Thinking about re-revolvering

Nothin wrong with a M10, I saw some decent ones at the Show today between $400-500. The M15, 19, 64, and 65 are all in that same family too, but probably not going to find a good one under 5 bills.

The Police Positive is really more of a smallish frame, parts and service are tougher to come by, and prices for clean ones are getting pretty high. Ive never personally considered them robust enough for the .38spl. cartridge.

The Army Special/ Official Police is more of a medium frame .38 Colt. Look hard enough and you might find a cosmetically blemished/ refinished example in your price range.

I vote a Ruger Security Six. Medium-sized, but heavy-duty and still reasonably priced, considering the quality. I saw a lightly worn snubby S6 at the show today for $475. I would have grabbed it, but had already spent my wad, lol.

Till you said "< $500", I was going to say a Smith 586 or 686 would be just the ticket.

WB

Might be able to find a Colt Shooting Master on the New Service frame for that. Wont be a looker, but should shoot.

I agree about the police positive... I have one in 32 CNP and it is significantly smaller than the New Service 38 spl. Here is a side by side



I think a ruger will fill your needs fine, unless you stumble on a $500 python...

Can't go wrong with a M10 or a M64 if you prefer shiny guns.

A used S&W model 64 might do. Basically it’s a stainless model 10.

The 3 inch Taurus 856 is a “ D “ size frame .. bout like a Charter Bulldog frame , a economical choice

But a New S&W K frame in 357 seems to be a great choice .. from what I have read ..a bit more expensive.. but I think it would be worth it

A model 15 would fit the bill

I don’t understand why “fixed sights”? You simply guarantee that you will rarely shoot to point of aim.

You liked your Model 19. Replace it.

Fixed sights do somewhat limit the selection. Most DA revolvers with fixed sights are on the small side, meant primarily for carry/defensive use. Six inch guns in particular can be hard to find with fixed sights, unless you are looking at guns more than a few decades old.

At any rate, for the price range I would haunt the pawn shops and gun stores which carry used revolvers. It should be possible to find a decent S&W something-or-other for under $500 - although these days, who knows.

In the case of the OP, he shouldn't cheat
himself out of the pleasure and quality
that a .38 at more than $500 could give
him. I think he realistically has to set
a limit of $700. If he finds something
cheaper then all the more wonderful
that purchase will be.

WilTx said:

My first firearm was a revolver - A 6" S&W model 19, target hammer, target trigger, Patridge front sight. *sigh* I wish I had kept it.

Anyway -- over the years I have had and sold several revolvers but currently only have an 1851 Navy replica. I am thinking about getting a good basic wheelgun. Here are my 'druthers:

Medium frame
.38 Special
6 round capacity
4" - 6" barrel
Fixed sights
< $500
New or used

Here are a few models I have been looking at:

S&W model 10/K frame
Colt Police Positive (4th issue)
Taurus 82 (maybe even an 856 Defender?)

What do y'all think?

Wil

Oh: If there are existing threads that cover this ground, please direct me!

Click to expand...

Last I looked (early July), there were endless police surplus Smith 38 sp revolvers on Gunbroker, all from a single batch, marked DC XXXX on the gun. They were 275, I think.

Search this forum for ‘surplus.’ Some of the surplus sites I wouldnt have found without being told of them.

You can't beat a Smith K frame 10 or 64, but don't overlook the adjustable sighted versions, the models 15 and 67. There's a reason that S&W have sold millions and continue to do so even in today's era of polymer semi-autos.

I did buy a vintage 2016 Taurus 82 mostly out of curiosity. Turns out it's a very good fixed sighted .38 special that has a surprisingly good DA trigger pull. For those who are not familiar with the 82, it's Taurus's equivalent of the model 10, but with a transfer bar hammer system.

Ron is correct and beat me to it. The Taurus 82 is an excellent choice. I have owned 3 in past. And they should be just a little stronger than the model 10 because there is no thin spot on the bottom of the barrel extension.

But if the OP can come up with a few more dollars the S&W model 15 is the best 38 special you can own in my opinion.

WilTx

A Model 15 for the win; a Model 19 to place, and a Ruger Security Six to show!

Be prepared though to pay a bit more for the gun that's just right for you.

Of those 3 you mentioned, the Model 10 gets my vote; reliable, parts are available and any half-assed gunsmith can fix it.

I have both a S&W Model 10 and a Colt Police Positive Special, so I've had a chance to compare both directly, and my vote goes decisively to the S&W Model 10 (though the Colt gets a nod for being a little prettier). You will be able to find the Colt for quite a bit less, though.

PS - a Taurus isn't even in the same league. (I also have a Taurus 82 and thinking of selling it. PM if you're interested).

A K-framed S&W is fine. I have a couple of Model 10's and a Model 14.

Taurus made some very nice Model 66 and derivatives in the late 80's and early 90's. I've owned three and they have all been good. It's an adjustable sight 357, but can obviously shoot 38's just fine. The fixed sight version is the Model 65.

My FiL bought a brand-new Ruger GP100 a couple of years back, and it's a very nice revolver.

I got a Colt Army Special for a little over $300 a couple of years ago. It's a good shooter. It took me a while to find one in good mechanical condition for a price I was willing to pay.

Not having a good .38 revolver in un-American. Everybody needs at least one Model 10.

WilTx said:

Here are a few models I have been looking at:

S&W model 10/K frame
Colt Police Positive (4th issue)
Taurus 82 (maybe even an 856 Defender?)

What do y'all think?

Wil

Oh: If there are existing threads that cover this ground, please direct me!

Click to expand...

Can't go wrong with a S&W Model 10 or Model 15. There are solid reasons why S&W k-frames were standard issue law enforcement firearms for about half a century.They're just right in so many ways.

Over the course of last 45 years, I have had a few versions of the smith Wesson model 10.
Shoot it for a few years, then get an itch for something else, trade it for that new passion.
Then I feel a little lonely for the M10, get another - not sure why- cycle continues.
A year ago, a local gun shop had just gotten in a new 10-14.
It spoke to me in some psychic way, grip and balance felt just right.
So it came home with me, hopefully next time I get a new passion,
I will be smart enough to hold on to the M10.
Seriously consider an M10.

I have two model 10 revolvers. One is a 6" barrel 10-5 with the original grips a friend gave to me and a factory nickle plated heavy barreled 10 that my mother gave me. It was her duty gun at the sheriffs dept. I also got the belt, holster and handcuffs and handcuff pouch. What a smooth pistol it is. We call the 6" gun "Grampa" because it just has that old timey look to it. But its a shooter. Thirteen oz coffee cans at 50 yards off hand are in great peril.