Best budget revolves under $350

[joeydonuts]

the discription says it all, looking for a reliable budget revolver 357/38
Someone said EAA windercator.

 

[Acera]

I got a 7 shot Stainless .357 Taurus for less than that, slightly used. It's been reliable and fun to shoot. Plenty of folks will take a dump on any Taurus product, but this one has worked out for me pretty well.



.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I think the best deal in that price range is the Smith and Wesson model 10 trade ins.
They're just .38s, but we will look back one day and wish they were that price again. One day soon.

http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_211_431.html

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree a used S&W M10 is a good idea. If you want new the Charter Arms revolvers are very good guns. https://charterfirearms.com

Edit: It seems Charter Arms is no longer making the longer barrel revolvers except in a .22 Magnum. Sorry.

 

[XtremeConditions]

Armscor / Rock Island M200-series seems like a nice deal for well under $300. Big to carry, but a nice cheap home defense gun / backup, and so on. Below is the M206, the snub variant. Def considering one myself. After I've moved out of NY that is.

 

[steven58]

I just bought an "as new" S&W 638 for about that ($350)

 

[steven58]

 

[Mn Fats]

What will it be used for? Ccw? Paper punching? Smith, ruger, colt vs Taurus, charter, armscor etc. posts can be found on nearly every gun forum. You get what you pay for. A new Blackhawk can be had for $100 over your price range in most areas. If your set on $350 look in the used market. I picked up a mint cond. Dan Wesson 15 with holster for $375.

 

[C-grunt]

I had an EAA Windicator many years ago. Ill have to look back in my forums history to see If I said anything about it but I dont remember having any problems with it. I do remember it being a rough gun.

For 350 bucks I would pick a used S&W model 10 over a Windicator any day of the week.

 

[C-grunt]

Okay I searched my old threads and found that I did write about problems with the Windicator here back in 2006. I posted that the cylinder would seize up sometimes and cases would stick in the cylinders.

 

[Mn Fats]

Lots of model 10 suggestions. EAA windicator by op doesn't necessarily mean hes looking for a snub. Really not enough info here.

 

[joeydonuts]

I mainly want it for camping and hiking in the white mountains of NH

 

[bannockburn]

joeydonuts

I would agree with those who say a used S&W would be the way to go in a reliable .38/.357 revolver.

steven68

You got a great deal on a neat little .38!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If camping is the use, and black bears are a concern, then I think a 357 is a good idea. (NOT STARTING A BEAR DEBATE!!!!)

A used GP100 or SP101 (3 or 4" barrel version) would be my answer, with preference going to the GP100. I don't know what kind of shape it'd be in for that price though. The GP and SP designs are very robust, and lockup and timing seem less likely to be an issue on a used gun. Also, even if its a little beat up, you can polish the stainless steel with Mother's Mag Polish to brighten it up.

A used Smith would probably serve you well also, but for camping I would desire a 357 full sized gun, and I think price may be an issue if pursuing that.

Have you considered a single action? A used Black Hawk could probably be found for the $350 range. It may be plenty adequate for camping too.

 

[Zendude]

For a new 357, Taurus and Charter Arms are your best bets at that price. Charter's customer service is excellent. I have two newer model Charters and really like both.

 

[MedWheeler]

In the last six months or so, I've picked up three DA/SA revolvers I'm very pleased with (well, with two of them; I've yet to shoot the third, but it's very well-fit.)
All are in .38, and all are five shooters. The first, a 3-inch stainless Taurus 85, made in 1995, is a great shooter, tightly-fit, and downright purty to the eyes. Price was $300 OTD from a local pawn shop. Number two is a stainless Charter Arms Undercover, made around 1985, picked up at a LGS for about $205 OTD. It's a 2-inch, so not as slick a shooter as the Taurus, but makes a great compliment to the other two Undercover revolvers I own (1987 and 1966 vintages.)

The third is a 1978-ish vintage Rossi M68 with a 2.5 inch barrel. Got that maybe two weeks ago from the same pawn shop as the Taurus, for $180 OTD. A bit finish-worn, but feels excellent in the hand and passes all my revolver checkouts well.

Of these, for the purposes the OP suggests, I'd take the Taurus.

I think your options, when shopping new, are pretty well covered by others here.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think the best deal in that price range is the Smith and Wesson model 10 trade ins.
They're just .38s, but we will look back one day and wish they were that price again. One day soon.

http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_211_431.html

That would be my suggestion as well. I personally avoid buying Charter Arms or Rossi revolvers. They shoot, but I like "more". So, if you can find a Smith in your price range, then it is a win win to me.

I don't own a Taurus revolver for reasons similar to my Charter Arms comment. But I have very seriously considered their compact 41 magnum. My take is that Taurus revolvers are okay in centerfire calibers, but less desireable in rimfire. I'm a rimfire guy, so I sort of default to S&W in most cases these days. I would inspect one at the gun shop as best I could if I bought a Taurus (even a new one).

 

[Stephanie B]

A used Blackhawk for .357 or a Model 10 with .38+P. Might be able to find a Security Six. Whichever. there is a ten-page guide to checking used revolvers that is worth perusing.

 

[EternalKnight]

The Rossi revolvers are inexpensive and my friends is very reliable. I wouldn't carry his though because it has the easiest revolver trigger I've shot. They are covered by Taurus warranty. A used Smith or Ruger would be better for most situations.

 

[tommy.duncan]

I see S&W 442 and 642's for sale, used and in good condition, between 250 & 300 dollars.

 

[MedWheeler]

EternalKnight writes, of his friend's Rossi:

I wouldn't carry his though because it has the easiest revolver trigger I've shot.

That's a rare complaint about revolvers. I'm not sure I get it. I thought people prefer easier triggers...

 

[greyling22]

An old security 6, a used Taurus 66. Might be able to find a used Colt single action replica.

 

[straightshooterjake]

I would rather have a used Smith & Wesson model 10 than any new revolver that is available for less than $350. If you are getting a used revolver, it is important to have it checked out by someone who can make sure it is mechanically sound. But many trade in model 10s are worn cosmetically but mechanically fine.

Note, that a model 10 is a fixed sight .38 special. If you need 357 magnum or adjustable sights, that will be tough on your budget.

Of course, this is just my opinion, but I'd rather have a used Smith or Ruger than a new revolver of another brand.

 

[Poohgyrr]

I'd prefer a good used S&W; but a new, heavier, CA should work. Just remember that the lighter a revolver is, the more recoil it has.

The model 10 S&W's are the standard.

 

[Pyro]

I've got an Armscor M209 revolver such as xtreme conditions. I think I paid $275 for it new. It is DOA with a bobbed hammer. Fill it with bullets and it goes bang each time.