The 38 S&W is really expensive to shoot, in the neighborhood of twice to three times the amount of .38 special. The bullet is bigger in diameter than the .38 spl , .361" to the .38 spl of .357" (guess where the magnum got it's name from?).
To reload 38 S&W you can use a smaller diameter bullet meant for the .38 spl but usually it isn't at all accurate and you can get leading in the barrel. I had a custom mold made up for the 38 S&W that is the correct diameter and 200 grn to duplicate the correct loading. Expensive ammo, hard to get correct reloading supplies and hard to resell other than to a collector.
As mentioned before the .357 Mag will shoot .38 specials in it and the reloading components are cheap and readily available. If you want to get into casting your own bullets there are literally dozens of molds out there to choose from, all different designs and weights.
To reload the .357 Mag you use the same bullet, same primers, and even the same powder if you want (just more of it) and the same reloading dies. Only thing that changes is the actual case that is .10" longer so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Colt Python is the top of the list as far as production revolvers go for smoothness, accuracy and fit and finish. Very pricey and hard to find.
Then comes Smith and Wesson, parts are easy to find and well made. Any K frame or N frame revolver is a good buy, fit and finish are good and trigger action is excellent, smooth single action and double action.
Rugers are built tough and will eat a steady diet of heavy ammo that would wear a Smith or Colt out. Rugers can be tuned up by a gunsmith to come close to a S&W out of the box but basically for a new shooter it isn't necessary. I have a GP100 and it is a fine shooter and accurate, I also have some older security six's, police service revolvers that are good also.
Stay away from any of the unknowns, parts are nearly impossible to get and that includes Taurus revolvers also. They are sold in most gun shops but there is no parts or service for one as much as the sales person would have you believe. Just phone up a shop and say you broke your Model 66's hand or cylinder stop and wait for the reply and "song and dance" that will ensue. After they bs to you for about 3 minutes then say, "but I bought the revolver from you 11 month's ago so where do I get it fixed". Then the standard answer of "you can take it to a gunsmith for repair" at your dime is usually blurted out. Call Taurus USA in Miami and they will drop you like a hot potato as soon as they find out you are Canadian. Great customer service.
