cheapest revolver caliber?

[Jolly Green]

Out of interest I have been looking at surplus handguns and was intrigued by the Tokarev (semi) shooting 7.62x25 which was a very strong and cheap cartridge (~.10).

Having a much deeper interest in revolvers, (despite my deficiency of having to use my left hand b/c of eye dominance) I was wondering what revolver (mil surp preferably) chambered the cheapest round.

I really like the look of the British Break-top Webleys and have found .45 acp imports, but was wondering if there was something cheaper.

Thanks for any response.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I know one day the 9x18 was as cheap as it got. Plenty of milsurps to choose from and Wolf makes plenty of ammo.

Take your pick of Makarovs or other Warsaw Pact countries offerings. (CZ, Poland)

 

[MCgunner]

The answer is, as it always has been.... .22LR, of course.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I just realized this was in the revolver forums.

Sorry about my first post containing all automatics. Truth is I dont know what would be ideal with your parameters pertaining to a revolver.

 

[MCgunner]

Maybe not, but 9x18 is way cool as are the little guns that shoot it.

 

[BCRider]

Earthgoat, revolver or not you don't need to shoot handguns left handed if you don't want to. I'm neither right nor left eye dominant but my right eye has some astigmatism. So I shoot right handed but using my left eye for sighting. It just means you need to shift your stance a shade and slightly swing your head. It takes very little and works just fine.

And yeah, there's no contest. .22 is cheapest, followed by milsurp when supplies are available. After that it's 9mm and .38Spl. for semi and revolver respectively.

 

[dfariswheel]

As above .22LR is the cheapest, but in center fire the cheapest is the .38 Special.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Earthgoat, revolver or not you don't need to shoot handguns left handed if you don't want to. I'm neither right nor left eye dominant but my right eye has some astigmatism. So I shoot right handed but using my left eye for sighting. It just means you need to shift your stance a shade and slightly swing your head. It takes very little and works just fine.

I am curious what brought about the right handed vs. left handed as it pertains to pistols and revolvers.

I also shoot right handed with my dominant left eye. You have to go half gang land kill shot sideways but one handed is possible yes.

 

[spur0701]

Ditto on the .38 special, get a used police trade-in S&W Model 10 (under $250 I would think these days, the last one I bought was about $175)....and .38 can be reloaded for as cheap as .03 each if you cast your own bullets......

 

[BCRider]

Sorry earthgoat, it was Jolly Green that brought up the left handed shooting in his post. I mixed up your names.

Even shooting in the traditional sideways "dueling" style for one handed bullseye. I still don't have much trouble keeping the gun upright and using the left eye.

 

[MikePGS]

Rimfire .22lr but centerfire is probably 9mm provided you can find one of the not so many revolvers made in the caliber (Older SP101's, Ruger Blackhawk Convertible, probably others)

 

[RebelRabbi]

.38 special if you want a standard centerfire. 9x18 if you are willing to go surplus.

 

[snooperman]

38 special wadcutter reloads..

in a centerfire or 22LR.

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot right handed, left eye dominant, modified Weaver is preferred, but I don't have a problem shooting isosceles, either. Just cock the head to the right a little and the gun comes up fine.

I really don't keep up with ammo prices seeing as I handload and don't buy factory ammo much, other than the previously mentioned .22 and 9x18. I would think, though, that .38 special has to be it for center fire. Only difference in cost to me between .38 and .45 Colt is the extra 6 grains, roughly, of powder I burn in .45. Bullets are free, primer cost the same, do find free .38 brass now and then which I cannot say for .45 Colt, but at low pressure, it lasts forever.

 

[Marvin KNox]

Besides the obvious .22 LR it seems to me that staying with a 38 spl. gives you the most options in both used and new guns.

A 9mm may be cheaper for ammo costs by a little. But the options are scant compared to .38 spl.

Tons of ammo choices for target and carry with .38 spl. That's a bg deal IMO.

 

[HGM22]

Personally I'd love a TT33 with its $0.10/rd. ammo., but I know what you mean about revolvers. JGsales has some (I believe) retired .38 police issue guns:

http://www.jgsales.com/index.php/sm...1_431?osCsid=ce72b1b173e3de7f7f6b6f78d9a3a05a