of the current S&W, Colt & Colt clones (Ubertis etc) in 45LC. There fine if you want to stick with regular cowboy loads.

You'll have fun with a 45LC especially if you handload. You can load them to mouse fart loads, or into lion roarers, that will kill big game.

TxAggie · May 4, 2013

Colt Army (or clone of like the Vaquerro). If you can have only 1 wheel gun, this is my pick.

Bootknife · May 4, 2013

Model 19 or 29 S&W,Colt SSA in .45 or .357 gets My Vote.Although the S&W K22 is also great!

md_rick_o · May 4, 2013

Yeah a lot of great options but does anyone have them to buy? I've been wanting a .38/.357 type and would love to go ahead and get it.

GoGoGadget · May 4, 2013

md_rick_o said:
Yeah a lot of great options but does anyone have them to buy? I've been wanting a .38/.357 type and would love to go ahead and get it.

Thanks again for all the great ideas, everyone

I'm gonna hit the local stores on monday. I'll post here what I find that isn't sold. I did stop by OT on my way home from work. Nothing there but a LCR and a couple vequero birds heads that did really strike me.

Keeping an eye on the classifieds too.

ankrklankr · May 4, 2013

Ruger Single Six Convertible - for the versatility - shoots .22 short, long, long rifle and, with the cylinder swap, .22 Mag. Of course, the relatively inexpensive ammo would have absolutely nothing to do with this choice...

Jimbob2.0 · May 4, 2013

hvymax said:
Dan Wesson 44mag.

This, though for a first wheelgun I would say .357 would be a better (and fairly cost effective choice).

ma_deuce · May 4, 2013

md_rick_o said:
Yeah a lot of great options but does anyone have them to buy? I've been wanting a .38/.357 type and would love to go ahead and get it.

In the past year or so I've bought three nice, vintage S&Ws, a 1956 4-screw K-22 and two M19-4s, a 4" and a 6". I paid considerably less for each of them than I'd have paid for new production from the S&W Classic Line, and personally like them better. So they're out there, you just have to look. Sad to say, people are even selling/trading their classic 6-guns to buy black rifles and high-cap pistols. Oh, and while I love our IPs, I've seen some real nice wheelguns at Chantilly.

mdcktt21 · May 4, 2013

A lot of great choices here. I guess it depends on what you want to do with it. I have a 3 in GP100. I'm 30 and this gun will easily outlast me with very minimal supervision. If you can only have one and want it to work forever even if you don't always treat it right, you can't go wrong with the GP100.

That said I do agree with of the earlier posts that the SW wheel guns are more elegant. The Ruger looks like a tank.

BuildnBurn · May 5, 2013

Deep Creek Rock said:
Id go with a Ruger Blackhawk, or a Freedom Arms if you want a 45LC. Stay away from modern Colt SAA, beside being pricey, they have a bad habit of uneven & greatly oversized cylinder sizes, and do not group as well as some of the other guns out there.

Id also would steer away from current Ruger New Model Vaquero's if you want to fire stout (+P) loads, the frames & cylinders are not beefy enough to handle them. Same goes with alot of the current S&W, Colt & Colt clones (Ubertis etc) in 45LC. There fine if you want to stick with regular cowboy loads.

You'll have fun with a 45LC especially if you handload. You can load them to mouse fart loads, or into lion roarers, that will kill big game.

I couldn't agree more. I just traded off my super blackhawk because my. 45 Colt will do everything the.44 mag will do.

Ninety9Soulz · May 5, 2013

S&W Model 66 with rubber grip. Greatest revolver ever made IMO, man I love that gun.

aquashooter · May 5, 2013

I have the OLD (1974) Mod 60 and a 36. Both are good carry guns with .38 +P SJHP. These had been my official Off-Duty service weapons when we carried wheel guns. However for shooting fun, I love my S&W Mod 686 4". It's a .357 Mag, but I usually shoot .38 at the range for the economics.

Sundancer · May 5, 2013

I would get any Smith&Wesson or Ruger chambered in .357 for stopping power and the bonus of .38 to help with ammo costs/availability. I would even get a used one in decent condition as these should last a long time.

I also think it would be neat to have an old Webley or Nagant - but ammo might be a pain in the a**.

If you could have just one revolver....

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