.38 Pistol (update) [Archive]

Mr.B

03-23-2009, 04:15 PM

Basically I’m looking to pick up a .38 pistol so when I go out hiking, fishing, hunting or what not I have something as a backup, also home and self defense.

Can you folks point me to a model or make of a .38 pistol that falls in my general criteria below.

-Under $300-ish
-used is a must
-3 Inch barrel or less
-Fairly common
-Has to have an exposed hammer

I was thinking about something along the lines of a

Smith & Wesson .38 *Chiefs special.

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/Model_36.htm

Thanks for the help.

-B

Toad_Sticker

03-23-2009, 04:19 PM

There you go you nailed it.
Ruger SP101 if you can find one for that price.

Rossi and Taurus of that size are probably ok for what you will be using them for.

As with anything my $.02
TS

rice paddy daddy

03-24-2009, 11:03 AM

In my area, Smith and Wessons, and Colt Police Positives can be had for $250-$300.
Why do you want a short barrel? I have a couple of snubbies, and they're OK for the glove box of the truck, but a S&W K Frame with a 4" barrel will give you a better sight radius and still ride in your pocket well enough for woods bumming.
I recently picked up a 1964 (or so) S&W Model 10 with a 5" barrel, and with a $14.99 Uncle Mikes nylon holster it makes a good homestead pistol.
The Colt Police Positives have a slightly smaller frame than a Smith.

Mr.B

03-24-2009, 02:39 PM

In my area, Smith and Wessons, and Colt Police Positives can be had for $250-$300.
Why do you want a short barrel? I have a couple of snubbies, and they're OK for the glove box of the truck, but a S&W K Frame with a 4" barrel will give you a better sight radius and still ride in your pocket well enough for woods bumming.

I got thinking about this today. I had a snub nose .22 awhile ago, and didnt really care for it.

I was at a local gun shop a few days ago and saw what I think is a Smith & Wesson Model 10, it was tagged as an "Army" model in .38

It looked just like this below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_10

-B

rice paddy daddy

03-25-2009, 04:06 AM

You can't go wrong with a Model 10. There are thousands of ex-police weapons out there since they switched to auto pistols. I also have a Model 15 (K38 Combat Masterpiece), which is nothing more than a 10 with adjustable sights.
There are a wide variety of 38 Special loads available suitable for everything from hunting rabbits to self defense.

snake

03-25-2009, 04:50 AM

When I first went to work for the State of New Jersey I was issued a S&W Mod 14 K-38. Excellent handgun, but mine was the 6" version. That said...unless you don't like the larger frame, I'd look for a .357. You can still use the 38, and the newer +P, and +P+, and have the magnum option. As "RPD" stated, there are plenty of good "wheel guns" out there, traded in for autoloaders.

Mr.B

03-25-2009, 01:31 PM

Well thanks for the help so far there is a gun show in my state in a few days If I find something I'm sure Ill post it.

-B

backlash

03-25-2009, 03:53 PM

Tegerian

03-25-2009, 04:05 PM

You can try this site as well http://www.gunsamerica.com/ , good selection but buyer beware as with anything over the net.

Mr.B

03-26-2009, 01:16 PM

I hope your gun show is better than the one I just went to.
Everything was way over priced and the place was so crowded you couldn't walk through it.
Try pawn shops or the little nickel type papers.
AC

I'm mostly going to the show cause of some old timer that sets up 3 tables with all types of firearm parts and a ton of blackpowder parts. If I see a .38 there I like at the right price Ill pick it up.

-B

Mr.B

03-28-2009, 06:04 PM

Well I hit up the gun show this weekend. I looked at a bunch of snub nose .38 specials out there mostly Charter Arms and a few other Smith & Wessons.

This Pistol caught my eye and was priced right for me, so I took it home, after the paper work was filled out of course.

Dan Wesson Arms .357 Magnum Revolver with 4" barrel.

I fired a bunch of .38 special out of it today. Its a little bulky but thats fine with me. Should be a good camping and backpacking/hunting sidearm.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/supayob/009.jpg

Thanks for the help and pointers!

-B

snake

03-29-2009, 04:08 AM

backlash

03-29-2009, 09:22 AM

Nice revolver.
How was the gun show?
AC

Tegerian

03-29-2009, 09:34 AM

Very nice gun, hope it serves you well.

Mr.B

03-29-2009, 10:40 AM

Nice revolver.
How was the gun show?
AC

It wasnt too bad it was a relief to see people selling order firearms & older surplus, instead of having a table full of M-16 parts and rifles, prices on all the M-16 clones where out of this world I'm sure glad I got enought of that rifle in the Army.

I also saw a really nice Enfield #4 for $200 in super nice shape I already have 2 enfields so I passed it up.

Ive seen allot of the older Smith & WEsson .32 break open revolvers at shows latley priced from $65-$150.

-B

hunter63

03-29-2009, 04:22 PM

Congrats on the new addition, wise choice.

alwaysacowboy

03-29-2009, 05:33 PM

My main carry gun is a Dan Wesson. Bought it with the 6" barrel. Watched E-Bay for a 4" barrel and realized I could buy a new one from the factory for what used ones were going for.
Mind if I ask what you paid for yours?
Art

Mr.B

03-30-2009, 02:10 AM

My main carry gun is a Dan Wesson. *Bought it with the 6" barrel. *Watched E-Bay for a 4" barrel and realized I could buy a new one from the factory for what used ones were going for.
Mind if I ask what you paid for yours?
Art

I paid a total of $235 for it, seemed like a fair price to me.

-B

Clem

03-30-2009, 06:06 AM

The Dan Wesson sounds like a good fit for your requirements. A little bulky, but solid. It has interchangeable barrels, so if you really want a two inch barrel, you can get one and install it yourself, but I tend to feel that a 4" is a better all around choice.

essayons4791

05-07-2009, 12:03 AM

Nice find at the gunshow! Good deal!
A question maybe someone can help me with- I have a model 10 .38 with the standard square butt and service grips. The service grips are alright, but they don't fit my hand very well. Anyone know where I can find a set of thicker grips for it online?

docsoos

05-07-2009, 04:06 AM

A question maybe someone can help me with- I have a model 10 .38 with the standard square butt and service grips. The service grips are alright, but they don't fit my hand very well. Anyone know where I can find a set of thicker grips for it online?

Here's a site that can help:

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/KL-Frame-Square-Butt-Grips.html (http://LINKADDRESS)

Eagle Grips are first-quality; the Oversize, Classic, and Heritage grips should fit the bill that you're looking for. I have ordered many sets from them over the years, in various types of wood, and their service and quality are the best. Also, for a few bucks extra, they used to be able to inset either gold or silver S&W medallions into the grips, so they look just like factory grips, only much higher quality. I didn't see that option on their web site, but if that would be something that you'd want, for that classic touch, I'd ask when I ordered them.

Here's a few of their customer's testimonials:

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/reviews/Rosewood-Target-OS-Checkered-2.html (http://LINKADDRESS)

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/reviews/Rosewood-Secret-Service-Grips-Checkered-SS4-1.html (http://LINKADDRESS)

http://www.eaglegrips.com/guns/reviews/Rosewood-Secret-Service-N-frame-Round-Butt-Grips-Checkd.SS10R-1.html (http://LINKADDRESS)

Happy and Safe Shooting!

DocSoos

essayons4791

05-08-2009, 08:52 AM

Thanks, Doc! I'll check em out right now.

grandmajoy

05-16-2009, 07:52 PM

http://i42.tinypic.com/vosa3b.jpg

Look at the .38 I got 100 year old hammerless, with Mother-of Pearl grips.
Isn't she pretty?

joy

pinetree64

05-22-2009, 12:40 PM

I can relate. I've had a couple 38/357's for like use. I've had a snubby Taurus Ultralight M85, a Taurus M66 (7shot, 4", 357) and now a Ruger SP101 (357, 3"). I found the snubby hard to shoot well. The M66 shot great but was too bulky, I don't need a 7 round cylinder. Sold the first two and bought the Ruger. I wanted a handy, solid platform. I did go with Hogue grips to improve my accuracy as It is not one of my CCW. Another option, is a Bersa 380, yes a semi, but they are more affordable and a good value. I had one and sold it - foolish, 3 outta 4 guns I sell, I regret.

I mostly shoot 158 SWCHP +P 38's.

gunsmoke

11-20-2009, 07:33 PM

I am a life-time collector of fine firearms and my specialty is the Smith & Wesson Model of 1950 Target.

While not my specialty I am a big fan of the Chiefs Special and I have about 11 of them in the various configurations. They are fine firearms and if you will commit the time required to become proficient with them, they can be very effective for almost any purpose except for big game hunting or bear defense.

I would strongly urge you to investigate the S & W "K FRAME" line. This is the line that includes the Model 10 M & P already mentioned here. They are available in a vatiety of barrel lengths and are chambered for both the .357 Magnum and .38 Special Cartridges. (The .357 is just a lenthened .38 Special so any handgun chambered for the .357 will also chamber the and fire the .38 Soecial cartridge)

LIST OF K FRAME MODEL NUMBERS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson

I would strongly suggest you request from your local public library NO SECOND PLACE WINNER a non-fiction work written some years ago by the late Bill Jordan a high-ranking Border Patrol Agent and firearms and gunfighting expert originally from Shreveport, LA.

In the book Bill Jordan explains his affection and admiration for the S & W K FRAME revolvers especially the Model 19 (The all stainless version is the Model 66)known by the name of "COMBAT MAGNUM"

I also suggest that you find a local gundealer in your State of Residence and find out what they will charge (usually no more than $25 +shipping from the seller) to receive a handgun for you and then shop

http://www.auctionarms.com

an online firearms auction site you can usually find pretty decent deals there in your price range.

Best of luck and let us know how things turn out.