Selecting first S&W

[EO1986]

Hello all, I am in the process of looking for my first revolver and have stumbled upon this forum. For many years I have lusted after a S&W 27, but recently I have begun to broaden my search to other N-frames. My max budget is $1000. I recently stumbled upon the below S&W Heavy-Duty at Cablelas, and I really really liked it. It has since sold, but it had exactly the look and feel I like. A few questions for you:

1) I really liked the streamlined look of the fixed sights on the heavy duty. Would I regret buying a gun with fixed sights? Primary purpose is for range use and maybe self defense. Is the front-sight on this heavy-duty lowered? It seems smaller than most of the others I've seen online, and I like the look.

2) Are older S&W's "drop safe" if dropped with either the hammer down or hammer cocked? If not, is there a cut-off year when they became safe?

3) The main two calibers I am considering a .38/.357 and .44. Would I regret having a .44 special as my only handgun? How expensive and hard to find is it?

4) What guns should I be looking for in my price range? I would like a 4" barrel, blued finish, magna grips, I like fixed sights but they aren't mandatory. Is the price on that Heavy Duty reasonable? Alot of the guns I look at on gunbroker seem out of my price range. I tend to like older guns, but I dont care about having some uber-rare model. I think i might like a matte finish like the heavy duty more than the gloss of a 27.

5) Are there any good gun stores that have online listings of used guns for me to at least window-shop? I live in Jersey so there isnt alot of variety near me.

Thank you for your help and look forward to your responses.

 

[silentflyer]

Most bang for the buck in a N frame, look for a Model 28 same as the Model 27 without the fancy deluxe finish. if you aren't fixed to the idea of a N frame take a look at some 586' or 686's, the L frames are great.
For a range gun the adjustable sights are a must as you shoot different weight bullets in .38 or .357

 

[George_in_SD]

That's a nice transitional heavy duty there, looks to be a fair price too.

 

[one eye joe]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM. DO NOT--I REPEAT--DO NOT BUY A FIXED SIGHT GUN FOR RANGE WORK ! ! ! LOOK AT THE GUNS ON GUN BROKER, THE BIGGEST INTERNET AUCTION SITE, TO WINDOW SHOP. ALSO, LOOK AT THE GUNS FOR SALE ON OUR FORUM……..

 

[Twiki357]

I’ll second what silentflyer said. For fixed sights, a model 28. The same as a 27 other than the finish and you have the flexibility of 357 or 38.

With a 44 special you only have 44 special. Both the guns and ammo are more expensive.

 

[Bill Bates]

That Heavy Duty looks pretty decent. I can't see diamond insert on the stocks so they may not be original or I just can't make them out in the photo. Either way, it seems that the price is reasonable for the condition.

I think you will be shocked how well that old Heavy Duty shoots even with its fixed sights. That old long action on the transition guns is about as smooth as they get. Prices on those early post war N frames ain't doing nothin' but going up.

I would be making deal before someone else does.

 

[Rick_A]

There is nothing wrong with a fixed sight gun. It's one less thing to break, come loose, or snag. Unless it's going to be a long range target or bullseye gun fixed sights are just fine. Most are properly regulated to roughly fifty yards.

38/357 will definitely be advantageous ammo wise. 44 is a venerable cartridge but defense ammo is scarce and target ammo is expensive and less common.

You have good taste. There are some reissued Model 21 and 22 revolvers that I find quite nice as well.

 

[bananaman]

Most bang for the buck in a N frame, look for a Model 28 same as the Model 27 without the fancy deluxe finish. if you aren't fixed to the idea of a N frame take a look at some 586' or 686's, the L frames are great.
For a range gun the adjustable sights are a must as you shoot different weight bullets in .38 or .357

A good starting point! I personally enjoy my 6" 28 no dash from 1960. Also have a 586, 4", and 686-3, 6". They are all great shooters even if I am not! Bob

 

[EO1986]

Thanks for the responses. Do these guns have to be carried with an empty chamber? Do they have some type of drop safety or are they the type where if you drop it it is in danger of discharging?

Thanks

 

[Irn-Bru]

Just an FYI they are negotiable on prices at Cabelas on used guns. I have bought 2-3 and they will probably knock $50 off that price.

 

[Peak53]

Thanks for the responses. Do these guns have to be carried with an empty chamber? Do they have some type of drop safety or are they the type where if you drop it it is in danger of discharging?

Thanks

The guns you are considering have an internal hammer block which keep the hammer nose/firing pin from contacting the primer unless the hammer is cocked and the trigger pulled. Carry 6 in the cylinder with hammer down without fear.

You almost jumped in head first with the Heavy Duty. If you find another, you would probably enjoy it. I have several 38/44s. It will basically shoot low to mid-level 357 loads in a 38 case. I probably enjoy my dedicated 44 specials more than anything. Fun to shoot and hard hitting at lower velocities without the over-penetration potential of a magnum.

 

[EO1986]

Unfortunately here in jersey we have to apply for handgun permits which take from a couple weeks to a couple months to get, and most gun shops will not hold a gun for you while you wait.

The only issue i see with the heavy duty for me is i am stuck with .38 special, and I dont reload so I am limited to lower power rounds. I found the S&W 520, briefly made in the 80s, which is basically a 27 with fixed sights. It seems like just what I want, but they are uber-rare i'm finding out.

 

[M3Stuart]

Welcome to the forum!

My 2 cents: If I were only going to have one revolver, I would buy one in .357/.38.

Either way, I would STRONGLY recommend RENTING some and shooting them BEFORE buying my super-special 'one-gun'.

Again, welcome to the forum!

 

[CJ45lc]

In my opinion if I was looking for a 1st revolver 38/.357 I'd be looking for a Model 19 or 66 4". If you have to you could always put Magna grips on one that had Target grips.

Scratch the 66, I see you want a blued pistol

 

[Tom_R]

A model 19 or a model 28 is a great revolver to start with. The 28 is the youngest child of the heavy duty 38/44 that you were looking at. They are great revolvers. U can't go wrong with a model 19, either. Smaller than the 28 and better served to 38 spcls than a seadt diet of magnums. Occasional shooting of magnums is fine.

A 4" blued or nickel model 19 is a must have in any Smith & Wesson collection. A beautiful revolver,,and a great revolver.

 

[Jim NNN]

Don't mean to rain on the OP's parade, but from my limited perspective, everything else will be downhill from that heavy duty he passed on. That's the best looking of all N frames, in my opinion.

I have an old 5 screw Highway Patrolman, but rarely shoot it...N frames are just so heavy. L frames are a better shooter's gun, IMO, but - although they are classics - they don't have the cool really old gun vibe. Still, that's what I'd go with; like maybe a 586.

Unless you're lucky enough to come across that old HD again.

 

[DevilDog72]

I started my S&W revolver...love affair with a 19-8 4". It is till my favorite and I now have 3 revolvers. I carry a 19-4 2.5" and a 642. In my view a Mdl. 19 in either 4" or 2.5" is a great start to the revolver world. Be advised it can be addictive.