[Josey]

OK, I am thinking of a poor mans revolver. In sub-2" revolvers. 38 Special. I know of Commanche, EAA and Armscor. These are the cheapest factory, current production 38 Special snubs I know of. I am not looking to hear "Buy a S&W M10". I am wondering what cheap and functional revolvers are out there. Experiences would be nice to hear. Taurus is out due to prices. The criteria is: new, 38 Special, sub-2" barrel and cheap. Equate this to a person looking at KIA, Hyundai or Daewoo automobiles. Affordable.

[P95Carry]

Josey - altho I have ''retired'' my Taurus M85 as carry .. in favor of the SP ... I do think it is an inexpensive snub worthy of attention.

Get a used one for not too much ... sub $200 all being well ... and it is very serviceable. All steel of course .. I am NOT a fan of lightweights!

Mine is very ''holster weary'' and a tad corroded but ... sure as heck still works ... and well. Gave me great service.


http://www.bedford.net/design/cb_gun2/m85_s.jpg


Edit .. see you mentioned new ... well I reckon you'd still get an OK deal on one of these new too.

[Josey]

That's OK. I count a steel Taurus M85 with wood grips in my stable too. The Taurus have broken the price barrier though. El Cheapo. Think pizza delivery guy.

[P95Carry]

Hmm .... so still too expensive eh? Not sure I'd want to ''down grade'' much further than that ya know! Mind you - I did fail to read properly your first post when you said Taurus was out ... sorry .. must read more thoroughly!

I am trying to rack my brains (brain cell!) to think of what might suit. Hmm .. ''pizza delivery'' .... hmmm ....... no idea of pricing these days but ...... Charter Arms comes to mind. ..... Any ideas?

[tbeb]

I like the old style Charter Arms Undercover .38. It is the size of a S&W "J" frame, it has a useable front sight, it holds 5 rounds, and empty weight is 16 ounces. "Old style" usually has an unshrouded ejector rod. A used one w/ a blue finish and in excellent condition can be bought for $150-$175. I carry one, loaded with +P's, in a pocket holster. I shoot a limited amount of +P ammunition. I bought it used last year. It's as good as new because I had Charter 2000 inspect it and replace some parts. I've got a little too much in it, but being honest, total cost for gun plus work was $240. I also had a new one about 25 years ago. It works for me.

[Josey]

What got me started was a conversation with a friend. We were discussing $hotgun$. We both got around to CCW. He mentioned that a waitress or grill cook, pizza delivery guy and others that need to CCW can't. The class, ammunition and a weapon is just too high. I want to show that a average Joe can afford a CCW for around $400.00. New ammunition, no reloads, new snub 38 Special and the $75.00 class fee.

[eyz]

Rossi 38spl $199 at Academy

not revolvers
Bersa thunder 380 $199 at Academy
Makarov $179 most places

all should be totaly reliable

[HiWayMan]

The Rossi is about as low as you can go and still have a firearm of relative quality. I don't think I would feel outclassed with a Rossi in my pocket.

[Josey]

No Windicator love?

[38SnubFan]

I currently own an EAA Windicator 2" in .38 Special and have had no problems with it whatsoever. I bought the gun from a friend of mine who only put about 30 rounds through it for $100. I looked up the MSRP on EAA's website, which states $250. The sticker on the box says he paid $200 for it new, so I'm pretty sure from putting about 150-200 rounds through it already without a problem that this IS a reliable revolver.

Actually, about the only issue I seemed to have was a couple of the set pins were misaligned. Nothing more than removing the grip and tapping them back into place, and they haven't moved since. The other thing was the retaining screw for the cylinder likes to loosen every so often. Something a little bit of Lock-tite on the screw threads should remedy, just haven't gotten to it yet - an occasional wind with my pocket-knife has worked for that.

Most people who have seen my pistol have showed concern that the revolver is a bit on the heavy side (26 oz. unloaded), but the extra weight definitely helps make this gun VERY controllable and very comfortable to shoot.

If you would like more information, check out their website: http://www.eaacorp.com

Any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Matthew A. Webb
Franklintown, PA

[WT]

I like the Charter Arms Undercover. I've had for for about 30 years now. Works well for me.

[MICHAEL T]

Old Charter Arms undercover or a Rossi. My self I like Autos so Bersa380 .

[Nick96]

The S&W 642 & 637 Airweight .38 +P snubs sell everywhere brand new for $350 (give or take $20). That's pretty cheap for a quality revolver from a stable manufacturer with a good warrenty & service reputation.

Cheaper than that, the most consistent quality is going to be found with used small frame Rugers & S&W's. Anything else is going to be "iffy". I don't want "iffy" with a defensive weapon.

[Diamondback]

I see used 2" S&W "J" and "K" frames sell for under $200 regularly. They may be a bit "finish challenged" and not win any beauty pagents but they still lock up nice and tight and have lots of service left. ! I would think myself well armed with such a revolver. I would also consider a new Rossi for arround $200. Ocassionally I see a used snub Ruger Six series or Sp101 go for about $230.

Oh......you said NEW....never mind !

Best

[Josey]

NEW. There are some folks that will only buy new, in box and warranty. I wonder about these people myself. I recently tested and liked the Commanche II 38 Special 3". I liked it. I really like hearing that the Windicator is reliable. OK, who has a Armscor revolver?

[4thHorseman]

I recommend you go to pawn shops for a cheap reliable revolver. Many are still in the orginal boxes barely used, if not, maybe unfired.