The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: RK0281 on May 24, 2009, 06:38:59 AM
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which one should i buy? keeping in mind i'm on a budget, but want a gun that works for ccw
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I own the Taurus, with years of service, and as you said "I'm on a budget".
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RK,
All of them will work for CCW, it is a matter of which is best for you. I suggest that you rent them (if possible) and shoot them to see which you prefer.
For overall value, the Taurus is probably your best bet. However, I do suggest that you get a steel gun if you plan to shoot .38 +P or larger. I know- someone will post that is steel is too heavy and that you should get a hand cannon that is light as a feather. Well, try shooting a stout self defense round in one of those super-light revolvers and that might change your mind. I had a lightweight S&W 442 and it was not very pleasant with .38 +P self defense rounds. So I went to a S&W 649 and I never looked back.
In the end, I recommend a steel snubby in either a S&W or a Taurus. Best of luck!
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I say the Taurus simply because of the three choices it's .357 over .38 spl....I assume you meant the LCR not the LCP....
It won't be fun to shoot at 18 oz with full .357 loads but do as I do and practice with standard .38 spl and carry with 125 gr JHP. At least with .357, you may only need to shoot the BG once. Light frames and .357 loads can be painfull...but the energy difference out of a short barrel is pretty dramatic.
Fullauto is right though, find a range that rents and try them all. Anything is better than a rock as they say..Good Luck.
p.s. I have a Ruger SP101 in .357 on my hip as I type this and don't even know it's there...25 oz revolver at about the price of the Taurus...
http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=6801.msg82891#msg82891
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Don't rule out the Charter Arms. They make a good product for the price. You can also get a small framed carry gun in 44 Special. I have been using a 38 charter and a 44 Bulldog for over 25 years.
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On a budget?
Taurus: Reliable, affordable, concealable.
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I love my Taurus.
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I like my S&W M36 with square butt. They don't make the j frame in square butt any more. I have had mine since 1968, The border patrol modified it for me by bobbing the hammer and further smoothing an already smooth DA trigger. I have no complaints. It is a nice pocket gun. BTW it is all steel.
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I say the Taurus simply because of the three choices it's .357 over .38 spl....I assume you meant the LCR not the LCP....
Did you mean LCR? This is a great feeling gun though I've only held it and not shot it. However, most any of these apart from the Taurus are going to be on the high end if your budget is restrictive.
The Charter Arms solution mentioned earlier should be considered as well, nice little pocket guns.
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none of the above....
a older colt dective.
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It wasn't one of the choices, but I think the Ruger SP101 would be another one to consider. Available in either a 5 shot .357 or a six shot .327 Federal magnum. The .327 will also shoot .32 H&R mag, .32 S&W long, and .32 S&W giving a wide variety of loads for whatever suits the occasion.
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It wasn't one of the choices, but I think the Ruger SP101 would be another one to consider. Available in either a 5 shot .357 or a six shot .327 Federal magnum. The .327 will also shoot .32 H&R mag, .32 S&W long, and .32 S&W giving a wide variety of loads for whatever suits the occasion.
These are all very good rounds. However, I am very conservative when it comes to guns. To quote Haz, let someone else do the beta testing. I only buy SD weapons where I know that I can find a steady supply of parts and and ammo. I bought a sweet little Chinse motor scooter used(looked just like a Vespa) by a company called Baccio. It ran great and cost me five bills. I loved it. Then it needed a starter,a simple job. No one had parts. I wound up having to junk it. Lesson learned. For SD buy something where you don't HOPE you can find ammo, buy something where you KNOW you can find ammo. Just my .02
FQ13
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I was on a budget and got the steel framed version of the Charter Arms Undercover. It's still really light, since it doesn't use side-plates. It shoots great. The first cylinder full of emptys was a little sticky to remove, than no more problems. It's not a shower, just a worker.
I have also had a Ruger SP-101 since they were sold for $275 new. It's been a while. It has the 3 inch barrel and handles more like a medium frame. Great gun!
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I voted the Smith. I have the 637, which is the same except for the exposed hammer.
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I chose the Taurus 651. I love the .357 magnum round and really like Taurus firearms. Smith and Wesson you would have to pay more money and you said you were on a budget. For the price and quality and the higher caliber I would go with the Taurus. You can always fire .38 Specials with it. I have been looking at the Taurus 66SS myself. Just my two bits.
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Taurus is a good choice but i prefer the Ruger sp101 .357mag.
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I voted smith
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My vote's for a SP101 in 357 Magnum. Great solid wheel gun at a very reasonable price. Good carry size and weight.
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none of the above....
a older colt dective.
....or save for a couple more months and buy a nice used Diamondback.
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One thing to consider as I've found that living in warm climates is that if it's too big to carry comfortably in my pocket than it becomes a hassle trying to conceal it. To me that rules out the SP101.
I would love to carry my 1911 or GP100, but find that a 12 oz J frame or 21 oz ppk/s (when, if ever I get it back from S&W) work the best for me.
My 2 cents.
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I voted for the Smith, no heartburn about the Taurus, if I could not buy the Smith and could the Taurus, Fine, The LCP I have not shot, and had great hopes for, but the press after the recall, seems like the trigger pull suffered hard, not that you cannot overcome it, it was meant for 20' and will probably do just fine, but in .380 acp, a little anemic, but push come to shove, I'll take it and say thank you, if I could not afford something else. The SP 101 and the LCR, is in a strange place for me, Ruger double action wheel guns are overly heavy, and overly sized, except for the now defunct speed six and the security six, gp 100, and Redhawk although are fine revolvers if you like clubs, are fine for field use, but not the choice of any one in competition. The smaller frame guns take some thinking, I like the SP101, and have handled the LCR, and it is not bad, best Ruger has come out with to date, IMHO, but the 101 is too heavy and large for its category, the LCR is light, but once again, too large, for the extra size I would choose a Colt, Cobra or Agent, you get 6 shots instead of 5. I am no fan of Colt DA revolvers, but in this case the shoe fits. Here is my well worn, often carried but seldom shot Agent. The grips are Pachmeyers, that have been cut down to fit the frame and the smallest configuration.
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff150/m25operator/100_1395.jpg)
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to each his own...........
but given the three choices, for me its the smith bodyguard. Light weight, conceals well for my mode of dress, and snag free profile. easily carries in my pants pocket. reliable, reliable, reliable.
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I don't carry my snub in my pocket too often, I use a high ride OWB. For this reason the Ultra-lites don't move me one way or another. Everyone has their own style, for me if I'm going pocket, I'm going lightweight and that means a compact auto like a keltec or an LCP. If on a budget, and I only had one choice, it would be a Taurus Ultra-lite in any of the many available. For that I would lean toward a .38+p vs a .357. I have a stainless .357 snub (Taurus 605) and it's a bear to shoot with full house loads. I load it with 38+p's. I like the small S&W J-frames, but find them smaller than the Taurus small frame guns, yet still a little too bulky for pocket carry unless you wear pleated pants or cargo pants. If you wear those the size between the S&W and Taurus doesn't matter as much anyway. Best advice: They are all good guns. Go with what fits your hand the best and what you feel most comfortable with.