I already have a 442 airweight and it is at the moment my only gun. As much as I like it I have to admit after going through a box of ammo it is fatiguing to shoot.

I would like to find a used .38 with a longer barrel to shoot at the range. Not really looking for a .357.

Could any of you suggest some models I should look for and maybe what price they'd be going for at a gun show.

A Model 10 or 64 with a 4" barrel or a Model 15 or 67 with a 4" barrel. A new revolver should cost about $500 to $600. A used revolver should run $250-350. Be careful about buying a used revolver unless you are able to inspect it to make sure there are no problems with it.

Any of the K-frames. Barrels run from 3 to 6+ inches. I'm only going to list .38 Specials in the all steel (blued or nickel finish) or stainless steel (SS) models. Steel fixed sight would include Model 10. Adjustable steel would be Model 15. SS fixed would be Model 65. SS adjustable is Model 67. All the above are fairly commonly available in the used market, often as ex-police or security guns. The 4" versions, in VG condition will run $300-400 +/-, with SS going for about $50 more. All are capable of +P ammo, with the 158 gr weight preferred. The +P all-lead 158 gr SWCHP (semi-wadcutter hollow point) is a classic defensive round.

The Model 15 or 67 is my personal choice for a range gun. Easy to shoot well, points quickly and potentially quite accurate.

+1 for a Model 10 or related adjustable-sight model. In particular, I like the Model 10-6 with 4" barrel because of it's heavy barrel, good handling and accuracy. You should be able to find a nice used one for $300 +/- at a decent show. Carefully examine the gun before you throw money down:

How to inspect a Smith & Wesson revolver

If you are looking for a range gun, a 14, 15 or 67 would be my pick. Prices haven't gone through the roof yet (although 14s are scuffing the plaster) and the improved sight picture alone will make your range time much more enjoyable.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Thank you! I'm a new member of this forum and I just want to say you guys absolutely rock. I often say when it comes to guns everyone is an expert. But there is a lot of hard won knowledge out there and I'm very grateful that the people that make up this forum are willing to share what they know.

The Model 10 is the ultimate revolver. Thousands upon millions were issued to police the world over for the past 70 years or so. The stainless steel counterpart is the Model 64. Both have fixed sights. You shouldn't pay more than $400 for either one in very good condition. Sometimes you get lucky and find one for a lot less. There are police trade-ins that become available on line and usually someone here sees and shares it, like the recent group of 3" Model 10's from Bud's Gun Shop for $279. Reports have been generally positive - good shooters that may be cosmetically challenged.

My Model 64 is far and away the most accurate gun (for me, at least) that I own. I shoot 158 grain ball (non-+P) and am always spot-on.

an old model 10 with the heavy barrel would be great. if you want a snubbie so your practice is more true, mod 60 or 36 in steel is a more comfy shooter. you can put on the same grips, shoot the same ammo(not +P) and have your range sessions be more effective. good luck!

i suggest a s&w model 60 revolver with a 3 inch barrel even though its a .357 magnum you can shoot .38 special ammunition in its cylinder chambers.

Here's the NY-1 Police Model 64 I bought last week at J&G Sales. $317 and change out the door. This is a double action only version with bobbed hammer. Action is smooth and its a fine revolver for the $$. You could buy one from their website with confidence. They have model 64's starting at $259.

I have an old nickeled model 36 and a model 64 with a 3" bull barrel. I have finally got grips on the 36 that I can live with. It is still not something you want to put alot of ammo in during a single session. The 64 is a whole different story. It is a pleasure and fun to shoot. The action is completly different than the J frame and the larger size soaks up the recoil. I recently shot some +P ammo in it and is was not unpleasant. This is currently my "go to" gun. (That may change to a recently aquired 92FS as I have found this semi-auto to be as reliable as a revolver.)

What is the purpose of this second gun? If it is self defense then a k frame with a 3-4" barrel would do the trick. If it is for CCW then learn to control the j frame and use that. If it is for target then I highly recommend a K or L frame with a 6" barrel and adjustable sights. Don't be afraid to go 357 as you can shoot 38s all day long, just clean it regularly. I have a 6" Python for this very purpose. My son loves to shoot 357s through it but I injured my shooting hand a while back and I prefer 38s right now.

I will commit heresy and point out that Ruger, Charter Arms, and Taurus all make a lot of good, serviceable service size 38/357's and there a lot of fine old Colts arround. If you look, you can find good used and cheap serviceable new 38's. The woods is full of them.

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olafhardt

Fritz52, what type of ammunition are you shooting in your 642? Try shooting 148gr wadcutters. They are pretty gentle. Then you can shoot one or two cylinders of your carry load at the end of your range session.

Also what grips are you using? A grip that covers the backstrap will help tame recoil.

I agree with a lot of posts here. The model 10 would be a good choice for a 2nd gun.

Put me down for another vote for a 6" m-14. It is my favorite k-frame range 38. (My all time favoritie 38 at the range is my outdoorsman)

I

LOVE

MY

64.


Only because I prefer stainless to blued carbon steel do I say this may be the best gun they ever made.

If you like a blued revolver I'd get a Model 15 and if you like a stainless revolver I'd get a model 67.

I'll cast yet another vote for the Model 64.........good sturdy guns available at bargain prices, that require minimal maintenance and are easy to shoot. I was issued one for work, and liked it so much I went out and bought two more. All my shooting is in double-action, so getting a deal on police trade-in guns with bobbed hammers was even sweeter.



If your eyes are older and you have trouble using fixed sights, the Model 67 can be had for a few dollars more.

If you find a good deal on any number of used .357s out there, don't hesitate to pick it up. No reason you have to shoot .357s in it. .38s will work just fine. I shoot volumes of .38s each year and all are out of .357 revolvers. Been doing this for 40 years with no problems and fine accuracy.

A model 14 or 15 is just about the perfect .38 range queen. 3-400 for a shooter more for a collector.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

What he said.......

I have a 3" bbl adjustable sight model 60 chambered for .38 spcl only. It is a joy to shoot and easy to shoot accurately. I would also suggest a "J" frame twenty two. Shooting the .22 "J" and the 3" model 60 will make you more proficient with your .38 snubby "j"

I stopped at a local pawn shop on Friday afternoon, and they had a like new(98%) model 14 there with what seemed to be a heavy barrel for $359+ tax.... It was about 15 minutes before they closed for the weekend so I decided to think it over, well i thought for a bit and I will be picking her up Monday morning when they open... I don't think I have felt a sweeter trigger than the model 10 variety!

Not to be an buttinsky, and apologize if covered before, but is a 3" a snubby or not?

Hmmmm. Not sure if there's an engraved-in-stone definition, as the term "Snubby" is slang and I'm guessing "Snub-nosed" is as well. My thinking is that, no, a 3" barrel does not qualify as a Snubby. 2" or less...(?). The experts will be here shortly. H.

Methinks snubby or snubbie = snub nosed = "short barrels" because the manufacturers don't use slang; you are correct = 2" or 2.5" with respect to revolver barrels. Personally, I use the term for my 2" and 2.5" barreled guns but if I had a 3" I might use it for that, too. Maybe. But I'd probably call it a 3 inch.

To echo many thoughts above, either a used, 4" barreled Model 10 or Model 64 are ideal choices for the shooter looking for an easy to operate, virtually fail safe, full-sized revolver and both can be found in prices that don't wreck your purse to the same magnitude that a new gun does.

Not buying a Smith & Wesson is not a mortal sin, either, BTW; we just don't talk about those things here. I won't say it's not done but it's done in hushed tones....

***GRJ***

While many (maybe most) people prefer the heavy-barreled 10's, I'm partial to the ones with the tapered standard barrel. If you find one available, you might want to heft it side-by-side with a heavy barrel and see which one feels and points better for you.

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Oh well, what the hell.