My vote goes for a 3" 36 if you can find one. In my area they are cheaper than snubbie 36's.
My vote goes for a 3" 36 if you can find one. In my area they are cheaper than snubbie 36's.
IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!
I have a 36-6 3 inch adj sights, love it. They are really scarce around here, and like the M696, too nice for me to wade fish with. I would love to run across a fixed sight 3 inch M36, that would then be my creek gun! I may have to head down to mid , wanna share your good fortune ?
“You don’t practice until you get it right. You practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Jason Elam, All-Pro kicker, Denver Broncos
This topic comes up frequently.
Here's another thread where it was discussed at length.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-Gun-revisited
And I think a 4" K-frame in 38 Special is hard to beat. Something weather resistant would be desirable.
There is a gun show promoter around here called CASC which is the Collectors And Shooters Club. Their shows bring out more of the blue collar guns and prices or at least that is what I have found over the last few years. That venue is where I bought my Model 33 in 99% cond for $300. I probably shouldn't use the word"cheap" because those days are over, but by today's standards, they seem to be more reasonable. As usual, cash does the talking. If you decide to come to the shows, they are in Hoover, Al and the parking is free.
IT AINT what ya shoot--its how ya shoot it. NONE of us are as smart as ALL of us!
Now that’s the makings of a road trip. Thanks for the info. I do use my 36-6 for woods wandering and goofing off. I like 3 inch small frames, there is a Rossi 32SWL 3 inch in the safe. 32 is just a bit lite on shot for no-legs.
“You don’t practice until you get it right. You practice until you can’t get it wrong.” Jason Elam, All-Pro kicker, Denver Broncos
Classic Firearms has cheap model 10 S&Ws. They have 10-7s rated good for $219.99, Google it..........
Last edited by ddixie884; 01-23-2020 at 07:36 PM.
I’m quite fond of theRuger GP100. Mine is a 4” but if I where to buy another it would be a 3”. Here in Colorado be do have bears so my usual load is a 170 grain hard cast Keith on top of a healthy dose of 2400 powder. When bears aren’t an issue I carry it with 158 grain LSWC’s over five of Unique loaded in .38 special cases.
I have a Ruger LCRx 38 Sp +P with 3" barrel.
It is pretty close to perfect for your application.
Even with a 3" barrel, it is very light and a lot easier on the wallet than most of your other choices for a new gun. With the 3" barrel and the adjustable sights, it is a fun to shoot gun at the range, especially double action.
For hiking/fishing I will usually take along either a nickle plated 2" S&W Model 10, or my Single Six 22LR. Neither weighs too much, and both are comfortable for me to carry all day. Shot loads can be carried in either as well.
I find myself strapping on my S&W Model 66-6 357 Mag w/2 3/8 " bbl. It's very sweet and carries well. When I know I'm going out into the hollers I am sure to carry my Ruger Blackhawk 41 mag w/240 gr hardcast freedom pellets as we have wild hawgs runnin around out here.My wife favors her Smith 38 nightguard for gp hiking or 629 Mountain gun for the hawgs.
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I would JUMP ALL OVER THAT if I was in the market for a model 10.
Seriously ! this looks like a good deal
https://www.classicfirearms.com/smit...-bbl-revolver/
Last edited by Petrol & Powder; 01-23-2020 at 11:37 PM.
I'd have to agree with 35 Whelen's suggestion. If you think it's going to receive less than tender loving care, a police turn in Model 10 would be just the ticket. Probably been carried more than shot, dirt cheap at 200.00 and with wadcutters or 358429 your going to be pretty well set for anything Texas has to offer.
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W8SOB
Can't argue with a model 10 at that price.
Paper targets aren't your friends. They won't lie for you and they don't care if your feelings get hurt.
If I were starting from scratch on the OP's quest, I would look long and hard at the Model 63 S&W with four inch barrel. If I felt the need for more power, I would go with the Model 60-4 which retains the stainless adjustable J-frame platform only in 38 Special. If money were not a consideration I'd pay the freight for a Model 631 and have an adjustable sighted stainless J-frame in 32 H&R, but they are rare and expen$ive.
Froggie
"It aint easy being green!"
Depends on where I lived. When we lived in NW Wyoming I carried a Mod. 97 Freedom Arms in 45 Colt that was loaded with 300 gr. hard cast at 1100 fps. Not a plinking round and thankfully I never had to learn if the revolver or I would have been up to the task of taking on a grizzer bear.
Back here in Missouri it's one of two. A 696 S&W in 44 Spl. or an old Colt Army Special in 32-20. The 696 goes fishing with me because it's stainless. Depending on my mood, there's a half dozen others that might get the call, all revolvers.
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I like the small frame alloy .38 S&W. They are light, work every time, don't rust and pretty cheap. Ruger and S&W both make them.. I got one of the 5 shot alloy S&Ws for my wife. I carry more than she does. It's nice and light for hikes. I also carry one of the little .22 Berettas from time to time. I have a 3" model 36 but never carry it anymore.
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 |