gregp74
Member
I've got a little S&W 63 3" that I picked up used a few months back. I'm really digging it. Much more than the 22 autoloaders I've been shooting for years.
Now I'm thinking about picking up a second one. Not the exact same thing -- no need for two, but another 22 the gf can shoot if she comes along and that we can switch off with.
I'm going to stick with a double/single action. Not really a huge fan of the single action only models. I don't mind something bigger than the 63, but nothing smaller. This isn't for competition. Mostly plinking and possibly dispatching some unwanted critters. It's going to be a shooter and not a safe queen. I don't mind spending some money but not a ridiculous amount.
I've been eyeing the S&W 617 as well as the Ruger GP100 and SP101. They all seem nice in their own ways but also have drawbacks.
Size wise I think the SP101 would fit both of our hands best. Mine are mediumish I guess. Her's are a little smaller. I've heard horror stories about the triggers on those though.
The GP100 could be an option. It's a little bigger but I hear has a better trigger. I actually had one of those briefly that I got in a trade a few years back but I don't think I got to shoot it before it went towards getting something else. I really don't remember much about it other than it being large.
I hear some rave reviews about the 617. If I were to go that route I think I'd go with the 4" model. The 6 just seems too big. I have a model 66 combat magnum in the safe so the frame size would be similar. It would be big but I think we could both handle it. I was actually about to order one of those until I read some reviews saying they get gunked up quickly and you'll need to clean them frequently while you're at the range. Not sure how accurate that is, but it didn't sound good to me.
The ones I've mentioned are stuff that I'd get brand new. I've seen a few other used possibilities. There's a new old stock 63 4" on gun broker for a little under $1000. That's not out of the question but I feel like a that price maybe it shouldn't be shot and just left to a collector.
On that note some of those older ones that look nice only hold 6 rounds. I'm kind of liking the idea of 8 or 10.
If I were to find something used, what should I look for to make sure it's ok? What gets messed up when people abuse them?
Ugh all of this is just making my head spin!
Now I'm thinking about picking up a second one. Not the exact same thing -- no need for two, but another 22 the gf can shoot if she comes along and that we can switch off with.
I'm going to stick with a double/single action. Not really a huge fan of the single action only models. I don't mind something bigger than the 63, but nothing smaller. This isn't for competition. Mostly plinking and possibly dispatching some unwanted critters. It's going to be a shooter and not a safe queen. I don't mind spending some money but not a ridiculous amount.
I've been eyeing the S&W 617 as well as the Ruger GP100 and SP101. They all seem nice in their own ways but also have drawbacks.
Size wise I think the SP101 would fit both of our hands best. Mine are mediumish I guess. Her's are a little smaller. I've heard horror stories about the triggers on those though.
The GP100 could be an option. It's a little bigger but I hear has a better trigger. I actually had one of those briefly that I got in a trade a few years back but I don't think I got to shoot it before it went towards getting something else. I really don't remember much about it other than it being large.
I hear some rave reviews about the 617. If I were to go that route I think I'd go with the 4" model. The 6 just seems too big. I have a model 66 combat magnum in the safe so the frame size would be similar. It would be big but I think we could both handle it. I was actually about to order one of those until I read some reviews saying they get gunked up quickly and you'll need to clean them frequently while you're at the range. Not sure how accurate that is, but it didn't sound good to me.
The ones I've mentioned are stuff that I'd get brand new. I've seen a few other used possibilities. There's a new old stock 63 4" on gun broker for a little under $1000. That's not out of the question but I feel like a that price maybe it shouldn't be shot and just left to a collector.
On that note some of those older ones that look nice only hold 6 rounds. I'm kind of liking the idea of 8 or 10.
If I were to find something used, what should I look for to make sure it's ok? What gets messed up when people abuse them?
Ugh all of this is just making my head spin!