Revolver buying guide

Revolvers remain some of the most reliable, simple and versatile handguns you can own. They handle a wide range of ammunition without fuss, have no magazine to lose and no slide to rack, and a quality revolver will outlast its owner. This guide helps you choose the right one, whether you want a classic single-action six-gun, a double-action for home defense or carry, or a big-bore hunting handgun.

Single action or double action

A single-action revolver, like the Colt Single Action Army and its modern cousins the Ruger Vaquero, Blackhawk and Wrangler, needs the hammer cocked by hand for each shot, and loads through a gate one chamber at a time. It is historical, fun, accurate and ideal for cowboy action shooting, hunting and the range. A double-action revolver, like the Smith and Wesson K, L and N frames, the Ruger GP100 and SP101 and the Colt Python and King Cobra, can be fired by a long trigger pull that cocks and releases the hammer, and its cylinder swings out for fast reloading with speedloaders. For home defense and carry, choose double action.

Calibers

.22 LR and .22 WMR revolvers are for teaching, small game and cheap practice. .38 Special is mild and accurate, a classic for defense and target work. .357 Magnum revolvers also fire .38 Special, so one gun covers practice and full-power loads; it is the most versatile revolver cartridge. .44 Magnum and .44 Special are for hunting and backcountry protection. .45 Colt is the traditional six-gun round. Larger magnums such as .454 Casull and .460 are specialist hunting cartridges with heavy recoil.

Frame size

Small frames with five-shot cylinders carry easily but kick hard and are harder to shoot well. Medium frames with six or seven shots and 3- to 4-inch barrels balance carry and shootability and are the best first revolver for most people. Large frames suit magnum hunting loads and absorb recoil.

Barrel length

Under 3 inches is for concealed carry. Three to 4 inches is an all-round length. Four and a half to 5.5 inches is the classic single-action cowboy length. Six inches and longer adds velocity and sight radius for hunting and target shooting.

Sights

Fixed sights are rugged and snag-free; adjustable rear sights let you zero for your load. For hunting at longer range, many large-frame revolvers take a scope or red dot mount.

Revolvers for home defense

A medium-frame .357 Magnum double action with a 3- or 4-inch barrel, loaded with quality .38 Special +P or moderate .357 hollow points, is a proven home defense choice. Store it in a quick-access safe, and practice with speedloaders or moon clips if your revolver uses them.

Revolvers for the trail

In bear, hog and big-cat country many hikers and ranchers carry a .44 Magnum, .45 Colt with heavy loads, or 10mm alternatives. A revolver's reliability with heavy hard-cast bullets is its main advantage here. Check state law and land-management rules before carrying on public lands.

Buying used

A used revolver can be an excellent buy. Check that the cylinder locks up tightly with minimal side play, that the gap between cylinder and barrel is even, that the timing carries each chamber into line, and that the bore is clean. Our catalog's used listings note condition where available.

Care

Clean the barrel, the cylinder face and the chambers after each range session. Revolvers can build up lead or carbon rings in the chambers if you shoot shorter .38s in a .357; clean them before firing full-length magnums.

Legal notes

You must be 21 to buy a revolver from a dealer, and it must ship to a dealer in your home state. Some states require a permit to purchase a handgun or maintain a list of approved models. Read our online buying guide, pair your revolver with a matching lever-action rifle, and browse revolvers in the catalog.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.