2000 rd Challenge with a revolver?

[theJanitor]

Having grown up with, and employing 1911's almost exclusively, I am woefully uninformed about the reliability of revolvers. I hear many anecdotal comments about revolver reliability and such. I probably have less than a case of ammo through various revolvers in the past 30 years. I've been told that as long as I keep my revolver clean, i wouldn't have any issues, but the challenge prohibits cleaning and lubrication. I am also particularly interested in the lock on the S&W's, as many people have stated is problematic

Looking through the 2000rd challenge and notice that no one tried with a revolver. Do you think that it's a no-brainer, or a "walk-in-the-park" for a quality pistol?

[RevolverRob]

I'd say probably a walk in the park for a GP100 or 686 - might be a more of a challenge for a J-Frame, because after about 500 rounds my J-Frame starts to get a bit sticky.

I was actually just thinking this morning after reading the affordable 2000 round thread in Autos that someone should do an affordable revolver test, the Armscor 206 comes to mind, but it might better to do the review on an LCR and/or J-Frame.

[Stephen]

someone should do an affordable revolver test

Sounds like a volunteer :p

[RevolverRob]

Sounds like a volunteer :p

I'd be happy to do it, if someone will supply the gun and ammo...I have thought about buying an Armscor 206, because they use SF-VI Colt lockwork and D-Frame accessories (of which I have a number), but didn't get to it before I left Texas, so now it will have to wait.

I'd say I'd write it up and submit it to someone's blog, but that seems too much like work...

-Rob

[Wheeler]

I ran roughly 1200 rounds of 158 grain LSWC hand loads through my 4" model 12 before cleaning it. Even with fairly hard bullets it was pretty sticky by then. I'd say using a good jacketed or semi jacketed bullet would go 2000 with ease.

[Hizzie]

Dunno if it would make it without several cleanings. Maybe even need to break out a cylinder brush. As said above bullet type, powder type and caliber would all be factors to consider.

[jetfire]

Did someone say "affordable revolver test?" And here I have a Taurus Model 82...just in the office. I guess I know what I'll be doing with that gun.

As to revos themselves, I've had multiple GP100s pass 2000 rounds with no maintenance whatsoever. My 929 is on its way pretty readily to 2000. My j-frame on the other hand won't get past 250 without needing some lubrication to keep the cylinder spinning. I have an SP101 on its way shortly.

[RevolverRob]

Did someone say "affordable revolver test?" And here I have a Taurus Model 82...just in the office. I guess I know what I'll be doing with that gun.

As to revos themselves, I've had multiple GP100s pass 2000 rounds with no maintenance whatsoever. My 929 is on its way pretty readily to 2000. My j-frame on the other hand won't get past 250 without needing some lubrication to keep the cylinder spinning. I have an SP101 on its way shortly.

I'd say a test and compare of "affordable" revolvers would be a good test. Charter Arms, Taurus, Armscor? I'm past the point where I buy these guns for serious reasons, but I still know folks who prefer revolvers and may not necessarily be able to drop 3-4 bills on an SP101 or 4+ on a GP100 or Smith and wonder what are the decent recommendations in the sub-300 price range.

The Taurus 82 might go well against the Armscor M200? A cheap snubby test - Charter Arms Undercover, Armscor M206, Taurus 85, Rossi?

-Rob

[Drang]

Define "affordable". FLGS has a slightly used 642 for less than 4 bills.

[JTQ]

2000 rd Challenge with a revolver?

Do you think that it's a no-brainer, or a "walk-in-the-park" for a quality pistol?
I think it is a good question, and if somebody wants to do a test for us, it doesn't have to be an economy revolver either.

I wonder if you were using .38 Special in a .357 Mag or .44 Special in a .44 Mag if you'd have more or less problems than using the full length round?

[threedogdad]

I have a crusty old Security Six that is 1,352 rounds into it so far. No problems noted. Nothing significant to report.

On the other hand, just for giggles, I once tried to see how long a New Vaquero chambered in 45 Colt would last firing only black powder cartridges. At slightly over 50 rounds, it was completely bound up to where I had to turn the cylinder by hand for each shot. But it sure smelled good.

[rsa-otc]

Back when this challenge was first started on M4C I ran my 686 dash nothing through it. It made 2000 rounds no issues. Of course all the ammo was either Jacketed, Plated or Hi tech coated/Molly reloads running in the +P range. There were very few if any lead reloads. Ammo choice is the key to this challenge with revolvers and lead reloads, let alone cheap low quality lead reloads are the bane of revolver shooters.

For a what I will call tier one revolver (S&W, Ruger) in good condition using the aforementioned ammo this should be no issue. I do not consider Colt a tier one revolver at this point. I have seen too many that have cylinder gap issues and will end up binding after a few rounds due to heat expansion let alone debris buildup on the face of the cylinder and forcing cone. That includes later manufacture Pythons.

[1986s4]

I shoot S&W k frames quite a bit. I reload so I have come up with a formula that works for my pistols. I use plated bullets with a fast clean powder which leaves very little residue. I have used ammo that left so much unburned powder it bound up the cylinder inside 50 rounds. Ammo selection is the key given a quality revolver in good condition.

[Totem Polar]

I shoot S&W k frames quite a bit...Ammo selection is the key given a quality revolver in good condition.

This.