Your Funnest Pistol or Revolver

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Al-jim19

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Im in the market for a new pistol or revolver. Really hoping to get something that’s purely fun, cool, or pleasurable to shoot. I want something that’s just a little bit different than than what I already own: a G19, Shield 9, and G19 .22.

Thinking about a few different things:
- A WWII styled 1911 a1, the auto ordnance model
-Some sort of .22 DA or DA/SA revolver
- Some kind of classic .38 or .357
- an all metal DA/SA pistol with a rail, like a 226 or similar
- a full size Glock 21 style pistol

I’m open to all of the Highroad braintrusts suggestions, but it needs to be semi reasonably priced and be in a common caliber :9mm, .45, 357/.38, or .22 in that order. I’m almost completely against .40, but a pistol that offers the 40-9(-357) conversion easily could be in the running like a G22 may be a possibility.

A pistols ability to accept preban magazines is a major bonus since I’m behind enemy lines in Massachusetts. In fact, I’ll be trying to swap a preban magazine for most of the value of whatever pistol I decide on.

Thanks in advance!
 
Personally, I like shooting revolvers more than I like shooting autos. So I'd get something like a K frame Smith if you want a 38 Special, or a S&W 686 or Ruger GP100 if you want a 357 (maybe it's me, but I just don't like the SP101).

Not sure what it's like buying used guns in Massachusetts, but if possible I'd try and buy a revolver used. New, they're kind of pricey, but older used revolvers are pretty affordable. Buying a 686 or GP100 new in my area would set you back about $800, whereas you can find used 357s around $500 all day. And provided they haven't been shot with hot-loaded ammo, most revolvers wear pretty well. If anything, the previous owner shooting it just breaks in the action for you.

Taurus and Rossi revolvers are an option for around $300-$400 new, but I've never been that impressed with them. There are some guns that the Brazillian manufacturers do well and some that they don't - revolvers are one of the latter.
 
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Funny or not funny, first you need to get a real gun! Something made of steel with grips made of wood. . Sorry, I had to do that and was kinda kidding. If you want something fun, you need a revolver. Whether it is a .22 or a .357 mad, if all you have are Glock and S&W Semi Autos, you will be in for a pleasant surprise I'm betting. Certainly will be a change of pace. AS you can guess already, I'm a revolver man down to the core. Depending on what you will do with it and where and how you will shoot it would dictate what I would recommend to buy. If you are just going out to do some informal shooting in the country, a .22 S&W Revolver would be hard to beat. You will be surprised at the accuracy compared to the Semi Autos as well. If you want to step up the power a little, then move up to a .38/.357 mag. If you go with the .357 mag, you can shoot some hot stuff if you desire and step down and shoot .38 special for daily target fun. I would recommend a revolver with a hammer no matter what barrel length unless you plan on using as a carry gun. Most of the time target shooting you are going to shoot single action, so with a hammer, you can shoot single or double action. For just general shooting, target and plinking I would go with a 4" barrel or maybe a 6". If you are going to carry, a 2 or 2.5" would be the logical choice. The longer the barrel, the longer the sight radius so better accuracy and in the case of the .38/.357 less recoil. I personally would go with a Smith and Wesson and get a used pre-lock gun. I prefer stainless just for the durability and ease of cleaning. Not sure what sort of budget you are working with but based on my suggestions, you could pick up a nice model 63 in .22 for around $500-600 or if you want to go .38/357 then a model 65 with fixed sights would probably run $400-500 and a model 66 with adjustable sights around $550-650 based on pricing in my neck of the woods. Pawn shops are a great place to shop. Of course you can always go to a Guns show and the selection might be better but you will wind up paying more either new or used and if new would wind up with one of the guns with a lock. Won't hurt anything, just butt ugly in my opinion. Last bit of info, if Smith and Wessons are out of your budget range, then Taurus does make some right decent revolvers and would be priced several hundred dollars less but in the long run, you will be glad you got a Smith. Got a little long winded but hopefully you will find some of this info helpful. I wish you will in your search for some fun!!!
 
You need something with some personality! I’ve shot my share of Glocks and similar guns, and while I understand what they are good at, looking at one never makes me think “Man, I really want to go out and shoot that.” My first suggestion is a Single Action revolver with a 5.5” barrel. You can stretch out to shooting some long distances and open up a whole new world of shooting, and single action is very different than anything you currently have. If you want to stay with semi auto, a Ruger Mark series with a bull barrel is a total tack driver and really fun. Just my 2 cents for whatever they are worth.
 
You need something with some personality! I’ve shot my share of Glocks and similar guns, and while I understand what they are good at, looking at one never makes me think “Man, I really want to go out and shoot that.” My first suggestion is a Single Action revolver with a 5.5” barrel. You can stretch out to shooting some long distances and open up a whole new world of shooting, and single action is very different than anything you currently have. If you want to stay with semi auto, a Ruger Mark series with a bull barrel is a total tack driver and really fun. Just my 2 cents for whatever they are worth.

Ooh, I forgot about the Ruger 22s. Those are great. Same with the Buckmark.
 
1911 A1 is my favorite on your list. But for me, the Auto Ordnance would not be the funnest. I get bit without a beavertail and the GI sights are getting trickier to see.

I have a Ruger MKIII with a red dot on it and everybody, young and old, love to shoot it. I love .22lr but it takes a little more "oomph" to put a smile on my face.

So staying within your list of ideas, I'd vote a S&W 586/686. I see 9mm is your #1 preference though, what about a Blackhawk Convertible? 9mm and 38/357 all in one fun, accurate and affordable package.
 
Yeah, Blackhawks are a LOT of fun, and the 357/9mm "convertible" is very versatile. Here's mine. It's way more accurate than I am, and shoots 38 special, 357, or 9mm. I haunted Gunbroker for a few months and snagged it for a $299 bid. It's been shot a lot, but they are sturdy and it will probably outlast me. I have five Ruger SA revolvers and enjoy them all.

You definitely can't go wrong with a Single Six 22lr, either. My original one was my first handgun from when I was a kid. I gave it to a terminally ill relative as a gift, and picked this one up a few years back as a replacement.

The Blackhawk 45colt/45acp is another great choice. I shoot mostly 45acp out of it due to price. I bought this one brand-new around five years ago. I probably should have looked around for a used one. The 7.5" barrel gives it a super-long sight radius to work with, so it's easy to shoot well.


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It’s hard to beat Rock Island Arms, making functionality and classical designs like the .38 spec and 1911. All while keeping price modest, unlike the big boys.
 
Browning Buckmark, inexpensive .22 fun all day long. With a low cost Bushnell TRS-25 red dot on it, it’s almost impossible for me, or my 11 year old grandson, to miss.

Mine has proper factory wood grips on it, and I had it threaded for a possible suppressor one day.

Nothing like Browning quality.
 
If it’s going to be a .22 I think I would do a revolver. Single action revolver isn’t really my thing so unfortunately I think it’s out.

I shot a SW 1911 once and it felt nice in hand. I tagged a bowling pin at 50 yards on my first shot with it! The SW 43c looks interesting, how’s the trigger pull?

I want something fun, but also with at least a little practical value: something I could carry, something I could attach a light to for HD etc.
 
A few of the most fun guns I have owned personally:

S&W Model 15
1911s
HK P7
NAA Mini Revolver in .22 mag
Browning Buckmark
S&W Model 66 snub

Personally I think your most fun gun is one you already own. I think that Glock 19 9mm has some potential.
 
Al-jim19

In a .22 my most fun semi-auto is my Beretta Model 70S. Great trigger and sights, incredibly reliable, surprisingly accurate, and just plain old fun to shoot. It goes with me on every range trip.

Moving up to a .380 my Colt Mustang would be my choice for all the same reasons I have listed for my Beretta Model 70S. Plus it's small and easily concealed.

My funnest 9mm. would be my Browning Hi-Power, also another every range trip companion. It's the gun that everybody loves to shoot as well!

Favorite fun gun in a 1911 (and in .45 ACP), would be my Colt Combat Commander that was part of a limited run from Colt's Custom Shop many years ago. Just like the Model 70S, Mustang, and Hi-Power (starting to see a trend here?), this gun is a dream to shoot with it's awesome trigger, dialed-in sights, and well tuned action! Pretty sweet looking too with that bright nickel plating!

Top fun single action revolver would be my highly polished stainless Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. Not only is it great to look at, it's literally a blast to shoot! Always puts a big smile on my face after every trip to the range!

With a double action revolver it would have to be my S&W Model 686. Just like that certain blonde hair girl with that certain bear family, the L frame is the one .357 that's just right for me! Also doesn't hurt to have the best out-of-the-box-trigger of any revolver I have ever had but also has great build quality and is perfectly balanced with it's 4" barrel.

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For pure "fun" I have several 1911's I shoot from time to time. For "work", its mostly Glock 9mm's. I also have a Glock 21 SF that I enjoy shooting, but it mostly gets used as a hunting sidearm.
 
A full size CZ or Sig could be fun. I really dig 10mm but it’s not cheap to shoot.

A S&W or Ruger in 357 would also be fun.
 
If you want to stick with 9mm, I would definitely try out a few full size steel options like a hi-power, Cz75, or 9mm 1911. I am partial to the 9mm 1911s, RIA or Springfield range officer are a couple good options. The long sight radius and low recoil make these among the easiest to shoot well

I agree with the other comments too, a good Ruger or S&W 357 would be a great addition, as would a Ruger or buckmark .22. I really enjoy shooting my SP101 and buckmark. Added bonus of you reload, 357/38 is my favorite cartridge to reload.
 
My K22 is the most fun DA 22 revolver I've ever shot.

I got the Sig P229 police trade-in for under $300. It's just a tiny bit smaller than a 226. It's got a great trigger. It's a bit scratched up from holster wear, but the slide is stainless anyway.

The Glock 22 was also a police trade in for under $300. Like the Sig, it came with the box and extra mags. I bought an aftermarket 9mm barrel and magazine, so now I have a Glock 17 whenever I want to shoot 9mm instead. IIRC, all it needs is a third barrel to be 357 sig as well.



 
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