Recommend a good looking, $700 or less first revolver

[ChalupaCabras]

A 4" Ruger GP100 would be near the top of my list.

 

[malern28us]

There is a reason that Ruger revolvers are often sought out to shoot extremely HOT loads, they are literally tanks that can take abuse that would destroy lesser revolvers.

 

[45lcrevolver]

Gp100 or sp101 in a 4inch. Or if you can, a s&w m&p 340. I pick up one new for 758.00 at ks&e guns.

 

[9mmfan]

There is a reason that Ruger revolvers are often sought out to shoot extremely HOT loads, they are literally tanks that can take abuse that would destroy lesser revolvers.

You beat me to it! They all all beast! I've shot some HOT loads out of mine. Some of those same HOT loads crack the frame of a friends Taurus.

That being said, the Smith's have better triggers but cost quite a bit more (for a new one).

 

[indiucky]

There is a reason that Ruger revolvers are often sought out to shoot extremely HOT loads, they are literally tanks that can take abuse that would destroy lesser revolvers.

I am a Smith and Wesson junkie...But.....I picked up a 6 inch Ruger Security Six, blued 357 magnum yesterday because they are built like a tank. I wanted a "do anything .357 magnum" for our new property we bought in Perry County and it sure fits the bill.

I like the security six better than the gp 100 but I have no logic behind it. I like k frame Smiths better than L frame Smiths as well. Again..No logic just an opinion.

 

[Beowulf]

Heck, I just bought a S&W Model 10 from Bud's for $269. Nice classic police gun.

Used S&W Police Model 10 38sp Square Butt $269.00 SHIPS FREE

My first handgun, the one that I actually bought with my own money saved up when I was still a teenager (my dad had to buy it for me) was a S&W Model 66 stainless. I would still have it today, except it got stolen. I replaced with another Model 66 (a first model this time). They are beautiful revolvers.

 

[steveIU]

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

I like this thought!!!! I agree.

 

[ike1018]

I just bought my first two revolvers, a Ruger SP101 3" and a LCR. I really enjoyed shooting the SP101 last weekend w/ 158gr 38 special, looking forward to trying out 357 magnum

 

[FordBronco]

My vote would be to look at the Rugers... either the Security Six or a GP100. Best guns for the money (my 2-cents worth anyway).

I like my Security-Six very much - both of them!

S&W, Colt, Ruger all make good quality guns... I have different likes and dislikes for all of them. However, for a "general use" revolver, I think the Ruger is hard to beat for the price.

 

[JimmyR]

I had a 6" barrel Ruger Security Six, in .357 (actually the very gun indiucky was raving about, funny enough). I loved shooting that gun, but it wasn't really great for home defense, compared to my CZ-75BD, and not feasible to carry without a 10 gallon Stetson.

For car carrying, home defense, and target shooting, I'd go with any ruger, and feel free to go used. I paid $325 for mine, and it was in 95% condition. I'm a firm believer in my signiture...

 

[Iroquois]

I love my model 66 S&W. That being said I hesitate to recommend a new one
because of quality concerns. There are a lot on the used market and you don't have to get stainless, but I do recommend target sights till you get used to the trigger. Smith has one of the best factory triggers and can be tuned even sweeter. However double action
[trigger cocking] takes some getting used to. You'll want to learn to do that well.
I've never shot a Python but I have shot next to them in competition. They are very
sensitive to dirt or powder residue and have a hard time shooting long sessions without
cleaning. They are very accurate if you don't mind a fussy gun.

 

[Claddagh]

Lots of good suggestions so far. Just my $0.02: There are literally hundreds of choices out there on the used market but IMHO about any K or L frame model S&W .357 (4 or 6"), Ruger GP100 or Dan wesson M15-2 in good shape would fit the bill nicely. Many can be had for much less than your $700 upper limit, some for about 1/2 that amount.

I'll second the adjustable sights, too. Nothing is more likely to frustrate and discourage a beginning shooter than not hitting where they're pointing it, especially when they know they had the correct sight picture and didn't jerk the trigger. Fixed sights are only regulated for POA and POI to coincide at an arbitrary and specific range with one specific load. Even when that flavor of ammo is being used it's not unusual to find that a particular fixed sight revolver is "off" with your ammo, eyes and hold.

With adjustables you can dial it in for your ammo and your hold easily and quickly, Plus, you can do the same with any other ammo flavor you might want to try anytime.

Again, just MO but while the many of the Colt DA revolvers are indeed lovely machines parts and highly skilled service for most of them are getting very hard to find. Prices for decent condition examples, especially their high end products such as the Pythons and Diamondbacks have become prohibitive for most of us due to speculation and high collector interest. IIWY, I'd look elsewhere for an everyday shooting tool.

 

[GONZO!!!]

Personally I have always liked the Astra Terminator .44 mag loaded with .44 special...someone told me they made it in .45 LC too...if if Luke have one in .45LC or .45acp I would love it and carry it

http://http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/9602130542/10466855/astra%20004.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg

GONZO!!!