Just wanted some opinions. Which model S&W revolver is the best "bargain"? Thanks!

Boy, that's open-ended!

What do you want to with it??

Your best bet for a shooter-grade S&W is probably a used Model 10 or Model 19, maybe an ex-police gun.

I agree that is an open ended question. Overall I would have to say a 3 inch model 64.

Pretty broad base, but best bang for your buck would probably be a police trade in model 10. Ammo is pretty cheap for centerfire, and they're built like a brick **** house.

Wow that is a hard question,I think it comes down to what you like at that time.Also it comes down what you want to do with it.CCW,hunting,target,plinking,home defence,etc.etc.If you find a gun of your likings,at a gun shop,online,or from a friend.The people on this website will give you the most honest answer that is possible.

I left the question "open ended" on purpose.... I just want opinions to see what people think is the best deal out there and the logic behind their thoughts.... thanks for the opinions and keep them coming.

Model 10

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I would have to say a 4 inch used 686 that is a real go to revolver and if you can afford it a 3 inch 686 plus

I'd have to say a 4" 64. A lot cheaper than the 3"...

I would say the 4inch 686 love mine but its for sale to get a 66 3inch.

I would say that the 4" Model 64 would be the best deal you could find.

I have a 4" Model 64-5 which is certainly my best bargain in terms of price, but for performance I can not beat my 3" Model 625-4. It will shoot .45 GAP, .45 ACP, .45 AR and .45 Super including heavy handloads that duplicate the stopping power of the old black powder .45 Colt. It does everything I can possibly need a handgun to do.

Dave Sinko

One of my local toy stores has two 64 4 inchers for $319. Super fine deal if you ask me.

"...best bang for your buck?" A 4" M-10 w/ .38 Special 158 gr. LRN. Also good would be a 4" M-486/585/686 w/ the same round. It's not a revolver, but a used Sigma w/ 9mm ball would be a good candidate for "best bang for your buck."

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I really like the 4" 64 I bought two years ago - a security guard company unissued tradein - great plinker - but I bought it for HD. The next fall saw me sink twice as much in a new 4" x10 617. It's ammo is a lot cheaper than my homebrew .38s - and paper as well as stationary steel plates don't care about the small caliber vs .38s, either. Okay, rebounding steel plates usually have to be hit high and often to drop with a .22. Still - a 617 is frugal fun! Expensive to purchase, but cheap to maintain fire with.

Stainz

4" model 10

WOW thats kinda tough question , but id say the 686 in your choice of Bbl length would be a good start

I think the best bang for the buck is the Model 10's out there because there are lots of them out there and the 6 inch barrel model is relativily cheap compared to the shorter barreled 10's.

Another model out there that is a deal is the Model 28 357 Mag which is a model 27 without the high luster blue and checkered steel top strap. They are an awesome 357 Magnum if you like N frames.

I say 65-4. 4" Not too expensive but fun to shoot .357's or 38 special +p's. never had any trouble with mine. ex police trade in. got it a ****** little nylon holster and a box of ammo (50) for 400.00 a couple years ago.
Gordon

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better have that checked

a model 10 4" heavy barrel, a model 64 4" 0r a 681 4"

you can always cut down a 4" M64 if you find one cheap. makes it a bit more carry friendly or if you just like the 3" K looks ,for not a lot of $.

For me, easy queastion. My 10-6 ex-LEO I picked up for $160 about 15 years ago. It sparked my interest in S&W revolvers and is a great shooter.

If you can find a M13, -1, 2, or 3...

The model 64 revolvers that J&G is/was selling, is the best bang for the buck in a revolver that I ever got.

Mine is a 64-5 with a better/smoother trigger than my Performance Center revolvers. A tack driving bargain basement special. Looks good doing all that too! Regards 18DAI.

this, quoted for truth....best deal going on a good, serviceable, reliable, fighting or home defense handgun around

I gave $250 for a clean 4" Model 10-6 last summer, it would be hard to find a better bang for the buck. In addition to being reasonably priced, it's smooth, accurate and a pleasure to shoot...

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Does ammunition cost factor into this question? If it does the obvious answer is the 617. I challenge anyone to find something cheaper to shoot or as much fun.

IF you want to save on ammo AND have a Major caliber, the 610 is the best bargain. The 40 S&W is a lot cheaper to shoot than either the 38 spl. or 357 Magnum and offers more that adequate power and accuracy. In addition, if you want to step up to something harder hitting you can always bust open the piggy bank and pony up the bucks for a couple of boxes of 10mm.

Yeah, I know. The 617 costs about as much as a 686 but at a cost of about 3 cents a round those savings will add up quickly and they are a lot of fun to shoot. As for the 610, in my area 38 spl. runs about 22 dollars per box when I can find it. Meanwhile, a local Walmart has been well stocked with the 40 S&W and at 13.97 per box it's a lot cheaper to shoot. Currently I am saving about 70 dollars a month by keeping my 620 in the safe and shooting the 610.

However, if the rumors about a coming price increase at Walmart are true, my savings will drop a bit. I'll also regret not hitting my savings and buying more while it was cheap.

PS, one positive of the ammo shortage is that it indicates that there is almost Nill chance of any gun control legislation being passed. Because it indicates that a whole bunch of new shooters have joined us.

L frame. Probably a 686 although I like my 586. With stainless, minimal maintenance required. Reliable as an axe. Accurate. Plenty of power on the top end; pop-gun for small game and plinking with wadcutters. Adjustable sights so POI not an issue. Not expensive.

Another vote here. Mine's great. Very smooth double-action trigger and just enough wear to give it "character."

The best deal I have seen in the past year or so was a Model 15 at about 90% or better for $200.00. I bought it and gave it to my son for his and his wife's house gun.

That is a real gun and .38 Special is about the best caliber for the non-enthusiast (my son is a VERY competent shooter but his wife is rather new to the game).

I also ran a bunch of ammo for him to practice with off the Dillon 550B.

Dale53

In my opinion, the 4" Model 66 is the most universal S&W ever made, and one won't break the bank.

While I am not too surprised to see quite a few people fond of the model 10, I am a little surprised how many people find the 686 to be the best thing going.... the 64 and 65 are excellent deals right now on the used market.... kind of surprised not more people mention the model 19.... thanks for all the opinions!

I think 686 may be the most universally useful , and most available used , reasonably priced . All it will take is a hit movie , or a rumor they are going out of production and the reasonable prices are over .

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Idaho , Elmer and Milt

Used 15 or 67. .38spl and target sights cheap and easy to handload for and no POI issues.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

model 28 highway patrol, heavy duty, .357 so you can shoot .38 special (cheap), and you can shoot .357 (powerful) and the guns are suprisingly inexpensive. have seen really nice ones for under 400 bucks.

Oh my gosh! Considering cost and power, I guess i'll agree with the 64, in 4-inch, and the J&G deal is hard to beat. But a 65, 4-inch is a bit more versatile in my book. Mild .38s and full on .357s. The M28 is in the running for me too. (I'm wishy-washy because, I have one of each!)

It looks like the J&G revolvers are all DAO - if you want a traditional DA revolver these look nice:

Firearms, Guns, Rifles. Grain Valley, Missouri.

They're my "bang for the buck" vote.

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Rule of law, not a man.

I've seen a number Model 28s at very reasonable prices - as cheap as M15s, 13s or 19s. And the big N frame should last a lifetime.
Here's two 28-2s, both around $450 each. I was offered a 28-2 last month for $375 plus tax.

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As my screenname indicates I am new to shooting, although I did some shooting many years ago. I had the same question myself and did a lot of reading and shopping around for both the best "bang for your buck" revolver and pistol. I ended up with a S &W Model 66-2
.357mag and a Browing HP pistol. The Model 66 is about as perfect a revolver as I could imagine and I have already shot hundreds of rounds, mostly .38's but also .357's. It is a real pleasure to shoot. Ditto for the HP.

Any smith revolver! +1 on 4" model 64 from J&g mine was $252 shipped.

Take it easy.

Best for the money a used Model 10, or if you want to pay maybe ten bucks more, a used stainless 64. Neither one should cost over 300.

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S&WCA #2018

Model 10, any dash.

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195th Session FBINA

K22 or Model 17 or 617. Cheap to feed and hold their value. Allows the firing of thousands of rounds. You can really learn to shoot with this revolver.

When I was a kid, there was an add in my dads sporting magazines.

It showed a 6" Mod 19, and stated that the Mod 19 was the best 3 revolvers you could own.

It talked about shooting targets with wadcutters, small game with 38 Special, and hunting the big stuff with 357 Magnums.

I grew up thinking I would someday get me one...

Let me say now that my first Centerfire rifle was a Ruger 44 Mag Deerstalker...

Well, my first handgun was a S&W Mod 41, in 22 LR for Bullseye Competition.

My second gun an accurized Colt 1911 in 45 ACP designed for Hardball Matches or regular matches when you changed the spring...

My third handgun, a 44 Magnum...

I just never went "back" to the 357 Mag...

So, I think the best bang for the buck is a S&W 44 Magnum Revolver...

You can shoot light loads for practice/plinking, and go up in power and recoil for small game, Personal Protection, bear protection, and hunting...

And there are the Speer Shotshells for snake,s and small game for the pot.

The 44 Mag can do it all. And do it all VERY WELL.

Even my wife carries a 44 Mag Mountain Gun when ever she is in the field.

I can say that my 4" 13-1 is my best bang for the buck gun that I own. I remember I paid I think a little over $250.00 a few years back. It is by far the most accurate centerfire handgun I own. It was just sitting in the corner of the gun cabinet at the pawn shop. Like a girl wanting someone to ask her to dance. Oh am I glad I made the first move. Of course my $200 M38 I bought last week is right there with it.

I will go with the 64 4"er too!
Here is mine. Its is a great shooter and I love it
G

Same here.

Here's another vote for the 4" Model 10-6.

Just wanted some opinions. Which model S&W revolver is the best "bargain"? Thanks!

bargain is relative - however best versatile handgun would be the 44mag - and has been agreed to twice by G&A articles over the past 8 years

model 10 heavy barrel