Hello, new here asking for revolver recomendations around $150 (Nagant?)

[James T Thomas]

perhaps another

Perhaps consider a big bore, single action?

Many people consider them adequate, and they are no more ponderous than the Nagant.

 

[marble]

Thanks again for all the responses guys. I read your responses and rode around to the pawn shops and gun stores. I found a couple firearms of interest, but prices were high. The only 9x18 I found found was priced at 279. I handled it a little, but, really it didn't have me interested enough to ask for the "cash price". The hi-point c9 is available locally for 179. I handled it a little bit too. It's an option, but kind of like a plan B.

I've heard people say stuff like "just buy two, and when one messed up you will have something to shoot while they repair it". That really not an option for me. I used to work as a sheet metal fabricator, so polishing a feed ramp isn't outside of what I can do.... I just don't want to buy something that needs a "break in" period, or expensive shipping cost to mail for repairs.

I found an add on here for a Smith and Wesson model 10 for 250. I think that's a better plan than 219 + shipping + local FFL fees for the ex-police model 15. I'm going to PM the man now and see if it's still available.

Thanks to everybody very much. When I went to the pawn shops and gun stores today I wasn't tempted to buy the Nagant. I wanted it just because of the price, but you guys are right (especially about "plinking of the shells with the rod"). I can imagine carrying the nagant getting in a bad situation and shooting the 7 rounds off. Then I just politely asking the bad guy if he could give me 2 minutes to reload. :banghead: That won't work. But thanks for pointing it out to me. (I actually hadn't seen the 'nagant reload' video on youtube).

I'm keeping eyes open for your recommendations guys. I really appreciate all the help and advice.

 

[NMGonzo]

Have you tried the newspaper?

Local paper should have some older .38 special running around looking for a good home.

 

[weregunner]

Good idea about looking at the newspapers. Though this may be different than was originally meant.

Copies of Shotgun News and Gun Digest are weekly periodicals that are Normally at Walmarts and gun stores and gun ranges.

These gun newpapers have the latest sales by sellers from all over the U.S. as well as commercial sellers.

Excellent buys and budget guns can be found in those two publications.

 

[phrogpilot]

Please consider a well used S&W Model 10. You may find one for $150. I inherited my dads when he died; he used it as an NYPD officer for 40 years. It has over 60,000 completely trouble free rounds through it and continues to operate perfectly. There are many outstanding .38 spl rounds to choose from. Please let us know and good luck.

 

[leadcounsel]

Welcome to THR!

I admire you for taking the courage to invest in yours and your families safety. It is a WISE decision.

I grew up very poor and have experienced hard financial times before. I know the value of a dollar. My advice with buying a gun is to buy one good gun rather than a few crappy guns. And the difference in price between a good gun and a crappy gun really isn't that much money in the long run (the life of the gun, even over just a few years of shooting enjoyment and gun reliability). You could arm yourself incredibly well if you shop the classified adds and buy one from a seller face to face. I would not buy the Nagant pistol for my primary use pistol. It's a great novelty, but for real self defense there are much better options.

You can get great deals face to face with sellers if you know what you're looking for. I've bought several fantastic handguns for $300 each. You just have to do your homework, save your money (skip some luxuries), and be ready to pounce with cash in hand when you see a deal. A few dollars more and the quality really jumps in the $300 range.

If you keep your eyes open, you should be able to find a Ruger or S&W 3" revolver in the $300 range, or a CZ, Glock or Ruger 9mm in that same range. Another great bargain now is the CZ82 in 9x18 for $220! The lesson is to spend just a bit more than your initial price point and you'll get a significantly better and more reliable and enjoyable handgun. Since you're on a budget, the best guns will be ones that fire the least expensive ammo, like the 9mm. It is perfectly acceptable as a self defense round, and you can afford to practice. One mistake people make is failing to practice practice practice.

Good luck!

 

[BCRider]

You and the wife would not be at all dissapointed or confused in the worst possible situation with a model 10. Yeah, it's more costly than you originally wanted but in the end it'll be well worth it.

To help cut down on the costs of shooting and getting comfy with using the 10 or whatever you get I'd suggest starting out with reloading right away. With careful shopping and a little patience you can set yourselves up with a cheapie Lee turret press that'll hold all three dies at once and the dies for not much more than $100 to $120. Once you have this you can reload .38's for around 15 cents a round or less if you can find cheaper bullets. Powder and primer are pretty much fixed. I know the setup for this sounds like a lot with your present situation but at 15 cents a round you're looking at $7.50 a box for shooting vs more like $18 to $20 from what I've been reading about ammo costs in the US recently. At that rate it won't take much shooting to recoup the costs of the reloading equipment. It may not be prudent to jump into that aspect right away but keep it in mind. After all to be able to use that gun to good effect it's not just enough to have it. You need to practice enough to make it almost a nervous reflex to use it well when the adrenaline is running hard. And that takes a lot of shooting. When financially practical look around for the local clubs that shoot IDPA events. When you're back on your feet financially look into them. It's arguably the best training you'll get outside of the real thing. The targets may not be shooting back at you or threatening you with a knife but the timer being held behind your head and the need to perform on demand is as close as we can get to the real thing.

Anyhow, here's to your new gun and the hope that you'll never need to use it in anger but if you do that you'll do it well and with proper consideration.

 

[marble]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm taking the advice to heart. I've registered with gunbroker now and I'm keeping my eyes open.

I got a couple PMs from people and everybody has been very helpful. There's a Model 10 in my state on gunbroker and I if I can win the auction in the 220 range, I might have a CCW firearm. My sister in law lives in the same town as the gun store so my wife and I could get dinner with her while we're down there. It would work out nice all around.

Thanks again to everybody, you're a knowledgeable, helpful group of people.


Edit: BC thanks for your post. I am going to look into reloading. I didn't know that one could save that much money by reloading. I'm experienced operating presses and changing dies.

Thanks again everybody.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors// +1 to post #7

Or read the thread here about checking out used revolvers and keep looking.

With knowledge of the firearms cost and problems a face to face purchase is less expensive if you are in SC. In NC you will need a permit to purchase.

As for the Nagant(a very complicated system), you can do better buying used police issue .38. They will probably be DAO reguardless of hammer status.

I have also seen some good deals on Bersa .380 and Rossi .38 in upstate SC.

Welcome and good luck in finding what is right for you.
You came to the right place, I learn something new everytime I log on here.

 

[broken]

...go here.

go to summitgunbroker.com ruger p89 police trade ins cheap,security sixes,smith wessonsrevolvers and autos.,glocks,call him and tell him what you have to spend he"s in missourri,he deals in old police stock.just a thought.

 

[HexHead]

You should be able to find a 4" S&W Model 10 for $200 or less. Best money you'll ever spend on a gun.

 

[huntme]

i would look at a 22 mag instead of the 380,it is a better round in my oppinion easy to shoot,does a good job on scumbags who try to rob you,just a suggestion.

 

[Nasty]

Nagant are fun range plinkers...nuff said.

The P64's and PA63's are *great* guns, but the 9x18 ammo costs more and is less versatile than .38 Special.

The best suggestion is to look for a used S&W Model 10...there are tons out there and it will fill any role you might put it in to some degree.

Finally, I've heard the High Points *do* work, no matter how ugly and cheap looking they are.