Show us your Guns!

[HoosierDaddy]

I'm daydreaming about a modern single-action revolver. Will not be buying imminently but hopefully soon-ish. I'm thinking Ruger? For quality of construction, at a reasonable price, I was told they were setting the bar - does anyone have any dire warnings I've been misled?

I don't want to save money on a Taurus but then have hefty gunsmithing bills. I REALLY don't want to buy something expensive and then have gunsmithing bills!

Advice gratefully received.

A Ruger will serve you well...if you're sold on a single action. I have several in defferent calibers...and they are a fine revolver.
HD

 

[Viola]

I am 98% sure I want a single action. I am rarely 100% decisive on anything, especially since I can't buy anything right this moment. I go back and for on the new Blackhawks, the Vaqueros, and even the single-10 which looks fun to shoot.

Sometimes I ponder double-actions, though. (In the same price-point). What manufacturer would you recommend for one of those?

 

[Oldsarge]

Both Ruger and Smith & Wesson double action revolvers are highly thought and deservedly so. Dan Wesson is another good brand.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I've always been a big Colt and Smith and Wesson fan concerning double actions...but I understand that Colt isn't making double action revolvers anymore.
Here's pic of some of my Smiths to give you an idea of different sizes of frames according to caliber.
.38 cal. S&W on bottom..357 cal. S&W next..then .44 mag S&W...Colt Python .357 on top.
The .38 S&W J frame might be a nice size for you. Depends on what you want to use the gun for.

 

[Viola]

I've held a .357 Vaquero and it was not uncomfortable. I have issues with short fingers and small hands (I wear child-sized gloves) - not particularly fragile or delicate, just short and it makes, for example, huge fat Glock grips really unpleasant.

All of yours are beautiful. For size, the smaller .357 would be appealing. I would probably spend most times plinking in .38 anyway though so you may be right. I just hate the ribbing I'll take from my dad. (He already made fun of .357!)

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I've held a .357 Vaquero and it was not uncomfortable. I have issues with short fingers and small hands (I wear child-sized gloves) - not particularly fragile or delicate, just short and it makes, for example, huge fat Glock grips really unpleasant.

All of yours are beautiful. For size, the smaller .357 would be appealing. I would probably spend most times plinking in .38 anyway though so you may be right. I just hate the ribbing I'll take from my dad. (He already made fun of .357!)

I carry a .45 ACP semi-auto Paraordance for persoal protection..but I have large hands. It is my favorite Caliber to carry..and shoot..but it seems that you would be more comfortable with something much smaller. Yep..I would suggest a K frame(second gun from bottom) with a 4" barrel. However..if it will be mainly for plinking a .22 caliber is quite fun! Before you decide go to a gun shop and hold a few different models in your hand. You will find something that just fits..then you're good to go and get aquainted.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I just noticed your reference to a Ruger Vaquero. I would recommend a .45LC caliber in this model...but that's just me. Depends on whether you prefer fixed sights...or adjustable sights. For a plincker..or target shooter you may want the adjustable type( the back sight is not made into the gun...but is a seperate raised peice that is adjustable)like on the Ruger Blackhawk and others. The Vaquero has 'fixed' sights.

 

[Viola]

I don't have a strong sight preference.

One of my friends was just mean and said "why pretend you use the sights at all, Mr. Magoo?" With friends like that... lol

 

[Renault]

"I don't want to save money on a Taurus but then have hefty gunsmithing bills."

Thank you Voila, That is a great statement!!!!!

We just send them back to the factory............... I refuse work on them!

Renault

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I don't have a strong sight preference.

One of my friends was just mean and said "why pretend you use the sights at all, Mr. Magoo?" With friends like that... lol

Yikes..!:lol: Just please keep it pointed 'down range'..or AT what you're 'hoping' to hit!!:eeek:
Crikey!!

 

[Viola]

Oh, I'm safe... I'm just not very good.

Not yet, anyway.

Most of it is just lack of practice, not doing anything foolish. I still sayM9 Berettas are just flat uncomfortable, though.

 

[Terry292]

I was browsing in a local pawn shop yesterday and found another pistol which will probably be added to the collection shortly. It's a S&W .45 Long Colt with 6" barrel originally issued to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It was all I could do to lay it back on the counter and walk away. It keeps calling my name, so I suppose I'll be going back for it in a day or two. With a six-inch barrel, I doubt it will be an everyday carry piece, but I'll probably keep it by the bed just in case. Sorry there are no photos yet.

 

[1961MJS]

I am 98% sure I want a single action. I am rarely 100% decisive on anything, especially since I can't buy anything right this moment. I go back and for on the new Blackhawks, the Vaqueros, and even the single-10 which looks fun to shoot.

Sometimes I ponder double-actions, though. (In the same price-point). What manufacturer would you recommend for one of those?

Hi

IF you get a revolver, and aren't into the whole cowboy thing a double action is the way to go. Almost all double actions can be fired single action (cock the hammer first). The reason I say this is the double action trigger pull forces you to have a VERY good sight picture, stance, grip, and trigger pull. The Double action will TRAIN you to be a good shot.

Since you're small in stature, you will want to get a lighter recoiling caliber and a slightly heavy gun. In short, don't buy a .357 Scandium S&W, you'll be scared of it in no time.

Hope this helps.

 

[DeaconKC]

Terry, that S&W sounds like a beauty. Viola, the Beretta is a fine gun, but unless you have large hands, it can be uncomfortable. That's why the military also issues Sigs to shooters with smaller hands.

 

[Kirk H.]

To Viola

"IF you get a revolver, and aren't into the whole cowboy thing a double action is the way to go. Almost all double actions can be fired single action (cock the hammer first). The reason I say this is the double action trigger pull forces you to have a VERY good sight picture, stance, grip, and trigger pull. The Double action will TRAIN you to be a good shot.

Since you're small in stature, you will want to get a lighter recoiling caliber and a slightly heavy gun. In short, don't buy a .357 Scandium S&W, you'll be scared of it in no time.

Hope this helps."

I agree with what 1961 MJS says about a good double action revolver. I do not know what the used revolver market is like in Australia, but a good S&W K-frame model 13 or 65 would be an excellent choice. You could shoot either 38 special or 357 magnum rounds through them. They are very robust and accurate. Plus you can reload a double action revolver a lot quicker than you can a single action one. Just my two cents worth.

Kirk H.

 

[jkingrph]

Hi

IF you get a revolver, and aren't into the whole cowboy thing a double action is the way to go. Almost all double actions can be fired single action (cock the hammer first). The reason I say this is the double action trigger pull forces you to have a VERY good sight picture, stance, grip, and trigger pull. The Double action will TRAIN you to be a good shot.

Since you're small in stature, you will want to get a lighter recoiling caliber and a slightly heavy gun. In short, don't buy a .357 Scandium S&W, you'll be scared of it in no time.

Hope this helps.

+ that on the Scandium. I have one of the double action only models, for a pocket gun and it's excellent in that role, in 38 special. In 38 it's a handful, recoil is unpleasant, I can only imagine what it would be in .357.

 

[1961MJS]

+ that on the Scandium. I have one of the double action only models, for a pocket gun and it's excellent in that role, in 38 special. In 38 it's a handful, recoil is unpleasant, I can only imagine what it would be in .357.

Hi

A friend of mine bought one. He's shot a lot in the past, but I don't shoot revolvers so I was also worried about the practice tearing the gun up. I don't think that the real lightweights are built to withstand 5,000 shots or anything. My Ruger and my Marvel Conversions (.22LR) both have 10,000 rounds through them. The 1911 has 4,000. If you're planning on carrying a handgun for defense, you need to be able to hit what you want to and that takes practice.

Later

 

[Story]

Pistol ownership in Australia is different than Pennsylvania.
http://www.ssaa.org.au/research/2007/2007-04-23_handgun-ownership-facts-in-australia.html

Once the person receives a firearm licence with personal photograph attached, they can then attend at a licenced firearm dealer and select a handgun which is suitable for the competition in which they intend to take part. This firearm may be a single-shot air pistol, a single-shot .22-calibre pistol or a .22-calibre revolver or self-loading pistol.

 

[jkingrph]

Hi

A friend of mine bought one. He's shot a lot in the past, but I don't shoot revolvers so I was also worried about the practice tearing the gun up. I don't think that the real lightweights are built to withstand 5,000 shots or anything. My Ruger and my Marvel Conversions (.22LR) both have 10,000 rounds through them. The 1911 has 4,000. If you're planning on carrying a handgun for defense, you need to be able to hit what you want to and that takes practice.

Later

I don't disagree at all but for some of us a lot of practice is not in the cards. It's about 50 miles one way for me to my range, and due to family commiments last winter and spring plus this killer hot summer, the last time I shot anything was last autumn.

I am more of a rifleman at heart so even when I go handguns are not high on my list. That's not to say I cannot shoot one, I was shooting a Browning High Power one day, and a gentlemen next too me thought I had done bullseye competition, although I did not think my target that good, someone else was impressed.

The little S&W Scandium, especially the double action only model I have, with a 2" barrel is not a target gun, it's a belly gun. On a bullseye targetr 25 to 30 feet is good, a sihlouett stretch it to 50 feet, and for me that would be a stretch with that gun.

If weather allows heavier clothing I carry a compact 1911, a little Kimber ultra carry or Para Ordnance pda I can hit with well out to 25=30 yards easily.

I started handgun shooting with a S&W K-22 then a K-38, both med framed target revolvers with 6" barrels and can shoot those well, but they are a bit big for carry.

If I would take the time and really practice I could be very good with a handgun, but again, rifles at 100-300 yards are more fun, for me, or informal skeet with my old sxs doublebarrels.

 

[1961MJS]

Hi

I know what you mean on practice time, BUT if you're going to CARRY the snubbie it would be best if you can shoot it. Personally, I wouldn't buy a gun that I couldn't practice with (like the Scandium) because the amount of practice I would need would probably tear up the gun. On the other hand, I don't own a revolver at all, so I would be starting from scratch, you're not.

I'm always amazed at how great or completely crappy a target can look depending on who you're shooting next to.

Later