.38 snub nose-which of these 2 would be best?

T

Tropical Z

New member
In my quest for a snub nose .38 i have discovered that in my price range,both Rossi and Charter Arms have a nice looking gun.I have never owned or fired either of these brands however and need to know which would be the best to own, or is there a better choice i haven't discovered in the $250.00 price range? Thanx :)
 
I have owned a charter arms for years and it
has never failed,(I never use plus-p loads).
I have seen them for less then $200.
Very good little pistol.!
 
Maybe a used Ruger SP-101 or S&W Airweight. S&W makes snubbies in all frame sizes. Fairly easy to find one that suits your needs in that price range.

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"Until that time,Eustus,until that time."-from Soldier In The Rain
 
I've owned a Rossi 6" .357 (971?) in the past and currently own a model 720 .44 Spl 3". Fine (if clunky) steel-framed guns.

My experiences with an alloy-framed Charter Bulldog Pug in .44 Spl were, um, underwhelming...

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"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
I have the venerable Taurus M85. It is right in your price range, and is a tested, time honored design, but I think that the M605 is better. It is a .357MAG. More bang for the buck, so to speak. It will also fire .38SPL. :)

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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent

"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"

Taurus 605: Five hits of .357 MAG that will just ruin your day, Scumbag!!!!
 
The Rossi is made by Taurus. I understand that their quality has gone way up since Taurus bought them. A lady in my wife's CCW class had one. Thelma handled it and liked the grip and feel. She didn't fire it, but the lady who owned it did OK, shot about a 6" group at 15 feet. It was the first time she ever fired the gun.

OTOH, in the $250 range I have seen used Colts and Smiths in good condition advertised in the Pennysaver.
 
I agree with those who suggest finding a good used Colt or (preferably) S&W for the same price. I prefer S&W, but Colt "snubbies" have six shots instead of five.

Jim
 
As much as I like Ruger handguns I will chime in for a used S&W. They are smaller and lighter and more apt to be with you when you need a firearm. I have two S&W snubbies, a Model 60 & Model 37. Of these two I prefer the Model 37. Why? It is the lighter of these two and easier to carry. Is there a downside? Yes, the 37 kicks like a small mule. Regards, Richard.
 
Round the first of the year I just missed a model 36 Smith that looked unfired, $175.00 out the door. Bout six months ago I picked up a very nice one for $200.00. In the under 250 range there are a lot out there in good shape, all sizes.

Sam...guns and cars should have wheels.
 
Yep, Rossi & Taurus are really one of the same; and both have updated their weaponary
to "higher standards". That being said, one
can often find a used, but not abused Smith
& Wesson model 60 .38 Special for around the
$250.00 price range!!! :) Search Guns America
for further information regarding such deals.

Regards,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
Another used S&W model to look for: the 642, or any other Centennial .38

Shrouded hammerless, alloy frame, compact enough for pocket carry, and I have seen then in about the $250 range used. Centennials seem pretty much a hands-down winner for .38 snub pocket guns.

-LCpl Matthew Boris
 
I have or had snub nose Colts, S&W, Charter Arms, Taurus and Ruger. Based on my personal experience Colt Dective Specials were best but more expensive than others. For $250 my choice would be as follows:

1st - Used Colt. They are a little more expensive than others but good one can be had for under $250 if you look around at gun shows.

2nd - Used S&W J frame. For $250 you can find some very nice ones.

3rd - Used Ruger SP101.

4th - New Taurus M85. Blued ones can be had for just a little more (usually around $270 in my area)

5th - Used Charter Arms. Nice one can be had for under $200.

6th - New Rossi. Usually arounf $250 or even less for blued ones.

Just my $0.02 worth.
 
At the risk of being redundant, for this kind of gun in this price range, look for a high end used gun. I recent shopped for the same thing you are looking at. The decision came down to a new Taurus or a used S&W, and I went with the Smith. The used Smith felt better built and tighter than the new Taurus. And it shoots better than I expected for a little gun with a 2" barrel. At 5 yards, it's a tack driver. (I bought it used, guys, I swear I did.)
 
I recently bought a Total Titanium Taurus 38 snubbie with the 2 inch ported barrel. After shooting 50 rounds through it, I really like it alot. So much in fact, that my next gun will be a all stainless steel Taurus 38 snubbie. They are just such fun little guns to have.
 
Get a Taurus snubbie, as they are ported. Any small light revolver that shoots 38 spec+p is almost uncontrollable unless it is ported. You're not going to hit anything if the gun practically flies out of your hand.
 
The J-frame 442 Centennial Airweight, with its enclosed hammer, doesn't buck as much as an alloy J-frame with an external hammer because you can grip it higher and thus control it better.

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Idiot, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling. -- Ambrose Bierce
 
I have the Taurus Model 85 Ultralite in stainless and I had the hammer bobbed.

Great little .38 and it is +P rated.

( I would only carry the +P and practice with standard pressure ammo. Check though and make sure of the point of impact with the +P round compared to standard pressure loadings so you know where your hitting.)

Good Luck with your search...

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SHOOT,COMMUNICATE AND MOVE OUT !
 
Here's a Charter Arms story I'd like to share. My gunsmithing instructor, Bob Dunlap, loaded his Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog with magnum charged loads. He secured the gun, cocked it, and tied a string to the trigger. Boom! He examines the gun (mics the frame) and finds no distortion. He successively fires off all the other rounds in the cylinder and inspects between rounds. After all rounds have been fired, the gun is not showing any signs of wear (for the worse). So, in response to the original inquiry regarding Charter or Rossi, I'd go with Charter (Rossi to me is a cheap S&W).

However, given the choice of a used gun or better budget, I'd go with a Ruger SP101. There is no tougher revolver on the market.
 
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