Revolver for edc.

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Sneakshot92

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I'm looking into a revolver for A ccw piece. I've only got about $450 to spend at this point. I want something with a bit of heft to it because I plan on shooting it regularly. I don't have any significant caliber preferences. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I'll try to keep you all posted.
 
A used Ruger SP101 can sometimes be bought at that price, but the demand may have caused a price increase. It has enough weight to shoot but is compact enough to carry. You could also buy a Taurus or Rossi, but I would hold out for the SP101.
 
I'm looking into a revolver for A ccw piece. I've only got about $450 to spend at this point. I want something with a bit of heft to it because I plan on shooting it regularly. I don't have any significant caliber preferences. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I'll try to keep you all posted.

The issue with snubby revolvers is that they can be difficult to shoot, they are accurate but due to recoil, can be a handful especially if you try to go to very light weight revolvers. One possible solution is to lengthen the barrel a slight amount, 3 inches for example, and go with a heavier frame (steel) with good recoil absorbing grips. For the most part, .357 magnum revolvers are overkill in snubbies.
So, in your price range,
https://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2018/07/ruger-lcrx-38-spl-revolver/ Ruger makes this one using a polymer and steel construction. The polymer absorbs some of the recoil. https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/91066/ruger+lcrx+5rd+38sp++p+187"

Smith's Model 60 is a classic but can snag on a draw unless you use specific drawing techniques so its Smith and Wesson counterpart, the 642 is a good revolver for self defense and it has been around. Might find a used one. https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...mith+&+wesson+m642+pro+38sp++2+mclp+stainless
Don't keep up with Taurus or other makes.

Colt Detectives or Cobras are fine revolvers but likely to be out of your price range even used.

The SP-101 is a fine revolver but scarcely seen as are older Smith K-Frames.

Kind of a tough time to buy firearms as prices are up and selection is down.
A 4 inch barrel can be concealed if necessary with clothing changes and the right holster. Those are one of the better options to find one used. Look for a Model 10 S&W as they are around used.
 
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I'm looking into a revolver for A ccw piece. I've only got about $450 to spend at this point. I want something with a bit of heft to it because I plan on shooting it regularly. I don't have any significant caliber preferences. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I'll try to keep you all posted.
It sounds like you're describing a sp101.
If you dont have much experience shooting a snub, expect to shoot 500rds getting the hang of it. 20180829_072814.jpg
 
Charter arms bulldog 45 colt

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I'm totally on board with this. If .45 Colt is a bit tough to find in your neighborhood, check out the Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 acp. 400-ish easily and a really solid gun.

The .45 Bulldog is on my short list. If the Pitbull didnt scratch my big bore itch, the Bulldog would have been purchased by now.
 
A Charter Arms would be my choice. A 6 shot Police Undercover is .38 +P rated and the size of the Colt Detective Special. That gives you some money left over for an ankle rig, and a IWB holster. The gun has a lifetime warranty. I also would pick up a Pachmayr grip.

Or a Bulldog in .44 spl. 5 shots of nearly a 1/2" of lead lumbering along at .45acp speed and power. It is on the same size frame as the Det. Spl as well. You could use the same holsters as above too.

.38 spl ammo is easier to obtain and has an extra round for the same size gun as the Bulldog...but it's hard to argue with a 240 gr bullet at 800 fps. That's why my EDC is a Bulldog.

***Pics from the internet.
 

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$450 is a bit low. New revolvers are quite expensive. You'll need to go with a used one. But, you'll still pay the difference in gun smithing. This gun is for carry; it is not a range toy and it will protect your life. Going cheap with an off-brand is not the way to go. You would be better off to wait, save your lunch money for awhile, and get a gun when you have enough cash to pay for the gun and some mods.

My general guidelines are:

1) Magnum caliber gun carried with magnum ammunition.
2) 3 1/2" or 4" barrel. This gives you sight radius, good terminal ballistics and some recoil dampening.
3) Custom stocks. Herretts Stocks Jordan Troopers are the way to go and they don't make stocks for all makes and models.
4) Pinned front sight so you can swap it out.

Trigger job, chamfer chambers, and radiusing the trigger will improve the feel of the gun and how it shoots.

I do recommend going with S&W or Colt. I know many dislike current S&W's, but they can be made into good guns. I personally prefer S&W N-Frames in 357 with eight shots or in 44 Magnum with six shots. A 3" N-Frame makes a good 44 Special shooter, and carries well, but a 4" barrel is better. The last generation which is now gone preferred longer barrels on their revolvers for a reason.
 
I would look for a mid-sized frame with a 4" barrel. Bigger guns are hard to conceal and somewhat uncomfortable. Smaller guns are hard to shoot.

I think older S&Ws are hard to beat, but good luck finding one in your price range. Rugers are probably a little more available, but maybe not by much, especially during end times.

The Charter Arms suggestion is a good one. I also would check out the pawn shops for Taurus and Rossi. I recently came across a well-used 4" Taurus 669 for $350. It would not win a beauty contest, but was reputed to be a functional handgun.

I personally would be happiest with a .357, but would take a .38 or .44 Special.

Good luck!
 
I own a bunch of revolvers. The one I actually carry is a Ruger LCR 38 special. It's light enough that I can carry it in a cargo pocket and not even notice that it's there.

To shoot at the range I prefer my long-barreled steel revolvers, but to carry around all day the LCR is much more convenient.

I don't know what they cost NiB these days, but it's probably in the OP's price range.

I put the slightly larger LCRx grips on mine because of my XXL hands. I bought it used a few years ago, and the original owner had been kind enough to put a high visibility front sight on it. It's not painful to shoot and is more than accurate enough for SD.

 
Ruger SP101 in .38 Spl/.357 Magnum. Heavy enough to make the hot .38's easy shooting, strong enough to outlast you and me both.

An SP101 is on my wish list. I just can't scrape up the $625 ish that my local spots are asking.
 
An SP101 is on my wish list. I just can't scrape up the $625 ish that my local spots are asking.
Look on Grabagun. Ruger SP101, blued, 5 shot, .357 Magnum; priced at $469.


Also, for all that is holy and righteous, don't get one of those useless tinker toy NAA mini revolvers. Most people can barely manipulate them on the square range, let alone in the most important fight of their life when your suffering *the biggest* adrenaline dump your ever gonna have.
 
^Brother, Mr Mosin got it right, stay away from NAA, only good as a third backup last stand gun.
I absolutely despise those useless things. Good only for a novelty or prison pocket carry. If you can't carry an LCP or Baby Browning, you need to reconsider your location and your choice of clothing. As a manufacturer, I can't critique their quality. Good made guns. Just... every unsuitable for use in self defense. I'd personally love it if they made their little top break to scale of the old S&W's or Iver Johnson's. But alas, it seems only a pipe dream.
 
My EDC revolver is a Colt Cobra (2019). But you won't find one of those for $400.00. I doubt you'll find many quality revolvers for $400 or less, even used unless you just run up on a deal. Maybe a Charter Arms... The problem is a small revolver is HARD to shoot well. It takes a lot of practice. Practice takes ammo and range time, something in short supply these days.

If I wanted a SD gun, and only had $400 to spend, I'd be looking for semi-auto...and I'm a dyed in the wool revolver gun. A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of Ruger Security 9's (compacts). I think the price for one was about $270...something like that. They were on sale, but I think the regular price is around $300.

That's a lot of gun for $300. And an extra magazine is included.

Of course you still have the ammo and range time problems.
 
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