Whirly gun tryouts

[Alfonse]

I've been playing around with wheel guns at some gun shops. I have never had one and think there must be some good reason for them :).

I played with J-frames and Ruger SP101s. The triggers just felt crude. A Ruger LCR had a trigger I that felt much better, so picked one up as my first thing to play with.

I did play with a .357 Smith & Wesson from their performance shop. Loved that trigger in both SA and DA modes and I think it even held 8 rounds. That one made me smile, but it was not cheap! Seemed like a good tool back woods or to have handy around the house. Maybe later, after I shoot the LCR a bit.

[MikeyKahr]

Have fun playing, and be prepared to feel the recoil with that LCR. I liked the LCR's trigger and dry firing it. Once I put about 30 rounds downrange, I returned the LCR to the rental case. If I were to get a revolver, I think it would be an SP101.

[Yogi 117]

Congrats on the LCR, they have a sweet trigger for a revolver. The wife & I have the Ruger SP-101 & GP-100 which we carried when horseback riding here in Oregon. Fun to shoot, but the triggers need a little getting used to, for sure. They are mainly safe queens now, as they're a little heavy & awkward for CC. Before you know it, you'll have the LCR worked into your CC rotation. Enjoy! :D

[Bawanna]

Have fun playing, and be prepared to feel the recoil with that LCR. I liked the LCR's trigger and dry firing it. Once I put about 30 rounds downrange, I returned the LCR to the rental case. If I were to get a revolver, I think it would be an SP101.

I did precisely the same thing. Rented one, think I only did a couple cylinders and quit. My son finished the box but neither of us liked it much.

I'm a Ruger guy too, so I was doubly dissapointed. Have several Blackhawks. I like the old Smiths and Colts.

Got Mrs. bawanna a 638 and I like it ok. Will be better after a trigger job or at least some springs but she likes it as is.

[jocko]

no doubt the weight difference was a factor, and LCR smaller than the SP101 AND gp. mY Smith 342 was not the most pleasant to shoot either. Just sayin. This was really Rugers first entry into the sub compact ultra lite wheel gun, and they choose polymer over titanium and other lite metals.It is probalby a darn nice gun if u accept it for what it is. Just sayin. I probalby wold have still pay more and bought a smith airweight,just such a classy lil bastard..

[JFootin]

I got my 638 before Bawanna got one for his wife. The trigger was smooth from the factory, but just way too hard to pull DA. So I got a trigger job done on it and now it is just 4.25 lb DA and just a thought in SA. (SA was already very light from the factory. When you see someone cock one of these Smiths, you know he means business! :eek:)

Now, I don't recommend trying to get it to 4.25 lb. I have partially paralyzed hands that necessitated the lightness. My smith says it was the best trigger job he had ever done. But maybe a pound or 2 higher would be good.

I also don't recommend the lighter springs in a spring kit. The way my smith did it was, after the action was polished, he cut a little at a time off of the original hammer and trigger return springs, test fired it to affirm positive ignition, and repeated the process until he got it where it is. The first smith I sent it to in MN tried springs from a spring kit and when it failed to go bang he put the original springs back in it, sent it back to me with the same 11 pound DA pull, charged me $65 for the trigger job and even charged me $9.95 for the spring kit! :mad: I had told him how light I needed it because of my hands, so there was no excuse! I got him to refund the $65, but never got reimbursed for the spring kit that, as it turned out, wasn't used. Neither did he include the kit I paid for with the gun when he returned it! It was this incident that fired up my search for a competent local smith, and I found this guy that I like very much! :) And, boy, do I ever love my J frame now! :D It carries great, feels great in my hand with the one piece Hogue Bantam rubber grip and is my frequent carry companion.

This is my first wheel gun. Not knowing for sure what kind of trigger improvements could be made to it, I opted for one with an accessible hammer and was SA/DA. I got the shielded hammer to aid in carrying, but before the trigger job I couldn't cock it reliably because the shield kept me from getting a good enough purchase on the hammer. Now it is no problem! Although when I would ever use the hair trigger SA mode in a s.h.t.f. situation, I don't know. With this light DA trigger, it is just not needed. Knowing what I know now about what sort of trigger is attainable, I would get a 642.

[mr surveyor]

having had several different models of carry revolvers over the years, I've come to realize that all steel, preferably stainless, is best for me. The ability to put second and third follow up shots on target is greatly enhanced by the additional weight of steel.

[Alfonse]

I don't expect I will switch to a wheel gun for carry, but never say never.

Recoil doesn't bother me much, but I'll have to see how much fun I have with the LCR. Airweight smiths don't bother me when I've rented them. I have shot a friend's LCR a dozen or so rounds and it seemed fine.

I really thought I would want an SP101, probably with the 4" barrel. But after playing with it, I would want to do work on the trigger and that seemed a bit involved for my initial commitment level.

The bigger revolvers seemed like they would be a good time at the range. The only other use for me might be something to keep around for bumps in the night.

Even though the wildfire smoke cleared with a breeze the last few days, all the ranges are closed until we get a little moisture. It might be a week or three before that changes.

[mr surveyor]

a 3" SP101 .357 mag is now my #1 revolver. Yes, Ruger triggers are generally a bit "gritty" when new, but they do not require a lot of special effort to make them work well. Most Ruger triggers can be smoothed out by dry firing, which is also good for the shooter in practicing trigger control and developing muscle control. I have gone an extra step or so changing to reduced power springs (only one step down from factory) as well as polishing internals, but nothing made as much difference as just firing/dry firing the gun. I do love the S&W revolvers, particularly the trigger/action, but for some reason I could never find the magic fit for my hand. If it doesn't fit all else is moot.

My main point is the weight. Don't be fooled my the "lighter is better" kool aid crowd.

[JFootin]

a 3" SP101 .357 mag is now my #1 revolver. Yes, Ruger triggers are generally a bit "gritty" when new, but they do not require a lot of special effort to make them work well. Most Ruger triggers can be smoothed out by dry firing, which is also good for the shooter in practicing trigger control and developing muscle control. I have gone an extra step or so changing to reduced power springs (only one step down from factory) as well as polishing internals, but nothing made as much difference as just firing/dry firing the gun. I do love the S&W revolvers, particularly the trigger/action, but for some reason I could never find the magic fit for my hand. If it doesn't fit all else is moot.

My main point is the weight. Don't be fooled my the "lighter is better" kool aid crowd.

Are your hands big, or small? I had spent money on checkered rosewood grips and a small classic set. But when I installed the Hogue Bantam one piece rubber grip, I found grip Nirvana! :)

[jocko]

NIRVANA,, would that be any relation to BAWANNA??? Just sayin.

[tv_racin_fan]

Nirvana you say? I believe I have found it..

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/tv_racin_fan/SP101grip.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn112/tv_racin_fan/P1000167_zpsec8c1869.jpg

I didn't have issue with the trigger pull on my SP101 but I had seen enough people claim the spring kit was THE thing to do so I did it. My wife went from being able to dry fire DA for about 10 pulls to being able to dry fire DA as long as she wanted to.

[jocko]

that checkered grip is super. did the greatone do that???

[Alfonse]

The SP101 is the revolver I want to like the best. I like Rugers, even the P series pistols.

I have pretty big hands, the SP101 fits just fine for me. The Smith 627 felt really nice too.

The LCR will be a fun way to start playing around with revolvers. I'm sure I could carry it although I don't see any advantage over my PM9 (a blunt nose classic). I'm still breathing, so I am a long ways from done.

I do appreciate hearing from folks with much more experience with them.

[jocko]

oh my anutter PMJ9 owner, we are up to 5 now, this could get really serious, the forum might have to recognize us as a FORCE to reckon with. Just sayin.:blah::blah:

[JFootin]

NIRVANA,, would that be any relation to BAWANNA??? Just sayin.

Sometimes, I call him Kimosabi. I get those old movie nicknames mixed up every now and then. ;)

[tv_racin_fan]

Jocko, YES SIR the Great One did those. The wear on the checkering is testament to how much it rides in my pocket. I believe I am going to get a spare set skip line checkered with a diamond where the screw goes thru.

[Bawanna]

I can certainly do a makeover on those anytime, just a recut to get the points back up.

When I get some Afzelia we can talk about a diamond pattern, not sure how much grain look it will lose in checkering.

[jocko]

IfI had a camera, I would post the wonderful setof PINK Herretts grips the greatr one refinished for me.

He callsthem the Susan Komen grips.. Just sayin

[MikeyKahr]

Speaking of Susan G. Komen, I love those "Save the Tatas" bumper stickers that are all over the place these days. Next month is the big month, if I remember right.:cheer2:

[jocko]

I certainly want to save the tata's. don't u. ??? Just sayin

[Tinman507]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VgjYJ8XSExY/SZ2ig47SOLI/AAAAAAAABJY/HsHlaeV9q6k/s200/tatas.jpg

[Bawanna]

I had to look it up but it was worth it. Shirt says not everything in Florida is flat?

[jocko]

Harley riders have a thing for OPEN AIR TATAS. Just sayin.

[Rio Vista Slim]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_3315.jpg

There is a very good reason Smith & Wesson discontinued putting Magna-style grips on their revolvers. Although highly concealable, these were something less than pleasant to shoot. I bought the pair pictured from Smith & Wesson for nostalgia's sake, but learned that the Model 637 became unmanageable with +P loads.

This created a market for things like the Tyler T-grip, if one wanted to keep the Magnas on his/her gun.

It may be a case of "looking back in retrospect", but I've always preferred S&W triggers to those of Ruger or Colt. I had a Ruger Security-Six which was Tank-Tough, but I never could master the trigger. Later, I acquired a used GP-100, and once again I had trouble with the trigger.

My former Colt Python had a typical Python trigger, which while quite good, was different enough from the Smith & Wesson K and L frame triggers to negatively impact my feelings for the gun. Thus, it was sold to someone who really appreciates Colt Pythons.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a294/RioVistaSlim/IMG_3557.jpg

Smith & Wesson J-frame triggers have always been a little stout in double-action pull. Most of the time, this improves with use, or as others have mentioned, the work of a good reputable gunsmith.

DISCLAIMER:
I grew up shooting, owning, trading, and loving Smith & Wesson revolvers, so any comments about the Rugers or Colts should be considered within that content.

[Alfonse]

Beautiful pistols, but my concentration was lost with tatas and Florida.

[Alfonse]

Took the LCR and the PMJ9 to the range today. The LCR is not as comfortable to shoot as the PM9, but I was surprisingly accurate with it. I like the trigger. I could feel 50 rounds pretty well in the part of my hand between my thumb and forefinger.

It is nice not chasing brass with a revolver. Reloading is pretty pleasant too.

I hadn't shot my PMJ9 in a couple of months. My biggest issue is being consistent in the vertical plane. The "dot the i" sight may not be fool proof enough for me. Still, I shoot it well enough for its purpose.

There was a gentleman with an L frame Smith there today like DOC540 just picked up. He could shoot. Looked like a sweet range gun and something handy to have in a night stand as well.

All in all a fun day! Another 100 rounds through the PM9 and it has fired every time and operated without any sort of glitch for years now.