No Lock Wheel Gun Options

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Pietro Beretta

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Hi all!

I am in the market for my first wheel gun.

What are the no-lock options out there, I am looking for 4" - 5" in .357 or .44 Magnum.

So far, the Ruger GP100 / Redhawk has caught my attention.

I have shied away from Taurus and Rossi, I read lots of negative reviews.


Let me know what I should be looking at during my search. :)


Pre-lock S&W at this time are priced above what I am looking to spend. I am hoping to spend not a penny over $800.
 
OP "I have shied away from Taurus and Rossi,"

Good thinking. I'd look for slightly used, not abused S&W's. A 686 is one of my favorites.
 
Pietro Beretta said:
Hi all!

I am in the market for my first wheel gun.

What are the no-lock options out there, I am looking for 4" - 5" in .357 or .44 Magnum.

So far, the Ruger GP100 / Redhawk has caught my attention.

I have shied away from Taurus and Rossi, I read lots of negative reviews.


Let me know what I should be looking at during my search. :)


Pre-lock S&W at this time are priced above what I am looking to spend. I am hoping to spend not a penny over $800.
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You can find pre-lock S&Ws for that price if you shop around. I've seen 686's and Model 65s, even Model 66's for less than $800 in good shape.

As far as new revolvers go, pretty much the only one I would buy is a Ruger GP100. They really are great guns, and the engineering of them means that they aren't a big manufacturing and political compromise like the current S&W guns. They were designed in 1985 as a modern revolver, with modern (investment casting) manufacturing. They really have transitioned over to the modern age really well, while still being a "classic" gun. :)
 
That's the thing, the older pre-lock S&W's are often less than their new counterparts. I paid $750 for this minty nickel model 15 only six months ago.

IMG_6658b.jpg
 
Pietro Beretta said:
Hi all!

I am in the market for my first wheel gun.

What are the no-lock options out there, I am looking for 4" - 5" in .357 or .44 Magnum.

So far, the Ruger GP100 / Redhawk has caught my attention.

I have shied away from Taurus and Rossi, I read lots of negative reviews.


Let me know what I should be looking at during my search. :)


Pre-lock S&W at this time are priced above what I am looking to spend. I am hoping to spend not a penny over $800.
Click to expand...
That is all well and fine. Your budget would be?

There are no shortage of fine S&W and Colt revolvers out there. They range from reasonable to holy crap it cost that much.

S&W Model 19 is a nice choice and if you want a 44 Magnum start with the S&W Model 29 or S&W 629 flavors unless you want a Colt? If you have a few grand the Colt Python is nice and if that exceeds the budget maybe a Colt Trooper? You really need to get a budget out there and narrow down your search. The $800 budget opens plenty of doors. One member just bought a S&W Model 29 for $800. The difference between a nice .357 Magnum and a .44 Magnum is quite a jump.

Ron
 
The GP100 is an excellent revolver. There is also the SP101 if the GP is too large for you.
 
I really like the GP100 and they can be had brand new at great prices. The sights and grips are exceptionally easy to swap, and IMO Ruger is just the best revolver out there.
 
^ And they smooth up so well! I've never had a GP100 that didn't smooth up dramatically after some dry fire sessions with snap caps + shooting. :)
 
Id get the GP-100 and plenty of ammo cus you will shoot the heck out of it. I have a 6" stnls and will never part with it. I have put around 15,000 rounds through it and it still looks new and loosened up quickly. Did I mention I'll never part with it. I'm going to get a 4" soon to carry.
 
$800 will buy you a very very fine condition S&W Model 19 or an early Model 586 in blue or 686 in stainless if you like something a tad nose heavier. Very fine revolvers well within your price range that will last you the rest of your life.

Stu
 
While I have several Rugers in calibers from .22 to .45 both revolvers and semiautos, my vote is for a pre-lock S&W in your caliber of choice.
 
There are no locks on these two Smiths.

M10-M36s.jpg

BTW, many Rugers do have a lock only Ruger was smart enough to hide it under the grips and the default Satan isn't locked if something breaks.
 
Howdy

Lots of used Smiths out there in your price range. Today I picked up a nice Model 28-2 (357 Mag) with a 6" barrel for $650. There was another one a couple of booths over for over $800.
 
Driftwood Johnson said:
Howdy

Lots of used Smiths out there in your price range. Today I picked up a nice Model 28-2 (357 Mag) with a 6" barrel for $650. There was another one a couple of booths over for over $800.
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Highway Patrolman is on my list. :) Have a Pre 27 and a nice 27 but alas no 28. I would go $650 in a heartbeat, nice deal and enjoy your new Model 28.

Ron
 
I just found a GP100 Match Champion for $600 +15 shipping.

I can't find a pre-lock around my area for 800, at least not ones in the condition I would want, ya know...?

Discussion done. :D
 
Pietro Beretta said:
I just found a GP100 Match Champion for $600 +15 shipping.

I can't find a pre-lock around my area for 800, at least not ones in the condition I would want, ya know...?

Discussion done. :D
Click to expand...
Those Match Champions are NICE(!!!) revolvers. The wood grips that come on them are SO nice and comfortable. I believe you will have one hell of an accurate, durable, and reliable shooter in that Match Champ GP100. Enjoy it!! :D
 
How long have you been looking?

Sometimes you have to be persistent.
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I do get that, I would like to pick one up local so I can feel it, or have the ability to return after an inspection - at the least!

Locally, it seems to be a weird case of one type of shop doesn't buy wheel guns because they don't sell.

Another type of shop only believes in all steel guns and believes he has something more than its worth.

I don't usually visit the pawn shops but when I do I don't ever seem to be able to haggle down to a fair price like others seem to be able to, so I walk. :confused:
 
There is nothing wrong with buyiing on like from Gunbroker. I have never been jacked up on a deal yet. Most sellers go beyond what is needed just so you know what you are getting. And if you need more pics most will email them to you.

Plus you may want to visit a few gunshows in your state. You just never know what might turn up. And sometimes individual sellers have gun that may interest you. The search is half the fun.:neener:
 
That's the thing, the older pre-lock S&W's are often less than their new counterparts. I paid $750 for this minty nickel model 15 only six months ago.
Click to expand...

That is a beauty! If I could fine a pristine piece like you found I would have jumped on it.
 
For your $800 budget, you can get almost any pre-lock S&W shooter, just not the primo collector ones. I have 34 of them and the most I’ve ever paid was $600 for a model 29 in excellent condition. You just have to look; local listings, gun shows, Gunbroker, etc. in addition to your local gun and pawn shops.
 
Yup. That's what I keep telling folks. They are out there. They may not fall into your lap when you first start looking, but they are there. You just have to keep looking. Today I attended a medium sized gun show. I had lots of choices for old Smiths, took home the Model 28.
 
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