New revolver, but which one?

Personally, I'd go with the 686, or the j frame 38 special.

 

Yeah, the 357 is gonna have more power. I think staying with 9mm would be less costly.
I vote 9mm revolver.

 

I vote 9 mm, I'm thinking of getting one too

 

Your first revolver should be a .357. Add a 9mm later. I would highly recommend a S&W Model 19 or 66. You're not going to want to shoot hot .357s all day, but for defense loads it's leaps above a 9mm. Shoot .38s for fun.

 

From the ones you mentioned i'd grab the S&W 686 without a second thought

 

I'm not 100% sure on the 9mm revolvers but I know the .45 acp and .40 S&W revolvers require you to use moon clips and they are far more of a pain than they are worth in my opinion.

I would go with the .357 magnum. I have a Taurus Ultralite .357 snubby and I agree with you that a .357 is a lot of power for such a small gun so I mostly shoot .38's out of it but it's nice to know you have that added power available if need be. A lot of people will say a .38 Special isn't powerful enough but my answer is the .38 was the main gun used for all law enforcement for about 100 years and it worked just fine. I also have a Ruger GP100 in stainless with a 4" barrel which is my favorite handgun I own. I have said many times that if I had to give up all my guns but one I would keep the GP100. It is just a good all around, multi purpose gun to me.

As far as which .357 is the best, you've opened up a big "Ford vs Chevy" battle here. There is no one "Best Revolver" out there. My personal opinion is Ruger is the best revolver. All one piece, solid steal and tough as nails but that is my opinion. Others will say S&W, Colt, Charter Arms, Taurus and many others. I am also a big fan of Taurus. A lot of gun for little money. But again, that is my opinion. Try to shoot as many revolvers as you can and choose based on your experience.

 

What's the intended use?
Is it for CC or simply just range use?
The Taurus 905 & S&W J-frames? I bought a small Taurus once. I wish I'd simply spent the extra $80-$100 on a S&W. The Taurus works, but it's just not the same. It's like the difference between Craftsman tools and the one's you get from Harbor Freight. Sure, the cheap stuff works most of the time, but there is something that's just not the same.
There's more to life than cheap ammo. Besides, .38 special isn't that expensive.
If it's for range use, get the 686.

 

I vote S&W 686 for the range, maybe a Ruger SP101 for carry.

 

GET THE 357!

I don't see any significant benefit of getting a revolver chambered for a semi-auto round. Besides, the 357 is the most flexible chambering of practically any handgun. A 686 with a 4" barrel would be perfect.

 

Having two 9mm is a great reason to get a 357 -

 

Winds,
They do take the same rounds, normally used with moon clips.


Jim..........

 

Look for a vintage S&W. There is something about a vintage Smith wheel gun in the K/L or N frame that sends quivers up my spine. Like a vintage M1911A1, the history seems to morph from the ageless stocks and provide the shooter with a glimpse of brilliance from the giants who's shoulders we walk on. (Elmer Keith, Jack Weaver, Col. Charles "Boots" Askins, Thell Reed, Jerry Miculek to name a few.)



My M19-3 (circa 1970)

And/or



My M29-2 (circa 1980)

 

Ruger gp100 4.2in barrel .357mag.

 

How 'bout A Medusa??? You can shoot the .38's, .357's, and the 9mm!!

 

What's your budget

 

Love my ruger gp 100 in 357 mag. I normally shoot 38 specials but I like the fact that when I feel like it I can shoot a more powerful round. Reloading the 38 special round and the 357 round is also very easy.