I Like Revolvers Better, So I Bought Some More

[Tallball]

I grew up shooting a Single Six. My first real handgun was a Taurus Model 66. I enjoy shooting K frames and N frames and SA revolvers more than I enjoy shooting any service pistol. I shoot them better, too.

I've been "on a roll" lately. Prices have been crazy and I've only bought a few handguns in the past year or two. But recently I found three I really liked (and for decent deals). I was at the range today and starting thinking that I was pleased with my three most recent purchases. I put a box of ammo through a couple of them today and enjoyed them. Not surprisingly, they are all revolvers.

I own more semiautomatic pistols than revolvers, but enjoy revolvers much more. That's strange. I need to fix that.

Anyway, these are the recent additions. I've shot them all by now.

My LGS had a nice-looking used SP101. It had a nice trigger for an SP101, so I traded a couple of pistols I didn't want for it. I'd never gotten comfortable shooting an SP101 before, but the right Hogue Monogrips helped... and shooting more DA is helping too, I think. Anyway, I've put a couple of boxes of ammo through this and have had no problems. It's nice and sturdy, so the recoil is easy. I can shoot it about as well as any of my snubs. The moonclips were inexpensive and are easy to use. 9mm ammo is also the easiest to get right now.

Ruger SP101 9mm

• Tallball
• Mar 6, 2021

I wanted a 4.75" SAA clone. My LGS had a NiB Cimarron. I gave him a handgun and some money for it. I've never had a short-barreled SA revolver before. It's a lot of fun to shoot. The action is very smooth. I shot it better the second time, after I painted the front sight with white nail polish. I've put a couple boxes of ammo through it with no problems. It shoots a little low, but I like my groups. The trigger is excellent. The short barrel is handy and makes shooting it a little more challenging.

Cimarron Model P in 357 magnum

• Tallball
• Apr 24, 2021

My S&W 642 has not been reliable enough for me to carry (it needs to go back to the smith again, apparently), and I gave my Taurus Model 85UL to my FiL. Not having a j-frame was becoming inconvenient. It's a perfect fit for back pocket carry, like if I'm going to be walking the dog and know I'm not going to sit down. Anyway, I saw pictures of a very cruddy-looking Taurus Model 85 on Gunbroker. I've owned three before, and they all worked fine, so I made a modest bid on it. And I won, for $251. The pictures were terrible. When I picked it up at my FFL it looked more dirty than rusty. I spent an hour cleaning it, removing and cleaning the grips, and working on the rust spots. There are still three spots that need a little more work, and they will probably end up down to the metal. I'll just cold blue those spots. The trigger is okay, neither great nor terrible. I took it to the range with me today just to see if it goes bang. Yes, it went bang 20 times. I had a couple of flyers and the rest were tight. The trigger's better than I'd thought. I'd forgotten how easy to shoot the steel-framed ones are. It should eventually be fine for CC. I'll open it up, clean and lube the insides, give it new springs, shoot it a bunch more, and eventually probably grind off the hammer spur. It's already "pre-ruined", so I won't have to be careful with it.
View media item 3825
Anyway, if I'm going to buy any handguns in the foreseeable future, I should stick with revolvers. I just like them better. I've been shooting semiautomatic pistols for 40 years, and own some nice ones, but I just like revolvers better and that's all there is to it. There's no use me squandering any more of my "fun" money on handguns that are not so much my cup of tea. Some of my 22 autos and 1911's you would have to pry my cold dead fingers from (or my daughter would have to ask nicely), but the rest of them are just slide-racky little doohickies and I ain't gonna pretend to be in love with them no more.

 

[dodo bird]

I grew up shooting a Single Six. My first real handgun was a Taurus Model 66. I enjoy shooting K frames and N frames and SA revolvers more than I enjoy shooting any service pistol. I shoot them better, too.

I've been "on a roll" lately. Prices have been crazy and I've only bought a few handguns in the past year or two. But recently I found three I really liked (and for decent deals). I was at the range today and starting thinking that I was pleased with my three most recent purchases. I put a box of ammo through a couple of them today and enjoyed them. Not surprisingly, they are all revolvers.

I own more semiautomatic pistols than revolvers, but enjoy revolvers much more. That's strange. I need to fix that.

Anyway, these are the recent additions. I've shot them all by now.

My LGS had a nice-looking used SP101. It had a nice trigger for an SP101, so I traded a couple of pistols I didn't want for it. I'd never gotten comfortable shooting an SP101 before, but the right Hogue Monogrips helped... and shooting more DA is helping too, I think. Anyway, I've put a couple of boxes of ammo through this and have had no problems. It's nice and sturdy, so the recoil is easy. I can shoot it about as well as any of my snubs. The moonclips were inexpensive and are easy to use. 9mm ammo is also the easiest to get right now.

Ruger SP101 9mm

• Tallball
• Mar 6, 2021

I wanted a 4.75" SAA clone. My LGS had a NiB Cimarron. I gave him a handgun and some money for it. I've never had a short-barreled SA revolver before. It's a lot of fun to shoot. The action is very smooth. I shot it better the second time, after I painted the front sight with white nail polish. I've put a couple boxes of ammo through it with no problems. It shoots a little low, but I like my groups. The trigger is excellent. The short barrel is handy and makes shooting it a little more challenging.

Cimarron Model P in 357 magnum

• Tallball
• Apr 24, 2021

My S&W 642 has not been reliable enough for me to carry (it needs to go back to the smith again, apparently), and I gave my Taurus Model 85UL to my FiL. Not having a j-frame was becoming inconvenient. It's a perfect fit for back pocket carry, like if I'm going to be walking the dog and know I'm not going to sit down. Anyway, I saw pictures of a very cruddy-looking Taurus Model 85 on Gunbroker. I've owned three before, and they all worked fine, so I made a modest bid on it. And I won, for $251. The pictures were terrible. When I picked it up at my FFL it looked more dirty than rusty. I spent an hour cleaning it, removing and cleaning the grips, and working on the rust spots. There are still three spots that need a little more work, and they will probably end up down to the metal. I'll just cold blue those spots. The trigger is okay, neither great nor terrible. I took it to the range with me today just to see if it goes bang. Yes, it went bang 20 times. I had a couple of flyers and the rest were tight. The trigger's better than I'd thought. I'd forgotten how easy to shoot the steel-framed ones are. It should eventually be fine for CC. I'll open it up, clean and lube the insides, give it new springs, shoot it a bunch more, and eventually probably grind off the hammer spur. It's already "pre-ruined", so I won't have to be careful with it.
View media item 3825

Your a great American. Thanks for sharing. I really want one of those Cimmaron revolvers.

 

[Tallball]

And speaking of revolvers...

My daughter's getting older. She used to go shooting with me sometimes, but lately she's been too busy driving cars and playing in concerts and choosing a college and so forth.

She recently informed me that when she's old enough she will "choose" one of my pistols for herself. In fact, she specified that she would help herself to one of my favorite 9mm's. That would be fine, but I pointed out that she hasn't shot a handgun for a couple of years and doesn't seem inclined to practice. She agreed that this was the truth. I told her that just having a handgun in a sock drawer and ignoring it is a pretty bad idea. She also agreed with that. We eventually worked out that if she would at least shoot a box of ammo a couple of times a year... I would bequeath unto her one of my prized 38 caliber revolvers. She's okay with my reasoning... and also okay with the thought of owning one of my favorite 38's or 357's. There are several she likes a whole lot.

I'm keeping my eye open for a nice LE turn-in K-frame. I think I could find a nice one and test it out for a while. I'm pretty sure she'll be kind enough to settle for that one, instead of one of my favorite classics.

And if she's willing to practice more, I'll cheerfully (with tears in my eyes) render unto her my Walther or Sig or... (choking back sobs) 1911. That's fine. I just think revolvers are better for people who don't practice much.

 

[Hondo 60]

My first real handgun was a Taurus Model 66.

Taurus ... a "real" handgun??

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I've had sooooo many issues with Taurus that I will NOT buy another.

Not trying to flame, just that my experience has been very poor.

 

[Riomouse911]

Finding guns that are cosmetically challenged but functionally sound is an excellent way to increase the revolver to auto ratio in your safe .

I must admit we have the same type of taste in handguns, the last two-three years has been a revolver blitz for myself, too.

Once you get the 85 dialed in with new springs, etc. let us know how it shoots and carries for you.

Stay safe.

 

[Riomouse911]

Taurus ... a "real" handgun??

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I've had sooooo many issues with Taurus that I will NOT buy another.

Not trying to flame, just that my experience has been very poor.

My first centerfire handgun was a 6” Taurus 66. That was a fantastic revolver that I only got rid of because I was going broke and needed the $$.

I’ve had Smiths (4) Rugers (2) and a Dan Wesson (1) that all have had to go in for vital repairs over the years, no revolver maker is immune from needing assistance sometimes .

Stay safe.

 

[Tallball]

Amen on the cosmetically challenged handguns! I wouldn't have a Hand Ejector, or a SBH three-screw, a Colt Army Special, etc. if they didn't have worn finishes. I don't care if they have the correct grips, either. I just like to shoot them.

 

[LeftyRed]

My first real handgun was a Taurus too, 85. Back in 1990. Beautiful blue finish and built on old SW equipment. Got a 58, 380 double stack, and a 73, 32l six shot 3” barrel shortly after. Long’s Drug Store had then for all around. $175 each. Great pistols.

I seem to be leaning towards revolvers too. Maybe I’m just too lazy to chase brass. LOL

My 9mm, SW940
View attachment 1001495

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm a revolver guy, but shoot autos for HD and ccw.
I have three centerfire autos.
380
9mm
45acp

I like your sp101. I have the same in .357.
It was my first ccw. I'm not sure it isn't the best.

 

[Buckeye63]

Taurus ... a "real" handgun??

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I've had sooooo many issues with Taurus that I will NOT buy another.

Not trying to flame, just that my experience has been very poor.

.
I have had good luck with my Taurus revolvers and great luck with their Semi’s of late ....
Maybe if Tallball could have trusted his 642 he wouldn’t had to slip under your standard and buy a 85
;- )

 

[trackskippy]

My first real handgun was a Taurus too, 85. Back in 1990. Beautiful blue finish and built on old SW equipment. Got a 58, 380 double stack, and a 73, 32l six shot 3” barrel shortly after. Long’s Drug Store had then for all around. $175 each. Great pistols.

I seem to be leaning towards revolvers too. Maybe I’m just too lazy to chase brass. LOL

My 9mm, SW940
View attachment 1001495

Lefty, are they making the 940 again? Or is that one of the older guns?

 

[Tallball]

I was shooting my S&W 625 today, also. It's a beautiful revolver. I got it almost new and have taken good care of it. Its sights and trigger are very nice indeed. If I don't shred the bullseye, it's no one's fault but my own.

But the Taurus fills a niche. Its finish wasn't as good to start with, and now that's ruined. The trigger is mediocre. The sights are small. It locks up pretty tight, but not as tight as the Smith. The action isn't as smooth. But if it proves to be reliable after shooting a bunch of random ammo through it, it can serve its purpose. It can fit in my back pocket, go bang five times, and put five holes about where I aimed them... pretty much the same as any snubby revolver. It didn't cost anything and it doesn't matter if it gets wet or dirty.

The 642 is a superior revolver. It's roughly the same size, but lighter, points better, has a much better trigger, nicer finish, smoother action, etc. As soon as it works reliably I'll use it instead of the Taurus. Until then, if the Taurus proves its reliability, it can fill the role for as long as needed.

I actually prefer my LCR to any of them, but I had to put a bigger grip onto it, and it sticks too far out of my back pocket (but fits in a cargo pocket perfectly). The LCR has the best trigger of the lot.

Ruger LCR in 38 special

• Tallball
• Jul 23, 2018

 

[LeftyRed]

Lefty, are they making the 940 again? Or is that one of the older guns?

It’s from the lot that was made was made during the 1991-1998 range, SWs last run of them. It’s for sale or trade in the classifieds. Just too pretty to shoot. Thought of shooting such a pretty gun hurts. I like mine with some character now.

 

[Tallball]

I've had to wear overalls for the past six months or so. Of all of my handguns, the one that fits in the chest pocket the best is my CA Bulldog with shrouded hammer in 44 special. I've owned it for years. It goes bang every time. I can shoot it about as well as any of my snubbies. The recoil is NBD. It's a bit bigger than a j-frame for one thing. And 44 special isn't a high-pressure cartridge. It will make five holes pretty close together and fast. It shoots pretty much where I aim it. I would rather haul a shrouded revolver out of that pocket than anything with a slide, anyway, come to think about it.

Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Special

• Tallball
• Apr 6, 2020

 

[LeftyRed]

.
I have had good luck with my Taurus revolvers and great luck with their Semi’s of late ....
Maybe if Tallball could have trusted his 642 he wouldn’t had to slip under your standard and buy a 85
;- )
View attachment 1001498

The 856 is pretty nice. Only thing I don’t like about them is that I have to get another holster to carry it in while working.

I was shooting my S&W 625 today, also. It's a beautiful revolver. I got it almost new and have taken good care of it. Its sights and trigger are very nice indeed. If I don't shred the bullseye, it's no one's fault but my own.

But the Taurus fills a niche. Its finish wasn't as good to start with, and now that's ruined. The trigger is mediocre. The sights are small. It locks up pretty tight, but not as tight as the Smith. The action isn't as smooth. But if it proves to be reliable after shooting a bunch of random ammo through it, it can serve its purpose. It can fit in my back pocket, go bang five times, and put five holes about where I aimed them... pretty much the same as any snubby revolver. It didn't cost anything and it doesn't matter if it gets wet or dirty.

The 642 is a superior revolver. It's roughly the same size, but lighter, points better, has a much better trigger, nicer finish, smoother action, etc. As soon as it works reliably I'll use it instead of the Taurus. Until then, if the Taurus proves its reliability, it can fill the role for as long as needed.

I actually prefer my LCR to any of them, but I had to put a bigger grip onto it, and it sticks too far out of my back pocket (but fits in a cargo pocket perfectly). The LCR has the best trigger of the lot.

Ruger LCR in 38 special

• Tallball
• Jul 23, 2018

My 642 lasted three pulls of the trigger with snap caps before it went down. Back in ten days from SW, just as good as ever. Weird.

 

[doubleh]

I have owned six Taurii, both revolver and semi- auto and still own two of those. None ever gave me a problem. Four of them went away because of that well known ailment that affects many of us known as “I found something I liked better”.

 

[Tallball]

If I had to feed my family from game in our area (deer and hogs) using a handgun, it would be one of my 44 or 45 caliber revolvers. I shoot them as well as the 357's, so I might as well shoot the bigger bullet.

Using open sights, I can't shoot a large-caliber semiautomatic pistol as well as I can shoot my large caliber revolvers. Some of the revolvers have very long bore radii, too, which helps my accuracy a lot.

Ruger Blackhawk 45 Convertible

• Tallball
• Apr 20, 2020

Ruger Super Redhawk

• Tallball
• Sep 28, 2019

 

[Tallball]

"Taurus ... a 'real' handgun??"


My first three (other than the Single Six I had forever) were a Taurus 66, a Russian Makarov in 380, and a Taurus 85. I was in my beginning 20's and it was what I could afford. They all went bang every time.

I still have the Makarov. It still goes bang every time. That thing seems indestructible.

The two revolvers were taken in a robbery when I was in my mid-30's. I missed them. They had unusually nice triggers for Taurii. At some point in the 80's they started making some pretty decent revolvers and kept it up until 1990 or a little more, IMHO.

I've heard that they made some K-framed size 44 special back then that were pretty nice, too.

I've had some Taurii with horrible triggers, and one that never would work correctly. Most have been mediocre, but went (or go) bang every time, which is their main requirement. A few have been really nice, though.

My best Taurus ever is an Old Model 66 from somewhere around 1983. The trigger is so smooth it's ridiculous. Only my two best Smiths have better triggers. It has nice sights and a 6" barrel. The only reason to miss is because you twitched or something. I'm probably stuck with these grips, unless I make some. They aren't the same as the grips on the more modern 66 variants.

I can shoot my Model 28 a little bit better, but the old 66 is pretty nice.

Taurus Model 66

• Tallball
• Jan 6, 2018

 

[Buckeye63]

The 856 is pretty nice. Only thing I don’t like about them is that I have to get another holster to carry it in while working.



My 642 lasted three pulls of the trigger with snap caps before it went down. Back in ten days from SW, just as good as ever. Weird.

Holsters for SP101 , Charter Bulldogs & Colt D frames all work for the 856

 

[Pat Riot]

I have never understood why some people think their opinion matters…

Anyway, Tallball, you posted a shot one of my hoped for next acquisitions. A Blackhawk Convertible. I have had my LGS keeping an eye out for one for me since last July. I want a brand new one. Hopefully that phone will ring one day soon…then I’ll have to negotiate with the wife on its purchase, but I have an ace up my sleeve with maybe selling off a JM Marlin 336. We’ll see.

 

[LeftyRed]

If I had to feed my family from game in our area (deer and hogs) using a handgun, it would be one of my 44 or 45 caliber revolvers. I shoot them as well as the 357's, so I might as well shoot the bigger bullet.

Using open sights, I can't shoot a large-caliber semiautomatic pistol as well as I can shoot my large caliber revolvers. Some of the revolvers have very long bore radii, too, which helps my accuracy a lot.]

I like the shorter barrels, with my eyes. But got back into peep sights and even went to one on my BH Convertible, called Dead Ringer. Used one a long time ago and I have a little bit bigger groups over short barrel traditional sights, but still drops a deer.

I like a 44 or 45 too, seems I cast for those calibers way better and I don’t have to look to a custom mold like I do for heavy 41 mag bullets.

Holsters for SP101 , Charter Bulldogs & Colt D frames all work for the 856

They do, I got a OWB Kydex for it. But I find if I’m going to carry on the belt while working, I usually go for one of my SAs. Mine is living in the Gladiator in a go bag for the moment.

 

[Tallball]

"Anyway, Tallball, you posted a shot one of my hoped for next acquisitions. A Blackhawk Convertible."


I have owned a few: I grew up with a SS 22 convertible, have a 45 convertible I got NiB about ten years ago, and I bought a 9mm cylinder that fits my 357 just fine.

The 22 I ended up shooting LR with 99% of the time. They would kill a snake or a squirrel or a can or whatever. I gave it to a relative a long time ago.

The 45 I end up shooting 45acp most of the time, because it's cheaper and easier to get.

I will be shooting 9mm out of the 357 model for a while. It seems like it's the only centerfire cartridge I can get easily right now.

All of them have had slightly different POI for the different calibers.

I'll have to adjust the sights a little on the 357, for instance, because I've been shooting mostly 38 special and will be feeding it 9mm for a while.

I shoot the Ruger SA's as well as I shoot my N-frames. Those seem to be the top two for me. I haven't shot a Manhurin or anything like that, though.

Ruger Blackhawk 357 Magnum

• Tallball
• Jul 30, 2018

 

[doubleh]

If I had to feed my family from game in our area

If I had to feed my family from game in my area we would have subsisted on rabbit stew with a rare helping of antalope. Considering the condition of the rabbit and antalope population for the last several years we would all have starved to death by now.

 

[Riomouse911]

Here I’d be limited to eating native cottontails, mourning dove and the Eurasian collared doves that have taken root and are now everywhere here.

https://projectupland.com/dove-hunt...ard-dove-in-the-summers-of-the-united-states/

Stay safe.

 

[Tallball]

I could shoot squirrels or rabbits with a good 22 revolver anytime around here. The neighbors and law enforcement community would object, though.

Same as deer. There are times of the year when they will be in certain fields or near certain trees pretty reliably and you could shoot them easily with a long-barreled revolver at sunrise.

I'm guessing that the reaction to my deer harvesting might be even more lively.

We're kind of at a fringe area of human civilization such that there are actually a fair amount of game animals, but most of the areas around here are technically inside city limits and you can't discharge firearms.

The deer and bobcats and coyotes and such can be pretty bold, since no one ever shoots at them.