Beater handguns
- Thread starter Buckeye63
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BSA1
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There is a strong market for basic 3" and 4" 38 Special revolvers especially as States such as California and New York move to restricting ammo capacity and banning semi-autos. (Colt are you listening with your Police Positive?)
Another S&W Model 10 no lock is my list but they are hard to find in my area at a affordable price.
Another S&W Model 10 no lock is my list but they are hard to find in my area at a affordable price.
Tallball
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The Taurus G2 is probably a pretty good beater for most folks. Mine hasn't accompanied me around town since I got my G26, but it is cheap and reliable. The trigger is weird and the blueing doesn't hold up well (get stainless for $20 more), but my family and friends have have also had good experiences with them.
I haven't have a Taurus 82, but I've had several apiece of the older 85's and 66's. The ones I've had from the early to mid-80's and maybe up to 1990 have been very good shooters.
Maybe these aren't exactly "beaters", but here are some Taurii...
I got this G2 for around $250 OTD. It's a good shooter. I paid something like $20 extra for stainless, since my friends and relatives had told me how weak the blued finish is. This is a picture of it pretty near brand-new, but it looks about the same these days. It was eventually retired in favor of a G26, but it's still a perfectly good pistol. It's nice to be able to shove it into my tackle box or whatever. It's a good shooter, but it's worth pretty much squat, so if it gets scratched by fishing lures or beat up by keys or gnawed on by squirrels, it really doesn't matter.
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My first "real" handgun was a blued 4" Taurus Model 66 that I bought almost new in 1988 or so. It had a great trigger and was my main HD weapon until it was stolen in a burglary in 1999 or so. I replaced it with a used Model 689 that I got at a LGS for $199. Eventually I put some eBay Thailand grips on the 689. The trigger is possibly as good as its predecessor. It's my preferred HD handgun to this day. It looks pretty, but I have about $239 into it total, and there is no reason to baby it.
My first "real CC handgun" was a Taurus Model 85 from the late 1980's. It had an excellent trigger. Unfortunately, it was stolen in the same burglary as my Model 66. I replaced it with a new "ultra-light" Model 85 that I bought soon after the original was stolen. It cost me something like $250 OTD, IIRC. Its trigger is kind of mediocre. I ground off most of the hammer spur to make it "snag-proof" (which it is, moreso than you would think according to the picture). I carried it a lot until I replaced it with an LCR. It's still my preferred "back pocket taking the dog for a walk" gun. It's been treated roughly for around 20 years, goes bang every time, and is accurate if you are used to the trigger.
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I haven't have a Taurus 82, but I've had several apiece of the older 85's and 66's. The ones I've had from the early to mid-80's and maybe up to 1990 have been very good shooters.
Maybe these aren't exactly "beaters", but here are some Taurii...
I got this G2 for around $250 OTD. It's a good shooter. I paid something like $20 extra for stainless, since my friends and relatives had told me how weak the blued finish is. This is a picture of it pretty near brand-new, but it looks about the same these days. It was eventually retired in favor of a G26, but it's still a perfectly good pistol. It's nice to be able to shove it into my tackle box or whatever. It's a good shooter, but it's worth pretty much squat, so if it gets scratched by fishing lures or beat up by keys or gnawed on by squirrels, it really doesn't matter.
View media item 1591
My first "real" handgun was a blued 4" Taurus Model 66 that I bought almost new in 1988 or so. It had a great trigger and was my main HD weapon until it was stolen in a burglary in 1999 or so. I replaced it with a used Model 689 that I got at a LGS for $199. Eventually I put some eBay Thailand grips on the 689. The trigger is possibly as good as its predecessor. It's my preferred HD handgun to this day. It looks pretty, but I have about $239 into it total, and there is no reason to baby it.
My first "real CC handgun" was a Taurus Model 85 from the late 1980's. It had an excellent trigger. Unfortunately, it was stolen in the same burglary as my Model 66. I replaced it with a new "ultra-light" Model 85 that I bought soon after the original was stolen. It cost me something like $250 OTD, IIRC. Its trigger is kind of mediocre. I ground off most of the hammer spur to make it "snag-proof" (which it is, moreso than you would think according to the picture). I carried it a lot until I replaced it with an LCR. It's still my preferred "back pocket taking the dog for a walk" gun. It's been treated roughly for around 20 years, goes bang every time, and is accurate if you are used to the trigger.
View media item 1816
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HPCadm17
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I consider my Glocks (20,21) beaters, except the 19x which I daily carry during the Winter. My only revolver is an EAA Windicator 4" .357mag beater. Com to think of it, I don't really have a "nice" gun anymore. Even my long guns are beaters (Remington 870x and Savage Axis .270 w/Boyd's stock). None of them are fancy but they have proven themselves to be reliable and capable. I plan to pick up a nice "heirloom" 1911 and maybe a Dan Wesson revolver some day, but for now everything in the collection is intended to be used and abused without consideration of resale or trade-in value.
I've had many different guns over the years. I guess I would call the "beater" handgun was an early model Colt detective special. It was originally nickel plated but most of that was long gone. Function was spot on as I kept it that way. I sold it to a friend long ago when he was in need of a gun and had little cash to spend. He was happy with the price at $100 and I was happy to help him out. I am now getting down to few guns as I am not able to use many of them due to health and mobility issues. Sold some and gave some away to friends and family. My shooting days are pretty much over. I keep a revolver in .32 H&R Magnum for SD and can still take care of myself with that one until I have to move into assisted living or nursing home. It is going to feel a lot different without having a friend along side my bed. The rest will be gone soon. So I guess I am now the beater.
CajunBass
Member
I've got a couple of guns I'd call beaters. Having said that, I won's set them down on anything hard, not even a tabletop, unless I can put something soft between the two. 
Smith and Wesson Model 28-2. Well worn, with some finish missing, light pitting, and aftermarket grips but it's still a gun I really like.
I freely admit though it's not likely to be used for anything but a range toy, due to it's size and weight. I'm just too old and lazy to lug it around.
One I have a better chance of actually using is an old Taurus 82, 3" barrel, 38 that I got for cheap. I could see myself carrying this one from time to time. In the meantime, it's my nightstand gun (with a folded wash cloth between it and the table). Pay no attention to that missing screw. It's been replaced.
Smith and Wesson Model 28-2. Well worn, with some finish missing, light pitting, and aftermarket grips but it's still a gun I really like.
I freely admit though it's not likely to be used for anything but a range toy, due to it's size and weight. I'm just too old and lazy to lug it around.
One I have a better chance of actually using is an old Taurus 82, 3" barrel, 38 that I got for cheap. I could see myself carrying this one from time to time. In the meantime, it's my nightstand gun (with a folded wash cloth between it and the table). Pay no attention to that missing screw. It's been replaced.
mrmike7189
Member
My beater is a used Ruger P94DAO, ex cop gun, got it for $295. Stainless steel slide, aluminum frame, heavy. I replaced the grips, and some springs, and it runs like a champ! It's my home defense, range toy, winter carry gun and it takes a beating.
Love the old Rugers, they are tough guns
Love the old Rugers, they are tough guns
MedWheeler
Member
Tallball writes:
Funny.. my first handgun was also a Taurus 66, blued, purchased new in 1987, and it was also stolen in a burglary, though that was in 1989, and it was recovered about two or three years later. Mine was (is) also a pretty good shooter, and I even carried it on the job for a little while (I'd started in LE not long after getting it.)
Funny.. my first handgun was also a Taurus 66, blued, purchased new in 1987, and it was also stolen in a burglary, though that was in 1989, and it was recovered about two or three years later. Mine was (is) also a pretty good shooter, and I even carried it on the job for a little while (I'd started in LE not long after getting it.)
I should define what my beater gun is....it’s my Gen3 Glock 17.
The only thing that doesn’t classify it as a beater is the fact that I bought it new and so I didn’t get a great deal on it. I’ve owned it 10 years and I’ve put about 25K rounds through it, including every brand of factory 9mm and some reloads as well. I can’t remember the last gun malf I’ve had with this one, although it did have some ammo malfs with some Russian Wolf steelcase ammo, so that’s “NBD”. It’s practically stock, the only part I’ve ever replaced is the recoil spring assy. I have a Grip Force Adapter and a Hogue mono grip on it. It still has the stock plastic front & rear dovetail protector sight, but I’ve ordered Wilson Combat Vickers Elite F.O. front & blind battlesight rear sights for it. I’d rather shoot it than keep it meticulously clean so it goes to the range rather than rides on my hip, but I did carry it a few years back. I think a proper beater should usually have a little powder residue on it!
The only thing that doesn’t classify it as a beater is the fact that I bought it new and so I didn’t get a great deal on it. I’ve owned it 10 years and I’ve put about 25K rounds through it, including every brand of factory 9mm and some reloads as well. I can’t remember the last gun malf I’ve had with this one, although it did have some ammo malfs with some Russian Wolf steelcase ammo, so that’s “NBD”. It’s practically stock, the only part I’ve ever replaced is the recoil spring assy. I have a Grip Force Adapter and a Hogue mono grip on it. It still has the stock plastic front & rear dovetail protector sight, but I’ve ordered Wilson Combat Vickers Elite F.O. front & blind battlesight rear sights for it. I’d rather shoot it than keep it meticulously clean so it goes to the range rather than rides on my hip, but I did carry it a few years back. I think a proper beater should usually have a little powder residue on it!
tubeshooter
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I have been resisting this thread for awhile, but I have finally failed. So, after...
I will state that in MY collection what I will list as of now (in no particular order) is:
I also reserve complete faith in any of my pocket autos - particularly the rimfire variety.
So in a way they are also "beater" status. Or at least a lesser status...
In the relative recent past I have had a couple of cracks at some Taurus .38 Special revos for about $200. I passed both times. If I had bought them, they would have been listed here.
That's my answer. Apologies to any who may be offended by my beater list in any way.
- rehashing that I don't really treat my stuff with beater treatment, yet
- most/all of what I own is beater material in the big picture, and
- what a beater really means to me (most people's definition),
I will state that in MY collection what I will list as of now (in no particular order) is:
- a Model 10-5,
- a Bersa Thunder .380
- a Stainless Single Six 5.5"
I also reserve complete faith in any of my pocket autos - particularly the rimfire variety.
So in a way they are also "beater" status. Or at least a lesser status...
In the relative recent past I have had a couple of cracks at some Taurus .38 Special revos for about $200. I passed both times. If I had bought them, they would have been listed here.
That's my answer. Apologies to any who may be offended by my beater list in any way.
35 Whelen
Member
I've always been attracted to beater firearms with one caveat; they MUST be more accurate than they should be. To that end I have a couple.
Two or three months ago I found an ad for a Ruger Police Service Six .38 Special for $199 delivered. It was an issue revolver at the Cooke Co. hospital in Chicago. It must've been carried Mexican style by someone who sweated profusely because the finish is in bad shape, has light rust and some pitting on the right side of the barrel.
But it more than meets the criteria for accuracy-
I found a .357 cylinder and crane assembly for a song, and popped it in so now I have a beater .357.
Another that I picked up is a Uberti SA in 44-40 I picked up several years ago. It appears the original owner was a CAS shooter because it was modified internally in ways it shouldn't have been. I fixed all that fitted a.44 Special cylinder to it. In the years since then I've carried it constantly when fencing, working cattle, cutting firewood, etc. and even hunted with it, taking a few deer and a hog. I've fired it more than all my other revolvers combined, with round count somewhere around 3,000.
It's always been a very accurate revolver, and still is, but she's beginning to loosen up from the pounding of hunting loads. So I'll either have to retire or rebuild her one day.
35W
Two or three months ago I found an ad for a Ruger Police Service Six .38 Special for $199 delivered. It was an issue revolver at the Cooke Co. hospital in Chicago. It must've been carried Mexican style by someone who sweated profusely because the finish is in bad shape, has light rust and some pitting on the right side of the barrel.
But it more than meets the criteria for accuracy-
I found a .357 cylinder and crane assembly for a song, and popped it in so now I have a beater .357.
Another that I picked up is a Uberti SA in 44-40 I picked up several years ago. It appears the original owner was a CAS shooter because it was modified internally in ways it shouldn't have been. I fixed all that fitted a.44 Special cylinder to it. In the years since then I've carried it constantly when fencing, working cattle, cutting firewood, etc. and even hunted with it, taking a few deer and a hog. I've fired it more than all my other revolvers combined, with round count somewhere around 3,000.
It's always been a very accurate revolver, and still is, but she's beginning to loosen up from the pounding of hunting loads. So I'll either have to retire or rebuild her one day.
35W
icanthitabarn
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Tallball
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It's a small world! I had one of those when I was in my 20's. I bought one recently for old-time's sake and discovered it had problems. I've ordered the parts to fix it, and it should be back in working order within a week. Mine were imported by FIE and EAA respectively, but I'm pretty sure all of them are based on the Beretta 1934 and made by Tanfoglio.
icanthitabarn
Member
I am on the third firing pin. Parts can be tough to find A new mag, last yr, was a nightmare to get my hands on. Hope you get yours good and fixed soon.
jlmwrite
Member
In the early '80s, my beater was a Browning Hi-Power (still have it, still amazed how well it fits my hand and still amazed how well it shoots). After I ETS'd from the Army in the '90s, I missed my Beretta 92 so much I carried a 92FS til it qualified as a beater (I reconditioned it and looks almost new and still shoots perfectly). These days I use and abuse an LEO trade-in Glock 17 G3 that saw considerable wear and tear before I got it. After I put another 5000 rounds thru it in all kinds of weather, it truly is my beater of choice -- especially if it's gonna be raining or muddy.
someguy2800
Member
That would be my Star model BM. I got it in very well worn condition and I don't mind putting more wear on it.
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GunnyUSMC
Member
You need to upgrade that holster.
if you have a rural king- they have an online presence also- they have the taurus g2 on sale for 179.99 with a 25.00 rebate right now stainless 199.00
https://www.rkguns.com/catalogsearc...mpaign=March+2019&utm_content=2019-03-31+Gotw
https://www.rkguns.com/catalogsearc...mpaign=March+2019&utm_content=2019-03-31+Gotw
theotherwaldo
Member
My favorite beater is an old Super Blackhawk that looks like it rolled around under a truck seat for a year or two.
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