Which (cheap) revolver would be best for me?

[Mosin Bubba]

You're definitely on the right track with the cartridge. The .38 Special is a fantastic and versatile cartridge. I would stay away from the snub nose models. They're great for the task for which they were designed, but not a lot of fun for just shooting.

I'd suggest a used S&W Model 10. They're on sale for $249.00 right now at Classic Firearms. I bought one a couple of weeks ago and have hardly put it down since. I shoot the darned thing nearly every day and even bought another off an auction site that will arrive today.

35W

here is the best-value answer for a reliable, non-ccw, one and only (or one of many), centerfire revolver.

I just scored a nice S&W Model 10 on Gunbroker for $230. Nice means fully functional and a sweet shooter, with 90% finish but just enough wear and nicks that I’m not afraid to really use it. Figure $250 all in after shipping. (I’m lucky that my buddy is an FFL and will transfer for free for me.) When surplus Smiths are that cheap it’s really hard to justify the gamble of a Charter/Taurus/RIA.

That said, I’d love to buy 3 or 4 RIAs at some point, just so I could stash em in various places in the house “just in case.”

These.

I got a Model 10 (10-6) on Buds last year for $269. Used to be an old French police revolver, and it has a lot of holster wear - cosmetically challenged would be putting it nicely. But there was no rust, and the lockup seems fine.

I love the damn thing. Took it out shooting last weekend, and it was almost too easy to hit Coke cans in SA at 50 yards. The DA trigger is fantastic as well. If we're only talking about using 38 specials, I'd say it's every bit the equal of my GP100 and 686 as a shooter. Heck, the Model 10's DA is clearly better than the GP100.

I don't know anything about the RIA revolvers, but when used Smiths this good are this cheap, why bother with them?

 

[TTv2]

With the advent of CNC machinery cheap and nice mix far more than they once did. Said machinery does a better job than a flesh and blood machinist and they don't require vacations, sick leave, insurance or a pension. This makes firearms less expensive to produce. In fact, the finish, that is hand fitting, polishing, CCH and bluing, is probably most of the expense in producing a firearm these days.

While CNC's have reduced costs, that hasn't meant that quality has improved for revolvers. If anything, I'm finding revolvers made in the 80s and prior are better made and more accurate than those made today and those revolvers were made by those machinists who got all those benefits from working for 40 years.

Most manufacturing companies don't offer sick leave anymore, they would rather you stay home and not get paid or come in to work miserable and infect everyone else because it saves them a few bucks. Vacation time now is increasingly offered as "Paid Time Off" which is less than a hour a week, going up to 2 hours a week, which means if you're sick and you can't work a day, you lose your hour or two of PTO. Have a family emergency and have to leave work early? You lose your PTO. Get to work a minute late because your car's door was frozen and you got stuck behind the school bus? You lose your PTO.

Pensions don't exist, it's all 401k now that they match up to a certain amount. Health insurance for a small company is a joke, but a big place like a gun manufacturer it's probably really good, especially in Massachusetts, that place has the best health insurance in the country.

Non union manufacturing in the US is a crummy job and management can't understand why they can't find people who will work for $12/hour doing the same job every day with no opportunity to advance with all those supposed benefits.

I can't imagine what it's like being the assembler or polisher at a gun company, not in states in the Northeast where rents are regularly $900 a month.

 

[35 Whelen]

These.

I got a Model 10 (10-6) on Buds last year for $269. Used to be an old French police revolver, and it has a lot of holster wear - cosmetically challenged would be putting it nicely. But there was no rust, and the lockup seems fine.

I love the damn thing. Took it out shooting last weekend, and it was almost too easy to hit Coke cans in SA at 50 yards. The DA trigger is fantastic as well. If we're only talking about using 38 specials, I'd say it's every bit the equal of my GP100 and 686 as a shooter. Heck, the Model 10's DA is clearly better than the GP100.

I don't know anything about the RIA revolvers, but when used Smiths this good are this cheap, why bother with them?

I agree with most everything you said, except probably the last statement. For keeping in the console of the fishing boat, under the seat of the pickup, the toolbox on the tractor, as a spare in the getaway cabin, or just generally anywhere subject to loss, damage or theft, I'd much rather do so with a $220 RIA I than a $220 S&W, know what I mean?

While CNC's have reduced costs, that hasn't meant that quality has improved for revolvers. If anything, I'm finding revolvers made in the 80s and prior are better made and more accurate than those made today and those revolvers were made by those machinists who got all those benefits from working for 40 years.

Most manufacturing companies don't offer sick leave anymore, they would rather you stay home and not get paid or come in to work miserable and infect everyone else because it saves them a few bucks. Vacation time now is increasingly offered as "Paid Time Off" which is less than a hour a week, going up to 2 hours a week, which means if you're sick and you can't work a day, you lose your hour or two of PTO. Have a family emergency and have to leave work early? You lose your PTO. Get to work a minute late because your car's door was frozen and you got stuck behind the school bus? You lose your PTO.

Pensions don't exist, it's all 401k now that they match up to a certain amount. Health insurance for a small company is a joke, but a big place like a gun manufacturer it's probably really good, especially in Massachusetts, that place has the best health insurance in the country.

Non union manufacturing in the US is a crummy job and management can't understand why they can't find people who will work for $12/hour doing the same job every day with no opportunity to advance with all those supposed benefits.

I can't imagine what it's like being the assembler or polisher at a gun company, not in states in the Northeast where rents are regularly $900 a month.

I think you missed my point. It wasn't just about pensions, vacations, PTO, etc. It was about the fact that CNC is cheaper than machinists, and they never come in with hangovers, they don't have arguments with their wives, stress over making the mortgage, or any host of things that affect quality and quantity of production. Of course a good machinist can turn out work as good a CNC machine, but not for hours on end without emotional and physical factors that influence their work.

As far as quality of '80's and earlier firearms, they were a crapshoot. Handle a few 3rd Generation Colt's, most are an absolute abomination in that they were poorly fitted and their dimensions were sometimes ridiculous.

I'm not going to get into the union argument thing. I was in a union years ago and got out, haven't missed it one bit, and since then I decide how much I'm worth per hour and don't have to watch lazy, entitled bums make the same wage as I do.

35W

 

[shockvalue68]

Cheap and affordable aren't exactly exclusive. There are some really good affordable(not cheap) revolvers out there! Specifically in 357, the EAA Windicator, and the RIA AL3.0. Maybe it's just me, but what's with people complaining about the weight of a revolver??? Hello, they're 357 revolvers! They're supposed to be all steel. They're supposed to weigh 25 plus ounces. They're supposed to absorb recoil through their sheer heft. They're supposed to hold the target with their ease of control for the next shot. And, if not, then good luck to your strong hand shooting 357!

BTW, love the Patton quotes!



Love that dude!

 

[Buckeye63]

I own a bunch of revolvers .. nuthin wrong with this Taurus 856UL ... works great

 

[Buckeye63]

I'm not sure I'd consider the charter stuff tougher than the m206. I have a m206 and it's pretty stout. I've only handled charter arms stuff so I can't be certain but the legions of bad reviews I've read over the years, plus just how they feel makes me think not too highly of charter.

But....I own a gp100 which is pretty much the most solid DA revolver ever, coming from that neither is impressive

Yep... Im fairly familiar with Charters .. not what I read or heard ... I imagine I like’em

 

[shockvalue68]

I imagine you do! Enjoy away my friend! Cheers to the right of choice!

I was looking at the police undercover, nice piece!!!

And btw, why do ya think there are so many used Smiths out there?????? Hum, .

 

[ontarget]

And btw, why do ya think there are so many used Smiths out there?????? Hum, .

I own 2 Charters and 10 Smiths also Rugers, Ubertis, Taurus and others. None are for sale.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Buckeye63, I am not all that familiar with CA. What model is that in bottom left? Thanks.

 

[Buckeye63]

Buckeye63, I am not all that familiar with CA. What model is that in bottom left? Thanks.

Thats a older 357 Target model . 4 inch barrel ,
5 shot , built on the Bulldog frame .. the shroud is aluminum over a steel barrel insert . I keep it loaded with 38spl +P 158gr LSWCHP

 

[.45Coltguy]

Thanks Buckeye63. I like that one.

 

[Buckeye63]

Thanks Buckeye63. I like that one.

Lucked up on that one a couple of years ago ... found it at a LGS ... at a good deal..

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Hey all, I am not new to shooting by any stretch, but I've never owned a revolver, and I would like one just for fun and to try something new.

That being said, my budget right now doesnt have room for a nicer revolver from Smith or Ruger. I am currently looking at two options closely: the RIA m206 and the Charter Arms Police Undercover. The CA seems to have better finish, but I don't really care much about interior tool marks, and whichever I go with is just a stopgap until I can save up for a Colt Cobra.

Also worth mentioning is that I won't buy a Taurus. Nothing personal against the company, I just have deep personal reasons not to own a gun with that name attached. Kind of stupid, but I won't budge on that.

The Charter is the better gun, by far. But, I think by getting a snubby .38 as your first revolver you are setting yourself up to hate revolvers forever.

 

[Tallball]

There are some nice surplus S&W Model 10's right now on Gunbroker for $350-$395, if that's in the OP's budget.

I have had some nice Taurus and Charter Arms and so forth, but a used Smith will be better more times than not.

 

[Buckeye63]

There are some nice surplus S&W Model 10's right now on Gunbroker for $350-$395, if that's in the OP's budget.

I have had some nice Taurus and Charter Arms and so forth, but a used Smith will be better more times than not.

Crazy times .. surplus Model 10’s $350- 395 before shipping and transfer

 

[ddixie884]

Now is a bad time to be lookin for a low cost revolver and ammo to go with it..............

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

There are some nice surplus S&W Model 10's right now on Gunbroker for $350-$395, if that's in the OP's budget.

I have had some nice Taurus and Charter Arms and so forth, but a used Smith will be better more times than not.

Even seen Taurus Model 80's & 82's are actually selling for that range.

 

[Buckeye63]

In this area .. revolvers always go first and go high ...

 

[shockvalue68]

Yes, surplus 10s. Used Rugers. 350 dollar Charters, and Taurus, and Braztech, and Armscor and Lions and Tigers and Bears................
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the 6 shot EAA 357 is the dog! That's why they are so hard to find. And yes, the prices have gone up.
Lets just take a guess why??? It's a bad ass gun that doesn't need the talk, but certainly does the walk!

 

[ontarget]

Yes, surplus 10s. Used Rugers. 350 dollar Charters, and Taurus, and Braztech, and Armscor and Lions and Tigers and Bears................
Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, the 6 shot EAA 357 is the dog! That's why they are so hard to find. And yes, the prices have gone up.
Lets just take a guess why??? It's a bad ass gun that doesn't need the talk, but certainly does the walk!

Hey, I think you missed an opportunity to praise your pet revolver in another current thread about a member having problems with his EAA.

 

[shockvalue68]

Problems with Smiths, problems with Rugers, problems with Charter, problems with Taurus and Braztech, problems with RIA, and yes problems with EAA. I get it brother, I really do!!! Point is, they all have their problems. And, at what price point do you want your problems to start? I say for
350 dollars, I'd start with the EAA 357. You can find youtube videos on the pros, and cons of any revolver of your choice. With good care, and some pre-range maintenace, this thing runs!!! I have 686 plus. It's an outstanding revolver. It's also nearly 1000 dollars. I store it like my Gibson Les Paul, knowing it's a classic, and will retain, and or go up in value. This EAA is just a range beast that you can toss around and step on! I'm not dissing good solid gun manufacturers, I'm dissing those who dismiss affordable guns, and the people who buy them.

And yes, good dog!!!!!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Problems with Smiths, problems with Rugers, problems with Charter, problems with Taurus and Braztech, problems with RIA, and yes problems with EAA. I get it brother, I really do!!! Point is, they all have their problems. And, at what price point do you want your problems to start? I say for
350 dollars, I'd start with the EAA 357. You can find youtube videos on the pros, and cons of any revolver of your choice. With good care, and some pre-range maintenace, this thing runs!!! I have 686 plus. It's an outstanding revolver. It's also nearly 1000 dollars. I store it like my Gibson Les Paul, knowing it's a classic, and will retain, and or go up in value. This EAA is just a range beast that you can toss around and step on! I'm not dissing good solid gun manufacturers, I'm dissing those who dismiss affordable guns, and the people who buy them.

Yup. Every manufacturer has made some real stinkers and some real winners. All of them. If used is okay, you can find good deals on really good guns. Bargains can be found and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, too. I bought my Colt Lawman Mk. V for under $300. It's kind of ugly - lots of holster time and plenty of rounds downrange - but it still shoots better than me. Real nice with full loads and I like heavy bullets. And, no, it has never had a problem with being out of time. Got a Ruger Blackhawk .357 for $250 back before Y2K, sold it for $350 during the madness, bought another a few years later - pre-O - in better condition for $200 and sold it for almost $500 - post-O. Only have one now, I've had it forever and I paid full retail for it, new. Spoke to me. It's a good gun like all the rest were but I won't be letting go of that one anytime soon.

Bargains are out there for every maker if you are patient and know where to look. And, yes, EAA has imported some really good guns, and some real stinkers, and most are just plain good or good enough. I don't follow along with this, "If it ain't a (fill in the blank) you don't want it," nonsense.

It depends on what fits you.

 

[shockvalue68]

A well spoken man!