If only one revolver, which one?

Viper99 · January 26, 2013, 11:43 PM

I own about 10 pistols of different calibers but not one revolver. I want to fix that. Now if I wanted a must have in your collection for a revolver which one should it be? Ruger GP100?

Use? range and to enjoy looking at. Either .38 or .45 stainless. Barrel length? not that important as is staying home or going out for range only.

Oh yeah, not crazy expensive, could be used. Figure about 500/600 tops.

Regards.

Deaf Smith · January 27, 2013, 12:03 AM

Stainless Speed Six 2 3/4 inch .357 with Secret Service stocks and an action job.

Yea that is what I'd get.

Oh, and that is what I have.

Deaf

stephen426 · January 27, 2013, 12:11 AM

I only have one revolver out of my collection. Mine is a 6" Stainless Steel Ruger GP 100 which is in .357 Mag. I originally bought it as a hunting backup but mostly use it as a range toy. The 6 inch barrel adds some extra weight which may or may not be a good thing depending on how you look at it. If you are going to lugging it around, it is heavier and you need a larger holster to carry it. If you intend on carrying it, I suggest you go with the 4 inch model. The extra barrel length and weight does help to tame recoil some. The extra sight radius also helps improve aim if you wanted to use it as a hunting gun. I would go with stainless if you are going to carry it since it will hold up much better to sweat and humidity.

The S&W 686 is also a very popular choice, but I like the beefiness of the GP 100.

This is the stock photo from Ruger's website. My grips have the wood insert in them and I like that look a lot better.

Viper99 · January 27, 2013, 12:23 AM

That looks good. I catch myself smiling whenever I think of how many Rugers I own already. They seem to have a favorite in every caliber for me.

L_Killkenny · January 27, 2013, 12:42 AM

Ruger or S&W 4" .357

redrick · January 27, 2013, 12:44 AM

Used 686 plus or new Ruger GP100 or a Ruger New Vaquero or a Taylors Smokewagon DE. I should receive my Smokewagon early next week. I already have a 6" 686, it was my first handgun and the last one that I would sell. I also just bought a 4" 686 plus from a friend needing money. I don't know yet if it shoots as good as my 6", but it sure looks nice and I like that it holds 7 rounds and doesn't look any bigger than my six shot 686. I got the Smokewagon in .45 with a 5 1/2" barrel. I will post pictures when I get it.

Hammerhead · January 27, 2013, 12:49 AM

4" GP100 with adjustable sights.
Love mine.

rclark · January 27, 2013, 01:00 AM

No contest... .45 Colt BH 5 1/2" barrel. Your choice of stainless (the unfinished look) or nicely blued ... better yet in case coloring (custom)

.

skidder · January 27, 2013, 01:03 AM

Out of all my DA revolvers these two would be the last to go. And if I had to make a choice between the two? I think I would keep the 4" Security Six (top).

Beagle333 · January 27, 2013, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Mine is a 6" Stainless Steel Ruger GP 100 which is in .357 Mag.

Yep... same here. But a half-lug. I'd keep it over any of my other guns.... short or long.

Wheel-Gunner · January 27, 2013, 01:23 AM

If I were buying brand new, it'd easily be a GP100. If I were going the used route, a pre-lock 686 would be in the running along with the GP100.

Sheriff Gotcha · January 27, 2013, 01:31 AM

4" S&W 686 (+ or not either way) is what I'd get and what I will be looking to get come income tax time.

Just an all around good looking firearm.

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 01:33 AM

It would be something in 44spec...either SA or DA.

stephen426 · January 27, 2013, 01:58 AM

Don't forget cost of ammo. .44 Special is more expensive than .357 mag and even more so than .38 special. .44 Mag is even more expensive. As scarce as ammo is getting, I have always been able to find .38 special or .357 mag. I saw some guys looking for .44 special and Bass Pro today and they didn't have any. There was .44 mag though.

shootniron · January 27, 2013, 02:01 AM

Quote:

Don't forget cost of ammo. .44 Special is more expensive than .357 mag and even more so than .38 special. .44 Mag is even more expensive. As scarce as ammo is getting, I have always been able to find .38 special or .357 mag. I saw some guys looking for .44 special and Bass Pro today and they didn't have any. There was .44 mag though.

That is the reason that I cast and reload...makes 'em all cost about the same...CHEAP

Crankgrinder · January 27, 2013, 02:04 AM

if only one revo i keep my 6" gp100 same as pictured above.

weblance · January 27, 2013, 02:53 AM

Its a toss up between my 4" GP100 or my 3" SP101 .357

anzafrank · January 27, 2013, 02:55 AM

80's DW 357, and like it better than my 80's SW 586.

rep1954 · January 27, 2013, 03:41 AM

Ruger 357 Mag. 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. My next choice would be a Ruger Single Six 6 1/2" barrel.

Rainbow Demon · January 27, 2013, 04:00 AM

I'd look for a good used S&W Model 19.
.357 is the best all around chambering for revolvers.
Easy to handload and you can use .38 Special if need be.

youngunz4life · January 27, 2013, 05:39 AM

I'm choosing a ruger super redhawk alaskan 44 stainless. if I can only have one revolver I have to upgrade from my usual 357

I might also upgrade from a snubby to a 6" stainless model 629 44 magnum which would mean I would upgrade(or change) the way I CCW

wap41 · January 27, 2013, 07:43 AM

s&w k 38 6"

J A · January 27, 2013, 10:02 AM

Available, reliable and comes in many different configurations. S&W customer service is top notch also. Accessories like speed loaders and holsters are easy to find. Hard combination to beat.

threedogdad · January 27, 2013, 10:18 AM

Another vote for Ruger's GP-100, in whatever barrel length you prefer.

They are accurate, rugged, simple and fairly affordable.

There are very few things they can't do and they seem to last forever.

Had mine since 1988 through who knows how many thousands of rounds. It's the one revolver in my home that I will not consider parting with.

oplofilo · January 27, 2013, 10:26 AM

"If only one" I'd say an eclectic one... 3 inches and capable of firing different cartridges (since "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." ) :
http://www.weapon.ge/index.php?sel=1...un=3&cat=&l=en
ASTRA Police
FN Browning Barracuda

January 26, 2013, 11:43 PM	#1
Viper99 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2010 Posts: 324	If only one revolver, which one? I own about 10 pistols of different calibers but not one revolver. I want to fix that. Now if I wanted a must have in your collection for a revolver which one should it be? Ruger GP100? Use? range and to enjoy looking at. Either .38 or .45 stainless. Barrel length? not that important as is staying home or going out for range only. Oh yeah, not crazy expensive, could be used. Figure about 500/600 tops. Regards.

January 27, 2013, 12:03 AM	#2
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 2,697	Stainless Speed Six 2 3/4 inch .357 with Secret Service stocks and an action job. Yea that is what I'd get. Oh, and that is what I have. Deaf __________________ “We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality” Ayn Rand

January 27, 2013, 12:11 AM	#3
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 2,770	I only have one revolver out of my collection. Mine is a 6" Stainless Steel Ruger GP 100 which is in .357 Mag. I originally bought it as a hunting backup but mostly use it as a range toy. The 6 inch barrel adds some extra weight which may or may not be a good thing depending on how you look at it. If you are going to lugging it around, it is heavier and you need a larger holster to carry it. If you intend on carrying it, I suggest you go with the 4 inch model. The extra barrel length and weight does help to tame recoil some. The extra sight radius also helps improve aim if you wanted to use it as a hunting gun. I would go with stainless if you are going to carry it since it will hold up much better to sweat and humidity. The S&W 686 is also a very popular choice, but I like the beefiness of the GP 100. This is the stock photo from Ruger's website. My grips have the wood insert in them and I like that look a lot better. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

January 27, 2013, 01:00 AM	#8
rclark Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: Butte, MT Posts: 1,255	No contest... .45 Colt BH 5 1/2" barrel. Your choice of stainless (the unfinished look) or nicely blued ... better yet in case coloring (custom) . __________________ A clinger. When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. Single Action .45 Colt (Sometimes improperly referred to by its alias as the .45 'Long' Colt or .45LC). Don't leave home without it. Ok.... the .44Spec is growing on me ... but the .45 Colt is still king.

January 27, 2013, 01:03 AM	#9
skidder Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 574	Out of all my DA revolvers these two would be the last to go. And if I had to make a choice between the two? I think I would keep the 4" Security Six (top). __________________ Gun permit?? A bread crumb tossed to a sleeping society awoken by the sound of complacency. "They are for your own good", and "you will understand when you see all the lives they save". Yes master, what else will you toss me from your bag of infringements?? Do you want me to roll over and play dead? I do that very well. --skidder

January 27, 2013, 12:23 AM	#4
Viper99 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2010 Posts: 324	That looks good. I catch myself smiling whenever I think of how many Rugers I own already. They seem to have a favorite in every caliber for me.

January 27, 2013, 12:42 AM	#5
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,556	Ruger or S&W 4" .357

January 27, 2013, 12:49 AM	#7
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,182	4" GP100 with adjustable sights. Love mine.

January 27, 2013, 01:23 AM	#11
Wheel-Gunner Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2006 Posts: 194	If I were buying brand new, it'd easily be a GP100. If I were going the used route, a pre-lock 686 would be in the running along with the GP100. __________________ "History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. We must acquire proficiency in defense and display stamina in purpose." Dwight Eisenhower

January 27, 2013, 01:31 AM	#12
Sheriff Gotcha Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2012 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 188	4" S&W 686 (+ or not either way) is what I'd get and what I will be looking to get come income tax time. Just an all around good looking firearm.

January 27, 2013, 01:33 AM	#13
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 1,146	It would be something in 44spec...either SA or DA.

January 27, 2013, 01:58 AM	#14
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 2,770	Don't forget cost of ammo. .44 Special is more expensive than .357 mag and even more so than .38 special. .44 Mag is even more expensive. As scarce as ammo is getting, I have always been able to find .38 special or .357 mag. I saw some guys looking for .44 special and Bass Pro today and they didn't have any. There was .44 mag though. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

January 27, 2013, 02:04 AM	#16
Crankgrinder Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 532	if only one revo i keep my 6" gp100 same as pictured above.

January 27, 2013, 02:53 AM	#17
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 309	Its a toss up between my 4" GP100 or my 3" SP101 .357

January 27, 2013, 02:55 AM	#18
anzafrank Member Join Date: November 29, 2008 Location: So. Ca. Posts: 63	80's DW 357, and like it better than my 80's SW 586.

January 27, 2013, 03:41 AM	#19
rep1954 Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: Mid Western Michigan Posts: 683	Ruger 357 Mag. 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. My next choice would be a Ruger Single Six 6 1/2" barrel.

January 27, 2013, 04:00 AM	#20
Rainbow Demon Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2012 Posts: 397	I'd look for a good used S&W Model 19. .357 is the best all around chambering for revolvers. Easy to handload and you can use .38 Special if need be.

January 27, 2013, 05:39 AM	#21
youngunz4life Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Location: United States of America Posts: 1,877	I'm choosing a ruger super redhawk alaskan 44 stainless. if I can only have one revolver I have to upgrade from my usual 357 I might also upgrade from a snubby to a 6" stainless model 629 44 magnum which would mean I would upgrade(or change) the way I CCW __________________ "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" -Admiral Farragut @ Battle of Mobile Bay 05AUG1864

January 27, 2013, 07:43 AM	#22
wap41 Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 52	s&w k 38 6"

January 27, 2013, 10:02 AM	#23
J A Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2009 Location: The Hawkeye State Posts: 138	686 Available, reliable and comes in many different configurations. S&W customer service is top notch also. Accessories like speed loaders and holsters are easy to find. Hard combination to beat.

January 27, 2013, 10:18 AM	#24
threedogdad Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 514	Another vote for Ruger's GP-100, in whatever barrel length you prefer. They are accurate, rugged, simple and fairly affordable. There are very few things they can't do and they seem to last forever. Had mine since 1988 through who knows how many thousands of rounds. It's the one revolver in my home that I will not consider parting with.

January 27, 2013, 10:26 AM	#25
oplofilo Member Join Date: March 17, 2011 Location: Roma, ITALIA Posts: 52	"If only one" I'd say an eclectic one... 3 inches and capable of firing different cartridges (since "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." ) : http://www.weapon.ge/index.php?sel=1...un=3&cat=&l=en ASTRA Police FN Browning Barracuda __________________ Repente dives factus est nemo bonus. Nullius boni sine socio iucunda possessio est.