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2 Gun TesTs REVOLVER BUYING GUIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BARGAIN HUNTER We put three veteran 357 Magnums from Smith & Wesson, Colt, and Ruger in the crucible of our range testing trials. We found one we’d buy new or used. ��3

REVOLVERS VALUE GUIDEValue Guide: Revolver Bargain Hunter ��8

$400 38 SPECIALSTested: The Charter Arms Off Duty, Rossi Model R35102, and Rock Island Armory Model 206. Outcome: Three good recommendations, but for widely different tasks. . ��10

REVOLVERS VALUE GUIDEValue Guide: Snubnose Revolvers ��16

44 SPECIAL & 44 MAGNUM TRAIL GUNSTake a walk with us as we try out three wheelguns with plenty of pop, but not a lot of sag: The Charter Arms Target Bulldog in 44 Special and the Taurus 44 Tracker and Smith & Wesson Model 69 in 44 Magnum. ��17

Gun Tests Revolver Buying Guide is published by by AG Media, Inc., 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755-2446, Copyright © 2017, AG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.

Gun-Tests.com 33

BARGAIN HUNTER

Good Buys, or Goodbyes? We Test ‘Experienced’ WheelgunsThe 357 Magnum cartridge is one of the best rounds ever designed—if it’s launched from a reliable, accurate platform. We test three veteran products to see if they’re worth your money.

Before law enforcement changed over to semi-automatic pistols, most officers carried a 357 Magnum revolver. Though some write off revolvers as the firearms equivalent of rotary

phones, many of our staff consider the revolver to be a simple-to-operate self-defense firearm with built-in safeties and no magazine to lose. We also like the 357 Magnum cartridge. In addition to self-defense use, some team members have used the round to hunt medium-size game, so power isn’t an issue.

Because a good revolver stands the test of time and usage well, but also depreciates enough to become affordable for more folks, we assembled three used revolvers from what was once the big three of U.S. revolver manufacturers—Colt, Smith & Wesson and Ruger. In general, we would rate the condition of these revolvers from 80 to 90 percent by NRA standards—we could tell they have been used, but we could not see where they had been abused. All samples were chambered in 357 Magnum, and all were designed for self-defense with barrel lengths that ranged from 2.15 inches to 4 inches and double-action/single-action trigger modes. Safeties are built into these three revolvers. The S&W uses a hammer stop, while the Ruger and Colt use hammer transfer bars.

From that starting point, this pack then diverged, with each offering characteristics that ranged from thumbs-down to thumbs-up for our shooters. Some incorporated an excellent grip that helped tame the felt recoil of the 357 Magnum; some were slim and more easily carried concealed, and some were equipped with large, easy-to-align sights.

With any used revolvers, we have a process of testing

The Ruger Security Six (top) had good accuracy due to the larger sights, which, unfortunately, also made it bulky. The Colt Lawman Mk III (middle) was large and had a very heavy trigger and small sights. The Smith & Wesson Model 649 (bottom) offered an excellent compromise of concealed carry-appropriate size, good enough sights, suitable round capacity, and recoil management. We would opt for the Smith & Wesson over the others and would also consider buying it as a new gun, if we wanted to pay more.

From top are the Ruger Security Six, the Colt Lawman Mk III, and the Smith & Wesson Model 649. In this image, the difference in the size of the grips is obvious. In our opinion, the S&W’s grip was a good compromise of a size suitable for concealed carry while still offering full control of powerful 357 Magnum loads.

the chamber-barrel alignment with a range rod, and we found all were aligned. We also check the timing to see how the cylinder rotates in DA mode and SA mode to ensure the chamber is aligned with the bore of the barrel. They were. We also look at the gap between the front of the cylinder and the forcing cone or rear of the barrel. We use a feeler gauge and expect to have .006 clearance. Any less and there is a chance the cylinder may bind after shooting as fouling builds up. Any more and the user might experience splatter from burning gases escaping from the gap. We also look for forward and rearward play in the cylinder when locked in the frame. These revolvers were tight and stood as good examples of the revolver manufacturers’ art and science.

We tested accuracy at 25 yards, which pushed the envelope of these revolvers’ capabilities, depending on the user. We also found these revolvers had good accuracy. In close-range testing, some of these revolvers

4 Gun TesTs REVOLVER BUYING GUIDE4

could get lead downrange fast and in good groups. Test ammunition consisted of Winchester PDX1 Defender 357 Magnum with a 125-grain bonded jacket hollowpoint, Aguila 357 Magnum with a 158-grain semi-jacketed hollowpoint, and SIG Sauer 38 Special +P, loaded with a 125-grain jacketed hollowpoint.

We had no issues with any of the revolvers. They all performed in DA and SA mode and loaded and ejected empties if we did our part and used gravity to our advantage. We did find that the S&W had the advantage as a concealed-carry revolver, but the Ruger and Colt were quite capable. Here’s what we found out about these handguns after the brass cooled.

Smith & Wesson Model 649357 Magnum, $500-$525

The Model 649 is built on a J frame, which limited this 357 Magnum to a five-round capacity. The model is a variation of the Model 49 Bodyguard and is still currently produced. There is a reason for its longevity.

The finish was bright stainless, and even with the 2.125-inch barrel, the 649 had some heft. If it were lighter, no doubt the revolver would have battered our palms. In our opinion, the Model 649 offered a good compromise on size, round capacity, sights, weight, and bulk. The barrel had a full underlug that shrouded the ejector rod. The hammer was shrouded, so there was no hammer spur to snag on clothing during a draw, but the knurled hammer still allowed the revolver to be cocked and fired in single-action mode. The 649 had, by far, the best double-action and single-action trigger strokes of the three revolvers tested. The sights were small, like on the Colt, but had better contrast. The front-blade sight was blued steel and pinned and could be replaced to match a certain load. We like this feature. The rear sight was a groove in the top strap of the bright stainless steel frame and offered good contrast compared to the Colt.

The grip was made of rubber with finger grooves, and felt thin, which

SMITH & WESSON M649 357 MAGNUM, $500-$530GUN TESTS GRADE: A

The 649 was lightweight, thin, and concealable. It offered the ability of single-action or double-action operation in a snag-free exterior. Even with 357 Magnum loads, recoil was tolerable.

Action Type Double ActionOverall Length 6.6 in.Barrel Length 2.125 in.Sight Radius 3.8 in.Overall Height 4.6 in.Maximum Width 1.3 in.Weight Unloaded 22.2 oz.Weight Loaded 26.3 oz.

Cylinder Gap .008Capacity 5Frame Finish Bright stainlessBarrel/Cylinder Finish Bright stainlessFrame Front Strap Height 2.2 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.5 in.Grip Checkered rubber/finger groovesGrip Thickness (max) 1.0 in.Grip Circumference (max) 4.7 in.Front Sight Ramped pinned bladeRear Sight Fixed groove Trigger Pull Weight (DA) 13 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight (SA) 3.3 lbs.Safety Internal hammer blockWarranty Limited warrantyTelephone (800) 331-0852Website Smith-Wesson.comMade In USA

The hole in the end of the ejector rod aligned with a pin in the ejector rod shroud that locks the front of the cylinder.

The grip of the 649 was thin and long, which allowed the shooter to get a firm hold on the handgun.

The contrast between the black front blade and rear groove in the bright stainless offered good contrast.

As shown, the J-frame Model 649 holds only five rounds of 357 Magnum. Though we tested a used gun, this model is still currently produced and has a list price of $729. There is a reason for its longevity.

BARGAIN HUNTER

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made it easier to conceal but also inflicted more felt recoil, although it was tolerable with 357 Magnum loads in our test.

At 25 yards while shooting off a bench, the S&W was slightly easier to shoot than the Mk III, even with the smaller sights and smaller grip. We attribute this to the better trigger. The S&W had the best trigger, with no stacking and a smooth, consistent DA pull. The SA pull was light and crisp. We also liked the snag-free exterior of the 649. This revolver could be drawn from a pocket smoothly, unlike the Ruger and Colt. It was also thinner, so it was the easiest of the trio to carry in an IWB holster. The thinner grip also helped concealability. Felt recoil was the most severe with the S&W compared to the other revolvers, shooters said.

Our Team Said: The 649 was the best compromise of concealability, shoot-ability, and firepower. The trigger was superior, and there were aftermarket grips available if owners want to change out the grip. As we mentioned above, the Model 649 is still being offered as a new product (163210), so if you don’t like buying used, then spend more and buy it new.

Ruger Security Six357 Magnum, $400-500

The Security Six model was produced by Ruger from 1970 to 1985 and was known as a ruggedly built revolver. Ruger revolvers are designed to be field stripped into a few components, unlike the S&W and Colt. To access the action mechanism with the S&W and Colt, tools and patience are needed. The ability to be field-stripped was what helped separate Ruger revolvers from the others. In our opinion, the ability to field strip the Ruger is a positive trait, though most S&W and Colt revolvers do not need to be disassembled for a normal cleaning.

There is nothing slim or trim about the Ruger, and that heft did translate into less felt recoil. The grip size was between the larger Colt and smaller S&W. The area behind the trigger guard looked like it would jam up our fingers in recoil, but we found the

COLT LAWMAN MK III 357 MAGNUM, $450-$525GUN TESTS GRADE: B

The Lawman is a full-size revolver, so it was less concealable. It offered pleasant recoil as a result, However, the double-action

trigger pull was too heavy, and the sights were too small.

Action Type DA/ SAOverall Length 9.3 in.Barrel Length 4.0 in.Sight Radius 5.2 in.Overall Height 5.3 in.Maximum Width 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 32.4 oz.Weight Loaded 32.8 oz.

Cylinder Gap .003Capacity 6Frame Finish BlueBarrel/Cylinder Finish BlueFrame Front Strap Height 2.2 in.Frame Back Strap Height 4.0 in.Grip Checkered woodGrip Thickness (max) 1.5 in.Grip Circumference (max) 6.5 in.Front Sight Ramped bladeRear Sight Fixed groove Trigger Pull Weight (DA) 15 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight (SA) 5.3 lbs.Safety Internal transfer barWarranty N/A Telephone (800) 962-2658Website Colt.comMade In USA

The sight picture was small and offered what we gauged was only an adequate sight picture.

The cylinder face was inset so the cartridge sits flush. Our shooters found that cartridges dropped easily into the chambers, and ejecting empties was effortless.

The former owner bobbed the hammer to make the Colt more concealed-carry friendly.


revolver pleasant to shoot. It had a blued finish and mostly smooth wood grips. The grip had a palm swell and felt very comfortable in the hand.

The Security Six was equipped with large sights. Sight acquisition was simple, and it showed in our accuracy testing, with 5-shot groups averaging about 1.6 inches. The front sight is pinned so the blade could be replaced, depending on the load you choose. The blade also had a red insert—the predecessor to fiber optics—which made the front blade easier to pick up on a dark target. Not as helpful as a fiber optic, but better than plain black. The rear sight is adjustable, but we found no need to adjust it. It shot dead on out to 25 yards.

All three revolvers use a different method to open the cylinder. The Ruger uses a latch that is squeezed; the S&W latch is pushed, and the Colt’s is pulled. We could work all latch systems with confidence and speed, though most liked the S&W latch the best. The ejector rod of the Security Six is enclosed in a shroud under the barrel, which can make re-holstering the revolver easier. A pin in the ejector shroud snaps into the front of the ejector rod. We liked the six-round capacity.

The DA trigger was smooth and felt lighter than the 12 pounds it measured. We liked this trigger almost as much as the S&W’s.

At 25 yards on top of a rest, the Security Six produced 5-shot groups that averaged 1.6 inches. It liked the Aguila with the 158-grain bullet the best. Our best group averaged 0.8 inches—not bad for a snubnose revolver. On the downside was its bulk. It was taller and heavier than the S&W, but smaller than the Colt. Wearing the Security Six in an IWB holster means buying pants a size larger to accommodate it.

Our Team Said: Several traits made the Security Six worth a look: Six shots, the heft to handle the recoil of 357 Magnum loads, and large sights, which offered a good sight picture. But the Ruger was not concealed-carry friendly—there were lots of sharp edges to snag on clothing. Even so, we would

RUGER SECURITY SIX 357 MAGNUM, $430-$450GUN TESTS GRADE: B+

The Security Six had good accuracy with user-friendly sights; recoil was mild due to its bulk, which also made it less suitable

as a concealed-carry choice.

Action Type DA/SAOverall Length 7.8 in.Barrel Length 2.7 in.Sight Radius 4.7 in.Overall Height 4.8 in.Maximum Width 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 32.2 oz.Weight Loaded 27.12 oz.Cylinder Gap .003

Capacity 6Frame Finish BlueBarrel/Cylinder Finish BlueFrame Front Strap Height 2.2 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.7 in.Grip Checkered woodGrip Thickness (max) 1.4 in.Grip Circumference (max) 4.6 in.Front Sight Ramped pinned, red insert bladeRear Sight Adjustable Trigger Pull Weight (DA) 12 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight (SA) 4.4 lbs.Safety Internal transfer barWarranty None writtenTelephone (928) 541-8892 Website Ruger.com Made In USA

The Ruger has large sights that made aiming easier, but they also made the revolver bulky in terms of overall height.

Though the grip was smaller, recoil was still manageable. We liked shooting the Ruger.

The rear of cylinder is not inset like the Colt; empties ejected freely using gravity.

BARGAIN HUNTER

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in fact was milled under the barrel to reduce the space between the top of the ejector rod and the bottom of the barrel. The Colt looked old school for sure. Like the Ruger, the Colt has a six-round capacity.

At 25 yards on top of a rest, the Lawman Mk III produced 5-shot groups that averaged 2.4 inches. It was pretty consistent with all ammo tested. Since the sights were smaller, they were less effective. The sights were also black on black, and on a dark background, the sights were lost to some users. Ejecting empties was effortless. Cartridges dropped easily into the chambers. The serrated trigger had a very heavy DA pull of about 15 pounds with stacking. We did not like it. In SA mode, the pull was over 5 pounds. Clearly, the Lawman needed a better trigger. If we owned this revolver, we’d send it back to Colt to install a new hammer with a spur and lighten the trigger pull.

Most found the Lawman revolver was easier to conceal carry in an IWB holster, though the large grip printed pretty obviously, depending on the concealing garment.

Our Team Said: There was less to like about the Lawman Mk III. The fuller grip made shooting pleasant, but it was a liability in concealed carry. The Colt performed, but it was harder to shoot it well due to the small sights and heavy trigger pull.

Special thanks to Eastern Outfitters of Hampstead, North Carolina (EasternOutfitter.com) for their assistance. Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using

evaluations from Gun TesTs team testers. GT

RANGE DATA

SIG Sauer 38 Special +P Ruger Colt Smith & Wesson125-gr. JHP Security Six Lawman Mk III Model 649Average Velocity 920 fps 936 fps 910 fpsMuzzle Energy 235 ft.-lbs. 243 ft.-lbs. 230 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.0 in. 1.4 in. 0.9 in.Average Group 1.5 in. 2.0 in. 2.4 in.

Aguila 357 Magnum Ruger Colt Smith & Wesson158-gr. SJHP Security Six Lawman Mk III Model 649Average Velocity 1155 fps 1208 fps 1107 fpsMuzzle Energy 468 ft.-lbs. 512 ft.-lbs. 430 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 0.8 in. 1.5 in. 1.6 in.Average Group 1.4 in. 2.2 in. 2.3 in.

Winchester 357 Magnum Ruger Colt Smith & WessonPDX1 Defender 125-gr. JHP Security Six Lawman Mk III Model 649Average Velocity 1136 fps 1118 fps 1082 fpsMuzzle Energy 358 ft.-lbs. 347 ft.-lbs. 325 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.1 in. 1.9 in. 1.8 in.Average Group 1.6 in. 2.4 in. 2.3 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph set 15 feet from the muzzle.

not hesitate to keep the Security Six in the nightstand drawer or carry it where open-carry is legal.

Colt Lawman Mk III 357 Magnum, $470-$525The Lawman Mk III was produced from 1969 and

1983 and evolved from Colt’s Trooper model. The Colt, like the Ruger and S&W, used a coiled main spring. We noticed stacking on the Colt. On the Smith & Wesson 649, we noticed none of that, and on the Ruger, only a very slight amount.

In fact, the trigger was the downfall of the Lawman. It was too heavy, near 15 pounds in double action, and the single-action trigger movement required more than 5 pounds of pull. Not a good trait for accurate shooting.

This example was modified by a previous owner, who bobbed the hammer. We would have a new hammer with a spur installed so we could easily fire the revolver in SA. We still tested for accuracy in SA mode, though the hammer needed to be pulled rearward by our support-hand thumb. The revolver had a nice blue job, though it was worn from use at the sharp edges and muzzle. The large wood grips were checkered and filled a user’s hand to comfortably distribute the felt recoil. The Colt was much larger than the Ruger and S&W and heavier as well, but the Lawman had fewer sharp edges than the Ruger. Part of that was due to the smaller sights on the Lawman. The front sight was fixed to the barrel, and rear sight consisted of a groove in the top strap. The ejector rod was also not fitted into a barrel shroud, but


VALUE GUIDE: REVOLVER RANKINGS

GUN NAME GRADE COMMENTS

Smith & Wesson Military and Police 38 Special, $300 A Best Buy. Large enough to soak up the recoil of +P loads, but

light enough for fast handling.

Ruger SP101 5718KSP321X 357 Magnum, $450 B Good as a combination of carry and home defense. For those

with small hands, a very good choice.

Smith & Wesson Model 19357 Magnum, ~$500 C A specialist’s handgun, and one most of us will find too expen-

sive for the performance delivered.

Taurus Public Defender PolymerM4510PLYFS 410/45 LC, $514 A- The Public Defender offers versatility along with good accuracy.

Charter Arms Bulldog ClassicModel 34431 44 Special, $436 B- The Bulldog had good accuracy for such a small revolver. The

wood grip fit was loose.

Charter Arms PitbullModel 64520 45 ACP, $509 D The Pitbull had a good finish and functioned as expected, but

the barrel was not fully seated.

Charter Arms Off Duty 3811 38 Special, $404 A- The Off Duty started off with a gritty trigger but soon slicked

up.

Rossi Model R3510238 Special +P, $390 B Best trigger and the most comfortable and largest grip.

Spurred hammer could get hung up.

Rock Island Armory Model 206 51289 38 Special, $320 B- The Model 206 gave good accuracy for a DAO revolver; the grip

was dated.

Ruger LCR Model 54569mm Luger, $532 A- Buttery-smooth trigger. Grip design stands out from traditional

snub-nose revolvers. Light weight.

Taurus 905 Model 905SS29mm Luger, $528 B The 905 was faster to reload than a traditional 38 Special and

performed well.

Smith & Wesson Model 325PD45 ACP, $700-$925 B- The 325PD makes sense if you need a hideout revolver cham-

bered in 45 ACP.

Smith & Wesson PC M625-1045 ACP, $1200-$1400 F A cracked frame forced us to eliminate it from

consideration for safety reasons.

Smith & Wesson PC M627170133 357 Magnum, $1079 A Well-made, nice-shooting revolver. Ball-detent

lock up, chamfered chambers, excellent sights.

S&W Model 686 357 Magnum,$600-$850 (Used) A Well-designed six-shot revolver. Testers liked the slender 686

even though it had less capacity.

S&W Performance Center M327 170245 357 Mag, $1309 B Needed a different grip to be concealed

carried. Short ejector rod hindered fast reloads.

FN Barracuda 357 Magnum3-inch, $450-$750 (Used) B+ On the edge of “snubbie.” Would have moved up

a grade if the 9mm cylinder had been included.

Log on to Gun-Tests.com to read complete reviews of these products in the designated months.Highly-ranked products from older reviews are often available used at substantial discounts.

VALUE GUIDE: REVOLVER BARGAIN HUNTER

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VALUE GUIDE: REVOLVER RANKINGS CONTINUED


Smith & Wesson PC M629-844 Magnum, $900-$1000 A Ported 3-inch barrel, compact grip made this a

concealable N-frame our testers really liked.

S&W M329PD Alaska BackpackerIV150545 44 Mag, $750-$900 B Most pleasant of the 44 Magnums to shoot;

nice compromise of weight and firepower.

Smith & Wesson PC M657-541 Magnum, $750-$850 B A snappy shooter in 41 Magnum, its 2.6-inch

barrel showed less recoil than the 44 Magnums.

Smith & Wesson M60 #178013 3-in. Barrel 357 Magnum, $799 A Light and thin but packs plenty of power.

Adjustable night sights are helpful for carry.

Ruger SP101 Model #5718357 Magnum, $659 A Traditional snubnose. Felt solid in hand, wore a glare-free fin-

ish, was snag-free and accurate.

Ruger SP101 #5759 (3-in. barrel)327 Federal Magnum, $600-$800 A- Added capacity and adjustable rear sight.

Limited ammo availability must be a concern.

Ruger LCR No. 540138 Special +P, $529 A- Polymer skin is a leap from a traditional DAO.

Trigger was smooth and easy to use. Recoil was nil.

Smith & Wesson M42 15050238 Special +P, $700 B- Difficult for many shooters to shoot well.

Easy to hide, though.

Smith & Wesson Model 638Airweight 163070 38 Sp., $459 A- Smaller, narrower grip, but a good choice

as a backup due to light weight and small size.

Charter Arms Pitbull 9mmNo. 79920 9mm Luger, $465 A- Largest of the revolvers in the test and

most accurate. Operates without moon clips.

Smith & Wesson 9409mm Luger, $595 to $671 C+ Doesn’t offer single-action firing. Required moon clips to eject

the rimless 9mm Luger rounds.

Charter Arms Police UndercoverNo. 73840 38 Special, $402 D Almost a copy of the Pitbull, so the Undercover

felt good. Had no grooves in the barrel, however.

Chiappa Rhino No. 200DS357 Magnum, $800 C+ Suffered three failures to fire. Lacks a true

rear sight, so we struggled getting shots on target.

Charter Arms Bulldog 144202.5-in. 44 Special, $414 A- Tight lockup, slim grip. Flat-black finish.

We’d like even smaller grips for concealment.

Taurus Ultra-Lite M445B2UL2.0-in. 44 Special, $508 B+ Looks great. Comfortable to shoot with the hottest loads. Basi-

cally a small handgun with huge grips.

Smith & Wesson Governor45 ACP/45 LC/410/2.5 in., $679 A- Probably the biggest “snub-nose” handgun

ever with a 2.5-inch barrel.

Taurus Judge 4510TKR-3BUL3-In. 45 LC/410-Bore, $620 B+ Serious use of .410-bore shotshells is the main reason for this

design.



$400 Snubnose Revolvers:Rossi, RIA, and Charter ArmsThere was a lot to like — and dislike — about these budget 38s. Tested: The Rossi Model R35102, $390, the Rock Island Armory Model 206, $320, and the Charter Arms Off Duty, $404.

There is that old expression: You get what you pay for. We did not pay a lot for the three snubnose revolvers tested

below; in fact, we wanted to see what new revolvers were available for about $400 because we feel protection should fit in everyone’s budget. We found the Charter Arms Off Duty, Rossi Model R35102, and Rock Island Armory (RIA) Model 206 as not inexpensive choices, but not horribly spendy either. Note that we did not use the word “cheap,” since cheap implies lack of quality.

We felt all of these were well made, and we believe these revolvers will perform their designed task of self defense. They are also safe to carry fully loaded and concealed, since they are equipped with internal safety systems that require the trigger to be pulled fully to the rear to fire a round. If accidentally dropped, none of them will fire.

Snubnose revolvers like these three offer the user simplicity since there are no manual safeties, magazine-release buttons, slide stops or any other controls on the revolver other that the cycler latch. There is no magazine to lose since the revolver feeds off an attached cylinder. The double-action trigger pull on all three revolvers provided enough resistance — some were easier to press than others — so that in a high-stress situation, we felt they would be quite adequate and be less likely to be accidentally discharged.

All were metal-frame revolvers chambered in 38 Special and sported 2-inch barrels. The Rossi and Charter Arms models have 5-round capacities, while the RIA can carry 6 rounds. Because we also wanted to carry these revolvers, we looked at spurless and concealed-hammer models, which were the RIA and Charter Arms, respectively. The Rossi was a traditional SA/DA revolver with an exposed hammer with spur.

After running these revolvers, we found we liked a

From top: The Rock Island Armory M206, Rossi Model R35102, and Charter Arms Off Duty are three snubnose 38 Special revolvers that are all budget friendly but still well suited for conceal carry and home defense. We preferred the Charter Arms for concealed carry, the Rossi for extensive shooting, and the Rock Island Armory for its extra round.

All the barrels had crowned muzzles; the Rossi R35102 (left) and Charter Arms (middle) chamfered their underlugs to aid holstering.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

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lot about all of them, but, as always, we noted some specific details about them we did not like. Our biggest gripes were the trigger pulls and grips, as we note below. Accuracy with some of these short-barrel protectors was a pleasant surprise.

All three were marked 38 Special, and we read the manuals to see if the guns were safe to use +P ammo. The Rossi manual stated it was compatible with +P ammo, but not to use +P frequently. We decided to test with 38 Special regular-pressure ammunition only, and acquired some Federal Champion 158-grain lead roundnose (LRN) cartridges, some Armscor 158-grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) rounds, and Hornady Custom fodder loaded with 158-grain XTP hollowpoints. Felt recoil with this ammunition varied widely.

A $400 revolver will exhibit some characteristics, such as fit and finish, that are not going to be nearly as nice as a revolver costing twice as much because finishing a firearm can be labor intensive and costly. What we concentrated on were the functional aspects: triggers, sights, grips, accuracy, concealability, and ease of use. Here is what we discovered:

Rock Island Armory Model 206 51289 38 Special, $320

The RIA, imported by Armscor, is a traditional steel-frame snubnose with a look that seemed frozen in time. The Model 206 is similar to a Colt DA revolver design with a cylinder latch that is pulled rearward to swing open the cylinder. The cylinder also rotates clockwise like a Colt. In fact, the action reminded us of a Colt Mark III J-series action with a coiled mainspring, such as that found on the Colt Official Police first produced in 1969. The RIA was equipped with a crowned 2-inch barrel with a full underlug that houses the knurled ejector rod. The front ramp sight was machined into the top of the barrel. The ramp was not serrated, so there was some glare when aiming in direct sunlight.

This Model 206 is the spurless

ROCK ISLAND ARMORY MODEL 206 51289 38 SPECIAL, $320

Gun Tests grade: B-The Model 206 gave good accuracy for a DAO revolver;

the grip was dated.

Action Type Revolver; Double Action OnlyOverall Length 9.25 in.Barrel Length 2.0 in.Sight Radius 4.0 in.Overall Height 5.45 in.Maximum Width 1.4 in.Weight Unloaded 24 oz.Weight Loaded 29.0 oz.Cylinder Gap .007 in.

Capacity 6Frame Finish Matte NickelBarrel/Cylinder Finish Matte NickelFrame Front Strap Height 2.9 in.Frame Back Strap Height 2.7 in.Grip Checkered WoodGrip Thickness (max) 1.3 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.12 in.Front Sight Ramped BladeRear Sight Fixed Groove Trigger Pull Weight (DA) 14 lbs.Safety Internal Transfer BarWarranty Limited LifetimeTelephone (775) 537-1444Website Armscor.comMade In Philippines

An example of what one tester could do; the RIA had unexpected accuracy with Hornady ammo.

Note the slight gaps between the frame and crane.

The RIA was equipped with a full underlug that houses the knurled ejector rod. Empties ejected well with a little help from gravity.

Tooling marks were evident in some places on the Rock Island handgun, though the satin nickel finish was smooth.


ROSSI MODEL R35102 38 SPECIAL +P, $390Gun Tests grade: B

The R35102 had the best trigger and the most comfortable and largest grip; the spurred hammer could get hung up

in a draw from concealment.

model. The hammer sits flush with the rear of the frame, and it is DAO only. The fit of the side plate and crane to the frame showed slight gaps, something a more expensive revolver would likely not display. The 6-shot cylinder slightly wiggled when in battery, but not as much as the Rossi. The Charter Arms had the best lock up, in our opinion. Tooling marks were evident on the exterior, though the satin nickel finish was evenly applied.

The grip was the first characteristic noted by team members that looked dated and vaguely resembled a revolver grip design from a century ago. The grip was constructed of fairly nicely checkered wood, and the wood-to-metal fit was okay, with some overlap of the wood. At the butt, the grip bulged out; toward the top of the back grip strap, it was very narrow. That space just behind the trigger guard, which revolver manufacturers have been filling with grip for decades, was open. In hand, it was hard to get a solid and firm grip because of this space. Because the 206 resembled a Colt, we would check to see if a pair of Colt aftermarket grips would work with the RIA.

A transfer-bar safety system was employed with the RIA along with the firing pin located in the frame, like the Charter Arms. The Rossi had the firing pin located on the hammer. The trigger needs to be pulled all the way rearward for the revolver to fire.

On the plus side, the sights were large and easy to acquire. We found the trigger was the second smoothest of the three, with minimal stacking in the final press. It measured 14 pounds at the break, but felt less. The trigger was wide and smooth.

The RIA was the largest of the three guns tested but was not that much heavier that the 5-shot Rossi. We liked that it held six rounds and was only 0.1 inch fatter than the other two revolvers, which makes a difference in IWB carry.

At the range, we were pleasantly surprised to see the RIA was accurate. In fact, it was the most accurate of the

Action Type Revolver, Double ActionOverall Length 6.5 in.Barrel Length 2.0 in.Sight Radius 3.7 in.Overall Height 4.7 in.Maximum Width 1.3 in.Weight Unloaded 24.0 oz.Weight Loaded 28.1 oz.Cylinder Gap .006 in.Capacity 5

Frame Finish Blued SteelBarrel/Cylinder Finish Blued SteelFrame Front Strap Height 2.4 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.2 in.Grip Checkered Rubber, Finger GroovesGrip Thickness (max) 1.1 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.12 in.Front Sight Ramped BladeRear Sight Fixed Groove Trigger Pull Weight (SA) 3.2 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight (DA) 12.2 lbs.Safety Internal Hammer Block; Security LockWarranty LimitedTelephone (305) 474-0401Website RossiUSA.comMade In Brazil

The Rossi’s big grip made it pleasant to shoot. Carry would be tough, though.

At the top of the crane, a detent locked the front of the cylinder to the frame.

The Rossistronglyresembled a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver.

The Rossi liked the Federal ammo, giving us a best 5-shot group of 0.4 inch.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

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RANGE DATA

Federal Champion Rossi Charter Arms Rock Island38 Sp. 158-gr. LRN Model R35102 Off Duty Armory M206Average Velocity 649 fps 658 fps 613 fpsMuzzle Energy 148 ft.-lbs. 152 ft.-lbs. 132 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 0.4 in. 0.9 in. 0.5 in.Average Group 0.6 in. 1.6 in. 1.6 in.

Armscor 38 Sp. Rossi Charter Arms Rock Island 158-gr. FMJ Model R35102 Off Duty Armory M206Average Velocity 826 fps 826 fps 784 fpsMuzzle Energy 239 ft.-lbs. 239 ft.-lbs. 216 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.3 in. 1.2 in. 0.4 in.Average Group 1.6 in. 2.2 in. 0.7 in.

Hornady Custom Rossi Charter Arms Rock Island 38 Sp. 158-gr. XTP Model R35102 Off Duty Armory M206Average Velocity 682 fps 620 fps 722 fpsMuzzle Energy 163 ft.-lbs. 135 ft.-lbs. 183 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 0.7 in. 1.7 in. 0.6 in.Average Group 1.7 in. 2.5 in. 1.2 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. We fired the Rossi single action and the Charter Arms and RIA double action. Distance: 15 yards. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph with the first screen 15 feet from the muzzle.

were a half-inch or less. They grew to 0.6 inches with the Hornady ammo. During recoil, that narrow portion of the backstrap slapped the webbing of our hand as severely as the lightweight Charter Arms, even though the RIA was the largest and heaviest of the guns tested. As such, we had a hard time finding a holster to fit it. We improvised with a Galco holster and found the larger RIA was not as comfortable to carry as either the Rossi or Charter Arms, in our view.

Our Team Said: The Model 206 was not as nicely manufactured as the other two, and the grip needs to be updated, but it was accurate. Also, the trigger was the second best of the three tested, and it held six rounds for a 20 percent edge in capacity over the 5-shooters.

Rossi Model R35102 38Special +P, $390

The Rossi is manufactured in Brazil by the same company that manufactures Taurus revolvers. The resemblance to a Taurus and a Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver was obvious. The Rossi had a nice blued finish and a full rubber grip that made the small revolver feel like a full-size unit. The metal-to-metal fit was better than the RIA, with no gaps. The barrel was 2 inches in length with a full shrouded ejector rod, and the front ramp sight was milled into the top of the barrel. The ramp was serrated so there was not glare when aiming in direct sunlight.

Unlike the RIA and Charter Arms handguns, the Rossi is a SA/DA with a hammer spur nicely checkered and offering a good grip. The hammer was a bit old school with the firing pin attached. The hammer is a rebounding type so the firing pin

From top, our ammunition choices included Federal Champion 158-grain lead roundnoses, Armscor 158-grain full-metal jackets, and Hornady Custom 158-grain XTP hollowpoints.

three tested. Some team members were able to shoot six shots into one ragged hole. With the Federal and Armscor ammo, five-shot groups using a rest at 15 yards

does not rest on a live cartridge primer, except when the trigger is pulled fully rearward. There was also a hammer-block system similar to those found on S&W revolvers,


CHARTER ARMS OFF DUTY 53811 38 SPECIAL, $404Gun Tests grade: A-

The Off Duty started off with a gritty trigger but soon slicked up; it was the lightest and most compact in this test.

Action Type Double Action OnlyOverall Length 6.25 in.Barrel Length 2.0 in.Sight Radius 3.8 in.Overall Height 4.9 in.Maximum Width 1.3 in.Weight Unloaded 12 oz.Weight Loaded 16.1 oz.Cylinder Gap .006 in.Capacity 5

Frame Finish Matte AluminumBarrel/Cylinder Finish Matte StainlessFrame Front Strap Height 1.6 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.0 in.Grip Ribbed Rubber; Finger GroovesGrip Thickness (max) 1.2 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.0 in.Front Sight Ramped BladeRear Sight Top Groove Trigger Pull Weight (Double Action) 12.0 lbs.Safety Internal Transfer BarWarranty Limited LifetimeTelephone (203) 922-1652Website CharterArms.comMade In U.S.A.

which is ac tivated when the hammer is cocked in single action. Accordingly, the Rossi is safe to carry with all five chambers loaded. It also included a security lock (like all Taurus re volvers) that requires a key to inactivate and activate the mechanism.

Our initial examination saw a slight bit of wiggle in the cy linder. We ran a range rod down the barrel just to check the chamber-to-barrel alignment and found it was good. All revolvers were within spec, in fact. At the top of the crane was a detent that locked the front of the cylinder to the frame.

The Rossi had a double-action trigger-pull weight of about 12 pounds, and our shooters felt it had the best trigger of all three revolvers — smooth and consistent. We also felt the grip played a part in the trigger pull, providing plenty of leverage for the hand to work against. The trigger itself was smooth and wide, so the pull actually felt less. In double-action operation, there was a perceptible amount of additional finger press needed to fire the revolver due to stacking.

The cylinder latch slid forward to open the cylinder. The grip and the latch allowed unfettered access to the cylinder with a speed loader. A ring appeared around the cylinder shortly after dry firing and testing the Rossi. A ring and marks on both the Charter Arms and RIA also appeared.

At the range the Rossi was very pleasant to shoot due the grip. Cartridges that stung our hands in the other revolvers did not have the same effect in the Rossi. We fired the Rossi for accuracy in single action and were surprised at the accuracy. It particularly liked the Federal ammo, giving us a best 5-shot group of 0.4 inch. Average accuracy was 1.5 inches for 5 shots across the board. The sights, we thought, were good, slightly smaller than the RIA and Charter Arms sights. We would have liked the rear-sight groove to be notched just above the top of the hammer to relieve glare and provide more contrast.

We used a few holsters designed

Accuracy averaged about 2 inches due to the grip size and trigger pull.

The serrated cylinder latch was large and speedloader friendly.

The Charter’s ejector rod is nested and in two pieces that snap into the frame. The lock-up was the tightest of the three, our testers said, leading to confidence in its reliability.

Empty cases ejected nicely out of the Charter Arms, as they did from the Rossi and RIA. Function with all three was uneventful, which is what we want.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

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for a S&W J-frame to tote the Rossi and found the size and weight comfortable to bear. The grip was the largest of the three tested, and if we were to daily carry this revolver, we would opt for smaller grips. No doubt our comfort shooting would diminish as the grips shrunk.

Our Team Said: The Model R35102 was the most comfortable revolver to shoot and it had the best trigger out of the box. The cylinder had play in it, and the grip was a bit too large for deep carry.

Charter Arms Off Duty 538138 Special, $404

The Off Duty was the smallest and lightest as well as the most expensive revolver tested. It had a hammerless design, meaning the hammer was enclosed within the frame, making the Off Duty smooth and snag free. The frame is made of aluminum and left in a matte finish. The barrel, crane, and cylinder are made of stainless steel with a complementary matte finish. As a result, the gun had a subtle two-tone look that some testers liked.

The black rubber grip was minimalist, with finger grooves that positioned our hand in a high, comfortable spot. The sides of the grips also had a slight palm swell and were ribbed for a better grasp. In addition, the grips filled that space behind the trigger guard that the RIA left vacant. In fact, our grip hold was the highest on the Charter Arms, which helped control muzzle flip and perform a fast second shot. We did note that the rubber grip fit to the backstrap overlapped. Not the best fit by any means. We would remove the extra rubber that overlaps the rear back strap. When shooting the Off Duty, we needed to curl the small finger under the grip.

The Charter’s cylinder lock up was the tightest of all three with no wiggle, which gave us more confidence in the design. The Off Duty, like the Rossi, locks the cylinder in the front and rear. The Charter Arms uses the ejector rod, which is nested and in two pieces that telescope to snap back into the frame. The cylinder latch was well serrated and large. It is pushed forward to swing out the five-shot cylinder. Both the grips and latch are speedloader friendly. The front edge of the cylinder had a slight c h a m f e r, w h i c h aided reholstering.

T h e O f f D u t y revolver employs a

one-piece frame, while the Rossi and RIA use a side plate on the frame. The one-piece frame makes the small revolver strong while allowing it to be slightly smaller than the two-piece design of the Rossi and RIA.

The 2-inch barrel used a full lug that enclosed the ejector rod. The lug was tapered like the Rossi so reholstering was easier. The ramp front sight was milled into the top of the barrel and serrated to minimize glare. The rear sight was a groove along the top. It was also notched so the aluminum rear sight contrasted nicely with the stainless front sight. These were the best sights, in our opinion. Out of the box, the trigger was gritty, but it soon smoothed out with dry-fire practice and range testing. The trigger was serrated in the middle, allowing users to keep the position of their trigger finger the same, even during recoil.

Due to the compact size and light weight of the Off Duty, recoil was most noticeable, whacking the web of our hand at the top position of the grip. The rear of the rubber grips were squared off, and we also felt those edges slap our palms. If the rear edges of the grips were rounded, we believe felt recoil would be less. Though the Off Duty scored lowest in accuracy among the three, we felt 2.0 inches for five shots was acceptable for a close-in defense weapon. We were able to coax it to under an inch with the Federal ammo, and our smallest groups with the Armscor and Hornady ammos hovered around 1.5 inches. The smallish grip and stacking on the last bit of trigger press no doubt hindered accuracy. Empty cases ejected smartly out of the Charter Arms, as they did with the other two.

In concealed carry, the Off Duty shined. It could be carried in a holster designed for a S&W J-frame or dropped in a pants or cargo-pants pocket.

Our Team Said: The Off Duty was the lightest and most compact revolver tested. The trigger was initially gritty, but it smoothed out after use. We would not hesitate to carry this revolver.

The backstraps of the RIA (middle) and Charter Arms (right) are exposed and narrow at the top, which transferred recoil to our hands.

The Charter grip (middle) was the smallest and best suited for carry; the Rossi (right) was the largest and most comfortable; the grip of the RIA (left) was dated.


VALUE GUIDE: TOP-RANKED SNUBNOSE REVOLVERS


Smith & Wesson PC M627170133 357 Magnum, $1079 A Well-made, nice-shooting revolver. Ball-detent lock up, cham-

fered chambers, excellent sights.

Smith & Wesson M686357 Magnum, $600-$850 (Used) A Well-designed six-shot revolver. Liked the slender 686 even

though it had less capacity.

Smith & Wesson PC M629-844 Magnum, $900-$1000 A Ported 3-inch barrel, compact grip made this a concealable

N-frame our testers really liked.

Smith & Wesson M60 #178013 3-in. Barrel 357 Magnum, $799 A Light and thin but packs plenty of power.

Adjustable night sights are helpful for carry.

Ruger SP101 Model 5718357 Magnum, $659 A Traditional snubnose. Felt solid in hand, wore a glare-free fin-

ish, was snag-free and accurate.

Ruger Lightweight CompactRevolver LCR-BGXS 38 Sp., $575 A The boot grip and the XS sight helped us point-shoot it. A good

match to the GP100.

S&W Model 442 CentennialAirweight 38 Special, $400 used A Overall, this revolver had the best DA trigger

for precision slow shooting.

Taurus 851 SSUL Ultra LiteProtector 38 Special, $461 A Snagproof adjustable rear sight gives windage

adjustment and great sight picture.

Taurus 817 2-817029ULC38 Special, $440 A Porting—love it or hate it. The tradeoffs were

very good controllability, but fierce noise.

Ruger SP101 #5759 (3-in. barrel)327 Federal Magnum, $600-$800 A- Added capacity and adjustable rear sight. Limited ammo avail-

ability must be a concern.

Ruger LCR No. 540138 Special +P, $529 A- Polymer skin is a leap from a traditional DAO. Trigger was

smooth and easy to use. Recoil was nil.

Smith & Wesson M638 Airweight163070 38 Special, $459 A- Smaller, narrower grip, but a good choice as a backup due to

light weight and small size.

Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm79920 9mm Luger, $465 A- Largest of the revolvers in the test and most accurate. Oper-

ates without moon clips.

Charter Arms Bulldog No. 144202.5-in. 44 Special, $414 A- Tight lockup, slim grip. Flat-black finish. We’d like even smaller

grips for concealment.

Smith & Wesson Governor, 45 ACP, 45 LC, 410/2.5 In., $679 A- Probably the biggest “snub-nose” ever with a 2.5-inch barrel.

Innards were just as good as always.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38103038 38 Special, $509 A- Even without the laser, this is one accurate pocket gun. A lot of

innovation for the dollar.

Taurus 905 Model 905SS29mm Luger, $528 B The 905 was faster to reload than a traditional 38 Special and

performed well.


VALUE GUIDE: SNUBNOSE REVOLVERS

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Five-Shot 44-Cal Trail Guns from S&W, Taurus, and Charter ArmsThree revolvers, two chambered in 44 Magnum and one in 44 Special, are lightweight shooters that pack a punch. We liked the Model 69 best, but the Tracker and Bulldog are good, too.

A 22 LR revolver in single or double action can make an excellent trail gun—an inexpensive plinker and plenty of medicine for fisher cats, snakes, and squirrels for the pot. But once

you start to hike in the woods and come across bear, wolf, or lion tracks, and the limitations of the 22 LR cartridge become real. Packing more power means a heavier caliber, which translates into a heavier pistol. That lightweight 22 LR may be easy to carry and pack into the back country, but what is required is a handgun that combines light weight with a powerful punch.

Our testers live in a very populated state with pockets of very rural territory where deer and coyote thrive. Occasional news reports of rabid coyotes are not uncommon on local TV. One spring, a black bear walked through the center of town looking for the ripest-smelling garbage can he could find. Even a mountain lion — unheard of this far east — was reported to be on the prowl. And then there are the two-legged predators. For all of these potential threats, some of our testers like 44 calibers, and Gun TesTs reader e-mails seem to agree; in fact, we were asked to match up 44-caliber revolvers with 4-inch barrels that are light in weight and well suited for trail work. Add the lightweight criteria to a 44 caliber with a 4-inch barrel and that means a 5-shooter. We were specifically asked to test the Charter Arms Target Bulldog in 44 Special and the new S&W Model 69 in 44 Magnum. The new S&W actually has a 4.25-inch barrel. We also added into the 5-shot face off the Taurus 44 Tracker, which we have reviewed before and found to be a good choice and a useful baseline for comparing the other handguns.

Using a 44 revolver range rod (080-618-044WB, $25) from Brownells, we checked the alignment of the chambers to the barrel in all three new 5-shooters. We assumed they would be in spec and confirmed they were. Cylinder-gap gauges, also from Brownells (60/68 Cylinder Gauge, 080-633-668WB, $36), were used to check the headspace between the rear of the cylinder and the recoil plate. We also used feeler gauges from Brownells (606-950-252WB) to measure the gap between the front of the cylinder and the forcing cone of the barrel. Too close and the revolver will bind because of powder residue; too big a gap, and precious gas is siphoned off, reducing velocity. A gap of 0.003 inches is desirable. The Taurus was the tightest at 0.002 inches,

followed by the S&W with 0.005 inches and the Charter Arms at 0.007 inches.

All three had firing pins built into the frame. The Taurus used a transfer bar between the hammer and firing pin while the Charter Arms and S&W used a hammer stop. For added safety, the Taurus and Smith & Wesson had a built-in lock to disable the revolver. A provided key allows the owner to lock and unlock these two guns.

Ammunition selections consisted of 44 Special and 44 Magnum fodder, both of which were used in the 44 Magnum–chambered revolvers. We knew the Charter Arms could not compete in the power category with

When walking the back 40 or hiking big woods, lightweight gear means we can travel farther with less effort, but still carry some power. We looked at three 44-caliber revolvers, from bottom, the Char-ter Arms Target Bulldog ($470), Taurus 44 Tracker ($693), and the new Smith & Wesson Model 69 ($849). The new Smith has a lot to offer but the Charter Arms and Taurus are good choices, too.


the two other revolvers, but the 44 Special is a formidable caliber on its own, with a reputation for accuracy and quite a lot of punch. Old-school Remington 44 Special with a lead roundnose 246-grain bullet was used in all three revolvers. Hornady Critical Defense 44 Special loaded with 165-grain FTX bullets clocked close to 1000 fps out of the Target Bulldog. The Smith and Taurus were fed a steady diet of Sellier & Bellot and new Black Hills 44 Magnum ammunition, both loaded with 240-grain jacketed hollowpoints, a sweet-spot bullet weight for this caliber. During the range testing, we found the lightweight 44 Magnums were wrist crackers. Here’s how they performed individually:

Charter Arms Target Bulldog74440 44 Special, $470

Our testers knew the Charter Arms Bulldog in the 2.5-inch barrel variants. What differentiates the Target Bulldog from the other Bulldog models is 4-inch barrel and adjustable rear sights. The rest is standard Bulldog, and as we have found in previous tests with the Bulldog, it is a well-made revolver for a reasonable price.

The small frame — smaller than those on the Taurus and Smith — meant the Target Bulldog was also lighter. When loaded, the Charter Arms weighed 11 ounces less than the Taurus and 14.2 ounces less than the Smith. Because the Target Bulldog is constructed of a one-piece frame, it was rugged and could take the pounding of the 44 Special. The one-piece frame and full-lug barrel had a matte-stainless finish, which was non-reflective and serviceable. Some minor tool marks showed.

On top was a ramp front sight machined as part of the barrel. The muzzle was crowned as well as rounded off to assist reholstering the pistol. Also at the muzzle was a relief cut along the lug that was attractive and trimmed a bit of weight. The rear sight was finished in a matte-black color, and the notched blade was adjustable for windage and elevation.

CHARTER ARMS TARGET BULLDOG 7444044 SPECIAL, $470

Gun Tests grade: A-The Target Bulldog is a good-quality revolver for the price. We’d

buy a variety of ammo to find the one it liked best.

Action Double ActionOverall Length 8.8 in.Overall Height 5.0 in.Maximum Width (Cylinder) 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 23 oz.Weight Loaded 25.6 oz.Barrel Length 4.0 in.Capacity 5Frame Material/Size Stainless Steel/Medium Cylinder Stainless Steel, FlutedFrame Front Strap Height 2.0 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.7 in.Grips Checkered Rubber w/Finger GroovesGrip Thickness (max) 1.1 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.0 in.Front Sight RampRear Sight Adjustable NotchSight Radius 5.8 in.Trigger Pull Weight Single Action 4.0 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight Double Action 12 lbs.Trigger Span Single Action 2.7 in.Trigger Span Double Action 3.2 in.Safety NoneWarranty LifetimeTelephone (203) 922-1652Website CharterFirearms.comMade In USA

Five 44 Special cartridges are squeezed into the Target Bulldog, making it the most compact of the three 5-shooters.

The ejector purged the empties with authority, but gravity is required to empty all the chambers because the rod does not fully eject cases.

The front ramp sight is machined into the barrel, one of the cost-effective details of the Target Bulldog.

The frontedge of thecylinder (arrow)wore a nice chamfer to assist in reholstering.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

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The grip was checkered rubber with slight finger grooves that all testers agreed felt good in hand and provided enough traction. The Charter Arms had the thinnest grip of the three revolvers tested, which caused a problem we get into later.

The trigger was smooth in double-action operation, but the feel of the trigger was slightly gritty compared to the slick Taurus and even slicker S&W, but most team members didn’t think twice about it. The extra slickness in the trigger of the other two pistols is what costs extra. The DA pull on the Charter felt the lightest of all three revolvers. The hammer had serrations that provided adequate cocking traction by the thumb. The shooter pushed the cylinder latch forward to swing open the cylinder, and that part worked precisely, with no slop.

Elsewhere, lock up was good; the Charter Arms had about as much wiggle as the Taurus, which was not much. The front of the cylinder face wore a chamfer on the edge, which we liked, and the cylinder was relieved with fat flutes along the circumference. The ejector rod was enclosed under of barrel. Ejecting empties with the Target Bulldog was fast and easy due to the length of the ejector rod, which was knurled at the tip. With all three revolvers, full ejection required gravity assist.

Loading up the Target Bulldog with the old-school Remington cartridges, we found the light weight and small grip resulted in more felt recoil. It was not unmanageable, but it was noticeable, especially with the hot Hornady loads. Still, team members liked firing the Target Bulldog. It loaded easy and fast with the fat 44 Special cartridges, and the ejector dumped empties quickly, though gravity is needed since the ejector rod is not full length so it doesn’t fully eject the cases from the chambers.

The sights were good, though the Taurus and S&W sights were better, we thought. Getting on target fast was not an issue with the Target Bulldog. Accuracy with the Target Bulldog was fair, averaging 2.5-inch groups

TAURUS 44 TRACKER MODEL 44TRACKER4SS44 MAGNUM, $693

Gun Tests grade: BThe 44 Tracker had a ported barrel and excellent grips, which

made shooting the revolver pleasant even with hot loads.

Action Double ActionOverall Length 9.0 in.Overall Height 5.4 in.Maximum Width (Cylinder) 1.6 in.Weight Unloaded 34 oz.Weight Loaded 36.6 oz.Barrel Length 4.0 in.Capacity 5Frame Material/Size Stainless Steel/Medium Cylinder Material Stainless Steel, FlutedFrame Front Strap Height 2.3 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.8 in.Grips Ribbed RubberGrip Thickness (max) 1.3 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.2 in.Front Sight RampRear Sight Adjustable NotchSight Radius 6.0 in.Trigger Pull Weight Single Action 4.7 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight Double Action 10.5 lbs.Trigger Span Single Action 2.8 in.Trigger Span Double Action 3.4 in.Safety NoneWarranty LifetimeTelephone (800) 327-3776Website TaurusUSA.com Made In Brazil

The Taurus filled the shooter’s hand; testers felt the ribbed grip was excellent in helping reduce felt recoil.

Note the detent (arrow) on the top of the crane; the Taurus ejected the long 44 Magnum cases out about half way.

That semi-circular slot (arrow) is where the 44 Tracker detent locks into the frame.


44 MAGNUM RANGE DATA

Black Hills (new) Taurus 44 Tracker Smith & Wesson44 Magnum 240-gr. JHP 44TRACKER4SS Model 69Average Velocity 990 fps 956 fpsMuzzle Energy 522 ft.-lbs. 487 ft.-lbs.Average Group 1.06 in. 0.76 in.

Sellier & Bellot Taurus 44 Tracker Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum 240-gr. SP 44TRACKER4SS Model 69Average Velocity 1175 fps 1188 fpsMuzzle Energy 736 ft.-lbs. 752 ft.-lbs.Average Group 0.69 in. 2.26 in.

Remington Express Taurus 44 Tracker Smith & Wesson 44 Special 246-gr. LRN 44TRACKER4SS Model 69Average Velocity 683 fps 679 fpsMuzzle Energy 255 ft.-lbs. 252 ft.-lbs.Average Group 2.46 in. 1.16 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards with open sights. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph at 15 feet from the muzzle.

44 SPECIAL RANGE DATA

Charter Arms Hornady Critical Defense Remington ExpressTarget Bulldog 44 Special 165-gr. FTX 44 Special 246-gr. LRNAverage Velocity 996 fps 698 fpsMuzzle Energy 364 ft.-lbs. 266 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 2.2 in. 2.6 in.Average Group 2.4 in. 2.9 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards with open sights. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph at 15 feet from the muzzle.

at 25 yards using a rest. The other two revolvers shot circles around the Target Bulldog, but they are different calibers and at different price points.

The Target Bulldog was not only the lightest of the three 5-shooters, it was the most compact. Wearing it on a belt was effortless. We used both IWB and OWB holsters to carry the Charter Arms around town concealed and along some land-trust trails for a few weeks. We swapped off and on with the Taurus and S&W and found the Target Bulldog to be the most comfortable to carry, followed by the 44 Tracker and then the Model 69.

Our Team Said: The Target Bulldog is a nice 44-caliber revolver for the money; you could get nearly two Target Bulldogs for the cost of the S&W. Accuracy was adequate and felt recoil was manageable. Many testers thought this revolver would be at home in their kit, though some opted for more juice in the 44 Magnum caliber.

Taurus 44 TrackerModel 44Tracker4SS

44 Magnum, $693Next in order of weight was the

Taurus 44 Tracker. This is a solid, well-built revolver with features that separate it from the Target Bulldog

and Model 69. First, the 44 Tracker is ported, with four round holes drilled into the bore at about the 11 and 1 o’clock positions. The porting made a slight difference in reducing muzzle flip and felt recoil, our shooters said.

The second feature was a front lock-up on the cylinder. In the crane, a semi-circular detent snapped into place in the frame. It made the lock-up on 44 Tracker tight, but it was nowhere near as tight as the Model 69, in our estimation.

Third was the ribbed rubber grip on the 44 Tracker. This is a hand-filling grip with a cushioned palm swell to help reduce felt recoil. In our view, it made the Taurus more comfortable to shoot than the S&W with 44 Magnum loads.

The finish on the 44 Tracker was adequate. We did a double take on the rollmark of the name on the left side of the revolver. The name looked blurred, as if it had been stamped twice. This was an obvious aesthetic flaw that should not have left the factory. Other than that, the finish was executed well. The full-lug barrel and frame wore a matte-stainless finish, while the hammer and trigger had a more polished finish.

Above the porting was a ramp front sight machined into the barrel, with a blade pinned into it. The blade had a red insert, which made it faster to get on target than the Target Bulldog. The matte-black rear sight with a white-outline notch was adjustable for elevation and windage. These sights were a step up from the Target Bulldogs’ sights, in our view. The barrel used a full lug and shrouded the ejector rod. The muzzle was

Four ports on each side of the Taurus front sight help with re-coil; note lack of a crown (arrow).

HANDGUN COMPARISON

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tapered to assist reholstering, but it wasn’t crowned. If we owned the gun, we’d crown the barrel immediately since one drop to the muzzle could adversely impact accuracy.

To open the cylinder, the shooter pushed the cylinder latch forward. It worked easily and precisely, as we expected. The latch was finely checkered, providing good purchase when pushed forward with the thumb. The hammer was also checkered and provided a sure grip. The hammer spur was wider and longer than the hammer spur on the Target Bulldog. The trigger was smoother in DA than the Charter Arms, but not as slick as the S&W’s trigger.

The 44 Tracker shot well with the (relatively) inexpensive S&B ammo. It also preferred faster-moving bullets than the Model 69. The 240-grain Sellier & Bellot ammo gave excellent accuracy results at 25 yards. We thought that was due, in part, to the grip and perceived felt recoil — we simply could shoot it better. The Taurus had the opposite reaction to the slower Black Hills ammo and the even slower velocity 44 Special. With slower ammo, the Taurus had accuracy on par with the Charter Arms, which was adequate. The fast stuff was very accurate, which we liked. We actually fired more rounds than our shooting hands appreciated. Shooting 44 magnum rounds, the 44 Tracker had noticeable recoil and was not for the recoil shy.

While loading it, we noted that one of the chambers was harder to load. Perhaps a light touch with a polishing wheel would have opened it up. Like the target Bulldog, the ejector rod required gravity’s assistance to have empties fall from the cylinder’s chambers. Carrying the 44 Tracker was easy with an IWB holster, even though it was bulkier than the Target Bulldog due to the larger girth of the ribbed grip.

Our Team Said: The 44 Tracker has routinely graded well with team members, and this one is no different. For the price, you get a ported barrel and excellent grips to handle the bone-crushing 44 Magnum recoil. We liked it even more because it was

SMITH & WESSON M69 162069 44 MAGNUM, $849Gun Tests grade: A

The new Model 69 from Smith & Wesson is an excellent downsized 44 Magnum with a good, smooth trigger pull in DA

and crisp in SA. The sights were well designed and user friendly.

Action Double ActionOverall Length 9.75 in.Overall Height 6.0 in.Maximum Width (Cylinder) 1.6 in.Weight Unloaded 37.2 oz.Weight Loaded 39.8 oz.Barrel Length 4.25 in.Capacity 5Frame Material/Size Stainless Steel L-frame Cylinder Material Stainless Steel, FlutedFrame Front Strap Height 2.2 in.Frame Back Strap Height 4.2 in.Grips Rubber Finger GrooveGrip Thickness (max) 1.2 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.7 in.Front Sight Red RampRear Sight Adjustable White OutlineSight Radius 6.0 in.Trigger Pull Weight Single Action 4.8 lbs.Trigger Pull Weight Double Action 12.0 lbs.Trigger Span Single Action 2.6 in.Trigger Span Double Action 3.3 in.Safety NoneWarranty LifetimeTelephone (800) 331-0852Website Smith-Wesson.com Made In Springfield, Mass.

The front blade is pinned in place and can be changed depending on the user’s needs.

Left: That is the ball detent (arrow) that locks up the front of the cylinder; it snaps into a V-shaped groove in the frame. Right: With the cylinder closed in the frame, note the ball detent is locked into the frame at the bottom edge of the shroud.

The Model 69 had the longest ejector rod and better dispensed empty brass.

Here you can see the barrel shroud and barrel; the muzzle was nicely crowned.


accurate even with less-expensive ammo. All told, the one sticky chamber, lack of a crowned muzzle, and double-stamped rollmarks made us mark down this revolver.

Smith & Wesson Model 69 162069 44 Magnum, $849

The Model 69 Combat Magnum debuted in 2014 and is a departure from S&W’s typical 44 Magnum revolvers. The new Model 69 is built on an L-frame, which Smith brought out in 1980 for the 357 Magnum. An N-frame revolver is S&W’s typical frame used for the 44 Magnum. To fit the caliber in the L-frame, the cylinder capacity was reduced to five shots; N-frames have six shots. There is nothing special in the metallurgy of the L-frame, S&W’s current heat-treating process already makes the metal plenty strong enough to handle the pressures from a 44 Magnum. S&W did, however, have to change the geometry on the cylinder crane so the cylinder would close without hitting the barrel inside the frame.

The Model 69 is constructed of stainless steel and wears a glass-bead-matte-stainless finish. Barrel length is 0.25 inch longer than the other reviewed revolvers. The two-piece barrel was made with a stainless-steel barrel shroud over a steel barrel. Unlike the other two revolvers tested, the Smith used a half lug under the barrel. Even though it uses a half lug, the Model 69 was the heaviest revolver of the trio at 37.2 ounces empty. The top of the barrel was serrated, and at the muzzle was a pinned serrated blade with a red insert. The fully adjustable rear sight also had a white outline around the notch. This was an excellent set up, according to our crew. The top strap of the frame was also drilled and tapped under the rear sight, which could also be removed and an optic attached if so desired.

The trigger, hammer, and cylinder latch were blued and contrasted nicely with the rest of the revolver’s finish. The trigger was smooth, and the hammer spur offered plenty of traction to thumb back the hammer and fire in single action. The cylinder latch was precise, and we had no doubt the cylinder was locked up tightly. At the front of the crane was a ball detent that locked into a V-shaped groove in the frame. Team members liked this

set-up better than the cylinder lock on the Taurus. We felt it was better built and locked the cylinder into the frame better. With the cylinders swung open, we could also see the spaces between the chambers on the Model 69 and the 44 Tracker were beefier, with more metal, than the Target Bulldog. That was due to the difference in cartridges. The Model 69 also placed the cylinder notches directly between the chambers where there was the most metal. We thought the cylinder was plenty tough. The Smith also had a longer ejector rod than the other two, and it better ejected empty cases.

The Smith’s hard-rubber grip with slight finger grooves and a slight palm swell had a nice texture and felt good in the hand for most reviewers. It was more filling than the Target Bulldog and less bulky than the 44 Tracker. It was a full-size grip and was the largest of the three guns tested.

In action, the Model 69 was a pussycat with 44 Special ammo. Recoil was very manageable for experienced shooters, but this is still not a novice’s revolver. Change to 44 Magnum and the Model 69 was a real wrist cracker, according to some testers. The lighter weight of the L-frame, compared to the typical N-frame, made felt recoil more pronounced with hotter loads than the Taurus, in our estimation.

Accuracy with the new Black Hills ammo was excellent. Using a rest and firing in single-action mode, we were able to shoot groups under an inch at 25 yards. The Model 69 seemed to like the slower bullets. The faster Sellier & Bellot ammo, with a muzzle velocity of 1188 fps, gave larger groups. The Black Hills 44 Magnum and Remington 44 Special clocked at 956 fps and 679 fps, respectively.

We used an OWB holster to carry the Model 69 because it was longer and heavier than the other two revolvers. Carried that way as a trail gun, we liked it. Reviewers thought it would make a great deer gun for use at bow-hunting range. The Model 69 would also be at home hunting black bear over bait or running with dogs.

Our Team Said: The new S&W Model 69 is an excellent revolver that’s well made and nicely finished, with very usable sights and a smooth trigger in double action that is also crisp in single action. Irrespective of its heavy price, team members would buy the Model 69 to hang on their belts.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, usingevaluations from Gun TesTs team testers. GT

Note the comfortable girth of the Taurus ribbed grip (left) compared to the smaller Charter Arms grip (middle) and the full-size S&W Model 69 grip (right).

Left: The Smith’s thick front blade and wide notch made the sights very user friendly. Center: From an operator’s perspective, the Target Bulldog had us-able sights that were quick to get on target. Right: The red insert of the pinned front blade helped get the Taurus on target faster.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

revolvers - gun tests · 44 special and the taurus 44 tracker and smith & wesson ... magnum...

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