So far we have covered my choices about what I would choose when purchasing my first rifle and shotgun. Much like with me writing about the shotgun and having a long-time friend come to me with just such a request, I had the same situation happen with the rifle! Last month I went out to the new San Jose, CA store to help with the Grand Opening. (It was awesome!) And sure enough, one of the associates I was help train asked me what I thought about for a good rifle. I quickly sent him the link to my article and that was that! I also ended that last blog to write the next one about one of my favorite firearms, the revolver. So here we go!
A revolver is a kind of handgun that has its rounds chambered by a cylinder. The cylinder “revolves” around moving an empty chamber to the next one while working the action. There are two types of revolvers, single-action and double-action. When people think single-action, they can’t help but imagine the guns used during the Old West. The double-action revolver came out years later and for a long time was the standard issue for military and police forces.
Basically a single-action must be shot by working the hammer back, which engages the firing system. Without that, it won’t fire. A double-action can shoot without the hammer being worked back, and many models come without a hammer. The hammerless models are mostly for concealed carrying purposes. The thought process being that it is one less thing to get caught on when pulling the firearm out. The nice thing about a hammered double-action though is that you can work the hammer back and then when you squeeze the trigger it is a much shorter and easier action. A straight double-action pull can be much longer.
Generally single-actions must be loaded and emptied one at a time. A door will open to the side of the cylinder, which allows you to load or unload (this process usually engages a plunging rod to push the empty case out) the cylinder. A double-action more than likely has its cylinder swing completely out to the side making emptying and loading a much quicker process.
There are not as many calibers of revolvers when compared to pistols. You have basically: .38Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Special and .44 Magnum. Now, the magnum calibers can usually shoot the special calibers (i.e. .357 can shoot .38) but not vice-versa, but always ask whoever is helping you.
Part of the reasons why I love revolvers so much was my childhood. I grew up watching countless old John Wayne western films, which grew my fondness for them at an early age. (I am working on my wife to go for the name “George-Washington McClintock!” for our first born. Boy or girl.) I tend to be more accurate with them as well. And I even enjoy the longer process of loading and unloading these firearms as opposed to the “slap and rack” kind of mentality you may get with a pistol.
Now to be considered for the rank of a “first firearm” we need some criteria. Your first revolver needs to be easy to shoot, accurate, well-built, not break-the-bank expensive to own/shoot, able to be used for defense and safe. My honest first choice would be the: Ruger Blackhawk Convertible in .357Mag/9mm.
I personally own this firearm and absolutely love it. A number of years ago, my best friend and I had an “Arizonan Best Friend Day” where we both got similar firearms. (He snagged the Super Blackhawk in .44Mag.)
What I love about this gun is how it fits all my criteria. It is incredibly easy to shoot and accurate. I used this firearm for the shooting aspect of my concealed-carry-weapons permit class, and wouldn’t you know it, I had one of the best groupings of that group! Many people are turned away from single-actions “because they can go off when the hammer is pulled back” but thanks to the transfer bar with these Rugers, you have to pull the trigger to have a round go off (so it is safe). Also with some single-actions you have to work the hammer back a little in order to open the loading gate, but with this one you can open it up without having to work the hammer. It is extremely well built and has seen probably over a thousand rounds of all sorts of ammo put through it. With the capability to shoot .357Magnum this gun definitely fills the niche of “defense gun” and since it is a revolver you can shoot those “shot-shells” through it, giving you a micro-shotgun like capability (perfect for rattlesnakes out here). But because it is a convertible it means that you can shoot three different calibers through the same gun! With the .357 cylinder in place you can also shoot .38 Special, which is lighter in recoil and cheaper to shoot. Transfer over to the 9mm cylinder though, and the recoil is barely noticeable and the ammo is even cheaper! So there it fulfills the “not break-the-bank expensive to own/shoot” checkbox.
So overall, you could not go wrong choosing this gun for your first revolver. In fact, you wouldn’t go wrong if choosing it for your second, third or fourth! Whenever my wife and I hit the range, we always bring “Mary-Kate” with us. (She was named after Maureen O Hara’s character in the Quiet Man, a Wayne classic.)
-Giddy-Up!!
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