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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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  #51  
Old 11-26-2021, 04:48 PM
RetCapt RetCapt is offline
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Other than widening the range of selections among our group, this post may be of no value given the non-stock status of the revolver I have selected. So proceed with that caveat.

My easiest to shoot revolver is my customized S&W L frame with a 6" bbl. This revolver has a match (not duty) action job. From my PPC competition days I shoot DA only, so a smooth, light DA pull is very important to me. If this particular revolver is not the smoothest and lightest of all my revolvers, it is a least enough of a contender to leave the issue unresolved.

During this same era (80s) Wichita Arms offered a stainless steel barrel shroud for S&W L frames, and other similarly configured revolvers. This shroud is heavy, replicating the weight of a bull barrel, plus it is extra length (and thus weight) because it has an integral recoil compensator. One of the road tests of this rig stated that shooting .38 wadcutters felt like shooting .22 rimfire rounds. I had to have it.

That heavy muzzle dampens any sight disruption from the long DA trigger pull. .38 wadcutter recoil really does feel like .22 rimfire.

The downside is that, all up, this is a lot of weight, somewhere in the 60 oz range. It is unwieldy to carry, so I use a PPC holster. It is the antithesis of speed and maneuverability. One has to be prepared for the weight and its muzzle heavy bias when picking up this revolver.

But when I roll back that smooth, light DA trigger, and experience virtually no recoil, thus facilitating accurate follow up shots as quickly as I want them, it is revolver perfection.

And that is my easiest shooting revolver.
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  #52  
Old 11-26-2021, 04:57 PM
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K22's are tough to beat, generally speaking. Very close second for me is any N Frame .44 Magnum with a 200gr LRN/Plated/Coated over 5.0-6.0 grains of Clay. Awful lot of gun, not a lot of power. Feel's like a weak .38 in a K frame. Very enjoyable. It's a 200 round minimum when I bring that combination to the range...just tons of fun and a true pleasure to shoot.
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  #53  
Old 11-26-2021, 07:00 PM
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While .22 is cheaper, .22 magnum tends to be a lot more effective and I have heard that the quality control is better, especially now.

Also: if you are successful with the pistol you have now, the cost to move to a revolver right not be worth it. With had weakness such as you describe, the heavier revolvers that tame recoil might be too heavy for you, and the longer trigger stroke contraindicated.

Note the general trend toward recommending the K frames. There is a reason for that. The revolvers I shoot best are K frames.
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  #54  
Old 11-27-2021, 02:19 PM
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A lot of range ammo can be weak, which is what you want.
Otherwise, good luck finding the gunstore ammo for your needs.

I love the K frame; one of my favorites! I think it will be too heavy for you.
If you are feeling weak now, the future may hold even less strength for you.

You are between a rock and a hard place. You need weight to reduce recoil, but you may not be able to hold the weight.

The answer for new guns would seem to be a light weight scandium with low power ammo.
I also believe that the .32 S&W long, and the revolvers that shoot it, offer the best fit for your condition. I have a lightweight 1920's Colt Police Positive that weighs 20oz and is a joy to shoot with almost no recoil.

.32 ammo will be hard to find. I'm certain you could find one of those local Lubbock, Texas boys who would handload you some 32 S&W long.

Keep up your spirit and don't give up things you love easily. A little adaptation may go a long way.

Here's wishing you good luck, bud. Let us know how it goes.
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Old 11-27-2021, 04:06 PM
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A top break in .38 S&W is both light weight and low recoil. An additional possible benefit is that it has a very small grip.

I don't have any experience with a S&W top break model however I do have a Iver Johnson 3 1/2" third model safety revolver in .38 S&W that shoots low power reloads very well.
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  #56  
Old 11-27-2021, 06:02 PM
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I would vote for any K framed 38 Special .
My most favorite shooter is a stainless steel model 64 , 38 Special , with a 4" heavy barrel ... it seems to hang steady right on the target ... the gun isn't too heavy nor too light ... it's just right !
Ammo ... 148 grain HBWC Target Loads are the easiest to shoot and give great accuracy ... it's what they are made to do .
I cast my own wadcutters , load my own target ammo and over the last 50+ years haven't found anything more fun to shoot ...
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  #57  
Old 11-28-2021, 10:08 AM
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Everybody is different. When I got my 14-3, I was amazed at how well it shot and it's accuracy. When I bought it they could be found easily and at reasonable prices. It does not recoil much depending on ammo. Bob
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Old 11-28-2021, 01:42 PM
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If your hands are large enough a N frame with .38 wc using both hands would be very easy to shoot. I have a couple .38 Colt New Services and they shoot very well. No recoil at all.
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Old 12-01-2021, 04:19 PM
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If you have the possibility, then go to a shooting ranch where you can rent/try some different revolvers. E. g. different weight, barrel length etc.

I think .38 Special from a not too light and not too short revolver is usually quite comfortable to shoot. I have a Model 14 with a 8 3/8" barrel and that is fun and easy to shoot. You can also try a revolver for .357 Magnum and shoot it with .38 Special. Then the revolver is heavier and the felt recoil is milder.

But of course it also depends of the weight of the revolver you can handle without problems (depending on your illness?).
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Old 12-01-2021, 05:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Texchappy View Post
Think I have a good idea what to see if my range has to rent.

Follow on question: Should I buy some ammo before I go to the range* to have a specific type? What would y’all recommend?

*rather than buying whatever they have there. They don’t have a large selection.
Many ranges require that you buy and use their ammo in rental guns.
Ask your range personnel before buying the ammo.
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  #61  
Old 12-01-2021, 07:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garddogg56 View Post
For me it's a 66-1 6" shooting .38 specials
Me too. I prefer the 6” with the VZ grips



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  #62  
Old 12-01-2021, 09:25 PM
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I agree, the K frame would probably be the best all around revolver for the OP's needs. One model I havent seen posted is the model 12, it seems that it might fit his needs in many ways.
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Old 12-01-2021, 09:42 PM
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986 with a bit of action tuning and tailored 9mm loads did it for me.
My speed steel revolver:
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  #64  
Old 12-01-2021, 10:57 PM
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Maybe a Ruger LCR in .327 Federal, shooting .32 H&R or .32 Long?
Not too heavy. Light recoil in .32 H&R or Long.
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  #65  
Old 12-02-2021, 10:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shawn mccarver View Post
I would suppose the easiest S&W to shoot would be a K frame (four inch Model 10 with standard barrel) with its trigger lightened by a professional so that reliability is not compromised.

This. With target wadcutter ammo.
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