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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 10-24-2020, 08:04 PM
PAO PAO is offline
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up to this time always shot semi auto or long rifle, however getting an itch to go down the revolver path now....so looking for thoughts in this regards....mostly target shooting, but always a backup for home defense. Looking at .38 Special and the 642 performance center, but a 357 is in for consideration as well. Just wondering forum opinions on other revolver owners in the regards......$$ consideration would be in the 600 or less range but might go higher if I find something I would really appreciate.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:11 PM
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4 inch s&w 64 should be around 400-450
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:16 PM
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Quote:
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4 inch s&w 64 should be around 400-450
Agreed.

And a model 10 would be a nice first SW.
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:28 PM
Seamus O'Caiside Seamus O'Caiside is offline
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....Looking at .38 Special and the 642 performance center, but a 357 is in for consideration as well....
I am a loooong-time rifle and shotgun shooter, recently got into handguns. I have bought several S&W's in the last few months, and faced the same questions you are asking now. From a lot of reading on the 'net and some shooting, I came to the conclusion that if you want to shoot .38 special, there is no reason not to go ahead and get a gun that can handle .357 as well. It doesn't seem to harm the accuracy of the .38 at all, and you always have the option of loading it with .357 mag for two-legged varmints or game the size of whitetail deer or eastern black bear (at modest ranges).
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Old 10-24-2020, 08:57 PM
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J frames, like the 642 you’re considering, are the most difficult revolvers to shoot well out there. The light weight J frames, like the 642, are more difficult than the steel frame J frames.

As a first revolver, you’ll be much happier with a K frame such as the model 10 or 64 as recommended above.
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Old 10-24-2020, 09:08 PM
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There is a wide range of used S&Ws available. Go to several shops and see what is available. At one place I visit, they keep all the Smiths in one display. case away from the other guns. Worth a bit of looking and waiting, some good deals can be had.
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Old 10-24-2020, 09:11 PM
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I am a long-time semi-auto guy here too (retired military). besides experimenting for a few months last year with an LCR as a snubby summer carry gun, my first S&W revolver last year was a 4" Model 65. Only had it for a few months before I sold it to finance my favorite semi-auto (CZ). Since then I've recently made a couple S&W revolver impulse buys after learning enough to spot good deals in a couple LGS: an i-frame .32 S&W Long ("for my wife") just for fun and a k-frame 38 special (Model 67) mainly because they were each too good a deal to pass up.

If I started over and could only have one revolver for the same cumulative cost I would go back to the Model 65, but with a 3" barrel. Ditto the comment above about .357 Magnum.

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Old 10-24-2020, 09:28 PM
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Another vote for a used 4" K-frame, 10 or 64. I think it's a good way to get started with revolvers. Carried a 4" Model 10 loaded with FBI loads as an armed guard, felt adequately prepared. The 64, being stainless steel, will be a bit easier to maintain.

If you can find a .357 K-frame, that would be a good option, too. I think a 10/64 might be easier to find and less expensive. My own opinion is that a 3" 65 in .357 Magnum is a great all-around revolver, but they're very hard to find and can cost up to twice your max budget limit if you do find one.

The best option, though, is to find a rental range and try some out, if possible.

Just my opinion.
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Old 10-24-2020, 09:36 PM
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Seems everyone is forgetting you said mainly target shooting. 10s, 64s and 65s are fixed sights.
You can buy a decent 6" 14 cheaper than a 65 3" and is way better for target shooting. Even though you mentioned being able to shoot .357, 38 + P gives you all you will want for a while.
Good luck and welcome to the wheel gun world.

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Old 10-24-2020, 09:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RGNewell View Post
Seems everyone is forgetting you said mainly target shooting. 10s, 64s and 65s are fixed sights.
True, but he also said home defense. A 4" K-frame is good. I personally prefer fixed-sight revolvers. But an adjustable sight can be a good option. A Model 15 is basically a Model 10 with adjustable sights. With a 4" 15, you can have another good home defense option. I don't know about their costs and/or availability, though. Like I said, they're not in my area of interest.
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Old 10-24-2020, 10:03 PM
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I love the 38 Special as a round for target practice but like the 357 revolvers N frame so I have the option of shooting 357 loads. The 28-2 is one of my favorites because it is not the prettiest maybe but it is as tough as any. I will add I do own a 38 special 10-4 also. No reason to stop at one S&W.
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Old 10-24-2020, 10:30 PM
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6" pre-lock K22-model 17 series or K38-model 14 series. Adjustable sights, great crisp trigger, nice balance in the hand, not too heavy, multiple grips available to suit your hand size, comfortable recoil, good sight radius, and very common and affordable ammo available everywhere....well....nowadays, I dunno, but usually so compared to other calibers.
And their value will go up if you take care of them and don't Bubba them.

Last edited by ameridaddy; 10-25-2020 at 11:29 AM.
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:04 PM
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If you're not planning to carry it, then I'd get a 4" 686. It will handle 357 easier, the 4" barrel will give you 9mm power with 38+P and the felt recoil will be significantly less than the lighter guns.
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:18 PM
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The Model 10, or Military & Police as it was previously known has been
in Smith and Wesson's catalog ever since 1899. There are good reasons
why. I have a 10-5 with 2" barrel and a 10-6 with 4" barrel. For all
purposes you mentioned I would recommend the 4". For concealed
carry the 2". The only handgun I had for many years was my Model 19-4
.357 Magnum and somehow I got along with it just fine. The 642-1 is
great for concealed carry, but as mentioned previously it is not easy to
shoot well.
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Old 10-24-2020, 11:45 PM
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I don't think a person could go wrong with a 4" 586, or 686 as a first revolver.

Be warned, S&W revolver seem to multiply.
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Old 10-25-2020, 12:04 AM
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is there a 581 with a 3" barrel? that would be cool.

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Old 10-25-2020, 07:17 AM
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I'm going to suggest a 6" 686. Not everyone likes the weight of the longer barrel and recoil taming full underlug. But given the mixed use target/HD scenario, that's the direction I'd choose. Like many here, I have and have had numerous 4 and 6 inch revolvers. I just don't find the 6" unweildy. Now if we were talking about concealed carry, then yeah the 6 incher from concealment could be a bit clumsy.

I'm also a fan of stainless just for ease of maintenance and durability, while the LOOK of a nicely blued revolver can't be beat.

Just the view from here...
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Old 10-25-2020, 08:09 AM
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I too agree with the model 14 (or any K-38) with adjustable sights. While I love my 10’s and 64’s, the 14 is just classic Smith & Wesson and the perfect target gun.

I just picked another last week from a forum member (thanks Tony) for just over 6 Benjamins. But remember, you’ll want another, then another ..... and the members here will enable whenever they can ! Recommendations/Opinions for First S&W Revolver

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Old 10-25-2020, 11:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PAO View Post
up to this time always shot semi auto or long rifle, however getting an itch to go down the revolver path now....so looking for thoughts in this regards....mostly target shooting, but always a backup for home defense. Looking at .38 Special and the 642 performance center, but a 357 is in for consideration as well. Just wondering forum opinions on other revolver owners in the regards......$$ consideration would be in the 600 or less range but might go higher if I find something I would really appreciate.
I’d recommend a K-frame.

Lots of choices:

In .38 special - for fixed sights, the Model 10 is it. (M64 stainless)
- for adjustable sights, M14 or M15 (M67 stainless)

In .357 magnum - fixed, look for a M13 (M65 stainless)
- adjustable, go for a M19 (M66 stainless)

... barrel lengths vary from 2”, 2.5”, 3”, 4”, 6” ... for your stated purposes, I’d go with either a 4” or 6” barrel.


The L-frames are a bit larger, but maintain the same grip size.

In .357 Magnum - fixed, the M581 (M681 stainless)
- adjustable, the M586 (M686 stainless)


*below pics: 4” pre-M10, 6” pre-M14, 4” M15 ... and the .357 pic: 4” M13, 6” M19, 4” M65, 6” M66, 4” M686
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Old 10-25-2020, 11:28 AM
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K-frame with 4" barrel is most versatile.......38 wadcutters to .357 magnum.
For the range, your primary role mentioned, I'd go with a adjustable sight version with a 6" barrel.

Model 19/66.


Soon followed by a4" Model 18 in .22lr.
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Old 10-28-2020, 02:45 PM
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appreciate all the input...finally found a 686 plus 4 inch barrel shipped for $695...have to add my FFL transfer fee of $25 at my local dealer so Im satisfied with the purchase....
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Old 10-28-2020, 02:57 PM
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Go ahead and get your first one. Then the second one, then the third, then ..... it never ends!
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Old 10-28-2020, 04:11 PM
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PAO, I'm late to the party, but I was going to suggest a 686 also. I see you have one coming congrats and enjoy! Now you have the S&W bug and it doesn't ever go away.
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