I'm lookin to get a new revolver soon, but need opinions on what to get. Lookin to spend around $500-$600 and want at least a .357. Thanks in advance.

It does depend on what you want from it.

For personal defense IMO I think its a good round , pretty much in the middle. Not to small and not to big.

It would be for self defense and to carry at the lease.

What model are you looking at getting? All types of ammo for it from knockin a man down or breaking a engine block open. A 44 does not have the accuracy that a 357 does and a 38 can be on the small side with a bigger animal in the field.

That's what I need opinions on, what to get.

L-Frame S&W's are hard to beat if your looking for a double action, if not Ruger single actions are another great choice. For a hunting pistol I'd get at least a 6 inch barrel but would prefer a 7 1/2 in either 44 mag or 45 Long Colt. Since it's a dual purpose the 4 inch S&W 686 in 357 might be a better choice of a 5 1/2 inch Ruger Blackhawk in 357 or my personal favorite the 45 Long Colt with the extra 45 ACP cylinder.

You cant go wrong with a S/W or Rugger . I would go with a little longer barrel for some longer shots and to help you get back on target quicker. Others will chime in I am no expert.

The 357 mag is a great caliber to carry at the lease and for protection.

I really like my 6" Stainless Ruger GP-100. It's a beefy revolver that will allow you to shoot anything from lightly loaded 38 caliber wad cutters for someone who just want to punch some holes in paper to heavy loaded 357 mag.

I'll second the Smith & Wesson 686. Excellent gun, and it gives you the flexibility to shoot .357 mag rounds, or you can shoot standard or +P .38 rounds. If it won't be a carry gun (concealed), I would get the 6" barrel for a longer sight plane and a little more performance.

Also most 357's shot 38 rounds also. If its strictly for indoor home use I would use +P 38 ammo.

I have owned several S&W .357s and a Taurus Tracker(which I dont reccomend) but I now have a Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel and couldnt be happier. I do wish it was stainless though as I leave it in my truck and with humidity in the air you gotta stay on top of the rust.

Oh yeah I do generally shoot .38s through it as the .357 mags are unpleasurably loud.

You could look into geting a used one. Only for the reason that a new one is just to dang nice to holster,lol much less beat around in the truck. I have a model 19 S W that I will take out to the range about once a year but you wont want that model in the field. There was a guy on one of those sharp shooters shows and this guy hit a regular size ballon at 250 yards with a snub nose 357 S W , up side down. WOW!!!

Both the 357 mag and 44 mag would be my recommendation if your wanting to use it for hunting. I prefer the 44 mag. My experience has been with both a Ruger Super Redhawk 9 1/2 barrel and a Taurus Raging Bull (ported) in a 8 3/8 inch barrel. My favorite is the Taurus, most others would probably say the Ruger. I like the way my Raging Bull shoots and looks. For strictly defense and carry to the blind a shorter barrel will do. I prefer the 44 mag over the 357 mag because of knock down power for larger game but the 357 mag will certainly get it done. The 357 mag loads will be have less kick in you hands, all things being equal. A ported or compensated barrel on the 44 mag will make it more manageable and ported on a 357 mag will be sweet. I definately suggest you get at least a 7 1/2 barrel for decent range if hunting is a consideration. I also have Taurus Judge in 45LC/410 and use it for defense and snakes and had a 38 but did not see it being worth keeping because of it lack of decent ballistics for adequate defense and hunting. I disagree with one of earlier comments that a 357 mag is more accurate than a 44 mag. My 44 mags are extremely adequate. Length of barrel, ported or not, grips, load and shooter all take part in accuracy. The nice thing about a 357 mag is the ability to shoot 38's and in the 44 mag you can shoot 44 specials. The other thing to consider is single or double action. You can shoot a double action as a single action merely by pulling the hammer back to a cocked position and it will lower the amount of trigger pull needed. I hunt my double actions in this manner.

Yep as I have never fired mine in DA. Love to kock the hammer but hate loading/unloading one at a time.

My Ruger Blackhawk Hunter in .44 in my sig pic set me back $600. Its a Schweet gun! Dont care for the scope but I can live with it. I'll be taking a pig or deer with this one soon.

By self defense do you mean concealed carry or a house gun? For a house/lease gun, I highly recommend a Smith 686. You can find one gently used in your price range, and they really are a fine revolver. The 357 will do anything you want it to do in the state of Texas. I've never met a hog that was tougher than some of my cast handloads. For concealed carry you have several options, but probably not the "one gun" I'd want to have.

Ruger double actions are often overlooked and really shouldn't be. They are built like a bank vault and reasonably priced. I don't think you could go wrong with a GP-100 or an SP-101, depending on what your intended use is.

One thing I will say is that I really prefer a 4" barrel on a revolver, unless it is an absolute dedicated hunting weapon. The difference between packing a 6" or 7 1/2" gun and a 4" gun (especially when seated in a vehicle) is really very noticeable. There isn't an appreciable loss in velocity, and they're as accurate as you are capable of being.

Ruger Blackhawk in 357 mag or 45acp/45long colt for the choice of double action pistols. U can load the 45lc to near 44mag levels and never affect it. Love mine in a 6 inch barrel, great length for what ur looking for and easy to shoot.
S&W for the single action pistols. I have one in 357mag with a 8 1/2 inch barrel and it's a dream to shoot.

Thats why I prefer a cross draw holster, sit's out of the way when sitting in a truck and it doesn't hinder bending at the waist.

My bad, i should have clarified a little better. I want something i can conceal and by carry around the lease I don't mean hunt with it, just carry it as my sidearm. Thanks for all the input fellas I'll be looking into these options. I am also trying to stay in the $500/$600 dollar range.

You got your SA and DA mixed up!

Ok, don't beat me down too much, but what about The Judge? Any one have one or shoot one yet?

The 410 as a defensive round just ain't much punkin. I'd a whole lot rather have a 357- they can squeeze 5 of those rounds into a smaller overall package.

I'd recommend a Ruger SP-101 with a 2 1/4" barrel. Small enough to conceal but still big enough to shoot.

SP 101 looks really good. I think I'll take a look at that one first. thanks for the info guys.

post a pic of the one u choose