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Old January 21, 2013, 09:50 PM   #1
tynman
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Thinking about buying a revolver could use advice.

I never looked to buy revolvers before so I can use any advice on what to look for and what I my want.
I have a .40 and a .45 already so i could use a revolver to the family. I know I like the large frame style and I now I want stainless and wooden grips but Im sure I can change them if they are rubber. I think I would like a double action. Now I know I dont want a .38 cause Im going to add a 380 or 32 in the future. So I think I left with only a .357 or a .50 cal. But .50 cal ammo is expensive.
So any advice I would greatly appreciate.
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Old January 21, 2013, 09:56 PM   #2
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If you don't like .38 than.357 probably won't do much for you either.
You seem to .4x calibers, so IMO a .44 magnum would be a good option.
Why not do a moon clip .45acp model?
I do suggest staying with calibers that are either commercially readily available OR can at least fire a commercially available caliber. (e.g. .454Casull can shoot .45LC)
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Old January 21, 2013, 10:03 PM   #3
tynman
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Im not against 38 its just I want to go a diffrent way with a 32 or 380 not the revolver way. Is .44 ammo over priced (during normal times)?
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Old January 22, 2013, 01:01 AM   #4
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No, not overpriced.

A .45acp revolver sounds like an idea since you already buy that ammunition. If you really want a different caliber, maybe a .41 magnum, but then that ammunition might be more difficult to find than .44 magnum.
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Old January 22, 2013, 01:15 AM   #5
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I have really enjoyed my Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt. I reload, so I save a lot of money and I find the .45 Colt to be an extremely versatile caliber. I can load mild loads with very little recoil all the way to hard-kicking loads that rival the .44 mag. Get a Redhawk if you want a double action.
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Old January 22, 2013, 01:59 AM   #6
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Ruger GP-100 .357Mag 4" stainless.
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Old January 22, 2013, 03:13 AM   #7
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+1 on the Ruger GP-100, or SP101 .357
.357 is practical because, even though you say you don't want a .38, if ammo is scarce you will always have the option of shooting .38 special / +P out of your .357.
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Old January 22, 2013, 07:31 AM   #8
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Ruger GP-100 .357Mag 4" stainless.
I agree. Great gun.
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Old January 22, 2013, 08:07 AM   #9
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1. only buy a revolver made by Colt, Smith & Wesson, or Ruger.

2. .357 magnum is a good choice unless you need something for bear defense.

Quote:
Now I know I dont want a .38 cause Im going to add a 380 or 32 in the future.
Not sure what one has to do with the other but I still say .357
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Old January 22, 2013, 08:50 AM   #10
tynman
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bigghoss 38 has nothing to do with a 357. I like the idea of a 357 being able to shoot 38 if need be.
Im just thinking if I get a 380 or 32 isnt it very close or even is a 38? I like having diffrent cal not all the same. I have done the same with my rifles. And with my rifles if I have the same or almost the same cal its because I have gotten a great price on it so I had to buy it.

Thanks for the info.
I will be looking up those pistols.
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Old January 22, 2013, 08:58 AM   #11
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I do like the look of the ruger GP100 KGP-161. I will have to see if I want a 6 or 8 inch barrel once I have it in my hands. And on there site they are not to over priced. Which helps....
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Old January 22, 2013, 09:09 AM   #12
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If you want a single action, get a 45 colt. If you want a double action ,but still want a 45 colt get a .454 Casull or one of the old S&W model 25's is a 45 colt double action but very pricey. Ruger Redhawk is a good choice too.

44 special is also an option, as is 44 magnum

for a .357 magnum I like the S&W 686.
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Old January 22, 2013, 11:13 AM   #13
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357 Magnum! 'Nuff said!
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Old January 22, 2013, 12:15 PM   #14
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You need to shoot some revolvers - to really understand the differences...
---------------------
S&W will have better fit and finish and way better triggers than most anything made by Ruger, in my opinion...

A .357 mag makes more sense than a .44 mag in terms of ammo expense / and recoil control ( and a .50 makes no sense at all )...but the large frame revolvers from S&W in .357 mag are N frames ( model 27's or 28's ) if you like the older guns - blued or Nickel / 627 if you want stainless...in the L frame - just a hair smaller - you'll find the 686's that are a good value ...and they're all available commonly in 4", 6" and 8 3/8"...

If I want to carry concealed ...or use it for tactical shooting ...I go with a
4" ....as a "woods gun" I like a 6" ...as a "target gun" I like an 8 3/8" barrel...

Even a 4" K frame S&W ( a little smaller than N or L frames ) - model 19's or 66's are fine in .357 mag....easy guns to shoot...
-------------------
But you need to shoot some revolvers to find out what you like.
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Old January 22, 2013, 08:56 PM   #15
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Quote:
and a .50 makes no sense at all
I would certainly agree.

Even Gunny thought the Smith and Wesson 50 was too big.


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Old January 22, 2013, 09:11 PM   #16
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Everyone needs a 4" 357 revolver wether they like em or not ,it`s the most versitile handgun ever built (IMHO )

You have 3 choices :

GP100, tuff as they come ,heavy so family(even smallish shooters) can handle the recoil.

S&W , more refined & again (IMHO) will never be as durable as a ruger & if shot much at the range carry a correct fitting screwdriver to titen sideplate screws, not a matter of if , but when they come loose.

Dan Wesson, butt ugly or beatiful in the eyes of the beholder, versatality to the max here , can be a snubby to a buntline !! & I do like the cyl retention system on em ,ain`t worth a hoot for speed loading though.

& all of the above have a truck load of different grips s available .

& just for the record I have own all of the above brands at 1 point of my life.

The DW was a pack complete with 2-8" barrels, both grips, patch & belt buckle, I wish I had it back !!
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Old January 22, 2013, 09:24 PM   #17
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Quote:
Im just thinking if I get a 380 or 32 isnt it very close or even is a 38?
I'll assume you're talking about .38 Special.

Although the muzzle energy of .380ACP approaches .38Spl, the latter is generally considered to be more effective because it can fire a much more massive bullet due to its much larger case volume. .380ACP bullets top out at ~100 grains, whereas 158gr .38Spl bullets are commonplace, and bullets as heavy as 180-200gr have been offered.

The two most common .32-caliber handgun cartridges- .32ACP aka .32 Auto, and .32 S&W Long aka .32 Long- are significantly less powerful than either .380ACP or .38Spl. A couple of more powerful .32-caliber revolver cartridges have been offered- .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum- but neither is commonplace, nor economical to shoot unless you handload.

To add to BigJimP's post, one of the main advantages of .357 Magnum or .38Spl is that you can put 6 rounds in a medium-frame revolver. Aside from a handful of 5-shot medium-frame .44 Special models, almost all .44-caliber revolvers are large-frame guns that don't conceal easily and generally aren't as comfortable to carry. This is why .357/.38 revolvers have historically been far more popular.

Other than .22LR and .22WMR aka .22Mag, .38Spl is generally the most economical and readily available revolver cartridge if you don't handload.
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Old January 22, 2013, 10:55 PM   #18
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A S&W 625 is a blast. I have the JM version but any will do.
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Old January 23, 2013, 07:39 AM   #19
Motownstan
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Everyone needs at least one .357, Smith, Ruger, Colt.
Once you get in the Revolver groove you'll forget about the .32 & .380 and get yourself a 442/642.
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Old January 23, 2013, 08:09 AM   #20
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Did someone call my Dan Wessons ugly??
I don't know why, but my Dannys are my favorites of all my collection. I have a stainless .22 and a 357 pistol pack. I will never get rid of them.

Anyway, I'm going to agree with what most others are saying, a good 357 in the 4-6" barrel range is the way to go. 500 S&W is most certainly not. Maybe some years down the road.
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Old January 23, 2013, 04:44 PM   #21
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You may consider a S&W 610 since it will take .40 ammo with moon clips and you can up to 10mm (with or without moon clips) if you want more power. It's built on the N frame, same as the model 29, 44 mag or Dirty Harry fame. They are not in production now but 'smith does run some off every few years. You might find a good used one. I have one w/ 6 1/2" barrel. I shoot this one best of all my revolvers. Throws a 180 gr. slug @ 1350 FPS (I hand load).
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Old January 23, 2013, 08:33 PM   #22
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Did someone call my Dan Wessons ugly??

Yeah .kind of

But I still wish I had my pack back

Colts are`nt on my list anymore , don`t ask !
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Old January 23, 2013, 08:53 PM   #23
savit260
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Quote:
A S&W 625 is a blast. I have the JM version but any will do.
That seems to be the logical choice if you ask me.

The O.P. want s a large frame, and already has a 45. Not having to keep another calibre on hand is nice, and .45 acp is pretty reasonably priced. Also the model 625 is reasonably easy to come by.

The other sensible option would be the a 610 if you can find one, as it can fire the .40 S&W the O.P. also aready has on hand.

There are a TON of N frame S&W aftermarket grips available in wood, or any other material you can think of.

The GP100 is also a great gun, but 1. It's not a large frame. It's a mid size. 2. Not a lot of selection for wooden grips. There are a few, but you're fairly limited.
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Old January 23, 2013, 09:28 PM   #24
tynman
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I was thinking but I dont know when of the .380 in either sig, kahr, bersa, or a walther. But Im in no hurry for this. I am going to call my LGS and order my sig p220 super match tomorrow and hopfully find out how long I will have to wait for the del... Then if I dont run into a good deal for the revolver before then thats when Ill start to look for a revolver...


Thanks Again for all the help..
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Old January 23, 2013, 09:31 PM   #25
tynman
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I agree a .50 is way uncalled for.. I like the idea of the 357 which I can use 38s if I cant find 357s...
I like the 6 inch or 8 inch barrel that I know...

Last edited by tynman; January 23, 2013 at 10:30 PM.
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