Revolver advice

[Mackerel-Snapper]

I've finally decided to buy a revolver to go along with my CZ's, SIG's and assorted other semi-autos. Strictly a range gun. $600 is my budget.

I want a .357, 4-6" inch barrel, adjustable sights, prefer stainless.

The Ruger GP-100 series feels great in my hand, the price is right.

My question is: what else should I consider among used and new S&W, Colt's, etc?

[n-1911-TERRY]

Thr GP-100 is all you need to consider.

[Walt-Sherrill]

And you really don't have to buy new -- as Ruger is very good about honoring the Ruger warranty on guns that are used.  You can buy a lot of used GP-100 for way below $600.

[DWARREN123]

I love mine!!!

[Grendel]

For the money, you won't do better than a GP100

[jwc007]

Were I buying new, I would also go with the GP100.

For Used, again the GP100 but also consider the older Ruger Security Six, Colt King Cobra or Colt Trooper, provided prices are not out of line.  (Some dealers consider any Colt Revolver to be Collectible and want a Premium over Book Value.)

[mbott]

Quote:(Some dealers consider any Colt Revolver to be Collectible and want a Premium over Book Value.)

Unless you want to sell one to them.  

To keep this on topic, I'll echo what's been said already.  The Ruger GP100 is hard to beat along with the Colt Trooper.  My Trooper is on my "never to sell" list.

--
Mike

[verbaltharhino]

I'm a Taurus fan, too, but given the price range you have, there's no real reason to NOT get the Ruger.  I consider the Taurus more of a good economy revolver for those on a smaller budget.

[Golddogman]

The Rugers are crude looking next to Smiths, and their out-of-the-box triggers are usually inferior to S&W's. However, they're less expensive, their triggers can be 'smithed, and they're apparently quite reliable.

Since Colt is essentially out of the revolver business, it's hard to find parts for some of their guns. Their DA pulls don't approach those of S&W.

Taurus' quality control makes their guns a gamble, and resale value doesn't compete with the others.

I've shot lots of Colts, a few Rugers, and a couple of Taurus revolvers. But I've owned over a hundred Smiths and wouldn't trade one of them for all the others.

[Walt-Sherrill]

The COLT Python double-action triggers not only approach the S&W, they are arguably better.  Some of the King Cobras are also quite good.  Shop around andyou MIGHT find a Python in the $600 price range, but be prepared to look for a while.

S&W triggers, otherwise, are quite good, but a friend bought a Performance Center 625, recently, that was horrible.  He was really perplexed.  

I have no experience with the Ruger handguns, but know from firends who have them that they can be 'smithed quite easily.  But that's true of nearly any revolver quality, however.

I think the Rugers *MIGHT* be more robust than the S&W with a full diet of +P or hot ammo.

The Security Six can be found quite inexpensively and are surprisingly good guns.  But not exciting.  The GP100 appears to be an excellent choice, but I'd look for a used one.

[jwc007]

Quote:My Trooper is on my "never to sell" list.

Same here with my Colt King Cobra, Colt MkV Trooper, and Ruger Speed Six!


Ruger Speed Six, Colt MkV Trooper, Colt King Cobra

[Golddogman]

Pythons are fine pieces of machinery, but the four or five I've shot all had that distinct Colt "stacking" DA trigger, which I found less manageable than the Smith pull.

But maybe my years of experience with Smiths has habituated me to them.

[Otto N Sure]

Howdy!

I wouldn't dismiss Taurus out of hand.  You can get an excellent Taurus in the caliber and barrel length you want and then have some money left over to buy a bunch of practise ammo!(or save up for another CZ!!)

My first carry gun was a Taurus Model 85 in stainless steel.  I paid something like $200 for it and it's a darn fine revolver to toss in your jacket pocket, etc.

Otto N. Sure

[Walt-Sherrill]

Taurii are, in effect, S&W clones.  And, as you say, some are pretty bleeped nice.

[reload4me2]

The first revolver I bought was a Ruger SP 101, great gun and built solidly.  The next revolver was a Smith and Wesson - now some 7 Smith and wesson guns later, I have not purchased another Ruger (I have shot a few GP 100s).  I like to shoot DA and the Smith's trigger pull can be brought down quite a bit more than the Ruger; I find I am quicker with the Smiths.  Reloading seems more natural to me wth the shape and movement of the thumbpiece on a S&W as opposed to the push button on the Ruger.  I find disassembly of the Smiths easier as well.  I am not a lover of the integral lock in the newer Smiths however.

  I am not knocking Ruger, just a Smith fan.  

  My vote given your restrictions - S&W 686 - used without the integral lock