Revolver Recommendation

[Mossy]

My XD is proving difficult to find a holster concealable enough for me in the summer months so I'm in the market for a smaller frame revolver.  I've been looking at the taurus 617 .357.  I know there have been problems with the quality of taurus in the past but from what I've heard it's gotten better.  I'm pretty open to any revolver in a .357 though.  Taurus caught my eye because of price of course but also the 617 has 7 shot cap.  Like I said, I'm open to suggestions and practical reasoning.  Hammerless, snub or longer, fit/finish, weight and price are what I'm considering.  Of course I have the itch now but I'm willing to wait if I need to spend a little more.  Thanks

[bosshogg112]

if you are looking for one just to have concealeble i would check around your local pawn shops.  when i was looking for my revolver i saw lots of used police service revolvers from $200 on up. 

[Wazukie]

S&W model 60 is my choice.  I have a Taurus 4" tracker but its a little big for the summer time.  I like the little j-frames for conceal carry.

The S&W MP360 is a nice one also.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766335_-1_757783_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

[Mossy]

S&W model 60 is my choice.  I have a Taurus 4" tracker but its a little big for the summer time.  I like the little j-frames for conceal carry.

The S&W MP360 is a nice one also.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766335_-1_757783_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

That's a nice looking pistol.  How do you like your taurus besides the size?

[carpsniperg2]

if you want a smaller handgun thats very easy to conceal look at the taurus 85 and the 85 ultra lites. that is what my wife has, i carry it from time to time.

if you want a holster to conceal you xd with look at the uncle mikes size 5 inside the pants holser. that is what i carry my 40 xdm in almost every day. i also have a serpa i like when it is cold and i can use a coat or sweater.

[Mossy]

if you want a smaller handgun thats very easy to conceal look at the taurus 85 and the 85 ultra lites. that is what my wife has, i carry it from time to time.

if you want a holster to conceal you xd with look at the uncle mikes size 5 inside the pants holser. that is what i carry my 40 xdm in almost every day. i also have a serpa i like when it is cold and i can use a coat or sweater.

If that's for the xd 40 compact 4" then that's what I've been looking for.  Appreciate it.

[jdb]

S&W model 60 is my choice.  

[Wazukie]

That's a nice looking pistol. How do you like your taurus besides the size?

Never leave home without it.  It shoots real nice, but I want that MP 360 cause its nice and light and has a 3" barrel.  a .357 looses a lot with anything less.  A friend of mine has the 360 with CR grips and hits anything its pointed at.

[Greg30-06]

I just bought a Ruger SP101 .357  with a 2" barrel.  I love it. 

[Austrian Hunter]

I just bought a Ruger SP101 .357  with a 2" barrel.  I love it. 

  same here and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mossy]

I just bought a Ruger SP101 .357  with a 2" barrel.  I love it. 

Wanna throw out the price range for a ruger?  Looks pretty solid

[BlackRidge]

$450-$550

[Greg30-06]

You will absolutely love it.  I sure have.  Nicest gun I have bought.  Very Very Nice For The Price
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Ruger-SP101-Double-Action-Centerfire-Revolvers/705635.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DRuger%2BSp101%26x%3D25%26y%3D4&Ntt=Ruger+Sp101

[FC]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_cat_search.php/cated/26/manufacturers_id/369/ITATR_list[3]/258/page/1/sort/5a

[Mossy]

that 3" might be the one for me

[FC]

What the heck? My link didn't work right.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/advanced_cat_search.php?cated=26&manufacturers_id=369&ITATR_list%5B1%5D=&ITATR_list%5B2%5D=&ITATR_list%5B3%5D=258&ITATR_list%5B4%5D=&ITATR_list%5B5%5D=&ITATR_list%5B6%5D=&ITATR_list%5B7%5D=&ITATR_list%5B8%5D=&ITATR_list%5B9%5D=&ITATR_list%5B0%5D=

[Hyde]

I just bought a Ruger SP101 .357  with a 2" barrel.  I love it. 

I have the same thing, only hammerless.  Too heavy for ankle holster.  How about the LCR?  Nice and light. 

[Billy]

Ruger's lightweight LCR is now offered in .357.  They are priced under $500 new, too.  Here's a link:  http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=194330193

[Blacklab]

I have the taurus M 650 2" ss. Nice little pistol and serves it's pupose for $389 total. As for the sp 101  it's on the list 

[Mossy]

Well I went and held the SP101, all I can say is wow!  Probably going with the 3" hammer model.  Found a really good deal at a local store which was quite a bit cheaper than the big store.  I should be ordering one in a couple days.  Thanks for all the input! 
And thanks carpsniper, found a holster locally although the size 15 fits my gun better but that's exactly what I was looking for.

[Bofire]

  revolver; see Smith & Wesson. nuf said.
Carl

[Greg30-06]

Well I went and held the SP101, all I can say is wow!  Probably going with the 3" hammer model.  Found a really good deal at a local store which was quite a bit cheaper than the big store.  I should be ordering one in a couple days.  Thanks for all the input! 
And thanks carpsniper, found a holster locally although the size 15 fits my gun better but that's exactly what I was looking for.

Glad we could be of assistance.  I know you will love it!!!

[Mossy]

If things go right, I'll post up my results pretty quick.

[rasbo]

sp 101 I have the hammerless,,2inch ,I wear it damn near everywhere...

[ribka]

sp 101 4 inch barrel

[ser300wsm]

  I would also recommend the ruger sp101 in .357 mag. 2 inch is perfect to conceal.. Great choice. 157 grain hollow point..

[Bofire]

7 shot revolvers are too fat to hide! LOL
revolver = Smith & Wesson. I have Ruger sp101's also, they are good but not a S&W.
Carl

[finfeatherfur]

Taurus makes a good revolver.  I have both taurus and S&W.  my 357 is a 686 Smith,  great gun but too much to conceal.  I have my eye on the LCR for a carry revolver,  just waiting for it to show up in the local gun shop.

[NRA4LIFE]

Another vote for the SP101, 2" barrell.  Great carry gun out hunting.  My holster fits perfectly on the waist band of my pack.  I love the new LCR, that may be my next gun purchase.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Never leave with my hammered 2" SP101!

Action jobs with polishing are very easy and lighter springs are availble from Wilson Combat. Stick with about 12 pounds and your rounds will always fire. Put a fiber optic on it from Gemini custom or a crimson trace and you got a bad sss little piece! My single action is just a tad under 2 pounds and as nice as a custom rifle trigger. Double action is smooth as a babies butt and 12 pounds.

[Jellymon]

I think the rugers are just as accurate, better built and stronger than smiths, for a cheaper price.

[Straight Shooter]

My XD is proving difficult to find a holster concealable enough for me in the summer months...

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/IWB/tabid/56/CategoryID/1/List/0/Level/1/ProductID/1/Default.aspx?SortField=ProductName,ProductName

[wildmanoutdoors]

Smiths are smoother for sure out of the box in double action. Smith actually deburrs and polishes the sears and what not before going out. Thats one big reason the prices are higher. Rugers are some of the strongest built though. I carry max loads with 180 XTP's and they give a good wollup coming out.

Ive shot some suped up 44 mag loads out of my Super Redhawk that locked up my taurus M44. Warped the cylinder even as well threw it completely out ot timeing.

Rugers are strong as they come and easy to tune. Takes me about an hour to do a full action and trigger job but Ive done a few. First time you have to go slow on the trigger as u can lighten it way to much, way to fast! And Ruger wont sell parts. You have to ship the gun to them.


 

[Bofire]

Rugers are cast S&W forged. I have bought lots of parts from Ruger, is this a new thing??
Carl

[BlackRidge]

Theyre very similar, aside from a few small differences. IMO, its all about your brand loyalty

I've owned both (Ruger/S&W) and didn't see much of a difference between the two. I was more of a fan of the Ruger SP101 though, just a personal pref

[NRA4LIFE]

I agree with many of the posts.  My main battle revolver is a S&W 629 .44 mag.  I shot it and the Redhawk and I liked the feel of the Smith better.  Bought a GP100 and an SP101 because the prices I got on them at the time were unbelievable.  I wouldn't trade any of them, though.  I have had zero problems with all 3 and I've owned them all for 20 years or better (?) now.  I guess I'm really not loyal to either more than the other.

[Mossy]

well the only thing I can't decide is 2 or 3 inch even though there is actually 3/4 inch difference.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Your looking for something small. Why go 3? It will not make it legal to shoot with for hunting or anything. Maybe a bit more accurate at slightly longer distance and a tad more velocity but being at the wrong end of a 357 it wont matter at 25 feet! Lol

Bofire, I could have swore I heard that before but after checking you can easily get parts. I dont know were I got that. It may just be specific parts. Im gonna do a little checking into it more.

[Bofire]

I bought parts from Ruger before and got freee parts when I called in with a broken BRAND NEW Blackhawk. The cast cyclinder pawl broke.
Carl

[Mossy]

Well, just got back from ordering the sp101 3 inch.  The barrel length was a tough decision so I picked what I thought felt better. Should have it within a week.

[Mossy]

Got my new gun a few minutes ago.  Going to take it out tomorrow!

[Jellymon]

We just went out shooting and compared the ruger redhawk to a Smith 629classic. At first I believed everyone when they said the smith was smoother double action, not any more. The double action on the redhawk was smoother and lighter than the smith, four of us had the same opinion. The smith was a tad lighter in single action though, great trigger. Cant go wrong with either brand.

Sorry for changing the thread a little. Good luck with the new gun!

[follow maggie]

I love the Ruger SP101.  Getting one when I get through this recession.

[Mossy]

Took the ruger out, put a box of .38 special +P's and about 30 rounds of 110 grain .357's.  I'm very pleased with my purchase!  Would have liked to try some different ammo but had a hard enough time finding the one box of the .357's.  We had alot of other guns there but the other guys liked popping off a few rounds of the ruger.  Just have to find a holster for it. 

On a side note, there was a boned out buck out there, quite a bit of meat left and horns cut off.  Also whole doe about 5 feet from the buck.  Nothing touched besides where the coyotes got to her....shame.

[cohoho]

I carry 642 .38 hammer less S & W with 2" barrel, with Crimson Trace grips....  Light and easy to carry and place anywhere you want without concealment factors.  I am a Smith guy, so this is the only recommendation I will give for a revolver brand.  Had the others but always loved my Smiths...   The gun I listed above is the perfect conceal carry I got, nothing to worry about in regards to a slide, hammer or sights catching and snagging anything when you need it the most.   

[mebco09]

The best addition you can do to a SP 101 is get some new grips.  The factory grips look like they were built for my 6 year old.  I have a set of nylon Hogues and the gun now fits perfectly.

[Mossy]

The best addition you can do to a SP 101 is get some new grips.  The factory grips look like they were built for my 6 year old.  I have a set of nylon Hogues and the gun now fits perfectly.

those are on the order list.  Easy upgrades are nice

[GooNiEs]

ruger or s&w.... have a smith snubby... love it... fun gun to shoot... although i carry a full size hk usp .40 iwb.. small of back ... though..

[olywa]

My first SP101 was the 2". I ended up selling it to a friend and bought the 3". Hard to go wrong with either one, but I prefer the 3" for woods carry and general all-around use. Check out the Simply Rugged holster at the link below. You won't regret it.

http://www.simplyrugged.com/?s=silver+dollar