Recommend a wheel spoon?
 

Still have a few $$ in my Christmas fund.
Always wanted a.357 revolver (4 or 6 inch).
Budget is ~$500-$600
I think Ruger is the best bet, any suggestions?

A second hand S&W 686. Possibly the the best wheel gun ever.

3” 686P

It’s a seven shot! handy if the bad guy is counting to six

Seriously, there is no debate in my mind. I would need to drug my wife to buy it. Not worth me setting fire to love and trust. :)

I'd vote S&W model 66. But the 686 ain't bad if you can't find a 66.

Done. I compared the Smith and Ruger before buying, no comparison. In this case you get what you pay for. I have a 686+ in 6”, and I have since bought my son a 686+ in 4”

There is a S&W performance center floating around, makes me drool but too much $$$

Want to take it to the range so 4" is a minimum.

No love for the GP100 or SP101?

I have heard of the 686 but see some different models 58? 19-3?

Nope... there is no comparison. S&W 66 is my choice.

Been a few years since I bought a spoon, I hear you have to get a security check (I passed one for work a few years ago). What else, a kidney? Vash (one of us Kalif spoon lovers)?

No. You have to take a test for a gun safety card. Cost $25 IIRC at any gun shop.

If your not riding to the gun shop in a tiny 3-rows of seats school bus, you can take the test cold and pass. Most of the questions are common sense. I took 10 minutes and read the study guide online just in case something changed. Btw, I aced it

Then just buy a gun. Pay for it, pay for a bunch of fees, wait ten days, pick up gun. You should really look at the authorized list of guns we can by here in this beautifull weather state before you get your heart set in a gun. It might be forbidden in this land of hot women and great real estate. (sorry I’m bitter I can’t buy a Ruger Mark-4)

Google; Roster of handguns certified for sale.

It takes you to the dept of justice in CA.

Edit: you cannot buy the 3” barrel 7-shot 686 here in CA. Looks like the 4” is gtg

Really?! Wow.....

I love mine....I think they offer a solid option for the money.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513734735.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1513734768.jpg

Do not feel bad about the Ruger. It is an excellent pistol for the price. They install Hogue grips as standard, or used to.

Check CalGuns forum for a used 686 4". Don't be surprised to find it similar in price to a new one. I g o t my son a pre-dash 6 shooter for $600 about 4 years ago. Wonderful piece of hardware

While I love my Ruger single actions, their double actions kind of leave me cold. Hell for stout, accurate as can be, but the roughest actions and heaviest triggers I have ever experienced. My vote would be for a Smith Model 19 or 66. Or, if it is just going to be a range gun and plinker, take a good look at a Ruger single action. The .357 is available in the smaller size original "flat top" frame. A real joy to shoot, and it won't come anywhere near to what you have to spend.

686+ 6 inch

I have one, it’s perfect.

If anyone has any fear or questions about buying a firearm in California you can PM me for help. I do not work in the firearms biz but have bought and sold a couple of handfuls.

I'm looking at buying a SW K frame or two for CCW usage. Some stupid reason I want a matched pair with consecutive serial numbers. Mine would be snubnosed Blued and with a traditional hammer in 38 special

For a big bore gun I wouldn't mind a Cowboy 4 3/4 Barrel in 45 Long Colt.

SW 19 K frame is not stout enough to handle full house 357.

Get the SW 686 or 586 in 6 or 4 inch. Preferably one starting with the A prefix SN. They are available for around 7 in excellent used condition.

yes, Wish that they would make one in 9mm which is greater in power than the 38 special +P

Dr. Higgins caused me to fall in love with the .45 LC. Ruger, I think. I don't have one yet, but it's just a matter of time.

And I don't know much about spoons, but I do know the reason why Smiths are preferred. A friend's Model 19 .357 has the best action I have ever experienced in a handgun. In double action mode, it is smooth as butta'. In single action mode it is really nice trigger pull. Smith makes the best wheel spoons. My most recent purchase is a Smith 442. Black hammerless 'airweight' J-frame .38. Handy little pocket spoon.

That said, as I mentioned, I am jonesing for a Ruger .45 LC. Rugers are good guns. I think Dr. Higgins is suggesting you check out the .357 version of the Ruger LC I would like.