Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Help please...revolvers

Dear campfire folks; I am considering buying a revolver (partly to piss off of our gun hating Liberal Prime Minister, partly because we will be moving to where we will be close to an excellent range).

I am looking for input on what would be a reliable quality product, either in .357, .44 mag or .45 LC.

I have not owned a handgun for well over 10 years and have not paid any attention to handguns for good deal longer.

Canadian law requires a barrel of 4.25 inches or longer.

I look forward to your thoughts and input.

Thanks in advance. GRF

I recommend either a Ruger GP100 l or a Smith & Wesson 686 either with 6" barrels and chambered in 357 magnum, you will also be able to use 38 specials in these revolvers.

I agree with the above and would strongly favor the S&W.

I'm not sure about the barrel length but I handled a Smith N frame 610 at the range the other day that was pretty good. Ruger makes some good ones as well.

The 610 is a 10mm. Ammo might be difficult to find in Canada and 610's cost much more than 686's, if you can find one.

I agree a 686 would be a good revolver and ammo is likely plentiful, particularly since it will take both 357 and 38 special.

Just be prepared for sticker shock. Twenty years ago, nobody wanted revolvers because of all the "cool" tupperware autos coming out. Well, in the last few years people came back to their senses and prices have gone through the roof. For some reason the Colt "snake guns" have astronomical prices now, and have driven up prices across the board. You can't go wrong with a S&W, but Rugers are built like tanks and have a good following. If you are rolling in money buy a Colt!

Me too.

Smith & Wesson 686

686 6in, no brainer

686 6" wins hands down (unless you can locate a 629 classic deluxe 5"}

Just out of curiosity, how does Canadian law handle the Taurus Judge revolver with it's shotgun capability? It does come in a 6" barrel.

Having had many revolvers chambered in all the cartridges you mentioned, the only other question I’d ask is if you hand load. If you shoot frequently the 44 Mag can be tiring and the more pleasant 44 Specials may be a bit hard to find and More expensive.

With either of the other two, 38 Specials and typical 45 Colt are mild for enjoyable, frequent shooting, but you can go to 357 Mag or a hot-loaded 45 Colt (Buffalo Bore or Grizzly commercial ammo) easily or hand loads if need more oomph. A hotly loaded 45 Colt is impressive.

I agree that either Ruger or Smith & Wesson come to mind first while Ruger’s in my experience are beefier and built like that proverbial outhouse. I’ve had both with much more Ruger experience than Smith.

One should never say never, but I doubt you could ever shoot a Ruger loose with the bigger cartridges.

Or Smith 66. I like them a little better. They're lighter. I particularly like the pinned and recessed ones.

19's, 27's, 28's, 65's, 57's.......all nice!

Buy used or you'll get the wart. (lock)

I've never had a Judge but I've had great luck with a couple Taurus Raging Bulls. Amazingly accurate revolvers! I know they are hated by the Fire, but I don't care about that. A Taurus Titanium 41 mag is a Grail Gun.

I got a Ruger 357 Security Six in stainless. I put a set of pachmayer grips on it. I'm set.

I wish my 357 had a 5 inch barrel.

4.25 would be better yet.

A stainless Ruger Bisley in 45 Long Colt in your barrel length choice .It is a great hunting round equalling or exceeding the 44 Mag in power.Loaded with 340 grain LNWM cast bullets it will kill anything in NA.Load with 250 grain SWC and it is a fantastic plinker with light loads.

I think that new Ruger revolvers have 4.25” barrels that would meet your laws requirements. Take a look a Ruger GP100 .357 Match Champion. Very nice revolver right from the box.

Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in 45 Colt. None better.

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