Good first revolver?

[OMGK20]

Im looking to pick up my first Revolver I was leaning towards a .38 Caliber the Revolver that was recommended to me was the S&W Bodyguard, Does anyone have any experience with them? Or any other suggestion's I can look into?

Thanks!

[HookedOn16v]

Get a .357 and run .38s if that's your preferred initial load. That way you don't have to buy a second revolver simply to run the magnum round. (obviously this flies in the face of buying more guns, but it makes more sense )



Buy once, run both.

[1lojet1281]

we need to know what purpose this revolver will serve to know which one will best suit your needs, for concealed carry a bodyguard is a good choice but its one of the worst if you plan on mostly using it on the range since it is a double action only. in general, smiths are great revolvers. J frames are great for concealed carry, K frames are better for target/plinking duty. the new smiths are ok but I look for the older ones that still had hand fitted parts and triggers like glass.

[OMGK20]

good point sorry, I was sort of looking for one to do both...as a concealed carry and to go to the range with. If I were to go 357 route what would you guys suggest?

[1lojet1281]

S&W mod 19 is the perfect balance between carry and accuracy in a 357 wheel gun IMO. They are out of production so you have to find them used if you are not stuck on 357 any k frame with a barrel under 4" would suit you well for plinking and cc.

[speaker]

Get a .357 and run .38s if that's your preferred initial load. That way you don't have to buy a second revolver simply to run the magnum round. (obviously this flies in the face of buying more guns, but it makes more sense )

Buy once, run both.

S&W mod 19 is the perfect balance between carry and accuracy in a 357 wheel gun IMO. They are out of production so you have to find them used if you are not stuck on 357 any k frame with a barrel under 4" would suit you well for plinking and cc.

The Model 19 is a wonderful revolver. I still regret selling mine in 2.5" for reasons that make no sense now. I am looking for another K-frame S&W in .357.

However, Model 19's are getting tough but not impossible to find. You can add a few more to increase your chances. There is the Model 66 (stainless version of Model 66), the Model 13 (w/ unshrouded barrel), and the Model 65 (stainless version of the Model 13). I've been hunting for a Model 13 3" for years. That was the 1980's FBI issue and might be the perfect S&W .357 wheelgun.

Much, much easier to find are the Ruger SP101 and Security Six. I am not a Ruger guy but these are great revolvers and well worth looking at. Same for the Colt Trooper & Lawman.

[gotta_jet]

A j-frame sized gun will not be that fun to shoot, and will probably discourage you from practicing as much as you need to.

Unless you're camping/backpacking, don't let your decision rest entirely on being able to fire .357, either. The only time you'll ever shoot .357 is 10 rounds when you first get the gun, and maybe another 5-6 when a friend asks to shoot it.

[Visheau]

ruger gp100

do it, do it

[Cabrio60]

Definitely going to suggest the Ruger SP101 in .357 or the GP100 in the same caliber. I personally am itching for an older Ruger Service Six (the GP100 predecessor.)

[HighFructoseCornSyrp]

Speer gold dots do admirably out of a j frame. No need for 357 IMO.

I'd get a j frame with a shrouded hammer. That way you can shoot it single action as well as double, but still have a no snag design. They run about $350 brand new.

[Señor Peligro]

Ruger SP101 for carry/range duty, if size isn't a factor Ruger GP100 or Smith 686

[HighFructoseCornSyrp]

Definitely going to suggest the Ruger SP101 in .357 or the GP100 in the same caliber. I personally am itching for an older Ruger Service Six (the GP100 predecessor.)

Ive got a security six. I'm very pleased with it. Very tough gun and not too bad w 357s at all. It has magnum loads in it now, but I'll probably stoke it w Speer gold dot 38s the next time around. They really know what they're doing w their ammo...

[personman]

Definitely going to suggest the Ruger SP101 in .357 or the GP100 in the same caliber. I personally am itching for an older Ruger Service Six (the GP100 predecessor.)

Ive got a security six. I'm very pleased with it. Very tough gun and not too bad w 357s at all. It has magnum loads in it now, but I'll probably stoke it w Speer gold dot 38s the next time around. They really know what they're doing w their ammo...

Every time someone talks revolvers I have to comment on how much I love my service six. They'll eat hot magnum loads all day long and still lock up tight every time. It's also one of the most natural pointing revolvers I've ever shot. I prefer the low sights of the service or speed sixes to the security six, but they're all great guns. I'm actually searching for a short barrel .357 speed six at the moment.

[OMGK20]

ruger gp100

do it, do it

The gp100 is beautiful, 3" or 4" barrel ?

[Señor Peligro]

The gp100 is beautiful, 3" or 4" barrel ?

I like the 4" (that's what she said) but the GP is a bit of a large marge for carry. Great gun though.

[hrama803]

This was given to my by a good friend.

it was my first revolver.

[crazysimi]

ruger gp100

do it, do it

shot my buddies over the weekend with a 6" barrel, What a nice easy shooting gun, love it and want to add one to the collection now

[VDubby18]

My favorite .357 is my S&W 586. Yep, give me blued over the stainless 686 any day.

[winstonsmith84]

I've got a 2" K Frame. I'm a big guy, but I fell like I'm carrying a cannon if I CC that thing. Great otherwise.

[Tinker Toy]

I will submit a somewhat contrary view and suggest a Ruger Single Six 22 or else a Heritage Rough Rider 22 with the 22 LR and 22 WMR (Magnum) cylinders for about half the price of the Ruger. I suggest either with the 6-1/2 inch barrel. You can shoot a 22 LR all day for little money and the magnum will be an alternative to give you some variety. Later you can move on from the 22. Who would want only one gun? After all, was this not a request for a first handgun suggestion?

[DonL]

I'll only back up what others have said.

Medium-ish frame .357. GP100, an early Ruger Security/Speed/Service-Six, or a Smith Model 19, Model 66 (one of my personal all-time favorite wheelguns), Model 586, Model 686. The K-frame Smiths are a great, especially if you're going to carry. Slightly more slender, and you can get a 2-1/2 inch barrel with a round-butt grip. An alternative in a, "medium" frame that's easier to carry, the SP101 is a solid choice, but holds five rounds, if that makes a difference to you.

You can rip through boxes of .357 with little fanfare, or go with .38 Spl for a very comfortable powder-puff piece.

I own a factory custom Smith 442 now, and I'm putting it on the block. It's a nice carry piece, but there are others that are also concealable (Yes, I have a permit.) but way more comfortable to shoot. I want something I can spend a good amount of time on the range with, and a lightweight alloy frame snubnose is not an optimum piece for that.

[speaker]

I'll only back up what others have said.

Medium-ish frame .357. GP100, an early Ruger Security/Speed/Service-Six, or a Smith Model 19, Model 66 (one of my personal all-time favorite wheelguns), Model 586, Model 686. The K-frame Smiths are a great, especially if you're going to carry.

I have a 686 6.5", my first revolver and the last gun I would ever sell off. I am not a fan of them in shorter barrel lengths though. They don't balance well (to me) whereas the 6.5" seems perfect all around. I have another in 2.5", a Lew Horton version, and it is graceless. The K-frames however, start out great with the 2.5" and get even better as barrel length increases.

[VEEDUB_FAZEVR6]

I bought a Ruger sp101 (2.25" barrel) chambered in .357 & love it.

Thats my primary carry right now (rotate between the SP101 & my Glock 27).

FYI: I carry 2 speed loaders when carrying the SP101 & have practiced using them.

The Bridgeport shooting range also offers a SNUB NOSE tactical training course too. I havent gone yet, but they need X amount of people so sign up to start the class. The NRA instructor there said they do it once every 6 months.

[Obin Robinson]

For a first revolver get a Ruger GP100 or SP101. In .357 Magnum these guns shoot like a dream.

obin

[1stRabbit]

For a first revolver get a Ruger GP100 or SP101. In .357 Magnum these guns shoot like a dream.

obin

I agree with Obin and i've got a Ruger GP100 6" Stainless as my first ever gun. It's an amazingly fun gun to shoot and extremely accurate. You can shoot magnum or .38/.38+P loads out of it... I only really shoot magnum loads though (I reload and the costs are negligible). The gun is built like a tank and very simple to clean and operate... looks nice too .

If you have a medium sized hand it's really the perfect frame size. In trying out a Super Redhawk and I realized just how much bigger the 44 Magnum is and how perfect the size of the GP100 is. Go to a gun store and hold a few. If you are looking at S&W also check out Taurus... They feel almost identical.