Revolver Advice

[easymoney72]

I've been collecting S&W semi autos for years but I don't have a lot of experience with revolvers. I would like to have a couple of revolvers to put into my EDC rotation. I will explain what I am looking for and would appreciate any advice from revolver guys.

I owned a Colt detective special in the 90's. I am looking for something like that, small 2" and 6 shot, 38 +p, exposed spurred hammer. and $500 or less(preferably less). Not interested in polymer revolvers. Used guns are ok, I just need to know what to look for at gun shows, LGS, etc. When I look at the S&W website, all the J frames seem to be 5 shot and expensive. Taurus 856 is 6 shot and inexpensive. I am leaning towards getting a Taurus but would prefer something of better quality. I have heard that Taurus quality has improved greatly in the last couple years. Colt King Cobra looks good but too expensive. I guess what I am asking, is there a J frame 6 shot 38 +p model that I should be looking for on the used market that would be under $500? Or something else that fits what I am looking for?

I am also looking for a 3" 357 the size of a SP101, but prefer 6 shot. Preferably $700 or less but could spend more if necessary. There is a 6 shot SP101 in 327 Fed. What do you guys think of the 327 Fed? Would you rather have 5 shots of 357, or 6 shots of 327 Fed? Also, which S&W 357 would be this size, I am guessing a K frame?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Pizza Bob]

I'm going to guess that the biggest barrier to your purchasing any S&W is going to be price.

There are no 6-shot .38 Spl J-frames. If you want more than 5 then you'll have to settle for a rimfire, or a .32 (S&W Long, H&R Mag, .327 Fed Mag), but again, none of those fall within what you want to spend.

3" K-frames, especially in .357, bring a premium also. You need to be more realistic on what you want and/or what you are willing to spend.

Good luck in your quest.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[easymoney72]

I'm going to guess that the biggest barrier to your purchasing any S&W is going to be price.

There are no 6-shot .38 Spl J-frames. If you want more than 5 then you'll have to settle for a rimfire, or a .32 (S&W Long, H&R Mag, .327 Fed Mag), but again, none of those fall within what you want to spend.

3" K-frames, especially in .357, bring a premium also. You need to be more realistic on what you want and/or what you are willing to spend.

Good luck in your quest.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

I should have mentioned I am willing to spend more on the 3" 357. I will edit to add that. I think I will probably get a Taurus 856 and a Ruger SP101 but am interested in other options.

 

[toad67]

What you are looking for is out there, and in your price range. The only problem is that you, and all of your friends will need to look 30 hours a day, 10 days a week....Good luck.

 

[No Quarter]

The best small 6 shot I have found is a Kimber K6s. You can find them used, but it will be north a little north of $500. I have seen them in the $600 range from motivated sellers. I own one and it is a delight to shoot. It is one of my favorites and my youngest daughter has claimed it as her own once she gets a little older.

I have no problem with carrying a 5 shot and you can find them all over the place. I have a bead on a model 640 .38 for $500. Just waiting for a few pics to confirm a few things. I bought a model 37 for $400 just a few weeks ago. If you live in a free state, perhaps you have a local gun trading site you can haunt? I use Texas Gun Trader here in Texas and it is a goldmine of deals if you are vigilant and good at horse trading and haggling. I don't even bother with gun shows anymore.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[easymoney72]

The best small 6 shot I have found is a Kimber K6s. You can find them used, but it will be north a little north of $500. I have seen them in the $600 range from motivated sellers. I own one and it is a delight to shoot. It is one of my favorites and my youngest daughter has claimed it as her own once she gets a little older.

I have no problem with carrying a 5 shot and you can find them all over the place. I have a bead on a model 640 .38 for $500. Just waiting for a few pics to confirm a few things. I bought a model 37 for $400 just a few weeks ago. If you live in a free state, perhaps you have a local gun trading site you can haunt? I use Texas Gun Trader here in Texas and it is a goldmine of deals if you are vigilant and good at horse trading and haggling. I don't even bother with gun shows anymore.

Best of luck in your search.

Yes I have actually bought a gun from someone on texas gun trader. I will check it out. Thanks

 

[sigp220.45]

I think you should go back to your 90s gun - a Detective Special or old school Cobra. It will take some looking, but they are out there.

I got the Cobra (bottom) in 2019 for $395 at a shop not known for good deals. The DS cost me $400 in 2016, but I was in love with the grips.

I shoot +Ps in the Cobra, but they aren't much fun.

Good luck in your quest.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a Smith & Wesson that will meet all of the criteria you mention except for those larger than J Frame, and as others have mentioned, price is going to be a prohibiting factor. I personally don't buy firearms made by any manufacturer other than Smith & Wesson, but the Ruger offerings are a quality revolver as well. There is no way I'd buy a Taurus. If it were my money, I'd rather have one nice Smith & Wesson revolver than a Taurus and a Ruger, but it's not my money. I realize that we all will have different opinions. This is just mine. I see the Smith & Wesson being worth spending a bit more on.

 

[haywood]

The old Ruger Speed Six and Security Six are good guns. Try to find a 2" or 3" or both. I had a 2" and a 4" that were good. Actually not sure if they made a 3".

 

[The Gila Bender]

Consider the 3" K-frame 6-shot Model 13 (blue)/65 (stainless) or 2-1/8" J-frame 5-shot Model 640-1. Mine are typically loaded with 135 gr Speer Gold Dot .38+p. Shooters such as these are obtainlable in your price range. The 3" J-frame Model 60-10 and 60-15 exist, but I have never seen either one.

My fishin' buddies:

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Consider a Colt King Cobra 3" if a .357 is what you want…if you can find one. Excellent revolvers.

 

[easymoney72]

Now I am thinking instead of two revolvers, I should just get a S&W model 60. I found where I can get a new one locally for $840.

 

[Curt32955]

I'll second what "No Quarter" suggested, I'd look for a Kimber K6. They're really nice revolvers.

 

[Nomadmax]

1st
Decide EXACTLY what you want.

2nd
Don't be afraid to pay up when you find it (and I do mean pay).

I have revolvers in my safe that I paid dearly for. However, they make me happy every time I handle or shoot them. What I can't do is tell you exactly what I paid for them. The joy of ownership supersedes the memory. Think of all the things in your life that cause money to go out the door. When I'm looking for an heirloom gun, price is one of my last considerations.

 

[Birdhunter6]

Consider the 3" K-frame 6-shot Model 13 (blue)/65 (stainless) or 2-1/8" J-frame 5-shot Model 640-1. Shooters are obtainlable in your price range. The 3" J-frame Model 60-10 and 60-15 exist, but I have never seen either one.

My fishin' buddies:
View attachment 604442

Another vote for all of the above!

My EDC is the 640 Pro, 3" RB 13-2 is is a "jacket weather" favorite.

The 3" J is harder to come by, but worth the search. I have a 3" 36-1. It was my original EDC. I honestly shoot it better than my 640 beyond 15 yards, but prefer the night sights and hammerless DAO features of my 640 Pro.

 

[StrawHat]

Buy what you like. If you are looking for a cheap 6 shot double action revolver, that rules out S&W and Colt. If you are looking for a dependable DA revolver backed by good factory service, that rules out a bunch of others.

Frankly, I never bought into a rotation of handguns for edc. Get one, learn it and know it intimately. Your life may/will depend on that knowledge.

I have many firearms. My edc is one of two 45 ACP revolvers.

Kevin

 

[John_M52]

340PD. But that meets none of your requirements. I almost never carry a revolver, but I have a bunch and love them. Sorry, I'm of no help. Not really a Taurus fan.

 

[stansdds]

There are no cheap S&W revolvers these days, especially when it comes to those with barrels shorter than 6 inches. The J-frame is too small for any more than 5 rounds of 38 Special. To get 6 rounds in that little cylinder you have to drop down to 32 caliber. If you go up to a K-frame you do get 6 rounds of 38 Special.

 

[sigp220.45]

$840 for a Model 60? Is that what passes for a good deal these days?

Granted, this was 4 years ago, but I see good deals pretty regularly. But I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

 

[easymoney72]

$840 for a Model 60? Is that what passes for a good deal these days?

Granted, this was 4 years ago, but I see good deals pretty regularly. But I enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

It's new, has a 3" barrel, it's stainless steel.