Revolvers

Ok so after shooting a number of handguns, I have more less decided I enjoy shooting revolvers more. So my question is, are there any cheap revolvers you would recommend? I would prefer around $150. Or Should I just forget a handgun and get a Moison Nagent? Cheap ammo would be preferable.

High Standard made a nice 9 shot .22. They can't be that much money.

Example: http://www.gunsamerica.com/968513354/Guns/Pistols/High-Standard-Pistols/hi_standard_6_SENTINRNTAL_22_LR.htm

The only hand gun I own is a Ruger .357 revolver, and I feel no need to upgrade.

Blah, blah, blah takedown, blah, blah, blah more shots, blah, blah, blah light weight, whatever someone else brings up is pretty much trumped by a 1" spread at 25 yards and the reliability of a rock.

I love my 300 buck model 37 smith and wesson. It has the nicest trigger of anything I own.

Joey

That price has almost put you into the Saturday Night Special category unless you are talking about a .22 rimfire. You may be able to get some old mil-surp weapon for that price, but its going to be a wierd caliber.

You used to be able to get old S&W 38 special cop trade-ins pretty cheap. Don't see them offered any more, but I'm not really looking.

I never felt the need to buy a revolver, since I've always preferred a semi-auto pistol. Fortunately my wife has me covered, owning both a S&W #686 .357 MAG and a Taurus in ,38 SPL. Both are good, reliable wheelguns at a reasonable price.

I would never buy a "cheap" handgun, unless it's a gently used high quality specimen. Unless you only plan to use it once.

Rossi makes a very nice S&W copy. I've put about 1000 rounds through my .38 and have never had an issue. Keep it clean, and it'll work forever.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.lipseys.com/eImages/rossi38stainless.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx%3Fitemno%3DBTR35202%26mfg%3DRossi%26family%3DRossi%2BRevolver%2BSeries&usg=__dBSIFGQG-gEUvwuxblwXYsH8HAI=&h=214&w=288&sz=12&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=U8yGHByfNyX_aM:&tbnh=85&tbnw=115&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drossi%2B.38%26hl%3Den%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

These can usually be found in the 200-250 range in almost new condition.

Those Russian Nagant's are pretty inexpensive, and in your price range. Ammo is reasonable. About as complicated and reliable as a hammer, from what I hear. http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/russian-1895-nagant-revolver%2C-in-7-62-nagant-caliber-/products_id/1059

I was thinking .22 or .38. I may end up just going with a Moison Nagent rifle.

oldopelguy wrote: The only hand gun I own is a Ruger .357 revolver, and I feel no need to upgrade. Blah, blah, blah takedown, blah, blah, blah more shots, blah, blah, blah light weight, whatever someone else brings up is pretty much trumped by a 1" spread at 25 yards and the reliability of a rock.

Number one rule of a gun fight, always have a gun... Number two rule of a gun fight, always hit your target.

Doent nessarily matter the calibre or capacity as long as you have one and can hit the target.

Dr. Hess wrote: Those Russian Nagant's are pretty inexpensive, and in your price range. Ammo is reasonable. About as complicated and reliable as a hammer, from what I hear. http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/p/russian-1895-nagant-revolver%2C-in-7-62-nagant-caliber-/products_id/1059

At least on that website, ammo is about the same cost as a .45. And I doubt it is going to be easy to find but it might be worth a look.

If you can find a used Ruger, S&W, or Colt .38/.357 for that price, buy it. A 4" .38 is a very useful handgun. Adjustable sights and being chambered for .357 would add to the versatility.

I've seen Rossi 5-shot .38 Specials go for around $200 new.

For new revolvers, you're at the bottom of the range. I've had good service from a fixed-sight.22LR single action, and similar models are in your price range.

Actually the Nagant revolver is more complicated than most revolvers out there. They use an odd mechanism that moves the cylinder forward when you cock the hammer to cause a seal between the cylinder and barrel. The proper ammo is also rather difficult to find as it was designed basically for that pistol and aids in the sealing process. There are some swap cylinders available that allow you to fire I believe its the .32 long but I'm not 100% sure which and it is not as accurate.

Oddly enough the sealing mechanism on these has provided room for some rumors that a suppressor can be used with the Nagant revolver and that it has been used as a hitmans tool several times leaving no brass to clean up.

The best place to get ammo for a Mosin is at a gun show, and that may be the best place to buy one, too, if you're considering ordring on-line and having it shipped. You can skip the shipping and the FFL transfer fee. The ammo is usually around $0.50/round at a show, or 20 for $5 or $10. And I'm referencing the Mosin rifle, not the revolver.

Check out these stocks for Mosins. These beat the black composite Monte Carlo style anyday, and look to be fairly well put together.

http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/Ria-Mosin-Nagant-s/153.htm

In reply to mattmacklind:

Actually if ordering ammo online for the Mosin rifle you can buy surplus for around $0.20 a round or less. I paid about $160 for 880 rounds of the good stuff sealed in spam cans and in a crate. Just make sure you do your research and find out which countries to buy and what stuff is considered junk.

I bought a used .357 Service Six years ago for right over $200. Best money I ever spent. It'll shoot .38's if I'm feeling poor, six at a time. It's a good'un. I'd check around for used revolvers at shops, shows, and in any paper that will take ads for used guns.

I would say try firing a Mosin Nagant before you buy it. A lot of people will tell you the recoil isn't so bad. Well, call me what you will, but it's got enough recoil that I don't really enjoy shooting it. Of course aftermarket butt pads can fix this, but it's something to be aware of.

What is this for? General gun fun, Home defense, conceal and carry?

In reply to Drewsifer:

General gun fun.

For cheap shooting, 22 is about your only real choice right now. Even reloading is getting expensive with lead boolits now going for 15 cents each by themselves, 3 cents primer, 3 cents powder, you're looking at ~20-25 cents a pop if you roll your own. Less if you cast, of course. There's 22 revolvers out there, including S&W's. And there's some in your price range, but they'll be imports or maybe an older H&R. For center fire, a used po-po gun as Xceler8x suggests is probably the best choice, if you don't want to go Nagant which is about as cheap as you can get into the game.

Start hitting up local pawn shops. .22's over various types show up all the time. Mostly lever guns, or semi auto rifles, but occasionally semi auto pistols (ala Walter) and revolvers. You can't go wrong with .22lr. If you could go up another $100 you could probably pick up a brand new .22 Walter, or something in that range.

By golly I actually was looking in a book and found a photo of an old supressed Nagant revolver as used by OGPU, the pre KGB.

Here is a similar photo I found online

J&G has some S&W stainless 38's on sale that look like a good deal to me.

Another supporter of the little .22 for general fun. No knock down power, but dirt cheap, loads of fun and virtually indestructable.

A number of .22 revolvers also will chamber the .22mag ammo with a cylinder swap. If you've any vague thoughts about going up in power for some reason, that's something to consider.

foxtrapper wrote: Another supporter of the little .22 for general fun. No knock down power, but dirt cheap, loads of fun and virtually indestructable. A number of .22 revolvers also will chamber the .22mag ammo with a cylinder swap. If you've any vague thoughts about going up in power for some reason, that's something to consider.

I understand the Ruger Single Six convertible is one of those revolvers. They fetch a pretty healthy amount of cash, though.

Yep the single six from Ruger is a great little gun, I have owned one for hmmm 20 years or so. Another option that would cost less is the EAA Bounty Hunter in .22 with the swap cylinder for mag round. You should be able to find one new for under $225, used they go for about $125-150.

I have a Bounty Hunter in .45 long colt