Police Trade-In S&W Revolvers On Sale

One thing to consider it I believe they are DAO converted.

For a defense revolver, there is almost no reason to have single action anyway. It can be nice for the target range (though I almost never use it since I don't generally shoot at targets great distances away with handguns), but its not something I worry about on a defense gun. None of my carry revolvers can be cocked anyway, they are all DAO.

IMO, someone who can't shoot a revolver in DA mode is much the same as someone who can't drive a manual transmission, all show and no go.

YMMV

Oh, and I got one of the J&G revolvers, some dings and scratches, but functionally perfect. I'm quite happy with it. It is eventually going to get a moon clip conversion.

I agree that I would rather have DAO as well but you know the crowd we deal with sometimes...

These would be good candidates for barrel chopping and RB converting if you got the SBs. Maybe turn them into a 9x23. The list goes on.

Maybe turn them into a 9x23.

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Interesting idea. I looked up some numbers though and found the following:

9x23 can be loaded to 1,300 fps with a 125 gr. JHP -- at 34,000 CUP.

.38 +P can be loaded to 1,220 or so with a 125 gr. JHP -- but that's only making 18,500 CUP.

Would it be safe to push the pressures that far?

Would it be reasonable to do so for only 700 fps. gain?

By comparison, the .357 Mag can do better than 1,900 fps with that bullet at 42,000 CUP.

(And, of course, these numbers probably don't come from a 4" barreled revolver -- but they're useful for a comparison.)

-Sam

Those old workhorses are a lot of fun. Local store here had bought out a security company's inventory a few months back and I grabbed a 4" pencil barrel Model 10-7 for $200 OTD. Put some like new Magna grips on it and I've got a great fun revolver. Has some holster wear, as it was carried lots but shot almost never. It's the least money I've ever spent on a gun and one of the most fun ones. A true classic.

I don't mind the DAO but would sure like to have sights I could see. Paint on the low blade and shallow notch of a fixed sight revolver only goes so far, and that is no longer far enough for my eyesight. Hamilton Bowen makes a higher profile fixed rear sight but it would cost more than these used guns. Ross Carter used to, but appears to be out of the business.

I like to have a single action option for rabbits and long range plinking.

I guess I'm one of "the crowd." You know, the people who shoot for fun.

I would suspect those are Brinks trade ins...

I have a nice NY-1 I bought in a local store for $400. I don't regret paying that much for a gun I got to inspect in advance. I like it enough that it is very tempting to get another.

These are great revolvers and the prices are very attractive. Perfect for home defense, a car/truck gun, or go shoot that IDPA match with it. I bought one a couple months ago and while it had a few scuffs and dings, (some fine sandpaper took care of that - love the stainless!) it shoots super accurate and I am delighted with the value.

What you do is file off the original front sight (or shorten the barrel) and then have a gunsmith cut a dovetail in the barrel rib. Mount one of the front sights usually intended to be mounted on a pistol slide.

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That still leaves you with a hog wallow rear sight and its small notch. The front sight can't be taller without losing zero.

I daresay I could catch my FLG on a dull day and get him to build a rear sight and cut it in like Bowen's or Carter's, but it would be simpler just to keep an eye out for an adjustable sighted gun.

Sounds like a good platform for a custom gaming gun. I just saw this company today; http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/revolver.asp and was intrigued by their K frame Multi caliber conversion for $250. This could used to set up a moonclipped gun that could shoot .38 Super and make major for USPSA or IDPA (in IDPA it would be a custom defensive pistol and require it to make major) but also be shot with 9mm for paractice. I would think it should be able to handle .38 Super but would not want to feed it a steady diet of them.

in IDPA it would be a custom defensive pistol and require it to make major

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It wouldn't be CDP (that's for .45 ACP autos), it would be ESR (Enhansed Service Revolver). It would need to hit 1,320 fps with a 125 gr. bullet to be elligible. Pretty hot, but possible. It would need to be able to take a steady diet of them. Most shooters who would pay to have such a thing built are going to shoot several matches (and maybe twice that many practices) a month. Even if you only shoot 9mm in practice (and I don't know any who want to shoot one thing in practice and switch to another for competition), you'd have to expect to run something like 3,600+ high-pressure rounds through it a year.

I'd love to do it, myself, but it's probably just easier to run a 646 or 610 and shoot .40 S&W. And even the 646s have issues when run hard (from what I've heard).

-Sam

Still a good deal here. I seem to remember a few threads a while back with people saying they needed a good house gun and to look for a Model 10 for 200 bucks. Unfortunately they dont exist anymore but here we have a SS option of the same thing as the 10 for around 200.

Better jump on it. Now.

It would need to be able to take a steady diet of them.

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I think .38 Super Major would be pushing .357 Magnum pressures. We read that K-Smith magnums don't do well with steady use of magnums and these guns are .38 specials to start with. Recoil would be stout, too. Not an option to me.

Old Fuff said:

... That said, finding police trade-in revolvers is getting harder and harder, and the asking prices aren't going down. For those who are not bothered by DAO actions, or are willing to pay to have them changed, these seem to me to be a good deal.

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Have to agree. I have several S&Ws that were departmental trade-ins (autos and revolvers) and they were great values, esp. at the prices I got them for years ago.

If I didn't have more than I need already, I'd probably pick up one or two of these at this price.

I rember when Police trade in revolvers were everywhere in the mid 1990's. I regret not taking better advantage of all the Smith 686/586's that were availiable. I did buy a near new 586 for $350.00 and in about 1997 or so stupidly traded it away... :banghead: The guy I traded it to still has it and it's quote: "Not For Sale Ever".

The local gun shop/range I shoot at has a good supply of trade in Smith M15's and M64's. Not quite as cheap as JG, but cheap enough that last year I bought a M15 from them as a "project gun". My intended use was just for the range orginally - but after one trip to the range with it my SO claimed it as "hers". It was beat a little (finish wise) but mech it was in good shape and shot really well. I figured since she wanted it I would make it something special for her. I sent it to Matt Almeada at Revolver Armorer. He champer the cyls for easier reloads, fixed a small amout of end shake, did a small amount of action work on it and re-finish it (Parkerized).



It has quickly became her home defense gun. She flat loves the smooth DA trigger and everything that Matt did for us on it came out and works perfectly. It's simple, durable, reliable and everything has a purpose. The gun was cheap enough, that even after all the custom work - I have about the same money in it as a new Smith and Wesson revolver would have cost. Thats the beasuty of the Police Trade in IMO. Most require very little work to make mech perfect and they are the perfect base for you to build a custom gun.... or just leave it alone and shoot the heck out of it.

I do have a dream revolver that no one I know of has ever built. I'm thinking for my next project gun, one of those a M64's would be a perfect base gun.

Cut the barrel to 3", slab side the barrel, dovetailed front nite sight (or brass bead), Round Butt conversion, bead blasted finish and I really, really like the idea of a 9mm Par revolver with moon clips (my 625 is awesome). So sending it to Pinnical for the multi caliber conversion might be in the cards as well.
Will

wow, great deal. I am going to jump on that.

rklessdriver said:

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I do have a dream revolver that no one I know of has ever built. I'm thinking for my next project gun, one of those a M64's would be a perfect base gun.

Cut the barrel to 3", slab side the barrel, dovetailed front nite sight (or brass bead), Round Butt conversion, bead blasted finish and I really, really like the idea of a 9mm Par revolver with moon clips (my 625 is awesome). So sending it to Pinnical for the multi caliber conversion might be in the cards as well.
Will

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That's a custom piece I would envy -- hope you get around to it some day.

Great job on your wife's S&W, BTW.

I think the best way to make major in a K-frame (if one wants to shot it in ESR w/ a moon clip conversion) is the .38 Special. Making major in the .38 Special is quite possible, one just needs the right weight bullet. I have no problems getting 825 fps+ with a 200 grain LRN using either 2400 or HS-6. Data for 200 grain bullets in .38 Special is out there, and my loads (while warm for .38 Special) are no where near .357 Magnum levels, and therefore should be much easier on a K-frame.