Which (cheap) revolver would be best for me?

Status
Not open for further replies.
My 2 cents: I am a S&W guy. Love 'em. There's a M36 sitting in my desk drawer as I type this. Having said that, I bought a M206 from Bud's Gun Shop a few years ago, I think it might've been when they first came out. It was a good gun that shot well, especially after I stoned the trigger and hammer and polished up the internals a bit (completely unnecessary, but it was January and I was bored!). I managed to find a pair of Colt D frame grips and modded them to fit, added a T-grip, and put it in a Colt D frame holster. The stock wooden grips were ok, but the plastic ones they include positively sucked, hence the modifications. I only sold the gun to fund another purchase (1897 Winchester), but I've been seriously contemplating getting another one to "play" with and work on like I did the first one. Plus, RIA customer service is very, very good. Nice people, and they're pretty speedy about correcting any issues, according to some others I've spoken with.

As far as the Charter Arms gun goes, I've never owned one. They're probably a good gun as well, but I really can't say anything about them other than I've handled them in gun shops and etc, and they seemed to be just fine as far as overall construction was concerned. Perhaps you could go to a shop with a range that would allow you to shoot both of them and you can draw your own conclusions?

So, what should you do? Personally I'd go with the M206 as I have experience with it. Others have recommended the CA, and I'm sure its just as good. Still others say save up and buy a "better" gun. But for your use, is a Ruger or Smith "better"? Don't all the aforementioned revolvers go "bang" when you pull the trigger? For a range toy, I'd want to go as cheap as I could, so I had more money to buy ammo with! And for defense it's six of one, ha' dozen the other. Either will do that job equally well. My advice: Buy what makes ya happy!

Mac
 
Charter Arms has a rebate program going as this is posted. It's been extended to 10/31. They'll send you $25 and a hat if you provide the right paperwork. I think their site is charterarms.com

There's a stainless CA Undercover in my pocket as I type this. Trigger, both DA and SA, is great. Cylinder locks up tighter than any other revolver I own, zero endshake. Fits in my J-frame holsters. Got it on sale locally for $330. The rebate helped even more. Haven't shot it enough to form any solid opinion on accuracy.

I've had problems with Smith revolvers and probably won't buy another. A 686 I have seems perfect, while a 586 had to go back to Smith 3 times before I could hit anything with it. I have an old model 37 that also seems about perfect, but it's so light it seems dainty and doesn't inspire confidence. A 617 had to go back twice before it shot straight and it's a heavy mother. I agree with others that a good used Model 10 might be your best choice if you go Smith.

The Ruger single actions I have are unbeatable, but the SP101 and GP100 are too heavy and brick like for me. OTOH, the old Ruger Security sixes are fantastic. If you find a good used one, grab it. Trigger nearly as good as Smith, built like a tank, and DA can be easily staged.

If you go CA, make sure you know what you're getting. Many models have aluminum frames and are quite light. I'd look for a stainless or steel framed model if you plan to shoot it much. Visit their site to determine which models those are.
 
Last edited:
I have 6 S&W revolvers. All have been fantastic. The same with their customer service.
I have owned 6 Ruger single actions revolvers and I still own 3 of them. They are tough reliable revolvers. Their customer service is wonderful. I have not owned a Ruger double action revolver.

Both companies make very good revolvers when or if you decide you want one.

Out of the 2 that you have posted I would go with the Charter Arms. I do not own one but everyone that I know that does likes them and more importantly, they trust them.
 
Used LCR's can be found online for about $300. Best trigger of any revolver you could buy. Used Chater's from the Bridgeport and Stratford era's can be got for about $250, again on Gunbroker.

The Rock Island is a good revolver for the money, but they are heavy.

Don't write off a used Ruger Blackhawk in .357 just because they're single action. Easy to find under $400 and they'll last forever. Uberti Cattleman's you might also find used for a price you're willing to pay and they're not bad at all, just not as robust as the Ruger.

For a good while I was buying single action revolvers because they were cheap, but didn't like the time it took to reload or the lack of a double action trigger. Then I started buying DA revolvers and found that single actions are just better, especially when all I'm doing is shooting them at the range, but a single action revolver under the pillow is still damn good for home defense.
 
I have three Undercover revolvers. They're all vintage, with the newest being from 1987 and the oldest from 1966. I like them a lot. I'd be quick to pick a new CA over the RIA line if I was shopping new, and only between those two, today.

The OP must have an ex born under the sign of Taurus. :D
 
Take a look at the EAA Windicator, 6 shots, .357Mag. revolver. They are made in Germany by a company called Hermann Weihrauch which also owns the brand Arminius. The design is similar to a Charter Arms or a Hi-Standard. They are heavy as boat anchors.
 
Buy a used Smith or Ruger.

Heck I would buy a Taurus over a Charter any day but that.s just me. Not that I would buy either of them.:)

But you said cheap. Cheap is cheap.
 
OP,
Being as to how you are wanting a cheap snubbie to practice with while you save up for a Colt Cobra (a fact that seems to have been ignored by every commenter so far), I would recommend the RIA 206. It outwardly functions like a Colt snubbie. It has the same cylinder latch and rotates in the clockwise direction.. It is pretty much the exact same size as what you are saving for. The internals are fairly different from a Colt, but the egros are going to be very similar. Again, for your stated purpose, I think the 206 is the way to go. Should be able to get one for a smidge over $200,

BTW: I just bought a Cobra, and I am in love with it. Just got back from the range with it, and it is a real shooter!
 
Buy a used Smith or Ruger.

Heck I would buy a Taurus over a Charter any day but that.s just me. Not that I would buy either of them.:)

But you said cheap. Cheap is cheap.
Yep make the S&W or Ruger a older one .. When the companys actually had QC
Unless you want canted barrels or Worse
 
My out-of-left-field suggestion: look at a used Ruger single-six. You should be able to find one for $250 or so. High quality, cheap to shoot, and you won't take a bath if you try to resell it like you would with a CA or RIA.

But I'd bet you won't want to resell. Mine is a keeper!
 
My first revolver would be much larger than those small guns. If those small guns don't fit your hand, even the recoil from a 38 special can be unpleasant. I personally would want some thing bigger in 22LR.
 
I would look for a used Ruger or Smith. Go for a stainless one, because even if it's beat up on the outside, some Mother's mag polish and time can polish it up nicely. If it's mechanically sound, that's what you need to concern yourself with.
 
Where does this myth come from? Made to carry a lot and shoot little? I even hear people say that about the light weight J frames. What manufacturer ever told a customer " thanks for buying our product but please don't shoot it or it might fall apart"
Nobody makes and sells a gun that isn't made to shoot.
Recoil impulse is a tad worse on the smaller and lighter handguns and thus stuff like screws backing out, timing issues, battering on locking surfaces, and the like can be a problem with heavy loads where a larger and heavier firearm handles with aplomb. For that reason, some firearm manufacturers make it quite clear about proper ammo selection for longevity.

While most folks would be unable to shoot that much hard recoiling ammo in a session, over time it does have an effect on a firearm. Newton's 3rd law of motion doesn't really care about manliness but only about the variables, including gun weight, in the equation.
 
Depends on your budget. The CA police undercover will be at least $350. If that’s more than you want to spend then go with the RIA 206. Both have lifetime warranties and a good customer service record.
If it’s just a fun/range gun then no need to break the bank.
 
Have you picked your head into your LGS? Sometimes you can get old model 10's or Ruger Blackhawks for cheap, relatively speaking that is..... I'd take an older used (even if it's not pretty) Smith or Ruger over the charters or RIA's. Well worth the extra month or two stashing cash away.
 
My vote goes to Charter Arms. QC is very good and CS is even better ! Shoot the heck out of it it has life time warranty.
 
Where does this myth come from? Made to carry a lot and shoot little? I even hear people say that about the light weight J frames. What manufacturer ever told a customer " thanks for buying our product but please don't shoot it or it might fall apart"
Nobody makes and sells a gun that isn't made to shoot.

Bill Jordan, that's who.
The Model 19 was meant to be carried a lot but a steady diet of full on .357 Mags would cause all sorts of mischief, especially strap cutting.
Recommended were.38 Spls for practice, .357s for duty. No myth.
 
Bill Jordan, that's who.
The Model 19 was meant to be carried a lot but a steady diet of full on .357 Mags would cause all sorts of mischief, especially strap cutting.
Recommended were.38 Spls for practice, .357s for duty. No myth.

To my understanding, the Model 19 was an adaptation of a frame designed for 38Spl. To make it work for 357 mag they had to trim the bottom of the forcing cone to make room for the larger cylinder clearance.
Although there are documented cases of this becoming a problem I have a very hard time believing that S&W produced the Model 19 KNOWING it was going to be a problem.
I'm no business major but purposely selling a product that you know you will have to repair on your dime doesn't make good sense.
I would also bet that nowhere in the Model 19 instruction manual did it ever say "practice with 38 Spl only but carry 357s on duty".
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top