[spadesamuels]

I'm looking for a double action revolver with a nice curved handle, no finger impressions, and a nice length barrel. I keep seeing revolvers that are either huge cannons or the barrel is rather short. I'd like to have a nice revolver with nice weight and balance so its easy for handling. I'd like it to feel like second nature when handling. Maybe call it old fashioned but I rather like the idea of nice balanced revolvers for hobby shooting. Short barrels just wouldn't give it the same feeling or swing balance.

I figure the caliber might also present a certain cost in ammunition and I'd really like to be able to practice shooting as a hobby without breaking the pocket book. I don't need massive power as I think a high power gun might be too large for the type of revolver im looking for, like those cannons i spoke of, but I'd like to think it could provide protection if need be. I've got a buddy who's into guns but I'm afraid he might consider the type of revolver I'm looking for to be low power considering what he's used to haha His King Cobra is just way too large for what I'm looking for (and I rather dislike the handle).

I'd appreciate any feedback anyone could give me.

 

[scoutman]

Smith and Wesson "L" Frame. Perhaps the 586, as you could shoot 38 Spcl rounds for plinking and target work, and load up with full house .357 magnum rounds for defense. The "L" frame was a combination of the smaller K frame and the big N frame introduced around 1980. A 4 or 6 inch L frame is a well balanced package that has proven itself a million times over. JMHO

 

[spadesamuels]

I appreciate the answers. All of S&W current L frames on their site are nice but I rather dislike those handles. What's the difficulty, and cost, of having that replaced with something more curved? I'm not a fan of the finger grips and high holding.

I'm looking for something that's the closest looking to a single action army but is double action instead meanwhile can handle .45 Mag as well a .38 special- so an L frame sounds nice.
Should I stop into a gun shop to find more what I'm looking for or do you suggest I keep looking around online?

 

[scoutman]

e A grip change can be as simple as removing a screw. Lots of grips available, from budget to high end custom grips. Check out Eagle Grips for some ideas as to what's available. http://www.eaglegrips.com/styles.htm
I couldn't in good faith reccomend that you purchase a handgun without first handling it at the very least. Getting some trigger time on a similar weapon is always best before plunking down your hard earned dough. A good relationship with a quality local gun shop of your choosing is well worth the time invested. They can provide you with advice, service, and most of all, the proper training.

 

[freefall]

i love my Ruger security six. getting hard to find good ones, check out gp
100s. luck.

 

[hillbilly68]

GP 100 with the rosewood, Redhawk (hand cannon!), J frame S&W (as mentioned)

Let us know what you get! Good luck

 

[robocop10mm]

Grips are an easy proposition on a revolver. For less than $50 you can get what you want. A "high hand hold" is preferred on any handgun. better recoil management and position relative to the trigger.

Look at the K-frame Smiths. M-19 (blued) or M-66 (stainless) are work horses. They will not hold up to thousands of rounds of full house magnum ammo but will give a lifetime of service with mostly .38 specials and a few (100-200/year) of magnums.

A step up is the L-frame. 686/586 are superb guns. Same grip size but beefier elsewhere. A bit heavier but will hold up to the magnums much better.

The N-frames are the Cadillacs of the Smith and Wesson catalog (IMHO). Big, heavy, beautifully built and dead tough in .357. Look for the M-28 (Highway Patrolman) or the M-27. If you can find one the old model 520 is basically a fixed sight M-28. The new 520 is a J-frame.

Ruger makes some very good quality revolvers as well. The security six and speed six were robust revolvers that are available on the used market. Rugers are made with investment castings so they tend to be a bit bulkier than comperable S&Ws.

I would not look for long at the Colts or Dan Wessons. Colt Pythons are beautiful revolvers that work well with .38 specials and a few dozen magnums/year. They will need work after about a thousand rounds of mags. The Dan Wesson revolvers were a cool concept with the ability to switch barrels on some models but the cylinder release can and will allow the cylinder to open when the gun is drawn from a holster.

In a nutshell - a 4" Smith or Ruger will give you the service and balance you are looking for.

 

[c3shooter]

Just curious- Have a Dan Wesson 15-2 since 1976. Have never had problem with unexpected cylinder release. ?????

 

[gorknoids]

We all grew up shooting Dad's S/W .45 service revolver, which is a double-action, small-gripped gem of a sidearm. Great sights, great balance between mass and recoil, and a fine piece of machinery. I wish I knew where the hell it is!