Revolvers

[7mmfan]

So I'm just starting the process of looking for a revolver. I've never owned a handgun but have been involved in a few events in the last year that have caused me to want one. I've decided that I want a 357 but haven't decided on barrel length or model. I'm definitely a fan of Ruger firearms (own several rifles) but am aware that Taurus firearms are good guns as well. I'm just looking for input here and peoples opinions on different models. What do you guys think? Thanks a lot.

[rasbo]

well for home and outdoor use I would go with a 4inch barrel or more..Ive got ruger and smiths..I like the ruger but carry the smiths hunting because I like  6inch barrel..You need to shoot some, and figure out your needs also for the gun.

[rb2506]

i don't know alot about revolvers but i like my Taurus 41mag 4in barrel by my side

[7mmfan]

My needs boil down to protection, both home and in the woods. Last spring I was confronted by a sow with a cub. Luckily she didn't follow up on her first charge and I was able to just move off through the woods. I've also run into two cats in the woods, one of which that did not want to go away. On the home front, a guy that my girlfriend and some of her friends have had issues with in the past has been hanging around our neighborhood quite a bit and I'm not going to mess around. I've taught her how to handle the shotgun but its big and bulky, i'm looking for something a little handier.  I couldn't decide on 4" or 6". I know in the woods the 6" barrel is better but in the home the 4" barrel may be easier to handle?

[turkey buster]

I own a s/w 357 with 4" barrel (which is for sale in the classifieds) and I owned a Taurus raging bull with an 8 3/8" barrel and my s/w is way more accurate than my Taurus was

[rasbo]

My needs boil down to protection, both home and in the woods. Last spring I was confronted by a sow with a cub. Luckily she didn't follow up on her first charge and I was able to just move off through the woods. I've also run into two cats in the woods, one of which that did not want to go away. On the home front, a guy that my girlfriend and some of her friends have had issues with in the past has been hanging around our neighborhood quite a bit and I'm not going to mess around. I've taught her how to handle the shotgun but its big and bulky, i'm looking for something a little handier.  I couldn't decide on 4" or 6". I know in the woods the 6" barrel is better but in the home the 4" barrel may be easier to handle?

for a woman a short shotgun would be best in my op...please consider that..point and mess someone up....

[Bofire]

 :)OK let the debate begin. Smith & Wesson builds the best double action revolver the normal customer can afford. Korth for example is too much money.
I own Rugers, love the sp101, own 2, (but it is twice the size of many S&W snubs), I think the GP100 is a really good gun, very strong and twice the size a 357 ought to be.
With luck and some work you can get a great double action trigger Ruger, and a not bad single action trigger, the S&W has a very nice double action factory trigger and the single action is   the BEST!!!!
I really like Ruger specially the the Blackhawk line but  the best carry 357 is a S&W Model 19/66 or maybe a 586/686. I prefer the 66.
4 inch is the length and adjustable sights.
Carl

[runamuk]

As a woman my vote goes to the ruger in 357 with the 4 5/8 barrel...I like mine a lot and its single action.  I am still not 100% relaxed with it but with some more shooting I will get there.....I also like my 410 shotty a bunch and my ruger 22 pistol as well.....pretty much for the girlfriend get her guns she enjoys shooting and will be comfortable with they all will mess someone up but only if she is comfortable using them...

oh and I like ruger...just a tiny bit

[demontang]

Ruger sp 101 is my vote. Shorter barrel gun us faster and easier to draw and conceal

[carpsniperg2]

taurus traker is a fence gun that i use while working fence i got the longer barrel so i would have more range with it than just close personal protection, but they make a shorter 7 rd one as well  i would go no less than 4" barrel or you acuracy will go down allot past about 10 yards. is what i have found with the many i have shot and own

[jdb]

I have owned .357's from ruger, smith, and taurus. the ruger was a gp100 and I didnt own it long but it didnt shoot that well and didnt feel all that well. the smith was a model 19 it felt and handled wonderfully and shot pretty good to boot. the taurus feels ok and shoots amazeing but it i did brake a hammer spring in it. I also have on a loan a  j framed smith w/ 3" barrel it carries amazeing and shoots surpriseingly well. I have never owned a blackhawk .357 but know several who have and they have all complianed of accuraccy issue's. but I own a blackhawk .45 and it shoots fine depending on your budjet i would say spend till it hurts. if money is no object buy a smith 66 shoot the hell out of it w/ .38's and carry .357's if your a strappin big guy or dont mind weight buy a 686 and do the same or if your of smaller nature or a wuss like me buy a model 60. if you want a good gun but your not over flowing w/ expendable income buy a ruger. I'd opt for the b-hawk but thats just me. or if your strapped for cash buy the taurus.

[Bob33]

My suggestion is to find a gun store where you can test fire several models.  Wades in Bellevue is one example.  See which model fits you and feels best when shooting.  Don't worry about accuracy for self defense.  I think you will be surprised how much you like or dislike certain models.

I bought an SP101 after going through that process. but find what works for you.

[ecnclan]

Good advice from all above.  My SW is smooth with a great trigger but the rugers are solid choices.  My SP101 usually sits ready at home.  My wife shoots it really well with the 38+p loads and I like the double action for home defense.

[demontang]

I've shot a few I haven't noticed that much diff from the 4" and the 2" at defence ranges. The sk101 my dad has is a shooter out to 40yds on 6 " plates.

[jackelope]

A 6" barreled anything is a beast of a pistol to carry around everywhere with you in the woods just for protection IMO, especially if you're not hunting with it and carrying a rifle to boot.  Stay with 4" or shorter for comfort's sake or those 4 5/8" SA Ruger Blackhawks or Vaquero's are way cool too and not so bulky for carry.  Just realize with something that big concealed carry is going to be a bit precarious if that is a concern.

[satchel3006]

id say go for the 4" gp100 i love mine. the 4" barrel imo carries better on a belt and you'll never wear it out

[YellowDog]

They (Ruger, Smith, Taurus) are all good but I love my Smith & Wesson 586.  Accurate as all get out, great trigger (with a slightly lighter spring).  Shoot a few different models and buy the one you like best.  If you want to carry it a lot concealed you'll want the shorter barrel but for something you are going to shoot and get enough practice in, I'd go with the 4-5 inch barrell

[MHWASH]

Lots of good advise. The only Smith I've owned is my J-frame. I'd recommend either a Smith or Ruger. In my opinion Tuarus id too much of a gamble as far as reliability. Nothing more than 4", because shooting a .357 with a short barrel is a nightmare.  I'd also go with a double action, it will be much faster to shoot accurately fast than a single action. Also a lot faster and more enjoyable to reload.

[ICEMAN]

Smith 686. 

[high country]

everything above I agree with, but will add....

if you are gonna use a357 for home defense, consider using something like glaser blues that will bust up on impact with sheetrock. there is not enough walls in a normal house to stop a high stepping 357 slug. for home defense nothing beats a pump shotty. there is not a soul alive.....even monks without television know that the sound of the gun being cocked means big trouble is too close for comfort.

[Intruder]

:)OK let the debate begin. Smith & Wesson builds the best double action revolver the normal customer can afford. Korth for example is too much money.
I own Rugers, love the sp101, own 2, (but it is twice the size of many S&W snubs), I think the GP100 is a really good gun, very strong and twice the size a 357 ought to be.
With luck and some work you can get a great double action trigger Ruger, and a not bad single action trigger, the S&W has a very nice double action factory trigger and the single action is   the BEST!!!!
I really like Ruger specially the the Blackhawk line but  the best carry 357 is a S&W Model 19/66 or maybe a 586/686. I prefer the 66.
4 inch is the length and adjustable sights.
Carl

Hard to argue w/ that....
Money is always going to be the key factor in these decisions.  If you got the $ and want to spend it buy the upper end stuff.  Tarus is a decent gun but as Carl points out the S&W is really one of the best off the shelf you can get... but you'll pay more for it.  I too think the 4" is what you want if you're not hunting w/ it.

[demontang]

Yeah muzzle blast with the 2" barrel is kind of bad when you use full house 357 mag loads, but thats why you us 38 specail to learn the gun and to just plink with. When u carry stick the 357 mag loads in and if you have to use it youll never notice. Theres lots of companies that make 357 revolvers and so are better then others and some are cheaper then others.

Ive seen taurus have cylinder timing problems first hand in some of there older revolvers. There newer revolvers seem to be a lot nicer. Which company you go with really is a matter of how much you have to spend. S&W make some damn nice revolvers but you pay for it too,  ruger has some nice one a little cheaper, and rossi makes a reliable one that a lot of people over look.

[Ratdog68]

First... the weapon you settle on must fit your hands.  With the gun nestled into the web of your hand (web being the part between your thumb and index finger) you will see an imaginary line between the first knuckles of those two digits.  The barrel of the gun should be perpendicular to that imaginary line... AND your trigger finger should be able to easily actuate the trigger... AND your thumb should be able to actuate the cylinder release without changing your grip on the gun.  (Yes, there's always a way to compensate when this isn't the case, but, that isn't the point here).  

Second... you should see which design suits your tastes the best.  Each of the major manufacturers had to come up with "their" way of opening the cylinder (except for Taurus, which has adopted the S&W design).  And, if my rememberer is working correctly Colt's cylinder rotation is "the other way" from everyone else's... which, if you don't have time to reload the cylinder with a full compliment, knowing which way your cylinder rotates is important.

Third... and this is getting more into preferences I have... but... I'll toss it out for your consideration.  ALL of my double action revolvers are either S&W or Taurus... Why?  Because they function the same.  All of my single action auto-loaders are of the Colt Govt. design... for the same reason.  Why is that important to me?  In the heat of the moment of a life/death situation, the LAST thing I want to have to have going through my mind is... "which design am I carrying, and what things do I need to remember about it?"  I don't want to have to remember whether I have to "pull" the release or "push it... or whether the cylinder rotates one direction or the other.

Fourth... consider something else... how much does the gun weigh... and is this going to be a major consideration for what you want the gun for?  For example... I LOVE my model 686 Smith in 4"... but, it was a duty carry gun (when a wheel gun was my only option).  Is it the gun I reach for to carry concealed?  Nope.  Can I ?  Yup.  Do I ?  Nope.  I either grab my Taurus 85 snub nosed .38 or my Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II (.45ACP)... because they're LIGHT.  However... there's considerations for each thing which becomes important to you.  The lighter the gun, the more you're gonna feel the recoil.  The lighter the gun, the more likely you'll be to have it where you need it (on your person).  Now... would I use my snub .38 or my Kimber for hunting with?  Nope.  Could I?  If I had to.

Fifth... penetration/muzzle flash.  Is this going to be for home defense?  If so... most likely it'll be dark.  A magnum gun's muzzle flash will be brighter than a non-magnum's... and have more affect on your ability to see in the dark (after the first shot).  Also... a magnum round is going to have some penetration considerations.  Do you want the round to pass through an assailant and hit an innocent bystander behind the bad guy?  Or... would you rather have ALL of your round's energy absorbed within the body of a bad guy?  I'm not going to get into a debate of which caliber is best... my point is that you need to consider magnum/non-magnum as you consider your options.  Again, I love my .357 (which will also shoot .38 special non-magnums).

[thinkingman]

Good post above.
Rugers weigh 50% more than they need to, and you will lose interest incarrying excess bulk.
Also 357Mag is a handicap if your barrel is less than 4".
38sp +P is about the same if you're talking snubbies.
If you're really talking concealed carry, SW 442 is about perfect.
for open carry, Taurus Tracker Ti, SW 686 4", SW 327 might be perfect for open carry.
Try them and see.

[Kent Hunter]

Some real good posts here. I bought a S&W 640 .357 Mag concealed hammer for my wife. I put a set of "Crimson Trace" laser grips on it also. The reason for the laser grips was to address what a previous post said about muzzle flash when it's dark. It has the 2 1/8" bbl. It does snort a bit when you trip er off, but in the heat of the moment that's a moot point. She loves the weapon and can shoot the dickens out of it!! I also bought her a Galco shoulder holster for it and she is "packin" every time she leaves the house also. The bottom line is, buy what fits you/her good and you/her are comfortable with and become proficient shooting what ever you decide on. Good luck.

[Ratdog68]

Some real good posts here. I bought a S&W 640 .357 Mag concealed hammer for my wife. I put a set of "Crimson Trace" laser grips on it also. The reason for the laser grips was to address what a previous post said about muzzle flash when it's dark. It has the 2 1/8" bbl. It does snort a bit when you trip er off, but in the heat of the moment that's a moot point. She loves the weapon and can shoot the dickens out of it!! I also bought her a Galco shoulder holster for it and she is "packin" every time she leaves the house also. The bottom line is, buy what fits you/her good and you/her are comfortable with and become proficient shooting what ever you decide on. Good luck.

Just a side note "food for thought".  With bullet technology getting as good as it is these days... have you considered a high end hollow point in .38+P or a .38+P+ ?  I'm talking about the risk of over penetration with a .357... and again... merely suggesting that it be "looked at" so that you're selecting what's best suited for you/yours... since you mention such a short barreled gun.  How does she do with the recoil management?  Are you getting your money's worth of the powder charge in such a short barrel?  Would a .38+P give you a more efficient "bang for your buck" with such a short barreled gun?  The variables are fun. 

[6x6in6]

Very fond of my S&W 657 41mag with 6" barrel.

[runamuk]

Rugers always catch some flack for weight and well their sucky triggers......but I hate recoil and as awkward as the weight is at first it sure helps with the issue of recoil in my wimpy girl opinion......the weight of the gun itself I can learn to deal with the more I shoot the less it seems so heavy and the more I become comfortable with it.  I chose 357mag so i could shoot the smaller 38 rounds and not be afraid of my own gun..... It is not really a concealed gun I have yet to figure out what I would want for a true concealed gun seeing as I rarely wear clothing suited to hiding a gun    however I carry my revolver concealed all the time never open.....I walk in the woods wearing some sort of pack lately its been a fanny pack which is nice but not quite big enough for all the stuff i like to have along.....so i am looking at some versipacks......I also frequently toss one of my guns in my purse....hey I never know when I might want to go shooting   if its with me it is easier to do.....and really I would not want to get shot with a 22 so figure I probably do not really need any of the bigger guns I am not military or a cop or a gang banger I'm just a girl who walks in the woods alone with the bears

[Ratdog68]

runamuk... sounds like you have what works for you.  If you're not pleased with the double action trigger pull, you could have it worked over... and if you're shooting it "double action"... why not look into having the hammer bobbed so it is less likely to snag on something as you deploy? 

I have a new concealment vest coming... should arrive Monday.  "Options" are nice when it comes to packin'. 

[satchel3006]

the gp100 doesn't weigh that much its weighs 40 oz unloaded which is about the same as every other steel frame 4" barrel .357 mag. thats also about what a steel 1911 weighs. yes you can get lighter weight pistols but i dont think i'd want a lighter .357 mag i enjoy shooting my guns i can put about 100 rounds through my gp100 before my hands starts shakeing i doubt i could put anywhere near that amount through a lighter weight .357 plus a good belt helps the weight

[Ratdog68]

the gp100 doesn't weigh that much its weighs 40 oz unloaded which is about the same as every other steel frame 4" barrel .357 mag. thats also about what a steel 1911 weighs. yes you can get lighter weight pistols but i dont think i'd want a lighter .357 mag i enjoy shooting my guns i can put about 100 rounds through my gp100 before my hands starts shakeing i doubt i could put anywhere near that amount through a lighter weight .357 plus a good belt helps the weight

Yup... that's why I have my "target" tools and my "Carry" tools.  My MkIV Series70 Govt. model in all steel definately weighs more than my Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II which weighs in at a svelt 27oz with its aluminum frame and Officer's model length slide/frame/barrel.  However... of the two .45s  the big ol' heavy one is a JOY to shoot in comparison.       LOVE my 4" 686... but I carry my Taurus 85 5shot snub .38.  I've harvested caribou with the 686 up in Alaska... head/neck shots with hollow points worked just fine for it.

[runamuk]

runamuk... sounds like you have what works for you.  If you're not pleased with the double action trigger pull, you could have it worked over... and if you're shooting it "double action"... why not look into having the hammer bobbed so it is less likely to snag on something as you deploy? 

I have a new concealment vest coming... should arrive Monday.  "Options" are nice when it comes to packin'. 

actually it is a single action blackhawk and the trigger is hard to pull as usual.....the mark III trigger has a hell of a lot of creep or whatever it takes forever to break and I will get both fine tuned eventually...and my rifle also ruger   had a trigger job done thanks to a member here it is a fabulous trigger and I love it makes a huge difference......and I will continue to buy rugers because overall I really like them....

I did get to handle but not shoot a lcr if you want light that is a light revolver and the gal shooting it loved it she bought it for home protection and carry she liked it a lot and enjoyed shooting it which again means she was more likely to have it when needed and be comfortable using it.

[Ratdog68]

runamuk... sounds like you have what works for you.  If you're not pleased with the double action trigger pull, you could have it worked over... and if you're shooting it "double action"... why not look into having the hammer bobbed so it is less likely to snag on something as you deploy?  

I have a new concealment vest coming... should arrive Monday.  "Options" are nice when it comes to packin'.  

actually it is a single action blackhawk and the trigger is hard to pull as usual.....the mark III trigger has a hell of a lot of creep or whatever it takes forever to break and I will get both fine tuned eventually...and my rifle also ruger   had a trigger job done thanks to a member here it is a fabulous trigger and I love it makes a huge difference......and I will continue to buy rugers because overall I really like them....

I did get to handle but not shoot a lcr if you want light that is a light revolver and the gal shooting it loved it she bought it for home protection and carry she liked it a lot and enjoyed shooting it which again means she was more likely to have it when needed and be comfortable using it.

Well... there ya go.  I was under the impression you were talking about a GP 100.  Disregard.  Hmmm... no complaints from me on my trigger for my "old" (3 screw) Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum (7 1/4").  Love that ol' hog leg, and I refuse to send it back to Ruger for their "safety recall".  I likes it just fine the way it is, thank you very much.  

[Kent Hunter]

Ratdog. She's shot the 38 Special rounds out of it also. She handles the recoil just fine with the 357 loads also. You make some good points. Thanks for the ideas.

[cohoho]

I have all Smiths for revolvers, from the carry 642 with laser grips to my side kick Mountain Gun in 44.  Ratdog had some great reasons to stay the same, guess I did that without thinking about functionability and familiarization.  Got a super cool t-shirt from 511 that has a built in holster.  It works perfectly for bike riding, walking, etc and holds the gun (642 - 2 inch barrel) without any wiggle at all..

[ing]

Check out the Ruger GP-100

[AWS]

Many years ago I carried a S&W 28, a big N frame 357, mostly it stayed in the truck because it was so heavy.  Up graded to a Model 13 4" heavy barrel with adj. sights added, it was a great gun, heaviy enough to control and light enough to carry.  Used to shoot bowling pin matches with it, 200gr Lead RN's would pop pins off the table like a 45.  Instead of a reload I carried a second gun a Ruger 101 4" nice gun but didn't compare to the Smith.  Got out of handgun games and just carry a Taurus Tracker 41 mag now.

AWS

[FC]

If you don't mind an opinion from an FNG, I would go with a Smith. I have fired a fair number of pistols and revolvers and my observation is that the Taurus' that I have handled prior to firing have about a 1/3 hand back ratio as they don't seem to lock up tight and I'm not firing something I don't consider safe. Rugers are very strong and that should be no mystery as they are usually huge and very heavy with triggers that leave much to be desired. Smith revolvers in my experience have all been surprisingly accurate, reliable and easy to maintain with outstanding triggers.

[Jburke]

I have a s&w 686 with the 6 inch barrel.  Not a light weight concealer by anyones standards.  I love the gun but would not recommend it for the purposes you stated.  I would go with no longer than 4 inches.  I also have a ruger lcr in 38.  It shoots surprisingly good for a snub nose and is barely noticed when your carrying it.  With some good 38+p loads it will be adequate for defense situations.  Like the others have said though, it's hard to beat a s&w in overall quality but the rugers are still very good guns.  Taurus makes a decent gun too, but I'd opt for the ruger or s&w.  Either of which you can find at used gun shops or pawn shops at very reasonable prices.

[44 Flattop]

So I'm just starting the process of looking for a revolver. I've never owned a handgun but have been involved in a few events in the last year that have caused me to want one.

If by events you are talking about crime and the world ills at large, a good double action, such as a Ruger GP100 as has been mentioned, is an excellent place to start.  No matter how much you shoot, you'll still be able to pass it on to your heirs.  Offered in both 4" and 6", either is great.  I've had a few and some friends have them also and it took nothing at all to build a load that would stay inside 1 1/2" at 25 yards.

I've decided that I want a 357 but haven't decided on barrel length or model. I'm definitely a fan of Ruger firearms (own several rifles)

I'm a huge fan of Rugers also and have been for 35 years.  For a beginner to handguns it is really tough to go wrong with a single action Ruger Blackhawk.  Nearly indestructable, very user friendly, usually very accurate, light enough to pack all day, these are really great learning revolvers.  99% of the time I have a Blackhawk with me, sometimes even as my concealment gun.  My all time favorite is the old 1956-1962 .44 Flattop, but I am learning to LOVE the new 4 3/4" Flattop Ruger Blackhawk in .44 special

44