I'm thinking of getting a dedicated .38.

Ala Dan,

Yes, I remember reading on these boards that you didn't think much of the one you had. Mine was a good gun so I may consider it. I probably will not go with it however. Mine was a great beginners gun but, unlike other Taurus designs, it just isn't as nice as a S&W. Actually, most new Smiths aren't as nice as they should be either so I will probably go with a USED S&W (even without the agreement I'd go used on this one, I have a newer Smith and I want to see what I'm missing).
 
I've got a Mod 64 4"HB that was My duty gun for years.It's My favorite revolver,a real tack driver! I'll never sell or trade it off. You'll still see these offered in gun shops from time to time but the Police trade ins are drying up quickly.tom.
 
Well, a dedicated .38 is certainly a LOT better than a Gen. X slacker .38. Those are just so annoying, with their pierced grips and bad attitudes...

A couple of years ago I lucked onto a very nice Model 10 with a standard weight barrel (the "pencil" barrel) for $152. Of course I bought it.

Well, some months later, I got to thinking that that was kind of stupid, becuase I have quite a few .357 Mags., so I sold it to a friend of mine, in part of free up money for another purchase.

I'm still kicking myself, as that gun, with the 4" standard weight barrel, was so sweet.

Right now my only true .38s are two snubbies, a Charter Arms Off Duty and a Smith & Wesson 042 that is my primary carry gun.

I'm getting the hankering to get a Model 10 with the standard weight barrel again, but I know I'm probably not going to find one for $150 again...

Sigh.
 
Sure you can. I have passed up half a dozen M10s at $125 or less in the past year. You must have cash in hand, not be shy about making the offer, and know where to look.
 
I just did the same thing, Chaim

I just (yesterday) bought a Model 15-5 heavy barrel. I wanted the adjustable sights is the only reason I didn't buy a Model 10. It was a police trade-in, and does have some wear on the finish, but doesn't look like it was shot very much. Barrel and forcing cone are excellent, as is the trigger. There are some worn out parts with respect to the cylinder pin/crane, but I'm going to have that taken care of before I shoot it much. It looks like the person who carried it thought they were a wild-west cowboy and did a lot of that "spin the cylinder then snap it shut" routine.

To anyone who is familiar with these, can someone post or e-mail me information on the 15-5? I'm no expert on Smith revolvers (and that's being generous) and I would like to have more info. Even if you can just direct me to an internet site or something, that would be great.
 
No good internet sites on S&W revolvers, unfortuantely.

I've had one that is a "work in progress" for some time, but it's a back burner project.

What exactly would you like to know?
 
The very first handgun I ever purchased was a Colt Diamondback in royal blue with a 4 inch tube. This was in 1975 and I think I paid around $150 NIB from the 8th Army Rod & Gun Club.

As a diehard S&W fan I write this with a heavy heart. No finer .38 Special can be found at any price.

Other than that I have found a variety of used Model 10's and 15's at good prices. If cosmetics are not a priority look for the old beaters. I found one that looked brand new for a price of $70 in a local pawn shop several years ago. NIB at least until I saw the side laying down. It had sat in a truck under the seat for a while and was a rusty mess. I took it home and it shot like a dream. Some steel wool and a trip to the local smith for a parkerizing job and a pretty l'il gun she was.

Another pawn shop (these were in Jacksonville FL) sold me a very pretty Model 15 with ugly target pachmyrs for $125. The guns are there.

If only I could find another Diamondback with out selling the car. :)
 
Update

Today at a gun show I just bought a .38.

The dealer had several that I checked out. A nice Colt Police Positive ($190), a decent S&W M10(I forgot but I think it was somewhere between $200 and 230), a nice S&W M64 ($215)and an OK S&W M67 ($225). I also checked out several other dealers but this one seemed to have more good deals.

The Police Positive had great blueing and the lockup was as tight as a bank vault. The M10 was a newer model (the firing pin was in the frame) but seemed to be in good condition with good lockup (as you'd expect on a newer gun). The M64 was in great condition and the lockup was tight, you'd have thought it was a brand new gun. The M67 was a bit sloppy.

I almost bought the M64 but it was a 64-1 and I remember reading that S&W had some durability problems with their first stainless guns (or was that only in .357), plus I really wanted a blued gun. As soon as I saw that the M10 was a newer model I put it down, it may have been a good gun but I really want one with the old trigger to see what I'm missing (I have a newer S&W 65LS). I didn't even think twice about the M67 after checking it out (way too sloppy, the lockup back and forth and side to side was bad). I ended up with the Police Positive for $175 (just under $200 out the door). Since I live in MD (one a month law) and I just picked up my CZ 40 yesterday I have to wait a month to get this one though.

I am not sure if it is a .38spl or a .38s&w model Police Positive (they were made in both). Since it isn't a self defense gun I suppose .38s&w would be ok, but since .38spl is cheaper and easier to find I really hope it is .38spl.

Does anyone know of any good websites with information about this gun? I actually have several questions about it but I posted a new thread about it here so I won't clutter things up with my questions in two different places.

Anyway, I'll be sure to keep you updated with a range report as soon as I have it in my possession.
 
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