Best general purpose revolver?

[Rew]

Everyone has an opinion as do I. So in ya'lls learned opinion what is the best general purpose revolver? Make, model, barrel length and caliber. I'll include mine own opinion when I get a few of your's. :lurking: these guys too please. :)

[Steven Mace]

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/53L.gif

Rew, my choice would be the Ruger GP100 revolver chambered in .357 Mag. with a 4" barrel. Rugged, reliable and affordable. Specifically the GP-141 (blued) or KGP-141 (stainless - pictured). For an all-around revolver I feel this set up is hard to beat. Use .38 Spl. ammunition for plinking and .357 Mag. ammunition for more serious 'needs'. Just my thoughts!

Steve Mace

[Medic_Krebs]

DAMN IT! Someone beat me to it.... I've got the exact same one pictured but in "Target Grey", Basically a Titanium wash... I love the dogshit out of mine... and it's WAY more accurate than I can put on paper...



Enjoy,
Medic_Krebs

[ssom003]

Here is my general purpose revolver...
S&W 686 7-shot with a 6" barrel

http://home.comcast.net/~ssom003/SW_686_357MAG.JPG

[Darrell]

Hey me too. I know alot of people around here don't like some of the politics the Ol' Man had. But I love Rugers. My GP100 is my best general purpose hand gun period. It is the exact same one pictured.

Rew, I'm thinking your gonna say a Dan Wesson? I don't know much about them. But due to being able to change barrel lengths with hand tools I think would make them pretty universal.

[Rew]

you are correct of course. But just about any quality 4-6" .357 (4" is better on horseback, or driving) DA revolver will make a good general purpose (AKA utility) handgun. S&W (my first love) Ruger, Taruas, some older Colts, and of course DW like this one.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/8405DW-med.jpg

I happen to be lucky enough to own one I can change barrels on. The 4" is my choise most of the time.
Why the .357? I'm sure this group knows, but for our guests. The .357 mid frame DA revolver is light enough to carry all day. However is has the power to bring down anything in this country in the right hands. In yesteryear you could buy some rip roaring loads, today because of the courts and our sue happy times you almost have to handload to get the kind of power possible. on the other hand you can load with light .38 spl loads and let the grandkids shoot grandpa's handcannon. The .38+P 125 grn JHP* or non+p 158 grn LSWHP* can also come in handy for the nightstand. Heck Speer even makes a birdshot load the is effective on snakes at "OH SH*T!!" ranges.

I like to carry a S&W 629 when I hunt. But this year my partner will have a S&W M19 in .357 and I will not exactly feel naked with the DW above. One less caliber to carry between us. :ywoot

* JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point
*LSWCHP=Lead Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point

[Darrell]

Rew,
How does that work when changing barrels? Are those Allen heads on the tool in the photo?

[Rew]

yes there are three. The are used to remove/replace the grip, rear and front sight and the side plate. Here is a pic of the 2.5" barrel, shroud and nut with the tool.
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data//500/8405barrel_sys.jpg

Notice the two tit's on the wrench, they engage the barrel nut. First you screw the barrel into the frame by hand, long thread end, till it meets the face of the cylinder. Then back it off, I use about 1/5 turn. Then slide the shroud over the barrel, there is a locater pin in the frame thats mates with a hole in the rear of the shroud. Start the nut onto the threads at the end of the barrel by hand then tighten with the wrench. To remove reverse the order. Take's much longer to type than to do. ;)

[Darrell]

Thanks Rew. I always wondered how that worked.

[dudemaestro]

Ruger .44 Magnum Redhawk with a 7.5" pipe....
Of course I am 6'2" 260....

Ruger .44 Magnum Redhawk with a 7.5" pipe.... I'ts a lot of gun but..
I am 6'2" 260.... It will kill anything in North America no matter how "Coked up" it is.

[Dan Morris]

Guess I'd go mith my 4" mod 19. I plink with it like most folks use a 22. Light loads for paper anf full mags for firld and carry. Extended heavy loads for my M28.
Dan

[docjonsn]

my model 19 in .357 6+ inch barrel.That is my revolver of choice. hell i even use it for my backup on pig hunts.but thats just me. :thanks:

[Rew]

my model 19 in .357 6+ inch barrel.That is my revolver of choice. hell i even use it for my backup on pig hunts.but thats just me. :thanks:

With that Doc, Dan, above, is the hunting partner I mentioned above that, he has had his M19 for many many years. Welcome to TGN. :welcome:

[docjonsn]

thank you Rev.
b.t.w. I liked your story you posted