S&W beater Revolver for beginners

[Tennjed]

Mumbo54 maybe it is just a redneck country boy thing, but some people do. Although it is not left just to rust. Generally these guns would be shot a few times a year. Maybe we the fish are not biting, you take the gun out and shoot stumps for fun. When it is shot it gets cleaned. So it will get cleaned and shot about 3 or 4 times a year. Enough to hold off major problems, even in Mississippi.

Mumbo54 I get the fealing that you think I don't take care of my guns. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have a couple of Vaquero's that have grips that cost more that these 64s I am looking at. Those are well taken care of.

Let me explain it like this. Cars are tools and machines that deserve being taken care of. There are plenty of old ones that do not look so good anymore, but run fine. Not all these should be restored to pristine condition, but they are still usefull. You just don't wax them as often. Maybe you keep them in a barn or outside instead of a garage. The nice thing is, they didn't cost a lot, so if they get uglier it is ok. You still have your Caddy to go to church in.

I honestly thought lots of people have quality guns they bought "on the cheap" that are used for fun. They may not see the same care as other firearms of theirs.

Please do not take this the wrong way, I am just stating what I am feeling now. I am starting to get the impression that s&w maybe a little too high class and snobbish for me.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I know exactly what you are talking about-I have a couple of beater Smiths myself. By that I mean I don't care of my 337 gets a few nkcis from the pocket, nor do I care if my model 64 riding in my center console gets a few dings-that's what I bought it for. A truck or toolbox gun is exactly how I would deccribe them. I don't go out of my way to abuse either but I don't baby them and stress over every knick. I think a 64, 65 or 681 wold be just the ticket-stainless, fixed sights and bullet proof.
Must be the moon-but I don't think you deserve some of the replies you got here. I think the guys are still a bit angry about finding out that their drawers are made overseas. http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge...-american-when-my-underwear-made-vietnam.html

Welcome to the forum

 

[Tennjed]

Also please forgive my spelling and grammar. I am trying to do this on my wife's cell phone and I am not use to it

 

[M3Stuart]

Call me an optimist; I assumed he meant that he was going to put it in a holster and keep it in his console or glove box. Some people lock their gun, which is in a holster, in the top drawer of the toolbox which is in the bed of their truck.

I second the motion on a model 64 - that's what I got.

Don't take any of the replies here personally. Like they say; it takes all kinds...

 

[Chrisj357]

Glad we got that squared away

The word beater just rang wrong to me. I think an older smith is plenty durable for what you are needing. I dont like the action of a Rugar and for the price difference I wouldnt settle for a rossie, my wife has a rossie .357 that looks identical to my model 19 except is stainless and my 19 is blued. BUT, when you handle them side by side you know you have something good when you hold the Smith.

I would say if you can get by with .38 Special+P then there are many many old smiths out there in the 300 dollar range that will serve you well......keep oil on it and dont worry its plenty strong enough.

Didnt mean to offend, just happen to really like a S&W revolver....any of them

 

[Tennjed]

Must be the moon-but I don't think you deserve some of the replies you got here.

Thanks and most of the people here have been great. Helpful and nice. I think my problem was i said I was a Ruger SA guy. At that point everyone knew I was use to better built, better looking, and better shooting guns then they are

I kid. I do want to get into the Smith and Wesson DA world, it is just at this time my xtra money and needs dictate a gun that would be inexpensive and I wouldn't lose sleep over if it got sctratched. I promise I will clean it though.

With all the cheap S&W 38s i see around I thought this would be a good way to get introduced to a smith and meet my needs.

Thanks again.

 

[roaddog28]

Hi,
You don't have too baby a S&W revolver. There are plenty of good used model 10, 15, 64 and 67s out there. All of these are not rare revolvers and make excellent shooting revolvers and do not have too be "babied".
Remember, all of these were used by LE as service revolvers. And believe me a lot of them were not taken care of.
You can always get a Ruger Security Six. They are low maintenance revolvers but the revolvers I described above will work fine.
Regards,
Howard

 

[lhump1961]

Remember that most of the fine folks that post here are S&W enthusiasts and collectors to one degree or another, very knowledgeable on S&W history and a great source of information and advice. Most of us take better care of our guns than the average gun owner so the thought of throwing one in a tool box is...well...unthinkable.

You have had many great suggestions in this thread on what model of Smith will suit your needs. Make your choice, find your best deal and enjoy as you see fit! A Smith can bounce around a toolbox with the best of them if that's what you need it to do...clean and lube still required!

 

[haggis]

I think Caj nailed it.There are beautiful, pristine guns that reside in safes and wear crowns. There are guns that are tools that you use. I have a 642 that resides in my front pocket holster and is exposed to SC summers. In the 4 years that it has been my "always" gun, my sweat has done a number on its surface, but it runs perfectly. It gets a wipe down on bad days, but not much else. My truck gun is an 80% M39-2 that sits on a cloth in the console. It's only distinguishing feature is the 14Kt gold inlaid ramp on the front sight.

Get a stainless M64 or M65, wipe it down with an oily rag occasionally, and shoot the snot out of it in practice (clean after shooting). You want that thing to be an extension of your hand if it's going to be the one you will most likely use to defend your life. If it's stainless you won't notice the occasional nick. Shoot DA only (no decision making if it hits the fan), and practice reloading.

And welcome to the forum.

Buck

 

[ColbyBruce]

This is what I call a beater revolver, thoroughly abused by the last owner before I saw it, had compassion, and rescued it. It has since been cleaned up, given away, got it back, sold it. It is a decent gun, 36 years old, tight as a drum and shoots well.

 

[Butchbird]

All this noise for a very simple question -- Yes S&W makes a fine -- tough -- reliable revolver -- as good as you can get -- I used to have a toolbox on my truck -- I kept a Mod 64 in a gun rug in there for years -- never had a problem -- They are cheap and avalible -- don't sweat the snobs -- a gun is a tool and should be treated as you would any hi grade tool -- That does not mean baby it but use and care for it right and it will outlast you

 

[Snowbandit]

Funniest threat I've read in a while. Poor guy wants a beater S&W for a truck gun when he's already got Rugers. I got rid of every Ruger on the place back when old Bill urinated on the second amendment and haven't allowed another one around here since. Yeah, I know, Bill's dead and I should get over it but it's a habit now and I'm too old to change. I suppose though, if I was to have a Ruger around, I would keep it in the truck and probably beat it too.

 

[A10]

Tennjed, some of us know what a truck gun is. And when I use the term "beater", it refers to one that will obviously be used, not a safe queen, and you don't mind if it gets dinged a little. I've owned some great model 28's that fit that description, if you are interested in a .38/.357 that will never give you trouble, the Nframe is the way to go. You can still get some for the 350 range if you keep your eyes open. They aren't shiney, they are purpose built, and they will last your great grandchildren a lifetime.

 

[scooter123]

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.

There isn't anything about an S&W that makes it delicate in terms of handling, however the 357 Magnum K frames have proven to have one minor weak spot in regards to using 357 Magnums that feature a light bullet. Today the common advice concerning 357 Magnums in the K frame to limit the ammo selection to bullet weights of 158 grain. For a 38 special, there aren't any issues at all with anything made fairly recently.

As for the reaction of using one of these as a "truck gun", you have to keep in mind that most here hold S&W revolvers in very high regard. This means that even "ugly shooters" are kept well lubricated and maintained with care. However, the S&W revolver was originally designed as a Combat Revolver at a time when Trench Warfare was SOP. So, they'll run well even after being dropped in the mud or not cleaned for years.

If you want a revolver that you can do minimal maintenance on and not have to be very concerned about rust, IMO one of the stainless steel models is the way to go. They aren't completely impervious to rust because they are commonly made using type 416 stainless steel, which is only rust resistant, not nearly rust proof like the much weaker type 316 stainless. Quite simply, if you plan on exposing one of these revolvers to water or salt air, wiping it down with a bit of motor oil and oiling the barrel and cylinder bores will keep rust at bay for many years of abuse.

Specifically, the model 64's that are being turned in by amored car services and some police departments is just the ticket. In most cases these turn-ins are a bit beat up from years of carry but almost unused in terms of shooting. Cost for one of these beaters normally runs 350-400 bucks but there have been some really ugly samples sold for as low as 250 dollars.

As for that Python you mentioned, that is the Ferrari of revolvers and it has to be maintained like a Ferrari. Meaning, if you purchase a Python you'll become very well acquainted with your local gunsmith who still knows how to properly tune up a Python. That isn't the case for a S&W, they'll go many years of shooting before needing the timing tuned up and the lockwork is so simple to work on that many do their own tuning when needed.

 

[Murphy2000]

Funniest threat I've read in a while. Poor guy wants a beater S&W for a truck gun when he's already got Rugers. I got rid of every Ruger on the place back when old Bill urinated on the second amendment and haven't allowed another one around here since. Yeah, I know, Bill's dead and I should get over it but it's a habit now and I'm too old to change. I suppose though, if I was to have a Ruger around, I would keep it in the truck and probably beat it too.

Snowbandit,

Amen Brother!

"No honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun. I never meant for simple civilians to have my 20 or 30 round mags or my folding stock"

Bill Ruger

I have done my best to oblige ole' Bill, same as Snowbandit, I even went one step further and decided I didn't need ANY gun with Ruger stamped on it. As far as I can tell, I haven't missed a thing.

Murphy2000

 

[Maximumbob54]

I stand corrected and never meant any offense. I have just seen some royally tore up guns that look like they were taken to the edge of hell and back and hung up wet. So I hear the term "beater" or "truck gun" and visions of cylinders with road rash and stocks held together with tape come to mind. It's like when I was in the sandbox and there were guys who would skimp on cleaning their weapons... A tool that could literally save their life if it hit the fan... I just don't get some people, but I never intended to imply that you are of that caliber of individual. I guess I was just trying to feel out the situation in a concerned way that I got a little to personal with. My apologies. And for what it is worth, despite this being a Smith forum, I would think a stainless GP100 would be your ticket.

 

[VaRecon]

I would get a decent K-frame, maybe a model 64 or an old reliable model 10.
A .38 is plenty potent and neither gun would break budget.
Buying used is not shameful and a great way to find deals, especially if you were just looking for a beater.

 

[Tennjed]

Thanks guys this has been really helpful (and entertaining). I think I might pick up a one of those stainless 64 from jgsales that was linked earlier.

And nothing said here was taken the wrong way. We all got one thing in common, we love our guns. That makes all of you ok in my book.

On a side note.....I also do not completely agree with Bill Ruger's politics, but he is dead and it is a good American company. I like Single Actions and I reload so it is hard to beat a Ruger 45 colt Blackhawk. Can't really justify paying $1600 for a Freedom Arms when I can get 3 or 4 Ruger's for that price.

Not to hijack my own thread, but do any of you Smith and Wesson fellows shoot many Single Actions? If so what are your favorites?

 

[M3Stuart]

Hey Tenn, just FYI; those 64's on JG that you refer to are typically going to be hammerless. So check before buying. I thought to mention it because you like single actions. If you enjoy SA, and buy a hammerless accidentally you might find yourself going; Arrrrrgggghhh!

 

[Duke426]

Not to hijack my own thread, but do any of you Smith and Wesson fellows shoot many Single Actions? If so what are your favorites?

I've only got one. Third generation Colt SAA in 45 Colt. 4 5/8 barrel. Blued and case hardened. I figure if I'm only gonna have one that is the one to have.

Incidentally, my "beater" is my carry gun. S&W model 13, round butt, four inch barrel. It's my carry gun and is plenty strong enough for what you are looking to do.