The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Hi all,
I'm thinking of getting a handgun, either a pistol or revolver and wanted to garner opinion.

I'll probably go for either a Taurus LBR .38/.357 revolver, one of the cheaper 1911s from the tunnel, or a Buckmark if I go down the pistol route. There's an outside chance that I might go for a Buntline then get it chopped and a brace fitted as I like cowboy guns but not that ludicrous barrel. I don't want to spend more than about £800 and ideally a bit less but I need to be realistic about cost.

Right now I just can't make my mind up so I thought I'd wait until the Phoenix and have a look around the stalls to see if that will help me make my mind up. Do any of you have any of these or opinions on them?

Thanks,
Paul.

I like the new 1911s and think they look better than the revolvers. Not everybodies cup of tea but it is the closest thing we have to old school revolvers, have you seen the Westlake Engineering revolvers with no brace and a 5 or 6" barrel? Only deal is they take lead semi wadcutters, nitro powder and use shotgun primers. So a bit slow to load but have the look and feel of pre ban revolvers.

I did have a think about those but I want to stick with something that's going to be quick to reload. That's why the buntline is only an outside option. I wouldn't even considered it if I hadn't recently seen a cut down one with an extension rod and I didn't like cowboy guns so much.

The 1911s from the Tunnel look nice:
http://www.pro1911.co.uk/1911/Welcome.html
I've heard some negative rumours about the cheaper 1911s being a bit plasticky and rubbish. I don't know if that's true or not so it'd be nice to hear from someone who has one.

ptheta

I have the Taurus in 357mag. Use 38sp as they are the more accurate.

148gn HBWC 3.2 unique, 3.0 RedDot, COAL 1.226"


Suggest you buy new...there are a few moody s/h ones out there and make sure it is unused...check the bore, check the action buy from reputable dealer and check date of manufacture on box and tie to S/N on weapon. Got caught by an asshole RFD in Swansea...nightmare...got full refund and had to do 1 for 1 again.

Put new grips on it.

Got new one from Shooting Supplies 13-15,Worcester Rd, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 7DL 01527 831261.

Thanks for that valuable information, Robin. I shall certainly go down the new route if I go for a Taurus. I've heard that a lot of places aren't stocking the Taurus any more because of a problem getting spares. Do you know anything about that?
Thanks,
Paul.

Last I heard something happened to main importer...from memory they are coming in thru East Barnet Gunshop..may be worth giving Joe a ring on 020 8440 2974

:)

With new Hogue grips...Looked like some twit had overtightened the bolt and spun the embedded nut tother side. Trigger pull is about 4 1/4 Lbs double action.

As ever, i would base your decision on what you're going to use it for. If its just general plinking then any of those choices would be fine. However if you're looking to get involved in practical/competition pistol you should stick with either the Taurus or a 1911. And if you do go for the full-bore option with the Taurus i'd get one in 45 ACP as they're easier to load, plus the 7 chambers you get with the .38/.357 version is no advantage as you're restricted to loading 6 rounds at a time. This means you've got to download you moon clips/speedloaders and its very fiddly getting them in there quick, plus you're almost guaranteed to get a 'dead-mans click' (pulling the trigger on an empty chamber), which can cost you a stage, or even a match.

I already shoot 3 gun practical and use a Rossi in .38 along with my 10 22 and Benelli M1. I don't primarily want this for that as it'll mostly get used on the 25yd indoor range. If there was some cross over so that I could use it for practical/competition as well that would be a definite bonus though.

ptheta wrote:Hi all,
I'm thinking of getting a handgun, either a pistol or revolver and wanted to garner opinion.

There's an outside chance that I might go for a Buntline then get it chopped and a brace fitted as I like cowboy guns but not that ludicrous barrel.

Thanks,
Paul.

I don't believe you can do this,again i believe they have to be made like that from the off and not converted.

However i have been wrong before and likely to be again sometime.