What's the most fun gun that will take 38 special?

[taiden]

In your opinion, what is the most fun gun that will take 38 special?

Sky is the limit, just please make sure it's something that has been done. (Not a crazy concoction from your mind that's never been built.)

[mdi]

Geeeeeze, what a question![smilie=l: I have a 2" .38 Special that's a hoot to shoot with wadcutters, and I take it with me almost every time I go shooting. There are a bunch of .357 revolvers out there that are fun to shoot and I have a 4" revolver that is similar to a .22 lr (muzzle blast and recoil) when fed .38s. There's a lot of folks that shoot a Winchester '92 clone and other "Cowboy" other lever actions, chambered in .357 Magnum, but fire .38 Specials.

I started shooting a 4" .38 in 1969 and that was the first round I reloaded and have been shooting .38s every since in a few revolvers and even one Derringer...

[GLL]

This is an old .38/44 Outdoorsman (long-action 1948 transitional) that someone shortened from 6.5".
http://www.fototime.com/9A8ACD36B463D8F/orig.jpg

BIG FUN ! :)

Jerry

[digger44]

Marlin 1894c

[fecmech]

Lever action .357 rifles. digger beat me to it!

[Jupiter7]

That ive owned, Rossi 92. I consider it my rimfire alternative.

[Iowa Fox]

Marlin 1894 C

[Echo]

My Combat Masterpiece (NOT an M-15!) is my fun 38 - hits what I aim at, and that's where the fun comes in. Shooting it in the SROLY's in 3 weeks.

[Shiloh]

Mine.
Any accurate 38/.357 is suitable.

Shiloh

[theperfessor]

I have a 4" skinny barrel M10 that's a hoot to shoot. I have several accurate loads that shoot close enough to point of aim to make the fixed sights an asset and not a liability. Smooth trigger pull, nothing more fun than deliberate DA shooting at paper and steel.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

S&W mod 14 target, 6" full lug barrel.
recoil is about the same as a 22lr with standard loads.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Marlin 1894C or 1873 Winchester clone.

Randy

[scattershot]

Gotta go with a Ruger Flattop Blackhawk in .357.

[country gent]

Have to be my 1911 in 38 spl wadcutter. Only wadcutters will fit the magazine. Its built in the style of the AMU / bullseye guns. Very accurate almost no recoil to deal with. Something I always wanted and finally found the parts to build one. Bar sto barrel, 2 mags, cylinder and slide trigger sear and hammer.

[C.F.Plinker]

I can't imagine anything that will bring folks over from other shooting benches faster than the Rossi Ranch Hand. Now whether it is practical or not is another question entirely. But it's got the WOW factor.

[brtelec]

I loved my Smith and Wesson model 52.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc233/fzrmax/10104050_1m.jpg (http://s217.photobucket.com/user/fzrmax/media/10104050_1m.jpg.html)

[aap2]

Martini Cadet Rifle rebored to shoot .38/357 from original .310.

[Forrest r]

Hard to beat a professional trigger job on a s&w model 10.

93226

forrest r

[.22-10-45]

Circa 1905 Colt Bisley & Circa 1913 Colt Officers Model Match, both 7 1/2".

[btroj]

The one in my hand at the time.

Usually a GP100. Sometimes a Blackhawk or a Marlin 1894 C.

The GP 100 is just a great gun and I enjoy shooting it.

[DeadWoodDan]

OMG,

Don't know what drew me to this...but just fell in love with it. Then i went to gunbroker and now i will have to save my pennies.

Have the BH and Rossi and love them both.
DWD


I loved my Smith and Wesson model 52.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc233/fzrmax/10104050_1m.jpg (http://s217.photobucket.com/user/fzrmax/media/10104050_1m.jpg.html)

[bhn22]

Hard to beat a professional trigger job on a s&w model 10.

forrest r

I was going to suggest the OP find a retired PPC gun, and delve into the mysteries of the cast wadcutter.

You have nice toys.

[jeepyj]

Pretty hard to beat a old Ruger Blackhawk with a 301 weaver scope mount and a Red Dot. With that on a bench rest I have shot the primers out of used shotgun shells and is quite full-filling. Especially when they are one own hand cast boolits, My preference is something like a 150 grain swc with 5 grains of Unique
BTW You have struck my very favorite caliber!
jeepyj

[taiden]

jeepyj,

I drive an XJ and I only recently struck my favorite caliber! That's why I made this thread. :)

[brtelec]

They make a spring kit that allows this .357 semi auto shoot 38 spcl.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc233/fzrmax/BYrqIBw-e1388516700252.jpg (http://s217.photobucket.com/user/fzrmax/media/BYrqIBw-e1388516700252.jpg.html)

[dverna]

Marlin 1894C or 1873 Winchester clone.

Randy

Absolutely!!!

Don Verna

[crawfobj]

I shoot more 38 special than anything else. Its what got me interested in casting in the first place. It just makes anything fun. My favorites are my 686 and my 1984c.

I saw somewhere that someone make a very expensive scaled down Gatling gun in .38 special. Now THAT would be fun.

[L Ross]

If you ask the neighbor kid he'll tell my 1866 carbine clone in 38 spl is the most fun you can have in the back yard shooting 4, 6, and 8" discs off a rail road rail. I had to teach him how to run the Master Caster to feed his habit.

Duke

[Artful]

Ruger SP101 Revolver and Rossi Puma Lever Action

- like shooting 22LR but more target reaction. :Fire:

Look at casting LEE 105 SWC for 'em - lots of shooting not as much lead used.

[kevmc]

K38!!!!

[cwheel]

Another vote for my Martini Cadet rebored from .310 to 38/.357. Second place goes to my IMI Timberwolf in 38/.357. Timberwolf is like shooting a half sized 870 shotgun in 38/.357 with 10 fast shots, pump action. Both like shooting a 22 LR in a rifle.
Chris

[Certaindeaf]

In your opinion, what is the most fun gun that will take 38 special?

Sky is the limit, just please make sure it's something that has been done. (Not a crazy concoction from your mind that's never been built.)
You're no fun and yer fired. I'd think a flexible tray/belt to a model 52 Smith would be a hoot.. full auto. "wads" a fun. lol

[taiden]

Another vote for my Martini Cadet rebored from .310 to 38/.357. Second place goes to my IMI Timberwolf in 38/.357. Timberwolf is like shooting a half sized 870 shotgun in 38/.357 with 10 fast shots, pump action. Both like shooting a 22 LR in a rifle.
Chris

There's a 22lr at the LGS that looks a lot like the IMI, perhaps it is one! Neat rifle. I'd take one over a levergun, but they are just as expensive on gunbroker.

[fishboy]

This is an old .38/44 Outdoorsman (long-action 1948 transitional) that someone shortened from 6.5".
http://www.fototime.com/9A8ACD36B463D8F/orig.jpg

BIG FUN ! :)

Jerry

That's bad ***! Beautiful snubby.

Greg

[Certaindeaf]

It depends on what you call "fun".. you gotta carry it, shoot it (ooh, it needs "rebuilt"!), or ow, yea, I shot it. whatever. All fun, one and all.
They are all "fun".

[Texantothecore]

Hr handi rifle.
Chambered in .357
Shoots .38 Special, .38 mag
Modern powder or black powder it shoots well.
And it will shoot anything you put into it.

A life time of entertainment.

[Cherokee]

Ruger old model 357 SA 6.5" or 10".

[telebasher]

I'm getting more and more hooked on my 38/357 Handi-Rifle. It keeps me constantly amazed at it's versatility. 22 rimfire shortage be damned, I'll keep casting and shooting with my Handi and if I get tired of that I'll put the Hornet barrel back on!

[MT Gianni]

S&W model 14 6". I have 2 357 revolvers, DW and Blackhawk and a handi 357 Max, rossi 92 but this one wins.

[Big Dipper]

I like shooting my T/C 10" with 38's. Plinking at rocks at 100yds is good cheap fun.

[MtGun44]

Any K frame S&W, or a Ruger Sec 6.

Bill

[Thin Man]

I have many revolvers and one rifle that will accept the 38 S&W Special cartridge and have a time and place for each. That said, I do a fair amount of woods trolling with a S&W Model 10 with 6" barrel. The thin barrel and lighter weight of the M10, along with the longer sight radius, make it the best answer for my uses in the woods. I load it with a few snake loads followed by the flavor of the day SWC load. I find great satisfaction in the service it provides. This combination is portable, accurate, reliable, and will stay in the stable or on the hip until I quit the game.

Thin Man

[s1120]

Depends what you call fun. Looking for a fun handgun that is lower cost, fun to shoot, relyable as a rock, and you can just toss it in the back of the truck when done... hard to beat a old S&W model 10... just simple fun!!! Want a little more adjustability for target shooting? One of the S&W adjustable sight 38spc, or 357. Just a blast to shoot, and can be down loaded for training, or target, or uploaded for making big booms! That being said.... a nice 28/357 lever action riffle is on my short list of wants!!! But I already have a nice model 19 to fill the handgun chores.

[pipehand]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Tippmann-Scale-Reproduction-Model-Gatling-Gun-Special/1120591.uts

And it's marked down to 20K from 30K dollars.

[lightman]

Another vote for the S&W Model 52. I also like shooting my 27's and 28's with 38's. Lightman

[rintinglen]

Any 4 inch medium/large frame revolver. A k-frame S&W is ideal, but Colt and Rugers are just fine.

[Fishman]

Yep. Whar rintinglen said. I prefer an S&W 681.

[bruce381]

Any K frame S&W, or a Ruger Sec 6.

Bill

Or ANY revolver too

[Char-Gar]

I vote for the classic K-38.

[Certaindeaf]

Those pop cans are actually evil. pow!

[DHurtig]

Here's another vote for a Handi rifle. Gets shot more than any gun I own. Goes with me on every trip to the range. New and infrequent shooters love it also. A blackhawk is a close second.

[Dave C.]

Clark Long Heavy Slide with a U-dot 4.

Dave C.

[GabbyM]

Any K frame S&W, or a Ruger Sec 6.

Bill
That's pretty much my thought too.

I do prefer my M10 with heavy barrel over my M15 with standard barrel. Both in 4" length. That bull barrel really tames the muzzle flip. M15 will make my wrist hurt after a while. S&W makes either model in both standard and bull barrel. I've a torn up wrist from years back. The M15 is far lighter on the belt though. I have to clip on a pair of suspenders to wear the bull barrel. In the end it's there accuracy that makes them fun. Easy and cheep to load for too.

[David2011]

I'm lucky enough to have collected a 6" Colt Trooper MkIII, a 6" Model 19, 6" PPC wadcutter pistol, 5-1/2" 3 Screw Blackhawk, a 4" heavy barreled Model 14 and a 2" 5 shot Charter Arms from the old days. My favorites are the 6" .357s for shooting at the range. For wandering around in the desert or the woods, either the 4" Model 14 or Blackhawk is a lot more fun to carry and still fun to shoot. Taking the PPC pistol out is kind of like taking out the Garand or driving an antique car or street rod. Lots of fun and lots of looks/questions.

David

[Changeling]

Gill that is a beautiful litle pistol !

[DGNY]

For me, it is:
a] a ~50 year old S&W Model 15 with a scratch on the sideplate and a couple of thin spots in the blueing. But it is 'more accurate than I am', meaning that it puts them closer together on the target than I think I held them;
b] a S&W Model 60-4 J-frame that has eyes of its own.

Great cartridge, the .38 Special. It more than lives up to its name.

Regards,

Dyson

[ddixie884]

I believe my M-15-3 is my favorite, but my two M-65 ladymiths are fun too........

[mpbarry1]

I had to do some research on the model 52. Now I want one! I hate you guys... ;)

[L Ross]

This is an old .38/44 Outdoorsman (long-action 1948 transitional) that someone shortened from 6.5".
http://www.fototime.com/9A8ACD36B463D8F/orig.jpg

BIG FUN ! :)

Jerry
Exceptional revolver and as always your photos are outstanding.

Duke

[Fire_Medic]

My new to me K38 is just too much fun, as someone else suggested it feels like a .22 at the range, and you don't have to chase brass, man I wish I would have opened up to revolvers sooner………

FM

[dudel]

T/C Contender with 12" .357Max barrel, followed by a Handi also in .357Max. Lots of load options.

[Petrol & Powder]

This is an old .38/44 Outdoorsman (long-action 1948 transitional) that someone shortened from 6.5".
http://www.fototime.com/9A8ACD36B463D8F/orig.jpg

BIG FUN ! :)

Jerry

That is one cool rig!

[Char-Gar]

That is one cool rig!

Now, I like that sixgun, I really do!

[fritzy1911]

The .38 spl. is one of my favorites. I love shooting my S&W model 14-4 w/8.375" bl. or my S&W model 10-7 w/4" bl. But by far the most fun would be my Rossi 92 in 38/357.

[whopist]

My Uberti replica of a S&W New Model #3 Top Break is chambered in 38 Special.
It is the most fun to shoot of all my 38's.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii165/whopist/LaramieRSsm1_zps3873c080.jpg (http://s264.photobucket.com/user/whopist/media/LaramieRSsm1_zps3873c080.jpg.html)

[Lloyd Smale]

thats an easy one. for a handgun a model 15 smith. For a rifle a marlin 94 cowboy.

[M-Tecs]

Another vote for the S&W Model 52 in a pistol. For a rifle a marlin 94 cowboy.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Anything that can handle a case full of 2400. I like to refer to 38/44 loads as what the .38 was meant to be! Although they aren't too bad for target shooting with a little BE either...

[Baja_Traveler]

Dang near 70 posts and not one mention of my choice - a Colt Diamondback.

[Southern Shooter]

My late 1970's Dan Wesson 15-2. Shoot soup can lids all day long at 40 yards.
93605

[Trinidad Bill]

I loved my Smith and Wesson model 52.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc233/fzrmax/10104050_1m.jpg (http://s217.photobucket.com/user/fzrmax/media/10104050_1m.jpg.html)

Like deadwooddan I really like the looks of the S&W model 52 and I am off looking for one!

[kweidner]

I have 2.... My Dan Wesson gold series with the loooong barrel and a model 97 freedom arms. If it's accurate it's fun:-D

[45-70 Chevroner]

I loved my Smith and Wesson model 52.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc233/fzrmax/10104050_1m.jpg (http://s217.photobucket.com/user/fzrmax/media/10104050_1m.jpg.html)
I will double that and raise you one. I don't have one but I sure wish I did. I shot one a long time ago that belonged to my older brother and it was one cool pistol to shoot, and it was very accurate.

[bedbugbilly]

It's a toss up for me between my 1910 Colt 6" Army Special and my 1952 5" Smith M & P pre 10

[375supermag]

Hi...
My favorite .38Spl is a Cimarron Mason-Richards open-top conversion.
Brass strap,case-colored...great fun!

[pls1911]

How about an old sherriff's sawed off model 10 with the sight set back, rusted on the fleshy hip side from pants carry, and a pitted bore. Danged ugliest gun I own, is crazy accurate, never leads.
It's just not right.

[John Allen]

Rifle wise it would be my IMI Timberwolf
93647

[Outpost75]

Martini Cadet Rifle rebored to shoot .38/357 from original .310.

+1 on the. 38/.357 Cadet Martini. I put Unertl blocks on mine and occasionally usd a 4x straight tube Small Game Scope to pot groundhogs, etc.

[Ozarki]

my wife's colt python when I can talk her into letting me play with it. My S&W 686 ain't bad either. Both are 4inchers.

[DRNurse1]

S&W model 14 6". I have 2 357 revolvers, DW and Blackhawk and a handi 357 Max, rossi 92 but this one wins.

Another vote for the model 14. I can load it for my kids to plink, carry if I choose (6 inch bbl is a bit much for me unless open carry), compete (NRA Distinguished Revolver), teach and train. It reaches out to 50 yards with fine accuracy (less than 3 inch 10shot groups) and is pretty easy to clean and maintain (parts available although discontinued production). No one of these factors makes it an amazing firearm. But put together, these are all positive factors that make it a hoot to shoot.

[winelover]

S&W Hammerless Airweight with Crimson Trace Laser grips------especially when cbrick tries to wrap his big paws around it and shoot it like a long distance match revolver.

Winelover

[cbrick]

S&W Hammerless Airweight with Crimson Trace Laser grips------especially when cbrick tries to wrap his big paws around it and shoot it like a long distance match revolver. Winelover

What? :holysheep You mean it wasn't?

Rick

[blademasterii]

I'm going to vote for a rossi 92 in .357 with a suppressor. :D http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn276/blademasterii/th_20140112_105738.jpg (http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn276/blademasterii/20140112_105738.mp4) I just added marbles target peep rear and fiber optic front sights to it so I can actually see the sights. No recoil, no noise, little cost to shoot, and cool factor out the ^&*()(*&^%.

[Juan Jose]

A 6" S&W Model 14 tweaked by the SO's armorer. I wish it were mine!