Need some opinions and advice

[ChevyGuy91]

I shot a 44 mag recently, and have since then had the itch for a wheel gun. I have 3 handguns already one of which I carry pretty much exclusively, a Kimber Eclipse, but I want something different. I like the idea of a smaller, more capacity 357 for conceal ability and use of 38. But the other part of me says go big or go home, I love the idea of the S&W 500, but if I went that route I don't really know anything about them. I think it would be more for a fun gun then anything else, well let me know what you think. Big 500, long or short, or 357?

Ed

 

[M1911]

If you mostly want a fun .357, then get a 4" Model 19, 66, or 686.

If you want to carry, get a light .38 (e.g., 642). Realize this won't be fun to shoot.

If you want a 500, realize that the cost of ammunition will keep you from shooting it much.

 

[45collector]

I have a 6" stainless S&W model 66-2 .357. Very fun at the range, but by no means a carry gun.

What about a 4" Ruger SP101? Somewhat concealable, and long enough for 25 yard range fun.

 

[John C.]

Well, this is clearly not an obvious choice but it is a fun gun and does pack a punch. How about a Smith & Wesson 610. It's a "N" frame revolver that holds six 10mm rounds and uses moon clips. A number of barrel lengths are available, from 6" down to (I think) about 3". Obviously the 6" barrel does not make a good carry gun, but it is a ton of fun to shoot and the long sight radius, plus the inherent accuracy of the gun, makes it a tack driver.

Again this is an unusual gun, and it can be hard to find 10mm ammo, but it is another way to go and I don't think you'll be disappointed if you decide to get one.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

that 610 is very interesting to me, as S&W's website says it will shoot 40S&W as well. i already have 2 40's, hmmm i may put that one on my list. plus it would give me a reason to buy a 10mm auto. i kind of like the 327 series, with its 8 rnd capacity.

 

[vellnueve]

It seems like you want a large frame revolver, so I'd go with either a 610 or 625 (.45 ACP)

 

[Gammon]

I bought a 625 a couple of years ago and I love it. Since I already load .45 ACP ammo is no problem and the moon clips are the best way to reload in a hurry.

 

[dwarven1]

I've got a Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag in excellent shape that I'm selling - unfortunately, even with the Hogue monogrip (not shown but which will come with the gun), the grip is just a tad too large for my hand to comfortably hold. (short fingers).

 

[richc]

I have a S&W 686 and 629, both with 8 3/8 inch barrels. Practical... absolutely not. Fun... OMG they are great! And they are accurate. And if you bring guests to the range they will love them!

I've found that with the longer barrel new shooters are able to hit a 9" plate reasonably consistently at 50 feet. They love the feeling of being successful.

But these are cool, fun, impractical toys. Nothing wrong with that, but you have to figure out if that will scratch your itch.

Cheers,

Rich

p.s. OH... and I've shot a Ruger Redhawk like the one dwarven1 is selling... they are da bomb as well!

 

[Rockrivr1]

Be careful. Once you get into wheelguns you won't stop at one.

I do enjoy the 500, but unless you have deep pockets it can get very expensive to shoot. I'd also recommend not going with a J-Frame 357. They hurt to shoot and are very hard to handle. Love the 66 for plinking. Just the right weight, but to big to carry easily.

Have fun, but enjoy your search!

 

[dwarven1]

Be careful. Once you get into wheelguns you won't stop at one.

I have NO idea what you're talking about! I only have a few... Um... well... six.

OK.

 

[ShadeWPI]

For your first revolver, don't go with a S&W .500 Magnum. I have one, I shoot it occationally, but I have more fun with my .38 than with the Big Boy.

"Cheap" range ammo in .500 S&W magnum was $32 / box of 20 2 years ago (haven't priced it lately) and new brass is about $50 / 100. Hunting ammo for the .500 is about $50/ 20rd box. I reload and a "light" .500 S&W load packs almost 40gr of powder, a 350gn bullet and a large rifle primer so it's not cheap (though MUCH cheaper than new)

My .38 is a 5-round S&W Airweight J-Frame with concealled hammer. My ex girlfriend bought it when we were together and sold it to me because she needed money after we split up. If I had bought it myself, I would have bought the .357 Magnum model for the option to shoot both rounds. That would be my recommendation. You can also pick up full-sized aftermarket grips to make them a little easier to hold and handle - Single screw to swap them out.

It's small enough for carry but still a lot of fun to shoot. Practice a lot with .38 Special ammo, but remember if you're going to carry .357 Magnum rounds, finish every practice session with a a few carry loads.

 

[depicts]

I'd go for a S&W 640-3, .357 centennial, stainless steel. Handles heavy ammo well, fires .38 ammo great.

With rubber or custom grips (It comes with Houge rubber), it's easy to shoot, and the .357 is all you'll ever need for 2 legged foes.

Then I'd get a .44 Magnum, 6 inch barrel for fun, and then a .460 Smith for really having fun.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

Well I thank everyone for there input, I have more options in front of me then I thought. But the last post, about the 640, seems to have caught my attention the most. That may be the way I go, save my money, and then buy something obnoxious and fun.

 

[M1911]

If I had bought it myself, I would have bought the .357 Magnum model for the option to shoot both rounds. That would be my recommendation. You can also pick up full-sized aftermarket grips to make them a little easier to hold and handle - Single screw to swap them out.

I disagree with that. The 442/642 in .38 hurt enough for most people. They are not fun to shoot. The .357 models are several hundred dollars more expensive and for most folks they will only ever shoot a couple rounds of .357 through them before they decide not to do that again.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have NO idea what you're talking about! I only have a few... Um... well... six.

OK.

Rookie

 

[Pilgrim]

If you want to carry a gun, the jframes are perfect. They're made to be shot when you need to, and not much more often.

If you want to shoot a gun regularly, get something bigger. Too big and you won't shoot it much because of the cost...which maybe all right if you're only an occasional shooter anyway.

You'll shoot a K frame .22/.38/.357 a lot more than the bigger ones.