Poll: Which revolver?

[SonofWWIIDI]

Any of the S&W revolvers will serve you well. The Ruger GP100 needs to be on that list also.

For something a little different and elegant, see the Dan Wesson at Riflegear:

Dan Wesson .357

Hadn't even considered that. Do you know if it comes in blue, or just the stainless?

Absolutely nothing wrong with a Model 27! That is a truly sweet revolver.

For heavy use on the range, I had to vote for the slightly heavier 586. Both would be fine for shooting targets, with just a slight edge to the 586 for a little more beef and the long lug to calm down the sight picture.

When I recently went shopping for a new revolver, I asked myself "How often are you really going to be shooting .357 ammo? You don't even like shooting .357 ammo!"

I wound up buying a Model 67. It is not blue, but it is the classic K frame with a heavy barrel (!), adjustable sights, and it is chambered for my much preferred cartridge for revolvers on the range, the accurate and relatively polite .38 Special.

That gun shoots!

I considered the .38 sp only models too. But I decided I like the versatility to being able to shoot either .357/.38.

I do like the look of the 586 too.

[SonofWWIIDI]

This is one of the things I love about this forum.

Ask a question and lots of people are there with plenty of help/advise/personal experience!

Keep it coming. I'm gonna be at the indoor range soon and will probably rent a few to see how I like them!

Thanks all!

[jlmurphy]

I have both the blued and stainless GP100 4" models, and a 6" Model 27 S&W. The Rugers are heavier built pistols, but the trigger on the S&W is better. The Ruger trigger is heavy at the start of the pull, the S&W stacks progressively and is easier to manage. And yes, full power .357 loads are not fun to shoot, most of my shooting is with .38+P.

[Lead Waster]

I like the 4" S&Ws, the feel more "handy" to me.

[Khromo]

I think it is good to have the versatility of the .357 only if you are realistically going to be using it.

I'll use a semi for defense and I won't be shooting at anything that requires the greater terminal performance of the .357, so the versatility of the .357 revolver is a moot point for me.

If I were looking for a .357, I might spring for one of the S&W Performance Centers that Turner's seems to have in stock, or maybe the new top shelf Ruger that they started taking pre-orders for.

I think the fact that there are so many good choices speaks to the fact that design and ergonomics are so good!

[SonofWWIIDI]

I have both the blued and stainless GP100 4" models, and a 6" Model 27 S&W. The Rugers are heavier built pistols, but the trigger on the S&W is better. The Ruger trigger is heavy at the start of the pull, the S&W stacks progressively and is easier to manage. And yes, full power .357 loads are not fun to shoot, most of my shooting is with .38+P.

That's really good to know about the triggers.

Not really worried about full .357 loads, just trying to keep the cost of ammo in the pistol range (.20-.60 per rd) and not have to spend like they're rifles.

[SonofWWIIDI]

I like the 4" S&Ws, the feel more "handy" to me.

Good to know! Looks like I'll be spending a good bit on renting some guns in the near future.

I think it is good to have the versatility of the .357 only if you are realistically going to be using it.

I'll use a semi for defense and I won't be shooting at anything that requires the greater terminal performance of the .357, so the versatility of the .357 revolver is a moot point for me.

If I were looking for a .357, I might spring for one of the S&W Performance Centers that Turner's seems to have in stock, or maybe the new top shelf Ruger that they started taking pre-orders for.

I think the fact that there are so many good choices speaks to the fact that design and ergonomics are so good!

I too have no plans for using it for HD/SD. But I do like the versatility to switch to heavier (.357) or lighter .38 sp.) rounds just for fun.

And I have considered some of the more modern looking pistols, but I'm really interested in the "Dirty Harry" type of look...or very close to it.

[MikeSmith]

Smiths are a nicer shooting gun than Ruger. I like Colts but have never shot one. But my good friend(who owns A LOT of guns) seems to think Smiths are nicer shooting than Colts also. He told me if you go to any major revolver match 99% are all competing with S&W.

Thought you may like this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/121462-ultimate-model-27-thread-7.html

[TMB 1]

I voted 586, but I think the 66 with 4.25 barrel would be better if you were going to carry it all day. It looks kind of like a stainless version of my model 19.
Comparison of 586 & 66http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...entryId=827561

[SonofWWIIDI]

Smiths are a nicer shooting gun than Ruger. I like Colts but have never shot one. But my good friend(who owns A LOT of guns) seems to think Smiths are nicer shooting than Colts also. He told me if you go to any major revolver match 99% are all competing with S&W.

Thought you may like this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...-thread-7.html

Wow, thanks mike! I had to bookmark that so I can read the whole thread later...while drinking a beer at the pub!

And hey, if you're is SJ, you should come to reeds tomorrow night around 6:00. I'm looking forward to meeting a few other CGers there, and maybe a couple of my non CG friends.

Check out the info.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=997024

[MikeSmith]

Hmm I get off work at 6:30pm and I work in Sunnyvale so I'll be right there by Reeds. I do have a couple Smiths I want to try out that I just bought.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Hmm I get off work at 6:30pm and I work in Sunnyvale so I'll be right there by Reeds. I do have a couple Smiths I want to try out that I just bought.

I'll still be there. I usually close the place down!

[CaliforniaDreamin]

You really can't go wrong with either. I voted for the 586 6" for the full lug look, but I also like the more classic look of the half lug on the 27. To me, blue steel and wood grips is much more sexier than stainless, but the options are much more limited, especially when buying new. I recently purchased a 627 V Comp, but I'm always on the lookout for a 27 or 28.

If you can accept a stainless model, there's the 66-8, a K frame with a 4.25 inch barrel with half lug. It's on roster and does not have the "A" prefix. The 686 4" on roster has the "A" prefix, so it may be difficult to locate. Good luck with your selection, and be sure to post pics after you made your purchase.

[SonofWWIIDI]

You really can't go wrong with either. I voted for the 586 6" for the full lug look, but I also like the more classic look of the half lug on the 27. To me, blue steel and wood grips is much more sexier than stainless, but the options are much more limited, especially when buying new. I recently purchased a 627 V Comp, but I'm always on the lookout for a 27 or 28.

If you can accept a stainless model, there's the 66-8, a K frame with a 4.25 inch barrel with half lug. It's on roster and does not have the "A" prefix. The 686 4" on roster has the "A" prefix, so it may be difficult to locate. Good luck with your selection, and be sure to post pics after you made your purchase.

I agree completely with your statement (bold by me) in the first paragraph.

And photos will be forth coming immediately after I buy it!!! Plus a range report when I pick it up!

[APeter001]

4 inch 686+

^^^^ this ^^^^