Good Modern Revolvers?

[MotoSook]

Here you...for about $505, new Blackhawk 45/45. Scroll down for in stock prices.


Ruger Blackhawk Single Action Revolvers .45LC/.45ACP 5.5" barrel 6 Rnds - $461.70 | Slickguns

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

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

Just to clear up a bit of confusion over the proper nomenclature for various revolver action types:

"Single action" means there is only one way to cock and fire the revolver. The most common version of this is the old Colt Peacemaker or newer Ruger Blackhawk. With these, one must manually cock the hammer with the thumb before pulling the trigger. Simply pulling the trigger will not fire the gun.

The other single action (and this is where the confusion starts) is a trigger cocking action, often (quite mistakenly) referred to as a "double action" trigger pull. Hammerless revolvers (those with bobbed or shrouded hammers) that cannot be cocked with the thumb are single action, trigger cocking revolvers.

"Double action" means there are two ways to fire the gun - cock the hammer with your thumb before pulling the trigger, or utilizing the trigger cocking stroke of the trigger to pull the hammer back, cock the piece, and fire all in one long stroke. Two distinctly different ways to fire the same gun - "double action".

So, that out of the way, we see that modern "double action" revolvers will, in fact, fire both ways - a long pull of the trigger starting with the hammer down, or by cocking the hammer first. It is worth noting that the vast majority of shots fired with these find them being cocked first. Most folks don't use the trigger cocking mode very often. It may be an advantage in a "close encounter of the felonious kind", but it makes it very difficult to aim precisely at any sort of distance.

So, in practical terms, there isn't much difference in that regard between an old style single action Colt or Blackhawk and a newer double action Smith, Ruger, or whatever. The double action is quicker to load and unload due to its swing-out cylinder. Few of us will ever need that advantage, however.

Which leads me to my standing recommendation - try a modern single action. Ruger Blackhawks are as cheap as any modern revolver comes, absolutely indestructible, and as accurate as any of us can hold. They come in stainless or blued, with barrel lengths from 4 3/4" to 7 1/2", and in calibers from .32 to .357 Mag /.38 Special, .44 Special/Mag, and .45 Colt. You can get adjustable sights (Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk) or fixed sights (Vaquero), and two choices in grips - the standard Peacemaker style, or the larger "Bisley" style.

For a "fun gun" used at the range and in the gravel pit, they are pretty tough to beat. They are fantastic companions any time in the outdoors, and not a bad choice in the night stand, either.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I gotta say, of those posted I seriously dig the S&Ws like the 686. Any comments on .357/.38 Special vs .44 vs .45? I have a 1911 but suspect the revolver experience in a .45 would be different.

[Jeff Higgins]

Unless you have a real need for the larger bores (.44 and .45), stick with the .357/.38. It will be far cheaper to shoot and ammo is available in far greater variety.

.45 caliber revolvers are indeed a far different "experience" than .45 caliber autos. Unless, of course, you choose one of the many fine revolvers available in .45 ACP. The Blackhawk convertibles like MotoSook links above are tough to beat. S&W has a very nice double action in .45 ACP as well. These will all be as easy and inexpensive to feed as your run of the mill .45 ACP autoloader.

Where the ".45 experience" starts to differ significantly is when we get to the one and only true .45 caliber revolver cartridge - the old .45 Colt. This caliber is not well supported in the shooting industry, with a pretty slim selection of loads that also tend to be quite expensive - even when compared to .44 caliber stuff.

On the one end of the spectrum, we have the very meek and mild "Cowboy" loads, meant for Cowboy Action shooting. Recoil is a factor in this game as far as recovery and speed, so these loads are toned down to mitigate that. To a degree that they are all but useless for any "real world" application.

In the middle ground, there are century old loads from Remington, Winchester, and others - a 250 grain lead semi-pointed bullet at about 850 fps. These are great loads and will do anything you really need a handgun to do, but they are much more expensive (and sometimes harder to find) than .38 or .44 Specials.

Next up are the rock 'em sock 'em, high pressure, heavy bullet hunting loads that make the mighty .44 magnum look like a pipsqueak. These are not for the feint of heart (or wallet). Purely hunting fodder, but they really expand the usefulness of the .45 caliber revolver - assuming it can handle them. Most can't. These are for Ruger Blackhawks only - no Smiths or Colts need apply.

In the end, a .45 Colt revolver is more of a handloader's proposition than the more common .38 and .44 calibers. Even then, however, there are several nuances that one must be aware of to successfully load for a .45 Colt - there are several different "standard" bore diameters as well as cylinder mouth diameters, and they are not always optimally matched on the same gun. Accuracy can be a challenge, as can be leading, with these often miss-matched dimensions. This is all far more difficult to sort out in a .45 than in the .38's and .44's, which have only one set of industry standard dimensions.

Whichever revolver you decide upon in the end, if it's available in .45 caliber, it's also available in .38 and .44. Unless you have some compelling reason to go with .45, do yourself a favor and stick with .38 or .44. Your life will be much simpler.

[HardDrive]

Everyone has their taste, but .357 is as large as like to go for pleasure shooting. A .44 doesn't just chew up your hand, your shoulder hurts after a while. It really is a hand cannon.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Everyone has their taste, but .357 is as large as like to go for pleasure shooting. A .44 doesn't just chew up your hand, your shoulder hurts after a while. It really is a hand cannon.

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...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks Jeff. I don't plan on disabling any vehicles by taking out the engine block, so I'll stick with .357/.38.

[aschen]

I have identical s&w revolvers in .357 mag and 44 mag. I really like the smith wheel guns. The 44 is huge a has a lot of recoil. Its hard to be accurate with. 357 is definitely more versatile but the bigger gun is more of a fun novelity. I think the rugers are fine too but went quite to the smith quality level

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I gotta say, of those posted I seriously dig the S&Ws like the 686. Any comments on .357/.38 Special vs .44 vs .45? I have a 1911 but suspect the revolver experience in a .45 would be different.

Just wait till you shoot one

For your price range I think the 686 or a GP100 is what you are looking for. I have not shot the S & W 66-3 but it looks equally awesome. Go to a local indoor range that rents and shoot them all. they are of a quality you would appreciate and shoot amazingly well. My son Zack is now 16. With all the cool modern guns available guess which one is his absolute favorite...the one I got him for his 15th birthday that he still likes to clean just for the heck of it...it's his 4" 686 pre-dash stainless with rubber hogue grips. For this coming Christmas he's getting some custom wood grips that he has been wanting since day one.

The .45 is a pussycat next to the magnum 44. My 14 yr daughter can shoot .38 all day long with the 686. Zack prefers the .357 - all day. With these larger frame wheel guns it's all very easy next to the semi-auto modern handguns.

[ledhedsymbols]

The model 66 hasn't been made in a few years, so that one would be a used only proposition. I can't recall off hand what model it is, but there is the same revolver in a blued finish too.

[masraum]

My next gun is a S&W Model 27 or maybe 28 w/6" barrel in nickel.

I want one just like this

[futuresoptions]

Model 28 Blued, 686 stainless... close thread...

[ledhedsymbols]

Looked it up, it's the Model 19.

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

Looked it up, it's the Model 19.

FYI, I was merely stating my suggestions for a modern revolver based on the blued/stainless models. Not on what was being discussed at the time....

[aigel]

I'd get a good used S&W 686 pre-lock with the factory hogue grips. It will always be worth what you paid for it. I think you can still get a nice one in your price range. I would NOT buy new to avoid the lock ...

The Rugers are a good bang for the buck, but they are a bit stout. Not terribly elegant looking, IMHO.

What's nice on the 686 is the lug under the barrel. Makes for a nice even look.

G

[futuresoptions]

Just trying to accomplish a Lubey here... doubt that I will be successful...

[Bill Douglas]

The 686 is a fantastic gun, sooo accurate.

This one is similar. It's a highway Patrolman (model 28).

[futuresoptions]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

The 686 is a fantastic gun, sooo accurate.

This one is similar. It's a highway Patrolman (model 28).

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...

[ledhedsymbols]

I am not going to debate the quality of the folks talking up the 686. I have shot a couple and they are fantastic pistols. You can't really go wrong with any of the various S&W .357s. I only submit in my opinion that the S&W K-Frame revolvers are superior in their handling ability. The frame is plenty large to support the .357 Magnum loads, but is easier to carry, holster and shoot IMO. Regardless, I can't stress enough that a good condition S&W of any flavor is an excellent choice. Stay away from the Taurus Junk unless you feel like you are somehow compelled. I'm not really a fan of the Ruger revolvers, but I would take one any day over the Taurus.

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?

[weseeeee]

I've only owned S&W revolvers and they have all been great pistols. I've always liked the Rugers but never really had a reason to buy one. I agree with Jeff regarding the 357/38 being a good caliber if you just want to target shoot or use it for self defense. I'm on a range most weeks and I've shot a few .44 mags and a 45. They were interesting but I didn't enjoy them...too much recoil for me.