My next revolver

Millie

Get on with your life!!!
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I'm pretty close to giving up on the Taurus UltraLite. It's just not a good gun for me. No matter what ammo I use, it still sends a nasty shock through my hand, mostly in my trigger finger. (Who knows why, but it's not a lot of fun.)

The new one will need to be heavier and have a longer barrel than 2".

It won't be carried, it'll be the kitchen gun. I really don't care how big that sucker is!

So please give me your expertise once again, but no really expensive guns need apply, meaning I'm not going to spend over, say, $500.

And this means I'll be shooting revolvers before I buy, something I didn't do before I bought the one I have now....live and learn.
Thanks again for your help.
 
Find you a Smith & Wesson Model 10, .38 Special. There are thousands of them out there for less than your budget. Police all over the world have carried these for years. You won't find a better revolver for the purpose that you have planned.
 
Pretty well anything without “lite” in its name will suit you better. Lightweight frames increase felt recoil. The difference between your ultralite and the same model but all steel would be surprising.

I vote a 4” model 10 smith (or clone):)
 
Model 10 S&W, any barrel length 3 inches to 5.

yup. And you can get Police trade-ins cheap cheap cheap from several on-line sources. Perfect for your purpose.
 
Pretty well anything without “lite” in its name will suit you better. Lightweight frames increase felt recoil. The difference between your ultralite and the same model but all steel would be surprising.

I vote a 4” model 10 smith (or clone):)
Yeah, I had to learn about "lite" the hard way...which is how I learn lotsa stuff! No more "lite" for me, but at the time I had no clue, and should never have bought a gun without shooting it first...what a dummy! Lol.
 
Since you’re saying you’re not carrying it I vote go for something capable of .357mag ... just because it can handle .357mag doesn’t mean you have to shoot it but down the road you can if you want. A good used K-frame stainless S&W Model 66 4 1/4” barrel can be found in that neighborhood if you look. It’s not a large hunk of metal like the larger 686 but has some weight to it to make .38wadcutters seem like .22lr and .38special even feel lighter.

Like you said get your hands on stuff before you buy but remember grip types on revolvers can make a difference so make sure whoever you’re dealing with shows you grip options also ... fancy grips tend to not be as comfortable as ugly rubber ones like Pachmayr which tend to be easier on the hand.
 
My wifes bedside gun is a Ruger speed six, although it does have the 2 1/4 barrel, the thing weighs a ton. It's a 357 we download with 38 wad cutters, and she loves it. I bought it used 30 years ago and she's had it ever since, this is the gun she used to qualify for her CCP
Wished we lived closer, I'm sure my wife would let you try any of the ten revolvers she owns to see what suits you.
Good luck in your search,
 
Since you’re saying you’re not carrying it I vote go for something capable of .357mag ... just because it can handle .357mag doesn’t mean you have to shoot it but down the road you can if you want. A good used K-frame stainless S&W Model 66 4 1/4” barrel can be found in that neighborhood if you look. It’s not a large hunk of metal like the larger 686 but has some weight to it to make .38wadcutters seem like .22lr and .38special even feel lighter.

Like you said get your hands on stuff before you buy but remember grip types on revolvers can make a difference so make sure whoever you’re dealing with shows you grip options also ... fancy grips tend to not be as comfortable as ugly rubber ones like Pachmayr which tend to be easier on the hand.
I actually loved the 686, the sights were wonderful, but it was a bit of a handful....I could get used to it, maybe....lol. It was a beautiful piece of art!
 
My wifes bedside gun is a Ruger speed six, although it does have the 2 1/4 barrel, the thing weighs a ton. It's a 357 we download with 38 wad cutters, and she loves it. I bought it used 30 years ago and she's had it ever since, this is the gun she used to qualify for her CCP
Wished we lived closer, I'm sure my wife would let you try any of the ten revolvers she owns to see what suits you.
Good luck in your search,
Wow, that's a lot of revolvers!
Living in the boonies, while nice for a lot of reasons, does make it a pain to get to places to try out stuff. But I'm sure I'll find some to shoot!
 
A Taurus model 65,66,80,or 82 will feel a lot better than that ultra lite.Charter arms as well.Smith and Ruger are fine weapons as noted.
If you are anywhere near Fuquay you are welcome to shoot any of mine to see what you like.

There is a vendor on gunbroker that has been selling stainless Taurus model 82 security trade ins cheap for a while now.Robertson trading post had a run of Smith trade ins a while back very affordable also.
 
I actually loved the 686, the sights were wonderful, but it was a bit of a handful....I could get used to it, maybe....lol. It was a beautiful piece of art!
If by handful you mean recoil.....shoot 38 specials out of a 686.....very little recoil.

Taurus guns are hit or miss......you may buy one and it be a great gun. You might get one and it will give you a lot of problems.
 
I actually loved the 686, the sights were wonderful, but it was a bit of a handful....I could get used to it, maybe....lol. It was a beautiful piece of art!

38 sp are tame little kitties through a 686. Im bettin you could handle that.
There are many great Smith revolvers out there, just dont get overwhelmed and forget the Ruger GP100. Thats another good one and is very soft with 38sp
 
If by handful you mean recoil.....shoot 38 specials out of a 686.....very little recoil.

Taurus guns are hit or miss......you may buy one and it be a great gun. You might get one and it will give you a lot of problems.
I do mean recoil in the 686, but I might be able to get used to it! No gun I've shot in any calibre has been as bad as the UltraLite...
I have no problems with Taurus itself, just should have tried out the gun, and then I'd have moved on and gotten something heavier. My mistake! Lol.
 
My mother made the switch from liberal ideologue to conservative while I was away living in Charlotte. Some bastage convinced her that she should go with one of those Taurus polymer snubs for a first pistol:eek::mad:

Dear lord what a bear to shoot! (Not to mention, white polymer! Had to drown that thing to get powder residue off).

God rest her soul. At least she came around to reality and made the decision to defend herself as is her right. But I tried that sob out with “self defense” ammo and it squirmed and squiggled so horribly, I couldn’t hit a pie pan at 10 yds. Didn’t wanna try anymore after one box. Rubbed my hand raw... I donated her something immediately to replace it.

It went to my brothers wife after mom passed as she is raising their two kids at home while he is in the service. It serves the purpose as an inside thehome defense weapon. But it’s garbage as an only firearm for a home/individual. Used to get range time in with, new shooters or proficiency. That dang thing will ruin the fun and excitement of a new skill.

I’ve always been of the opinion that the “subcompact” and “lightweight” versions of firearms are horrible for beginners or single firearm households. They are for more experienced individuals. They fill a great and necessary role. But if the only firearm owned is tough to manipulate, tough to be accurate with and tough to handle, the want to slides to the need to which slides to the i should but it’s no fun. Which then makes said firearm live in one spot for its life with the owner, who never works to maintain their proficiency or develop skill...



All that to say I’m so super proud of you for wanting to go out, get lessons, gain proficiency, gain experience. Accepting that your revolver is no fun to shoot so you need to get another that is so you can expand your skills and knowledge by shooting more:)
 
My mother made the switch from liberal ideologue to conservative while I was away living in Charlotte. Some bastage convinced her that she should go with one of those Taurus polymer snubs for a first pistol:eek::mad:

Dear lord what a bear to shoot! (Not to mention, white polymer! Had to drown that thing to get powder residue off).

God rest her soul. At least she came around to reality and made the decision to defend herself as is her right. But I tried that sob out with “self defense” ammo and it squirmed and squiggled so horribly, I couldn’t hit a pie pan at 10 yds. Didn’t wanna try anymore after one box. Rubbed my hand raw... I donated her something immediately to replace it.

It went to my brothers wife after mom passed as she is raising their two kids at home while he is in the service. It serves the purpose as an inside thehome defense weapon. But it’s garbage as an only firearm for a home/individual. Used to get range time in with, new shooters or proficiency. That dang thing will ruin the fun and excitement of a new skill.

I’ve always been of the opinion that the “subcompact” and “lightweight” versions of firearms are horrible for beginners or single firearm households. They are for more experienced individuals. They fill a great and necessary role. But if the only firearm owned is tough to manipulate, tough to be accurate with and tough to handle, the want to slides to the need to which slides to the i should but it’s no fun. Which then makes said firearm live in one spot for its life with the owner, who never works to maintain their proficiency or develop skill...



All that to say I’m so super proud of you for wanting to go out, get lessons, gain proficiency, gain experience. Accepting that your revolver is no fun to shoot so you need to get another that is so you can expand your skills and knowledge by shooting more:)
Thanks! I do love my revolver in every way....except having to shoot it!
But I'll keep shooting a few rounds in it each time I go to the range (until I get rid of it), just so I can know what it's going to do if I ever have to shoot a burglar in the kitchen! Other than that, I don't think it's going to get a whole lot better. It's so odd, the second time I shot it wasn't as bad as this last time, I actually thought it and I might get along....but nope!
I know when it's time to quit.....
 
Some rimmed cartridges are very similar in size such as the 357 magnum and the 38 special. They are basically the same except the 357 magnum is slightly longer. So.......a larger heavier revolver (such as a 686) chambered in 357 magnum will also accept the lower powered (lower recoil ) 38 special ammunition. Its almost like shooting a 22. Then if you're feeling froggy, you can shoot full powered 357 magnum loads. Just remember....you can shoot 38 special or 357 magnum from a 357 magnum gun........but you cant shoot 357 magnum in a 38 special gun (357 ammo shouldn't fit in a 38 gun anyway).
 
Houge makes a variety of grips. I know they make finger grooved rubber grips for a j frame that feel like grips on a larger frame.....maybe they have something similar for Taurus.
 
S&W model 10. ( or at a bit higher prices Model 64s) Highly available, highly reliable, highly affordable and greatly enjoyable to shoot. Get some target grips if they fit your hand- even more control. Generally cheap enough that you can have a few without freaking out on what you pay. But be warned: they tend to multiply ;)
 
S&W model 10. ( or at a bit higher prices Model 64s) Highly available, highly reliable, highly affordable and greatly enjoyable to shoot. Get some target grips if they fit your hand- even more control. Generally cheap enough that you can have a few without freaking out on what you pay. But be warned: they tend to multiply ;)
It seems S & W is the way to go! And I've already realized my gun are going to multiply...first I had a 9mm on the list, then I had to add a .22, and now another revolver....it's never going to end, is it? Lol. The list keeps growing.
 
Houge makes a variety of grips. I know they make finger grooved rubber grips for a j frame that feel like grips on a larger frame.....maybe they have something similar for Taurus.
Would different grips help with dispersing the "shock" that hurts my trigger finger?
 
Folks, are there any aftermarket grips that could make this gun more tolerable for her? I hated my 442 until a friend gave me larger grips.
Are new grips going to help my trigger finger not hurt when I fire this gun? How, if so?
 
Would different grips help with dispersing the "shock" that hurts my trigger finger?
Not much. Might, but it seems this Taurus just bites you the wrong way. It might feel better initially but I think your trigger finger just doesn't like this gun and there's probably no fix for that(that is reasonable). Also it's in your head now that you don't like it, so you're gonna be always thinking that anyway.

if the only firearm owned is tough to manipulate, tough to be accurate with and tough to handle,
Absolutely, and then they get to thinking they all must be like this and give up. Few do what Millie did and think hey this thing sucks and go looking for help.

I don't ever see Millie shooting full house magnums, maybe try someone's at the range to say she did, but I don't think a magnum-rated revolver is needed for her 'just in case you might want to'. She's never gonna shoot them things. If the 357 and 38 were the same price sure. But the 357 will be $150-$200 more than the 38 that will do the same job just fine.

I totally agree that a S&W Model 10 would be ideal. My personal favorite is one with a 4" heavy barrel, and they're common. These guns are legends...totally a safe bet Millie. You'll love it. Get on gunbroker and look around.

Hey..have you thought about trading that Taurus for one? Go to a couple LGS and see what they have there. I bet you could probably trade close to even-steven.
 
Not much. Might, but it seems this Taurus just bites you the wrong way. It might feel better initially but I think your trigger finger just doesn't like this gun and there's probably no fix for that(that is reasonable). Also it's in your head now that you don't like it, so you're gonna be always thinking that anyway.


Absolutely, and then they get to thinking they all must be like this and give up. Few do what Millie did and think hey this thing sucks and go looking for help.

I don't ever see Millie shooting full house magnums, maybe try someone's at the range to say she did, but I don't think a magnum-rated revolver is needed for her 'just in case you might want to'. She's never gonna shoot them things. If the 357 and 38 were the same price sure. But the 357 will be $150-$200 more than the 38 that will do the same job just fine.

I totally agree that a S&W Model 10 would be ideal. My personal favorite is one with a 4" heavy barrel, and they're common. These guns are legends...totally a safe bet Millie. You'll love it. Get on gunbroker and look around.

Hey..have you thought about trading that Taurus for one? Go to a couple LGS and see what they have there. I bet you could probably trade close to even-steven.
Well, until today, I thought the Taurus and I were going to be fine, but it turned on me! Last time I shot it (about a week or so ago) I was certain that I'd be fine with it. I tried and will continue to try to get it to do right, but it's just painful. At some point I'll have to give up unless a miracle happens. I so love my revolver, and it'll hurt to let it go, but it'll hurt more to keep shooting it, probably! Lol.

I do plan on seeing if I can trade it, starting with the store that sold it to me. Lol.

And I'll check around online and see what there is, but a revolver is 3rd on the list of guns I want. Ok, second, do I really need a .22? (That should stir things up!)
 
It probably won't help the trigger finger pain...….. Like said above the older trade in Smiths (the Model 10 and similar) are steel frames, they should be plenty heavy enough to dampen the recoil. Like said above, they are true classics that most anyone will be able to shoot comfortably.

You might could find a 357 Ruger around $500 ish too.
 
You trade that Taurus for a Model 10 and you'll still have probably most all of your money and you can go get that 22 also.
Get rid of that Taurus. It ain't doing you any favors.

eta; Ruger makes a fine handgun. Taurus not quite as refined as the Ruger. But neither of them have a factory trigger that will match the Model 10. I have several revolvers in all 3 brands, and the M10 has the others beat with the trigger. The Rugers are good though and the Taurus is do-able. But since your trigger finger is your main complaint, the trigger needs high consideration.

So if you do trade, sometimes the salesman will try to re-direct you to another gun..similar to what you asked for..as that's the model he wants to move. I would highly encourage you to use the model 10 as a baseline to beat. The others may look the same, but they're not the same.
 
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You trade that Taurus for a Model 10 and you'll still have probably most all of your money and you can go get that 22 also.
Get rid of that Taurus. It ain't doing you any favors.

eta; Ruger makes a fine handgun. Taurus not quite as refined as the Ruger. But neither of them have a factory trigger that will match the Model 10. I have several revolvers in all 3 brands, and the M10 has the others beat with the trigger. The Rugers are good though and the Taurus is do-able. But since your trigger finger is your main complaint, the trigger needs high consideration.

So if you do trade, sometimes the salesman will try to re-direct you to another gun..similar to what you asked for..as that's the model he wants to move. I would highly encourage you to use the model 10 as a baseline to beat. The others may look the same, but they're not the same.
Well, I'm making a list from this thread, and hope to shoot some of these eventually. No buying before trying!
 
And I'll check around online and see what there is, but a revolver is 3rd on the list of guns I want. Ok, second, do I really need a .22? (That should stir things up!)

Need? Well not exactly but practicing with a .22 is way cheaper than a centerfire ... sub 5¢ per round ... and easier to work on shooting fundamentals with little recoil. A good .22 revolver is one of the best training tools in my opinion ...plus damn fun to just relax and plink.
 
It seems S & W is the way to go! And I've already realized my gun are going to multiply...first I had a 9mm on the list, then I had to add a .22, and now another revolver....it's never going to end, is it? Lol. The list keeps growing.
I have this taped to the front of my safe.

index.php
 
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..........
I do plan on seeing if I can trade it, starting with the store that sold it to me. Lol.
And I'll check around online and see what there is, but a revolver is 3rd on the list of guns I want. Ok, second, do I really need a .22? (That should stir things up!)
You can always list it here in the trade forum.
 
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Need? Well not exactly but practicing with a .22 is way cheaper than a centerfire ... sub 5¢ per round ... and easier to work on shooting fundamentals with little recoil. A good .22 revolver is one of the best training tools in my opinion ...plus damn fun to just relax and plink.
I'll get to it, trust me! Just got another one ahead of it....lol.
 
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