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Which revolver for general shooting? Any make, any size, any caliber.

5K views 85 replies 61 participants last post by  JDSTG58 
#1 ·
Currently I own a Ruger SP101 3" 357mag and I truly enjoy shooting it. But it's fixed sights, 5 round capacity, and short sight radius are it's limiting factors on the range. I'm looking for a quality revolver for range/pure fun use. I will be handloading for it so available components are a must and I'd prefer double action. I have never shot another revolver besides my Ruger SP so I'm open to any suggestions. My current short list to check out are Ruger GP100 357, Ruger security six in 357 and S&W 327 357mag. Any suggestions are welcome and feel free to post any pictures. Thankyou




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#5 ·
S&W Performance Center 627 8 Shot 5". Nice sized frame. Adjustable sights. Heavyweight so you can shoot any load.

Ruger GP100 Talo. Upgraded from the stock. Heavyweight frame.

S&W Performance Center 586 L-Comp 7 shot 3".
Ported barrel. Heavyweight. Adjustable sights.
Great shooter.

HUNTING:

The 44 Magnum is a great caliber. A small upgrade from 357 Magnum. I have the Performance Center 629 7.5" Hunter. Great gun.

The 460 XVR is a small increment above 44 Magnum and you can shoot 460, 454 Casull and 45 Colt, but I only shoot 460 Magnum out of it. It is the flattest shooting handgun out to 200 yards with 200 grain XTP bullets.





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#8 ·
I am in the same boat. I have a SP101 and am in the market for a full size pistol. I keep an eye out for a decent priced GP100 or 686 on the used market. These both look very appealing to me. I may also check out the Sarsilmaz SR38 which is a clone of a 686 I believe.
 
#9 ·
The fact that you handload opens up many doors.

I had a prelock Smith 629 Classic in 5" barrel length. The feel, balance, and accuracy were exceptional. Back in the day, I hand loaded (to include casting boolits). Most of the time I'd load "special" ballistics in a Magnum case. Plenty of fun to load up a few screamers as well. Any and everything in between as well. Worthy of looking at, IMO. I gave up reloading after my daughter was born. I sold the 44 and went 38/357 only. I sometimes miss that Smith.

A safe choice would be a GP100 or a Smith L (or K) Frame. A 4" barrel may be the most ubiquitous. A 5 incher balances quite well and is a little less seen.
 
#10 ·
If you want adjustable sights and a longer barrel for targets, Ruger and S&W are good guns. It's hard to beat GP-100 and S&W 66 or 686.

You expressed dislike for 3" fixed sight revolvers, so my first choice all-around favorite - S&W Model 65 - was disqualified. While I own adjustable sight revolvers, I don't see any great advantage in them for a 4" or shorter barrel at shooting range distances.
 
#12 ·
If you want to stay Brand Loyal then the GP-100 in either the 4" or 6" would be great gun to own. That being said if it were me I'd go with a 4", S&W 686+ so you'd get the L Frame that'll hold up to lots of 357 Mag shooting AND you'll get 7 rounds to boot. As always, JMHO, YMMV.
 
#15 ·
I have a S&W Pro Series 686 SSR that is an absolute pleasure to shoot, so if you can find one you might want to consider it. It has the lock, but regardless of what the Hillary hole haters will tell you it is no big deal other than from the aesthetics. Never had any issues with it. That being said a Pre Lock 686 will also get the job done.
 
#16 ·
The 686 and GP-100 are both good revolvers. I like a 5 or 6 inch barrel just fine. I have a 6" GP-100 and 6" S&W model 19 in .357. You will enjoy shooting full load .357 in the heavier gun. This morning I was working up more 44 Special loads to try in the Lipsey's 5" GP-100. It only holds five. I have not owned it long, but am enjoying it.
 
#19 ·
Does anyone shoot a lot of factory load .357 at the range or anywhere else? I ask because I have the impression people promote the S&W 686 because it's capable of handling a steady diet of magnum loads. I prefer to shoot .38 most of the time and .357 when extra power is needed, so S&W K frame models like 66 are good choices that probably cost less than 686.
 
#21 ·
I love my 4in gp100 its been great for me. Had the Match champion been out I think I might have bought one. Im currently looking for a pre-lock 686. I would really like a 7 shot but they are much harder to find. I think its really hard to go wrong. I would try and rent a few and see whats good for you.
 
#23 ·
I have a 1978 mfg S&W 27-2 with a 5" bbl that I shoot a lot. Everything from light 38 Spl to hot 357s (factory and reloads). Aside from being a little bulky for CCW- target practice/plinking, hunting, or self-defense it is my favorite revolver.
 
#25 ·
For pure range fun I'm going odd man out and suggesting a .45 ACP, either the new Redhawk or the S&W 625.

I have the S&W 627 Pro Series and if I had it to do over I would get the 625.
 
#30 ·
If you want adjustable sights and a longer barrel for targets, Ruger and S&W are good guns. It's hard to beat GP-100 and S&W 66 or 686.

You expressed dislike for 3" fixed sight revolvers, so my first choice all-around favorite - S&W Model 65 - was disqualified. While I own adjustable sight revolvers, I don't see any great advantage in them for a 4" or shorter barrel at shooting range distances.
We are very much alike in our thoughts. My (new to me) M-65 with the three inch barrel has become one of my absolute favorite shooters. Range, woods carry or even HD, it could do them all. I can't believe that it took me 30 years of handgun ownership to find the 3" K-frame. :cheers:

Sorry for the thread drift OP. It doesn't seem like that is what you are looking for right now. I'd suggest you find one to hold and possibly shoot before too long as you may be smitten by the K-frame package.

Let's see if I can show a picture..... Forgive my crappy cell phone camera. It's my 65-3. A police trade in that I had bead blasted. Mechanically very nice. It had some heavy scuffs from honest holster wear.

Darts Games Indoor games and sports Dartboard Recreation
 
#31 ·
"My current short list to check out are Ruger GP100 357, Ruger security six in 357 and S&W 327 357mag."

Any of those choices is good EXCEPT the ultra light S&W model 327 357 mag. The laws of physics work against you on guns like this one.

The other problem is that these guns are overpriced and you're paying a premium price for an ill-conceived gimmick, an ultra-light magnum. Additionally, the older Smith and Wessons are much nicer guns, and they don't wear out.

And that's a good reason to consider an older security six. I had a 6 inch security six and a 2 1/2 inch Speed six and I've always preferred the security six to the GP100 But I also prefer the L-frame 586 and 686 Smith and Wessons to the GP100. Nothing wrong with the GP100 but the Security-Six, size and weight-wise, has less excess bulk and yet is a stronger gun than a K-frame Smith.

Smiths have better triggers than Rugers and to me the Smith & Wessons have a better balance and feel to them regardless of the frame size. My current 357 is a 6 inch N-frame model 28 Highway Patrolman that's had a lot of rounds put through it and the action is as smooth as glass. I'd love to get another on with a 4 inch barrel.

Another older Smith & Wesson I'd like to have is the N-frame 38-44 Outdoorsman. Same frame as the 357 mag but chambered in 38 Special and designed for Plus+P 38's but can be fired with any 38 special load and are very accurate. Excellent examples of these guns can be acquired for little more or possibly less than what you'd pay for a newer performance center gun.

I also like the 4 inch K-frames and both the 4 and six inch L-frames, especially the seven shot plus+1's. But as someone who loves the classic smith and wessons, I absolutely HATE the new guns with the locks on them and I also hate the looks of the re-designed ejector rod housings. the Smith and Wesson revolver is a genuine work of highly refined mechanical ART where form follows function perfectly. It is not something that should ever be bastardized or diminished in any way.

(See Illustration)

 
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