looking at getting a range revolver.

[Billairgun]

I'm thinking of a inexpensive 38spcl with a 4" barrel that I can take to the range and have fun with and not worry about. I'm not opposed to a 44spcl but have a bucket of 38's from the range and would like to get a 38 only revolver(not another .357). About all I've seen is the Armscor m200 in stock right now, are there any other choices?

[MSD MIke]

Scrounge up a pawn shop Smith and Wesson Model 10. Cheap, accurate and good quality. After you get one they will multiply.

[slughammer]

S&W model 67 38spl stainless adjustable sights
S&W model 64 38spl stainless fixed sights
S&W model 15 38spl blued adjustable sights
and the already mentioned model 10 38spl blued fixed sights

I have a 15 and a 67. They are excellent sized guns for 38 spl.

[ddixie884]

Police/security trade ins with adjustable sights are hard to beat. Check GB. I bought a couple of late model 15s a few years ago, at what I thought was a good price..........

[osteodoc08]

Another vote for a nice used model 15

[smkummer]

Don't count out the official police Colts or its earlier version the army special. Barrels common in the 4, 5 and 6 in length. Just bought a finish challenge army special for $227 plus $15 shipping to my C&R. But true, it will be easier to get the same condition S&W for less. Most are generally be happier with an American classic over an import.

[EMC45]

Just picked up a nice Model 10 police turn in for $125. It was a 4in. skinny barrel. Deals are still out there.

[FlatTop45LC]

I have a heavy barrel 4 inch M10 that shoots 158 grain cast swc-hp to the sights at 25 yards.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Billairgun, call it a range revolver if it suits your intents. I have several 4 inch 38 Special revolvers and I call them dual purpose - carry pieces as well as fun guns.

One of of my favorites is a nickel Model 10 from the early 60s wearing Hogues and about 80% of its nickel. Most certainly an old cop gun from a better era of American history. I paid $235 for it a couple of years ago in a little shop in the middle of Texas. Trigger is slick as olive oil on butter shooting double action. In single action there is no trigger creep. End play, barrel cylinder gap better than most new Smiths. Chamber throats all the same and just a hair bigger than groove diameter. No barrel constriction at the frame. No lock hole.

It's loaded with enough Steel to drive double ended wad cutters cast from 3:1 Pb:WW air cooled lubed with Felix Lube, to a tad over 1000 fps for serious duty.

For fun it's NOE 360477 and enough Bullseye or AA5 to get at least 800 fps.

Best bargin I've had in awhile. Hope you find one too.

[Billairgun]

I've had better luck at auctions than pawn shops, but I'll keep looking around to see if I can find a S&W at a decent price. I had seen a model 10 at Gander mountain but IIRR it was around $375.

[MT Gianni]

I bought a nice Model 15 on Gunbroker last week for $255. I thought it was 1988 all over again. I took it to the range and it did great with boolits weighing from 150 to 173 gr.

[c1skout]

I've got the snubbie version of that Armscor and it is an ugly but decent gun. Shoots well and has a pretty good trigger, I've got maybe 5-600 rounds through it so far. Any of the Ruger GP100 or SP101 are good too. No matter what you pick up you'll find a bunch more choices after you get the new one home! At least that's always how it happens for me.

[odis]

A little over a year ago I spent a lot of money for a S&W M15, 40 yrs old never been shot and I bought it for the same reason you are using. I love that gun and I love the 38spec. Everybody should own a Smith K38, or a K32, my next purchase.

[rintinglen]

22 years ago, when a dollar was worth about three of these Obama bucks, I bought a police trade in M-10 S&W for 99.00 plus tax and registration. If you find a good clean one for less than 300 bucks today--BUY IT. It is a wonderful gun that is one of my favorites.