38spcl Revolver - Help with Decision

[MilitantBEEMER]

So looking at getting an affordable carry piece in 38 special.

Here are the guns that I have looked at and like so far, ranked from least expensive to most:

Taurus Model 85 5 shot $299
Taurus 85B2FS Revolver | .38 Special +P 5 Rounds Blue Finish

Charter Arms Police Undercover 6 shot $350
73840 Police Undercover

S&W 36 Classic New Manufacture 5 shot $615
Model 36 Classics | Smith & Wesson

I love older wheel guns however everyone I find is to nice to carry and shoot.
I really would like to have a new Colt Cobra whenever those come out, however I imagine I will get one regardless of this purchase.

Thoughts and experience with any of the above is appreciated. (Yes I know some of you will never own a Taurus)

Thank you

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[Nick Burkhardt]

SMITH AND WESSON 642 38 SPECIAL NO INTERNAL LOCK

CDNN SPORTS - RUGER® LCR® 38 SPECIAL +P

or what I have CDNN SPORTS - RUGER® LCR® 38SPEC+P GREEN FIBER OPTIC SIGHT

 

[Joe13]

I hear good things about the Ruger sp101 but have never shot one.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

SMITH AND WESSON 642 38 SPECIAL NO INTERNAL LOCK

CDNN SPORTS - RUGER® LCR® 38 SPECIAL +P

or what I have CDNN SPORTS - RUGER® LCR® 38SPEC+P GREEN FIBER OPTIC SIGHT

I have looked at all three above, and the challenge with these is no external hammer, I am only interested in models with external hammers.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

I hear good things about the Ruger sp101 but have never shot one.

I have been looking at the Sp101 and like it, however for this purchase I am looking for the smaller and lighter models. Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[jbett98]

A friend of mine has a mint in box S&W Model 36 that he's asked me to sell for him.
His Mom bought it new in 1964 and only fired a couple of rounds.
I think he's going to ask $500.00 for it.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

A friend of mine has a mint in box S&W Model 36 that he's asked me to sell for him.
His Mom bought it new in 1964 and only fired a couple of rounds.
I think he's going to ask $500.00 for it.

Pm sent

 

[Nick Burkhardt]

Oh, sorry. I thought you were wanting a pocket carry gun.

Both the Smiths SMITH AND WESSON 637 38 SPECIAL REVOLVER

and the Rugers Ruger 5430 LCRx Black 38 Spl +P 1.875-inch 5Rd Houge Grip

have versions with a hammer.

Here is one with a copper cylinder RUGER LCR-X 38 SPECIAL +P W/ COPPER CYLINDER

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

Oh, sorry. I thought you were wanting a pocket carry gun.

Both the Smiths SMITH AND WESSON 637 38 SPECIAL REVOLVER

and the Rugers Ruger 5430 LCRx Black 38 Spl +P 1.875-inch 5Rd Houge Grip

have versions with a hammer.

Here is one with a copper cylinder RUGER LCR-X 38 SPECIAL +P W/ COPPER CYLINDER

Thank you. I am pretty sure I have narrowed it down to the three above. I will however look at these models locally.

 

[JRuby]

I have looked at all three above, and the challenge with these is no external hammer, I am only interested in models with external hammers.

The model 36 has an external hammer. I have one

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

The model 36 has an external hammer. I have one

Yes, sorry for the confusion

 

[CountryGent]

So looking at getting an affordable carry piece in 38 special.

Here are the guns that I have looked at and like so far, ranked from least expensive to most:

Taurus Model 85 5 shot $299
Taurus 85B2FS Revolver | .38 Special +P 5 Rounds Blue Finish

I've had a similar model, the Taurus 605, since 2005. I've shot it a bunch and carry it at times. In all those years, I've had zero issues with it. The trigger pull is pretty good, it is reliable, and accuracy is what you'd expect from a snub. I did eventually change the grips to different type, though the original rubber ones aren't bad.

Anywho, I hope that helps in some way. Cheers.

 

[nammac]

If you can grab that S&W 36 for 500.00, that'll be your best bet....

 

[Alexx1401]

So looking at getting an affordable carry piece in 38 special.

Here are the guns that I have looked at and like so far, ranked from least expensive to most:

Taurus Model 85 5 shot $299
Taurus 85B2FS Revolver | .38 Special +P 5 Rounds Blue Finish

Charter Arms Police Undercover 6 shot $350
73840 Police Undercover

S&W 36 Classic New Manufacture 5 shot $615
Model 36 Classics | Smith & Wesson

I love older wheel guns however everyone I find is to nice to carry and shoot.
I really would like to have a new Colt Cobra whenever those come out, however I imagine I will get one regardless of this purchase.

Thoughts and experience with any of the above is appreciated. (Yes I know some of you will never own a Taurus)

Thank you

Of the ones you want of course the 36 is hands down the winner. If you don't mind used there is literally a ton of these out there for sale. If you don't mind one that shows it was carried a lot but will shoot just fine, it's not hard to find one close to the price of the 85. Of course the real nice examples bring a premium but there is far more that were carried for a long time and shot little. For me a 36 used and even showing lots of carry would beat the rest if I only had to spend another 50 or so. Had several of the 85's over the years and all worked fine. There is always "horror" stories of 85's but that's because a few tons of them have been made and sold. The company would never have survived if a lot of what they make was bad. If you don't need "pretty" lots of great 36s are there to buy.

 

[JRuby]

My favorite snub is a model 10 or 15. If I can find another k frame snub nose I would buy it.

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

If you can grab that S&W 36 for 500.00, that'll be your best bet....

I would agree and may end of with 2 of the 3

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

My favorite snub is a model 10 or 15. If I can find another k frame snub nose I would buy it.

Never had the pleasure of shooting either of these. Will have to look into them. Thank you

 

[teflon6string]

S&W 5-shot J frame "Airweight" .38spl/+P revolvers come in a variety of flavors with and without hammers, or with a hideously ugly shrouded hammer (my own choice). Very concealable, rugged and dependable. But depending on what you're used to shooting, they take a little getting used to. They're small guns.

In any size paw, the contoured grip stops one finger short, leaving your pinky with nothing to wrap around. It feels awkward at first. And given a 16oz empty weight, even standard .38 hollow points make it snap pretty good (and are loud as hell, indoors or out, through a 1" barrel).

Not a great "first pistol experience" for timid beginners if you want them to keep coming back.

Whatever I shoot at the range, I always finish up running half a box through my EDC so it's the last thing I shot. (Heaven forbid, the next time might be a life/death emergency.) I won't insist that it's a great pistol for everyone since that all boils down to personal preference. But it's certainly worth a try if you get the chance.

Bottom line? Unless you're already used to a tiny, lightweight revolver, you'll owe yourself some dedicated trigger time to develop comfort and consistency with any Airweight-size pistol.

 

[SparksFly]

So looking at getting an affordable carry piece in 38 special.

Here are the guns that I have looked at and like so far, ranked from least expensive to most:

Taurus Model 85 5 shot $299
Taurus 85B2FS Revolver | .38 Special +P 5 Rounds Blue Finish

Charter Arms Police Undercover 6 shot $350
73840 Police Undercover

S&W 36 Classic New Manufacture 5 shot $615
Model 36 Classics | Smith & Wesson

I love older wheel guns however everyone I find is to nice to carry and shoot.
I really would like to have a new Colt Cobra whenever those come out, however I imagine I will get one regardless of this purchase.

Thoughts and experience with any of the above is appreciated. (Yes I know some of you will never own a Taurus)

Thank you

This is one I have looked at as a hunting sidearms since I hunt with a bow.
Rock Island Armory M200 Revolver .38 Special 4.02" Barrel 6 Rounds Matte Black Finish Steel Frame Polymer Grip Black 51261 - 4806015512615

 

[DirectDrive]

The Smith would be hard to beat, but you'll have to throw down more coin.
The Rugers are a solid choice.