New to pistols - seeking 38/357 advice

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honkeoki

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Hello, all. This is my first post.

I'm fairly new to handguns. Bought my first in December 03, a police trade-in 5904. Now I'm looking for a revolver. I want the advice of wiser, experienced folks in my choice for a 38 or a 357.

I'd prefer to have a Magnum, just so I have the option of the more potent round. I take my pistols to the range a lot and so I want something that will stand up to a lot of shooting. I'm looking for a 3 or 4-inch barrel.

I've read some other posts on the subject of inexpensive revolvers. I'm poor, and I don't want to spend over $250. As I see it, here are my options:

-- an old police trade-in S&W 38. I saw some really good prices on a website but I can't seem to find it again. Someone and sons, had a big Commies for Kerry logo on the homepage??

-- a Ruger Speed 6 or Security 6. Haven't been able to find one in my price range.

-- Astra 960s are cheap... but I've heard a lot of bad stuff about them.

-- Comanche revolvers, the new ones imported by Interarms. I've heard mixed stuff about them.

-- Charter Arms revolvers. I've read that the older ones with unshrouded ejectors are best.

Please give me your input. Remember I'm poor. Anyplace where I can get a great deal on a cosmetically-challenged S&W, or advice on 38 vs. 357...


Thanks in advance, all.

George
 
Greeting's From BamaLand-

From your list, I would look for one of the Ruger's; either a
Security-Six, Service-Six, or Speed Six. Only the Security-Six
will have adjustable sights. Normally, the stainless versions
in 90-95% fall between $225-250. All are excellent weapons
and would make a really nice choice. Good Luck~

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
S&W or Ruger police trade-in. .357 preferred but for any normal purposes .38 Spl. will suffice with well chosen loads. Adjustable sights very nice but once I have a gun zeroed it stays unchanged for the rest of the time I own it. So it's somewhat academic.

Illustration: I picked up a battered Ruger Service Six .38 Spl 4" for my son for $89. Shipped it for refurb and total outlay was about $150. He keeps it loaded with plus P plus 110 gr JHPs. It is his only handgun for the moment and plenty good enough.

Don't believe all the talk that the other brands are "just as good". They aren't.
 
If you're careful, you might find a S&W model 66 police trade-in for close to that price and still in pretty good shape. I had one that was a San Diego Co. Sh gun until replace by plastic pistols. Was plenty tight and shot nice, but I used it as a trader.

Look around, you might run on one.
 
A .357 magnum revolver will shoot .38 special ammo. The bullet is the same caliber. The .38 revolver can not shoot .357 ammo because the cartridge is longer. That is the difference.

I recommend for beginning self defense to go with the .38 special so it does not matter if you have a gun that will shoot .357 or .38 if you shoot .38. Same bullet. Same barrel.

Just look for a good revolver with a tight cylinder in either caliber, and start by shooting .38 specials.

Taurus makes some really good .38 special revolvers for under $300. Look for used, because you might find something for $150. If used and cheap only stick with Ruger, S&W, old Colt, and Taurus.
 
If you're careful, you might find a S&W model 66 police trade-in for close to that price and still in pretty good shape. I had one that was a San Diego Co. Sh gun until replace by plastic pistols. Was plenty tight and shot nice, but I used it as a trader.

Look around, you might run on one.
 
You might try looking at some of the gun auctions on the internet. Like gunbroker or auctionarms. Sometimes you can find a real good deal.
 
First .38spl/.357

#1 Ruger- any of the above listed models-they are the strongest but most come with small grips that will need replacing for target work.
#2 S&W - 66,686,586
#3 Colt - stay away from aluminum frames go all steel.

Keep an eye on KY Imports.com(past couple of issues of Shotgun News has had KY ads with numerous listings of new and used guns)Be careful of percentage ratings.
shotgunnews.com
gunsamerica.com

Good luck!!!
 
First .38spl/.357

#1 Ruger- any of the above listed models-they are the strongest but most come with small grips that will need replacing for target work.
#2 S&W - 66,686,586
#3 Colt - stay away from aluminum frames.For a gun that will be shot a lot go all steel.

Keep an eye on KY Imports.com(past couple of issues of Shotgun News has had KY ads with numerous listings of new and used guns)Be careful of percentage ratings.
shotgunnews.com
gunsamerica.com

Good luck!!!
 
First .38spl/.357

#1 Ruger- any of the above listed models-they are the strongest but most come with small grips that will need replacing for target work.
#2 S&W - 66,686,586
#3 Colt - stay away from aluminum frames go all steel.

Keep an eye on KY Imports.com(past couple of issues of Shotgun News has had KY ads with numerous listings of new and used guns)Be careful of percentage ratings.
shotgunnews.com
gunsamerica.com

Good luck!!!
 
First .38spl/.357

#1 Ruger- any of the above listed models-they are the strongest but most come with small grips that will need replacing for target work.
#2 S&W - 66,686,586
#3 Colt - stay away from aluminum frames go all steel.

Keep an eye on KY Imports.com(past couple of issues of Shotgun News has had KY ads with numerous listings of new and used guns)Be careful of percentage ratings.
shotgunnews.com
gunsamerica.com

Good luck!!!
 
Keep an eye out for surplus Rugers and Smiths that have been imported by Century Arms International (marked CAI). These are supossedly coming from Canada and most I've seen are 3 inchers.

Don't pass-up a 38 special, they are usually cheaper because everybody wants a .357. For close to almost all of your shooting the 38 is all you need. A light target load (148 grain wadcutters) and a heavy load for SD like the 158 grain lead, hollowpoint, semiwadcutter +P (FBI load). A third load that I like is a reload using either generic cast lead 158 gr semiwadcutters or the Speer swaged 148 grain bevel base wadcutter, either over 4.4 grains of Winchester 231. This load approximates a standard pressure 38 load, is very accurate and useful for small game. I suspect the Speer BB WC could function for self defense also.
 
For sure I recommend one with an adjustable sight. A Ruger Security Six in excellent condition is worth $200 in blue finish (very good $185) and $235 in stainless finish ($200 very good). A Smith & Wesson Model 19 in very good condition is worth $235. These are .357 magnums. The Smith & Wesson Model 15 is a very nice .38 special and can be found for $250 or less. If it was me I'd look for a very good condition stainless Security Six or a very good condition blue model 19. You will probably mostly shoot .38 specials so the Model 15 would work for you too.
 
Can't add much to these guys advice....except that I LOVE Ruger revolvers.If you're in need of a 5 shot carry gun,the SP101 is the way to go.Rugers can take all the hot ammo you can feed them too.....:cool:
 
All of the responses are good.
I purchased an Astra 960 at a gun show though, and it's worked just fine so far.
The only thing I don't know about a 960 is if it will handle +p .38s.
 
YOu should be able to find used S&W models 13 and 65 well within your price range. If your patient, you can find models 19 and 66. You can also find used Ruger GP100's at your price range, again if your patient. I personnally prefer the way the S&W's shoot and handle, but not by much.
 
I would save up just a bit more and try to find an early 80's 686.

Rinspeed
 
Ditto on the Ruger in your price range. I have seen two Ruger Security Six's sell for $225.00 in like new shape in the last couple of months. Excellent all around .357! If you care to save up look for used S&W M19 or M66. Same K frame; M19 is blue the M66 is stainless. Police trade in can be found in quantity on the M66 in 4" barrel version.
 
Go with a nice used Smith 65 or 66, Colt or Ruger. Seems to me their are more accessories for the Smith, Colts are a littlle more rarely seen these days, Rugers are tough as nails. It depends on what you like best. Personally I would stay away from Taurus. Saw two on the range this year during off duty qualification. One broke and the other was disappointing. One officer decided that day he needed something besides the Taurus for self defense. The other seemed embarassed with the results as last year the Ruger he had shot was great compared to his new gun.
 
Thanks, all, for your input

All --

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I live in Miami -- definitely a seller's market! Not much chance of me finding a $89 Security Six.

Just as an example, I spent my lunch break today working over a local pawn shop owner. He had a nice-looking S&W Model 66 and the lowest price I could talk him into was $330...

Maybe I should drive to Wyoming?

Again -- thanks, all.

George
 
What everybody else said. The site you lost sounds like RM Vivas and sons. They have lots of used revolvers. They will ship to a FFL dealer near you. Good folks to deal with in my experience.
 
Welcome to the Highroad.

Best advice I can give (free advice is worth what you pay) is to hold out for a .357. Lets you retain the option of shooting .38 SPL for fun, yet will handle anything up to the full power stuff. 686, 586, 66, Ruger. Whatever you can get when you just can't wait/save any longer.:D

The only thing worse than having the jones on for a gun and not having the money is....never mind. :evil:
 
You can generally check gunshows and find a .38 Special S&W Model 10, 14, 15 (all similar) for $220 or so. These will do fine for target work and basic home defense with a +P load.


A Ruger Security Six or S&W 65/66 or 19 can be found for around $250-300. Check www.gunbroker.com or Shotgun News.
 
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