Good Modern Revolvers?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

It's a shame you aren't any closer to the PNW. I'd happily let you shoot mine. No chance of a business trip to Seattle any time before you purchase is there?

Sadly no, or I'd definitely take you up on the offer. I need to check at my local range to see what they have available for rentals, this thread has done a great job of helping me to narrow the scope of my shopping.

[Joe Bob]

I will be selling my Model 66 Stainless, 2 inch .357 soon. If interested let me know, $350 ish with accessories. Good solid weapon.

With my 5 shot, .357 and new .45.....it just sits.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

I will be selling my Model 66 Stainless, 2 inch .357 soon. If interested let me know, $350 ish with accessories. Good solid weapon.

With my 5 shot, .357 and new .45.....it just sits.

I would be, but I really want the longer 6" barrel.

BTW, if anyone wants a great condition and low round count Sig P250 Sub Compact 9 mm with a like-new Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster, let me know.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

I think you had the "pleasure" of shooting some of my 300 grain, 1,200 fps .45 Colt loads from my 4 5/8" Blackhawk at Wade's in Bellevue one day. Not something anyone wants to do very much of...

That thing will turn your hand into hamburger in short order.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by futuresoptions

Hey Bill,

Don't think that is a model 28... I think that is a model 29... The model 28 was a blued highway patrolman special... The 29 was the stainless version...

Model 29 is 44mag. Model's 27 and 28 are both 357mag/38, but can be blue or nickel. I don't think they came in stainless until a later model, maybe 686 or something like that.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by masraum

Model 29 is 44mag. Model's 27 and 28 are both 357mag/38, but can be blue or nickel. I don't think they came in stainless until a later model, maybe 686 or something like that.

^^^ Yep, I don't recall stainless even being available when I purchased my M27 way back when, and I REALLY like the "look" of the 686's posted on this thread (with the lug extending the full barrel length like the M29 I posted earlier, but all of them don't have that either???). Don't know what this "new fangled" trigger lock crap is, but already know I don't like it one bit without even looking it up .

[on2wheels52]

Originally Posted by masraum

Model 29 is 44mag. Model's 27 and 28 are both 357mag/38, but can be blue or nickel. I don't think they came in stainless until a later model, maybe 686 or something like that.

The 27,28 & 29 are N frames, the 686 is an L.
I don't think there was a stainless N frame .357 (or a nickel 28, they weren't exactly blued either, more of a matte finish).
Joe, I'll take your 66 if it's pinned
Jim

[Joe Bob]

It's an early 66-1. When I get back in town I will post a serial number.

[4SFED]

S&W model designations are very confusing to me. Kind of like Harley Davidson's model designations (FXL-blah-blah).

But, like HD, you just can't go wrong with a Smith&Wesson for a revolver.

...... me? I'll stick with "Old Slabsides"

(Although, I always wanted a Cylinder & Slide worked Colt Government Model )

[onewhippedpuppy]

Another question for the brain trust, any comments on the Colt Trooper mk V? They are similar to the Python and King Cobra, but still reasonably affordable. I don't know how they shoot, but they sure look good.

[enzo1]

good...

[on2wheels52]

"any comments on the Colt Trooper mk V? They are similar to the Python and King Cobra...."

Not to muddy things too much, the Troopers are J frames (coil spring hammer) and the Python is an I frame (flat hammer spring, as are the larger frame S&W's). There are some advantages for the flat spring in getting a good double action trigger pull.
Jim

[John Rogers]

Something to ponder, if the gun looks great and the barrel is like new but you do like the trigger action let's say, you can always get the trigger worked on. The Hog Hunter I have is like that and it feels just like the TRR8 I have which is a S&W custom shop gun (1st year), smoooooth!

[enzo1]

new Colt Trooper MK V - AR15.Com Archive

"The Colt Trooper Mark III, Mark V, and King Cobra are basically the same gun, with each model being slightly improved.
These are very likely the strongest medium frame, double action revolvers ever built, INCLUDING the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP-100.
These Colt's were specifically designed for unlimited firing of .357 ammo, but like all guns, heavy loads will wear it faster than more reasonable loads.

Like all Colt's accuracy should be a step above other brands, and these were top of the line guns from Colt, with only the super-premium Python being better or more accurate.

The Mark V was made from 1982 to 1986. If you call Colt during business hours, they will give you a production year over the phone.
The Mark V was offered in 4" and 6" barrels, in bright blue and bright nickel finish, and in .357 Magnum.

The only "weakness" of these guns is if you dry fire too much the firing pin "might" break.
This is a factory ONLY replacement job, since replacement REQUIRES a special press device with shaped support dies and press punches to press the firing pin out and a new one in. Attempting it with a hammer and punch will damage the frame.
To prevent problems, just buy some snap caps for dry firing.

One other "watch-out" is to NOT attempt a "trigger job" on these later Colt's.
These guns were designed to be repaired by installing new parts. The internal parts are mostly "sintered steel" an early form of MIM (Metal Injection Molding).
The parts were given a very thin, glass-hard coating.
Almost ANY polishing will break through the parts, ruining them. You cannot see the hard coating, so there's no way to know you've ruined it until the gun fails.

If you look at the underside of the trigger on the rear, you'll see a tiny Allen screw. This is NOT intended to be adjusted by the owner. This was used at the factory to adjust the action for proper clearance of the hammer in single action, and IS NOT to used to adjust the trigger.
LEAVE IT ALONE.

On these guns, trigger jobs are limited to installation of lighter springs, with the caution that mis-fires may happen unless you experiment with mainsprings to find a weight that will give good reliability. Many spring kits come with 2 or 3 different mainsprings, so you can select one that offers reliability. "

[KFC911]

I NEVER dry fire a gun with a fixed firing pin. but that's just me...I do like my early S&Ws posted earlier in this thread, but my favorite is the Colt Diamondback (.22lr) also pictured. Unlike a Harley (yep, there are some dawgs in the lineage) you'll not go wrong with either Colt or S&W revolvers...pick one and never look back....YMMV.

ps: I've never had a pistol leak in my spoon safe like the HOG in my garage....
it's an FLeieio

[on2wheels52]

Says dfariswheel (from new Colt Trooper MK V - AR15.Com Archive)

I'll disagree that Colt J's are stronger than the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP-100.
I don't have a Colt at the shop but I can weigh and measure the cylinder diameter of the other two. I expect them to be larger.
Jim

[Jeff Higgins]

Alloy and heat treat of the cylinders are every bit as important as sheer size.

Besides, cylinders are really not the delineating factor regarding strength between the various double actions. Frames are. And again, alloy and heat treatment are every bit as important as sheer size. Even all of that does not tell the whole story - frame design is important as well. The solid frames, sans side plates (like on the Rugers) really help.

Just measuring the comparative size of various parts will not only tell you nothing, it may lead to false conclusions regarding the strength of one revolver vs. another.

[on2wheels52]

Agreed Jeff.
But S&W went with the (larger) 686 because the 66 was showing problems with a steady diet of full power .357's. And at least it's something that can be empirically measured.
I've seen Ruger S Blackhawk cylinders in two pieces with the frame intact (banzai handloading).
Jim

[legion]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

I will be selling my Model 66 Stainless, 2 inch .357 soon. If interested let me know, $350 ish with accessories. Good solid weapon.

With my 5 shot, .357 and new .45.....it just sits.

Hmmm....

What year was it made? I have a stainless model 67 from the early 60's and it is my absolute favorite handgun.

[enzo1]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

Says dfariswheel (from new Colt Trooper MK V - AR15.Com Archive)

I'll disagree that Colt J's are stronger than the S&W 686 and the Ruger GP-100.
I don't have a Colt at the shop but I can weigh and measure the cylinder diameter of the other two. I expect them to be larger.
Jim

also, Master gunsmith Jerry Kuhnhausen..... I am no expert I like the 686 too. ...