What is the best all around .38 Special pistol?

Like someone posted, what is the best all round woman.... :)
All I can say is I have many of the ones posted but seem to carry my M36-1 3" the most.
When size & CC is not the primary thing, it's something starting with .4
 
The best ones without question also shoot .357 magnums! Sorry, just had to say that because it's true.:D
 
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Kinda cheating I guess ! :)

Jerry
 
Doug.38PR said:
Fighting, shooting, defense, concealed carry, duty. One pistol that fits that.
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For the purposes you mentioned, which do not include match or competition shooting, I would want a 4 inch round butt K frame, such as the Model 10 or 64. For the purposes you mentioned, fixed sights are my preference, and the round butt makes it concealable. Barrel length is not as critical as the round butt as far as concealment is concerned. Since IWB is the preferred method of concealed carry, 4 inch is just as easy to conceal as a 3 inch.
 
The Model 64 with either a 3" or 4" barrel. You can conceal a 4" barrel with a muzzle up, butt down shoulder holster. Carefully wipe down the barrel every night to avoid corrosion, and carry 158-grain LSWCHP+P (a.k.a. the FBI or Chicago load) ammunition to get the job done EVERY TIME!

Scott
 
lebomm said:
My 4" M13 w/TH, .400" Smooth Trigger and K22(?) stocks will be the one that stays home when all the rest are sold for food.

Larry
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Why would you sell them for food?? Use them to procure food? Head shots are best since you ruin less meat!! Be safe,
 
vipermd said:
Why would you sell them for food?? Use them to procure food? Head shots are best since you ruin less meat!! Be safe,
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Heck, he may be trying to live on Social Security...not be thinking of a disaster scenario.

I think that if one has to have just .38 chambering , I'd select a Model 64 with either three or four inch bbl. The grips can make it reasonably concealable, and it was a great duty gun for many cops. I've carried a four- inch 64 with Pachmayr grips concealed under a short (Eisenhower style) uniform jacket in a Bianchi Shadow holster. No one ever suspected the gun. It was very accurate, BTW.
 
I would say a model 10 or 64 in 3 or 4 inch heavy barrel with round butt. Extremely accurate, conceal easy, easy to shoot, and your not going to find a more reliable weapon.
The model 15 and 67 are great weapons as well but I would say they are more "duty" oriented not "concealment" oriented with their adjustable rear sights and tall front sights.
 
Texas Star said:
Heck, he may be trying to live on Social Security...not be thinking of a disaster scenario.

I think that if one has to have just .38 chambering , I'd select a Model 64 with either three or four inch bbl. The grips can make it reasonably concealable, and it was a great duty gun for many cops. I've carried a four- inch 64 with Pachmayr grips concealed under a short (Eisenhower style) uniform jacket in a Bianchi Shadow holster. No one ever suspected the gun. It was very accurate, BTW.
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^^^^THIS^^^^^
I've got a former duty piece with "Pittsburgh Police" on the backstrap. An excellent weapon, tight as a drum, more accurate than me. Stainless makes cleaning it easy and of course 4" K frames are near perfection for balance, feel very natural in the hand.
 
I'll have to agree with the 3 inch 64, pre lock of course. NY-1 DAO configuration being my favorite.

With the spurless hammer it is one slick carry gun. Low maintenance stainless finish too.

That is if we are only considering 38 special revolvers. If not, well everyone knows the pre lock 66's are the finest revolvers ever made. ;) Regards 18DAI
 
I agree on the 3" K-frames; preferably fixed sights. The shorter barrel is slightly easier to conceal while still giving a good sight radius. The performance from a 3in barrel is entirely adequate.
A 3in J-frame is also worthy of consideration, since it gives the same cartridge performance in a slightly smaller package while giving up one round.
 
I think a model 66 with a 3" barrel and round butt would be a good compromise. Stainless for weatherability, 3" for concealability and case extraction, RB for fit and concealability, .357 mag and adjustable sights for versatility. I don't know if Smith ever built a 3" M66 RB but for all around use, that would be my choice. If I had to have one built, so be it. For stock guns, I would go with a 2 1/2" M66 RB.
The OP asked for .38 spec. caliber. I stick with my choice with the caveat that one runs .38 spec. ammo only in it. The extra strength of the .357 allows for more +P+ use.
 
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Here is my RB, 3" HB, S&W #64-2 .38 special revolver. I do not care for the Pachmayr stocks, but this gun will do most anything that can be asked of it. One day this gun will wear a set of stag stocks.
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I would have to say the Combat Masterpiece Model 67/15 reigns supreme, with the Model 66/19 3 inch or 4 inch a close second. The Model 10, 12, 14, 60, and 64 would be the descending alternate choices sufficient to cull any would be threats.
 

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sarge1967 said:
The model 15 and 67 are great weapons as well but I would say they are more "duty" oriented not "concealment" oriented with their adjustable rear sights and tall front sights.
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I have a model 15 and even with it's bulky target grips can carry it concealed okay in a pancake holster or shoulder holster. I even had it in a jordan holster the other night from when I was working outside, took it out of the holster on the seat, unbottoned part of my shirt, stuck it my shirt under the waistband (shirt even tucked in) and walked on in the grocery store and went shopping. wasn't noticable.
 
Both my S&W Combat Masterpiece 4" barrel and Target Masterpiece 6" barrel revolvers in 38 special rock all my other revolvers quality wise. The actions are far better than any revolver i have to this date. But we must remember these were built by the older S&W craftsman and well broken in too.
 
As others have said, the best 38 is a 357! ;) If I were limited to a single revolver and it had to fire 38 Special ammo, there would be absolutely no question about what to buy... a 4" Model 66. Care and finish wear concerns would be radically reduced from a similar blue model. If you absolutely insist on 38 Special only, the choice becomes a 4" Model 67. Thats my story and I'm sticking to it! ;)

Froggie
 
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