In the market - Need Ideas on a Cheapo Snubby

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I'm not a huge revolver man, myself and so I don't really know what is out there. However, I really enjoyed carrying my friend's Taurus ultra lite .38 when he let me borrow it for a week. I enjoyed it's compact nature and it's light weight which makes for a nice change from my regular carry weapon.

I'm essentially looking for a Sat. Night Special* type weapon, something priced less than $175.I'm hoping to find one with some character to it.

What should I be looking for?

*Reliability is prerequisite.

Thanks for your help.
 
I spent 189 dollars on my first snubby.

It's a well-used Colt, made in 1970. It is in perfect mechanical shape, but has holster wear and a few freckles.

I have a Smith & Wesson .38 made in 1930. Has almost no finish left on the right side -- it was a police service revolver. Paid 129 dollars.

Get quality, accept cosmetic issues, and you'll be better off than if you buy a zinc piece of trash that you can't trust.

You can get a good gun in your price range, if you shop carefully, but I would not go looking for a "Saturday-night Special". Go looking for hidden gems, diamonds in the rough, get quality. Figure out how much you want to spend, add fifty or a hundred bucks to that, carry cash, and go to pawn shops, flea markets, haunt gun shops that sell used guns. Check them out carefully, and make cash offers. You will get a gun sooner or later.
 
IF you are not opposed to the "previously owned", look for a snubby Mdl 10 S&W. Probably still under $250...or a Ruger Service/Speed/Security six..tougher to find for $250.

Some folks don't like them, but take a look at the new Charter Arms

{Foggy says, while dodging assorted rotten fruits & veggies tossed his way} New Charter .38Spl Undercover 5-shot MSRP is $330

Not sure what you would find for under $200, particularly in New Stuff
 
For that price, it'll have to be something used, perhaps a used Rossi. Rossis are good little guns. New ones are around 250 now, I think. Might find a used Charter, but I wasn't real impressed with mine and sold it. Rossis, though, are nice little guns. I don't think you're going to find much else for 175. Might start thinking Makarov or something.
 
UglyPoorMan, that is funny.

I did say that reliability is a prerequisite in spite of the cheaper cost that I am looking for. I don't really have any qualms about weapons that go boom at the proper time.

I have looked at some Charter Arms actually, though I've never fired one. SOG offers them for ~250 or so.

I'm also considering a Rhom Model 40.
 
For that price, it'll have to be something used, perhaps a used Rossi. Rossis are good little guns. New ones are around 250 now, I think. Might find a used Charter, but I wasn't real impressed with mine and sold it. Rossis, though, are nice little guns.
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What didn't you like about your Charter?
 
I have had the older Charters and the new Charter. The older ones were borderline on okay. The new ones suck. They are manufactured inexpensively and you get what you pay for.

The cylinder stop is a punched out piece of sheet metal. The cylinder crane/yoke is held on by a machine screw, as opposed to a piece that actually goes back into the frame of the gun.

The new one developed pretty bad front to rear cylinder movement after about 100 rounds of standard .38's. They basically rattle apart.

Do yourself a favor. Get $300 together and get a used Smith.
 
IF you are not opposed to the "previously owned", look for a snubby Mdl 10 S&W.
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....sound advice; one can still find most places a "finish-challenged" 2" Model 10, in sound mechanical condition, for around $200. In my book you can't go wrong with such a classic. What does it matter if the finish is not perfect ?...you are going to carry it any way, not offer it up in sacrifice to the "Snubby Gods". ;)

- regards
 
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I picked up a SS Rossi M885 a few weeks back in 95% for $249 for the hot GA summer. It points and shoots well and 38+p are very controllable and comfortable from this gun. Would recommend.
 
I did say that reliability is a prerequisite in spite of the cheaper cost that I am looking for. I don't really have any qualms about weapons that go boom at the proper time.

I have looked at some Charter Arms actually, though I've never fired one. SOG offers them for ~250 or so.
Click to expand...

There are two major ways to learn. One is from the wisdom of other people, those who have real knowledge. The other is by acquiring real knowledge yourself.

That second way is usually more expensive but it builds a fund of stories you will draw on for the rest of your life. You get to be one of the people who can say "When I was young and foolish and believed that nobody else knew more than I did ...."

Learn to say it with a smile. :)
 
Don't know about the new Charters but I had one of the older Charco .38 snubs. It was my first snub purchase and like you I was looking for something cheap. I got what I paid for. Not too long after I gladly bought a S&W 442.
 
The way I see it, if you have the desire to go cheap on a carry gun, that's saying you're physical wellbeing is cheap. If you feel you and your family are worth a bit more tan "cheap", then look a bit higher up the totempole. You'll very much so get what you pay for in most circumstances. I can't say I'd opt to use a cheap gun as something to count io to protect me or my family.
For not a lot of money you can easily find a very good Ruger SP101 or a dcent Smith. They're not cheap but rather less expensive. ;) There is a difference.
 
IMHO spend a little more and pick up an S&W. You won't regret it. If you can find a Rossi in your price range, then that would also be a good solution. However, I would spend a little bit more... I recently found a S&W Mod. 37 nickel for $275 - going to try to talk to shop down on it, but there are definitely deals on S&Ws for not much more than you are looking to spend.
 
I'm also considering a Rhom Model 40
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No!
Don't!
Walk away faster than you walk away from overbeating your pancakes!
Don't buy Rhom!
Don't! They are not good!
(I'd look at used Tauri, Charter, and Rossi, or if you're lucky, Smith)
 
Go inexpensive not cheap except blemishes and other cosmetic issues.
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Isn't it a Saturday Night Special because of the cost I am looking for? I have the mentality that not all things cheap suck, even though most do. I am looking for a good, cheap gun.

When I first posted this thread I thought to myself, "They are going to take one look at the request and think I am looking for a cheap murder weapon and aren't going to give any real suggestions" but so far I appreciate the responses.

I found a S&W Model 10 on GunsAmerica for $200:

wm_834158.jpg

When I say I am looking for character, I am referring to a desire to have a "well used" arm that shows wear and tear. I like the Model 10, but am looking for a Snub nosed weapon. Any suggestions on a S&W like that?
 
You can't beat that gun right there, vis-a-vis. Pinned barrel, finish worn, but will do anything that you can need a pistol to do. Find one just like that in a 2" barrel, but buy that one or one like it, too. Or buy that one and have the barrel changed out for a 2".

I am most tempted every time I see a gun just like that one, for about that price, and sometimes I give in. My first one was a pencil barrel, and was 210 dollars.

If I run into a round butt K frame with a two or three inch tube in the next few months, I'm probably not going to resist temptation too hard. Even square butt will be hard to resist. All the better if the finish is just like the one in your picture.
 
I found a S&W Model 10 on GunsAmerica for $200
Click to expand...

Add shipping costs and a transfer fee and you're up in the cost of really good used gun locally or a very good new gun locally. Buying online is usaully best for the harder to find stuff unless it's a screamingly good deal. Check locally in your area.
 
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