Best revo for target shooting?

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm looking for a great target shooting revo. I'd prefer a .38spl, but I'm open to suggestion. I see older guns like the K-38 masterpiece but nothing new that peaks my interest.

Any suggestions? This gun would only be used at the range to punch paper, with target loads, no +P, and I'd like it to be very accurate. I can be single or double action.

Thanks and shoot safe, I do.
Lovesbeer99

 

[rcmodel]

The K-38 is still a hard one to beat.

Not too many match grade .38 Special revolvers being made anymore.
Everything is a .357 now.

There are still some very good ones out there on the used gun market.
You just have to look for them.

Single Actions are not match guns. They are harder for most folks to shoot as accurately due to the grip design, slow lock time, and generally not nearly as good a trigger pull.

rcmodel

 

[Lovesbeer99]

What else what the K-38 known as? I believe it was also called the Model 14, but I'm not sure. What should I look for in these revos if I was to buy 1?

 

[MrBorland]

In a recent thread, I asked a similar question, but more specifically about the K-38 vs the Colt Officers Match. Some good info there. In the end, I'm coming down on the side of the K-38 for reasons outlined in the thread.

Yes, the K-38 became the Model 14.

rcmodel's thoughts not withstanding, Freedom Arms makes arguably the best and most accurate single action made today, though I have no idea how it's accuracy would compare to a K-38.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=357212

 

[mainmech48]

While there haven't been any truly innovative new revolver designs especially geared for target shooting from any of the domestic makers in a lo-o-ong while many of the current models are perfectly adequate for anything but World Class competition purposes.

One option you might consider is a purpose-built PPC revolver. There are still many of them out there on the used market and artisans with the skills to make more .

My favorites for consistently fine accuracy in a non-S%W revolver are the Dan Wessons and the Colt Python.

 

[rgs1975]

K38 if you're stuck on .38Spec. If you don't mind smaller ammo go with the K22.

 

[owlhoot]

I am old and was an active shooter and competitor in the revolver's hay day. I've owned them all.

My vote goes to the M-14/K38. A positive is that used guns tend to always be in excellent condition. Their owners tended not to use them for carry and not to otherwise abuse them. They were special and they were treated special.

But for the informal target shooting that you wish to do, you should consider the M-15. It is the same as the M14 but has a four inch barrel. To illustrate how much I like this model, I have three of them. They are just as accurate as the M14 and more versatile as they can be carried for defensive purposes rather easily and either the M14 or 15 will handle the stoutist .38 loads without risk to the gun. For still greater versatility you might consider the M19 or M66. That gives you the option of using .357 mags and is still an extremely accurate gun with .38 spls.

 

[BlindJustice]

K-38 Target Masterpiece was introduced in
the late 1940s, and in 1957 became the Model
14 when all models got 2 digit numbers.

Target Hammer, Target Trigger,
Patridge Post front sight, W & E
adjustable rear sight.
6" or 8 3/8ths" Bbl. Len.

A larger centerfire revolver built for Target shooting is the
Model 25 1955 Target in .45 ACP with moon clips
or .45 AUto RIm. TT, TH, Target Grips, and a 6 1/2" .790" No
Taper barrel made into the early 1980s.

 

[Mr. Designer]

I have a S&W 617 ten shot 22LR. It's very accurate and cheap to shoot. If you're going to buy new I would consider the 617.

Image I found on Google.

 

[Murdock]

My favorites

I've owned each of them except the K-38. All are far more than satisfactory. The .22 is fired almost daily. The .45 is especially fun to shoot bullseye with (The bigger bullets help to cut the inside rings enough that you pick up a more points than you would with a .38. You can't go wrong with any of them, either as collectors or shooters.

1. Model 29-2 with partridge front sight

2. The "Model of 1955"/Model 25-2 in .45ACP

3. The "Model of 1950"/Model 24-3 .44 Special

4. The K-38/Model 14 .38 Special

5. The 6" Model 19/66

6. The K-22/Model 17 .22LR

7. The Model 48 .22WRM with auxiliary .22LR cylinder

The only ones not pictured from the list above are the M17 and M14, which I don't currently own.

 

[easyrider604]

In .38 special, go with the Smith & Wesson K-38/Model 14 with 6 inch or preferably 8 3/8 inch barrel. In the 90's, had one of the 8 inchers and firing hand loaded 158 grain LSWC over 3.5 grains Winchester 231, it could hit an 8 inch plate at 50 meters offhand 6 out of 6, and I'm not that good.

If you're serious about target work, then reloading .38 spl is highly recommended for accuracy and economy.

For plinking, target and warm-up/practice, a companion .22 Lr like the S&W K-22/M17/M617 is perfect. Cheap ammo = lots of practice.

Gosh, writing this reply just makes me wanna go to the range

 

[20nickels]

Just for clarification, this is arguable, but ultimately barrel length will not improve the accuracy of the gun, only the shooter due to improved sight radius. Some will claim otherwise but that is my .02.

 

[easyrider604]

ultimately barrel length will not improve the accuracy of the gun, only the shooter due to improved sight radius.

20nickels, agree 100%. A Ransom Rest will probably confirm this.

However, given a 4" barrel that is as inherently accurate as an 8 3/8", the shooter still needs to be "accurate" to deliver 10-X hits. That's where the extra sight radius comes in

Could be a thread somewhere on this topic, but haven't done a search yet.

 

[rcmodel]

rcmodel's thoughts not withstanding, Freedom Arms makes arguably the best and most accurate single action made today,

No argument there.

But I didn't consider it likely that Lovesbeer99 wanted to spend $1,600 plus to punch holes in paper with a .38 Special Single-Action.

rcmodel

 

[Lovesbeer99]

For 1600.00 the gun better get up at 6am and walk my dog.

Soooo.... I'm not looking to spend 1600.00 on a revo unless it comes from Bowen arms and is one of a kind. I will shoot informally, but that doesn't me that I don't take is seriously. I just don't have a lot of money. Wish I did, but I don't.

Lovesbeer99

 

[PotatoJudge]

Sometimes you can find the Python target .38 for $800-1000. Still not cheap, but you don't want a NIB example so that will help bring the cost down quite a bit. Unless you're set on a 6in bbl, the Python will be tough to beat.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=97619926

 

[Majic]

In the past nearly all the top shooters used and nearly all the records were won with the Colt Officer Models. Plenty of specimens are around today but the prices on them are quickly rising. Another consideration is to shoot the .32 caliber. Target revolvers are very accurate in this caliber and recoil is less than the .38 spl. Another brand to consider is the Dan Wesson. Their tunable barrels are reknown for accuracy.

 

[earplug]

I shot my M-14 8 3/8th today at the range, practicing Bullseye. I mounted a Ultra Dot sight on it this year.
Depending on your age and health you might consider how heavy of a gun you can hold and how you eyes will age.
I don't need a longer tube with the dot sight, I might drill and tap my four inch M-15 because of the weight of the Red Dot sight has agravated a old shoulder injury.
You might consider getting a newer Revolver that is already drilled and tapped for a scope mount.

 

[StrawHat]

I competed in PPC for a dozen years.

In that time I don't believe I met more than a handful of shooters using anything but a S&W revolver. Many of them were custom jobs from Power or Davis but there were quite a few stock revolvers being shot and shot competitively.

I had a Davis built on a S&W M64 and used it until I started looking at the scores I fired with the S&W M686.

I hand loaded all my own ammo and in the 686 I used 357 brass with a 148 HBWC. My scores were equal to what I was getting with 38 brass and the Davis custom revolver. Later I was able to equal that with a load in 38 brass.

So, several more revolvers are up for your consideration.

Any of the stainless 38s.

Any of the 357s, but if you are going for top accuracy, handload for them and you can get great results.

Good luck,

 

[Wheeler]

I had a Dan Wesson M15 for awhile that would notch bullet holes at 25 yards with a 6" barrel and .38 Special wadcutters. You can pick them up for under $300 if you do some looking. I found 2 on gunbroker.com for around $350 but, I feel that all the prices there are high. If you really look around, you can find a complete setup, like what I had, that has a 2.5, 4, and 6" barrel kits, and two sets of grips. I don't feel like these guns hold up as well to steady use like the S&W's do however, if you're looking for something to kill a few cans or punch holes in paper occasionally, they are hard to beat.

Wheeler

 

[GaryP]

I prefer my S&W Model 14-1 6 inch.

 

[earplug]

I used to shoot a M27 with a lot of light loads in .357 brass.
A modern L frame in .357 would work well.
Lots of flexibility with loads and sights.

 

[Glock Holiday]

I vote K-38 Target masterpiece.
Colt Pythons have some pretty sweet triggers as well.

 

[equitytrader]

Heritage Rough Rider!

 

[funnelcake]

Any of the Colt target models:

Officers Model Target
Officers Model Special
Officers Model Match

Really nice examples can still be found in the 5-600 range.

--or any of the comparable S&W models.

Funnel