Working-Class Revolvers

[Darkenfast]

Just jumping back into the conversation I started with an observation about what I'll sum up as the "you get what you pay for" argument, i.e. paying much more for an S&W is worth it because it's better built. I wish that were true, and maybe it was. But when $1500 Performance Center revolvers are showing up too often with obvious defects that never should have been allowed out of the factory, then I have to wonder.

It's not just S&W. I am seeing a disconnect between what legacy names are charging, and how well their products actually work.

Regarding the cost of ammunition: this is a good point. 9mm is the only center-fire I own, and it is the cheapest, in the way that .38 Special once was. I suspect that .38 Special is in 2nd place. .357 Magnum is obviously more expensive, especially if you feel the need to go for the latest super-duper buzz-saw bullet that the magazines are touting (same thing happens in 9mm as well). That's where I believe the six-inch .357 has an advantage, as it can get a lot out of more affordable standbys (Federal 158 gr. JSPs or Remington 125 gr. JHPs, for example).

I think the working-class guy who buys a working-class revolver is not going to be able to afford to blow through hundreds of rounds a month. Hopefully, he'll practice less, but better.

The Taurus Model 66 is second on my list of interesting working-class revolvers. Seven-shots, 40 oz. (vs 6/34.4 for the Rossi and 7/44.3 for the 686+).

Yeah, we all know the reputation of Taurus is and that they now own Rossi. Aside from the format of a lighter six-inch wheelgun, my interest here is: What kind of revolvers are those two brands turning out NOW, and how much more likely is it that they will not work from the factory vs. that 50% more expensive S&W or Colt?

Maybe I'm just not a good consumerist, these days.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

As a poor person, I'm interested in working-class guns. I currently only have 9mm …

If you’re poor do not think about buying another handgun. You got a 9mm so you are “good to go “. Take care of your family and yourself first.

In the life of a shooter, some buy a box of 50 rounds annually. Others a case (1000 rounds) others a pallet (10,000+ rounds) and some of us reload our own ammunition because shooting competition you may need 100,000 rounds annually.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Given the state of the US firearms industry, I would say that while the "economical" revolver still exists - Charter Arms, Taurus come to mind - there is no longer much "economical" factory CF revolver ammo.

The cheapest major factory .38 Special ammo is $25-35/box of 50 at retail, usually loaded with low-velocity 130 grain FMJ bullets. Calibres like .357 Magnum and .44 Special are higher priced, and availability scarcer.

The market takeover by 9mm Luger - a result of internet influencers, changed consumer demand (real and perceived), and manufacturers wanting to make easier/cheaper and higher profit polymer frame and MIM pistols - has made nearly every other handgun calibre something of a niche item.

9mm has become ubiquitous, ad nauseam. Which makes it the most competitive and cheapest ammo available. However, there are few 9mm revolvers, for a host of reasons, one of which is that it is a obnoxious cartridge in a revolver.

If your ammunition requirements are a box or two of factory ammunition a year, the economical revolvers will serve you well. Any shooting beyond that level will require reloading - and that is a whole other discussion of cost.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Getting old...... "Working Man's revolvers" were S&W Models 10 and 28!

Shop around for a "nice" older used one.......

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I remember those days.

Cars were the same way. Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac or Chevrolet. If you had a car everyone would know what your status was. Everyone else rode the bus or walked.

 

[dwh]

I too thought that working man’s guns were anything in the used case in the lgs. Deals are still out there to be had. I recently bought a 10-6 with a decent leather holster for $350. The only mark on it is on the cylinder from slide around in the nightstand drawer. The fine young man was sell grandmas gun to fund his latest plastic blaster. Keep saving your extra cash and keep your eyes open and you’ll find a deal.

 

[Valmet]

While they certainly aren’t as low priced as they used to be, I’ve always found Charter Arms revolvers to be good guns for the money. Have a .44 Spl Bulldog I bought in 2010 that’s seen the better part of 1k rounds with no issues. But like others here have said, .44 Spl ammo isn’t cheap so it pays to reload for it.

 

[Luke Duke]

I've owned Taurus made guns and they have always shot good. I had a 66 that was super accurate, but you had to put blue lock tight on all the screws periodically because it would shoot loose.

 

[CH4]

I am in the, “save up for what you really want”, camp.

 

[Checkman]

I own several Colt, S&W, Glock, Beretta and Ruger handguns. Most of my handguns have been purchased on the second-hand market, but I have purchased a few new and I had to save up for those.

I also own a Taurus Model 82 revolver in 38 Special. I won it at a live auction a couple months ago. Nobody was interested and I grabbed it more out of curiosity. After I paid the tax and auction fee, I was out $330 dollars - a very reasonable amount in 2023.

I figured if it was a lousy shooter, I could use it for trading stock. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had acquired a solid no-frills service revolver. I've heard many a tale about Taurus having spotty QC, but I have no complaints regarding this particular unit. I always like to have a few duty or working-class revolvers. Here is the Taurus with my father's old Idaho State Police S&W Model 65. Another "working-class" revolver that isn't as common or as affordable as it once was. Incidentally I really like the grip on the Taurus. Very comfortable.

Last week I finally decided to scratch an itch after many decades and purchased one of the new Colt Pythons. It set me back $1,446 dollars. For some folks here that isn't bad, but l have never spent that much on a handgun in my life. I'm 55. Incidentally it's a very well-made revolver and I'm very pleased with it. Sometimes it's neat to be able to buy a higher end handgun and since it is a very rare event, I find that I enjoy it.

Without a doubt my next handgun purchase will be a used model.

 

[alwslate]

Anybody looking for an inexpensive S&W .38 spl should browse GB regularly. The 4" 10-6 heavy barrel models often go pretty cheap. Some are police trade ins with rubber grips and some wear but still have lots of life left in them. Also there are often the very common 4" tapered barrel 10-5s and pre 10s that can be bought for less than $400.

 

[Muley Gil]

Buy another 6" Security Six.

 

[Shoebox1.1]

Years ago I bought a brand new charter undercover 2 inch 38 snub. Was my daily carry. It always went bang. Shot well. I felt like the cyl was getting some wobble and sent it in. They had it for 2-3 weeks. Came back fine with a note saying they put a part or two on it but there was nothing wrong with it! Whatever.. the lady on phone was SUPER nice as is the owner nick. He sent me a new rubber grip FREE when I told him I took too much rubber off trying to make speedloader clearance. “Man I messed it up I want to buy another”. It’s in the mail he said. Great company. Gun was 280.00 on sale at that time. They have a hi polished 6 shooter snub now called a police undercover I think. It’s pretty!!!

 

[Drm50]

I have a rule. Always buy a used S&W, Colt or Ruger. Most times the same or less than a new second shelf piece. If it has a name that sounds like it should come with bread sticks, it’s not for me.

 

[hkcavalier]

The days of the pathetically cheap pot metal revolvers is long over. As functional firearms, I haven't seen anything wrong with so-called second tier Rossi, EAA, Charter Arms, RIA, Astra, or Taurus revolvers. Pull trigger...bullet comes out. Some of those even have cool cachet due to Hollywood or pop culture (the Astra Terminator comes to mind).

 

[malph]

Its hard to beat a Model 10. To me, it's the quintessential working man's revolver.

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

These revolvers did great service for so many years for a reason.

Smith&Wesson got so much right with these guns.

I'll take a used but not abused Model 10 over a Taurus, Rossi, ... revolver any time.