Recommendations For A Decent Revolver?

Considering your price range and primary use for home defense I agree with the others here that a Model 10, 64 or Model 15 would be a great choice. Pre-covid bought two Model 10 NY DOC trade ins for $336/each & a nice Model 64-8 trade in w/lock for $300 OTD. A Ruger Speed Six or Service Six 38 or 357 might fit your criteria also.

I agree with the k frame s&w for bedside use.
The sp101 is a good carry revolver, and I dont dislike the trigger, but the sights are pretty common for a home duty gun, imho

Smith Mdl 10

What about a single action? Look for a nice Blackhawk.

But, if you do find a K frame in your budget, go for it.

People might boo-hiss this, it's not so much of a suggestion as it is a statement, but Charter arms and Taurus make a serviceable .357 revolver that could save you a lil $$$. I owned a couple of them, they always went bang. Not heirloom quality but if your ol man just wants a revolver there ain't much special or beautiful about them, but it's an option for around $225-$300. At least that's what I usually see them go for.

If it's something you eventually want to inherit and you want to treat your old man, and eventually yourself, disregard the above.

Scrod314 said:

Hello...
I had purchased a Ruger P95 for my Dad for his birthday 20 years ago. .... he wants a revolver. He is 75 and not in the best of health. I told him I would see what's out there.
My budget is $500-$600. I'm thinking a .357 because I thought you could use .38 in a .357 as well. With all that in mind, what do yous guys think I should look at? Thanks for any help.

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Scrod314 said:

He's old school, revolver guy. He will not be carrying.

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I agree with the others, a K frame S&W. Prices are getting above your budget for one in pristine condition, but you can find one like a police turn-in for about that, will have some holster wear and a few scratches. A Model 19 from the early to mid 80's (a dash 5) would be about in that ballpark. Older than that will be more, newer than that maybe the same, but not as much a classic piece, which should appeal more to a guy from that era. Ideally, a 60's or 70's dash-2 or dash-3 would be perfect, but you'll pay more.

The other one I'd recommend would ne an N frame like a Model 28 Highway Patrolman. Little bit heavier, but a classic and will take full-bore magnum loads all day. The K frame magnums won't take the constant abuse of heavy magnum loads as well as the larger frame gun. M28's were designed as a lower-cost service revolver, and they are cheaper to find than the fancier M27. You can shoot .38 Spl in a .357 Magnum gun, but not the other way around.

If he doesn't like the P95, sell it and add the money to your budget.

Top, M28-2 (and they do come in 4" barrel), bottom, M19-3. These are from 1972 and 1973.

With your budget, should still be able to get one of the Ruger Six series revolvers. Security Sixes are probably going to be near the top of your budget these days, but a service or speed six should be getable

Kleanbore said:

.Suboptimal for home defense

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Enough pf this nonsense

What others have mentioned. Any 2 1/2 inch to 4 inch S&W or Ruger in .38 sp/.357 Mag will fit your needs. I occasionally carry a S&W Model 36 snub loaded with 90 grain Hornady Critical Defense Lyte. I'm also a big fan of the Ruger 3 inch LCRx series and the Security/Speed/Service 6 series,

Although decent clean models of the above are within your price range finding one is going to be the problem. Used Smith and Ruger revolvers I bought just two years ago were $400 & $450 and they were in immaculate condition. You can add 40% to 50% to those prices now. Don't be discouraged though. Folks that frequent this forum post some amazing deals they have unexpectedly come across. Go scorched earth. LGS, shows and on line forums. Buds, Aim Surplus and Classic get decent used revolvers in occasionally. Sign up for their online notification.

I found this Service Six in .38 Sp two years ago on Aim Surplus. $465 total. It’s immaculate. Probably close to $650 now.

I would keep the P95 too. I love mine. The SW 10'S I recently bought are real nice shooting guns. Recoil in them is not bad at all. I think they handle better than my Ruger GP 100. It has a 6 inch barrel vs my 10's with a 4 inch.

Came here to join the K frame party. Something in 38 with a barrel of 3" or longer.

Anyone bring up the K-frame yet?

See Item #1 in the sticky at the top of this forum "The Reference Library of Revolver Wisdom" for inspection tips when buying.

My feelings if you can find a pre lock S$W get it other then that Ruger all the way
Ruger are easy to work on and smooth the trigger out but i really think that a SP101 is what you are looking for

For home defense a S&W K frame with a four to six inch barrel in .38 Special or .357 Mag is a solid choice. The Ruger GP100, or Ruger Six series is a good and commonly found alternative but even a Taurus, like the 65 can be a good choice if the gun checks out and works properly.

I have a model 10,15 and an sp101 of the 3 the 15 is the best all around next is the10 with the sp bringing up the rear. All three are great just my personal likes. I can relate to your Dad's thinking, I'm kinda old school myself. (78 today)

"...but Charter arms and Taurus make a serviceable .357 revolver..."

I prefer my Smiths. That being said...

I own four Charter Arms revolvers, three of them used. Two have been perfect. Two gave me trouble and the factory fixed them for free. The triggers are actually pretty good.

I've owned something like a dozen Taurus handguns. One had to go back to the factory. The rest have functioned correctly. Most have had mediocre triggers, but the ones with good triggers are nice handguns.

So yeah, I'd be looking for a Smith, but if a Taurus or a CA seemed to be in good shape and had a nice trigger, I would certainly consider it.

This one is in 44 special. It's been my EDC for a while now.


A Taurus is not "supposed to be" as accurate as this one is, or have such a great trigger, but sometimes you get lucky. It cost me something like $300 used a few years back.

With modern defensive ammo being so much better than it used to be I wouldn't limit yourself to a .357. You could always find some +p .38. Besides, if he's getting too old for racking the slide of a semi-auto pistol, do you really thing he's going to handle a high recoiling round all that well these days? I'd stick with a quality standard pressure .38 defensive round.

Hit a gun show, and see what people are there looking to sell. The guys with tables won't give nothing because they'll be looking to turn a profit, so you may be able to pick up something from another show goer.
I picked up a Colt Police Pocket Positive (.32 S&W) about a year back in fine condition for next to nothing at a show. (Gave it to the wife) More recently, I got me a very clean Model 10. Something like that would be perfect.

johnjohn said:

I have a model 10,15 and an sp101 of the 3 the 15 is the best all around next is the10 with the sp bringing up the rear. All three are great just my personal likes. I can relate to your Dad's thinking, I'm kinda old school myself. (78 today)

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Happy Birthday!!

Yes happy birthday

If not an old Smith, you could also give a glance to any old colts that don’t have snake names. Police positive guns sell at a fraction of the price of the guns named after slithering vermin.

Scrod314 said:

...With that being said, if I go with a used one, how do I look it over to make sure it's in good shape?

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Other than the obvious visual inspection, Daddy always said to cock the hammer and check the cylinder for play.

I really like the SP101, just not in .357 cause factory loads have too much jump for me with the smaller grip.

4" pre-lock, fixed sight S&W model 10 for home defense.

If it has to be .357 magnum then the same but S&W model 13.

The model 13 is serious, like a heart attack serious.

johnjohn said:

I have a model 10,15 and an sp101 of the 3 the 15 is the best all around next is the10 with the sp bringing up the rear. All three are great just my personal likes. I can relate to your Dad's thinking, I'm kinda old school myself. (78 today)

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Happy Birthday! Glad to hear what you think of the Model 15. My LGS is holding a 1965 15-2 for me right now.