Best 4” 38 spl revolver

[stonebuster]

Good looking guns. I had a blued Service Six and stupidly sold it. I didn't really know what I had. I sure wish I had it back. And I got it for a measly $200 when I bought it. A brute strong gun made to last forever. But I do have a Security Six and its not going anywhere. I put a slightly lighter main spring in it and what a difference that made on the trigger pull. Easiest trigger job I've ever done.

I was bidding on a Speed Six with 3" barrel but it has gotten to a price I will no longer pay. Oh well. I have enough guns. I think.

A Speed Six 3" commands a higher price than a 2 3/4" for sure. I've got a 3" Speed Six 38spl which Ruger made very few of that was worth it to me. Missing a Security Six 4" but if I spot a nice one at a LGS reasonably priced that may change.

 

[P5 Guy]

Llama .38 Special On the Range Review - YouTube

 

[wcwhitey]

Llama .38 Special On the Range Review - YouTube

When I so saw the posts on the Comanche the first thing I thought of was the Llama version. Model 19 copy with vent rib. Good looking gun. I only handled one and it was severely out of time to the point of spitting lead. Was a friends who had purchased it new. He wasn’t a big shooter and I only saw it in action once, that was enough, this gun was trash. The only one I ever handled so I cannot speak for the whole line of Llama revolvers. Their autos have always been decent. Now a good Astra or older Taurus can make a nice plinker. I wish Taurus would make the Model 82 again. I know they have newer similar models but a Decent Model 10 copy blue with wood .38 only would sell all day. The Astra .44 Mag was well thought of.

 

[UncleEd]

Saying something is the "best" or
perhaps more accurately "among
the best" can easily be an
objective assessment.

That assessment comes from the
history of a product, namely its
durability, ease of handling, overall
parts design.

Objectively, Smith, Colt and Ruger
have produced "among the best"
for sure and in particular models
even the "best" revolvers. (For
instance, when bullseye shooting
was king, Colt produced the "best"
target revolvers and even Smith
fans admit that.)

Another factor is an around-the-world
assessment following years of use
in many, many historical contexts.

Such guns as the Korth, M73 and
Janz might be called the "best"
but they essentially are very refined
quality copies of S&W.

Rugers are to be highly commended
beause with some innovative designs
they have proven to be worthy rivals
of Smith and Colt despite their
Johnny-come-lately arrival.

Charter Arms and Taurus have
produced some decent revolvers but
none that quite get to "best" in
various categories.

 

[ontarget]

Since you can't comprehend what you read I said local .Your ate up with internet. One in stock is better than your crown king. New is better than used. Your entertainment value is immeasurable. Arrogant blow hards always strive to get the last word. So don't stop now

Listen, no need for all of the chest thumping, and name calling. We all know that the best ever 38 Spl is the one on your person when it's needed. You have your opinion, @ThomasT has his and I have mine.
Now let's try not to get the thread closed, OK?

 

[22250Rem]

Kind of new to forum, so what I am asking is what is your favorite 38 spl revolver?

For me it is a S&W 4" 686 just for the fact that it's a 357 Magnum but I can use 38 Spl. +P+ handloads without too much worrying about wear & tear on the gun. Back in the 1970's a friend had a S&W with issues from hot loads. Don't recall the model but I think they were K Frames and I figured for a 38 Spl. revolver I would err on the side of caution. A +P+ 38 Spl. handload with a 158 gr. hard cast SWC is plenty for my usage and that's all I carry in it. So basically it's my 38 Spl. L Frame revolver. Just wanted to be sure it could handle stuff like that without wearing out prematurely. Nothing more than a heavy duty 38 Spl. revolver rated for +P stuff.

 

[5whiskey]

Another polite request to end the chest thumping. This is a long, but good, thread. A 4" .38spc revolver is the epitome of a classic handgun. There are tons of options, honestly probably more used than new.

In honor of that "epitome of a classic handgun," the colt official police and smith pre model 10 are the classic founders of this genre. For decades they were the gold standard. A post war Smith gets the nod from me for being a solid choice. Rugged and reliable enough for service use, accurate enough for target use, holsters and accessories made by virtually everyone. The pencil barrel post war, with the drop safety upgrade, is where my money lies on one of the best 4" .38s. There are more modern, and possibly even marginally better, options. But if we are considering modern options, we may as well consider a LCR in .327.

 

[hawg]

The only 4 inch .38 I have is a S&W 10-5. I really prefer a 6 inch M&P or a 6 inch Colt Officers model.

 

[Robert]

If your post disappeared it's because it failed to rise to the standards of THR. If such behavior continues it will be delt with.

 

[ThomasT]

I wish Taurus would make the Model 82 again. I know they have newer similar models but a Decent Model 10 copy blue with wood .38 only would sell all day.

I have one of the newer model 82s on my watchlist now. So far I am the high bidder. It has the matt blue finish and rubber grips but still a good gun if I get for the price I offered. I have owned 3 of the 1980s-1990s model 82 revolvers with the nice bluing and wood grips. I wish I still gad at least one of them left. But I sold them off in my great gun reduction when I had 80+ firearms and just wasn't shooting any except the core bunch I had. They are great guns for someone on a budget that doesn't reach the level a good S&W or clean Colt is selling for now.

 

[PapaG]

I don't know how this ran five pages when there is only one answer: S&W 15.

 

[ThomasT]

I don't know how this ran five pages when there is only one answer: S&W 15.

There are lots of answers. Thats just the best one.

 

[natman]

My favorite is an 8 3/8" S&W Model 14. Target sights, Target trigger, Target hammer, overtravel stop. Superbly accurate, beautifully finished.


I also have an earlier 6" S&W Target Masterpiece. I'm quite fond if it too.

 

[SSBN617b]

Thank you all for the replies. I currently own a gp100 5 inch 357 ( a tank indeed) and was interested in seeing what everyone thought of a 4 inch revolver that was a little more streamlined.
Lots of great info and pictures, thanks again.

 

[toivo]

I like stainless steel and fixed sights in a service revolver, so I'm partial to the Model 64.

Me too.

 

[Ted100]

S&W Model 15.

 

[Hondo 60]

Add my vote to the S&W K-frame I have 2 a 10-5 & a 65-8
The beauty of a 357 is that you can use 38 spl or 357 mag ammo

 

[Rodfac]

Smith guy here....I'll go for a M-15 S&W or it's SS brother in arms, the M-67. As issued to me in the USAF, I had the smaller "Magna" grips on it...no support for the 2nd finger and did not shoot well. With a grip adapter or a good pair of Pachmayr's either would be my #1 choice for a .38 Special revolver. Rod