Good Modern Revolvers?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Largely thanks to posts on here (damn you all!) I've decided that I now need some variety of revolver. My P938 is now the designee for CCH duty, so I'll probably sell my nearly new P250 Subcompact to fund said purchase as I don't see myself using it much. There appear to be quite a few options in larger caliber revolvers from Smith & Wesson, Taurus, and Ruger. This will not be for concealment, so I would prefer a larger length barrel and single action trigger. Who makes a good one, and what should I stay away from? I know the old Colts are supposed to be superb, but $1500+ is out of my price range.

[HardDrive]

Smith and Wesson 686 is on my bucket list. .357. Very accurate gun. I've got a Ruger Blackhawk .357. I like shooting it, but the grip turns my hand into meat pretty quickly. Nice cushy Hogue grip make larger calibers more enjoyable.

686.

[Seahawk]

Based on Mr. Higgins suggestion, I bought a Ruger Vaquero Stainless a few years ago. .45 Colt

Changed the way I approached shooting. I love the thing.

Ruger Vaquero® Stainless Single-Action Revolver Models

[KFC911]

Had to go find this from the archives....go find an older S&W. Though they haven't increased in value like my pony's have, they are excellent. I've had the M27 (heavier N-frame .357, second from bottom w/ 6") for 35 years, and the M629 (top) for probably 20. Both will feel like shooting a canon compared to a .45ACP, but "special" (not magnum) loads are more than adequate, particularly in the .44 .

[BlueSkyJaunte]

S&W TRR8 and/or 325 TR are thoroughly "modern" revolvers, but not single action-only.

8 x .357 Mag or 6 x .45 ACP / .45 AR

Scandium frame for easy carry.

For the .45 get yourself some poly moon clips from Ez Moon Clips .



If you want single action only, Ruger is the only affordable option if you want something other than .45 Colt.

[John Rogers]

For pistols I have a S&W TRR8 which is an 8 shot 357 mag with the scandium frame. I also have a 686 stainless "Hog Hunter" which is great and for small size I have a Ruger LCR 38+P 5 shot. I'd recommend any of those.

[JavaBrewer]

What is your price range Matt? Any particular reason for SAO? How large caliber are you talking about?

[onewhippedpuppy]

David, probably in the $750 or less range. I'm not averse to something good condition and used. I don't need a hand cannon, I was thinking .357, .44, or .45.

I may be a victim of my automatic experience where I greatly prefer a single action trigger. I have periodically shot a .38 revolver (unsure of brand) that is single action only. In a double action revolver I am envisioning a long and heavy trigger pull. Am I wrong?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Most, if not all, full-size revolvers sold today are either single action only or dual/single action (DA/SA).

The examples I posted are DA/SA. This means they can be fired by simply pulling the trigger (a long pull requiring ~8-12 pounds of force), OR by cocking the hammer and then pulling the trigger (a very short pull requiring ~3-5 pounds of force).

The only dual action only revolvers I know of are the "concealed carry" type pocket snubnose revolvers that have no exposed hammer.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

... In a double action revolver I am envisioning a long and heavy trigger pull. Am I wrong?

Depends upon which way you use them....best of both worlds, and you can always shoot 'em just like you do a single action by cocking the hammer. I don't have a SAO (but I do turn a bit green with envy when I see those Colt .45s)...YET.

[Dana Norris]

Single action only is the old cowboy style revolver modern revolvers are single and double action. IE cock the hammer then pull the trigger single action, just pull the trigger is double action. Just my .02

[Porchdog]

I have a variety of revolvers.

I've had a couple Tauruses - I sold them all. Not impressive.

I have several S&W's. I really like the triggers and the accuracy. I don't much like the trigger lock on the newer S&W's, but I'm really fond of the older versions with the pinned barrels and recessed cylinders. Those are always more money. I really like the triggers on my S&Ws.

The Ruger grips don't work well for me. Some friends have the opposite opinion.

I like a 6" barrel on a "working" gun. My 8-3/8" 629 and 7-1/2" Redhawk are slightly more accurate at longer ranges (I believe mostly due to the longer sight radius), but not nearly as handy. You want a shorter barrel for concealed carry but short barrels require good training to be accurate.

The .44 is a pretty big step up from the .357. I enjoy .44's, not everyone does. Plenty of guys don't like .357 from those scandium guns. (my cousin has a scandium .44. It's a handfull, but I like it.)

[nostatic]

I have a 7-shot 686. It works every time.

[72doug2,2S]

I am very happy with my 1873 Charles Daly purchase.

Charles Daly 1873

[MotoSook]

A Ruger Blachawk with 45LC and 45ACP is on my list...no moon disks to shoot 45 ACP...and you can find them for about $600!


Ruger® New Model Blackhawk® Convertible Single-Action Revolver Models

[ledhedsymbols]

I love my S&W 66-3. DA/SA in .357 Magnum. It'll shoot 38s all day long like it's a 22, but it's controllable with anti-satellite rounds. The trigger is the best one I have shot this side of a colt python too. They aren't nearly as expensive as the Colts. The 4" and 6" barrels are much less expensive than the 2 1/2 and especially the 3". Great gun for the money!

[onewhippedpuppy]

So the double action revolvers can still be shot single action by manually cocking the hammer?

[MotoSook]

Yes

So the double action revolvers can still be shot single action by manually cocking the hammer?

[porsche356a]

Great gun... shoots like a dream.



S&W 625JM .45 ACP

[legion]

From a purely functional standpoint, you can't go wrong with most modern revolvers. Taurus is probably the best bang for the buck, but the U.S. manufacturers in general have a better fit and finish.