I have a S&W 64-5 4"bbl (mfg. April 1989) that is possibly my favorite revolver.
It's the one I'll take to the range if I want to have the best chance of targeting well at 50 feet. Nice weight, balance, and trigger, for me at least. For an OC utility revolver, I prefer a S&W K-frame in 3"bbl, though.
I'll get slagged for this, but I think Ruger DA revolvers are more like SA that will also shoot DA kinda OK.
Modern Ruger revolvers may be "built like a tank", or "tough as nails", but so is a 250 pound 55 year-old Bulgarian country-woman. That doesn't make them them much fun.
I want a .38 special for range and hd purposes.
The gp100 is a. 38 special,which is a little different than the typical .357 mag.
I want a .38 special for range and hd purposes.
AND a .357 is easier to sell or trade down the road.
Yeah, but neither of the guns he's interested in are .357s. He's asking between the GP in .38 only and the S&W64 (.38).
If you want a 38spl for range and HD, that's fine by me.
"But,".......I'd still never buy a 38spl "only" gun, when I can get a 357mag that still fires 38spl as well.
I see zero point in limiting yourself like that.
It just makes no sense to me.
A 357 is much more versatile should you change your mind down the road and want to fire 357 as well.
But...it's your call I guess.