.38 volv's
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 588
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From: AZ.
You probably will find you've opened a can of worms and will get suggestions all over the board and brands and prices you probably never heard of. You need to state what you want to use it for, plinking, self defense, carry, etc.. For both plinking and self defense I suggest a 38/357. Ruger's GP 100 is the best bang for the buck. It's available in different barrel lengths. .And it's made by your fellow Americans in the USA. .....IMO.......
Last edited by Jerrybo66; Aug 26, 2005 at 12:35 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,758
Likes: 7
From: colorado
i just got a new revolver last year to use as a mountain gun, it is a taurus 608 .357 mag. with a 4 inch barrel (it also comes in 6 and 8 inch). the thing i like most about it, is it's an 8 shot revolver. i got mine for $420.00
ps. it of course will shoot .38 spcl. as well
ps. it of course will shoot .38 spcl. as well
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Iowa
Ruger GP 100. Gonna be pushin' your price limit though. You really have to watch a .38 revolver though. Not a whole lot of stopping power there. Taurus makes a revolver now that shoots 9mm Luger. Much better ballistics than a .38spl. Actually really compareable to a short barreled .357 mag. Just about 150 fps shy.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Price limit of $400.00??? I can highly recommend a Smith & Wesson mdl 19.
It is chambered for .357 magnum, but, it will shoot 38 Special(s), as well. (.357 magnum is only 1/10" longer.)
I own a mdl. 19, that is over 25 years old. It has 10,000+ rounds through it. I had the forcing cone re-cut several years ago and it is a very accurate revolver.
Just my 2¢.
It is chambered for .357 magnum, but, it will shoot 38 Special(s), as well. (.357 magnum is only 1/10" longer.)
I own a mdl. 19, that is over 25 years old. It has 10,000+ rounds through it. I had the forcing cone re-cut several years ago and it is a very accurate revolver.
Just my 2¢.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 527
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From: Central WA USA
Assuming you want new, $400 won't buy much that is what I consider decent. I'd buy a used S&W Mod 19 as well. I have 2, one made in 72 another made in 1985.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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If you plan on visiting a 7/11 store or a liquor store soon, any brand will do. Otherwise, for the price, consider a Ruger .357, or a used S&W or a used Colt.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
I picked up a retired police revolver, S&W model 66 .357, to use as a "shooter" but it turned out this was one of those guns that never left the station 
. On top of that I got a great price, well within your price range.
Look around and find a place that specializes in outfitting law enforcement. Most of the revolvers have been replaced with autos by now, but let it be know you're looking for a shooter wheelgun ... you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find. I sure was.
Roger
. On top of that I got a great price, well within your price range. Look around and find a place that specializes in outfitting law enforcement. Most of the revolvers have been replaced with autos by now, but let it be know you're looking for a shooter wheelgun ... you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find. I sure was.
Roger
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by ClydeSDale
I picked up a retired police revolver, S&W model 66 .357, to use as a "shooter" but it turned out this was one of those guns that never left the station . On top of that I got a great price, well within your price range.
Look around and find a place that specializes in outfitting law enforcement. Most of the revolvers have been replaced with autos by now, but let it be know you're looking for a shooter wheelgun ... you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find. I sure was.
Roger
. On top of that I got a great price, well within your price range. Look around and find a place that specializes in outfitting law enforcement. Most of the revolvers have been replaced with autos by now, but let it be know you're looking for a shooter wheelgun ... you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find. I sure was.
Roger
When she went to the range for the 'practical event', I went with her.
My wife wound up using my 9mm semi-auto and her friend used my 4" mdl 19.
One of the instructors and I struck up a conversation, and I found out he had a mdl 66 w/ a 2-1/2" bbl. for sale, for $200.00!
When I pulled it out of the original box, he told me that he had used it to 'qualify with' (at the time, they could carry anything they wanted to, off-duty, as long as they could 'qualify' with it.)
This revolver had only been fired 56 times!!!!!
I bought it on the spot!
(I like S&W revolvers. Shweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet trigger system.)
One day.. . . . I'll have a 4" Colt Python in the safe, too.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Several years ago I picked up a few stainless 4" ex-police revolvers. A 66, a Ruger Security Six, another S & W , and then a blue S&W K15 6". All under $400. Best go for the .357, that way you can run +P .38s and not worry, and practice with cheapo wadcutters etc. Or run the JHP 125 grain .357 that is much preferred. Anyway, two of them sit up high in a lock box. One for me, one for the little woman if our alarm goes off....
I do like my 92 Beretta, but there ain't no question when you pick up revolver in the dark as to if there's one in the chamber or if the safety is on....
Good luck.
I do like my 92 Beretta, but there ain't no question when you pick up revolver in the dark as to if there's one in the chamber or if the safety is on....
Good luck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 837
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Best go for the .357, that way you can run +P .38s and not worry, and practice with cheapo wadcutters etc. Or run the JHP 125 grain .357 that is much preferred.
Roger
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by ClydeSDale
The .357 is the best of both worlds. From .38 wadcutters to full house .357 magnum 158's there is a wide range of ammo to choose from. I started reloading for my S&W model 625 .45 Colt Mountain Gun. I bought the dies for .357 for the hell of it and started loading a 125 grain JHP with 7.5 grains of Win 231. I have more fun shooting that load than anything else.
Roger
Roger
The .357 is a great cartridge!! My favorite load in the .357 is a very mild load.
7.2 gr. of Unique with a Hornady 158 gr. JHP, in Federal cases. It is like shooting a 38 spec. round.
I found out years ago that 38 specials in a 357 will produce a 'flash' ring in the chamber(s), that could possible cause problems when chambering a .357.
(I had it happen after a shooting session with .38s and LSWCs.)
Now I have the urge to go to the range!
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