Best bet revolver .357/.38

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briz514

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Hi all :)

I recently brought a friend to shoot and she's on the verge of being 'hooked'. She found my .45 was too much, a .22 not enough and then fell in love with a .38. I think the nominal kick and 'controlled' revolver action are what sold her. Anyhoo...

She's toying with the idea of purchasing one eventually. I suggested getting a .357 that also takes .38. Problem is there no a lot of great deals to be had on the used market and I am not familiar with revolvers.

So what's are the choices? Budget is a big consideration for her as she's not sure how often she'll shoot. She's got a good size frame herself, so she doesn't need a model that's made to fit a small hand.

Any and all opinions welcome. Thanks in advance :)
 
If she will most likely be shooting only .38s then I would say don't exclude a good gun in 38 Special only. Included with the above mentioned S&W models I would also suggest the S&W model 14. I saw someone is selling one on the EE.

I would stick to a S&W with adjustable sights. Sure there will be others that will say that ###XX revolver is just as good, but they most likely not say ###XX is any better.

Both the 585 and 686 are heavier and may not be appropriate (depending on the build of your friend. Not that big a difference really but the balance is different.

Found it. More than I would pay for this model but a good shooting model anyway.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137376

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Rudy H said:
If she will most likely be shooting only .38s then I would say don't exclude a good gun in 38 Special only.
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I realize that a straight .38 would likely be less costly and suit her tastes at the moment. I had suggested the 357/38 option because I assumed for the $ difference she may one day be happy to have the option. She's shot less than 300 rounds in her life and although a .38 is 'comfortable' right now she may one day want to 'graduate' to a larger caliber. She's nearly 6' and I doubt she'll have trouble wielding a .357. She shot my .45 and it wasn't the kick so much as the percussion that she didn't like. She may find it too much at this level of experience, but later on down the road... See where I'm going?

Thanks
 
Yes and I agree with you that a 38/357 allows you more flexibility. My first revolver (and still favorite) is my model 66. But I have never shot anything but 38s through it. I have four revolvers in 357 and have never shot a 357 magnum in them. If I could use it for hunting then I sure would, but in Canada there does not seem to be much point in the 357 for most people. Take a look around and you will find tons of brass for the 38 available but little 357. There just isn't any need. Also it is not a nice round to shoot often.

I'm not saying to skip buying a 357, but instead that you should not rule out a good 38 if the price is right. I have seen the Model 14 sell for $250. But then I also sold a good model 586 last year for $300.
 
briz514 said:
I realize that a straight .38 would likely be less costly and suit her tastes at the moment. I had suggested the 357/38 option because I assumed for the $ difference she may one day be happy to have the option. She's shot less than 300 rounds in her life and although a .38 is 'comfortable' right now she may one day want to 'graduate' to a larger caliber. She's nearly 6' and I doubt she'll have trouble wielding a .357. She shot my .45 and it wasn't the kick so much as the percussion that she didn't like. She may find it too much at this level of experience, but later on down the road... See where I'm going?

Thanks
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I see where you're going. You want a 357 and you're hoping that she hates it down the road and you can get it from her cheap.

Good Call
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4string said:
I see where you're going. You want a 357 and you're hoping that she hates it down the road and you can get it from her cheap.

Good Call
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:D :dancingbanana:

LOL

OK... I recall trying someone's Python at some point. I get your point. And honestly, she's not willing to plop down a lot of $$ either. If she could get something decent for around $250 she may actually go for it.

I love this site :)
 
+1 on the incredible value and quality of a S&W revolver. I own 2 model 14's and a 686 (and a 29, and a K-22, and... :rolleyes: ), and would echo the advice to not discount a Model 14 in .38 Spl.

The lack of a full underlug makes the Model 14 a much handier, easy-to-balance piece for someone just starting out. While a .357 is fun as hell from time to time, the truth is, it's a lot of jam to be spreading on paper targets. Also, in my experieince, you'll usually get better accuracy shooting .38 Spl rounds in a .38 Spl rather than in a .357. That extra cylinder length creates a longer jump to the rifling, which does nothing good for accuracy. It's not that a .357 won't shoot well using .38 ammo -- it's just that a .38 will usually shoot that ammo better.

Since you mention a Python, my recommendation would be to try one before you buy it, if possible. I've owned two. Both of them were absolutely wonderful mechanisms -- double action pulls that did not stack weight and felt like a ball bearing rolling on oiled glass. The problem is that both of my Pythons developed timing problems and tended to spit lead back out of the forcing cone and back at the shooter. I don't know how common place that problem is with Pythons -- but I will say that I've heard of other instances of the same thing. Caveat emptor!
 
To bad about the 12.6 issue as my step mom has some beautiful ladies revolvers that are light and feel great in a small hand. (I shot them as a kid).... Good call on the .38 as it is cheap these days and is a damn fine target caliber.
 
pitdogboy said:
To bad about the 12.6 issue as my step mom has some beautiful ladies revolvers that are light and feel great in a small hand. (I shot them as a kid).... Good call on the .38 as it is cheap these days and is a damn fine target caliber.
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Well, not to cut this thread off at the knees... I am now a man of changed opinion. Thank you all. My friend wants to spend as little as possible. She's comfortable with .38.... Maybe somewhere deep in my own ego I did want her to have a .357 just so I could use it now and then :rolleyes:

I'll see what I can find for her in .38. Think I may buy it myself and then sell it to her when she's legal.

Oddly enough the opinions given to me, in the end, sound like what I would have said to others...
 
briz514 said:
I'll see what I can find for her in .38. Think I may buy it myself and then sell it to her when she's legal.
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I think you're making a good decision. If your friend didn't like the percussion out of your .45, then she may not be too thrilled about the percussion that comes out of a factory .357 round. I had a fellow in the next stall complain that he felt my factory loads were too 'hot' as he was 'able to feel the shock wave'. :rolleyes: :D
 
Hard to beat the S&W's. Ruger is a good wheel gun as well.
Don't get too hung up on the .38 only issue. If you can get a good deal on a .357/.38 I would go for it.
Also don't forget to look at a Dan Wesson as well. Sometimes a good deal comes up on a very accurate & well maintained gun.
 
I bought a speed six ruger .357 Mag for 275. Stainless steel. Good gun for the money as for graduating from 38 to 357. While the flash of full house 357 loads is impressive the recoil is not confortable. A days shooting requires a tube of ben ###.
 
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