Which (cheap) revolver would be best for me?

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That's what we were told back in the day. Also that D (Colt) frames, J frames and air weight K frames wouldn't remain healthy consuming a steady diet of +Ps either (the D frame caution coming directly from Colt).
Of course many departments---not mine---issued revolvers and if you were issued full power ammo for training that was OK. A new piece would be issued if the Dept Armorer saw fit. We didn't have that luxury.
 
None of my several J frames are stamped +P. Only one of my K frames is stamped +P.
If they are not rated for +P I guess it stands to reason that using it might cause a problem.
For the record I practice with my M85 Airweight using standard 38 Spl loads and carry +P. If it fails because I shoot a hotter load in it that's on me not the manufacturer.
That's what we were told back in the day. Also that D (Colt) frames, J frames and air weight K frames wouldn't remain healthy consuming a steady diet of +Ps either (the D frame caution coming directly from Colt).
Of course many departments---not mine---issued revolvers and if you were issued full power ammo for training that was OK. A new piece would be issued if the Dept Armorer saw fit. We didn't have that luxury.
 
Even early Airweights didn't fare well with standard pressure loads which was why the USAF scrapped the ones issue to air crewmen. I assume the alloy was improved in later versions given the popularity of aluminum frames.
The .357 Mag K frames are superb duty revolvers but I think the civilian market was more interested in shooting a steady diet of magnums in easily carried K frames as opposed to the heavier N frames. I don't know for a fact but I suspect this was why S&W introduced the L frame as by then, LEOs had already begun migrating to the wonder nines. The L frame didn't stop S&Ws production of .357 chambered K frames though. The Model 13 was even issued by the FBI!
 
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steel 38sp taurus 85 came gently used for $180. 600+ rounds in and it keeps purring. unless you are a recoil junkie i recommend steel, not airweight or ultralight, in a snubbie.
 
The first thing is decide on what caliber you want.
I didn't see a caliber listed in your original post.
but by Far and away the best deal in the market on a revolver is a Dan Wesson model 15 - 2 n 357 and 38 Special.
I've never paid more than $450 for one
I thought too for $400 and the great thing is when I sold to I sold them both for more than I paid.
Outstanding accuracy and a strong aftermarket + flexibility with barrel length you absolutely can't go wrong.
also I would definitely not go with a barrel length shorter than 3in I would recommend a barrel length of 4 to 6 in depending upon what you want to do with it with four in being about ideal for almost anything
 
Has the OP fallen off the face of the Earth?
Sorry, I admittedly don't have a really good excuse for my absence; that's just how I am sometimes. I am still mulling over what I am going to go with. On the one hand, the RIA has closer manual of arms to the Cobra, and is cheaper, but on the other hand, the Charter will be tougher and higher quality, and I can throw it in a lock box under my driver seat and have it for a truck gun. The other option is the EAA Windicator, as suggested by @5-SHOTS. It is a bit larger than I want, but the added option of (occasionally) shooting .357 makes it tempting. I will continue thinking about this and will update you all when I make a decision. I do thank you all for your input.
 
Charter Arms. I recently picked up CA Bulldog in .44 spl. and believe they are a quality built gun that’s 100% US made and fantastic C/ S.
 
First and foremost you don't want a Taurus buy a used revolver.
And nothing can really go wrong with a used SP101 or GP100
What is your budget?
also as I previously said the Best buy in revolvers is a Dan Wesson 15-2 for $400
 
To my understanding, the Model 19 was an adaptation of a frame designed for 38Spl. To make it work for 357 mag they had to trim the bottom of the forcing cone to make room for the larger cylinder clearance.
Although there are documented cases of this becoming a problem I have a very hard time believing that S&W produced the Model 19 KNOWING it was going to be a problem.
I'm no business major but purposely selling a product that you know you will have to repair on your dime doesn't make good sense.
I would also bet that nowhere in the Model 19 instruction manual did it ever say "practice with 38 Spl only but carry 357s on duty".


Remember though, that was about the time PDs were all going from using target ammo to qualify to full house duty ammo . Also back in the day qual was often once a year. I looked forward to it. Then it got crazy shooting quarterly which made scheduling officers and maintaining coverage a royal pain. My neighbors girlfriend worked security for Safeway back in the early 80s. He bought her a beautiful 19. When they went to training with full house mags hers got loose in short order and she had to switch. She wasn’t a happy camper.
 
If all the OP wants is a range toy, a .44 cap and ball revolver will certainly make a (loud) statement!
 
If all I wanted was a range toy, I would absolutely start with a cap n' ball or a cheap Pietta SAA, but the point of this revolver is so I can become halfway proficient with a double action trigger, and once I upgrade to the Cobra, whatever I get in the short term will graduate to truck gun duty. I wanted a shorter barrel simply because I dig the noire Private Eye aesthetic, I just think snubbies look cool, I dont really see myself carrying a revolver (I'll stick with my shield), so size isn't a MAJOR issue, but the longest barrel I'll even consider is 5", and even that is pushing it. Beyond that, the revolver becomes too unwieldy for me.
 
I only have experience with the CHARTER ARMS.
I have owned 5 CA revolvers over the last 40 years. I have carried them concealed and as a car gun. I have no qualms about using the UNDERCOVER or POLICE UNDERCOVER. Neither does my family. Three female members and two male members besides me chose the CA revolvers for their self defense revolvers. The UNDERCOVER is great for concealed carry and is my alternate to my S&W model 36.

I have shot, but never owned a POLICE UNDERCOVER which belonged to a relative. When out of state, they loaned it to me for a carry gun. I think they work fine and are reliable. They have 1 extra round and slightly less recoil due to the heavier frame.

If you are looking for a real concealment piece, the S&W K-frames are larger, heavier and bulkier than the 6 shot POLICE UNDERCOVER. For concealed carry, they are in a completely different class.
If you want a house gun, car gun or range gun, the larger S&W and RUGER revolvers are a much better choice, even used, but not for concealed carry.

The 5 shot UNDERCOVER is like the J-frame S&W 36, but slightly lighter and more like the alloy/lightweight J-frames like my old model 38. I traded off the 38, as I found the UNDERCOVER would work just as well for a pocket gun and I preferred the steel frame 36 for a car gun or holster carry.

Jim
 
I picked up a EAA Weirauch Windicator 2" for $150 at a LGS.
It's K frame sized revolver with 6 shots of 357. Surprised at how well put to together it is. Frame is similar to a Charter arms and is made from steel, but sub frame for the lock work and grip is an alloy. Not the lightest carry, but the trigger is pretty good. Might be viable option.
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I know you said you are totally against Taurus as I was too. I went out on a limb because my 10 year old wanted to start shooting pistols and I was scared he was going get pinched by the slide on my auto pistols. Buying him a 22lr revolver in my opinion was a waste of my money. I bought a $300 Taurus 605 357. I was actually surprised how well it shoots and for what I paid for it I am impressed. It's not a Kimber but for a 7 yard ccw qualification I shot it better than my S&W 9mm shield. $300 bucks doesn't get you much these days and during my 10 day waiting period I was second guessing myself. I'm glad I went out of my comfort zone.
 
I really want to like a RIA revolver but I can’t. Every one I have touched feels like it was assembled in a box of kitty litter during a power outage. Clunky, terrible trigger, and pisspoor fitment of parts.

I have toyed with the idea of buying one to tune it but when that fancy hits me it is quickly followed by the references on polishing a turd.

Charter arms, if buying new, but don’t let you get in your own way, look at Rossi and EAA revolvers as well.
 
Look around for a used Ruger Sp101 and call it a day will be a great range toy will work for CC and move to a truck gun just fine you may even forget about the colt cobra
 
Look around for a used Ruger Sp101 and call it a day will be a great range toy will work for CC and move to a truck gun just fine you may even forget about the colt cobra

I keep getting these messages, but around where I live, the used market is pretty sparse. I could go online and order a used SP101 or a Smith Model 10, but I dont like the idea of buying a used product sight unseen. I have nothing against buying used, but in my area all the used revolvers are large frame .44's, in which I personally have very little interest ATM. I appreciate the suggestion, it just really isn't in the cards for me.
 
Another vote for the Charter Arms. I bought a Bulldog Pug new in the 80`s (I believe it was the old Charter Arms) and still have it. It`s my truck gun now and since I`ve had it for so long, I reason that if it was stolen then it`s not like I`d be trying to replace my 686 or Model 19. It does what it`s supposed to do, quite well, and now has a little looseness in the cylinder but it doesn`t "shave lead" or anything and I only shoot 38+P in it instead of full power 357`s.
 
Don't sell the Taurus short. I said I'd never own one but I replaced a Charter Bulldog with a Taurus 445. I wouldn't take a Charter Arms revolver for free. Bought a new one in 2005, it couldn't hit a target at 15 feet, the timing was horrible and the cylinder would bind.

Ever since buying that Taurus I changed my opinion. It's much better made than a Charter Arms from my experience.

Also, there are a lot of S&W model 10 revolvers out there at decent prices.
 
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