[Smithers]

About 2 hours ago, I just received about 200+ lbs. of reloading equipment. A quick look at all that junk revealed that there are about 3000-4000 .38 special brass (I'm not kidding) and about that many in bullets... Now I'm sitting in front of my computer, sipping green tea, waiting for my back to heal and wondering what I'm going to do with all that brass. I figure the best thing I can do is buy a gun that can shoot it all.

So...what gun should I buy? I don't own a single gun in .38 special and I don't have any special preferences. So just tell me what YOU would buy and why if you had to buy your first gun that can shoot .38. :D

[jaholder1971]

Can't go wrong with a Smith and Wesson Model 10, 15, 13, 65 or 66 in a 4inch barrel. Colts are nice, but pricey right now.

Another option is a Ruger GP100 if the whole .357-gas cutting-K frame bad thing bothers you.

[PotatoJudge]

Colt Python Target in 38 Special. Or a S&W K-38 6in if I wanted to spend a third as much.

Maybe a Detective Special, Cobra/Agent, or S&W 36 or 442 if I wanted to play with the snubbies.

[Sheldon]

Or you can always trade for what you do use.....

[Smithers]

Another option is a Ruger GP100 if the whole .357-gas cutting-K frame bad thing bothers you.
Actually, that doesn't bother me at all. It may have been more appropriate to ask what gun that shoots .38 special.

Or you can always trade for what you do use.....
True. But I need another gun. I always need another gun... :evil:

[ArchAngelCD]

Go out and find yourself a nice Model 10. I'm betting you will wear out those 4000 cases and then another 4000 cases before your Model 10 shows any sign of slowing down. That will be true for a Model 15 too.

[C-grunt]

I recently picked up a SW 442. Its not the funnest gun to shoot because of its small size, but the quality of the piece is outstanding and the accuracy isnt half bad either.

[StrikeEagle]

I'd get a 4" double action .357/.38. Medium frame. IMO, snubbies are about the most useful handguns, but about the least fun at the range.

The very best you could do is a used Ruger Security-Six. :)

[Walkalong]

Model 10,15,64

Model 19,66

Gp-100, Security Six

Lots of options

[armoredman]

Smith Model 10, best made.
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b13/armoredman/10-8.jpg

[mavracer]

just to throw in another option,a single action ruger blackhawk or vaquero or maybe a SAA clone or two.

[Halo is for Kids]

Seems like a good time to get into cowboy action shooting or what ever it's called. My vote either way would be a lever action in 357/38.

[gandog56]

I think I would get a .357. That way you can fire BOTH .38 special and .357 mag.

[Cosmoline]

Get one of the old Colt target models for plinking and a Detective Special for CCW.

[Walkalong]

I agree with armoredman. The Model 10 HB is one of my favorite .38's to shoot.

[MCgunner]

Why not a nice little ultralite carry gun that you could actually USE daily????

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=43447&d=1155431302

Or, a medium frame .357 like the Taurus M66 or a used K frame if you have the money for one, or a GP100. I like the SP101, also, in .357 and there are a ton of J frame sized choices in either .38 or .357. I mean, the list is so long I can't list 'em all here.


I even own a single action in .357 magnum that is quite accurate with .38s and a little Rossi M68 that didn't cost much, but is a fine shooter. I even have a lever action RIFLE that will shoot .38s or .357s. I've been a fan of those calibers for a long, long time, don't see how anyone could live without a good 4" K frame size .357 if nothing else. Hell, you can be tacticool and own a .357, a Coonan, though it won't shoot .38s more'n as a single shot. Smith and Wesson even builds a target autoloader that only chambers .38 special wadcutter, intended strictly for Bullseye competition. A friend has one and it's awesome. The trigger is what they use to define "hair trigger" in Webster's. LOL!

[Vern Humphrey]

If you're looking for a gun for concealed carry, the various Smiths, the Ruger SP 101, or a used Colt DS (my personal choice) would be ideal. If you want a gun for shooting, woods carry, and so on, then I'd go with a .357. I've killed a ton of small game with my Colt M357 using .38 special handloads.

[Smithers]

Mmmm, those are all very nice. Those Smiths look very very nice. :cool: This forum needs an emoticon for DROOL.

I'd like to get a snubbie, but as StrikeEagle says, they're the least fun to shoot at the range. And since I happen to live in L.A., the chances of getting ccw is nil. :cuss: I do plan on moving away from L.A., so maybe getting a snubbie now is good.

Decisions, decisions...

[Oro]

I would vote for a S&W Model 15 or 67. I own one of each, as well as a Mdl 60 (smaller, 5-shot snub-nosed) and a 19 and 66. First, let's decode the Bizarre and seemingly random S&W numbering system.

The 15 and 19 are just blue (or nickel plated) guns, the 67 and 66 are the corresponding guns in a stainless steel finish.

The 15/67 shoots .38 only, the 19/66 shoots .357 or .38. Both are really just adjustable sight versions of the Venerable Model 10 ("military & Police) that has been highly touted above. I like them because I like the "sight picture" the adjustable sights give more than the functionality of adjusting the sights.

This sight helps decode it further if you wish:

http://www.handloads.com/misc/Smith.Model.Changes.asp

If you are going to be reloading quite a bit, and playing with loads, bullets, etc., the adjustable sight models make more sense as you'll discover loads that "print" differently and might want to adjust for that instead of applying "Kentucky windage" with every shot. I understand 5.0 to 5.2 grains of Unique under a 158gr. SWC is the way to go for fun, accurate loads. I load differently with some other poweders I have - but I think I'll give that highly regarded mix a try next time.

I also suggest you go with a 15/67 if .38 and plinking is your thing - the .357 versions are going to cost you more - they aren't better built (other than the cylinder and barrel alloy), just more desirable for self-defense or hunting, and thus more buyers for them who will pay a premium. You can get a nice clean 4" bbl. 15 or 67 for $250, but it's more like $375 or $400 for a .357 mag. variant. 2.5" bbls also command a premium, and aren't as much fun/pleasant to shoot for "plinking" and targets. I carry a 2" or my 2.5" for protection, but I shoot my 4" guns for fun.

If you are going to go out in the woods and live in a wet climate, a 67 in Stainless makes maintenance a lot easier!

I've focused solely on the S&W "K" framed guns here - in my opinion the best practical carry revolvers around. While others like Taurus, Ruger, etc., I and many others like S&W. Some like Chevy trucks, some ford. Some like BMWs, some prefer Audis. There's no bad choice.

Welcome to handgunning and reloading. I hope you enjoy the heck out of it.

Bryan

[mashaffer]

Depending on your personal bent I would 2nd the votes for 3 to 4 inch barreled K frame (vintage) or and original unmodified Blackhawk. Another alternative would be the new vaquero in .357.

mike

[Sheldon]

Ok if you're going to get one, I would go with a L-framed S&W with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights. Either a 586 or 686.

[Smithers]

Hmmm, I'm seeing a lot of fans of the almighty smith and wesson. Is no one else up to the task? :D

[grimjaw]

A .38 Special target model, with adjustable sights. I like the M10, but if you've got that much reloading gear to play with, seems like I'd get bored making up the 158gr loads that the M10 is regulated for.

jm

[StrikeEagle]

Hmmm, I'm seeing a lot of fans of the almighty smith and wesson. Is no one else up to the task?

If you're looking for something a bit different, with an emphasis on FUN... take a look at the USFA SA's.

I got one last year in .38 Special. It's everything I could want in a high-class fungun. It's one of those handguns that I sometimes carry from room to room and put it on my desk next to me while I work, just to glance over and it from time to time. Not even loaded, just something that pleases me to see... a beautiful, beautiful machine. :)

Take a look: http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/single-action-revolver.asp

[straight-shooter]

For your first venture into the 357/38 special world my vote is for the S&W 586/686 or the Ruger GP-100. All built to withstand the tasks at hand. Can't go wrong with any of them.

[MrBorland]

Hmmm, I'm seeing a lot of fans of the almighty smith and wesson. Is no one else up to the task?

If you're looking for something a bit different, with an emphasis on FUN... take a look at the USFA SA's.

How much do you want to spend? The USFAs are the most authentic Colt SAA clones available, while the single actions from Freedom Arms are, short of a Linebaugh or Bowen custom, arguably the best single actions available.

Exotic and expensive DA revolvers would include the Manurhuin (MR-73) or the outrageously expensive Korth.

I have a 4" S&W L-frame 686 .357 magnum, 3" K-frame 64 (stainless version of the M10) .38 +P, and a 4.6" Ruger Blackhawk .357, and I could recommend any of them, depending on your usage.

[MCgunner]

Me, I like my Blackhawk for a .357 single action. It's super accurate, strong, and the adjustables make it a very nice field carry gun. I've taken rabbits to deer with that handgun.

[Phil DeGraves]

Smith M19 or 27.

[foghornl]

If you are looking for new .38Spl only...
S&W Model 10
Ruger GP-100 or SP-101 in .38SPl +p
Taurus..several models
Charter..several models

There are probably a bunch more that I missed. "Previously Owned" opens up a much bigger 'pick list'

[bakert]

Hmmm, I'm seeing a lot of fans of the almighty smith and wesson. Is no one else up to the task?

Although I lean toward the older double action S&Ws and Ruger single actions, Some of the Taurus revolvers work quite well

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f241/brumanj/CopyofPicture341.jpg

[don95sml]

I won't add any more revolver choices, since previous posters pretty well covered the field. Seems to me it's time for you to make some basic decisions. Would the gun primarily be for range use? Then go for adjustable sights, and maybe a longer barrel. Do you prefer a snubbie for concealed carry? Then consider frame size, weight, and suitability for your choice of pocket/IWB/belt carry. Double action vs single action? Eventually, you'll probably own both - but you'll need to decide on a first purchase. Want a "do it all" gun? There is no such thing!

[YosemiteSam357]

S&W model 14 with a 6" barrel and the appropriate (correct) length .38 special cylinder. I let one of these at a good price get away a couple of years ago and still kick myself (it had a damaged hammer spur and front site, and was slightly pitted). No better way to get proficient at target work with more "feedback" (kick) than a .22 will provide.

Newer S&W .38s use a .357 length cylinder, so you still get the bullet jump that you would in a .38/.357 gun.

-- Sam