Guys,
long time lurker, new poster.

I have a Smith Modle 10-8 Hvy Bbl 38Spl. I absolutely love it, but it just wown't shoot POA with any loads I work up, and it's not terribly accurate.

I've decided I would like a 38 OR 357 with:
Adjustable Sights
K Frame
Blued
Smith/Wesson
4" Bbl
"New" or "Near New" condition
Accurate

It will be used for limited self defense roles (say, driving to the range or kept loaded in the safe) but will not be an every day carry gun.
So it must be able to fulfill the role of personal defense, IDPA, field duty for hunting, and its most common use- it must be accurate out to 25yds on the range with 38Specials.

Gun wown't necessarily be fired much at all with the 357s, but it is nice to be able to load them. And I think maybe for long term appreciation in value a M19 will go up more- and have easier resale, than a K38.

I tend to prefer Buffalo Bore +Ps for loading them up (even in the 357)
And 158gr LSWC with medium loads for target/idpa.

I have found 2 likely candidates for these guns:
Here's a Mod 19 on Gunbroker for $745 "buy it now"

Here's a K38 on gunbroker for $580 with box/papers:

It doesn't have to be these specific guns, but these two seem to represent what is currently available.

If the guns didn't shoot very accurately (say over 2 1/2" on a bench) they would go off to probably cylinder and slide for some tuning.

Thoughts, ideas, comments, criticisms?
Is the M19 worth $200 more long term?
Please stick with the original criteria, I'm not interested in deviating of that right now.

For the uses you suggest, the 19 is fine.

Any 4" K or L frame revolver is fine for IDPA, and I hae no trouble getting around 2" at 25 yd with IDPA loads off a bench rest.
I have used 686, 66, and 67 as a civilian, and I carried the M15 4" .38 Model 15 S&W in the USAF.

My favorite is the Model 66, which is a "stainless 19."
So, of your 2, the 19. $745 is high.

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Science plus Art

Oh yea, forgot to add- has to be a K Frame. that's the size I really want to stay with.

I think a 19 or 66 would fit your need perfectly.

I have a 15-2 in 2" and I would put it up against a 4" 66, 19 or 15 any day. For some reason those snub nose 15's shoot like a laser on paper.

When it comes to ft lbs of energy the 19 and 66 would excel.

Both the Model 15 & 19 in good mechanical shape are good shooters if you want a blued / nickel gun . Model 67 & 66 in stainless . You have to figure out do you want the capability of firing 357 mag ammo or not . I too like the Buffalo Bore 20A load & only load 357's when I leave the house .

I think either would serve your purpose but I much prefer the M19. I just like the "fancier" gun. The M19 has the shrouded ejector rod and the Bright Blue finish - instead of the M15 standard Blue. I believe the M19 is heat treated differently than the M15 to better handle the magnum cartridge. If I was willing to spend the difference in cost, the decision would be an easy one. Also, the M19 comes standard with target stocks while the M15 has magnas. If you don't like the target stocks, you can always sell them for around $75.

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Dick

I would definitely go with a 19 if you want a 4" barrel. 6" mod 14's seem to have a nice feel, but for me the sweet spot seems to go over to the 19 in a 4".

JMHO/YMMV

The model 14 will only shoot .38's.

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777