Hey Guys,
If I were to purchase a .38 special wheel gun for 25yd. target, what should I look for? Would a .38 specific be good or would I be better off with a .357 shooting .38 special? Any and all guidance will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Can be more specific on what your needs are for this firearm?

Good question.
Most any .38 special double action revolver with adjustable sights and a 4" or more barrel would do.
If you want to get fancy there's the 686 competitor with the adjustable weight 6" barrel. You could plop a scope on it and stretch it out further.
My wife's 4" 66-3 groups nicely at 25 yards.

I'd look for a model 15 (blue) or 67 (stanless) 4" barrel length only also called the Combat Masterpiece or a model 14 K-38 that is the same version in 6". These models have adjustable sights and where often used for Bullseye shooting in the days when revolvers where more common. Both these 14, 15 and 67 are still in production, the blue model 14 and 15 in S&W's "Classic" line.

A Model 19 in 4" or 6" would work fine too even though its a .357 mag chambered revolver.

If you get a chance at a Colt Officers model match in .38 spl get it, they are a fine target revolver.

I always liked a heavier gun and used a 6" 686. Mine shot just as well loaded with .38 cases as .357 cases, not all .357 guns will do so though. There were some 686s' chambered in .38 only and a few model 14s' with full lugs also if you prefer a muzzle heavy gun.

Bullseye target

For Bullseye either K38 Target Masterpiece or a Colt Officers Model Match both chambered in 38special . With 148 HBWC's the Colt has an advantage , with 158 RN or SWC the Smith will shoot a little better . Single Action the Colt has a better trigger , DA the Smith . Both are fine revolvers especially @ 25yds . Of course you can do like me , have both & a Model 52 too .

They probably shoot better than me and don't tease me with that model 52, I'll have one some day when I find the right one, that's a sweet piece. I do like the K38 TM. I thought I saw a S&W somewhere in .38 Special that had a bull barrel and flat sight rain up top that had to be a Target Model, am I goofy?.....................don't answer that.

Since Bullseye shooting is at a 50 yard range I'd suggest the 686 competitor, you can adjust the weight, it come with a chrome trigger with trigger stop and a Peformance Center tuned action. It's also ready for a scope or an optical sight.

I would buy a six-inch M14 if I was going to shoot Bullseye with a wheelgun. I am tempted to buy one anyway even though Bullseye is not in my plans at the moment. Classic, accurate guns.

Model 14 six inch barrel. They are sweet. Very little felt recoil, good balance.

Best, Rick

I just completed my Distinguished Revolver badge in bullseye with a Model 14-4. A heavier gun would have been nice but this served me well at both 25 & 50 yards. My gun likes 2.7 gr. Bullseye with 158 gr. Zero swaged lead SWC. Best of luck!

My indoor range is only 25yards so I'm going to stay there for the time being. This is a little pet project for me and my local indoor shooting range for the time being, I'm not going into any big shoots now but who knows. I really appreciate everyone's input and keep them coming, can never have too much information. I'll keep you posted here when I get something. Thanks guys

Really you can't go wrong with either a K38 or OMM . It comes down to rather you shoot timed / rapid fire single action or double action . Colt triggers have a super clean SA break out the box , but DA the pull stacks closer you get to the break . S&W SA break can be slicked up & DA is the same throughout with no stacking . If you want to shoot Distinguished Revolver ( only allowed 158gr lead bullet ) get a S&W . As for the 52 while they're sweet , they're very unforgiving . Any mistake is magnified 10X by the time it gets to the target . If you're just starting out in Bullseye get a decent 22 & a good 45 1911 wadgun . Any time you spend messing with a 38 is time you can spend mastering the 45 . You MUST shoot a 22 & a 45 in a real 2700 match . You don't have to shoot a 38 . See the point . I can also tell you from bitter experience the 38 will hurt your scores far more than it'll help . If you've got ?'s about Bullseye email or PM me . If I can help a new shooter I will .
Andy

BULLSEYE DISTINGUISHED BADGE #34 HERE.

SPEND THE MONEY ON A FULL LUG MODEL 14 6 IN BARREL. WITHOUT A DOUBT IS IS THE BEST GUN FOR YOUR NEEDS. JP

Mr. Peck, did you shoot SA or DA sustained fire? Just curious.

FIRST SHOT SINGLE ACTION, REMAINING 4 SHOOTS DOUBLE ACTION ON THE SHORT LINE, SINGLE ON THE LONG LINE. JP

Here's the 14-5 mentioned above:



Or further temp you with the 52-2: