Best budget revolves under $350

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IMG_0025.JPG Just a quick check on Gunbroker and I see a bunch of S&W 19, 586, 686, and a variety of j frame .357s in the $300 to $400 ish price range. The key is patience. Google search pawn shops and firearms dealers in your area and make a few calls. Check the For Sale boards ad local ranges. About 10 years ago I picked up this PA Dept of Correction S&W model 65 trade in for $350.00.
 
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A used S&W would be nice, but a used .357 Blackhawk in .357 is a fine gun, has adjustable sights and is easier to find in your price range.
 
Arkansas Paul said:
I think the best deal in that price range is the Smith and Wesson model 10 trade ins.
They're just .38s, but we will look back one day and wish they were that price again. One day soon.

http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_211_431.html
Click to expand...
I bought one a couple of years ago from J&G & it is a little worn finish-wise, but a true Smith & and well worth $350. Lock-up, accuracy, and internals are top-notch.
 
Lots of people hate Taurus, but I have had no complaints about their revolvers (or beretta copies either) for the money, your not likely going to beat an 85 (38 snub) for defense or a 66 (L frame .357) for all other purposes. Mine was more accurate than my Smith 686 is.
 
WestKentucky said:
Lots of people hate Taurus, but I have had no complaints about their revolvers (or beretta copies either) for the money, your not likely going to beat an 85 (38 snub) for defense or a 66 (L frame .357) for all other purposes. Mine was more accurate than my Smith 686 is.
Click to expand...
The 66 is a K-Frame; the 586 & 686 are L-frames.
 
Since the subject came up...

There isn't anything inherently mechanically wrong with the .357 eaa windicator. The .357 models are all steel framed and pretty stout. There are are cosmetic issues that one will notice over time that does not hurt function.

All of these come into the states as 4" models. They may leave Germany with 2 or 4" shrouds but they all have 4" barrels. They are cut down to 2" barrels if so designated by eaa. They do a poor job of cutting the barrel down here in the states. The 4" models all have nice finishing of the barrel. Over time the lopped off barrel of the 2" will rust. So keep that in mind and cold blue them asap.

Also the matte nickle models of these have very delicate finishes. Any hot 357s will start to make the finish start peeling from the cyl face back. Been there done that twice. Also the barrel shrouds of all the length revolvers is Zamak....not the barrel.... just the shroud. This doesn't matter much with the nickle guns but the blued guns use a different process to blue the frame than the Zamak shroud. So over a few years the barrel shroud will turn purple verses the frame. The bluing on the frame is actually pretty good at least.

The grips on the .357s will eventually try to pull through the washer on the single bolt holding it to the grip frame.
This is remedied buy using a larger washer for the grip. Easy fix.

None of these are major issues. The fitment and frame build are of actually very good quality. It's the finishes that need work. The blued .357s are still one of the best deals out there if you can find them under $275. After much more than that you need to start looking elsewhere.

The charter arms mag pugs are nice enough now and they have a decent warranty. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another if I saw one that caught my eye.

With eaa you will be paying both ways for warranty work even with the lifetime warranty. So keep that in mind.
 
1. About a year ago I found a S&W model 64. 4" at a LGS for $215 otd It was a security co. trade-in and had a little holster wear, but is very tight and it looks like the side plate has never been touched. Shoots great despite the fixed sights.

2. Also at this time Shoot-Straight.com ( s central Fla. gunshop) was advertising S&W model 15 4" blue for $250. These were Fla. Dept. of Corrections trade-ins. I got "the pick of the litter" for $275 and it is 95%+.
No stampings or dept. marks.

Just examples of what is out there if you look hard.
 
Just a bit over your limit, but I found a beautiful condition Ruger Blackhawk, stainless 7 1/2" barrel in 45 Colt at a show last week for $400. So don't rule out the used market.
 
You will hear pros and cons on Taurus, but I carried a .38 model 85 for years as a BU when I was still in Law Enforcement. It never failed to shoot and was pretty accurate. My wife just got her CCW and we went to get her firearm. She chose a revolver and picked the 856 .38+p rated snubbie. She tried S&W and Rugers, but for the price, she decided on the Taurus at $275.00 out the door. She has arthritis in her hands, but she has no problems double action shooting. From ten yards she is deadly accurate with it, we have about 150 rounds through it with practice and +P ammo.
 
I now own 2 Taurus,
1) a 9 shot 6" ss revolver (m94?)
2) a 6 shot 357 ss snub (m66?)
That completes all the Taurus' I ever intend to own.
Problems with both.
357 went back for service last year and problem was not even fixed. Needless to say I was not happy to pay $66 for nothing. That put my cost in that used gun over $300.

Note: I too felt the trigger was too light on the 357.

And that DEFINITELY is NOT the problem with the 22! They say shooting it will loosen it up- it's had even bricks through it to build a pump house. I'd love to have that $300 back to put on a Ruger sp101 or the like.

Sometimes what you pay is the very least of your worries. I'd go Ruger or sw and never look back!

Jmho, catpop
 
I have a Charter Arms PITBULL in 9mm. The bad news is that the transfer bar broke with relatively few rounds down the pipe - I can't remember but probably less than 500. The good news is customer service at CA cut me an airway bill, I mailed my PITBULL to them, they fixed it and mailed me back my gun in about 2 weeks and its worked ever since.
 
If you take your time and look around thoroughly you might find an old Ruger Speed or Security Six in 357. In 38 special a used S&W Model 10 can be had in that price range. Buds has some 64s (stainless DAO) in that price range.
 
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