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.38 Snubbies?

6599 Views 14 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Roadkill Bill
What are my options for .38/.357 snubs with 1 7/8"-2" barrels with about a $300 budget. I want another Smith but I dont see that as being TOO realistic with this budget. Thanks for the input.

-Adam
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I think a realistic option thats close is a used SP101 with a 2" barrel. You may find a used S&W .38 for that price but I doubt the S&Ws will be priced around $300. The Ruger may be too heavy for carry though. Taurus should have some options if you can find them used and maybe Rossi too.
the ruger sp101 is on the top of my list right now. i dont know if it will be too heavy to carry though - right now im workin with that S&W 66 in a 4". any specific model #s you could name from taurus or rossi?
I'm not really current on the model numbers for either. Go to www.taurususa.com and try the gun selector under the Products category. You can do a search for models meeting your criteria. I know nothing about the Rossi revolvers. Personally if I'm going to trust my life to a gun I'll stick with S&W, Colt or Ruger over the cheaper stuff. I understand having a budget though. I like the weight of the Ruger because I find it comforting.
I did a quick search on Gunbroker to see what turned up. I think you can get a S&W for near $300 or less. The Airweight revolvers are pretty affordable now that the titanium and scandium guns have the spotlight. The Airweights have alloy frames and steel cylinders. I like the 642 "Centennial" models with the internal hammer. The 637 is the "Chiefs Special" with a regular exposed hammer and the 638 is the "Body Guard" with a shrouded hammer. Check this one out, there were lots on there.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=62855659
any specific model #s you could name from taurus or rossi?
The Taurus Model 85 is a snubbie five shooter in .38 Special. I think you'd do better, however, to look for a serviceable used Colt Detective Special or Agent.
Thanks for the replies fellas. I really want to avoid taurus and rossi etc. i deffinitely do want to stick with S&W, Ruger, or COLT. I dont know enough about all the different models, which is why i posted this. the SP101 is DEFFINITELY an option. the weight will just make it more comfortable to practice with :)
I was going to suggest a Colt Detective special, but I recently checked 'em out on gunsamerica, and I see they have gone up considerable in price.
Still, I think you might get lucky and find a bargain or two...there was one in gunsamerica that was $299....dont know about the condition, ect. but I have a Detective special and it is one of my main carry guns.
As I posted above, I think an Airweight S&W is the way to go for what you have stated. But the little bobbed hammer SP101 is neat. I have a S&W 640, which is a 2 1/8" all stainless internal hammer (Centennial) .357 mag. If you were going to run a steady diet of .357 through them, I think the Ruger would stand up to it better. Rugers are nothing if not strong. Either one is a little too heavy for an ideal pocket gun, but I do sometimes cary my 640 in a Safariland pocket holster when my attire allows it. Buying a used snubbie is nice because they are usually shot very little. There are a lot on the market because people traded them in for the new superlight titanium and aluminum jobs.
Having had the alloy frame Chief's Special and the 642 Centenial, I found them just really easy to carry concealed and ROUGH on the knuckles when you dump a cylinder into a target. Had to get rid of mine due to nerve damage caused by something unrelated to shooting. my $0.02.
///olde 8) pharte///
1gsplover - if they are hard on the hands to shoot and you got rid of 'em, then what do you carry now? i am looking at this snubbie for a carry gun.

thanks for the input
Carry a 4" Ruger GP100 .357 or a Blackhawk 4 5/8" .45. VERRRY heavy, but I don't do a lot of walking while toting one of these anchors, believe me. If I know I have some distance to walk while carrying, I tote a P85 9mm in a shoulder holster... not too uncomfortable.
///olde 8) pharte///
Re: re: .38 Snubbies?

1gsplover said:
Carry a 4" Ruger GP100 .357 or a Blackhawk 4 5/8" .45. VERRRY heavy, but I don't do a lot of walking while toting one of these anchors, believe me. If I know I have some distance to walk while carrying, I tote a P85 9mm in a shoulder holster... not too uncomfortable.
///olde 8) pharte///
how do you carry the 4" GP100?
My wife carries the 3" SP101. It's a great gun. I just bought a 638 Airweight, and it was $399. It's not easy finding a good firearm for $300 any more.

I do NOT consider the Taurus or Rossi worth wasting money on. It's true, you DO get what you pay for. I know this may upset some folks who have guns made south of the border, but my experience with them has been very underwhelming. And customer service really sucks.
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