Budget ccw revolver, that would be my Charter Undercover .38, an original mid-1960s one with 4 digit S/N. I have other, more expensive handguns but the little Undercover is one of my favorites. It rides comfortably in a Bianchi AccuMold hip holster, a nice lightweight, reliable (never one hiccup in 40+ years) gun.
Your favorite budget CCW revolver
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frankiestoys
Member
S&w 642
I bought this gun used from a friend for $250.00 (with 200 rounds) he fired it maybe 100 times (he couldn't take the recoil) iv'e had it for over a year and carry it daily & fire it every trip to the range just to make sure i can hit what im aiming for. Great little gun.
I bought this gun used from a friend for $250.00 (with 200 rounds) he fired it maybe 100 times (he couldn't take the recoil) iv'e had it for over a year and carry it daily & fire it every trip to the range just to make sure i can hit what im aiming for. Great little gun.
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Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Bought my SP101 second hand for $250 (more likely find them $350+). I carry it either OWB in a nice DeSantis holster, or IWB using a Universal Clipdraw. The SP is a bit heavy, but it soaks up recoil even from full house .357s. .38s are sweet.
Hoxviii
Member
My favorite are the all-steel J frames. I have a 1 7/8" model 36 and it is the nicest carry gun that I've ever handled. I prefer it over the lightweight guns for handling and recovery, plus the steel guns really aren't THAT heavy.
Looking at the sp101 vs the J frame, the guns don't look that much different, but toss one on your hip or slide it in your pocket and you can definitely tell the difference.
So I'd look for a used J-frame or one of the taurus/rossi/charter "clones" in steel. Any of them will fall firmly within your price range.
But go out and try a lightweight as well, that will open up your options even more. Some people like them, i just don't.
Looking at the sp101 vs the J frame, the guns don't look that much different, but toss one on your hip or slide it in your pocket and you can definitely tell the difference.
So I'd look for a used J-frame or one of the taurus/rossi/charter "clones" in steel. Any of them will fall firmly within your price range.
But go out and try a lightweight as well, that will open up your options even more. Some people like them, i just don't.
hardluk1
member
I to have a CA 38 ultra lite but a new one and love it .Shot about 600 rounds through it and a couple thousand snap caps. Gets smoother ever day. Also an old taurus 85 ss great gun, great trigger just heavy by todays standards for ccw but carried it for many many years.
madmarty
Member
I love my rossi 5 shot .38 paid $180.00 at the pawn shop. the only down fall I cant seem to find houge grips for it, guess im stuck with the stock wood..
Dollar An Hour
Member
I'd say LCR, but you want an exposed hammer. So find a used S&W Chief's Special.
DNS
Member
I've also got a Rossi J frame from Academy. Function and accuracy are great. The Hogue-like grips are fantastic. Mike
flrfh213
Member
i love my rossi 6 shot 357 in ss snub. it has never failed me at all.... unless you want to include hammer catching a bit now and then, but working on it atm....
Norinco982lover
Member
637. a ksccw member has one for sale for $350 on our forums right now.
Rundownfid
Member
A used J frame steal or lite weight. Carry guns are something you really need to rely on and with all due respect to Rossi, Taurus and Charter they are not up to Smith & Wesson standards. A decent used J shouldn't cast $400, don't forget to save some money for holsters. I use the plural because if you are going to carry daily you will need more than one.
Your desire for something easy to shoot is in direct contradiction to your desire to easily carry concealed, however, a J frame is the best compromise I know of.
Your desire for something easy to shoot is in direct contradiction to your desire to easily carry concealed, however, a J frame is the best compromise I know of.
Lot of comments on here about S&W's and Ruger's new LCR. Now while I'm a S&W and Ruger fan and own several examples of each, the OP DID specify BUDGET CCW revolver. That to me rules the above suggestions out.
I've got two older Rossi (Interarms) Model 68's from the 1980's. Gave about $159 + tax for the 3-inch in 1987. Acquired the 2-inch from an individual recently. Both have smooth actions, lock up (reasonably) tight and have proven to be completely reliable. I like 'em both. Can't speak for the newer Rossi (Taurus) guns.
I've got two older Rossi (Interarms) Model 68's from the 1980's. Gave about $159 + tax for the 3-inch in 1987. Acquired the 2-inch from an individual recently. Both have smooth actions, lock up (reasonably) tight and have proven to be completely reliable. I like 'em both. Can't speak for the newer Rossi (Taurus) guns.
NMGonzo
Member
Taurus 605
MCgunner
Member
My 85UL has a better trigger and is at least as accurate as any 2" J frame I've fired. My Rossis have been accurate and reliable. The Rossi triggers are a little stiff compared to the Taurus, but so are J frames. If it is accurate and goes bang every time, I'll carry it. Current J frames aren't budget guns, anyway, and they're not built like quality guns, worst of both worlds.
Actually, I saw an 85UL in a gun shop the other day for 420. I gave 285 for mine 13 years ago. Nothing's "budget" anymore. The Rossis are still under 300, though.
TMann
Member
I just had to brag a bit...I just picked up a used, but excellent condition S&W 442 no-lock for ~$380 OTD. That's a pretty good price for the everything-is-over-priced Seattle area. I was pretty pleased.
TMann
TMann
Cosmoline
Member
Speed Six if you can find one for that price. They're around if you look.
Pinned barrel J frame snub, Model 36 or Bodyguard.
Pinned barrel J frame snub, Model 36 or Bodyguard.
MCgunner
Member
In the current political climate, especially, that's a heck-uv-a deal.
hardluk1
member
I hate the smith only guys like they don't have there own group of problems lately. There are good revolvers across the field of brands just find the one you like. I personaly own no smiths . I do have Dan Wessons, Taurus and Charter and in 30 years have not had a problem that I did not cause . NO manufactor problems. Even my newest one ,the charter arms ultra light has around 850 or so through it but i also set around with snap caps and fire it hundreds of times a week also. Now if i did want a smith it would be a well used one. My old taurus has thousands through it and the DW much closer to 8000 +.
mcgunner your right about those taurus 85 triggers ,smooth as wet glass. Just heavy a heavy revolver by todays standards. Mine still looks basicly like new after all these years. Tried to buy one of those new 13oz taurus's but finally gave up and got the charter, darn light gun.
mcgunner your right about those taurus 85 triggers ,smooth as wet glass. Just heavy a heavy revolver by todays standards. Mine still looks basicly like new after all these years. Tried to buy one of those new 13oz taurus's but finally gave up and got the charter, darn light gun.
Mooseman
Member
I love my Ruger sp101. I bought it new a few years ago for $325. Very sturdy, well put together gun and not too expensive.
MCgunner
Member
Try the Pachmayr Compacs for the small frame Rossis. They allow purchase of all fingers, fill the hand well, and fill in the area behind the trigger guard. I prefer Hogues, myself, but the Pachmayr has worked well on my Rossis.
Well, my 85UL is 13 years old, +P rated, has eaten thousands of rounds. It's 17 ounces, just 4 ounces heavier than the new Ruger. I doubt I could tell much difference in the pocket, frankly. That's why I don't have the raging hots for the LCR right now, good thing since it's going for 475 down here. I also prefer my revolver have SA capability, just my needs. Pocket carry for pure self defense, the Ruger and its DAO would be awesome.
I recently saw a M85SSUL just like mine at a gun shop here going for $420. I gave $289 for mine. I'm not sure 420 qualifies as "budget" when you can get a Rossi, nice little guns, for under 300. But, I can tell ya, you get a VERY nice DA trigger and a very accurate snubby for the extra cash.
I had a CA 25 years ago. It had a slight timing problem on one cylinder out of the box, still shot okay. I finally sold it cause that bothered me. Now days, I check out any gun, new or used, before I buy, so a CA with a problem, or a Smith with a problem for that matter, wouldn't slip by my inspection. I don't buy SQUAT off the net or in any way sight unseen anymore. I check 'em out before I buy. It minimizes the likelihood of a trip back to the factory.
hardluk1
member
I to don't buy off the net. I can also buy at prices that tend to be lower anyhow from my local general store than what i see on the net. Your taurus is lighter than mine at 21 oz . Its a standard ss model 85 but still a fine shooter . Can't remember what i payed ,to long ago. My charter will never fell like the taurus as far as trigger go's but is good in it's own way. Grip angle is a bit more than tuarus and seems to make the gun feel better/easier to shoot , even my wife likes it better . She said the taurus hurt more to shoot ,go fiqure.. The cylinder gap on this charter is 1/1000 ,thats as tight as i set my my dan wesson's. I payed 328 out the door localy for the CA ultra lite.
MCgunner
Member
The last few revolvers I've bought and some before that, weren't purchased at a gun shop or chain store. I picked 'em up at gun shows. The bigger shows often have bargains. Now that I have a pretty good collection, I kinda prefer the gun show for gun shopping. I can handle the gun, test it, bargain on the price, often. I'll not buy a revolver unless I can check it out first, don't need one bad enough to risk sight unseen. There's less you can tell from an autoloader via inspection and I sorta trust rifles and shotguns to function, but a revolver can be function checked quite easily right at the point of purchase just by inspection.
.001" cylinder gap is a might tight. I think Taurus's limits are .004-.007", something like that. Could gum the works up after a few shots with it set that tight, I'd think.
hardluk1
member
mcgunner i have shot my charter eneough to know that as a cw gun it well work fine . Never seem to run more than a 100 rounds through at a range in a setting anymore and then do a light clean up after. Now the wesson has been set this way for as long as i can remember. The designer of the DW revolvers would set his own revolver 1/1000 gap but they do come with a 6/1000 feeler gage but I always set tighter. The CA works well and i do know that it does also deppends on gun quality control. Tight or right atleast the CA works well and runs very square Now as much as i like my old taurus it has more run out than that.
I don't mind going to a gun show to look but never been lucky enough to find a deal on anything ,,atleast what i want. My local shop i think would be out of the normal for a regular gun shop. They keep a innovatory that can match bass pro and then some and they will let you fondle any gun you want and sell at a discount, except ammo. Plenty of choices but price are retail or slightly above still. But atleast he has plenty most of the time.
You are right that it would seem that rifles and shotguns funtion like they should and quality as overall better than 10 years ago as far as shooting a good grouping from the factory.
I don't mind going to a gun show to look but never been lucky enough to find a deal on anything ,,atleast what i want. My local shop i think would be out of the normal for a regular gun shop. They keep a innovatory that can match bass pro and then some and they will let you fondle any gun you want and sell at a discount, except ammo. Plenty of choices but price are retail or slightly above still. But atleast he has plenty most of the time.
You are right that it would seem that rifles and shotguns funtion like they should and quality as overall better than 10 years ago as far as shooting a good grouping from the factory.
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