When it comes to firearms, the revolver is one of the most sought after weapons. Featuring a compact design, revolvers are easy to carry and fairly simple to use. If you're in the market for such a powerful weapon, look through this buying guide. 

Function/Purpose 

You can easily narrow down the design choices for a revolver by thinking about how the gun will be used. For example, is it for personal protection or for leisurely fun at a shooting range?

If you're just trying to protect your family, you don't really need to concern yourself with in-depth specs. Just make sure the gun is affordable and safe to use. However, if you're trying to hit targets from several feet away, you need a revolver that's precise and preferably with a long barrel. 

Or you may need a revolver that's easy to conceal, as you may work in law enforcement. In this case, you'll need a revolver that's compact and lightweight. 

Quality 

Since these handguns can skyrocket up to the thousands in price, your initially inclination may be to save as much money as you can on this purchase. This short-sighted thinking can lead to a lot of problems later on, such as misfires resulting in severe injuries.

Instead of budget-shopping for guns, focus more on the quality. Make sure it's constructed out of durable metals that are easy to identify, such as stainless steel. Revolvers made out of metals you can't pronounce or may have never heard of before are probably cheaply made. 

Recoil Strength 

Another factor you need to assess before purchasing a revolver is the recoil strength. Recoil refers to the kickback, or backward movement, a gun has when fired. How much recoil you need depends on several things. For example, if you prefer loud guns that make statements from miles away, you'll enjoy the .44 magnum revolver. This gun features a heavy kickback. 

However, if you don't have a lot of experience using guns or power is not a requiremen, a small recoil is preferred. You'll have more control of the gun and won't be as timid when squeezing the trigger. The .9mm revolver is a good entry-gun in terms of its recoil.  

There are a lot of factors to assess heavily before purchasing a revolver. This weapon demands respect, and you can choose the right one by thinking about your needs and overall experience with these firearms.