Which (cheap) revolver would be best for me?

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Sammael94

Sammael94

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Hey all, I am not new to shooting by any stretch, but I've never owned a revolver, and I would like one just for fun and to try something new.

That being said, my budget right now doesnt have room for a nicer revolver from Smith or Ruger. I am currently looking at two options closely: the RIA m206 and the Charter Arms Police Undercover. The CA seems to have better finish, but I don't really care much about interior tool marks, and whichever I go with is just a stopgap until I can save up for a Colt Cobra.

Also worth mentioning is that I won't buy a Taurus. Nothing personal against the company, I just have deep personal reasons not to own a gun with that name attached. Kind of stupid, but I won't budge on that.
 
Both of your options show new pricing around 200+ and 300+ from a popular online dealer. I would not expect used resale value to be good on either, so if you are not opposed to buying used Smith or Ruger maybe just saving up a bit longer might be worthwhile. That said, if I were to pick from your options, I'd rather go charter by support reputation and people seem pretty happy with theirs. I've never had either charter or RIA.

I did one time buy an EAA Windicator in the same price range, but after shooting a couple boxes didn't care for it and traded it for a GP100 (plus cash), which is much higher quality.
 
If Taurus or Rossi isn't wanted only decent revolvers I know of would be S&W K frame or Ruger maybe under $400, small frame guns at least to me are no fun to shoot. I sold a 10/22 ,SD9VE and used a Christmas gift card to purchase my 686 $570.
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Sammael94 said:
Hey all, I am not new to shooting by any stretch, but I've never owned a revolver, and I would like one just for fun and to try something new.

That being said, my budget right now doesnt have room for a nicer revolver from Smith or Ruger. I am currently looking at two options closely: the RIA m206 and the Charter Arms Police Undercover. The CA seems to have better finish, but I don't really care much about interior tool marks, and whichever I go with is just a stopgap until I can save up for a Colt Cobra.

Also worth mentioning is that I won't buy a Taurus. Nothing personal against the company, I just have deep personal reasons not to own a gun with that name attached. Kind of stupid, but I won't budge on that.
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From your options get the Charter Arms, the RIA revolvers were put together by chimps with rocks that managed to beat steel into a revolver shape. They are sloppily put together. If your considering those things over Taurus someone at Taurus must've done you bad like going out with your sister.
 
I'd grab a used M64, and a tub of Flitz and polish it back to life. I've got "nicer" wheel guns, but would be well covered with a M64 as my only full sized handgun.

If you're in the market for a snubbie, a Smith J frame or LCR in 38 special isn't much of a stretch.

Used Ruger Blackhawks in 357 seem to go around $350 in "cosmetically challenged" condition, and much like the M64, might be impossible to wear out with "sane" ammo.

If I *had* to pick between the RIA and the CA, I'd go CA hands down. They have very good customer service if nothing else.
 
My best advice is save money for the Ruger. Cheap guns are usually disappointing for me, and I have never been disappointed in a Ruger. Rugers are a lot of gun for the money. I would call them affordable, for a nice gun. You could even go used. If you want a colt cobra, SP101 is comparable. You can probly get a SP101 used for 400 maybe less if you find a deal. My only gripe with the SP101 is they are heavy.

I will NEVER buy another Smith and Wesson product again (or recommend them), there customer service has been the worst I have dealt with in the firearms industry without a doubt.
 
8CF39316-84E0-4A29-84EC-B67E76B1A233.jpeg The M206 is a Colt clone sort of. Holsters will be harder to find. The CA is about the size of a J frame Smith. The weight of the M206 will make it more pleasant to shoot. The only CA I had was a good one. As others have said a used Smith and Wesson Model 10 is hard to beat. There were six million produced so they are plentiful and reasonably priced. My 10-6 is my best shooting gun followed by my 10-5. They both shoot better than my Colt Diamondback. Both were in the $350 range. That’s about the same price as the CA.
 
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OP - in answer to the question you asked with the conditions you made, go with the Charter Arms. I have a RIA Model 206 and mine is ok, although I have less than 500 rounds thru it. I bought it used and cheap and it’s useful to me as a vehicle gun. It does have a 6 round capacity.

I’ve owned a Charter Undercover and it’s fit & finish was better that the RIA. Charter has a longer revolver history than RIA, although they’ve had off and on issues over that history. The reason that I don’t still have the Charter Arms Undercover is that I got a S&W 642 that served the same function better (lighter, better trigger, etc)

Finally let me do what we do on forums — answer a question you didn’t ask. If you’re going to use this revolver for carry, the Charter Arms 5-shot snubbie is a solid choice. If it’s mostly for range use or home defense and .38spl is OK, a used S&W Model 10 is a ton of fun. It was my first revolver and it’s an addiction too - I’ve accumulated 4 of them. All were relatively cheap, needed refinishing and shoot great.
 
If you plan to shoot alot save your nickels and dimes and buy a Ruger. If it's just for home defense shot alittle sit in a drawer. Go with a Charter. Charters are good but not designed to be shot alot.
 
Meeks36 said:
If you plan to shoot alot save your nickels and dimes and buy a Ruger. If it's just for home defense shot alittle sit in a drawer. Go with a Charter. Charters are good but not designed to be shot alot.
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Where does this myth come from? Made to carry a lot and shoot little? I even hear people say that about the light weight J frames. What manufacturer ever told a customer " thanks for buying our product but please don't shoot it or it might fall apart"
Nobody makes and sells a gun that isn't made to shoot.
 
I don't think you could put 30,000 rounds though a Charter...but who shoots that through a CC snubnose?

I've got a great .357/9mm convertible Blackhawk that can handle that.

What the Undercover offers is a quality gun with a quality warranty that will go bang when I need it too.
 
A used K frame is the way to go if you just want a cheap revolver to play with. It's going to be better than any new Charter or RIA you run across; heck, a lot of people will argue they're better than a new Smith.

Model 10s (blued with fixed sights) and Model 64s (stainless/fixed sights) were both tremendously popular police sidearms, and they flooded the used market after LEOs all switched to Glocks, so their prices have stayed low. I'd be shocked if you couldn't find a Model 10 for under $400. If you want adjustable sights instead of fixed, look for the model 15 and 19 in blue and the 66 and 67 in stainless.

Now if you want to shoot 357s, a used Ruger GP100 or S&W 586/686 (blued/stainless) will be more expensive than a used K frame, but it would be money well spent. Both of those revolvers are basically indestructible.

The Ruger in particular is nearly 3 pounds of cast steel and soaks up the kick from magnums like they're nothing. Shooting 38 Specials through it feels like a 22. It's probably too heavy for you to comfortably carry anywhere, but it makes a great plinker, and I would have no qualms about buying one used. I don't know how a previous owner could damage one; it'd be about like breaking an anvil. 686s will be just as strong and less brick-ish than a GP100, and have a DA trigger you can actually kind of pull (the Ruger is functionally a single-action revolver only), but they usually cost a little more money.
 
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Mosin Bubba said:
A used K frame is the way to go if you just want a cheap revolver to play with. It's going to be better than any new Charter or RIA you run across; heck, a lot of people will argue they're better than a new Smith.

Model 10s (blued with fixed sights) and Model 64s (stainless/fixed sights) were both tremendously popular police sidearms, and they flooded the used market after LEOs all switched to Glocks, so their prices have stayed low. I'd be shocked if you couldn't find a Model 10 for under $400. If you want adjustable sights instead of fixed, look for the model 15 and 19 in blue and the 66 and 67 in stainless.

Now if you want to shoot 357s, a used Ruger GP100 or S&W 586/686 (blued/stainless) will be more expensive than a used K frame, but it would be money well spent. Both of those revolvers are basically indestructible.

The Ruger in particular is nearly 3 pounds of cast steel and soaks up the kick from magnums like they're nothing. Shooting 38 Specials through it feels like a 22. It's probably too heavy for you to comfortably carry anywhere, but it makes a great plinker, and I would have no qualms about buying one used. I don't know how a previous owner could damage one; it'd be about like breaking an anvil. 686s will be just as strong and less brick-ish than a GP100, and have a DA trigger you can actually kind of pull (the Ruger is functionally a single-action revolver only), but they usually cost a little more money.
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I agree with everything you said except Ruger GP 100 is "functionally a single action". I've got one GP 100 with a very good DA trigger and one that is exceptional being every bit as smooth and light as my Smiths, just a longer pull. I did take @30 minutes to install hammer dog shims and hammer shims plus a couple thousand rounds helped.
 
A good cheap revolver that is not a Taurus?

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that is going to be hard. You are looking at used, and even then, a used S&W or Ruger is not cheap. A Charter Arms Undercover will fill the ticket. It will go bang, and used ones are even less than S&W's and Rugers, if you want real cheap.
 
I've owned a couple three Charter Undercovers over the years. Good solid guns that aren't really fancy, but seem to work quite well.

I've looked at the RIA and considered getting one but I'm about knee deep in 38/357's so I passed. Seemed decent though.
 
A RIA or Charter over Taurus? Ok. I'd just wait until I could afford a Ruger or S&W with those stipulations. The Charter crane/lock up has always looked weak to me, but I don't have one so it's just a prejudice I have.
 
I wouldn't consider myself a revolver guy per se, but I do have a Ruger Security Six that I was able to pick up for $400, and I love that. That being said, the most comfortable revolver i have ever shot was my buddy's S&W Model 10 with T-grips installed. I think he spent right about $300. Depending on what you want to do with it...I'd say that's your best bet in your price range
 
Another vote for a used S&W or Ruger.

A new Charter Arms Undercover is going to run somewhere around $320 to $340. A new S&W Model 442, 642, 638, or 637 is going to go for about the same amount of money: $340 to $344.

Your choice but I would go with a S&W.
 
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