Older snubnose revolvers?

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N3rday

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I'm in the market for a small-framed, short-barreled revolver, and I don't really have more than $300 or so to spend. Not knowing much about older revolvers, are there any older (but of quality construction) snubnose revolvers that would retail in my price range? Intended use is concealed carry, perhaps pocket carry but more likely regular IWB carry.

Thanks in advance!
 
I see used S&W 642s and Ruger SP101s for sale in the $300-350 range semi-regularly. Used Tauruses are usually about $250. Police trade in 3in K frames are just over $300 also. You should also be able to find older steel J frames (Mod 36) in that price range as well.
 
Taurus, Rossi and Charter Arms are probably your best bet. If you can find a S&W or a Ruger in your price range then jump on it. Around here the first 3 are pretty easy to find brand new at around that price.
 
I'm a little hesitant to trust a Taurus or Rossi, as I've not heard the most wonderful things about their quality...I'd like this revolver to last a long time, and I'm concerned that they wouldn't.

On the other hand, Rossi is definitely well within my price range, but I'm still skeptical as far as quality is concerned.
 
Smith & Wesson J frame snubbies occasionally show up on the used market in Louisiana for prices under $300. They usually don't stay on the market for long, so if you see one, be prepared to purchase. I'm not sure how frequently this may happen in Texas. $350-400 would improve your odds.

The possibilities are endless, really. When buying used, you must keep looking and hold your money for the right gun. If it takes a bit longer, just add to your money stash to compensate. You might find a Chief's Special, a Centennial, or a Bodyguard. Blue, stainless or lightweight. One thing you can be certain of though, if it's a functional S&W J frame in that price range, the price is right.
 
I'm a little hesitant to trust a Taurus or Rossi, as I've not heard the most wonderful things about their quality
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Yep I know of a case where a guy claimed he accidentialy shot his wife when his hammer got snagged on a rag he was wiping the gun down with.
I'm certain he was lying but the jury heard "Rossi South American manufactured .38"and acquited him.
 
I never thought I'd say this, but MA may actually be of some use to someone in a free state! :neener: My local gunshop has a number of used S&W snubs for under $300. Check out their website: http://fsguns.com/used/

I very friendly with the owner, Carl. He's a great guy, and the shop is fantastic to do business with. Paperwork may cost a bit more than you're use to paying ($40 transfer?), but you can thank the MA legislature and Attorney General for the 848651676 different forms the shop must fill out that drives this price up.
 
I prefer the old Colts Cobra's and Agents, alluminum frames guns. I like the unshrouded guns ( Pre 72). Their pluses are: Six shots not five, No Mim parts, good front sights with excellent control with Tyler grip adapter and best of all "No Lawyer Locks". They are out there and in your price range if you look hard. Best of all the guns will be worth more not less as time goes on. Well build quality from Colt from days gone by.
 
I'm a little hesitant to trust a Taurus or Rossi, as I've not heard the most wonderful things about their quality...I'd like this revolver to last a long time, and I'm concerned that they wouldn't.

On the other hand, Rossi is definitely well within my price range, but I'm still skeptical as far as quality is concerned.
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Well I purchased a Taurus and after taking it apart, it has all the quality machining of a modern S&W J frame. It is a fine pistol. Taurus and Rossi purchased Hundred's of millions of dollars of CNC machines, and their machining is a good as anyone's. And the pistols are good value for the money.

The older Rossi's, which I have an interarms, it shows a lot of file marks in the lockworks. Neat little pistol, but I would not recommend an older one. Have not disassembled a new one, but I have been told that they are coming off the same production lines as the newer Taurus pistols.

As for a Colt. I think the days of finding a used Colt Detective Special for $300.00 are a distant memory. The older the DS the better. Colt pistols from the 70's and 80's show even sloppier file work than my Rossi. Older pistols have precise lockworks. Only a couple of swipes with a file, and the pistol was fitted. The late lockworks look like they were filed from chunks of soap. It is evident that the fitter was handed shapeless lumps, and basically sawed and filed the lockworks to size.

Colt DS's from the 60's or earlier are the absolute best 2" 38 Specials ever built.

And they ain't cheap anymore.


DSCN5643.jpg

RossiM8838SplserialnumberobscuredDS.jpg

ReducedColtDS876150leftsideDSCN5865.jpg
 
I'm a little hesitant to trust a Taurus or Rossi, as I've not heard the most wonderful things about their quality..
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I'm not. I've actually OWNED and FIRED both extensively and I don't believe the bashers based on MY experience, not theirs. Suit yourself, though. In that price range, I'd most definitely consider first and foremost, the Taurus M85, better trigger by far than any Smith J frame and a tough little gun. The Rossis are good guns and their fit and finish has improved. The DA trigger is usable if nothing to brag about and they're generally decently accurate. I have an old interarms M68 I hang on to, very accurate 3" five shot and a little .22 that's accurate beyond all reason. There are bashers of all brands, but Taurus seems to attract the most ire. But, before you go off thinking Smith and Wesson is the do all, end all, read this. If you still believe everything you read, hell, you'll pass on any new revolver. :rolleyes:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/smith-wesson_dark.htm

Like my mama used to tell me, believe half of what you see and none of what you hear/read. I will buy more Tauri in the future and will likely get another Rossi if they come out with something I want. Right now, I have about everything I want in small .38/.357s from Rossi, Taurus, and Ruger (SP101).
 
I think that with $300 to spend you could find a nice older gun. Last year I got these 2" M&Ps three months apart at local gun shows for $200 and $210. It happened that they were both made in 1949 but similar guns made from the 1950s into the 1970s can be found within your budget with some looking.

The various Colt models are great but all Colts have gotten very pricey in recent years and it seems like I see a typical Dick Special with an asking price of $450 and up, these days.


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I sure hope nobody found this post to be "all about me."
 
BTW, if you want a revolver that will last you forever, or at least longer than any other brand, don't buy anything other than a Ruger SP101. :D You wont find anything in Texas in your price range with Smith and Wesson on it that ain't worn out. Best learn how to test timing and such before you go to the used Smith market. Of course, you can always get it rebuilt I guess, if you're willing to go through all that with a worn out revolver. Actually, though, test ANY revolver, new or used, and check play, end shake, and such. Dumb to buy without checking out the goods, kickin' the tires, lookin' under the hood.
 
Any of the older S&W two-digit J frames based on the Model 36 would be good. The pinned barrel ones tend to have the best triggers. I've owned several and liked them. The ultimate is the original--the Colt Detective Special. And you can still find 2nd and 3rd generation ones for three bills and even under.

I just ordered a T-grip for my DS from 1953 along with a trigger shoe. Both in shiny bronze. That's one of my "cold dead fingers" revolvers.

If you can enlarge your definition of "small frame" you can move up to the short-barreled Model 10's or the Security Six line. My favorite magnum is my Speed Six.
 
Any particular reason why it has to be a snubby revolver? I hate to be the guy that recommends something totally different, but $300 will buy you a brand new Kel-Tec P11.
 
Taurus 605 SS - used prices at $250 approx. That covered mine with tax down the street, recently! It's very low mileage.

What is the deal with the shops selling used guns for less than websites?
Oh, did I say that...
 
If you are patient, the right gun will come along. I bought a NIB S&W 637 airweight 2 yrs. ago from a Fed. LEO for $275.00. His agency changed the approved off-duty weapon list a week after he bought the S&W637. He even gave me 2-speed loaders and 50rds. of ammo. My buddy bought a excellent condition S&W 640 (pre-lock) from a NYPD cop for $200.00 last year because the cop wanted a Glock 26 and the local gunshop would only give him a $100.00 credit.
 
If you don't mind them being a little finish challenged, solid Detective Specials, Cobras, an Agents can still be found south of 300 bucks.

Just like trucks you can find a bad example from any maker. If you know how to check them out you'll be fine.

Funnel
 
Vintage Charter Arms Undercover $150ish out the door from a local pawn shop.

Typical ex LEO BUG - Carried lots, shot very little. Nice smooth trigger.

I added the Tyler T-Grip and stock grips.

CharterArmsUndercover.jpg

You wont find anything in Texas in your price range with Smith and Wesson on it that ain't worn out.
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I don't know about that - I hesitated and missed a nice S&W Model 10 snubby from the same pawn shop for $245. It passed the "March Test" with flying colors.

BTW, if you want a revolver that will last you forever, or at least longer than any other brand, don't buy anything other than a Ruger SP101.
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Okay MC, ya got me on that one. In fact I'm trading into a SP101 in .357 this weekend.

rd
 
Charter Arms revolvers have varied in quality over the years. They're down the street from one of my local gunshops now, and it's basically same football, different monkey.
Trying hard not to bore anyone, you want to know when your Charter came out of wherever it came out of. The grips might be carved from Connecticut's famous Charter Oak, or the gun might be a Raven style pot metal grenade, only in .44 special.
 
I just bought a S&W model 37 this afternoon. Like rdranchers charter, this one was a BUG for a LEO. So the finish is kinda nasty, but it's absolutely solid. Carried lots, shot a little. I paid $275.
 
S&W J frame 36's in my area are a dog with the 3" barrel. Can be found as new for $300 They just don't sell near as well as the 2" which they will ask $375 - $400 and not blink an eye.
 
I beg to differ with a few on this site about the prices of Colts. I own four Colts and two are mint shape those ran for $450.00. I own two slightly worn and I mean slight, they are a Colt 1956 Agent and a 1967 Cobra model, both are very tight and the 67 was hardly ever shot. It has some wear on the top strap but only a little. The 56 I paid $275.00 at KTP in Maine a local big name gun shop a less than a month ago. The 67 about 6 month ago for $300.00 at another big name shop here in NH. You can find them but you have to look. The mint guns I have to agree are in the $400.00 to $500.00 range but a slightly used gun which was probably carried a lot and shot very little are out there and you can locate them. I carry my 67 everywhere and it shoots unreal.
Matter of fact if you go to Kittery Trading Post web site and pop up used guns, then pop up revlovers they have a Colt DS 85% for $250.00. I watch this site all the time.
 
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