"Classic" .38 & .357 recommendations

[jeff423]

After about 3 years of shooting and reloading I find that I really like loading and shooting .38 spec and .357 Mag. I want to expand my revolver collection and am looking for suggestions. My one requirement is adjustable sights, and a gun that could be considered a target pistol.

I have:

Colt

Officers Special Match
Python

S&W

27-2
14-3
( I had a 686 but sold it to finance the Python)

Thanks,

Jeff

[Mk42gunner]

Colt Diamondbacks are sweet, kind of like a shrunken python.


Robert

[fecmech]

S&W model 19 and Ruger GP 100's

[jdgabbard]

I'll give a vote for the smith 66. As far as classics go, it's a stainless gun. However, it was sworn by in years past, and screams 'magnum' in older styling. I own a 65 (fixed sight model) and it groups at about .8-1.2 inches with whatever I feed it if I do my part.

[waco]

I just bought a s&w 14-2 k-38 target masterpiece with a 6" barrel.
I should have it in a week or so. Should be a sweet shooter. I love to plink with .38 and .357 loads also!
Waco

[kingstrider]

I concur with all the DA recommendations but its hard to beat a SA Blackhawk. I have several of them and they are one of my favorites to shoot and reload for. As far as "classic" goes, they have been around for decades so have a pretty good history behind them.

[HeavyMetal]

Add a S&W model 52 38 mid range wad cutter gun to that collection!

Not the new 9mm turkey! You want a real 38 special gun!

[RayinNH]

Ruger Security Six.

[chaos]

Ruger Security Six.

There is no finer double action ..........other than a colt python. For the money, its a no brainer.

[gon2shoot]

The most accurate (for me) gun I own is an older BH with a 6 1/2" bbl.

[jeff423]

Add a S&W model 52 38 mid range wad cutter gun to that collection!

Not the new 9mm turkey! You want a real 38 special gun!

Amen to that! I've got 3 52-2's. I had a 952 for about 3 months and then sold it.

Jeff

[jeff423]

I just bought a s&w 14-2 k-38 target masterpiece with a 6" barrel.
I should have it in a week or so. Should be a sweet shooter. I love to plink with .38 and .357 loads also!
Waco

Nice find - That's been on my list for a while.

Jeff

[Le Loup Solitaire]

S&W M14- 6" and 8&3/8"
S&W M52
S&W M27-6" and 8&3/8"
S&W M28-4" and 6"
The first 3 are classic out of the box target guns. When fed quality, well adjusted and prepared ammo they are capable of amazing accuracy. And of course with endless amounts of practice. LLS

[dualsport]

Another vote for the Security Six. Had a trigger job on mine and the DA was sweet. Won some runnin' gunnin' type professional competition with it long ago. Wish I still had it! I really liked the way it felt and also the cylinder release button seems a little easier to use quick.

[462]

S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman.

[9.3X62AL]

Jeff--

Just my opinion, but you already possess some pretty fine 38/357 hardware. All four of those you listed would make my own list of "must haves". Very tastefully selected!

I would concur with the Colt Diamondback selection listed above--they are SWEET. Since out-of-print examples aren't off-limits, a Model 586 wouldn't be a bad selection either. If you REALLY want to go esoteric, pre-war S&W 38-44 Outdoorsman or Colt New Service (both 38 Specials) would allow you to extend the 38 Special into Elmer Keith's toll-free dialing area.

I greatly enjoy handguns. I positively LOVE 38 Special and 357 Magnum revolvers, single- or double-action. That I saved my sorry butt with one in 1981 might figure into that equation just a bit. I take a little flack from the younger deputies for it, but there is still a 4" Model 686 and a 2" Detective Special "on paper" for my CCW, and will remain so. The calibers just do so many things so darn well.

[Beerd]

it ain't a revolver, but some consider the T/C Contender to be a target pistol.
..

[Crash_Corrigan]

My Pastor has a Ruger Old Model BH in 357 with the 6" bbl. It had a trigger job done on it some time ago and it is a tack driver. Perfect balance and great sights and a trigger to die for. I measured it with one of the digital measuring thingies at my gunnies shop on day and the trigger broke at between 1.75 and 2 pounds every time and it was always a surprise.

It would group 10 rounds at less than 3/4" at 25 yds with hand loads and it is a joy to shoot. He had it reblued a long time ago and some of it is worn off on the sharp edges but the rest of it rivals those gorgeous Colt Bluing jobs from those long past classics. Deep and just perfect.

His 10 year old adopted son has started to shoot it and he does a better job than Dad or I with it. From a rest he has shot groups less than 1/2" at 25 yds and that is just out of sight. That little guy also can hit the 10 gong at 40 yds off hand with one hand with my Taurus Model 85 ultralight so he is a natural shot.

He is a mite small for the 1911's yet but I think he will grow into them later on.

[cowboy]

Howdy-
have to put in a vote for Ruger Blackhawks ( own at least several in .357mag. all of them keepers) and S&W 586/ 686. Recently found a super nice 586 at a show- barely fired, w box ( the little plastic packet holding a screwdriver, bore brush. And that silly cleaning rod that is useless for barrel lengths greater than 4", and ALL factory papers/ads) but wearing Pachy grips instead of wood. LOVES cast boolits, groups mostly vary a bit in location depending on the powder used, bit ALL groups are of the one ragged hole variety.
Likewise have a Trooper MK III, greatly under rated during it's production. Don't take it out much as parts would be tough to replace!

[Ekalb2000]

SA. go with the Blackhawk. I like mine.
DA, GP100. I like this as well. It is real fun with the double action.
Since I have gotten the GP 100, I feel like I am cheating on my Blackhawk. But I just keep telling myself the reason for it is, the Blackhawk is older and I need to break in the 100.

[mnzrxer]

For the 38 my vote would be for the Colt Diamondback. I just picked one up about a month ago and it is sweet to shoot. Other than the trigger being a little narrow I think it is the perfect DA revolver.

[EDK]

I'm getting back into 357s myself. My classics are a pair of 5.5 inch 627 Smiths from the late 80s/early 90s when S&W was doing "the gun of the week." They look like a 629 Classic, weight a ton, and will digest heavier loads than I care to try.

My other 357s are MARLIN Cowboy Rifles...do the 24 inch octagon barrels make them a classic...and "a herd of RUGER VAQUEROS and BISLEY VAQUEROS."

:Fire::redneck::cbpour:

[OBXPilgrim]

Colt

Officers Special Match
Python

S&W

27-2
14-3
( I had a 686 but sold it to finance the Python)

Thanks,

Jeff


What? Talkin' classics and you don't have a Dan Wesson? - The reason S&W made the 586/686! A 15-2VH or 715-2VH would look good on that list.

You got a Python - don't need a Diamondback.

[FISH4BUGS]

S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman.

I was lucky to find a 1960 4 screw diamond grip (numbered to the gun 6" blue 28. It was clearly someone's duty gun for the bluing and grips are worn from mucho holster use but mechanically it looks and feels like it wasn't shot much at all.
After a good cleaning it looks pretty nice, albeit with a bit of blue loss. Shoots wonderfully too. This is a 27 without the high gloss blue.