Getting a new revolver

[pturner67]

OK. I posted before about my Taurus 357. I just found a guy who works on guns and is willing to buy the Taurus from me.

Now, I am in the market for a new revolver.

I am looking for something similar to the Taurus 357 4" barrel (without the issues of course). But I am not as experienced as some of you in selection of firearms. Some say Smith & Wesson, etc but I'm not sure which one to choose.

Any specific recommendations for something that is reliable and doesn't cost a fortune?

Thanks.

[Majic]

New shooter, new gun, and some issues when first shooting the gun. The answer is to sell gun and buy another. Did you correct the issues you had when first firing the revolver. Was it the revolver, the ammo, or the shooter? Just going out and buying another brand of revolver may not solve the original issues.

[pturner67]

shooter = very very good (military expert marksman)

ammo = Federal 357 and 38 load

gun = same issue as before...clicking when pulling the trigger rather than firing


my Taurus has the same issues as before...great feeling gun...great looking gun...just not as reliable as I'd like

[Montana250]

How much are you going to spend? I like this one:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1705&return=Y

[pturner67]

that might work...I looked at the Ruger website...and there is nowhere listed as to where I can buy one here locally in the northern VA area...I'd like to hold a gun before buying it

the 2 favs in this forum seem to be Ruger and S&W...but S&W is pushing the budget a little

[DWARREN123]

The Ruger is a good revolver, both the 4" and 6" barreled GP-100 series. I have both and like them for different reasons. Also have an older S&W 67-1 in 38 spl and like it too.
The best advice I can give is either and try handling as many as possible maybe even a used one in good shape.
I don't think you would be disappointed in paying a little more for a S&W.

[zappadragon]

I love my GP 100 4" SS. After getting that I hardly messed with my autos. I am getting ready to get a Ruger SP101 2 1/4" for CCW:D can't got wrong with a Ruger. The GP 100 made me a wheel gun fan all the way!

[Wheel-Gunner]

I have shot my Ruger GP100 right next to a S&W 686 many many times, and I'd go with a Ruger all the way!

[Mastrogiacomo]

Ruger edges out Smith and Wesson in two areas - no internal lock and price. The GP I own has a better balance and equally good trigger as the Smith - I have both the 686 2" and 4" so I can make an accurate comparison on that....:)

[Wheel-Gunner]

I posted this earlier in a different thread which may help:

The ultimate revolver debate! Well, I have a GP100 and here is why:

A couple years back I was looking into getting a .357 mag revolver. I was totally an amateur, to the point that I had little if any handgun shooting experience at all. I planned on using the firearm recreationally and to carry while camping and hiking in the mountains. I too narrowed my choices down to the 686 and GP100.

An acquaintance of mine owned a stainless 686 which I did shoot on occasion. I was as happy as I could be shooting it, and really didn't have anything to compare it to. Then I went in to my local gunshop and held a GP100. It just seemed to balance and feel better in my hand. The sights lined up easier for me, plus it had the really cool target grey finish which I really liked not to mention the fact that it was $150 cheaper. So I went with the Ruger (not taking into account the trigger quality between the 2 guns).

Afterwards, I starting hearing many comments about the distasteful trigger on the Ruger. So I went out with the guy who had the 686 and we fired both guns side by side. I had been shooting the Ruger for a while by then and was totally comfortable with it. Anyways, I couldn't distinguish between the two triggers at all. I literally shot one after the other and couldn't tell any difference. The other guys with me couldn't tell either. When dry firing, the S&W trigger MAY have been marginally smoother, but we certainly didn't notice when we were actually shooting the two guns. I found out afterwards that the 686 even had a trigger job done on it! The GP100 was actually more acurate, even for the S&W owner.

Now, I'm not going to be as ignorant to say that because we didn't notice a difference, there isn't any. Obviously there is after reading these boards, and perhaps the trigger pulls on models vary from gun to gun. However, for me (and I'm not Jerry Michulek) the difference was nil and certainly not worth an extra $150!

[pturner67]

I just went to look at the Ruger GP100...I like it...gonna buy it tomorrow...is $420 for the Ruger GP100 blued 4" barrel new a good deal? the stainless is $475

quick Q though: they have the stainless and they have the blue...the guy said the blue is actually more durable and holds up to moisture better unlike what most people think...is this true? basically, the blue is about $50 less than the stainless...so, he has no reason to talk me into a LESS expensive gun...lol

[Mastrogiacomo]

I got my father the blue gun - for no other reason than it looks nicer. I doubt it'd make that much difference which you buy - I just like the blue myself. :)

[GLK]

quick Q though: they have the stainless and they have the blue...the guy said the blue is actually more durable and holds up to moisture better unlike what most people think...is this true? basically, the blue is about $50 less than the stainless...so, he has no reason to talk me into a LESS expensive gun...lol

He is wrong. Hopefully just wrong without an agenda. However I'm betting he has sat on the blued model longer than the stainless. With guns time on a shelf is money not in the pocket. I have both stainless and blued rugers, and live in fla with all that comes with fla weather. I spend a lot if not the majority of my time outdoors, either on the water or in the woods/swamps. No way will a blued ruger fare as well as a stainless. I can go days or even weeks without wiping down my stainless guns. I won't put a blued gun away without wiping it down. Now as to looks that is a personal choice. In single actions I prefer the blued looks, but I am not about to tell you that they are more durable finish wise as that is simply not the case. By the way, great choice in a gun in my opinion.
Gary

Wow 100 post in nearly six years, I need to tone it down some before people think I talk too much.:D

[Mastrogiacomo]

The blue holds up very nice - and it's a lot cheaper than stainless - yet another reason I prefer blued guns. :D

[pturner67]

thanks guys...I think I will go with the stainless...the blued edged out the stainless on looks but I want something that will endure...the stainless is still a great looking gun...will switch out the wood insert with the grey and black insert

pretty excited about tomorrow...if I have time, I'll shoot the gun as well

again, thanks for all the help guys...this is such a great forum!!

[DWARREN123]

You may want to look at aftermarket grips, I put some Houge grips on mine (4 incher) and like it even more.

[pturner67]

odd that you recommended this...I was just looking at grips...I like the ribbed Taurus grip...seems to work well at lessening the shock...and specific grip model number you recommend?

[Wheel-Gunner]

Here are the grips I have on mine:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=3391&lastcatid=391&step=4

The Grips that are similar to the ones on Taurus and S&W are:

http://www.hogueinc.com/getgrip/merchant.ihtml?pid=3366&lastcatid=389&step=4


You can find them cheaper on other online stores aside from the offical Hogue store. For instance:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=ruger+gp100+hogue+rubber+grips&btnG=Search+Froogle

Hope that helps!

[pturner67]

thanks!!

will order one tomorrow

[X-RAY]

Just to mess up your mind , check out www.wickedgrips.com Just when you THOUGHT you made up your mind !!

PS welcome

[SemperKnight]

Want a similar revolver but better? Take a look at the Colt King Cobra. I owned one a few years back and hate myself to this day for selling it. I've looked around and they can be found for a price range of $500-700.

[Ruger451]

I just wanted to say, wow. That wickedgrips site was pretty awesome. Thanks

[pturner67]

well...took the plunge...Ruger has a new home...will look for the grip now...thanks for all the grip links...the freaky link is interesting...didn't see any revolver grips there...still cool to see the unique designs though

[Mastrogiacomo]

Very nice...congrats! :D

[pturner67]

thank you sir...I can't wait to shoot it

my Taurus 357 had a compensated barrel...my new Ruger 357 doesn't...is there a noticable difference?

[Mastrogiacomo]

That's "ma'am" actually - no offense taken though.;)

Laura

[Mastrogiacomo]

Looking forward to the range report...;)

Laura

[Mastrogiacomo]

You're welcomed. ;)

Laura

[pturner67]

haha...I'm sorry Laura ;)

[EBF]

I have the same exact gun.....I really like it.

Now go shoot the hell out of it.:D

[DWARREN123]

I believe you will be quite happy with your new revolver!!!

[Mastrogiacomo]

I had so much trouble with the page last night (hence the tripple post:o ) that I couldn't post this link:

http://www.lettgrips.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LG&Category_Code=DA

It has some nice inserts for the Ruger. You'll find that the grip is actually quite nice and really doesn't have harsh recoil. I haven't changed any on mine - and these inserts doll it up. Just a thought in case you're interested.

[pturner67]

thanks guys and gal ;)

gonna go shootin tomorrow night after work...will letcha know how it goes

and thanks for the link...inserts might do the trick...the stock wood look isn't bad though

[jasond]

my Taurus 357 had a compensated barrel...my new Ruger 357 doesn't...is there a noticable difference?


yeah no ports to clog with lead and dirty up the front sight

[pturner67]

"yeah no ports to clog with lead and dirty up the front sight"

That's a good difference!! Any recoil difference?

[DWARREN123]

For me the Ruger grips were good but the Houge grips turned out to be even better, gave me better control and feel and lets me be more accurate.

[pturner67]

thanks for the advice on the grips...gonna get a Houge grip soon

fired 250 rounds of 357 load tonight...I love this gun!!! if you saw my other thread, I had issues with my Taurus Tracker 357...bang, bang, click, bang, click

well, my new Ruger didn't miss a beat...smooth gun...I will get plenty of range time with this :D