RotoMetals2RepackboxInline FabricationReloading Everything
MidSouth Shooters SupplyLoad DataWidenersLee Precision
Titan Reloading
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 33 of 33

Thread: Been thinking a 38 spec wheel gun

  1. #21
    Boolit Master Maven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    4,946
    Quote Originally Posted by Outpost75 View Post
    Former police 4" Model 10 S&Ws are very plentiful on the used market and you should be able to find a serviceable one in your price range. I would look for a Model 10-5 or later, due to parts availability and being +P rated. Great woods loafing gun and well suited for home defense. Concealable in proper holster.
    I'd do what Outpost75 suggests. In fact, years ago I did just that and couldn't be happier with my S & W Mod. 10, especially since it came with aftermarket grips which fit my hand perfectly.

  2. #22
    Boolit Master Murphy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Idabel, Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,334
    Fly,

    I understand setting a limit on what you have to spend on purchasing a .38 Special. I can't add much to what others have already said, just share my personal opinion is all.

    If possible, scour the various auction sites or online dealers for the best you can afford. Better yet, if at all possible hold off until you have a few more dollars. Unless $300 is all you're willing to pay.

    That being said, I've been a Smith & Wesson fan for decades now. The Model 10 is a time proven all around great .38 Special. If you can live with the fixed sights and find a load that will shot to the sights you won't regret it. I have an pre Model 10 with a 4" pencil barrel that is about as ideal (to me) as it gets. Light weight being number one. Just a good, solid all the way around old gun.

    Good luck in your search and update us when you find the right one for you.

    Murphy
    If I should depart this life while defending those who cannot defend themselves, then I have died the most honorable of deaths. Marc R. Murphy '2006'.

  3. #23
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Posts
    2,287
    Quote Originally Posted by Livin_cincy View Post
    Armscor sells a 38 Special 4" revolver that resembles the off spring of a S&W & a Colt.
    https://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/...l=All&cal=38SP

    They are $215-230 in my area.

    Yes, some report problems... But Gallery Of Guns Warranty solves that for you.
    I have been looking at that gun. A lot of mixed reviews. They do have a lifetime warranty as you said &
    whole six shots. I like the looks of the frame, even though there a little heavy that's not a big deal.

    The Tulsa gun show is coming next month & I might consider one of them. I care not the name on the gun.
    But I pretty much know what I,m getting with S&W. But buying used guns over the net can be a **** shoot
    also.

    Fly
    Last edited by Fly; 03-10-2018 at 01:53 PM.

  4. #24
    Boolit Grand Master


    stubshaft's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Southernmost State of the Union
    Posts
    5,854
    I recently picked up a new S&W 642 pre-lock for $275.00 on Gunbroker.
    Old enough to know better, young enough to do it anyway!

    Men who don't understand women fall into two categories: bachelors and husbands!

  5. #25
    Boolit Buddy The Governor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    163
    http://www.southernohiogun.com/handg...volvers-1.html

    I paid a premium and got a real nice model 66 round butt no lock

  6. #26
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,335
    I hope I get a few more K frame .38 police guns before they are gone. LEO trade in autos are the thing now.

  7. #27
    Moderator



    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Oregon Coast
    Posts
    10,248
    Put the word out to friends and relatives that you're looking for a good deal on a quality revolver. You never know what will show up.

    I had a UPS driver who was retiring show up at my door and offer me a new condition S&W 4" Model 10, with a new Bianchi holster for $225.00. Just three days ago, a friend offered me a NIB 2" S&W Model 15 for $275.00. Awhile back, I picked up a nearly new 2" Model 10 for $250.00. There are deals out there, but you have to let people know you're looking, and when you least expect it, one will jump out in front of you, just begging to go home with you.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  8. #28
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    Speaking of pre-Model 10s, this .38 Special Hand Ejector made in 1950 sold recently on GunBroker for $400, which is about half of its collector value considering condition and C-prefix postwar, 1950 DOM serial number. There are bargains out there if you are knowledgeable and patient.

    Attachment 216196
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  9. #29
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    State of Denial
    Posts
    4,213
    Thinking of the purchase as potentially a lifetime investment helps. I'm not saying you shouldn't shop around, but squirrel your acorns for the purpose so that when the target of opportunity DOES present itself, you can suck up the cost without wringing your hands over the price.

    My own advice would be to score a used Ruger GP-100 for the simple reason that they are still making them and will service them so long as they have parts, regardless of whether you were the original owner or not. Smith & Wesson's .38's and .357's, while very fine things, have been subject to more parts revisions than Hilary Clinton's life story, and they're going to bill you for servicing one bought secondhand.

    Seeing as you're a nearly 2000-posts member of a handloading forum, it's pretty clear you shoot more than the average squib. Buying brand X is a false economy for guys like us.
    WWJMBD?

    In the Land of Oz, we cast with wheel weight and 2% Tin, Man.

  10. #30
    Banned
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Central Virginia
    Posts
    7,439
    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    I hope I get a few more K frame .38 police guns before they are gone. LEO trade in autos are the thing now.
    The heyday of LE revolver trade-ins is long over but that market was very large. There are still some LE revolvers trickling into the private sector but it isn't the huge influx we saw back in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Prisons tend to keep their firearm inventories much longer than police departments so those revolvers hit the market later than the police trade ins. Some overseas police departments replaced their firearms and the old guns were imported back to the U.S. And the final factor is simply the number of LE revolvers on the market. The 4" DA 38 Special revolver was "THE" U.S. law enforcement sidearm for many decades. There are a LOT of those guns on the market.

    So it is very true that the LE trade-in revolvers are not the bargain they once were, but they are still a good value.

  11. #31
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,335
    Barney Fife's "Baby" came to mind when I saw the 6" M&P.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

  12. #32
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    over the hill, out in the woods and far away
    Posts
    10,158
    Quote Originally Posted by Texas by God View Post
    Barney Fife's "Baby" came to mind when I saw the 6" M&P...
    I thought the same thing.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  13. #33
    Banned


    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    NJ via TX
    Posts
    3,876
    keep looking for a good used s&w or ruger ... 4 years ago i picked up this beauty for $300 ...

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	m14-2.jpg 
Views:	16 
Size:	136.2 KB 
ID:	216387

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	sw5.JPG 
Views:	8 
Size:	266.5 KB 
ID:	216388

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check