Revolver Shopping Help

[Keith]

Thinking of getting a Smith revolver. Several reasons--

(1) Wife has been talking about guns (shocked) I want to get one that I could train her with.As we know a revolver is a great,easy to operate,low malfunction safe gun.

(2) I also like having a gun that needs virtually no maintanence except for cleaning.

Anyway here is my dilema. As I started shopping I was looking for a 357 mag module fig I could train her using 38 and move up. Plus the 357 is a great defense round. But as I was shopping I noticed that now you can buy them in 40 cal,10mm and 45 Acp. Has anyone ever used this type and how was it operating any issues. Not sure how they make the make a centerfire bullet stay in a revolver cylinder. Final question being that I already own a 40-10-45 in semi auto, any benefit with staying with the same calibers for all guns or is it better to have several different calibers so you can usually allways find ammo? Thanks for your ideas. I have my own just sometimes helps to get others input.

[LongHairedRedneck]

Can't offer any help with the auto caliber revolvers as I've never owned one.

But a good thing about getting a .357 is that she could shoot .38 specials(or +p) for range practice then bump it up to .357's for carry/defence.

[Oldgringo]

Mrs Oldgringo carries an Airweight S&W 638. She can handle and shoot it when she must - but it is not fun for her to shoot. She'd rather shoot a 1911 but they're kinda' hard to pocket or get in a purse.

[TLE2]

Don't have any knowledge of revolvers, but I second the 1911 vote. My youngest daughter (God rest her soul.) and my oldest granddaughter would rather shoot my Kimber than a 9mm Glock.

My youngest granddaughter is another story...

[srothstein]

Well, to answer one of your questions, the rimless ACP rounds are held in the cylinder by the use of clips (real clips, not magazines :LOL: ). They are either half moon (hold three rounds) or full moon (hold six rounds). The clip into the little recess at the rim, just like a circlip on any mechanical item. I have not seen them for the .40/10 rounds, but I have used them for .45 revolvers before (the old Model 25, and even older 1955 Target are two of my favorite S&W revolvers). The advantage of the clips is that they act like a speedloader does for the revolver rounds except you just drop it in place.

On the ammo questions, there are several different thoughts. If you go with a .38/.357, you can use a fairly cheap round for practice and a full power round for carry. You can also carry with full power while your wife carries with a mid range or lower power round if she doesn't like the magnum recoil (which can be brutal for a beginner). I don't usually worry about the availability of ammo for what to caryr, as long as you can get some when you get the pistol. After that, it is a matter of getting enough to practice with, and you will generally find yourself practicing more with the guns you prefer.

The advantage of the same round in both pistols is logistics. You only need to buy and store one type of ammo. This is usually a concern for major agencies, but as an individual it is not as important. Only you can decide those factors.

And, in addition tot eh Smith revolvers, I would also recommend that you look at Ruger. I am a big fan of the ruger GP-100 and SP-101 revolvers. They are good quality, dependable guns with enough of a variety of calibers and styles to make them a decent competitor to Smith.

[RiverRat]

Hi, Just an added thought was the new .327 round in the Rugers. I have read about them, but not personally shot one. They are supposed to be a little easier to shoot. I have an SP101 in .357 and it's not comfortable to shoot with a full load. One concern is the .327 isn't that common a round.

I haven't seen any reliability info on the moon clip auto rounds in any of those revolvers, sorry. With the moon clips to secure the rimless auto cases it seems like more added mechanics would lead to more chances for Murphy to strike.

If at all possible, I think I would take her to the range and let her try some different wheel guns, and also some autos....you might be surprised. Mine was carrying a little S&W .38 until she shot it along with some of my XD's in 9 and .40. She went with a .40. The other part of that was she was going to take the CHL course and wanted the CHL license for both revolver and auto.

Note: ***** I never considered my wife shooting a .45***** I should have!! She carried an XD40 for 2 years before trying out my SA Champion Operator (4" Commander size .45 1911) and full size Colt 1911 .45 at the range one day. She went down the next day and bought herself a loaded Champion in .45 ACP. Her purse gun is a 3" Colt New Agent in .45ACP.

The wheel gun and the .40's haven't been out of the safe since she adopted the .45 ACP. She now has 3 SA 1911's and one Colt 1911 of her own.

The best advice I have is to let HER make the decision based on some range time with several pistol options. You might be surprised at her choice of pistol and comfort levels with one you haven't considered.

[joe817]

I haven't seen any reliability info on the moon clip auto rounds in any of those revolvers, sorry.

Actually, .45 moon clips were seen in hundreds of thousands Colt's and S&W Mod. 1917 "Victory" model revolvers used in WWII. They used to be quite common, but as time progressed you see fewer and fewer. The half moon clip concept is tried and true, and can be trusted.

[Voonman]

Get her a 2" snub nose 454casull.. she can shoot soft cowboy action 45colt loads through it..just as you do with a 38 in a 357mag

[stash]

Get her a 2" snub nose 454casull.. she can shoot soft cowboy action 45colt loads through it..just as you do with a 38 in a 357mag

Who makes the 2" snubby 454 casull?

[RiverRat]

I haven't seen any reliability info on the moon clip auto rounds in any of those revolvers, sorry.

Actually, .45 moon clips were seen in hundreds of thousands Colt's and S&W Mod. 1917 "Victory" model revolvers used in WWII. They used to be quite common, but as time progressed you see fewer and fewer. The half moon clip concept is tried and true, and can be trusted.

That's good info. I had considered one just because of the ammo commonality but never got around to investigating the reliability.

[The Annoyed Man]

Another possibility might be either a .44 Special revolver, or a .44 magnum, which can take .44 Special just like the .357 can take .38 Special.

The .44 Special cartridge is much overlooked, but it is a great round — certainly better in "stock trim" than a .38 Special. Plus it is available in a +P also if she is comfortable with that. But one of the great things about the cartridge is that it is real soft shooting, particularly in a larger .44 magnum.

Here's one I've had my eye on:

MODEL 444 ULTRALITE .44 MAGNUM REVOLVER IN TITANIUM BLUE

Model: 444MULTI-4 Finish: UltraLite Titanium Blue Status: Available
Caliber: .44 MAG Grips: Cushioned Inset Rubber Grip UPC: 7-25327-35125-2
Capacity: 6 Weight: 28.3 Oz. Rate of Twist: 1:16"
Barrel Length: 4" Construction: Titanium/Alloy Height: 6.280"
Frame: Large Width: 1.760" Action: DA/SA
Front Sight: Red Fiber Optic Fixed Length: 9.8" Grooves: 6
Safety: Transfer Bar Trigger Type: Smooth Order #: 2-444041ULT
MSRP: $717.00 Rear Sight: Fixed Grooves Turn: Right

Yes, it is a little bit big, but probably not much worse than carrying a full sized semi-auto like a 5" 1911 or something. It is definitely lighter than a full sized semi auto (for instance, it only weighs 3 oz. more than my Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry II). Stoke it with +P .44 Specials, and it would make an excellent carry or home defense weapon choice for the person who would really rather have a revolver. And if MSRP is only $717.00, it is a bargain compared to the equivalent in a S&W, particularly since nobody pays MSRP anymore.

[Keith]

Damn good looking gun. Not sure about the alloys and 44 mag though. Funny my very first gun I bought when I was 16 (well dad bought and I paid him) was a Smith 4 inch Mountain Special in 44 mag. Loved it. Im def a big caliber lover but thought if the wife ever didnt want the gun anymore I could use it for a second conceal carry weopan. Hence the 357 mag in 2 1/2 inch for its small nature. Damn why did you have to show me that picture I hate you now ! . Seriously is it wrong if I get a rapid heart rate and sweating when I start talking about buying another gun. Damn I LOVE THESE THINGS its my drug along with my motorcycle racing and my pitbull haha. Thanks for all the help .

[The Annoyed Man]

darn good looking gun. Not sure about the alloys and 44 mag though. Funny my very first gun I bought when I was 16 (well dad bought and I paid him) was a Smith 4 inch Mountain Special in 44 mag. Loved it. Im def a big caliber lover but thought if the wife ever didnt want the gun anymore I could use it for a second conceal carry weopan. Hence the 357 mag in 2 1/2 inch for its small nature. darn why did you have to show me that picture I hate you now ! . Seriously is it wrong if I get a rapid heart rate and sweating when I start talking about buying another gun. darn I LOVE THESE THINGS its my drug along with my motorcycle racing and my pitbull haha.

You remind me of myself, about 20 years ago. I spent the '80s roadracing open class bikes on the west coast - Willow Springs (my home track), Riverside Raceway, Laguna Seca....

I miss those days... ...or not. I don't know. I'm too old and fat and beat up to be in a hurry going around a corner anymore.

[joe817]

A .44 magnum superlite? OMG, the kick on that hand cannon would be enough to throw her shoulder out of socket!

[Keith]

Annoyed im jealous Laguna Seca and Willow Springs wow! Never to old. Im 39 in that pic was shot in April. Just joking with ya. Im sure it was hard to give up.