It doesn't get any more basic than a 38 revolver. The bread and butter guns for Colt and Smith & Wesson for decades, the 38 Special revolver was the standard police sidearm for most of the 20th century and they will still get the job done in my opinion.
Always generally available, after about 1990 police trade in revolvers flooded the used gun market and I bought with wild abandon. Many of my 38s have law enforcement associations, others have civilian histories. Here are a couple I have acquired over the years.
Got this Heavy Duty from a dealer at a Denver show about a decade back for $195. Most of the finish is gone from many years riding in a cop's holster, it works just fine. Used it to take top revolver at a combat match.
This letters as shipped to "Louisiana University" campus police and I don't know if that's the U of LA or LA State U or what. I paid $165 for it at a Salt Lake City show about 15 years ago. I made the polished stags (even inset the medallions) and I like the look.
Got this off Gunbroker about five years ago for $185. Recently added the ivory stocks for $225 (sad when the stocks cost more than the gun) and I think it exudes style and panache despite the wear to the finish.
Another Gunbroker snag, this 1909 Colt underwent a barrel swap at some point and wears stocks from the late 1950s. But I thought it was worth the $350 I paid for it.
Feel free to add photos of your 38 wheelguns.
Always generally available, after about 1990 police trade in revolvers flooded the used gun market and I bought with wild abandon. Many of my 38s have law enforcement associations, others have civilian histories. Here are a couple I have acquired over the years.
Got this Heavy Duty from a dealer at a Denver show about a decade back for $195. Most of the finish is gone from many years riding in a cop's holster, it works just fine. Used it to take top revolver at a combat match.
This letters as shipped to "Louisiana University" campus police and I don't know if that's the U of LA or LA State U or what. I paid $165 for it at a Salt Lake City show about 15 years ago. I made the polished stags (even inset the medallions) and I like the look.
Got this off Gunbroker about five years ago for $185. Recently added the ivory stocks for $225 (sad when the stocks cost more than the gun) and I think it exudes style and panache despite the wear to the finish.
Another Gunbroker snag, this 1909 Colt underwent a barrel swap at some point and wears stocks from the late 1950s. But I thought it was worth the $350 I paid for it.
Feel free to add photos of your 38 wheelguns.
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