Good revolver in .38 special?

F

FUD

Moderator
What's a good mid-size .38 special revolver to buy. I'm not talking about something for concealed carry (like S&W's J-Frames or Taurus 85 -- I've already got two of them) or the fuller size revolvers but something that is mid-size with a 2-3" barrel.
 
It sounds like you are describing a "K" frame Smith or equivelant. What is the intended use for the gun?

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Gunslinger

I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
 
Lots of room here. I carry concealed with an L frame 3" .44spec. Same with L frame 2.5" .357mag. Why? Because I have them. Have had and used a lot of Kframes over the years and kinda think a 4" model 19 might like you. Long enough sight radius to do serious hundred yard work, wonderful trigger, shoot .38spec or .357. etc etc. I would want an older one, -3 or before. Couple three reasons for older one. Short lug makes it a tad quicker and lighter. Older often means MUCH better quality control. (my first run J frame is a total jewel in appearance accuracy and function.) And very importantly, older means pre-agreement.

The K frames come in all bbl lengths, I just think the 4" is all round handy. My 6" 19 is a treasured family member tho.

Stop by, you can shoot em all and we can have some Spam afterward.

Sam...my favorite 9mm is the 9X32R
 
Ruger SP101
S&W 66
Colt Trooper Mk III

All are excellent choices, from personal experience. Hope it helps.

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"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm."...George Orwell
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gunslinger: ... What is the intended use for the gun? ...[/quote]I'm thinking about a desk gun. Something that I can keep in a locked drawer in the home office when I'm on the computer either late at night (1:30am) or early in the morning (6:30am) before I get dresss and strap on my CCW which stays with me most of the day. I could use one of my pistols from the safe but I'm really looking for an excuse to but another gun ;)and I've only recently developed an attraction to revolvers. FUD.
 
I have a mod.66 with a 2.5 barrel I am very happy with. The good thing about that gun is you can always shoot .357s also.
 
Fud,

I recommend Ruger's GP100 series. GP100s are very solid, durable and reliable revolvers, with great accuracy, and they are inexpensive. There are at least a dozen GP100 variants (check Ruger's catalog or Internet site); I have a KGP141 (four-inch barrel), which maybe slight bigger than you want. However, all the GP100s share the same accuracy, quality and ruggedness.

As you're aware, the GP100 is a .357 mag revolver, but (obviously) it also accommodates .38 Special, +P, and +P+; this, too, is a significant advantage since the wide variety of loads provides real flexibility.

Best regards.

[This message has been edited by RWK (edited September 07, 2000).]
 
FUD,

My most prized possession is what you are after. An old X&X model 15 with a 4" barrel. (Old enough that it has a pinned barrel.) Additionally, it has a factory-installed target hammer and trigger. This makes it an absolute pleasure to shoot. I have never owned, found or shot another firearm with a smoother action.

All that bein' said, it should would be a shame to issue it as a "desk gun" and even then, I'm not givin' mine up! :D

BTW, thats K-Frame size..

Correction: That was a model 15, not model 19.. model 19 is .357, model 15 is .38spl.

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God, Guns and Guts made this country a great country!

oberkommando sez:
"We lost the first and third and now they are after the Second!(no pun intended)"

[This message has been edited by KaMaKaZe (edited September 08, 2000).]
 
S&W Model 10! A true classic. My wife has one with a three-inch heavy barrel, and it's a shooter. There should be plenty of good Model 10s on the used market.
 
FUD: Get a used S&W K-frame, either model 19 or model 66, with a 4" barrel. It's a .357 and it's a dream to shoot with .38 Spcl rounds.

Rugers are good guns as well, but I think the S&W trigger is better.

Jared
 
Agree with Kamakaze
My Drafting table and match shooting gun is 6" mod 19-3 with all Ts. Great tool and a work of art.

Police trade in way to find em. Mostly 4" and rarely a 2".

Sam
 
There are still smoking deals on police trade-ins. I've purchased both a 4" model 19 and a 4" model 10 for great prices. Police guns are often mechanically almost new even if the finish is less than great.
 
If it is not for concealed carry, I would go with something in 357. You will have a larger choice in ammo and have a more durable weapon, most likely.
 
You guys are ignoring the very best one: the S&W model 67.

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Trespassers will be violated.
 
Two of the greatest, not too hard to find good ones on the market, are the S& Klinton Model 15, 4", and the Colt Police Positive Special, 4".

J.B.
 
Marv,


I had a M67 way back when; it had the most precise trigger I've ever felt. "Glass rod" is the only way to describe it. Totally unbelievable, couldn't have been more than 1lb SA.

Some thief got it.......

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
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