Best Budget .38 special

Best Budget .38 Special Revolver?

  • Ruger Service Six - Used

    Votes: 14 17.9%

  • S&W Model 10 - Used

    Votes: 37 47.4%

  • S&W Model 64 - Used

    Votes: 11 14.1%

  • Taurus Model 82 - New

    Votes: 16 20.5%
  • Total voters
    78
M

MilitantBob

New member
I posted the other day about maybe getting a Ruger GP-100, but that deal has come and gone, and it does not look like I can find another good condition full size .357 mag in my price range, so here goes:

I am looking for a service sized (3-4") .38 special. I have found quite a few in my price range (no more then 300$, not including shipping, FFL fees etc.) and I just wanted to see what everybody recommended and why.

So, without further ado, here are the choices:

Ruger Service Six- http://catalog.jgsales.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=25-97

Pros: Stainless steel, good brand name, and abundance of aftermarket parts and accessories
Cons: Fixed sights, small wood grips (I imagine those aren't the most comfortable things to hold on to)

S&W Model 10 - http://catalog.jgsales.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=25-1359

Pros: The quintessential .38 special revolver, abundance of aftermarket parts and accessories and the price (lowest of the bunch, which means more money for ammo)
Cons: 3" barrel, wood grips, fixed sights, and blued instead of stainless.

S&W Model 64 - http://catalog.jgsales.com/itemdetail.php?itemnumber=25-497

Pros: Stainless, not sure on aftermarket parts/accessories
Cons: The most spendy of the used guns listed

Taurus 82 - http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/31369

Pros: New, Lifetime warranty, stainless steel
Cons: Hard to find aftermarket parts and accessories, fixed sights, most spendy of all guns listed...


And there are all the ones I have been able to find.

And, just so you know, this will not be a CCW piece. It will be for toting around while hunting/fishing/hiking, home protection, and range use.
 
I really like the M10.

I really like it in the heavy barrel configuration though ;)

That M64 is cool to, and its a K frame so lots of grips do exist.
 
3" M10 gives full case extraction, great action that can be easily tuned, grip choices are plentiful and fixed sights are good for combat shooting. +P 158 gr ammunition. Great price.
 
I think I'd check out the gun shops/pawn shops for a S&W 66/19, 586/686, or gp100. I'm sure if you look around a bit, you will find one in very good shape for the price you mention.
 
I already hit up all the gun shops in my neck of the woods, and visited one gun show. Found some great deals on autoloaders (almost caved and bought a couple of them, but I held strong for my desire of a good revolver) but no revolver deals...
 
Bob,

It'd be pretty hard to go wrong with either the M10 or M64 with the "heavy" barrel configuration. Although I'd call and ask about any Model 13's or 65's they may have (same two guns in .357). If you wanted adjustable sights, the Models 15 & 67 have them in .38 and Models 19 & 66 in .357. Prices will be higher though.

I prefer blued guns so I'd opt for a Model 10 or 13 (.357). A 3" barrel will still reach out about the same as a 4" -- it'll just be a tad harder to sight with. For the uses you mentioned, the difference between 3" and 4" is mainly in what you prefer.

Read their return policy carefully. Make sure what you're getting and under what conditions they permit a return.

I prefer S&W's and there are tons of spare and aftermarket parts available for these guns.
 
While yur looking if you run accross a nice Colt Trooper MK111 357MAG you might want to give it a real close eyeball!!
They are usually great quality and excellent shooters. the May Gunshow here in Knoxville TN had 3 of them in the $275-325price range and they were from great to excellent condition.
And for the really budget prices look arround for one like mine with holster wear but almost unfired condition in the $150-200 range. Mine is the target model that had the adj target sight and wide spur target hammer. So all you need is some grips , speedloaders and a holster and your ready to go.
 
Looking at your pros and cons list, what about a Ruger Security Six instead of the Service Six and the S&W M67 instead of the M10? Those are the adjustable sighted versions (the M67 is SS) and some are on the gun auction sites right now in your price range.
 
If there was not a gun buy embargo here, I'd be getting me one of them Model 10's!!! :D

Take that for what it's worth!!
 
I have a Taurus 85 now that it was brought up. An excellent revolver! Never gave me any problems even after 4000 rounds of +P. I'm buying the M-82 to supplement it.
 
For me, it's a Model 10 all the way. I prefer the pencil barrel. If you keep searching, chances are you will find what you want in a pawn shop at a decent price. These guns are plentiful. The pawn shop special below cost all of $139.
SmithWessonM10-4.jpg


That being said, a beat around fishing/hiking wheelgun really needs to be stainless. It will have much less maintenance issues. There is an advantage to the 3 inch barrel if you are toting a gun with limited space. I'd also consider a stainless Jframe with Uncle Mike's grips for the same reason.

By ordering online, you will pay $15-20 in shipping, and $20-$50 in FFL fees. Go ahead and tack an extra 20+% to the cost of those wheelguns, and compare them to a pawn shop special that you can examine and inspect prior to purchase, and purchase with no shipping or fees. An internet deal has to be either rare or extremely good to get me ordering anymore. The only advantage of the internet deal is no more waiting and searching.

Revolver checkout: how to tell if a particular specimen is any good
 
I voted for the Ruger. They are great, reliable, tough guns that will last a lifetime of constant use w/ little maintenance (after all, this is your FIRST revolver, IIRC). And fixed sights are a lot more hassle-free & durable than adjustables--an important fact for a wilderness gun.

A close second would be the Model 10 or 64. On the Model 10, do you know the sub-model number (i.e. Model 10-#)? Some are older guns that shouldn't see any +P ammo use. That's OK for a plinker, but a SD & wilderness gun needs the extra strength. The M-64's should handle the +P ammo OK, but you may want to check the springs for wear.

As for the Taurus...I'd just get the extra money together & get a steel Tracker .357. It'll be much more versatile than any of those listed here.... :D
 
We have an old four-screw Model 10 sitting in the shop. No pitting, but lots of honest finish wear, indicating a long spell as a truck gun or some other hard duty. The gunsmith noticed it was still sitting in the case the other day and wondered why nobody had snatched it yet. He noted that "it probably only has another hundred thousand rounds or so left in it." :D
 
I voted Model 10. It's not the best revolver, but considering that it can be had for less than $200 and is reliable, why not? Look at the interior of a Taurus and you'll see why I stay away from them. They're JUNK inside. As for Rugers, I like Rugers, but don't see them for as cheap as a S&W.
 
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