First new gun!

JDgreen227 · Mar 17, 2011

Marveltone said:
I bought myself a new revolver! I've owned other guns before, but they've all been used. This is the first "virgin" firearm I've ever owned. It's a brand spanking new Taurus model 66 .357 mag, 6" barrel, stainless steel, 7 shot. Just got it home tonight and gave it a thorough cleaning to remove all the manufacturing gunk. I'll get to fire it this weekend. No time at the moment. The trigger assembly feels pretty good for being fresh from the factory (better than my friend's GP100) and it should loosen up after a couple hundred rounds or so. We're planning on loading some light to medium loads for the break-in period.

Can't wait for the weekend!

Joe

Nice firearm...I have always loved wheelguns, my favorite is my S&W Model 19, .357 with a 4 inch barrel. Was the first pistol I ever owned, have others that are newer, but the Smith is my favorite one.

Marveltone · Mar 19, 2011

Finally got to shoot it today. Spent a few rounds adjusting the rear sight and finding what kind of loads it likes. Heavier = better. Full load 150 grain Hornady JHPs are the bomb! Anything lighter just shoots too low for me. Didn't seem to like 125 gr. so much, but we still want to experiment some more. Might try even heavier, just for reference. Seems if I can keep relaxed, it's capable of 1" groups at 30 ft. :thumbsup:

Works for me!

Joe

Western · Mar 20, 2011

Nice weapon you have. I like the reliability of a "wheel" gun.

Best revolver I had was a S&W Highway patrolman model .357, only thing I didn't like about it was my wife shot better groups

JDgreen227 · Mar 20, 2011

Marveltone said:
Finally got to shoot it today. Spent a few rounds adjusting the rear sight and finding what kind of loads it likes. Heavier = better. Full load 150 grain Hornady JHPs are the bomb! Anything lighter just shoots too low for me. Didn't seem to like 125 gr. so much, but we still want to experiment some more. Might try even heavier, just for reference. Seems if I can keep relaxed, it's capable of 1" groups at 30 ft. :thumbsup:

Works for me!

Joe

Wow...I'd be happy to get ONE FOOT groups at 30 feet with my aging eyes....

Marveltone · Mar 20, 2011

JDgreen227 said:
Wow...I'd be happy to get ONE FOOT groups at 30 feet with my aging eyes....

Heh heh... Notice, I said if.

Joe

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 20, 2011

I have a Colt King Cobra 357 single action. I bought it for my wife to be able to shoot 38 specials. I keep it handy in a quick code opening safe. 1st shell is a CCI shot shell. I told her she can point it around a corner and fire to hit a wide area not exposing herself. After that, its loaded with lead.

mjw357 · Mar 21, 2011

I have a Taurus model 669, stainless .357 mag with a 4" barrel, full length ejector shroud. Bought it new over 20 years ago, has never let me down.

Larry Caldwell · Mar 21, 2011

mjw357 said:
I have a Taurus model 669, stainless .357 mag with a 4" barrel, full length ejector shroud. Bought it new over 20 years ago, has never let me down.

That's another good point. Any large frame revolver will last a lifetime, particularly if it's designed for .357 and, like most of us, you practice with .38 special. With moderate shooting of just a few thousand rounds a year, any large frame .357 will be good for decades.

westbrooklawn · Mar 22, 2011

I also like revolvers... my favorite is a S&W Model 27... N frame with 3.5" barrell. A little big for concealed carry, but it shoots very well. I am looking at a used stainless Ruger 44 mag Redhawk... anyone have experience with that particular gun?

Marveltone · Mar 22, 2011

Autos are fun, but too many moving parts. More to go wrong. Revolvers just plain work.

BTW, loaded up some 170 gr. Sierra JHC w/14.6 gr. of Win. 296 powder. WOW! The 6" barrel really keeps things in check. I was doing just as good at 50 ft as I previously was at 30. I was previously shooting consistent, but low groupings. They have now raised up where they belong. I probably grip it a bit on the tight side. Comes from 30+ years of guitar playing.

Joe