I went to my first gun show yesterday and I don't think I'm going to find a .38 with a 4 inch barrel there used. At least one in a condition I'd be confident shooting.

So now I'm looking at what S&W is currently selling and I'm finding little if any difference in the Model 64 and 67. A rear adjustable sight in the 67 is all I can see. Neither have a fiber optic front sight or even the option to install one.

For good or bad S&W is it for revolvers and if they are no longer interested in building guns in .38 caliber in anything other than snub nose than that 9mm Steyr M-A1 is looking very good.

The 64 and 67 are the stainless version of the 10 and 15 blued guns -- The difference is the adjustable sights -- Adjustable sights are nice to have but not really necessary for a defense revolver -- S&W still makes both types but a lot of people don't care for the internal lock -- Good used ones are a bargin and should serve you well -- I, for one don't like fiberoptic sights on a defense gun because they tend to be fragile in my experence

I'd get one of the used Model 64s. I think J&G Sales still has some although the price has gone up a little. I have a 2 ,3, and 4 inch. The 4 inch Model 64 I bought from J&G is easily the best revolver I own. Loaded with a good plus P round it makes a great defensive gun.

Greg Ellifritz has recently published some research on the comparibility of the common defensive calibers which makes me feel much better about the 38 Special. There has been some criticism of his research methodology but as someone who has been involved in scientific research in a variety of capacities I think he did as good a job as anyone could do in the real world. I load it with Cor Bon 125 grain plus P hollow points.

Here is a link to his research:
An Alternate Look at Handgun Stopping Power

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I like Ike.

I'm not sure where you're located, but you shouldn't have a problem finding a .38 with a 4" barrel if there are any local shops in the area. Model 15s and 10s are common with 4" barrels, and remember, you can always shoot .38s in a .357.

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Misty

Agreed, adjustable sights are nice but not really needed on a SD revolver. My old 4" 64 shoots 148-158 grain bullets pretty well without them.


I too am not a big fan of fragile plastic sights on a field gun, they are fine for a range queen or dedicated target gun if you can get past the serious case of UGLY. I'm also not a big fan of field guns that need batteries or rifles that don't have iron sights to back up glass. But then I'm a crotchety old fart who is set in his ways, and besides, change scares me.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Those two enterprises usually have some good deals on
firearms, and right now they've got some .38's that you might like.
Their prices are pretty darn good, and so's their reputations.
Before I came to the Forum, I didn't realize that you Need to have some good S&W's around the house.

Agree with the previous posts about buying used. These often have external evidence of use or wear but have had very few rounds shot through them, so are for all intents and purposes mechanically like new and at less than half the MSRP of a new one.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Smith wheelguns and steyr autoloaders are two different animals. Whats the intended purpose of the gun? Best thing to do is avoid a one gun fits all needs and buy something best suited for the particular purpose.

Having just bought a new 627 Pro 5/08, I was too soon back at my local enabler's lair and spied security guard trade-in 64's in the used case. When I asked if they had any recent models, the went to the safe - and returned with an unissued example - with two slightly soiled cylinder chambers, box, shot case, IL keys, club app, etc - all were $315 OTD. So, I took the then year old 64-8 - and here is what it looks like today - stoked with +P 158gr LHPSWC's - OEM Uncle Mike's square-conversion Combats on it - in bedside 'home protector' duty.



It sported Ahrends square conversion cocobolo wood grips for the first year I had it - and was always nasty. I couldn't seem to make it to the range without the 64... I wish I had bought a spare! It hits coincident POA/POI at 12 yd with both my 125gr JHP plinker homebrews and the aforementioned protection round. Fun shooter. I left the stock springs in - cleaned, lubed, and dry-fired it to break it in - then recleaned/lubed. I like the insurance of a strong/unaltered hammer spring in a 'defender'. It's trigger is fine - and it has produced no ftf's. It's a fun plinker - but that wasn't it's 'reason to be'. After just over a year, I put the UM's Combats back on it - and returned it to duty... as a home protector. In all seriousness - reduced to one firearm only in my house - this might be it.

Stainz

PS The current production 4" 64, still a 64-8 and SKU #162506, is identical to mine. Proof enough for me that no matter the age or variant, they are great revolvers.

I hear you, brother! My first 64 experience was with a department-issued 64 that had the best trigger I'd pulled on a stock gun in a long time. So I got on the J&G website, and ordered two more, but the DAO version. The price was right, the actions are slick, and if I want to polish them up and change them from workhorses to show horses I have that option. I think I may need a couple more, actually.