Lowest Cost Revolver Suitable for Home Defense

[.455_Hunter]

Greetings,

I have a friend of a friend who is looking to purchase his first HD gun. He has some shooting experience, and wants a revolver over a semi auto pistol or a long gun like a pump shotgun. His budget is extremely limited, and he wants the cheapest gun/ammmo combo that CAN serve as an emergency HD weapon. Right now, especially in todays economic climate, the choice is between a cheap gun or no gun at all. He wants to buy the gun and a box of 50 rounds, take it to the range to get a minimum familiarity with 30 or so of the rounds, and keep the remainder for emergency purposes. I know this is not the suggested regimen, but like I said, his financial position is limited. Similarly, the gun/ammo combo does not have to be the A+ recommended platform to fill his needs- it just needs to go bang. Here are some of the options we are looking at with expected final cost:

Russian Nagant Revolver from various sources w/ box of Fiocchi or Hot-shot 7.62 x 38mmR = $150 (he likes the cost of this option- cheap and better than a .22LR)

Armscor Revolver (M-200) from Centerfire Systems w/ box of UMC 125 gr. JHP .38 Special +P= $250

Anybody know where you can get used S&Ws/Colts for less than $200 (retail or shipping/FFL transfer included)? Any caliber would work- .32 Long, .38 S&W, .38 Special.

Maybe one of the old H&R five-shot .32 Mags from the 80's and 90's?

Please comment.

 

[Goblin]

Rossi .38 special--$249.00 at Academy Sports.

 

[bluetopper]

Look on gunbroker at the EAA revolvers. Nice German quality at a great price.

Both double actions and single action cowboy six shooters.

 

[only1asterisk]

I'd do an Armscor M200 revolver over the Rossi. But for $250 I'd be looking for a K frame S&W. The Armscor should be more like $175.

I'll pay for the gentleman an extra box of practice ammo and send $20 toward his gun budget if things are that tight. I've also got speedloaders here that should fit the Armscor or K frame.

David

 

[Meowhead]

I've heard good things about the Armscor .38s.

 

[Colt Smith]

The cases at my local gunshop ( Rockland County, New York) usually have plenty of Det. Spcl. snubbies and Model 10's (ex police guns) for around $150- $250. Throw in some .38's or +P if they'll take it and call it a day.

 

[Phydeaux642]

The cases at my local gunshop ( Rockland County, New York) usually have plenty of Det. Spcl. snubbies and Model 10's (ex police guns) for around $150- $250.

Wow! I wish I could find those guns at those prices in my neck of the woods. Well, maybe not. I'm already going broke the way it is with the stuff I find.

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

I own a rossi 461 snubnose paid 229 new and the quality is extremely good. My LGS had an armscor 38 snubnose and The quality was not on par with the rossi. This is only my opinion but I have shot and handled both. You might also consider an older ruger service/security six,gp100 or sp101 they can all be had for around 350. I would recommend the ruger if you want to buy used only because they hold up to more abuse than colts or smiths and you never know what the previous owner did to it. Just to clarify, even though all my other revolvers are rugers I keep the rossi next to the bed and would trust the armscor as a HD gun as well as any smith or colt.

 

[jt1]

I'll pay for the gentleman an extra box of practice ammo and send $20 toward his gun budget if things are that tight.

That sounds like The High Road way to get things done...assuming this is a deserving guy, I'll kick in a few bucks as well if someone wants to handle the money...he might as well get something worth having...

 

[Drgong]

The nagant is not a bad option, I am darn accurate with mine in SA mode. Just wish there was a dedicated SD ammo for it.

Rossi is supposed to be a good gun.

A used pump shotgun might also be good.

S&W Model 10 if you can find it in price range. Best thing might be to find out what is used around your area and sink your teeth into something good.

for $200 as a limit, I am thinking the only one that I would trust is get a good quality Nagant, and buy the ammo to practace with. I would want more for SD but a nagant is a heck a lot better then nothing and it is better then a .22.

 

[wnycollector]

Her is a colt official police .38 for $175.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=107375880

 

[Cosmoline]

But for $250 I'd be looking for a K frame S&W.

My thoughts exactly. Forget Rossi and Armscorps. Just cruise the local shops for K frame Model 10's or magnums, old Colts and Ruger Security Sixes.

 

[bflobill_69]

I don't have a bad word for Arsmcor or Rossi, but were it me, I would buy a used Smith & Wesson...

Your freind will not regret it.

I have an EAA Windicator .357 mag 2" bbl... its reliable, durable, albeit a bit heavy... My only complaint would be my groupings are not near as tight as I would like them to be!

Bflobill_69

 

[HOME DEPOT GEORGE]

Not to start a huge debate but for a relative newbe to revolvers I would stay away from colt only because of the lack of parts and qualified service if god forbid something went wrong with it. Also dont rule out dan wesson they can be had for less than 250 for a used 357 and are as good or better than anything mentioned and Dan Wesson will still service any revolver they made in the past. They just went over the supermag I got for 350.00 and installed headspace shims as well as a complete check for any other problems for 125.00 that includes a new factory supermag case. This was only 350 and I've seen many reg 357's for less than 250.

 

[lee n. field]

Of those suggested, I'd go with the

Armscor Revolver (M-200) from Centerfire Systems w/ box of UMC 125 gr. JHP .38 Special +P= $250

.38 is a lot easier to find than 7.62 Nagant.

Anybody know where you can get used S&Ws/Colts for less than $200 (retail or shipping/FFL transfer included)? Any caliber would work- .32 Long, .38 S&W, .38 Special.

I don't think I've ever seen a used S&W or Colt in that price range.

 

[Colt Smith]

Seriously...

I was at the gun shop just last week. There were at least two Model 10's for around $150. I had seen them there a few weeks prior as well. I don't think they're flying off the shelf (although they probably should at that price). They're most likely still there. Give the guys a call. Also plenty of snubbies at a reasonable price.

Davis Sport Shop
(845) 753-2198
Ask for Curtiss or Gordon

 

[ev239]

Home Depot, you got that right about Dan Wesson! Here's my model 14 (fixed sights) that I got for $240. It's a great shooter, handles 357mag much better than my wife's SP101.

 

[jaydubya]

A Smith & Wesson Model 10 in verygood/good condition is your best bet. And don't worry about holster wear.

If your friend refuses to fire off even one box of fifty rounds, then I must ask: Are you helping him when you help him buy a handgun? Or are you helping the fellow who takes it from him? Just a thought, no flame intended.

Cordially, Jack

 

[Evyl Robot]

Ah, Friday night! Maybe it's just the liquor talking, but if seven and a half of us made a $20 donation, we could buy him one of those $150.00 M10's, which he would love. I'm in if there are more volunteers. Whadya say?

--Michael

 

[.455_Hunter]

Thanks for all your responses.

The friend of a friend in question has a young family and is on a minister's fixed income. Whether a gun/ammo combo is $150 or $300 makes a big difference.

Recently, I have not seen many shootable police trade-ins for under $200 here in Denver metro, but I have not called all the shops.

I hesitate to have him get a used gun off of Gunbroker without putting hands-on first. For some strange reason, I feel better about the used mil-surps in that regard- I don't know why.

My friend and I will assemble a table to help the guy pick the best choice.

If your friend refuses to fire off even one box of fifty rounds, then I must ask: Are you helping him when you help him buy a handgun? Or are you helping the fellow who takes it from him? Just a thought, no flame intended.

Just a comment about the above question- I have been shooting with the man in question, and his fundamental skills with a handgun are fine. He has fired over hundred rounds out of other people gun's (wheelguns and autos), and I have no problem with him only shooting 30 rounds out of a revolver before using it for HD duty while money is tight. You don't have to run 500 round a month through a ISPC /IDPA course to defend your family in an emergency Not that its bad if you do, just not a requirement.

Please continue with your ideas!

 

[Drgong]

I say lets let him buy the gun, but we chip in to get him some more rounds to practace with.

I would be willing to buy him a box of .38s

 

[only1asterisk]

I'm in if there are more volunteers. Whadya say?

I say we're up to $50.

If your friend refuses to fire off even one box of fifty rounds, then I must ask: Are you helping him when you help him buy a handgun? Or are you helping the fellow who takes it from him? Just a thought, no flame intended.

While regular practice at a range would be best, people successfully defend themselves every day without that advantage. If a man shoots a box or 2 a year he's shot as much as most police officers in this country. Dry fire is cheap, but it's hard to practice without a gun.

David

 

[Drgong]

If I can use Paypal, I will bump this up to $60

 

[only1asterisk]

I say lets let him buy the gun, but we chip in to get him some more rounds to practace with.

I'd rather just send money and let him decide how it is best spent depending on the circumstances. If you'd rather send ammo I don't see how it would hurt.

David

 

[only1asterisk]

I can collect paypal. Direct funds to: dharris6ATmix.wvuDOTedu

Put "THR Project" in the note.

David