Wanting to get a revolver for me and wife

[Cackalak Han]

First, thanks for the above comments. Excellent advices. It seems though that more and more, the Ruger is the right choice, but only few rounds through it will tell. I will heed to the advices given and report back.

I'm not sure if I'll go used or new, but looking at the used market locally, the GP100's are all in the $4-500 range. A S&W 686P, 4" barrel, 7 round, rear adj sight, with a speed loader and 2 boxes of rounds just popped up. Price is firm at $500. Seems like a good price, since the new price is almost a grand.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=12762&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

Here is the ad: http://www.ksl.com/?nid=218&ad=7001095&cat=185&lpid=1

What do you guys think? Ideally, I'd really like to get a new gun. So if you had to choose a new GP100 (I think they're at around $500?) or this used S&W in great shape, which would you choose? I'm still leaning towards a new pistol.

Of course, I'm probably jumping the gun on this (pun intended). I do need to go out and shoot before making this decision.

 

[computeruser]

Ruger GP100 and SP101 are excellent choices. Heavy enough to damp recoil, and built like a tank. A used S&W medium-frame would also be a good choice (a model without the locking mechanism...one more thing to break at the worst possible time). Any of these will be pussycats with .38spl. Heck, the 4" GP100 is a pussycat with even the hottest CorBon hunter ammo.

Depending on your hand size and her hand size, don't feel wedded to the OEM grips. There are lots of options out there that might prove more agreeable to you guys if the OEM ones aren't exactly what you're looking for.

 

[mporter]

686p vs gp100

Your right, it well come down to which you prefer after testing each out at the range. As for used vs new, the 686 is an extremely hardy design, so in this case i would go with which one you prefer. My only misgivings about these two is that they are quite large and heavy, the gp100 and the 686 are around 45oz. If the rental range near you has a sp101 in 357. I would try it out, I think it's 5 shot cylinder and svelte 25oz. would make for a handier carry piece for around the same price.

 

[mporter]

686p vs gp100

here's a side-by-side photo

 

[roamingaz]

I am a big fan of revolvers, I have several autos but my normal carry gun for any outing is my Taurus .357. I found it at a pawn shop for about $300.
I like that it is large enough for me to hold and shoot well and my girlfriend also shoots it no problem.
Taurus has a lifetime warrenty also.

 

[proto]

If you're trying the GP-100, be sure and also get your hands on a Redhawk for the sake of comparison. Developed out of the "Six" guns (or so they say), it's double-action with a one-piece frame. Very strong and a good bit of heft. There's a bit more room along the grip if you have a wide hand.

Between the bigger handle, the different trigger mechanism, and the extra weight, I find the Redhawk to be a smooth shooter and easy to keep pointed for followup shots.

Just like a good pair of shoes, ultimately, this is all about what fits you.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'm a huge proponent of revolvers as well. My "field gun" is a S&W 686 .357 with a 4" barrel and Pachmayr grip. I normally carry magnum loads when I go out into the country with it but often practice with .38 just because it's cheaper and easier (I load both .38 and .357.)

If you are trying to stay under $500 for a new gun, there aren't a lot out there, sad to say.

Last year I got my wife a S&W 642 "airweight" with a 2" barrel, which is a hammerless, j-frame (i.e. 5-shot) capable of handling up to .38+p loads. We also looked at the Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel, which had the virtue of being able to take .357, but it was very heavy compared to the Smith and I didn't think we'd need the .357 capability anyway. Since she doesn't like shooting magnum loads I saw no point in stepping up to a .357.

I paid $429 for the 642 brand new at Sportsman's Warehouse. The Ruger was maybe $20 more. That was about all I saw for wheelguns in .38 or .357 for under five bills.

If you scour Gunbroker you can probably find a Ruger Security Six for around $250 which is an awesome gun in .357 caliber. I'm a bit of a Smith and Wesson bigot (which is why I own three of them, in addition to the wife's) but will readily admit that the Rugers are just as good.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Note: I just checked gunbroker (http://www.gunbroker.com) and found quite a few Smith and Wesson .38/357s for under $500. If you aren't familiar with GB it's basically eBay for guns. I've both bought and sold guns through GB and with one exception (a shady buyer who insisted a ship a handgun directly to him instead of via an FFL dealer) I have had no problems.

 

[DarinM]

I have an older S&W Model 19-3 .357/.38 that I bought used about 3 years ago. It's got a 4" barrel and as a medium frame revolver, the recoil is very manageable. I don't remember what I paid for it. I think somewhere between $350 & $400.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks. Just for an update, checked out some of the guns at Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabela's (then shot some afterwards at a nearby range). The Airweight is definitely light, but since we're not looking for concealed carry, it wasn't a selling point. Neither was the brutal kick. Surprisingly, she liked the Ruger GP100 4" and 6". She liked the 4" for the size and weight, but the 6" for less kick and accuracy. She was shooting ~125 g .38SP (IIRC) rounds through it. So it came down to either the 4" and 6" GP100. I admit, the S&W 686 was soooooo smooth. But I couldn't justify the extra ~$250. One day, I'd like to own one.

They didn't have the Ruger's available for purchase at that time. They did have the 6" in blued steel, but I think I'd rather get the stainless. A little more expensive, but worth it, right? Although DarinM's older pistol looks good from the picture above. Anyway, we'll probably wait till next week to pick one up (They get their shipment in every Monday). Still not sure if the 4" or 6" would be better. I'm leaning towards the 6". I think my wife is, too.

Another gun that I was intrigued by was the gun that someone else mentioned in this thread. Taurus The Judge. It can shoot .45 as well as .410! That's pretty cool. I have heard of pistols that shot .410's, but never seen one. I think it's going to find its way into my safe one of these days.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Well, the GP100/4" is quite a handful with full 357 mags, but

The S&W 686/6" is still the drilling pistol

However, I will never give up on the ammo, magazine quanity and good old 1911 dependability

All SS of course-can't beatit !!

Cold Blue is usefull in certain hand guns, but, for exterior exposure-SS
:costumed-smiley-007ROFSheriffHL::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[Cackalak Han]

Jimbo - beautiful guns. That first one seems like a 2" barrel, comparing it to the 686. May be just the angle.

I guess we're opting for the stainless, then. We will wait till the 6" GP100 in stainless comes in.

 

[JIMBO]

:sombrero: Thanx Cackalak, yea I'd hold out for the SS 6", very pleasant and accurate, to shoot

Jimbo - beautiful guns. That first one seems like a 2" barrel, comparing it to the 686. May be just the angle.

I guess we're opting for the stainless, then. We will wait till the 6" GP100 in stainless comes in.

Other than special productions the GP-100 was made in a bunch of different accessories, but in 3'-4" and 6" bbls, the SP-101, came in EVERYTHING !!

:costumed-smiley-007:safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO