Thinking of selling 2 revolvers

rs525

If it were me I would say yeah, if the two fixed sighted guns didn't give me the accuracy potential I could get with the other two adjustable sight models. No sense in driving up the level of frustration you get shooting the Model 10 and the Detective Special if it's just not happening with them. Another plus is that both revolvers should bring you a pretty nice return on your dollar, provided they're in decent condition.

You cant judge the accuracy of any gun if you only shoot it twice mixed in with shooting other guns
Even if you shot it more than twice you need to practice with it more plus you are using different ammo, so who knows?
If you don't like shooting one of them then that's a different story The Colt DS is not meant to be a fun range shooter.
If you don't carry it, then sure sell it.

I'd sell the Model 10 and the DS........

......and then, and then, and then I'd buy
another Model 15!

Of course, from the getgo the Model 15 is
my favorite Smith revolver.

I’d keep them. If really didn’t care about them I’d eventually give them away. Probably to a friend or family member that was new to shooting and and broke. That was me at one point, I’ll pay it forward when I get a chance… that’s what I do with guns I don’t really care for.

I don’t really sell guns though so I may not be the guy to ask.

Nothing wrong with selling a gun that you don’t like .

Like you, if a gun doesn't do it for me I sell them. I'm not a collector and only keep what I shoot. No safe queens here. Thats what works for me. Other folks I know will never sell a thing. It's really down to how you look at it. The fact that you're considering the possibility of selling you may want to also ask yourself what you would do with the cash.

rs525 said:

I don't have any friends or family members who would interested in firearms.

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In that case, yeah I’d sell to finance something I’d like more.

you should be able to get a good price for the colt.

1) If you don't like a gun, sell it. There's plenty more out there.

2) It's hard to shoot handguns with small fixed sights accurately. It's also hard to shoot revolvers accurately shooting double action only.

3) If you can shoot fixed-sight revolvers, double action only, with good accurately, especially a small one like that Colt, you will be a better shot with all of your other handguns. All it takes is a lot of time and work.

It worked for me. I used to do most of my shooting with my larger handguns that had big adjustable sights. I could shoot my j-frames okay. A shooting buddy showed me by example that by practicing more often and more seriously, you can get a lot better than just okay with snubbies. It's been a few years, and I'm slowly getting better. If I'm having a good day and shooting well, I can now shoot a nice tight group double-action with a snub 38 pretty pretty consistently. If I shoot a bigger handgun with bigger sights after that, it seems a lot easier than it used to.

Your guns, do as you please.

But first, I would try putting a little whiteout or tape on the front sights and see how you do. If that helps then perhaps try something more permanent.

I used to be the never sell ANY gun guy. Then I realized over time that I still had a bunch of guns that I really didn't like.
I have sold and/or traded a few now, and guess what? It didn't hurt a bit.
Sell or trade the ones that don't float your boat, and roll the money into something else that does.

rs525 said:

I did put some red nail polish on the front sights but it hasn't helped much

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Well, I guess you’re going to make someone very happy when you sell those guns.
I do understand about not being able to see certain types of sights. I have had bad eyesight and worn glasses all my life. The worst were on a Springfield 1911. The front sight just evaporated whenever I tried to shoot it.
I also have a model 10 and a Colt DS. As I was posting I recall that I found that actually blackening the sights to stop them from reflecting ambient light helped with those. It did help a bit on the model 10. Not so much with the Colt.

rs525 said:

Funny thing is my eye sight is pretty good and I'm relatively young, so I shouldn't have a problem with them. Guess they're just not meant for very low sights.

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Some fixed sight guns are regulated for specific loads, such as a standard pressure 158 gr RN for the .38’s you have. (When they were made that was the popular choice.) Other loads shoot higher or lower depending on what you choose to shoot.

I will admit I shoot my fixed sight guns better with a white-then-orange paint job on the front sights, especially for indoor shooting range use.

There are some guns, like my nickel Model 49, that have such a brightly finished, narrow front sight that it is impossible to see indoors and almost as bad outside. Since I have several other snub .38’s that fill the role, the Model 49 is now pretty much regulated to the safe.

Revolvers take practice to shoot well, but like many others I feel that revolver skills translate universally. So, if you put in the time and can shoot a DA revolver well, you should be able to shoot just about anything else.

Stay safe.

I am in the "sell" camp but one factor to consider
is just what are. you expecting from a snubbie
such as the Detective Special?

If at contact to 7 yards you can shoot a decent
group, not a tight group by any means, then
you and the gun are doing what can be
expected without tons and tons of practice.

At closer ranges, it's best perhaps to just look
over the sights and fire. As long as the gun
is held properly in the hand, you'll hit.

That DS is a quick, responsive defensive
weapon in its primary role.

I rarely divest myself of any gun I obtain but also, I do not shoot fixed sight guns very well.

I'd keep the Colt since it primarily is a short range gun and a Colt but I sell the Model 10. In 38 caliber, I'd rather have an adjustable sight K-frame (Model 14, 15, 19, 66, or 67) than the fixed sight Model 10.

But, they are your guns to do with what you want.

An aside, on my S&W 38 Special 2" barreled J-frames, I put rubber grips on them and standard 38 Special ammunition is pleasant to shoot. I still do not like +P ammunition in them. Even so, their small size and light weight do make them recoil a but more than an all metal, 4" barreled revolver.

RS525,

Just saw your earlier posting on the DS
from April 7. Yup, those small stocks
can be a challenge but you have a fine
revolver. I now say hang onto it and
shoot it several times, five or six at
least, at close ranges. Use standard
.38 ammo which is what it was made
for.

The DS has stood the test of time for
thousands of police detectives and
uniformed LEOs as backup pieces or
off duty.

rs525 said:

...Of the four, I noticed I was a better shot with the Model 15 and the Model 19, while the fixed sight revolvers were not that accurate...

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Is it possible you are thinking 'registration' (where the shots are hitting) rather than 'accuracy' (how tight are the groups)? In my experience, fixed sight revolvers - handguns of any flavor - are not specifically 'tighter' shooter due to having adjustable sights. One 'adjust' fixed sights, but it involves small hand files; can't be undone like adjustable sights.

rs525 said:

The DS especially was not pleasant to shoot even with wadcutters rated at 710 fps.

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Aside from my distaste for Colt double action revolvers, short barreled - therefore short sight radius - are typically harder to shoot accurately. Much easier to have what seems like good sight alignment but isn't.

rs525 said:

My question is do any of you think I should sell the Model 10 and the Detective Special as it appears my eyes just don't do well at all with fixed sight revolvers compared to adjustable sights. My thing is that I need a gun to "click" with me right away, otherwise I don't see a point in keeping it. Let me know what you think.

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I would advise against selling just about anything prior to a little more serious testing.
Model 10 revolvers have always done right by me.
Any two inch barreled revolver should be considered a 'hideout' gun intended for self-defense or that sort of shooting. If one doesn't need such an arm (and is not a collector) has no real reason to have one. I prefer three inch revolvers to two inch revolvers for concealment anyway.
All that said, you are the one who (seemingly) chose them and paid for them. You are the one to decide the financial and emotional (self-esteem) feasibility of such actions. Do NOT be rushed.

ontarget said:

I used to be the never sell ANY gun guy. Then I realized over time that I still had a bunch of guns that I really didn't like.
I have sold and/or traded a few now, and guess what? It didn't hurt a bit.
Sell or trade the ones that don't float your boat, and roll the money into something else that does.

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starting to lean that way myself , but still haven't pushed the sell button...