Revolver recommendations

[Onthedecline]

So, I had the opportunity to try out a variety of different types of guns with one of this forum's posters. I had a great time, learned a lot, and have a pretty good idea what I am looking for in a firearm.......an AR-15. Just kidding . I had the chance to shoot from one and it was awesome, but not really a home defense weapon.

I liked the revolver best. It was very easy to use. Easy to understand (not too many moving parts) and was so much fun to shoot. I think it is a good gun for a beginner.

I was able to try a S&W .357. I shot .38specials out of it with decent accuracy for my first time out. I shot some .357 magnums out of it, and it was too powerful for me to be accurate. Something to work up to.

Any brand recommendations for .357 revolvers? The S&W (it was an ex-service revolver, but I forget the model) was awesome, but they are rather pricey. I have read some reviews on the Ruger 100. It is visually appealling, well reviewed, and priced less than some of the other name brands. Is it a good gun? Will it compare to a S&W?

Thanks again.

 

[rj1974]

The Ruger GP100 is a great revolver .I have one and have no complaints at all it is always within arms reach at home .

 

[engineerbrian]

Take a look at the link below, I think it covers everything. You really cant go wrong with a used Smith or a Ruger

And welocme to the forum

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=63979

 

[joppaj]

Look around for posts by alucard0822 on this topic. The short answer is that yes, the Ruger Gp-100 is a well made, quality hunk of steel that does the job just fine. Not as refined as a S&W 686, but more than up to the tasks that most people will use them for.

 

[oldsarge]

I seem to recall that Lou at Shooters Discount had some turn-in S&W revolvers just in. You might want to PM him or search for his post.

 

[engineerbrian]

I seem to recall that Lou at Shooters Discount had some turn-in S&W revolvers just in. You might want to PM him or search for his post.

I bought one a few months back, it was a S&W 36 for $289. it took about an hour to give it a good cleaning, then i threw on some new grips and it was good as new

 

[BlackBart]

I like Rugers because they're built like tanks.....a 357 doesn't have all that much recoil I suggest something heavy. Try a Blackhawk for the extra weight or stick with 38's.

 

[Mr BoomStick]

My brother has a nicely tuned gp100 dam fine gun. I'm actually looking into getting one set up the same way as his, and where is mbz there is a Ruger mentioned in this thread and out resident ruger nazi hasn't shown up yet.

 

[Deep Creek Rock]

S&W warranties there firearms for life. There customer service is great as well.

If you are looking around to purchase a firearm, you may want to give Jason Broadwater a call. He owns Sang Runs Sports up my way (Garrett Co). His prices on firearms are pretty good, and there great to deal with. If he dosnt have what you are looking for, he probably can get it for you.

Here is there info:


Sang Run Sports Shop
113 Henry Clay Drive
Oakland, MD 21550


Phone: 301-387-2207
Fax: 301-387-6279
Hours: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm Mon - Fri; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sat; Closed Sun

 

[rouchna]

My vote is for the Ruger GP100. As others have said, it is built like a tank, .357 mag recoil is extremely manageable, and Ruger has outstanding customer service.

 

[jersey]

I've had 3 revolvers.1st was A Taurus 44mag IMO crap, turned that into my xd-9.
A S&W 29-3 44 mag, sold couse i needed the money. Good gun though would buy another S&W.

Still have as Boomstick stated my GP-100 in 357. Love it, wont sell it.

 

[QuebecoisWolf]

Any brand recommendations for .357 revolvers? The S&W (it was an ex-service revolver, but I forget the model) was awesome, but they are rather pricey.

Not at all! The new Smiths are overpriced, have the diabolical internal locks, and have had a few slips in quality assurance. The older, pre-1990 Smiths however, don't have any of these problems.

Used Smith service revolvers are a bargain on wheels (pun intended). Many can be had for the price of a Taurus. Our IPs on here won't take you for a ride by selling you a junky gun or gouge you. I'll vouch for Lou and would also recommend giving a PM to Gunconnection or Engage Armament to see what's in stock.

Aside from used Smiths and Rugers, I'm also going to recommend a dark horse (pun intended again). Some of the "working man" Colt revolvers can be had for $400-$600, depending on type and condition. They're not so rare that you can't shoot them and just rare enough that you won't be losing money if you decide to sell later down the line. I bought my Colt Mk III Trooper within this range and it is a damn fine revolver.

 

[PGTMG]

Either 686/586 or a GP100 (used) both are over built (S&W a little & GP100 a lot!) and you are good to go.

I would recommend going to a indoor range and see if you can rent them both for a test ride (go for a least a 3" barrel for full case extraction on fired cases).

IMHO

 

[PapiBarcelona]

S&W warranties there firearms for life

Same with Ruger, even though they make it clear they must inspect the firearm first to figure out who pays.

 

[Onthedecline]

Not at all! The new Smiths are overpriced, have the diabolical internal locks, and have had a few slips in quality assurance. The older, pre-1990 Smiths however, don't have any of these problems.

Used Smith service revolvers are a bargain on wheels (pun intended). Many can be had for the price of a Taurus. Our IPs on here won't take you for a ride by selling you a junky gun or gouge you. I'll vouch for Lou and would also recommend giving a PM to Gunconnection or Engage Armament to see what's in stock.

Aside from used Smiths and Rugers, I'm also going to recommend a dark horse (pun intended again). Some of the "working man" Colt revolvers can be had for $400-$600, depending on type and condition. They're not so rare that you can't shoot them and just rare enough that you won't be losing money if you decide to sell later down the line. I bought my Colt Mk III Trooper within this range and it is a damn fine revolver.

Thanks for all the advice. I get another chance to try out some different models this weekend.

What is an internal lock? Is it on a revolver?

 

[a81lp]

+1 for the gp100

 

[28Shooter]

You can't go wrong with a Smith or a Ruger and don't hesitate on a good used one.

 

[mbz300sdl]

Go for the Ruger GP-100 the 686 is sweet but the price is higher and not worth the extra.

(Yes, I am the resident Ruger Nazi)

Of course a cool gun is the S&W 627 which is an 8-shot .357 mag.

 

[oldsarge]

I bought one a few months back, it was a S&W 36 for $289. it took about an hour to give it a good cleaning, then i threw on some new grips and it was good as new

I bought this from Lou in June. It is a S&W mod 65-2. It was not real pretty when I got it but after a good cleaning and a new set of grips it turned out to be a nail driver. You usually can't go wrong with police turn-ins.

 

[lotofpez]

The Smith and Wesson he shot was a model 19-2. It is my dads former police issue (Garrett county sheriff's office).