[Lefthanded Shooter]

I tried a couple of searches but nothing jumped out at me so I will risk duplicating by asking for some help regarding purchasing a revolver.

I want to add a revolver to my XD-40 Service. However, I am unsure what to buy. I would appreciate some suggestions from those that would be interested in responding. Please, I do not want to stir up any controversy, but would like to know what others suggest.

I have not made any decision about caliber, so please include that along with brand, model, and other info about what to consider.

TIA for taking time to reply. Always shoot safely and straight.

LS

 

[RobFMJ]

I'm a huge fan of Dan Wesson revolvers, but theyre all but out of production now, so you have to buy used

I've got a 6" .357 Magnum and an 8" .44 Magnum

 

[ORD]

Telling us what you want it for will make this go a lot faster and a whole lot easier (i.e. - Plinking, Targets, Personal/Self Defense/Carry, Hunting, etc.)?

There are literally too many fish in the sea to just throw out suggestions for a revolver without knowing more about what your intended purpose for it will be.

 

[rystineusmc0311]

I say go for a Smith and Wesson revolver in .357 magnum. With a .357 mag you can shoot .38 special for some cheaper practice and then shoot full power .357 mag or .38 +p for self defense.

The model 686 series is a good gun to look at. There's lots of different variations of it, different barrel lengths, different cylinder sizes, etc.

The model 60 is another good one to look at if you're wanting something a little smaller.

Both of those are open hammer revolvers, which I prefer. There are of course a whole bunch of closed hammer models too. And like I said, I like Smiths, others like rugers or taurus. Its up to you.

 

[Lefthanded Shooter]

Thank you for the responses thus far. I appreciate you taking time to make suggestions.

ORD, I do not want to offend you as I value your thoughts. However, I am pretty new to being a handgun owner, and shooter, so I still have some uncertainties. That is why I am interested to know what others like so I can research about them and learn what their capabilities are.

Most of the things you suggested as possible uses are of interest to me, except for hunting which I no longer do.

If my question is too open ended for your to offer more specific suggestions, that is OK. I still appreciate your ideas and you trying to help. BTW, I am a West Virginia that moved to VA, about 25 miles from my home in the eastern panhandle, 40 years ago. However, my heart is still loyal to the Mountain State and "most" of what it stands for. :wink:

LS

 

[Joeywhat]

I say a 4" .357 mag. If you get a smaller framed .357 (like a K frame) you'll get a controllable gun with a decent capacity that is pretty easy to conceal. It'll work for plinking, CC, and would make for a good hunting sidearm.

 

[The DRis]

Ruger GP100. Don't ever just buy a .38 it's a waste of money. If all you want to shoot or mainly shoot buy a .357 anyway. Then you can switch over to .357. Almost like two guns in one.

 

[Broadside]

My first handgun was a S&W 686 357 Mag 6". At the time it was the very best revolver made and for what I used it for the best caliber.

If I had to pick just one handgun of the ones I currently own it would be my S&W 686. S&W now makes a model 627 out of the performance center which holds 8 rounds verses the 6 rounds of the 686. I've shot the 627 its everything you could ever want out of a revolver, action is smooth, accuracy is off the chart.

If I were picking up a new revolver, it would be the 627. You can find them for about $800 - $900 new. Its on the list to purchase next year.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14806&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15714

 

[ORD]

ORD, I do not want to offend you as I value your thoughts. However, I am pretty new to being a handgun owner, and shooter, so I still have some uncertainties. That is why I am interested to know what others like so I can research about them and learn what their capabilities are.
LS

Hey man...no offense taken whatsoever. I was just wondering if you had some use in mind because it doesn't do you a lot of good if you are looking for a SD revolver and someone recommends a S&W 500 Mag!!

I tend to agree with most of the other posters about a 4" or 6" Smith of some variety. I have a 586 4" that I have owned for 20+ years now. It was one of my first revolvers and I'll never get rid of it. Beautiful blueing, great sights, great balance and very good accuracy out to 50 yards with just about anything you want to feed it. The 686 is the same pistol, but in stainless steel instead of blued.

If you want to spend the money, it is hard to beat a Colt Python 4". These are just some of the best revolvers ever made IMHO.

Those are probably your two best bets in terms of all-around good target, home defense...even competition revolvers.

The new line of S&W Night Guard pistols also show a lot of promise. You might dig up S&W's site and take a look around. Anything you get from Smith will be an excellent product. I'd stay clear of the J-frame (small frame) revolvers for now. Stick with the K-frame and the L-frame revolvers.

As for your move south to VA...let me guess...Winchester? I get over to the E. Panhandle fairly often. I have some good friends over that way, including some that live in WV and drive over to Winchester for work.

Good luck and God bless...

 

[Polymerhead]

Yup, I figure a 4" 686 is just about perfect for a general-use gun. Long enough/heavy enough to shoot accurately without too much recoil. Stainless for low maintenance. Able to shoot everything from a 148 gr Black Hills wadcutter in 38 Spl that won't recoil at all, all the way through to the toughest 357 mags. 38 special high velocity rounds would make for a great personal defense round that even the wife/kids can shoot with authority. It's a great range/backpacking/truck or car gun.

If you're looking to carry concealed, that's a completely different animal and about the only task the 686 isn't up to.

 

[Cuda66]

I'd suggest, for general use, plinking with possible defensive set-up, that the .357 suggestions are right on the spot, in either 4" or 6" barrel. I'd also opt for stainless, partially for ease of care, partially for esthetics (I have a thing for stainless revolvers...).

My first choice would be the Ruger GP-100 (currently, my only .357), with my second choice being a S&W 686. The GP seems to fit my hand better than the 686; however, the 686 has a much nicer trigger. I also like that the GP is built like a tank. If I was to buy a 686, I would look for a pre-lock model. It's a personal choice; I just don't care for them.

Pythons are nice, but, as mentioned earlier, very, very pricy. I used to have one, and somewhat regret getting rid of it, but not so much I'm actively looking to replace it.

I also used to have a Taurus Tracker...it was a decent pistol for the price (I paid $250 for it used, iirc), but I simply cannot understand why Taurus thought it was necessary to port a 4" .357...all it did was make it louder.

These are all double-action revolvers--in single action, a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 is pretty much everything I'd look for...accurate, a good trigger, adjustable sights, and utterly bombproof. Grat for a woods gun, or plinking, but I would not make a single-action revolver my first choice for a possible defensive weapon.

Hope this helps a bit...

 

[ichy_trigger]

S&W makes some nice revolvers but dont overlook the Ruger GP-100. I have both brands and I will say that my Ruger shoots incredible groups and is built like a tank.

 

[mullarz]

I am a big fan of my Taurus 617. Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

7 shot of .357/38 in a compact revolver and the trigger is smother than on my S&W 642. Mine has the bobbed hammer and is ported great shooter even with mag loads.

Too bad I lost all of my guns in that boating accident last year. I sure miss them.

 

[danp]

Everyone needs at least one single-action revolver. I'd go for a Ruger Blackhawk in .44mag. You can shoot .44spl in it (just like the whole .38/.357 thing) plus you get to tell your friends that you have a .44 Magnum.

 

[mullarz]

Everyone needs at least one single-action revolver. I'd go for a Ruger Blackhawk in .44mag. You can shoot .44spl in it (just like the whole .38/.357 thing) plus you get to tell your friends that you have a .44 Magnum.

Not to mention that great Click, Click, Click of the action, almost as good as hearing a leveraction 30-30 at work.

 

[Tard]

For carry, a Ruger SP101.
Very slick.


For fun, I mean FUN, get a Ruger Redhawk in .44 mag.
It also shoots .44 special.
Get the 7-1/2" barrel in SS.

Real Answer: go to a good gun store and see what fits in your hands the best.

 

[jmichna]

S&W 686 4" for the many reasons stated by the other proponents. Fun to shoot, very accurate both in single action and double action, not too big (if your hand size is a concern), not too heavy, plenty of weapon but definitely manageable. If you don't mind spending a little extra, there is a 686+ model that is seven-shot.

In addition to the 686, I would also consider the Model 19, which would give you a smaller frame .357mag, and the Model 60 as mentioned by other posters above.

Try 'em all out... see what fits your hand and your eye, and what you like best.

I have:
S&W Model 10 4" nickel pinned barrel, .38spl
S&W Model 64 4" stainless, .38spl (being sold)
S&W Model 686 4" stainless, .357mag
S&W Model 29 6.5" blued, .44mag

If I came across a nice, used Model 19 at a reasonable price, I'd snap it up in an instant!

 

[scooterj]

If you want to compliment your XD40, you must look at the S&W 610.

6.5" stainless 10mm N-frame. It uses moonclips to achieve propper headspacing so you can shoot 40S&W with no problem. In the event you would like to try hunting again, load it up with 10mm and you are ready to go.

BTW, my 610 has never fired a 10mm, but it has fired over 10,000 40's.

 

[fishngrits]

Ruger GP-100.

 

[jmichna]

Model 10

Model 64

Model 686

Model 29