Which 38 for range use?

[adcoch1]

RC i think you are right about the Blackhawk, but she started asking about the redhawk 44 last time out, so maybe. I had a Taurus raging bull in 454 that i liked a lot, but i didn't have it long enough to have problems with it either... so now the hunt begins for an affordable CM...

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[AZAndy]

If you're going to carry it occasionally, you might want to have a look at a 3" Ruger SP-101. The frame is only slightly larger than a S&W J-frame, so it shouldn't be a problem for smaller hands. It's a well-built machine.

 

[bannockburn]

1) S&W Model 15
2) S&W Model 19
3) Ruger Security Six

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Even though the M19 is a classic S&W revolver it will cost more than a M15 since its a .357 Magnum.

I agree with a M15 or M67 in .38 Special is a good choice and for good grips, there are so many choices in aftermarket grips it will make you dizzy. You can find anything you like.

I sawa suggestion for a M14 above. While I agree a target .22 is a good revolver to learn on the M14 is also very costly. The same goes for the M17 which has a 6" barrel and a very high finish. Luckily S&W came out with the M18 which isn't that expensive and has a 4" barrel. If you are looking for a cost effective yet very accurate .22 revolver the M18 is very high in the list.

 

[Waveski]

I am not a full underlug fan , unless trying to tame hotter loads - does not apply to your situation.

A Smith & Wesson model 15 /Combat Masterpiece is perfect for your criteria. I recently picked up a cosmetically worn / mechanically great 15-3 for $200. Gotta be patient , but they are out there.

 

[powrguy]

I snagged a really nice S&W Model 19-3, 4" blued heavy barrel. So nice, in fact, that I didn't want to use it as my shooter/range gun.

Then I picked up a Model 10 police trade-in, heavy barrel 4", in a frosty nickle finish....that's now my "shooter", and it, too, in in really nice shape. I subsequently picked up a 686 plus, and use that at the range, too, as the stainless is easier to clean up.

Bottom line is that the Model 10's are getting higher and higher price-wise, but there's millions of 'em, and for a shooter, that's the way to go in 38 special.

 

[astocks2622]

My Ruger GP100 is super tame with the light 38's, only a touch more than a 22. It is heavy, though. The cz 75 recoil is significantly sharper, but I really like those too. I like the EAA/Tanfoglio cz copies. The Witness can be had for around $350, and is great in all but the 10mm chambering. For that you need to go with their "Elite" line. The elite match has a 5.25" barrel and is sao, with a pretty nice trigger. In 9mm it's a real pussy cat. They can be had for around $525. Oops, guess the match has gone up. 2 years ago, I saw several at a local gun store for just over $500, cheapest i saw on a quick check was $699...

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[entropy]

I'm not a S&W fanboy (Disclaimer: I do own a BodyGuard 38), I like old Colts, but S&W Models 10, 14, 15, 19, 64, 65 would be excellent choices.

Then there's the Python and all the other way overpriced (Dang you Rick Grimes!) snake guns, Trooper & Lawman, Official Police, Officer's Model Target, etc.

Security Six and GP-100 are good choices also.

 

[TimSr]

Of my entire pistol inventory, my wife's hands down favorite is my old 6" GP100 with powderpuff 38's. She also likes shooting my Single Six, but she doesn't care for single action loading/unloading.

 

[MIL-DOT]

If you're going to carry it occasionally, you might want to have a look at a 3" Ruger SP-101. The frame is only slightly larger than a S&W J-frame, so it shouldn't be a problem for smaller hands. It's a well-built machine.

Some good points here. The SP is a great little pistol that is much more tote-freindly than many of the suggestions (especially the GP100 that I recommended), and it's an ideal size for smaller hands.
It also has the advantage of shooting both the .38,as well as the higher powered .357's.
I've seen several of them in the last few months on my local classified sites as low as $450.
But, another thing comes to mind. If money is a factor, then .38 ammo tends to run at least 50% more than 9mm (lots of good 9mm right at $10, while the deals on even low-end .38 runs about $15-16). So with 9mm being in your option list, this is a significant factor in it's favor (and you sure as hell won't be unhappy with a CZ75 in the stable !! )

 

[Taroman]

S&W 67-3 is a great choice for range, carry or home defense.
+P capable, naturally.
Arms Unlimited are presently offering them for $300!
67-3
These are ex-Puerto Rico police guns.
Ones I have seen are in very good shape.
The 67-3 is an interesting variation, forged internals, grooved tangs, new type rear site drilled and tapped for scope mount and has no internal safety hole.
If I didn't already have a nice 67, one of these would be on its way to me.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I think a really nice range gun would be the Ruger SP101 in .357...at 25 oz. it has some weight to help absorb recoil. You said that you might be carrying it so you may want to consider it with a spurless hammer and a 3" barrel. That would give you something relatively concealable. I have one with a 2.25" barrel thats pretty accurate at close range.

 

[adcoch1]

I would reload for 38 to get costs down, but 9mm is so cheap its hardly worth it to load for it. I really am torn between the cz75 and another good revolver. I have 3 rugers and a hi standard revolver at the moment, but my daughter is really getting interested in shooting and its drawing my wife in too. So i would like to get a few more that interest them. Luckily they dont have small hands, my wife enjoyed my redhawk last time she shot it just thought it had a little too much jump for her. I stopped her before flinching set in.

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[cal44mag]

Can't go wrong with a 4" GP-100.

A great range gun, but a bit heavy for carry.

Another option is a 3" S&W Model 60.

I have both. They both have adjustable sights and are accurate shooters.

The M60 is more suited to carry, but is heavy enough to make shooting 38 special comfortable.

 

[TfflHndn]

The Blackhawk Flattop convertible is one you should look at. It comes with a 9mm cylinder to allow you some flexibility at not much extra cost. In .38/.357 it is wicked accurate, and single-action is not a detriment in a range gun. The S&W model 66/67 are also great options if you can find one you like and you can decide whether to go .38 only or give yourself the option of .357. I have both the flattop and a 66, and i would be hard pressed to choose one over the other for range shooting.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

There is no reason NOT to buy a .357, especially if you handload. Probably more than half the rounds fired through .357s are .38 Specials. And if you plan to carry the gun occasionally, .357 would be an advantage.

 

[Zendude]

Since you reload your own ammo, a 32 H&R mag could be an option. Ruger makes a SP 101 with a 4 inch barrel in 327 mag that you could use to shoot 32 H&R. Charter makes a good 32 H&R snubby if the SP 101 is more than you wanted to spend.

 

[Saw-Bones]

The OVERWHELMING choice at a revolver PPC match is the S&W K-frame. The action design provides the basis for the best trigger pull… BAR NONE.

S&W revolvers are very good that’s why they hold their value… as a man once said, “Buying quality is like buying oats. If you want good clean oats you have to pay a fair price, but if you want oats that have been through the horse once, well that’s another matter.”

For versatility you can’t argue with Vern Humphrey’s comments.

If your wife and children have small hands a Colt Diamondback may be a solution, albeit an expensive one because of it’s “snake” ancestry.

 

[roaddog28]

These three choices make sense to me. In my neck of the woods K frame revolvers are now pricey. Ruger Blackhawks are large and heavy. A lot of folks don't care for the full lug S&W 586/686 or the Ruger GP100. For me that leaves the Ruger Security six or Service six. They handle much the same as a S&W K frame and usually cost less than a S&W.
A Security Six if used and broke in right will have a better double action trigger than most Ruger GP100 revolvers. Again, Ruger Security Six are less expensive. If you don't what to pay for the higher price of a S&W K frame then a Ruger Security Six might be a option.

Opinion only
Howard

 

[adcoch1]

Been looking at the reloading manuals and the 32 &r mag is also a good choice and maybe in a single six or single seven. I like the security six idea too. Hadn't even thought about those at all. Like i said, i've been avoiding 357 for years, so i am behind on the learning curve...

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[sgt127]

Ya know, the SP might be a very good all around choice. I own two of them. An actual SP101 and, a SPNY in .38 special with the old short frame.

With a 3" barrel and .38's, it would be a good starter revolver. That will outlive all of us currently commenting.

It will never match a S&W model 14-15-67 as a pure target gun. But, it's a solid choice.

 

[jim8115]

38 for range

Surprised no one has mentioned a S&W model 10....

 

[CajunBass]

Surprised no one has mentioned a S&W model 10....

I am too. Especially since the number $350.00 was thrown around.

Personally I prefer the Model 15, but there isn't anything wrong with a Model 10.

I've also had several Taurus 38/357's that I've thought were good guns, especially for the money. Not new ones, but ones made back in the 80's...early 90's or so. I especially like the ones with wooden grips. In 38 I believe they're Model 80, and 82, maybe 83...65/66 in 357 were good, solid, inexpensive guns.

I can't comment on their or anybody else's new stuff. I just never even look at that side of the house.

 

[entropy]

Surprised nobody noticed I did mention the S&W M10 in post #33......

 

[adcoch1]

Entropy i noticed and went to look at a few on gunbroker. I am just gonna start looking at gunshows and make sure i have some cash for when that perfect deal shows up.

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