Looking for a modern equivalent to a K38 Target

[Qc Pistolero]

Well OP,I sure do know what you mean about your father's gun.I too,while not too sentimental want to hold onto something that was dear to him(no,that's just something that musta gotten into my eye here...happens everytime I think about my old man!)Here's my $0.02worth!
I own a model 14(actually shot it this PM and I must say that it is my most fired indoor range gun...not a slim statement as the guys at the range know me as Mr.over 40...that's caliber,not years of age altough it certainly could apply!).
I also own a 586(no dasn no M) with a sweeeet action.My 14 doesn't take the the back seat to my 586,or any other of my handguns(that includes my Gold Cup and Python).That's how smooth they are.If I may suggest,try to find a good used one.If not able to,I'd suggest a model 19 that has not been fired extensively in .357 full mag.
Like I said,that's my $0.02
Qc

 

[BoCash]

Nobody I know who owns two of 'em is willing to part with either one.

Amen, tell it!!!

 

[kenneu]

After much consternation and asking myself the same questions above... who's going to shoot it if not me? My kids aren't interested so my love of firearms dies with me. It will end up sold when I'm gone. Maybe a grand kid? So... I'm going to shoot it. Carefully. And clean it. And oil it. And admire it. And enjoy it.

BUT I still want to buy a modern and have a smith make it smooth. I love blue vs. stainless so I'll look around for a great deal on a 586 or 27 (new classic) as well as older ones that are in mint condition and just add to the collection. Dad would have wholeheartedly agreed and admonished me for my bonehead thinking.

I do want to shoot some .357 so I'll want the frame that is known to handle everything I can throw at it.

 

[johngalt]

I would look for a 6" model 14. A 6" 586/686 is substantially heavier because of the full lugged barrel.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

My Dad loaned me a shotgun for a slug-only hunt on a local WMA I was drawn for with two friends. He was in the hospital, so he sent me to pick it up from his house. He loved that gun. I watched him put many a quail on the table while learning. He shot a couple of giant deer, too. Doves were an ease for him. He had the gun since I could remember as a small child and always took great care of it.

Called him at the hospital to let him know it put another deer down, and he told me to keep it while I had it. I knew I had been passed a great responsibility. He always told me he wanted me to have it if something happened to him, but I always told him it was his. Now he was giving it to me with the responsibility of caring for it forever.

I love duck hunting, and there's nothing like shooting puddlers over decoys on a barrier island WMA. Water isn't good for upland game guns, so we had a long talk. Three seasons of hunting all day in the rain had duct tape wrapped around the splitting stock, a large seasoning check in the forearm,
and the gold-plated trigger was dim. I did as he pleaded and returned it to Browning so his Light Twelve could be redone. It came back like new. His wish was that I enjoyed it as much as he did, and I may have come very close to doing so.

Most of the trophies on my walls came from the Light Twelve. I bought another while it was at the factory to use, but it was never the same. Dad's came to shoulder naturally, and was a pure pleasure
to shoot knowing it was his. I'll always treasure the hunts we shared after he passed away. The newer one went into the safe when Dad's came back home.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

After much consternation and asking myself the same questions above... who's going to shoot it if not me? My kids aren't interested so my love of firearms dies with me. It will end up sold when I'm gone. Maybe a grand kid? So... I'm going to shoot it. Carefully. And clean it. And oil it. And admire it. And enjoy it.

BUT I still want to buy a modern and have a smith make it smooth. I love blue vs. stainless so I'll look around for a great deal on a 586 or 27 (new classic) as well as older ones that are in mint condition and just add to the collection. Dad would have wholeheartedly agreed and admonished me for my bonehead thinking.

I do want to shoot some .357 so I'll want the frame that is known to handle everything I can throw at it.

I think you're on the right track. Shoot your Dad's gun but cherish it, add some memories to it and share it with any family members who are interested. But if you also want to shoot .357 there are many Smiths that will suit your needs, the 586 and 27 being two excellent choices.

 

[BAM-BAM]

After much consternation and asking myself the same questions above... who's going to shoot it if not me? My kids aren't interested so my love of firearms dies with me. It will end up sold when I'm gone. Maybe a grand kid? So... I'm going to shoot it. Carefully. And clean it. And oil it. And admire it. And enjoy it.

BUT I still want to buy a modern and have a smith make it smooth. I love blue vs. stainless so I'll look around for a great deal on a 586 or 27 (new classic) as well as older ones that are in mint condition and just add to the collection. Dad would have wholeheartedly agreed and admonished me for my bonehead thinking.

I do want to shoot some .357 so I'll want the frame that is known to handle everything I can throw at it.

Good call.... if you limit your Dad's gift to range shooting ..... which is the perfect home for a 6" .38... with a little care it will still look new in 20 years.

A 4" stainless 686 is IMHO just about the best all purpose revolver you can get...... a 4 or 6 inch 586 is just as good a gun and looks as good as a Python doing it!!!!!!

 

[moosedog]

How about a model 19 6inch? Same configuration and you can shoot 357s. I'd get a model 19 thru 19-4. After the -4s the quality went down a bit.

 

[Krogen]

Kenneu,

Yes I read your post - a couple of times. I understand your dilemma. I didn't know your Dad. I don't know you. But let me offer this: Think of your Dad grinning at you while you shoot his revolver. It will probably make you grin and get a little misty.

Still, I do understand where you're at. I have my Dad's Model 70. It's one I gave him for Christmas one year. He sent it home with me to clean after our last time shooting. He knew and I knew. He's been gone for almost 2 years now. I just can't bring myself to shoot his rifle. Not yet. I haven't bought a substitute because there isn't one. Sure Model 70s abound, but they're not his. I will shoot it one day. One day when the time is right. Just not yet.

 

[silentflyer]

Your choices are an older S&W, a few Colts, a few Rugers and the Dan Wesson's.
Check out GB, they are there.

 

[JH1951]

To get as close as you can, as previously suggested, buy a used K38. You will have lots of money left over for lots of ammunition!

 

[Doug M.]

I bought a used K38 shooter from a member here. It makes me look proficient and shoots better than I can. You can either shoot the heck out of the heirloom, which is not a bad thing (guns are made to shoot), or snag a used K38 for a reasonable price.

 

[kenneu]

I've shopped a lot and looked at the 586 vs. the 27 and I really like the 27. A lot. Never have been a fan of the full lug. As much as I'd like to go used and save a few pennies, I'm kind of anal when it comes to fit/finish and even the lightest wear grates on me so I'm likely going to go new 27. They are pricy, though! I'll keep looking for a 19-4 or older and if I can find one in LNIB condition I may go that route. I'm not in a hurry at all since I have a safe full of other toys to play with but I will jump at the first perfect specimen that in pristine or priced where I just can't ignore it.

Thanks again for all your time fellas. I appreciate it.

 

[kenneu]

I finally made a decision and pulled the trigger. After drooling over all the more interesting (to me) offerings, I decided to get a 686 3-5-7 series with a 5" barrel. They have that seriously cool-looking (again to me) unfluted cylinder and black stained wood grip.

There was/is a special going on at brownells and got it new (after rebate) for under $600.

First things first is I'll need bulk ammo, lol. Imma Gonna shoot the living heck out of it.

 

[okiegtrider]

After much consternation and asking myself the same questions above... who's going to shoot it if not me?

Now your talking sense. If not you, then who? It's yours, passed down to you, you might as well enjoy it. The guns I have that mean most to me are the ones I've actually used. The guns I shot in matches, used at range days with dear friends, carried as a LEO. Others I have, I may value them, but not as prized as the ones who have the stories and memories.

 

[JimBianchi]

Find a used Model 14 and you won't be disappointed.