Thread: Best First Choice

Take a look at the S&W M-686 as it comes in 6 or 7 shot from 21/2" to 6" barrel. I like the 3" and 4" models myself as they fit me better. If you get one it will last a life time as they very tough. You can give it to your grandson some day. Good luck.

Originally Posted by Baldy

Take a look at the S&W M-686 as it comes in 6 or 7 shot from 21/2" to 6" barrel. I like the 3" and 4" models myself as they fit me better. If you get one it will last a life time as they very tough. You can give it to your grandson some day. Good luck.

+1 on that or a 586.

Don't overlook the Ruger GP100 in your search. They will last forever.

I would say you just about can't go wrong with Colt, S&W, Ruger.

Okay thanks for the input guys, I have my head set on an S&W 686 now.

On another turn of ideas though, if I were to use this more for target/range firing, instead of a revolver if I were to look for a pistol, what would you recommend? Right now I'm looking in the line of a Glock 17 or 22.

Just FYI, the 7 hole 686 is the 686P (+). You're making a very good choice, one I made myself a few years back.

For the range/target work, do you have a particular caliber or budget in mind (a .22 is cheap to shoot and fun for target shooting)? But in the bigger calibers I would go with a 9mm for the ammo savings. There are a bunch of guns that fit the bill, including the Glocks you mentioned.

Prepare for the coming onslaught of posts.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Just FYI, the 7 hole 686 is the 686P (+). You're making a very good choice, one I made myself a few years back. :

For the range/target work, do you have a particular caliber or budget in mind (a .22 is cheap to shoot and fun for target shooting)? But in the bigger calibers I would go with a 9mm for the ammo savings. There are a bunch of guns that fit the bill, including the Glocks you mentioned.

Prepare for the coming onslaught of posts.

Well my first handgun will mostly be used at ranges, but will be a sidearm when out hunting, not for taking down a hunt, but just to have on hand to spook away unexpected bears.
Now that you mention budget, if I were to go with a semi-auto which of the two calibers, 9mm and .40, would be the least expensive? Because with my choice of revolver, I know about switching between .38 and .357 for ranges and out on the field.
Thanks alot and keep em coming!

I Like Ruger Gp-100 4" .357

i would get the S&W
357
stainless steel
4"
you sound like me - 37 years ago i bought a colt lawman for one of my first guns after a 22lr snub nose

Originally Posted by DANtheDINOSAUR

Well my first handgun will mostly be used at ranges, but will be a sidearm when out hunting, not for taking down a hunt, but just to have on hand to spook away unexpected bears.
Now that you mention budget, if I were to go with a semi-auto which of the two calibers, 9mm and .40, would be the least expensive? Because with my choice of revolver, I know about switching between .38 and .357 for ranges and out on the field.
Thanks alot and keep em coming!

Well then, even if "spooking bears" is only a secondary function I would withdraw my .22 suggestion. But if that kind of woods protection is a consideration then you're better off with the 686 carrying full .357 loads than a 9mm or .40.


In regard to the semi-auto loads, the 9mm is alot less expensive than the .40 (or .45 for that matter). 9mm is way cheaper than .38's too, if that helps you. At Walmart a box of WWB (Winchester White Box) 100 count is $18.42 in 9mm and about $29 in .38. WWB in the 50 count at Walmart is around $10/box. I don't have a .40 so I'm not up on prices but I do know it is significantly more than the 9mm. Probably up there with the .38's or .45's.

Glock-20 10mm....15 in the magazine, one in the pipe, lightweight, very controllable, reliable, tougher than nails, relatively well priced ($500-$600) and a 10mm should handle any wild thing comin your way from squirrels to brown bears. carry a few spare mags and you're good to go. and though ammo is slightly more pricey than .40s and 9mms, the gun is an absolute blast to shoot (no pun intended) the moment i shot one i fell in love. you'll have tons of fun at the range...

Originally Posted by Wyatt

I don't have a .40 so I'm not up on prices but I do know it is significantly more than the 9mm. Probably up there with the .38's or .45's.

$26 and change for 100 rounds of WWB.

Thanks, Todd.

So there you have it. About $8 per 100 box more than the 9mm, about 45% higher. So you can probably figure $4-$5 more for a box of 50.

im new to guns too but i dont understand how people can recommened these rugers, colts, cowboy guns etc when heckler and koch is the real cream of the crop apparently. im just trying to understand why?