S&W beater Revolver for beginners

Tennjed

Tennjed

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
185
Reaction score
36
I have a couple of S&W autos but no revolvers. I currently am a Ruger single action "guy" (don't hold that against me).

I am wanting a good DA 38sp or 357 as a "truck" or "toolbox" gun. I see a good many used S&W revolvers come up at my local shops from time to time at relatively low prices ($350 or less).

Thing is I know nothing about the various S&W models. So I am asking for help on what to look for or avoid.

Any models to avoid completely?
Any models that you would recommend?

Oh and I wasn't sure about posting this in the 1961-1980 forum or the 1980+. The age is not as big of a deal.

Thanks
 
Register to hide this ad
"beater"

Dont take this the wrong way. But we here kinda like to take care of S&W revolvers. Even old ones, even ones with wear. We dont "beat" them.

If you really want one to throw around and "beat up" one.......I wouldnt post here that you plan on doing to a S&W

Or maybe its just me, if its just me, I appologize for speaking for others..........Dont beat a S&W up take care of it and it will take care of you

The other thing is if you need a gun in your toolbox, thats ok, great, you want it to work dont you........then if you are willing to spend what you said you can get a new airweight 38S for around that so I assume a good used one for just under.

And dont beat it up either
 
If you don't need adjustable sights I would buy a model 10 and if you like adjustable sights I would get a Model 15. If by beater you mean a well worn revolver that you won't have a heart attack or if it gets additional wear then there are plenty of these in those models out there at reasonable prices.
 
Last edited:
If you want blued look for a model 10 or a 13. If you want stainless look for a model 64 or a 65. The 10 and 64 are .38spl, the 13 and 65 are .357mag. You can find 3" and 4" heavy barrels in these models that make great plinkers and/or carry guns. Any of these models would fit what you describe you want.

I guess I should add that these models can be had in round butt and square butt, and you can find many different grips that fit the guns and you. They have fixed sights and are 6 shot revo's.
 
Last edited:
Ditto my fellow Carolinian ARMin SC. For a beater look at the old police/security used Model 10/13s and 64/65s. They have seen carry wear but usually not much use or neglect.

J&G sales has several DAO #64s in the $259-$289 range that would make good truck guns. You won't cry as loud or as long if something happens to one of these as opposed to your 3 1/2" #27.

Best Regards,

ADP3
 
There are a lot of ex-police revolvers on the market for less than $400. Get one of them. Most are scuffed from holsters and everyday use. Doubt many were fired a lot. That would be my choice for a GOOD beater.

Otherwise I would buy a Ruger to beat-on and the S&W's to shoot, clean, and enjoy owning. ;)
 
no offense taken....and please don't take offense to this, but i was under the impression the S&W made some of the "toughest" and best DAs out there.....If I am mistaken on this assumption and S&W are too delicate to be a "truck gun" then I might as well get a Ruger DA.

What I mean by beater is, one that is not too pretty to look at but will function regardless. The beat up look will make it affordable and I wouldn't mind leaving it in my Truck and/or toolbox.

I wouldn't trust a Rossi or Charter arms to do this.

Again, I figured S&W was a good canidate for this. Lots of reasonable priced 38s out there with some wear to the finish. Will a Smith not hold up to use?

Do most people here just collect and look at their guns?

My Smith 5906 is the "toughest" auto I have ever owned.

Thanks to those that have offered suggestions. And I am not trying to be a smart butt, but honestly where I come from a truck/tool box gun is a compliment. It means it is well made and can be trusted to function and take a beaten.

Honestly, If I just wanted a purty DA I would get a Python.
 
Tennjed said:
Will a Smith not hold up to use?

Do most people here just collect and look at their guns?
Click to expand...

Smiths have been used worldwide in several major wars over the past sixteen decades, been carried by hundreds of thousands of US service members and peace officers, and are used in competition to this day. But yes you are right, they are very delicate and do not hold up well to use......

Find a Security Six to "beat" on and leave the nice S&Ws alone.
 
yes you are right, they are very delicate and do not hold up well to use......
Click to expand...

I am honestly surprised by that. I figured with so many older ones floating Around I thought that was an indication of there durability.

I guess maybe they just made ton of them and that is why you see so many.

The 64s posted above seem to be right up my alley, and I appriciate the suggestions and links, but I am starting to Wonder if I shouldn't go another route.

Honest question.Would I be better served with a smith 64 or a ruger six series?

Like I posted before I am a single action guy for my pleasue shooting, but. Want a good DA for a utility gun. Just one that doesn't cost too much in case I drop it out of a boat or my truck gets stolen.

Honest question. Would I be better s
 
Last edited:
You got in a pickle when you said "beater". Smiths are not delicate and can function well even after years of neglect. But like the Ruger Six series they don't take to kindly to being beaten.

For a working gun I like any SS K-38, The 64 is a good choice, mine shoots great.
IMG_6624.jpg
 
Last edited:
My apologies about the beater deal. I gues it would have been better to say utility gun.

It is starting to look like I might have to pony up some more money to really get what I am after. The problem is if I get a ruger sp101 I would not want to leave it in my truck b/c I couldn't stomach losing a $500 gun to theft. Unfortuantely with 3 kids there is a big difference in a $300 gun and a $500 gun
 
I thought that was what you meant when you said beater. There are tons of old S&W revolvers on the market that look pretty bad but are still excellent shooters and are mechanically fine.
 
Maybe I didn't understand your thread. You are attracted to a Smith & Wesson because of its reputation, but you don't want to take care of it. You want to neglect its care, but depend on its performance. You want it cheap because you do not plan to take care of where and how you carry it. You don't trust a Rossi or a Charter Arms and you favor Ruger and Colt. I'm not sure what valuable advice this forum could offer besides what has been suggested.
 
Forgot to mention I had a sp101 that I sold to my brother. I know it would feel my needs but I have lots of ruger SA and have been very impressed with my S&W 5906 and Sigma (and father in laws S&W 1911) and figure I would look to them first for my "utility" gun
 
I was staying out of this for fear of sounding like a troll, but I'm lost on this. Do people really just throw guns into tool boxes to be rattled around and left to rust? When I think of a truck gun, I at least think of it being in a holster in the glove box or something. They have all sorts of gimmick items that will allow one to bolt a holster to the bottom of the seat or under the console. But I just don't want to believe someone would take a precision made machine full of springs and levers and just toss it into a box with the hammers and wrenches. But even as I type this I think I am being naive about this. I used to allow friends to borrow my stuff and just tell them to treat it like it was theirs. I quickly learned to tell them to treat it like it was mine and it had better come back in the same condition. I'm thinking this is another one of those moments where I may treat my guns with a little bit more care and respect than some that are just in the guns are tools mindset. I have seen the pictures of the old Colts that seemed to have been used to hammer in nails to posts. It's sad to me how throw away so many things are treated. Even things that are made to last are treated like blunt objects. I guess that makes me feel even worse for the blunt objects. Heck, I even oil my hammers once a month...
 
Phphd I don't recall saying I wasn't gonna take care or it. I am just in the need of an affordable gun that does not need all my love and tenderness.

If I am understanding you correcty all the used smiths I see for around $300 are only good for buying restoring to q factory finish and clean immediately on the rare occasion that I shoot it instead of looking at it with wonder.

Now my apologies to everyone else. I am new here and I am generally a nice patient guy. I honestly need a gun that is inexpesive that I can keep in my truck and take fishing with me. Yes I want it to work. I know rugers SA can do this but I want a DA. There are plenty of Smith DAs around that are worn on the outside. I thought thes might fit my need. According to some it must not
 
Get one of those Model 64's, put it in some sort of holster like previously mentioned, you will be good to go!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

T
S&W Model 681
Replies
8
Views
177
Tanners Owner
Tanners Owner
M
Question about Smith&Wesson 32 magnum 16-4 model
Replies
4
Views
105
Manuel Simões
M
jimmyj
S&W Model 65-3 Revolver
Replies
1
Views
435
Tom S.
Tom S.
B
The Model 10 - Why the bull barrel?
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
3K
CAJUNLAWYER
CAJUNLAWYER
C
4" Smith & Wesson Model 65-4
2 3
Replies
46
Views
2K
heeter3
H

Latest posts

Back
Top