Recommend a good looking, $700 or less first revolver

[kazaam]

Thoughts? As far as round size...I dont know anything about recolvers. What reasonably sized, yet inexpensive round would you recommend for a first gun/revolver? Pics would be awesome.

Oh yeah, is there such thing as a full sized revolver? I think I like the longer ones better (that's what she said).

 

[IndyGunner]

I'm looking at a S&W 686 plus.

 

[Bartman]

Thoughts? As far as round size...I dont know anything about recolvers. What reasonably sized, yet inexpensive round would you recommend for a first gun/revolver? Pics would be awesome.

Reasonably sized depends on what you're going to do with it. If you're looking for a gun for the range and for home defense, many consider a 4 inch barrel to be a good size for balance, sight radius, and ballistics. If you're going to carry it as an edc, a 3" or 2" might be more concealable. Unless you're going to hunt with it, .357 magnum/.38 special will do everything you need it to. In case you don't know already, a revolver chambered for .357 will also shoot .38s but the reverse is not true. Aside from a .22, .38 special is about as cheap as revolver rounds get. Are you wanting to buy new or used? A lot of new Smith and Wesson might be pushing that $700 envelope. Ruger revolvers will be a bit less expene and their quality control is good, but some don't like the trigger pull as well as the S&W. Taurus is a low cost option, but they do have a reputation for poor quality control. I've never owned one so I can't speak from personal experience.

If used is an option, there are many good quality K frame Smiths for sale at gunbroker and other sites. You can pick up a good condition model 10 or 64 (.38 special) for under $400.

 

[mac45]

I'd stick with a .38/.357, anything else can get pricey to shoot unless you reload, and like Bartman said, there's very little a .357 can't do.
At your price point, I'd take a look at the Ruger GP100. I've got a couple of 'em and I really like 'em.

 

[BigMatt]

.357 is the way to go. You can shoot .38 Specials and get in some cheap range time.

You should look at the Rugers, Smiths and Taurus revolvers. Then when you decide to buy, you should buy a Colt.

Seriously, you can't go wrong with a main brand wheel gun.

 

[seamusalaska]

Go handle a Ruger GP-100. Hard to beat for the price.

 

[kludge]

4" .357 Magnum. Shorter if you want to carry. Longer if you want to hunt.

Get the one that looks good to you.

 

[mrortega]

I have two Rugers; a SP101 and GP100, both .357. I carried the SP a lot until I got into semi-autos. They are good, solid guns. One thing I really like about the Rugers is the cylinder release. It is more natural for me to press than slide like the others.

 

[youngda9]

Get a used 686... -4 or earlier. Best 357s ever made, it will last you a lifetime.

 

[jgreiner]

Get a used 686... -4 or earlier. Best 357s ever made, it will last you a lifetime.

This is true, though I do love a S&W 66

 

[nvb]

taurus 608. 8 shot 357, accurate and a lot of gun for the money

 

[fishbass62]

I wouldn't be afraid to buy a used one. I just purchased a Colt 357 4" lawman from a guy on here for less then your willing to pay. Took it to the range Friday and loved it.

 

[Bapak2ja]

Ruger SP 101 in .357. Excellent weapon. Might want to have a trigger job before you carry it, but it is a solid, reliable, accurate weapon right out of the box. Powerful, too.

 

[nemo97]

Pick up a used S&W model 65 in .357. Accurate, easy to shoot and should be a butter smooth trigger.

 

[pokersamurai]

Pick up a used S&W model 65 in .357. Accurate, easy to shoot and should be a butter smooth trigger.

+1000

The S&W 65, .357 magnum with a 3 inch barrel is possibly the finest carry revolver ever made. If you look hard enough you can easily find great condition ones for well under the $700 the OP stated.

 

[ruger44srh]

Last week I bought a new Rossi .357 SS 6inch barrel at Gander Mountain for $374.00.

 

[ghitch75]

this is my favorite one....only 18oz's S&W 325PD....little more than 700 but if you have a 45ACP your good to go.....

 

[deviljunkie]

id say a ruger gp 100. also my advic is to buy a bigger one rather than a smaller one. it will be easier to shoot

 

[kazaam]

So i'm watching The Walking Dead (NO SPOILERS!) and want a Colt Python. It's beautiful. But I have a feeling it's ridiculously out of my budget. I've heard theyre extremely desirable by collectors.

 

[barrelmaker_2002]

You can get a 7 round S&W 686 plus with a 4 or 6 inch barrel for less than $700. See: Smith & Wesson Revolvers for sale at Buds, S&W