These days, most shooters starting out look towards semiautomatic pistols for their first gun purchase, at least if they’re looking for self-defense purposes (if they’re buying their first gun for hunting, they’ll typically choose a rifle or shotgun, depending on their hunting needs).
Some people, though, really, really like revolvers.
Maybe it was growing up watching the Lone Ranger or John Wayne westerns. Maybe they just like the way that they look, the classic firearms styling.
And, to be fair, there are practical reasons that many people choose revolvers over semiautomatic pistols, mainly having to do with simplicity of use and reliability.
If you decided on a revolver, though, you may still not be sure which one to get, and a writer named Travis Pike has a couple of options that may spark your interest. For best overall revolver, Pike writes,
Those looking for a high-quality revolver to have some fun at the range should look no further than the [Smith & Wesson] 686 Plus.
Utilizing Smith’s medium L-Frame, the 686 Plus with its full underlug provides excellent balance while still having enough weight to mitigate recoil.
The Plus model denotes that the gun holds seven rounds instead of the standard six found on most revolvers.
Just like almost every other S&W revolver, the 686 Plus has an excellent trigger. Pair that with the nice adjustable rear sight, and you have a gun that is hard to miss with at the range.
Don’t be fooled by all the talk of range shooting though, the 686 series of guns are more than capable of flexing into concealed carry, woods gun, and home defense roles as well.
They are available in several different barrel lengths, including 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 inches.
If you’re on more of a budget, though, then Pike suggests another revolver to consider. Pike continues:
So you want to dip your toes into the pool and try out a .38/.357 revolver but are unsure about shelling out $700-1000?
Luckily, Taurus has you covered with the competitively priced Tracker revolver.
Coming in at $450-$550, the Tracker is notably cheaper than many of its medium-framed rivals. While the price may scream entry-level, the Tracker is packed with some quality features.
Like the 686 Plus, the .357 Magnum Tracker also has a 7-shot cylinder. You also get a fully adjustable rear sight, and the real icing on the cake…a factory ported barrel to help reduce recoil.
While Taurus admittedly had some quality control issues in the late 2000s with the metallurgy on their revolvers, that seems to have been rectified over the last several years.
They may not be quite as smooth as a Smith or as tanky as a Ruger, but they shoot well, have excellent features, and are easy on the wallet. Oh, and they are available in .44 Magnum for those looking for even more power.
Of course, there are a multitude of other revolvers models to choose from made by almost as many different companies, so if this Smith & Wesson or Taurus don’t fit the bill for what you’re looking for, with a little looking around, you can almost certainly find a revolver to fit your needs and your budget.
Having said that, these two models are a good starting point for your shopping efforts to get you out on the range with that gun quickly.
Good article.
I have a semi-auto 9mm Tarus that I thought would be a cheap low end 9mm and was completely surprised by its shoot ability.
It functions flawlessly and has an excellent trigger.
The Tarus weapons are a tremendous fit in the market.
I just bought a .357 MAG Taurus 7 shot revolver for dirt cheap. Any size you want, same price for stainless, black or blue. Very well built guns, with a warrantee