The "Glock of Wheelguns"? Something that is relatively inexpensive (<$500), reliable as a rock and with a decent trigger? I will likely purchase a wheel gun in the near future for the wife for HD. She held an LCR that she liked the feel of but we have zero experience with wheel guns.
Is there such a thing as ...?
- Thread starter igolfat8
- Start date
A glock of wheelguns ( you must mean ugly and plastic ?? )..
No, ok.....in new wheelguns, under $500 - its mostly junk in my opinion.
In used wheelguns, yes....there is the S&W model 10 ( .38 spl ) ...definitely under $500 . Another couple of guns to look for are S&W model 19's ( K or medium sized frame) or model28's ( N frame or large) ...both in .357 mag...and you'll find some with cosmetic scratches, holster wear, duty guns - carried a lot, fired very little - for under $500.
The pre -Model 10's were parkerized - there are a lot of them around for $ 150 or so ...and the newer model 10's & 19's and 28's were blued or nickel.../ look for a blued one for value. A model 28 ( N frame ) in .357 mag - and you can shoot .38 spl's in it too ...is a very solid gun / they called them The Highway Patrolman ....and a lot of model 10's, 19's and 28's were carried by Federal law enforcement, sheriffs, etc especially in the western US.
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Before you buy - you need to shoot some revolvers...Taurus, Ruger, S&W, etc....in .38 spl and .357 Mag....and see what you like...the triggers on the S&W's will be some of the best you'll find - new or used. Ruger is not a terrible gun .../ Taurus has some reliability and durability issues, in my view...but they have their fans as well.
A good revolver in a 4" barrel is a really good defensive weapon in my view...maybe 6" if you're not going to carry it / keep it at home in a dresser or something...
No, ok.....in new wheelguns, under $500 - its mostly junk in my opinion.
In used wheelguns, yes....there is the S&W model 10 ( .38 spl ) ...definitely under $500 . Another couple of guns to look for are S&W model 19's ( K or medium sized frame) or model28's ( N frame or large) ...both in .357 mag...and you'll find some with cosmetic scratches, holster wear, duty guns - carried a lot, fired very little - for under $500.
The pre -Model 10's were parkerized - there are a lot of them around for $ 150 or so ...and the newer model 10's & 19's and 28's were blued or nickel.../ look for a blued one for value. A model 28 ( N frame ) in .357 mag - and you can shoot .38 spl's in it too ...is a very solid gun / they called them The Highway Patrolman ....and a lot of model 10's, 19's and 28's were carried by Federal law enforcement, sheriffs, etc especially in the western US.
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Before you buy - you need to shoot some revolvers...Taurus, Ruger, S&W, etc....in .38 spl and .357 Mag....and see what you like...the triggers on the S&W's will be some of the best you'll find - new or used. Ruger is not a terrible gun .../ Taurus has some reliability and durability issues, in my view...but they have their fans as well.
A good revolver in a 4" barrel is a really good defensive weapon in my view...maybe 6" if you're not going to carry it / keep it at home in a dresser or something...
Driftwood Johnson
New member
The only 'pre-Model 10s' that had a parkerized-like finish were the Victory Models, made under contract to the Government during WWII. Because of wartime demands S&W did not put the normal high polish blue on them that they put on all the other Military and Police revolvers, the real name of the 'pre-Model 10'. Here is a typical Victory Model with the dull finish. This one has probably been refinished as evidenced by the highly visible joint around the side plate, but you get the idea.
The finish on this old M&P (it shipped in 1908) is worn, but the high polish blue it wears is typical of the entire run of the M&P from 1899 up until 1955 when the name was changed to Model 10.
As far as finding one for $150 or so............good luck. The price of the old Smiths has been steadily rising over the past decade or two. The best deal I ever got on a used Smith is this Model 10 I bought about 20 years ago. $125 out the door. Those days are long gone, so are the days of finding one for $200. I am seeing these guns priced at $400 - $500 these days. If you can find one for less, my hat is off to you.
But all that notwithstanding, the S&W M&P revolver, or its successor the Model 10 is hands down the best 38 caliber revolver ever made.
I stand corrected on the finish issue / my mistake, I know better, just wasn't thinking...didn't take the time...
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availability on the Victory models, pre model 10's, etc...must vary a lot by region of the country...but I see an awful lot of the Victory models around my area - even in great shape for under $250. A lot of the Victory models were carried in holsters..wearing off that finish big time.../ and I see those guns, in very good mechanical condition, going for under $ 150 all the time. They're good shooters.../ I still have one that an uncle carried, as a deputy, that he bought new in about 1946.
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availability on the Victory models, pre model 10's, etc...must vary a lot by region of the country...but I see an awful lot of the Victory models around my area - even in great shape for under $250. A lot of the Victory models were carried in holsters..wearing off that finish big time.../ and I see those guns, in very good mechanical condition, going for under $ 150 all the time. They're good shooters.../ I still have one that an uncle carried, as a deputy, that he bought new in about 1946.
Poindexter
New member
Ruger Blackhawk is real close to what the OP is talking about.
Close to $500.
Reliable as gravity.
Pretty fair trigger among single actions. Excellent trigger among "all revolvers."
Close to $500.
Reliable as gravity.
Pretty fair trigger among single actions. Excellent trigger among "all revolvers."
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
why stop at the Blackhawk... Glock has many models...
Ruger is the Glock of revolvers...
Ruger is the Glock of revolvers...
For a fun range gun or game playing, a single action is fine, and I have a bunch. But most are large and all are slow to use without a LOT of practice; most are very slow to reload. As a practical revolver, go with a DA/SA like the S&W Model 10 or Ruger SP101. For a smaller gun, the S&W J frames are hard to beat.
Jim
Jim
My Ruger SP 101 snubby was a beauty, but the trigger pull was so hard, I couldn't hit squat with it no matter how much I practiced, unless I fired it single action. I can get a 2" pattern at 25 ft. from my new little Ruger LCP .380, and a 12" pattern if I fire it as fast as I can pull the trigger.
carry it on your belt with a cover shirt,I carry a G23 in a Blackhawk Serpa with just a t-shirt cover or my t-shirt tucked and a button down over it, just spent most of the day at the BJCC surrounded by people, talked to a few cops and a few troopers while wandering among the exibits and was never asked if i was carring or spotted that i know of since i was not asked to leave 
, better than 98% of the people you meet are cluless to what you are wearing much less knowing how to spot a concealed weapon.
I found mine impossible to carry IWB. by jimbob86
, better than 98% of the people you meet are cluless to what you are wearing much less knowing how to spot a concealed weapon.I found mine impossible to carry IWB. by jimbob86
Colorado Redneck
New member
Ruger SP101 triggers can be improved. A Wolf Spring Kit can make the trigger pull more amenable to accuracy. Dry-firing is certainly the best advice you can get, but if that doesn't ease up the trigger pull, Wolf Kits can be had for not too many peso. Do-it-yoself install is more than some want to attempt, but can be done if you are willing to spend an afternoon swearing. Good videos on Youtube to instruct you as you go along.