Question on revolvers

[Crossfire]

Opinion on this one? $295 for used GP100 http://www.gunsamerica.com/942429644/Gu ... PECIAL.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If it wasn't for the bobbed hammer, I would say you should jump on that. That would be a great price. But, you want that hammer, so you have the option of single action or double action. Especially if you are going to use it in the future for training.

[CC Italian]

I have owned several revolvers from several different companies and Colt, S&W and Ruger are what I would personally recommend IF you plan on keeping the gun after qualifying. Otherwise any Taurus with a 4in barrel or longer will do fine if you are just going to sell it afterwards. If you do plan on keeping it and want a brand new gun that doesn’t have to be used for concealed carry I would recommend the Ruger GP-100 with a 6in barrel, very accurate and they cost about $500.00.

If you can try some out get a feel for them. Also I would recommend a good used Ruger, Colt or Smith over a new Taurus, Charter etc. These three are just a higher quality firearm and are better built. As long as you stay with these three new or a good used one you can’t really go wrong. You will get a quality revolver.

It’s all up to you and your wallet but don’t think you have to spend 500+ to find a good revolver that you can give to your grandchildren. There are tons of high quality S&W model 10s out there for under $300 that will still be ticking after we are all dead and gone.

[y5e06]

Lots of good recomendations, all along the same line.
My order of suggestions:
S&w k frame , 4" with adjustable sights. Either in 38 or 357. You can shoot 38 in the 357 of course.
Ruger 4" with adjustable sights or smith l frame, a tad heavier but still fine.
I'd stay away from those second tier manfacturers, they never seem to measure up.
Pick up a real nice smith and you'll be quite pleased. I've bought two of the smiths from j&g and shot 2 others of the same (all fixed sights). If you go that route, pick the nicest version. Two of them came out as exceptional for the money.

[wgoforth]

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the $295 Ruger 101. I figured at that price I couldn't go wrong, even should I decide to trade up later. Thanks all for guidance in this. It's weird as I know semi-autos very well, but just have had no dealing with revolvers, and really not fond of them.

[RECIT]

I was not fond of revolvers when I started shooting and buying firearms. But I have taken a real liking to wheel guns in the last few years. I like them mainly b/c they are easy to shoot and simple to operate. Any decent sized revolver shooting .38spl is a dream to shoot all day. I love ringing steel plates at my local range with a nice medium to large frame revolver over any semi-auto I have in my collection. I like the single action trigger of a nice S&W over any semi I have including a nice Springfield 1911...

[CC Italian]

Just so you know wgoforth it says that it is .38 special caliber on the website. Ruger did make GP-100s that could only chamber the .38 special and not the longer .357 case. These were issued to NY law enforcement back in the 90s (I have family up north). This is the reason they are cheaper. There is absolutely nothing wrong with .38special only but I didn't know if you were told by seller. The gun will take the hottest .38 special +P with no problems. It would have no problem with the .357 but the cases are just to long. This was done so officers wouldn't run hot .357 loads in there guns while on duty and I also assume departments got a better deal for going with .38 special only option. You just bought yourself an over built tank and it will last forever. Congrats!

P.S. Also you said 101. I think it is a GP-100, not a SP-101 but they also make a .38 special only in the sp-101 also.

[fishfree]

Just so you know wgoforth it says that it is .38 special caliber on the website. Ruger did make GP-100s that could only chamber the .38 special and not the longer .357 case. These were issued to NY law enforcement back in the 90s (I have family up north). This is the reason they are cheaper. There is absolutely nothing wrong with .38special only but I didn't know if you were told by seller. The gun will take the hottest .38 special +P with no problems. It would have no problem with the .357 but the cases are just to long. This was done so officers wouldn't run hot .357 loads in there guns while on duty and I also assume departments got a better deal for going with .38 special only option. You just bought yourself an over built tank and it will last forever. Congrats!

P.S. Also you said 101. I think it is a GP-100, not a SP-101 but they also make a .38 special only in the sp-101 also.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html
sp101 models include 327, 357 and 38spl-only the link above will show the model#s for the sp101 product line

[wgoforth]

Bummer! Fellow called me and said he had good news/bad news...ok..
Good news was my FFL had faxed him the license. Bad news was he hadn't realized the gun had already been sold.... but he had a security six, wood grips, still a bobbed hammer that was in excellent shape and he would refund me $20 (bringing it to $270). He said if I didn't like it, he has a 3 day return policy of 100%

[jonrjen]

Loved to shoot my Colt King Cobra .357 mag. It was extreemly accurate with the 6" barrel. As for the stubby Taurus models, given enough practice and you can get pretty accurate with them, I have a few 38spl and a 9mm with the 2" barrel. Have been looking at the Taurus .327mag in the 2" barrel. It is a two tone priced at $249, but the ammo seems to be difficult to find and when you do it is pretty high. My big revolver is once again a Taurus Stainless with a 4" barrel. It shoots the S&W .500mag ammo.
Have yet to fire it, just can't justify waisting the high dollar price per shot....LOL!!

[Mike1951]

Bummer! Fellow called me and said he had good news/bad news...ok..
Good news was my FFL had faxed him the license. Bad news was he hadn't realized the gun had already been sold.... but he had a security six, wood grips, still a bobbed hammer that was in excellent shape and he would refund me $20 (bringing it to $270). He said if I didn't like it, he has a 3 day return policy of 100%

I doubt you'll need to return it. I prefer the Security Sixes over my GP100s.

[CC Italian]

Post some pics when you get it in. I love those old Rugers!

[wgoforth]

Post some pics when you get it in. I love those old Rugers!

Oh by all means!

[wgoforth]

CC Italian.... Came to my FFL today, took it immediatly to range. The trigger is stout and the wood grips eating the web of my hand. Just ordered rubber grips and a Smith locally said he has lightened triggers on those for years... I can't imagine doing double taps and keeping it on target as is.

[CC Italian]

Pics! Rubber grips will help a lot. Those wooden ones look nice but transfer the recoil a little more. Reminds me of the first time I shot a 12 gauge. It was my uncles old double barrel with an old wooden stock, I was around 13 and it left a bruise work 2 weeks. By all means get a trigger job. Ruger revolvers are very dependable, I would argue even more then Smiths but like others have said, "Smiths have the smoothest trigger" this is very true but a gunsmith can help that out a lot.

How does it shoot? Accuracy?

[wgoforth]

Pics! Rubber grips will help a lot. Those wooden ones look nice but transfer the recoil a little more. Reminds me of the first time I shot a 12 gauge. It was my uncles old double barrel with an old wooden stock, I was around 13 and it left a bruise work 2 weeks. By all means get a trigger job. Ruger revolvers are very dependable, I would argue even more then Smiths but like others have said, "Smiths have the smoothest trigger" this is very true but a gunsmith can help that out a lot.

How does it shoot? Accuracy?

The range I took it to only has 15 yards from the firing line (not one of the better ones I go to, but just wanted to make sure it would work) unless you walk out on range, but there were hunters, so no go. I hit the target, but all over from that range... which I need to be able to hit from anyway. I will take it in Mon for the trigger job and grips should be here next week too. I'll get some picks when I can. Thanks guys!

PS... I sympathize with the 12 gague... I had a badly bruided shoulder and chest too!