markyj987 Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I haven't been on for a while, but my wife and I are considering purchasing a handgun for plinking and home protection. The gunsmith at our local Gander Mountain recommended a 38/357. Seeing as I've never been led astray on the forums, I thought I'd throw this out there. Is a 38/357 the way to go? If not, what else do you suggest? Also--any recommended reading? I'm a total novice and don't understand the difference between a revolver that costs $400 and one that costs $1,100. I cannot justify spending an arm and a leg but am not married to any particular price range. There is an indoor range nearby and I'm thinking about going there today and renting on of theirs--they have a Taurus 605 and a Smith & Wesson 686. Are either of these good starting points? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I've got to admit that this is the first instance where some gunsmith at a Gander Mountain got it right... A 4-6" barreled mid size frame (such as the 686) 357 mag is a perfect starter revolver. You can become aquainted with it using lower powered 38 Special ammo then when you're comfortable you can climb up the power scale to full house magnum ammo. hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted April 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 The reason I listed those two models is because those are the two 357s available for rent at the range. Any other similar models I should look at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I wouldn't look any further than the Smith. You'll hear arguments for Roogers, Taurus or maybe even Rossi but there's a reason Smiths are so popular. hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaCoyote Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 Smith are awesome but Rugers are as well. I wouldn't buy a Taurus or a Rossi when there are far superior guns to be had at pretty reasonable prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 (edited) If you're betting your life on it get a good quality revolver. The S&W is the best. The 686 may be a bit large for your wife's hands. If it is go to the model 60 with a 6 inch barrel. You'll find the 6 inch barrel the most shootable as long as you won't carry concealed. The revolver is the best to start with it's the safest and most reliable in the hands of a beginniner and won't be fussy as to what ammo you feed it or how you hold it (you can get an auto loader to malfunction just by holding it too gently). It always goes bang when you pull the trigger. Practice with 38's and use 357's for defense. The 357 is one of the old standby's they compare new cartridges to when they develop new cartridges for defense so it's always a good choice. My daughter-in-law "Girl" carries a 3 inch model 60 that her husband "Boy" got her and loves it. (They gave each other those nicknames why I'll never know) Mark Edited April 11, 2009 by m gardner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 I've got to admit that this is the first instance where some gunsmith at a Gander Mountain got it right... A 4-6" barreled mid size frame (such as the 686) 357 mag is a perfect starter revolver. You can become aquainted with it using lower powered 38 Special ammo then when you're comfortable you can climb up the power scale to full house magnum ammo. hangunnr What he said! I own a 686 with a 4" barrel, love it! If the wife or daughter want to shoot it Ill throw in the 38's. But if your wife will be shooting it more you might want to look into the LadySmith line of guns S&W has! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Country Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 The Smith & Wesson's are great guns, but I would consider the Ruger revolvers as well. The GP100 with either a 4" or 6" barrel is a great home defense revolver... My personal favorite is the SP101 in .357...small enough to carry concealed...yet still shootable, even with good defensive loads...125 grain JHPs at 1400 ft/s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut10 Posted April 12, 2009 Report Share Posted April 12, 2009 --they have a Taurus 605 and a Smith & Wesson 686. Are either of these good starting points? I would lean toward the 605 sized gun over the 686. I've always liked the Taurus 605. Nice combination of size, power and economics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted April 15, 2009 Report Share Posted April 15, 2009 I would give the nod to A Smith or a Ruger, but a Taurus would not be out of the question, either. I think the .357 is a great place to start, for the reasons above. I carry Glock during the day, but when I get home, it goes in the safe and the Ruger GP 100 comes out to stand vigil with me over my family. I have explicit faith in the revolver. I have faith in the Glock, but not always the ammo. Even premium ammo is sometimes suspect to me. Revolvers don't care, they just work. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2009 We still haven't decided, but I looked at a Ruger GP100 today (4") and loved the feel of it--tomorrow we're going to go shoot some and see what we like. The price I saw for it was $565 so I need to research that too. FUN FUN! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted April 23, 2009 Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 ive got a Smith, Ruger and a Kimber. they all shoot great, but it just depends on what you want. you might even look at a dare i say it 9mm semi auto? take your time, its a buyers market and wait until you find what will work for you. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markyj987 Posted April 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2009 I finally got to go out and shoot a couple different firearms. I can't remember exactly which ones they were, but they were sall S&W--a 9mm, a small-frame 357, and a medium-frame 357 with a 4" barrel. I found the last of these the most comfortable to shoot, but liked the balance of the Ruger GP100 better, even though I couldn't find a firearms dealer that had them available for rent on their range. In a way, I took a gamble and ordered the GP100 without ever having shot it. Once I get it in a week or so, I'll shoot it and report back how it went. Honestly, having handled both, I also could not see where the Smith was $200 better than the Ruger anyway. (Not to mention, the boss wasn't thrilled at the price of the Ruger to begin with...LOL) I did not like the 9mm I shot, even though they told me it was their best-seller. Despite being a S&W, it felt cheap to me. Once I get more experience or into a handgun league, I may get a 9mm as well--and it would probably also be a better conceal & carry firearm if we ever get C&C in Wisconsin. I think part of why I'm gun-shy about a 9mm (note the pun) was that my .22 semi-auto rifle has given me all kinds of problems. I know it's a completely different animal, but the beautiful simplicity of a revolver seems like the way to go for now--or at least until I'm done being mad about my .22. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.