Attempting to find a good revolver in $200 range

R

RHarris

New member
I have a friend interested in getting a revolver but cash is a little tight. She is not interested in a semiautomatic.

Must be a medium framed 4' or 6" double action revolver 38 or 357 (will probably not even use 357's). Can something of quality be found in the $200 range?

I've discouraged Taurus. Haven't had any personal experience with them, but the the ones I have examined seemed a little rough. Can the actions be cleaned up in them with a little polishing? I've read various complaints about them here, but some are satisfied.

I'm simply not findy any used deals around here. I rarely see used GP 100's that cost significantly less than new ones. On occasion I have come accross an old service six around $275.

It seems to me it would be best to wait a little longer and get a Ruger or Smith. If that's not an option, what might be the best alternatives?
 
I've only ever seen 3 revolvers under 200 worth having. One was an old Ruger .44 Mag with no finish left, and the only one I have ever seen that was shot loose, and the other two were two *&* Model 19's with no finish. I would save another 50 bucks, which seems to get you some halfway decent guns used. Usually full sized, blued, fixed sighted, .38's. Not a bad way to go 'cause they are usually pretty easy to shoot.
 
You don't say where "around here" is. Makes it a little difficult to point you in specific directions.

Patience.
And carry the money in cash for the neat deals pop up when you least expect them.

A fair number of 4" .38 service revolvers floating around with good mechanicals and a bit of holster wear. Police turn ins from depts that went to all autoloaders. Retirees. Estate sales. Divorce "retalitory" sales. etc etc.

Patience.

Sam
 
Get a copy of the Shotgun News----a lot of times if you look at the larger full page ads---there are usually police trade-ins----usually they are S&W model 65's or 66's----then just find a dealer to bring it in for you--usually for a small fee---the Shotgun News has a dealer finder online to help out in finding one to bring it in ---in your area.
 
The deals are out there, I've seen good condition .38 Special's .357 Magnum's for 200 to 350 dollars. Like Sam posted, you have to have patience. And cash.
 
Do a search here for the EAA Windicator I have never shot one, but have heard very good things about there quality.

They run around $200 new.
 
EAA "Windicator"

I've owned two of these revolvers: one in .38 spcl with adjustable sights and a .357 mag. These are what I would term "best-kept secrets" because they are well-made in Germany and extremely accurate, especially the .38 with adjustable sights.
You can probably pick one up brand-new for about $200. I recommend them highly.
 
Some dealers in Shotgun News have S & W M15s in your price range. These are .38 Special revolvers with adjustable sights. Nice guns, usually carried more than shot.
 
EAA

If you like your friend do not advise her to buy anything from EAA. The pistols are good, but if there is a problem they are the worst company to deal with.
I would take another look at Taurus. The newer pistols are as good anything S & W produces today.
Of course nothing bets a pre-agreement S&W.
 
If used is OK and it doesn't have to pretty, just functional, the auction sites like www.gunbroker.com and www.auctionarms.com have no shortage of medium frame .38s (why buy a Magnum if you're not going to shoot Magnum ammo?) for $100-$125. Find a pawn shop or home FFL to recieve it and the total cost should be under $200 including shipping and transfer fees. A S&W M10 can be had for $150 just about any week you look and this would serve a new shooter well.
 
Lots of PD-turn-in Smith 66's lying around in good condition. Most are around the $200 mark. Also, you might still scare up a model 19. I've seen some 65's also (kind of like a model 10, but in .357 and in stainless, I think).

You should be able to find some Taurus revolvers in your price range. If you can find them used, you should be able to fill the bill for $150 or so.

The Ruger security- and police-six series are excellent guns and I've seen a few turn-ins that were very tight, but price was around $300.
 
Last year I bought a Security-Six 4" barrel model for $200 out the door. A little wear on the bluing, but good solid gun. Keep looking....

Also, don't automatically discount the Taurus guns. Save up just a little more for guns that are marked $249 etc.. and make them a cash deal.
 
I bought a S&W Model 28 that was in basically new condition last year for $225. In a gun shop believe it or not. No finer handgun has ever been made. As Sam so correctly points out, it is a matter of looking around, being patient, and having the cash in your pocket.
 
RHarris...

Another question...what does she want it for?

The reason can help pinpoint things a little more. The assumption seems to be for self-defense but I don't want to assume anything.

I have found my share of $200 revolvers, but then I have a very good relationship with my local dealer and I am on the lookout for good deals.

I would tend to recommend a good older S&W K-frame. There are a lot of them out there and the older ones (which have not been abused) generally remain good bargains.

Do you have a local dealer who is good to deal with and can understand and support your friend's needs without injecting his own opinions and beliefs? That may be a good place to start.
 
Used Dan Wesson Model 15's (.357 Mag) with 4 and 6 inch barrels, in good to very good condition can typically be found for $200 and under. The low resale price does not indicate a lack of quality, strength, or accuracy, just low market demand.
Take Care
 
I just bought a Smith & Wesson Model 19 for $200 at a gunshop in Northern Virginia.

NOT, however, a common thing to find. The Magnums usually run closer to $300 and up around here.
 
Gunbroker and Auction Arms. Stick to .38 special chambered Smiths and Rugers. Less likely to be shot out in that calibre IMO. Saw a SW49 go for $220 yesterday on Auctionarms. I think that there are some SW10-7s on Gunbroker for < $200 right now. On Auctionarms, the sellers superpawn and retting@retting.com usually have some good deals.
 
If buying used, I recommend shopping in person. Use the "revolver checkout drill":

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816

I examined a bunch of critters at my local dealer, and came up with a rock-solid-tight late '70s Charter Arms Undercover for $186, best money I ever spent on a gun. This baby can make torso-sized shots SA at 50 yards :). But normally I'd say avoid the Charter/Charco family guns, you have to know them to know what to look for, I did research first but still got lucky.

Normally I'd say an old S&W model 10 is your top pick in this price range. The "pencil barrel" models look funny by modern standards, but they shoot well and are light for carry if it comes to that. The ultimate is a 4" barrel "round butt" layout, it's a fine old sixgun for home defense or street carry.

Most of the complaints I've seen on Tauruses around here involve alloy frames (or polymer on the slideguns). The steel-frame stainless or blue wheelguns have a generally good reputation, and are a solid pick in the new gun department - do the checkout proceedure to avoid the occasional lemon.

No experience with the EAAs personally. Do the checkout on one, if it's tight and lines up right, probably worth a look.

Avoid Llamas at all cost, or most any Argentine revolver. I've seen REAL crap, including a brand new line at this year's NRA show. Just horrendous.

Older Rossis from before Taurus bought 'em out are a crapshoot. I've seen metallurgy problems on the firing pins (my first revolver was a late '80s 357 with integral comp and a short tube...sold it after it snapped the second firing pin in 200 rounds - then I find out later that was common). They fixed that around mid-90s I think...the ones under the Taurus ownership are easy to spot, they have that damn key lock same as a Taurus :). While annoying, the lock is pretty much harmless.

What else...you won't find an old Colt in that price. If you do, it's been WELL used. Colts are nice, but kinda finicky and can go out of time more easily than the classic S&Ws. I'd say novices should avoid unless they know what to look for.

You MIGHT find an old Ruger Security/Service Six series for that kind of money ($250 or so). Check it out carefully, but if it's good snap it up, damned fine guns.

Good usable $200 revolvers DO exist, and are a newbie shooter's best friend.
 
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