Reolvers: Smith & Wesson 929, Ruger Super GP100, others?

[LateBraking]

I'm pretty much fresh to revolvers, but wanted something fun to shoot with. The revolver won't be a home defense gun, have others for that. Primarily a range toy and a learning tool. I've had a TRR8 and a Ruger LCR 9mm before and sold both rather quickly, so not what I'd call extensive experience.

The S&W 929, 986, and Ruger Super GP100 caught my eye because they are 9mm. I've consolidated to 9mm and .22LR for the sake of simplicity and practicality. Just wanted to see if people had experience with these revolvers, especially if they have direct comparison experience with them.

If anyone has any suggestions for .357 revolvers, I wouldn't be completely against getting .357 again. Sticking with 9mm makes ammo shopping easier, but I feel like .357/38 Special is more practical in a revolver. Just that there is so many damn .357 revolvers out there that it makes my head spin.

My criteria would be a full-size (no snubbies like the Ruger LCR) revolver with a barrel length of approximately 4-6 inches. I want a clean/smooth and a lightweight/not-heavy double action pull. Maybe even the TRR8 again. Just not a Colt Python. The Python threads turned me off to the idea whether it's a new one OR an old one. I might consider one someday if things settle down and Colt fleshes out its not-wholly-unexpected-to-me day 1 issues, but for the time being, keeping things more open-ended.

[ysr_racer]

I've got both a 929 and 627. The 929 has a 6.5 inch barrel, and a useless comp. The 627 has a perfectly balanced 5 inch barrel.

9mm ammo is usually $0.18 cents a round, .38 special is $0.36. I shoot the 627 weekly, the 929 not so much. Both use moon clips, both needed action/trigger jobs because the factory trigger pull SUCKED.

[LateBraking]

I've got both a 929 and 627. The 929 has a 6.5 inch barrel, and a useless comp. The 627 has a perfectly balanced 5 inch barrel.

9mm ammo is usually $0.18 cents a round, .38 special is $0.36. I shoot the 627 weekly, the 929 not so much. Both use moon clips, both needed action/trigger jobs because the factory trigger pull SUCKED.

Thanks for the response! I had seen the (edit: 986, mixed it up with the 627) but figured the bigger barrel would be a softer shooter. Now you have me thinking if that would not necessarily be the case. Really should hold both back to back I suppose.

Any chance you could tell me where you got the action/trigger work done? I wasn't fully satisifed with the TRR8's trigger, but after reading online reviews I always thought that was a "me" thing and not the gun's fault. Once again I'm left wondering.

I love 1911s but boy do revolvers like yours just have that classy look to them. Even the oddball ones like the Chiappa Rhino.

And terrific point on the cost of ammo, which has me leaning towards just sticking with 9mm.

[ysr_racer]

Think about revolvers needing a trigger job, the same way a Camaro needs Hooker headers and a Crane cam to be competitive.

There are plenty of good revolver smiths out there. My buddy is the guy that pioneered the 8-shot revolver, and he did the work for me.

There's a few guys in So Cal that do good work. Ray Booze or Will O'Hara well get the job done right.

[KrisDSA]

Think about revolvers needing a trigger job, the same way a Camaro needs Hooker headers and a Crane cam to be competitive.

There are plenty of good revolver smiths out there. My buddy is the guy that pioneered the 8-shot revolver, and he did the work for me.

There's a few guys in So Cal that do good work. Ray Booze or Will O'Hara well get the job done right.

Hooker headers n crane cam. Hahah. Showing your age old timer.

[ysr_racer]

And a set of Cragar SS wheels and Mickey Thompson cheater slicks too.

[Gauss]

If you like 9mm maybe consider a single action revolver. I have a Ruger blackhawk convertibke that almost always has the 9 mm cylinder installed. No need for moon clips!

[starlight]

- snubs denote barrel length not frame size, thus there are FULL sized SNUBS out there

- a 9mm revolver will 'pay for itself' compared to a 38/357 etc, due to ammo cost of 9mm

- of course 9mm will likley use moon-clips, which is fine for me, but not for others

- try the ruger redhawk 8-shot 357 mag if you don't want to go with a 9mm

- I still say any 9mm gun will pay for itself VERSUS a non-9mm variant... dat 9mm ammo is at such a glorious price....mmm mm!

[newbie1234]

- Revolver
- Range toy.
- 9mm
I like Ruger Blackhawk, 357MAG/9mm interchange cylinder w/o tool. Exempt from CA Roster, but I did not see that revolver in LGS so you have to buy online. Note that this revolver is single action but at the range even with a single/double action revolver I always cock the hammer before shoot so that is a SA anyway

[Wade65]

How about a 4 inch 686 (really a great all around piece). I’ve got a couple thousand rounds through mine and it’s great. I am also looking at sending the cylinder to TK to machine the cylinder to take 9mm (with moon clips). With that I can shoot 9, 38, and 357.

https://tkcustom.com/services/machining

[M76]

I have the Ruger SP101 4.25" .357 with adjustable rear/fiber optic front;
highly recommend it, .38 wadcutters are a blast to send down range ...

[ar15barrels]

How about a 4 inch 686 (really a great all around piece). I’ve got a couple thousand rounds through mine and it’s great. I am also looking at sending the cylinder to TK to machine the cylinder to take 9mm (with moon clips). With that I can shoot 9, 38, and 357.

https://tkcustom.com/services/machining

Have you seen what 357 or 38+P cases come out looking like after being fired in a chamber big enough to accept factory 9mm ammo?

I guess if you only shoot factory ammo, you don't care about the brass being malformed after it's fired.

[SnWnMe]

[SloChicken]

And a set of Cragar SS wheels and Mickey Thompson cheater slicks too.

Haha!
You would probably like my Jeep then lol
Old 69 CJ with a few things here and there.

[ysr_racer]

Don't get me started on a Holley 780 double pumper and Accel yellow spark plug wires