help me choose a revolver

[Beer~Shower]

go with a gp100, awesome gun for the money. right around 500 w/tax brand new. 4inch if you want a sd gun/range blaster. i like the standard blue finish with hogue wood grips.

 

[devildog178]

+ 1 for Smith Wesson 66 or 686. You will pay a little more for a Smith over a Ruger or Taurus but I think the quality is worth the extra $. There are some good deals on used wheel guns out there....

 

[sepe]

You can find GREAT deals on used S&W. I picked up my 686 for $325. It looked like it had barely been shot and the woman at the shop said a lady she knew bought it new to see if she could handle a .357, she didn't like it so she decided to hang on to it for a few years before selling it back. I know that I got really lucky to find a deal like that on a gun in the condition but they are out there.

 

[Seancass]

I'll go against the grain here! I own a 4" GP100 and i don't like it! I plan on selling it for either a Blackhawk or a S&W 686. I can't get over how bad the trigger is. A friend owns a Dan Wesson with a trigger that makes the Ruger feel like a peice of garbage. Don't get me wrong, if anything I'm a Ruger fanboy, but i just can't get over how bad the DA trigger is on this (particular) gun. I've shot a few S&W .22's and the trigger on those is comparable to the Dan Wesson and again embarrass my Ruger. I own a Single Six that i love and will never sell and a Super Blackhawk that is a tack driver so don't think i just hate Ruger.

 

[youngda9]

Watch GB and pick up a lightly used Smith 686. 6 or 7 shots with the best trigger around. The GP100 would be my second choice. 4" in either model would suit you quite well.

Here are a couple nice 686s that would work:
Smith & Wesson 686 4 inch : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
Smith 357 Magnum 686-1 4 inch Stainless : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

You can score one for <500 in a week or two if you watch the auctions and don't get into a bidding war. I've seen several go for $480 in the last couple weeks.

 

[squirrelhntr]

smiths, colts, beautifull guns, but a little pricey. also a .357 round might go through the bad guy and into a loved one in the other room. or across the street for that matter. a charter arms .44 spl. a bigger, slower, moving caliber might be a better way to go. you could always use snake shot in a .357 or a 12 gauge shot gun is nice. you might also get a nice pitbull and just feed her in the morning by nightime she'll be a badass anti-trespassing machine. you have many options. take your time. good luck

 

[JohnP82]

Quite a few good choices in your price range. I have a Taurus and a Charter revolver and love them both. Obviously Smiths are just great! I am also a big fan of the Ruger revolvers GP100, SP101 very nice shooters and built to last. Good luck with your decision, revolvers are awesome! I want at least 3 or 4 more myself

 

[wp wrecks]

You would not go wrong with either a Ruger SP-101 with 3 1/8" barrel or GP-100 with 4", 5" or 6" barrel.

 

[AccuRat]

Easy: Smith 3" M60. You get:

Concealability (disappears in a OWB pancake holster)
Stainless Steel
.38 Special (to include shot shells) or .357 capability
Adjustable sights (yep, handy on a 3" gun)

It's the one that always accompanies me in the field. Truly versatile.

 

[LotsofGlocks]

Ruger SP101

 

[Jack Ryan]

Redhawk

 

[FERLACH]

My 1st choice Smith Wesson revolvers. They cost a little more than Ruger or Taurus, but hold their value better also.

 

[ggglobert9]

S&W 686 6" 7-shot trigger mechanism polished...I've owned it for ~12-15 years now. I have shot paper plates and milk jugs easily at 50 yards...2 doe at 45+ yards with open sights. One of the nicest guns I've ever owned or fired. I also have a Taurus 85 ultra-lite...or should say my wife does! Also a very nice shooter and for it's purpose shoots very accurately at 15 yards. I have always liked the GP-100 series and have never purchased due to having the Smith. I have shot several different models due to the kindness of other owners and love the way they feel also. You can't beat a good revolver. I wonder if Glock will ever make a revolver!?

 

[BE Mike]

Easy: Smith 3" M60. You get:

Concealability (disappears in a OWB pancake holster)
Stainless Steel
.38 Special (to include shot shells) or .357 capability
Adjustable sights (yep, handy on a 3" gun)

It's the one that always accompanies me in the field. Truly versatile.

How could I have forgotten? My 3" model 60 with CT grips is one of my favorite revolvers. Although it limits me to 5 shots, I shoot it well even to beyond 50 yards. It handles well and is very concealable. It is my primary home defense handgun. I like my 3" model 66 too, but it is a little bulky and heavy for daily carry IMHO.

 

[DFM914]

That GP100 in blue with the wood grips is a sweeeet looking gun! Something about the contrast of the wood and blue finish...

 

[Reaper]

Don't know if it falls outside of your parameters, but my brother just bought the Taurus Judge for home defense and he loves it. I shot it over christmas it was real smooth.

It is chambered for either .410 shotshell or .45 LC. And i don't know about the rest of you, but if someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night it would be nice to throw a couple of .410 scatter shots at the intruder to give me time to line up a .45 LC. my brother chambers the first two cylinders with .410 double OO, followed by .45 LC's. 2 quick shots followed by one to finish the job.

 

[bk1330]

Smith & Wesson 625 in .45 acp with full moon clips reloading is almost as fast as a semi auto and noone ever complained about using .45 acp for home defense.

 

[bdj357]

Smith and Wesson 686 w/ a 4" minimum barrel. Comes in either a 6 or 7 shot. Plus in a pinch, it is legal to hunt with. The little extra weight makes it controlable.

 

[willie69]

i've never met a gun i didn't like get the one that feels right after you a clip or two go to a dealer who allows test firing

 

[youngda9]

Watch GB and pick up a lightly used Smith 686. 6 or 7 shots with the best trigger around. The GP100 would be my second choice. 4" in either model would suit you quite well.

Here are a couple nice 686s that would work:
Smith & Wesson 686 4 inch : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
Smith 357 Magnum 686-1 4 inch Stainless : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

You can score one for <500 in a week or two if you watch the auctions and don't get into a bidding war. I've seen several go for $480 in the last couple weeks.

The ones that I posted in the links above went for $405 and the other had no bids at $425. Best buy out there if you watch the auctions.