Help picking an old school SW revolver

[senorlinc]

want an old school SW .357 or .44 wheelgun...will be mostly to have around the house, range (with spl ammo) and just maybe as back up in the backcountry (i am a very part time alpine guide) more for the collection than for function as i have HD, work and range guns covered....

want a 6" bbl, blued , w wood grips. there are so many models out there from the 1960'-90's..dont need anything rare, maybe just a police trade in.

am aware of the 686 & 29

what models am i looking for and what am i expecting to pay...wish there was a pawn shop around here as thatd probably be where to find one.....

 

[Guillermo]

.357 wise, the model 27 is the holy grail but the "budget" version, the 28, is very nice.

The model 19 is a smaller frame, the brainchild of legendary lawman Bill Jordan. They are also classics and can still be had for a resonable price.

If you want a 44, an old model 29 cannot be beat.

 

[machinisttx]

Personally, I like the S&W K frames(M13,M19,M65,M66) for carrying. That said, they aren't built for a steady diet of magnum loads.

You may also be interested in a 581, 586, 681, or 686. These are L frame guns and only slightly larger than the K frames. They'll tolerate magnums much better.

If you're willing to pack the extra weight, a N frame M28 is a fine .357 revolver.

The M29 is a fine gun, but it's also heavy. I don't know that I'd want to pack my 6" 29-2 around all day. A 4" would probably be tolerable, but still heavy.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Six-inch barrel, blue steel, wood grips, to be used mostly with .38 Specials with occasional magnum loads, carried on one's person in addition to already heavy gear ... that has Model 19 written all over it. Four-inch barrels are more common as this was made to be a police service revolver, but there should be plenty of half-footers out there.

 

[macadore]

IMO, the S&W M 29 is the ultimate revolver. Excellent balance, excellent trigger, excellent sights, and most versatile ubiquitous caliber available. I have owned several revolvers over the years, but the 629 Classic is the only revolver I still own. I see no reason to own another one.

 

[Daizee]

Yep, a model-19 sounds like the ticket. Or, if you can be happy with modern .38spl+p loads, a model-14, which go for a good 40% less than a 19.

-Daizee

 

[Goblin]

Old School means Model 13... usually about $300.00!!!

 

[csmkersh]

Yep, this calls for a Model 13 (fixed sights) or Model 19 (adjustable sights) written all over it. Here's my slightly modified Model 13

This 4 incher started life as a square butt revolver. Trigger work, bobbed hammer and tritium dot in front sight.

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[glassman]

Lone Hananguer said, "Six-inch barrel, blue steel, wood grips, to be used mostly with .38 Specials with occasional magnum loads, carried on one's person in addition to already heavy gear ... that has Model 19 written all over it. Four-inch barrels are more common as this was made to be a police service revolver, but there should be plenty of half-footers out there."

I agree 100%

 

[wnycollector]

A 5" model 10 is pretty "old school"! or better yet a pre-war M&P

 

[turkey02]

model 28 357

I like the model 28 375 from S and W. The one I have is a 4" barrel. From what I am seeing you are looking at around $400.00-$600.00, but I really like mine.