Contemplating a "combat" revolver

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

rxspeed88

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
85
Whats up guys,

Lately ive been on a revolver kick. Ill admit ive never owned one, my dad has owned many over the years but im kind of an automatic type guy... anyway ive got the itch to buy either a .357 or .44mag revolver. Id like to have it around a 3 inch barrel and be double action. I plan on changing the grips and sights (if need be). The gun wont serve really any purpose except to be carried on our bear trips and if i decide to give the springer 1911 or the glock 21 a break and ride around in the car. I just like the combat look and both of those calibers.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=265435114

something like that with a not so astronomical price tag. I dont have a problem buying a nice used one either. I like the 629 smiths pretty well. Not really a colt fan but im open to suggestions. (bring on the bashing, ive shot my fair share of 1911 colts and the mustang to decide that i didnt like them)

Thanks.

Rxspeed88
 
Have you ever shot a 3" .44 Mag?

Let me be the first to tell you they kick like a mule, and the muzzle blast will not soon be forgotten.

Because your ears will be still be ringing for a week after one shot without hearing protection.

If I had to have a .44 bear gun, it would be a 4" S&W Mountain Gun.
They are my bare minimum in barrel length & weight for a .44 Mag.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/90187334...Model-629/S_W_Mountain_Gun_Rare_44_Magnum.htm

rc
 
went through some jhp rounds, silvertips, i think in one of my grandfather's s&w .44s. 4 inch barrel if i remember correctly. It had wooden handles so it wasnt the best for such a blast. It kicked like a mule but was real fun to shoot. I liked it enough to want one and recoil has never been a problem with me. The bigger the better. I have shot plenty of 357 plus p rounds in rugers, taurus, and colt wheel guns.
 
i failed to mention that i reload. not one of these calibers yet...... i like the stainless guns best. On the 66 are the finger grooves removable or are they part of the frame? thats just about exactly what i had in mind sans the finger grooves.
 
What you are seeing is an adapter called a Tyler T-Grip, and it is removable. It fills in the gap between the rear of the trigger guard and the grip frame on guns like mine equipped with the factory compact service stocks. Those wood stocks are great for concealment, and in my hands recoil isn't bad, even with magnums. But without those T-Grips, that configuration is often referred to as a "knuckle buster".

BTW, the Model 66 was sold in 2.5", 3", 4" and 6" barrel lengths, though 3" is the rarest and priciest. Be advised that these guns don't hold up well to steady use of lightweight (125 grain and under) atomic .357 loads. Stick to 158 .357s and any .38 special and they'll work just fine.
 
The Dan Wesson mod. 15-2 was the most accurate Revolver I have ever shot or owned! Mine had a 2 1/2",a 4", and 6" Barrels . It wore the 6"blr. most of the time. It was lost in a break in. I got a Rossi 971VRC. S.S. in. 357mag. It is very accurate and feels great in my hand. It has one huge muzzle flash. It has 4"blr. & fills that role well! If I get the chance I will try to pick up a DWA.s Revolver .357 mag. Or maybe A .44mag. &use .44spl.s. ?
 
As a matter of fact I was at the range today, and shot both my Dan Wesson 715 6" HV bbl and my S&W Model 19-4 4" bbl, and in both single action and double action I shot the M-19 better than the DW.

Of course, I've owned the M-19 since I bought it new in 1979, and I've only owned the Dan Wesson since I inherited it from my father in May.
 
In Bear Country I would go with a 44 Magnum or a 45 Colt. Myself I would probably locate one of the new 4" Ruger RedHawks. Between the 44 Magnum and 45 Colt in a RedHawk with reloaded ammunition, I would lean towards the 45 Colt a little. In a Bear Encounter their is no such thing as too much gun.

Just my 2 Cents

Bob
 
I have a Mag-na-port custom 3" M29, not bad to shoot at all. The quad porting really helps to ease the muzzle jump and recoil.

SDC11710.jpg
 
Fantastic info guys! WC that is a really nice pistol. i like that quite a bit. From sitting here looking around on the net i think it will be a 4 inch gun, definitely stainless, double action and its gonna be a toss up between the 44 and the 357. Id like to stay under 800 if at all possible.
 
When I hear "combat" revolver a few come to mind, none of which are .44 magnums. The first ones that I think of are the Model 1917 in .45 acp with moon clips. A nice big round that with practice can be reloaded just as fast as a semi. Another is the Victory Model based on the .38 M&P. Both of these guns saw combat in war. Others that come to mind are the S&W Model 19 and 66 The "Combat Magnum" and the S&W 58x/68x "Distinguished Combat Magnum"

When I went for a Combat Revolver I found a good used 6" S&W 586 dirt cheap as the base platform. Had it sent back to the factory where they swapped the 6 inch tube for a 4 inch tube, gave the trigger a combat tune, and then had it bead blasted and blued for a no glare finish.

IMG_6977.jpg
 
I am all for "combat" revolvers, particularly in 357 Magnum. While the 2 1/2" S&W 66 is a good choice so is the 3" S&W 13 and 65. Also look at a 2 1/2" S&W 686. The 686 is a slightly larger frame and will take the punishment of the light weight Magnum loads better than the K-frames (S&W 19, 66, 13, and 65). The blued K-frames have been known to develop craked forcing cones with the light weight super fast Magnum loads. The stainless steel versions seem to hold up better.
 
How are the 686 guns. I dont think ive handled one at least not that i can remember. I like that gun and its well within my budget. We have a gun show coming up over new years so i will be on the look out for one. I think im leaning towards the .357 in 4 inch
 
As far as a current production gun goes, your criteria remind me of the new "Wiley Clapp" GP100 from Ruger:

1752.jpg
 
If it were me I would not be shooting a 3" .44 Magnum.

I would buy a S&W M686 if you want a good combat revolver. It is made in both 6 and 7 round models and comes in 2.5", 3", 4" and 6" barrel lengths.

There are also special run revolvers made for several distributors like TALO.
Look at This One with an unfluted 7 round cylinder and at This One with a "normal" 7 round cylinder.
 
Your are talking about a Bear revolver or a combat revolver. For a Bear gun I would get a Taurus 450 in 45 Colt and reload 255gr LSWCGC with right around 1000fps, This gun is the predecessor of the Judge and built on a K frame size format. They shoot very well and pack easily. It would also make a great "combat" gun with the barrel cut to 3" and the rear sight shortened. Another good gun is a 3" 625 in 45Colt.

For a great combat revolver I would take a S&W 581 or 586 and shorten the barrel to 3" and make sure it is round gripped and then moonclip it. Right now my combat revolver is a S&W 13 with a 3" barrel.
 
The gun wont serve really any purpose except to be carried on our bear trips
Click to expand...

then go with a 686...it's stainless and perfect for outdoors, plus it will handle practically any rounds you decide to put through it. a 4" wouldn't be a bad choice at all. they're cheaper and easier to get than the short barrelled versions.
if a short barrel is a must have, you'll have to pay more...a lot more for the 3 inchers. or be patient and wait for a sweet deal. i lucked into these two being offered below the avg. prices...and both combined were cheaper than any Colt Mython i have seen for sale.
686sw678769005.JPG
 
How is the 686? I would say the 686 is on par with the Colt Python. I carried a 6" Colt Python when I started doing private security work in the late 1970's. I later switched to a 4" S&W 686-1. I carried the 686 for several years doing all sorts of assignments but mostly night patrol duties. It served me very well and was very comforting to me when I had to make several arrests for breaking & entering, and burglary. If I went back into security work I would be hard pressed to find a better revolver.
 
We take trips out hunting for and in bear country about twice a year, so it wont see a lot of hard use carrying. I like the power of the .44 but after a night of sleeping on it and realizing that im not gonna be able to clip off multiple shots accurately with the .44... i think the .357 in a 686 with a 4 inch barrel is the way to go. I need a good wheelgun to add to my collection. Truth be REALLY told, thats why i want this gun in the first place. Ive just managed to rationalize the purchase out that i "need" one when i really just "want" one.........Damn guns!
 
We take trips out hunting for and in bear country about twice a year, so it wont see a lot of hard use carrying. I like the power of the .44 but after a night of sleeping on it and realizing that im not gonna be able to clip off multiple shots accurately with the .44... i think the .357 in a 686 with a 4 inch barrel is the way to go.
Click to expand...

I think that is a wise move. Just load that .357 up with 180 grain hard cast semi wadcutters, and it should be fine for bear if your rifle isn't handy. Either that or take bear spray with you in addition.

I need a good wheelgun to add to my collection. Truth be REALLY told, thats why i want this gun in the first place. Ive just managed to rationalize the purchase out that i "need" one when i really just "want" one.........Damn guns!
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I started out with one and it rapidly turned into three (a 9mm auto, .357 revolver and a .22 revolver). I was soon infected with revolveritis and now have have 20 of them, +/1 1 or so :evil: .
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Revolver sights
Replies
8
Views
602
dwf6666
D
K
  • Locked
.22 revolver
Replies
7
Views
807
BCRider
BCRider
C-grunt
  • Locked
Blackhawk .45 Colt on layaway... should I get the 44 Spec?
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
Oceans
O
P
  • Locked
If you were going to buy a cowboy action revolver?
2
Replies
41
Views
2K
svtruth
S
J
  • Locked
Need an easy to conceal Smith
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
earlthegoat2
earlthegoat2
Back
Top