Which 38 for range use?

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adcoch1

adcoch1

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I am looking into a range gun for my wife and kids. I am torn between a cz75 or a 38/357 revolver. I have been avoiding 357 for years since i shoot a lot of 44, but the size, recoil, and balance of a 3"-4" 38 just seems like it would be perfect for my wife and 10 yr old. I will be loading for this gun so ammo cost isn't really a concern, but i may carry it occasionally so probably not looking for a 12" barrel. Cosmetics don't matter as much as good grips do (have shot a few 357s that i didn't like due to grips) and basic affordability is high on the list. Good trigger and good sights are high on the list too. So guys and gals, whats the best gun for what i'm looking for? S&W, Taurus, Rossi, Iver Johnson, etc. 44Spl wouldn't be out of the equation either, but i think a 38 might fit the bill better. What say you?

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I'm an unapologetic S&W fanboy, er, fanoldman, so take this with salt. I'd look for either a Model 15 (blued) or 67 (stainless). These are called Combat Masterpieces, and I believe they are indeed masterpieces of the gunmakers art. Commonly found with 4" barrel. Adjustable sights, great balance. Mine are very accurate and pleasant to shoot. But they are .38 Special only. If you must have a .357, then a Model 65 or 66. Both stainless. There are newer versions of .357/.38 by S&W that meet your criteria, but I'm not up to speed and can only recommend what I know.
 
Yeah i drool over every combat masterpiece i pick up. I love the wide trigger. S&W named them right. I get lost on naming conventions and model numbers on Smith's, i just know what i like when i pick them up. A dedicated 38 is fine since that's what i plan on shooting in it.

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Tallball that would work. Mt daughter loves the single six so that would be logical. Hmmm i was thinking double action but a Blackhawk would work great... kinda heavy though.

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I’ll second what Coyote3855 said since I’m also a “S&W fanboy.” But I will add a model 19 which is a 357 magnum equivalent of the model 15. If your wife and son have small hands, a slightly smaller S&W “J” frame size might be more comfortable for them. Available in just about any caliber up through [357 that also fires 38 specials].
 
How much is a model 15 or 19 going for nowadays? Most of the ones i see at gunshows are really expensive at least around here(sw Washington)

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adcoch1 said:
How much is a model 15 or 19 going for nowadays? Most of the ones i see at gunshows are really expensive at least around here(sw Washington)

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One in very good condition w/o extras (box, papers,......) $500 to $600.
 
I'm also a Smith and Wesson person. That mostly set in when I started working on all of the major revolver manufacturer's offerings. So there's my bias. That said, I think a Model 15 or K38 would be great choices in .38 double action revolvers. An old Ruger Security Six would last forever as well. Or if you want a single action, a Blackhawk in 4 5/8" would be very handy.
 
I just Google searched the model 14, how many have the full underlug barrel? Is it common? I love that look.

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Depending on pocketbook my first choice would be a S&W Model 19 and if that is a little high I would consider some of the Ruger .357 Magnum revolvers. A S&W Model 19 with a 4" barrel can run anywhere between $600 and right on up to over a grand. A Ruger SP101 will come in under $600 so it is a matter of piggy bank size. The Model 14 is a sweet revolver also but is a .38 Special less the .357 Magnum option. That full underlug is a nice feature. This is a good read and answers your question.

In part:
The M14 was reprised in 1991 as the 14-5 but the 1990s version was distinctively different from its predecessors, featuring a full lug ribbed barrel and smooth wood combat (finger grooved) grips. Changes were also made during this gun’s eight-year production run, concluding with the M14-7 in 1999.
Click to expand...

Ron
 
The S&W Model 15 is a great suggestion that I can't fault, but I would also consider a stainless Ruger, like their GP100, or even one of their older ones.
It'll likely be cheaper than some of the suggestions like the Model 19 and 66. The stainless is going to be more forgiving of being handled by "wife and kids", and while it'll shoot the 38's, it's nice to have the .357 option in there,as well.
And, if you're into the full underlug look (me too),then the GP100 may be your huckleberry !! ;)
Check your local classified sites like Armslist, these pop up regularly around $500.
 
I love the gp100, i was almost surprised by all the s&w love right off the bat. I am beginning to think i should have titled the thread " which 38 under $350 for the range".

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It's funny. You like the underlug. Does nothing for me. I love the classic model 15 and 14.
It's good we have the choice.
Now, the 686/586 look good with the underlug to me. Go figure.
 
ALL smiths look good to me. I don't think i've ever seen a smith i didnt like. I really like most Taurus products design wise, but i can't stand the finish on most of them...

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adcoch1 said:
I just Google searched the model 14, how many have the full underlug barrel? Is it common? I love that look.

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Generally speaking, the S&W Model 14 has a 6" barrel and the Model 15 has a 4" barrel. You can find other barrel lengths but they tend not be as numerous. There are some subtle engineering differences between the two models.

Sometime in the 1980s, S&W discontinued the Model 15 and more 4" Model 14s were produced.

The Model 67 is still currently manufactured and comes with a nominal 4" barrel these days.

I am not aware that the Model 14 ever came with a full under lug barrel but will admit that I am not up to date on S&W production into the 1990s. I know Model 16's made in the 1990's had full under lug barrels so maybe.

Of course, you can shoot 38 Special ammunition in a 357 Magnum revolver so you may want to go that route. Model 19 or Model 66 (stainless Model 19) are the same K frame size as the Model 14/15. Just note, after shooting a fair amount of 38 Special ammunition in a 357 Magnum revolver, a carbon ring will build up in the chamber that may make chambering the longer round difficult. A good cleaning solves the issue.

If you want to go the 357 Magnum route, look at the S&W 586 (blued) or 686 (stainless). These guns have the same grip frame as the K frames but the cylinder frame is a bit larger. The 586/686 revolvers have a full under lug barrel.

I also like S&W revolvers and feel there is something special about shooting 38 Special in a revolver chambered for 38 Special.

But, you also won't go wrong with a Ruger double action revolver or Blackhawk.
 
Yeah, it seems that a 38 only gun, especially one not known to be +p rated would probably be cheaper, and realistically i would probably shoot 38s even if it was a 357. I shoot full house 44mag when i want recoil, for this gun i am just looking for a plinker for cheap ammo that doesn't feel like a rimfire.

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If you're looking for $350 and under, there are some Gunbroker accounts I follow that regularly let police trade in Model 15s and 19s go for cheap. I got one for $270 a couple weeks ago. So watching Gunbroker etc. for trade ins might be a good route if you don't mind well used guns.
 
My favorite range guns are my Ruger single actions. I like the long barrels, but for me they are just range toys. If you wanted to carry it sometimes, I think they go down to 4 and 5/8, or something like that.

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I thought that a single action revolver would generally weigh less than a double action revolver in the same caliber with the same barrel length.

My daughter probably likes my Buck Mark best, but my 32 H&R magnum Single Six is a close second. When she is a little bit older and bigger, I suspect she will be a Blackhawk fan like her dad. :)
 
The S&W Model 67 was my first agency-issued sidearm. Once I upgraded the stocks, I shot it very well (using the eyes I had 25+ years ago!) I qualified revolver "expert" with it, besting all but six of the 44 others in my unit. It was a great shooter, albeit one of the older versions with the pin on the hammer.

For your intended purpose, you's probably be served just fine by a new Taurus or Rossi (since you're on a budget), or a used S&W or Ruger.
 
I sure don't mind used, in fact i usually prefer them that way. I will look around more when the cash is on hand, but for now just trying to gain insight. I wore out a model 29 so i am familiar with how amazing a s&w can be, so i have them on my radar, but rugers and all the lesser makers from s. America have products that interest me too. And there is that nagging love of cz handguns that keeps saying "buy a cz75 ", so ammo price and gun price need to be reasonable to sway me. I really like autos but nothing is as nice to shoot as a well broke in revolver...

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Blackhawks only come in .357.
They are bigger then necessary for a 10 year old.

The newer Smiths with under lug barrel are heavier then necessary, and too heavy for a 10 year old.

Back to the 6" S&W Model 14 or 4" Model 15 Combat Masterpiece.

You will never regret it!!

South American revolvers??
Don't even think about it.

rc
 
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