First Revolver Purchase Help

[Pale Rider]

I am looking to buy my first revolver. I have a G-19 that I use for home defense. This gun would more than likely be carried in the woods going to fish, in and out of checking on tree stands, hiking, etc. Critters I would encounter might include bobcats, coyotes, and possibly black bear (bears are not likely but not uncommon in this area).

There's also a chance that if I get my CCW it finds its way into that role some as well.

I am looking towards a .357 simply for the flexibility that it would offer me. My only hangup is on barrel length. I like the taurus line but it appears they only have 2in and 4in models (605 and 65). I'm a bit confused on which would suit me better. I don't have a huge budget so a lot of the Rugers and Smiths are too expensive.

Will mostly shoot .38s for practice. Weight is not too big of a deal. I don't want an anchor, but I want it to be heavy enough to handle a few cylinders of .357 without too much pain.

Any input on which might serve me better? 2in or 4in? I posted in another forum and the only responses I got were to buy older S&W's. While that is an option I'd rather get answers on 2in vs 4in and which you think would suit me better.

[youngAR]

4in. will definitely suit your needs better. As far as what brand, I'd recommend a GP100. They can be found decently cheap, shoot accurately, and is built like a tank. The SP101 is also an excellent choice.

[Kain]

4 inches would be plenty of barrel for what it sounds like you are wanting it for. A used Ruger GP100 would be a good choice, they are tanks and will take everything that you want to throw at it and has enough weight to make even full house .357 loads manageable and /38 wadcutters are exceptionally soft shooting, when I bought my dad one of his birthday the other year I think it was $525 or there abouts new, and that one was stainless steel with a six inch barrel which was a pain in the ass to find at the time, so you are looking around ~$400-450 used, might be able to find an older Ruger Security Six for cheap as well, have seen them going for under $300 from time to time.

[glocktogo]

Sounds to me like what you really want is this:



3" S&W Model 66-4. It's the perfect carry revolver. Just understand that "perfect" is expensive!

If carrying IWB, go with a 4" medium frame. Smith & Taurus both make a medium frame 6 shot DA revolver. Terminal ballistics and practical accuracy are much better, without being overly bulky or heavy. If you go with a 2", might as well get better concealability and get a 5 shot like the Ruger LCR or S&W J Frame. Just use ammo like Speer's excellent Gold Dot Short Barrel for best results.

[Pale Rider]

Sounds to me like what you really want is this:



3" S&W Model 66-4. It's the perfect carry revolver. Just understand that "perfect" is expensive!

If carrying IWB, go with a 4" medium frame. Smith & Taurus both make a medium frame 6 shot DA revolver. Terminal ballistics and practical accuracy are much better, without being overly bulky or heavy. If you go with a 2", might as well get better concealability and get a 5 shot like the Ruger LCR or S&W J Frame. Just use ammo like Speer's excellent Gold Dot Short Barrel for best results.

That is a beauty. I think I am leaning towards a 3in SP101 right now. It would be about the perfect balance of size and weight, and it would give me an extra inch of sight radius if I might jump something with teeth in the woods.

Thanks for all the help.

[CQC.45]

I am looking to buy my first revolver. I have a G-19 that I use for home defense. This gun would more than likely be carried in the woods going to fish, in and out of checking on tree stands, hiking, etc. Critters I would encounter might include bobcats, coyotes, and possibly black bear (bears are not likely but not uncommon in this area).

There's also a chance that if I get my CCW it finds its way into that role some as well.

I am looking towards a .357 simply for the flexibility that it would offer me. My only hangup is on barrel length. I like the taurus line but it appears they only have 2in and 4in models (605 and 65). I'm a bit confused on which would suit me better. I don't have a huge budget so a lot of the Rugers and Smiths are too expensive.

Will mostly shoot .38s for practice. Weight is not too big of a deal. I don't want an anchor, but I want it to be heavy enough to handle a few cylinders of .357 without too much pain.

Any input on which might serve me better? 2in or 4in? I posted in another forum and the only responses I got were to buy older S&W's. While that is an option I'd rather get answers on 2in vs 4in and which you think would suit me better.

Since you already have a G19, have you considered a G20 for this role?

[skyugo]

Since you already have a G19, have you considered a G20 for this role?

this is a good point...

the glock 10mm's are actually a pleasure to shoot.

couldn't go wrong with a ruger or smith revolver either...

[superr.stu]

Just my 2 cents...
I would look at a 4inch 625 in .45acp, or either a sub 4inch smith 19 or 66 in .357. Then send it off to Superior Firearms for their revo package.

[Texas42]

Just my 2 cents...
I would look at a 4inch 625 in .45acp, or either a sub 4inch smith 19 or 66 in .357. Then send it off to Superior Firearms for their revo package.

One my buddy has a S&W model 19 that was his grandad's. I love that gun. For me, I'm planning on buying a S&W 686P in 4". Some people prefer the 3", but I don't see a reason for the 2" or less. If I come accross a great deal, I might get the Ruger GP-100 or sp101.

I think a purely hunting/long range target probably beneft from the 6+" barrels, but not joe shooter.

[Frailer]

I'm of the opinion that 3" is the perfect barrel length for a woods-walking revolver. My own gun for this is a S&W 60-4, as for me the 20% increase in ammo capacity isn't worth the added size and weight of a K- or L-frame.

Smith did (does?) make the 60-15, which is the same gun in .357 magnum, but it comes with the internal lock, and while I do have a newer Model 63 with the IL, I don't buy lock-equipped guns that might be called upon to protect me or mine. The odds are extremely long that the lock might fail at a crucial time, but it's an unnecessary risk just the same.

That brings us to a 3" Model 65 or 66 (like the beautiful one pictured above), either of which would serve your purposes well.

The only downside is 3" guns seem to command a premium these days. Somebody must have leaked the secret that they hide almost as well as 2-inch guns yet shoot as well as 4-inchers.