Need help choosing a revolver

Hi all. I need some opinions.

I am buying a .357 snub for the wifey's b-day. It will be for daily carry. She wants a small auto (like my KelTec .380 pocket rocket), but I want her to carry something that goes boom EVERY time. You absolutely cannot limpwrist those tiny .380s, and in a SHTF situation she isn't going to be thinking about propper grip. She has even been looking a little pearl handled .22s, lol. No way, Jose! Not for SD! She is more concerned with looks and weight than functionality and stopping power. (imagine that!)

I have narrowed it down to the Taurus 605 and a similar Smith .357 that was next to it in the store. (I think it was a mod.60) I want a .357 because I like having the option of running .38 or .357 in them. I also think that the extra weight will make the .38 rounds more manageable for her.

My dilema is that I have no experience with Taurus or revolvers in general, and there is nearly a $200 difference in price between the two revolvers. Both are identical with exeption of the grip. The Taurus has a nice comfy grip that looks cheaply made with a strange gap along the back. I would have to change it so I wouldn't want to puke every time I saw it. The Smith grip is a hard material that doesn't go over the backstrap, it does seem to be very high quality with a perfect fit, though. I would have to change it out for something a little softer that covered the backstrap.

Both guns are NIB. Resale value is of little concern to me since I don't usually sell firearms.

So, should I get the Smith like my instincts tell me, or am I just paying for the name on the side? An extra 200 smackers would sure help with my AR build. I'm so torn, what do you folks think?

Also, how are the Rossi revolvers? I know they are owned by Taurus now, but how is the quality? The price point on them is hard to argue with. I could get a blued one of those and durabake it purple! She would s#*t kittens! I caught her looking at pink and purple duracoated Glocks the other day, LOL! I swear I will never understand women (especially that one), but it doesn't stop me from tryin'.

I am no expert, BUT, if you buy a weapon that she likes, she is more likely to carry it! You could buy one of the Charter Arms that has already been "colored."

jbpmidas wrote:if you buy a weapon that she likes, she is more likely to carry it!

Very true. I'm trying to balance want and need. I also really don't want a colored gun in case she doesn't like it. Selling a gun like that could be tricky. I'm not sure I'm man enough to carry a purple gun, lol.

Thanks for the great idea about the charter snubbies for a color option, but I'm kinda leery about charter. I haven't heard very nice things about them from gunsmiths over the years.

get a old snubby smith thats still in good shape and have it coated in a color of her choice

Your on the right track with the weight thing. The heavier the gun = less felt recoil. I'd look at the smith over the taurus if you can swing it. But I would look at the modal 640, it has a 2 1/8" barrel, solid stainless steel. It's not to heavy but it's enough to make fun with the .38s and easily tolerable with .357.

Hope this helps, BTW this is what I carry.

I'm w/ XD on this one. My wife trained w/ Cliff and he recommened the S&W 640. Found her a used one in .38+P and then ran up on a NIB 640 in .357 that followed me home. She carries the .357 and does quite well with it. They're DOA and the hammerless feature makes for "snag-free" concealed carry. At around 23 oz they do an OK job of soaking up recoil, but the heavier (I think) Ruger SP101 with a bobbed hammer might be something you should consider as well. Just thinking out loud - good luck w/ your search and pass along birthday greetings to your better half from those of here at MSGO.

Pops

Thanks guys! I'm going to opt for the S&W.

I'll be sure to post some pics when I get it.

smith is definately a better gun.
however, i know a lot of people who love the taurus.
their autos can be "iffy" in quality. (please dont smite me for this, i have just seen a few not so good taurus autos everybody)
...but their revolvers are very good. i have not seen one with problems that i am aware of.

verdict: given my drothers, i would much rather have a smith and wesson over a taurus. their revolvers are top shelf.

I was a big fan of Taurus, until I had to send 3 back to have them fixed.. Go with the Smith..

Well I picked up a NIB S&W 642-2 today for $460. Looking around online, it looks like I got a decent deal. It's not a .357, but that's ok. The overall quality just wasn't there with the Taurus. I'm happy with my purchase. I just hope she can handle the light weight!

Thanks for the help, guys! I'm glad I got the Smith. I really think she is going to like it. Now I need to find some pretty grips, lol.

I will toss some pics up when I get a chance. I'll have to wait until the wife is away!

nothing wrong with the Rossi. Great accuracy out the box. Only problems I know of are Ejector Rods failing after thousands of rounds. I'm sure it will never have that many rounds through it. Can't beat the others if money is there to buy, but money don't buy happiness you know. New Charters are lots better than their old stuff and they go bang everytime now. .02

Congrats on the SMITH.

S&W or Ruger......

Hope she likes it!

I honestly think she will love it!

Can anyone recommend a good small IWB holster for it? It will mostly be riding in a purse and occasionaly worn IWB.
Thanks again!

Can't help on the holster because I pocket carry. But if she carrys in a purse it needs to be in it's own pouch with nothing else
in it.

I have a Don Hume IWB I bough several years ago for a Charter Arms I had at the time (wish I had it back). I carried the Rossi in it a few weeks ago until I sold the Rossi to Sidroski. It is a good holster and plenty comfortable.

Find a good used S&W 66 2.5".

I would find a round butt Model 19 or 66 S&W 2.5" revolver. I would not buy a new S&W on a bet. I would look for a 19 or 66 - 5 or earlier. Manufacture of S&W revolvers in the mid 1970's.

The newer S&W revolvers are not well machined and they have a pressed in barrel in lieu of a barrel with screw threads. The older revolvers have a pin that locks the barrel in place at the top of the frame, where the barrel screws into it.

Doug