Good first revolver?

[ImOutlaw]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm wanting to make the step into revolver land and would love some advice. Can you give me some opinions on what's a good first revolver to buy and why?

My extremely short list of considerations so far is a Smith & Wesson 686 w/ 6' barrel.

Thanks!!

[brian5271]

Can't go wrong with the Smith 686 or the Ruger GP 100. The Smith has a better trigger, but the Ruger is built like a tank and will fire heavy loads all day long for years and years. I am sure there are other good revolvers out there, but these are the only two I have any experience with.

[Oceanbob]

Yeah, ^^^^

Smith 686 or Ruger GP 100.

I am a big fan of Smith stainless wheel guns myself.

[Bullitt01]

The GP100 is the work'in mans revolver....

[Bill Steele]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm wanting to make the step into revolver land and would love some advice. Can you give me some opinions on what's a good first revolver to buy and why?

My extremely short list of considerations so far is a Smith & Wesson 686 w/ 6' barrel.

Thanks!!

686 is a terrific first revolver choice. My recommendation would be a 4", but if you like the longer sight radius and bump in velocity, go for the 6".

[Khromo]

The S&W 686 is an outstanding revolver for any shooter. Nice trigger that can be tuned even better, strong enough for .357's, accurate. There is nothing wrong with any part of that gun that I can find.

The 6" barrel is a little heavy, a little muzzle heavy, but that weight makes it easier to shoot accurately and the weight absorbs some of the recoil. The extra barrel length is very important if/when you are shooting .357 ammo, providing greater velocity and a tad less muzzle blast.

The Ruger may be stronger, but I don't think that would matter to anyone who wasn't shooting a lot of full house .357 ammo. You'd really have to shoot a lot to loosen up a 686. The Ruger trigger can be a real challenge to the new shooter, and a real PIA to the experienced shooter.

I almost never shoot .357 ammo any more. Punching paper on a square range is a lot more fun with .38 ammo, for me, at this time in my life. Some guys get a thrill from the noise and violent recoil of a .357, but it gets tiresome for me. Shooting animals is a much different story, but you don't sound like you're ready for handgun hunting yet.

My vote would be to buy the 686. If it will be used at a range, go ahead and get the 6".

[Catch]

I might consider one chambered in 38+p, but its nice to have the magnum option if only for the flash and boom.
Does calguns have an opinion on square vs round butt?

[desertrider]

Jailed my first Ruger GP100 this afternoon, bought myself a 4" stainless.

The next ten days are gonna go by sloooow.

[ImOutlaw]

All great replies so far, thanks! I will definitely start looking into the GP100 since they have a 6" one at my LGS.

I do have to admit though, I am mostly interested in the 6" barrel because I want a giant hand cannon looking gun =).

[Ozzydog1]

I highly recommend the Ruger GP100.
I have the 4" in stainless and absolutely love it! Im not sure why other people say the trigger is bad, I have no issues with my mine and is smooth in DA/ and is super light on SA.
My little wife has no problems in shooting the 357 magnums out of it and is very accurate with it.
The only thing I would recommend changing on it would be the front sight. I bought a fiber optic sight for it to replace the black ramped front sight.
Although the S&W 686 is a beautiful gun, I think the GP100 is just as nice at a couple hundred dollars cheaper.

[MrElectric03]

686 or gp100

Either one is a great gun. I've heard the smiths can have issues with a lot of hot loads where the gp100 usually handles them fine. That said I bought a smith.

[xSARSx]

although i like both the 686 and the gp100. they were just felt awfully big in my hands so i went with a smaller frame taurus 66 as my first revolver. lots of rounds through her already and no issues.

[ImOutlaw]

It just so happens that Turner's has both the 6" and 4" GP100 in stock and on sale for $630. Seems like a really fair price considering the MSRP on them is $759.

Seems like the way to go, ya?

[Ozzydog1]

I got mine at Riflegear in Fountain Valley for $599 however that might be a far drive for you. You'll spend more on gas than the difference in price so yes, I would say go for it! Good luck let us know what you get...

[trigger945]

Look into the 686 SSR (Pro Series version of the 686). I think you might like it even though the barrel is only 4" long. The stock trigger is tuned from S&W's Performance Center, which is very nice. It is well balanced, too. And if you care about looks, this revolver has it no doubt.

Hope this helps.