A double-action revolver is the perfect handgun for a beginner yet delivers potent firepower in the hands of a pro. With the proper load from a wide variety of chamberings available, you can defend the home, pot a squirrel, stop a grizzly or just have fun tearing the X-ring out of a paper target.

About the only handgun endeavor I can think of for which you cannot use a DA revolver is sanctioned Cowboy Action matches (it's not called the Single Action Shooting Society for nothing). Real cowboys had DA revolvers, though. The Colt Lightning was introduced in 1877 and the Smith & Wesson First Model in 1881. The DA revolver has come a long way since then, and today's models offer more features and chamberings than ever.

There are not as many companies making DA revolvers as in years past. It seems most young handgunners coming up are infatuated with the autoloader. Perhaps it's true: Youth is wasted on the young. It is ironic that the handgun design best suited for beginners is most often only appreciated by seasoned shooters. Regardless, there are still plenty of DA revolvers to choose from.

I've tried to pick a useful cross-section of DA revolvers with an eye toward highlighting the many chores for which they are suited. Keep in mind that suggested retail prices are higher than what you should expect to actually pay in most cases and are only offered as a general guide.

COLT
Colt has cut back considerably on its DA-revolver line, but two models are still available: the Python Elite .357 Magnum and the Anaconda .44 Magnum. Quality is excellent, but variations are limited.

Colt Anaconda .44 Magnum

The Python Elite can be had with either a 4- or 6-inch barrel in either blue or stainless while the stainless-only Anaconda is available in 4-, 6- or 8-inch trim. www.colt.com

ROSSI
Rossi markets the lowest-priced DA revolvers available. There are seven models in .38 Special and .357 Magnum chamberings in both small- and medium-frame models.

Rossi R97 .357 Magnum

MSRP ranges from $298 for the blued .38 snubbie to $391 for a 6-inch stainless .357 Magnum with adjustable sights. www.rossiusa.com

RUGER GP100
Ruger revolvers have a reputation for being the toughest available, and the GP100 series is no exception. This is a medium-frame workhorse chambered in the versatile .357 Magnum, with the exception of one .38 Special fixed-sight model.

Ruger GP100

Last time I counted, there were 15 variations available with blue and stainless models, fixed or adjustable sights and your choice of 3-, 4-, or 6-inch barrel length. For home-protection or general duty use there is simply not a more durable revolver available for the money. MSRP runs from $520 to $580. www.ruger.com

SMITH & WESSON N-FRAMES
Elmer Keith endeared the N-frame .44 Magnum to a generation of firearms enthusiasts, and Dirty Harry made the big S&W an international celebrity. It no longer reigns as the "most powerful handgun in the world," but the N-frame Smith & Wesson is plenty of gun for most people and is available in a variety of models. If you like the classic look, the Model 25 in .45 Colt has the sleek lines and rich blue finish that made Smith & Wesson famous.

S&W M626 Light Hunter

Or you can opt for a racy Performance Center Model like the 629 Light Hunter in .44 Magnum, which has modern lines and comes with a Weaver-type base for scope mounting and a ported barrel to reduce recoil. The 629 Classic does not have the true vintage profile the name implies but still has sleek lines. It features a full underlug on the barrel and a hand-filling rubber grip to aid controllability. MSRP ranges from $760 for a basic Model 629 to $1,171 for the Light Hunter. N-frame models in .41 Magnum and .45 ACP are also available. www.smith-wesson.com