Ultimate .38 Spl To Own (If You Could Only Have One)

One? Just one? Nope!
I will list my favorite, so far.

My model 10 Hong Kong C&E (Customs and Excise) revolver. I bought this a few years ago from the Tualatin, OR Cabela’s Gun Library. I spotted it on their website at the Baton Rouge, LA store and I paid the $25 to have it sent to the Tualatin store. This was when Cabela’s was Cabela’s, not the shame BPS turned it into.

When it arrived the bluing was nearly perfect. I don’t think it was actually carried by the C&E folks in Hong Kong but someone apparently swapped grips before it left their control and came back to the USA for resale.

It isn’t the most accurate gun, but it’s just darn cool. I have tried different grips on it but always end up back with the originals with an added BK grip adapter. I did order a set of Altamont “Service Grip” panels for it…if they ever get here I will put them on and take a photo.

1) S&W Model 10 3" barrel, round butt
2) Ruger Speed Six 2.75" barrel, round butt
3) S&W Model 36 3" barrel, round butt

A model 67 S&W. Tough choice as I have managed to accumulate 26 .38 specials, 24 being K frames. If it couldn't be the 67 then i choose a model 15.

Looks like Smith and Wesson is the 38 special revolver of choice for most of us in this thread.

It's not surprising.

Smith & Wesson 15-3 is my choice. Might be the most accurate revolver I've ever owned.

The only 38 I have, and the only one I’ll ever need. I wanted one like this for years but could never luck into one that was affordable. Got it for $500 from the original owner that put 250 rounds through her in ‘74 and she lived in a safe since. Smith 67 no dash.

The Charter Arms Undercover I've carried for over 40 years. Recently rebarreled with a 3" stainless tube.

As much as I love the S&W m10 if I could only have one .38 it would be my Ruger LCRx 38 in 2inch.
Light, accurate, easy to concealed and +P rated,
Dano

Tallball said:

It's not surprising.

Click to expand...

https://gunsmagazine.com/gear/smith-wesson-model-67/

for those that want to know why ...

murf

My model 15-5 4in. barrel.

I'd go with my model 15-3

Or my Model 12

Mr. Mosin said:

That 442 is your "out and about" gun, isn't it ? I don't recall.

Click to expand...

One person here referred to a J-Frame as a "Roving" gun. I like it. Matter of fact its new name is now "Rover". Take that Bulldog snobs.

Mr. Mosin said:

Of course they are. Durable, reliable, not prone to excessively going out of time with even moderate usage like other old Americana revolver makers, lacking brutish aesthetics, svelte and time proven. What more could you ask for ?

Click to expand...

Lower prices for one. More availability for two.

An d in my other post I had a picture of my 4 dedicated 38 Specials and completely forgot about my heavy barrel model 10 with factory nickle plating. It was my mothers duty gun when she worked for the Sheriffs Dept in Tarrant County, Tx.

Mr. Mosin said:

Almost makes you wonder why anyone would be crazy enough to even consider a Colt double action.

Click to expand...

Just a couple of years ago you could buy clean Colt Police 38 Specials that were sold at lower prices than model 10s. I came close to buying a couple just because I don't own any Colts. There is nothing wrong with a well cared for Colt.

Fire enough rounds in any gun and over time they will wear. And the brand doesn't matter. The Colt mechanism doesn't look any more complicated to me than the S&W action. If I had one and it needed repairs I bet I could do them myself just like I do all my other gun repairs. And there is always the Jerry Knundhausen shop manuals.

https://www.amazon.com/Colt-Double-Action-Revolvers-Updated/dp/B0089QCFQO/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&qid=1628881481&refinements=p_27:Jerry+Kuhnhausen&s=books&sr=1-11

One other thing to consider is that there are thousands of old Colts from the beginning of the last century that still function just like they did when they were new over a hundred years ago.

bullseye308 said:

View attachment 1017792 The only 38 I have, and the only one I’ll ever need. I wanted one like this for years but could never luck into one that was affordable. Got it for $500 from the original owner that put 250 rounds through her in ‘74 and she lived in a safe since. Smith 67 no dash.

Click to expand...

Mine is her no-dash littermate, stainless sights and all .



An excellent choice!

Stay safe.

Mr. Mosin said:

And before anyone chimes in with "I've shot a ba-jillion rounds through XXX Colt double action" remember: in everything there is the rule, and then there is the exception... *you* are the exception.

Click to expand...

From you have read, of course. Unless you have that experience and can expound on it…please.

To be honest I have read similar things and I don’t go too crazy shooting my Colt Detective Special because finding a knowledgeable smith is pretty hard…or I should say “knowledgeable smith that has time to get your gun back to you in a reasonable time.”

Edit: I forgot to add that I am not convinced the smith that installed my new mainspring really knew much about Colt’s revolvers and how they should function. Mine fires okay but has a mushy-ness to it in double action.

Mr. Mosin said:

What in the blazes is a Mdl 242 ?

Click to expand...

One of the most unique Smiths ever made. L frame with a shrouded hammer, aluminum frame and titanium cylinder, 2.5 inch barrel. 7 shots of 38 special weighing 19 oz. Best I can tell only 1600 ever made.

It’s a lightweight 686+ chambered in 38.

SteadyD said:

One of the most unique Smiths ever made. L frame with a shrouded hammer, aluminum frame and titanium cylinder, 2.5 inch barrel. 7 shots of 38 special weighing 19 oz. Best I can tell only 1600 ever made.

It’s a lightweight 686+ chambered in 38.

Click to expand...

Oh, Gee, Thanks…Like I needed another impossible to find gun to fantasize about.