Revolver....Norm?

[CTUCop]

I find I am in the market for a revolver. The various products/manufacturers ain't what they used to be. But, I'm starting to do firearms safety courses for non-LEOs and I don't have a 6-shooter. I figure if I'm doing the weapons show-and-tell-and-shoot, I need one.

I want a 4" bbl 357mag. What's a good one that won't break the bank? I'll mainly be using 38-spl in it, but as long as I'm buying one, I might as well get a 357.

[frezrbrn]

Smith & Wesson model 686

[basher52]

You cannot go wrong with any Smith & Wesson 38 or 357 magnum. Models 10, 19, 686 all come to mind. All will meet your needs and then some.

[Norm357]

I find I am in the market for a revolver. The various products/manufacturers ain't what they used to be. But, I'm starting to do firearms safety courses for non-LEOs and I don't have a 6-shooter. I figure if I'm doing the weapons show-and-tell-and-shoot, I need one.

I want a 4" bbl 357mag. What's a good one that won't break the bank? I'll mainly be using 38-spl in it, but as long as I'm buying one, I might as well get a 357.

Haunt the gun stores and pawn shops. You should be able to find a nice used Smith 66 or 686 for around 300 bucks. I am also fond of the Taurus line of revolvers. You can find them NIB for the same price as the used Smiths.

My favorite though is the Ruger Security Six. Pure sexyness and built like a tank.;)

[mcsap]

Haunt the gun stores and pawn shops. You should be able to find a nice used Smith 66 or 686 for around 300 bucks. I am also fond of the Taurus line of revolvers. You can find them NIB for the same price as the used Smiths.

My favorite though is the Ruger Security Six. Pure sexyness and built like a tank.;)

My first duty gun was the Ruger Security Six in .357. I am not sure about the sexyness ( but Norm sees things differently than the rest of us , but it was an ACCURATE gun and was built like a tank.

[TX-LEO]

I find I am in the market for a revolver. The various products/manufacturers ain't what they used to be. But, I'm starting to do firearms safety courses for non-LEOs and I don't have a 6-shooter. I figure if I'm doing the weapons show-and-tell-and-shoot, I need one.

I want a 4" bbl 357mag. What's a good one that won't break the bank? I'll mainly be using 38-spl in it, but as long as I'm buying one, I might as well get a 357.

Why 4"? What's wrong with a 2"?

+1 on the M19, I have one. They make it in a 4" but they are not cheap. Ruger makes a good gun called the SP101 too.

[Norm357]

Ruger makes a good gun called the SP101 too.

You don't say.:D

[CTUCop]

Why 4"? What's wrong with a 2"?
.

I used to own a bunch of revolvers. I found most of the 2" bbl models were nice for concealment, but not great for any real distance. I had a Colt Agent 38spl (the matte finish model) that was great. I had a S&W 38spl with a 3"bbl that sucked. Plus, I'm teaching people with little to no gun experience. Shooting a 4"bbl gun accurately is easier than shooting a 2"bbl gun accurately. It's nice to give them a gun that they can shoot decently when they shoot for the first time. It helps them keep their interest. ;)

Other than the Pythons I had in 4 and 6" bbls, I had a nice little 4"bbl Smith mod 19 that I liked. I shot in low-level competitions with that one for a while. I did own a Ruger (don't remember the model) that was pretty nice. there were others, but that's a long list.

But, alas, I went through an ugly, costly divorce and sold almost every gun I owned. The lawyer fees darn near broke me.

There aren't any used Colts left within my price range. I never tried out a Taurus, but I seem to remember them getting panned badly when they first got on the market. I figured they had improved their product since then.

[Puddle Pirate]

You don't say.:D

Sucking in a little, are we? :D

[Darin]

Sucking in a little, are we? :D

I think he's wearing a man girdle. :D :p

[TX-LEO]

I used to own a bunch of revolvers. I found most of the 2" bbl models were nice for concealment, but not great for any real distance. I had a Colt Agent 38spl (the matte finish model) that was great. I had a S&W 38spl with a 3"bbl that sucked. Plus, I'm teaching people with little to no gun experience. Shooting a 4"bbl gun accurately is easier than shooting a 2"bbl gun accurately. It's nice to give them a gun that they can shoot decently when they shoot for the first time. It helps them keep their interest. ;)

Other than the Pythons I had in 4 and 6" bbls, I had a nice little 4"bbl Smith mod 19 that I liked. I shot in low-level competitions with that one for a while. I did own a Ruger (don't remember the model) that was pretty nice. there were others, but that's a long list.

But, alas, I went through an ugly, costly divorce and sold almost every gun I owned. The lawyer fees darn near broke me.

There aren't any used Colts left within my price range. I never tried out a Taurus, but I seem to remember them getting panned badly when they first got on the market. I figured they had improved their product since then.

Understood. However it's not the bbl length that determines accuracy. You can shoot steel plates at 300 yards with a 2" S&W revolver if your good.

The newer Taurus stuff is pretty much on-par with S&W and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, as well as the Ruger's in the same class. If your teaching someone _NEW_, the longer barrel is probably better to help prevent OOPSIES with fingers across the muzzle etc however the 2" bbl' on a S&W 19 is just as accurate as the 4". The sight radius of course does make your error's in sight picture and flinches more pronounced. I would keep a 2" handy, even if its not a S&W so people can see the difference for themselves if they plan to CHL.

[Norm357]

I think he's wearing a man girdle. :D :p

It's called a mirdle. :mad: :D

[ChesCopPodz]

If it's for new shooters I'd go with a 4 inch for recoil control. A 38 special in a snubby can still kick decently depending on the model. Nothing too much for gun people, but I know more than a few new shooters who didn't want to shoot my Colt detective special or S&W 642 after only a couple shots.

The 4 inch barrel takes the 38 special recoil down to a level where new shooters can handle it

IMO people teaching new shooters should have three guns that they teach the student with. A 22lr revolver, the same gun in 38 special, and a 9mm larger frame automatic.

[ChesCopPodz]

And to answer the question, if you want a new 357/38 I'd go with a Ruger GP-100 or a S&W 619, 620, or 686.

Used ones will be cheaper though. All depends on if you care if it's used or not

[CTUCop]

If your teaching someone _NEW_, the longer barrel is probably better to help prevent OOPSIES with fingers across the muzzle etc however the 2" bbl' on a S&W 19 is just as accurate as the 4". The sight radius of course does make your error's in sight picture and flinches more pronounced. I would keep a 2" handy, even if its not a S&W so people can see the difference for themselves if they plan to CHL.

I like suggestions like that. "Uh, Honey, I need to buy two revolvers." :D

If it's for new shooters I'd go with a 4 inch for recoil control. A 38 special in a snubby can still kick decently depending on the model. Nothing too much for gun people, but I know more than a few new shooters who didn't want to shoot my Colt detective special or S&W 642 after only a couple shots.

The 4 inch barrel takes the 38 special recoil down to a level where new shooters can handle it

IMO people teaching new shooters should have three guns that they teach the student with. A 22lr revolver, the same gun in 38 special, and a 9mm larger frame automatic.

This is even better! "Honey- make that three!" :D :D

Actually, I have three Glocks in 40 and a Ruger MIII in .22. I have a broken Springfield XD that for class stuff. Add in a 1911 and a Sig that I can borrow for class, I thought I had a good variety.

So, initially I wanted the revolver more for safety demonstration purposes in the classroom than anything else. But then I thought it'd be good to have one that they could shoot also- hence the 357 which I could use light 38spl loads in.

But, you guys bring up some good points. A 22 revolver would be nice. Also having a 38spl/357 with a 2" bbl would help round out the class nicely.