So I have never really had any interest in revolvers. I wouldn’t carry one, late start in shooting due to geography, old tech, etc etc. Until I shot a friend’s old Model 10 in .38 recently. I really enjoyed it and it got me thinking about buying one. I mean, everyone should have at least one wheel gun, right?
Wandered into Basspro last night and saw a Colt Cobra in .357 which I really like the look of. Knowing nothing about revolvers, I am thinking about what I should be looking for? A smooth trigger is probably the most important thing to me along with not a super long pull. 3-4” looks the right size, not too bothered about stainless or blue either way. Leaning more towards Colt or S&W but open to other brands. Useage is just plinking but I want something that is quality. Hoping to stay under a grand.
I’m a ‘non-revolver guy’ too. But, I did buy a .357 S&W 586 about 20 years ago because I thought that I should own a revolver. It’s fun to shoot .38’s through it. I’ve always like the look of revolvers; Pythons especially. Then a few years ago, I bought a Taylor & Co. Smoke Wagon, which is a 1873 SA-type revolver. I had been watching too many Westerns on Netflix. It’s fun to shoot as well, and I find loading a single action revolver kind of ‘relaxing’ as it’s a very deliberate task, kind of like shooting a bolt action.
586:
Smoke Wagon
You should look into the Rugers as well. They are very strong frames. The Redhawk, GP100 and SP101 are all solid. Same goes for the discontinued Speed Six/Security Six
If you want to carry it for SD, then a 2”-3” barrel is good. For a range gun, 4”-6” is better, and I think a 4” barrel is a great all-around size. I recently bought a S&W 686+ in March and it’s enjoyable to shoot, but it’s still hard to find ammo in 38 special.
Rugers are good too, I have a Blackhawk in .357, and I agree there’s something nostalgic about a Single Action revolver.
I’ve been thinking about revolvers lately, as well. I keep coming back to the Ruger LCR. I really, really want to like the Colt Night Cobra because I love everything about it’s style and how it looks… but I don’t know how much I trust the new Colts (Cobra, Python, etc.) and have seen some reviews that kind of confirm whatever biases I have about them.
I’m pretty positive I’ll end up buying a Ruger of some kind, as I’ve been crushing on the SP101 Wiley Clapp model, as well… but I’d bet on me walking out of my LGS with an LCR in the next few weeks.
I have a slight revolver addiction. The biggest issue these days is you can burn a ton of money shooting them if you don’t reload. I’m a Colt fan, their trigger mechanism is different than Smith and Wesson and a lot of people don’t like it as much, but it’s always felt good to me. You will find way more accessories for a Smith and Wesson though. The Cobra is a great gun, I like the high vis front sight. You may find you have a POI vs POA shift at any distance shooting fixed sighted Colts or Smiths with .38 range ammo—when you have a 400fps discrepancy between different loads there is just no way for the factory to get fixed sights that are great with everything load.
I would try and handle a 686 too, and just get whichever feels best to you. Both are great quality. New and lightly used Model 10s are a classic and also relatively easy to find—if you liked shooting that one it’s an all time classic.
Nothing beats a tuned, or we’ll broken in K or L frame S&W Double Action trigger.
About all you’d see on the line at PPC or NRA Action Pistol matches In the day.
I guess things really do go full circle. I carried an issued S&W Model 28-2 “Highway Patrolman” (6” bbl) and twelve spare rounds on my duty belt for ten years. Had a couple Academy classmates put them to good use too. Also carried a Winchester Model 12 Riot Gun and a S&W Model 36 “Chief’s Special” long before back-ups were authorized.
Now that I’m retired my edc is a S&W Model 442-2 “Centennial Airweight”.
Buy a good DA revolver so you can get an idea what “old school” is all about.
Most gun enthusiasts should have at least one revolver in their collection. They are old school, traditional, cool, fun, and even practical. Mine is a S&W 627 eight shot .357, if you’re only purchasing one, this one fills quite a few functions.
My LCR 357 is my “fishing” carry gun. Nice revolver, easy to shoot, handles recoil well, but I would not call it a range gun.
If you buy one, I think you will like it.
One nice thing about revolvers is that the public tends to find them less “scary” than autos. Especially glocks and the like. It’s freaking stupid but it’s true. If you are not gonna be able to conceal 100%, they draw less attention. They also make great guns for the glove box, console, etc.
Never underestimate public perception. The relatively mild look is a great reason to own revolvers and a mini 14.
A fine tuned revolver is really a joy to shoot. My old PPC Distinguished Service 6 inch Model 19-5 that was worked over by the late George Wessinger will bring tears to your eyes when you squeeze off a shot, in both double and single action. It is that sweet.
Thanks to all. Ton of good info here for me to digest. I need to figure out the frame differences on S&W. Also, what else to avoid? Seems the internal lock debate is well contested.
S&W K-frames police trade-ins in .38 SPL are usually plentiful and affordable. Generally speaking, being LE guns, the finish may be worn but the mechanics should be sound. I picked up a model 64 a few years ago for less than $300 and it has one of the smoothest triggers I’ve ever felt in a revolver- including $4000 custom jobs.
I get why people don’t like the internal lock, but I personally don’t think it’s a realistic failure point. The drama sizes from small to large are J, K, L and N—the J frames are 5 shot snubs in .38 or .357. Here is a picture for comparison. The only thing missing is an L frame, but it’s in my truck and it’s raining. The K and L frames are very close, the L frame is just a slightly beefed up K frame for high round count .357 Magnum shooting. The two blued guns are both K frames, the top one is a round butt M13, the bottom is a square butt. Modern production guns are almost all round butts, but you can buy grips that fit the frame and give a square butt feel. I personally like the round butt feel, especially in a K or L frame, and they conceal better if that matters to you. I tossed in a G23 for reference.
Thanks for the visual reference, very helpful. I like the first K frame, seems like a decent size. If I could find a reasonably priced LE trade in similar that would probably about perfect.
Not too worried about ammo. I can probably borrow a buddies 550 38sp tool head and knock some out easily. Irony is I sold it to him cheap when I picked it up used with the press, oops.
Probably opening a can of worms here but what kind of work can you have done on a S&W? I’m assuming fluff and buff on the triggers parts to start.
