Looking for a revolver to qualify with

[steve817]

At this point I am seriously considering becoming a CHL instructor. In doing so I will need to qualify for both SA and NSA.

The revolver I'm looking for will have a longer barrel length and as light a trigger pull as possible. Any suggestions?

[G.A. Heath]

I'm not sure what the requirements for an instructor is, regarding the specs of the firearms. However a single action revolver from Ruger can have the trigger reduced from nice to insanely light by removing the grips and releasing one side of the spring from the catches. I would not recommend this, but it is an option.

[steve817]

I'm only guessing at this point that one would have to shoot DA. I'm hoping one of the fine folks on this forum who is already in instructor will chime in soon.

[texasjeep44]

My suggestion would be to get an SP101 with a 3 inch barrel, then you have a revolver to qualify with and one to carry if you choose.

Your not going to have enough time to shoot in single action mode during the qualification, so get used to pulling a double action between now and when you have to qualify.

Another option would be to get a larger frame revolver to use as a woods gun or home defense gun

The wife qualified with her 4inch GP100 using .38 sp loads, she has had that gun for nearly 20 years.

I had single action Colt clones or a Ruger Redhawk in 44 mag to choose from. I opted to purchase the SP101 for the reason that I stated in the opening. I didn't think the DPS or the people qualifying around me would much appreciate me shooting 44 mags during the instructors revolver qualifications. Besides, it gave me a reason to purchase a new gun. And yes I do like carrying the SP101 at times. It is a great gun.

Good luck.

[tauruspt145]

In the class you sould shoot either da or sa, but the instructor sugested highly against sa. The reasoning is unless you can fan the sixgun like a true cowboy it is not practical in a real world situation. Also be carefull if your planning a trigger job the first thing they check for is push off and if you got it, that gun does not get fired at the range.

[steve817]

I'm not looking to do any modifications, and pretty hard headed about the longer barrel length. As a matter of fact, I really don't even want a revolver but necessity requires me to have one.

[Tregs]

In the class you sould shoot either da or sa, but the instructor sugested highly against sa. The reasoning is unless you can fan the sixgun like a true cowboy it is not practical in a real world situation. Also be carefull if your planning a trigger job the first thing they check for is push off and if you got it, that gun does not get fired at the range.

What's 'Push off'?

[The Annoyed Man]

In the class you sould shoot either da or sa, but the instructor sugested highly against sa. The reasoning is unless you can fan the sixgun like a true cowboy it is not practical in a real world situation. Also be carefull if your planning a trigger job the first thing they check for is push off and if you got it, that gun does not get fired at the range.

What's 'Push off'?

It's the condition which permits a cocked hammer to fall by being pushed from behind, or if the gun is dropped.

[texasjeep44]

I'm not looking to do any modifications, and pretty hard headed about the longer barrel length. As a matter of fact, I really don't even want a revolver but necessity requires me to have one.

What do you consider to be a longer barrel? 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 inches?

[steve817]

What do you consider to be a longer barrel? 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 inches?

Sorry, a minimum of 5 inches preferably 6.

[CC Italian]

Ruger GP100! Get the .357 mag. Weighs 45 oz , holds 6 rounds, 6in barrel, and can shoot .38 special. It would have little recoil and it only costs around 500. 500 bucks for a gun that you can expect to last 3 lifetimes. They are that tuff. Plus if you every decided to carry it (I wouldn't try and carry a 6in revolver) and run out of rounds you could just throw it and incapacitate a bad guy :).

[silverbear]

S&W 686, can't beat the quality or trigger on these smiths, esp older "no-dash" "pre-lock"

[randomoutburst]

My hubby has a S&W 19-3 and a Colt King Cobra that each have 6-inch barrels and have smooth trigger pulls. The Colt has been the nicest revolver on my hands, and is an absolute joy to shoot. I'd even say that .357 mag is more comfortable than .38 special in this gun! Still, you may not be able to find one of those...and even if you do, I'd bet it's more than the $400 we got them each for.

If you can find a S&W 581, 586, or 686 with a 4" barrel, those shoot very nicely as well. I still prefer hubby's Colt King Cobra to his 4" barrel 581, but it's still nice to shoot. In addition, it's easier to conceal...and finding holsters for 4" barreled revolvers versus 5- or 6-inch barreled revolvers is much easier. I know you prefer the longer barrel (as does my husband) but it's more practical to get a 4" or smaller if you want to carry it. If you're just qualifying with it, though...get whatever you like!

[jamisjockey]

I'm only guessing at this point that one would have to shoot DA. I'm hoping one of the fine folks on this forum who is already in instructor will chime in soon.

I'm applying to become an instructor and have been reading the requirements. Instructors are required to qualify with both categories of firearm during the Instructor's course.
I've already got a 3" GP100 that shoots quite well. I might have some trigger work done to it between now and then, but I'm confident I can qualify with it as-is.
Steve 817, I'd recommend the GP, by the way. Great solid revolver. Mine has a heavy DA trigger but shoots good groups at defensive range.
A 4" gun will do everything you need it to do, unless you want to hunt...then you might consider going longer.

[A-R]

I'm not looking to do any modifications, and pretty hard headed about the longer barrel length. As a matter of fact, I really don't even want a revolver but necessity requires me to have one.

If you don't think you'll use the revolver for anything other than the instructor qualifying, why not borrow one from a friend or fellow forum member? There were a lot of instructor candidates in July with borrowed wheel guns - some of them big-game hunting hand cannons with 8-inch barrels firing ammo that begins with .4 (some of the DPS instructors got a kick out of those )