Kind of old school, I know. I used them years ago along with a 9mm. I think I need to scratch an itch. 38s are harder to come by, and I was looking around for either a Model 64 or maybe a Ruger SP 101 in 357.

I also saw a Charter Arms Police Bulldog. I googled this, but there isn't much info on this particular model. There is also the problem of which era Charter Arms revolver is owned and reviewed.

I was wondering about this latest generation of CA products. Can anyone provide some up to date info about their newly manufactured guns, or the Police Bulldog in particular?

Easily my favorite and most used handgun cartridge. I have at least half a dozen revolvers so chambered in easy reach at any given time.

I’d pass on by all the CA, Taurus, Rossi type low priced offerings and hold out for a Ruger at minimum but ideally an S&W. If money is an issue M10s with finish issues are still relatively inexpensive and I’d much rather one of them than a new cheap gun.

Don’t you Canades have to have a 4.2 inch barrel or something silly like that to be legal? If so the M10 was made with 5” and 6” barrels but a K38 or M15 will likely be an easier find and they were 6” and 8 3/8”.

Put 4.5-5.5gr Unique over any old primer and cork it with a 150-170gr SWC.I’m especially fond of the RCBS 38-150KT SWC but there are lots that will work just as well. You’ll be ready to handle about anything that can be handled with a 38.

My favorite fun cartridge have a K38 and several others to play with

Had a 638-3 in my pocket today!!

A K-frame S&W with a 5" or 6" barrel would do you very well.

Yes. I have a lever action carbine and a few revolvers chambered for 357 Mag / 38 Spl -
They have almost exclusively fired only the 38 Special round:

Marlin 1894C carbine. Dan Wesson M 15-2 revolver, S&W M 19-3 revolver,
My only dedicated 38 Spl only, handgun is a Ruger LCR -X, with 3" barrel.

At one time, the .38 Spl was my favorite round. I just enjoyed shooting
the .38 Special revolvers more than my 9MM semi-auto pistols

For the ultimate 38SPL option & not a wheel gun.

A S&W Mdl 52 shoots well w/ flush seated 148 DEWC's.

S&W would be my only consideration for a wheel gun of which I have several S&W 38/357's.

I have a S&W model 67 (I think) no dash that used to be my favorite pistol to shoot, until I got a S&W .44 special. Now the .38 rides in my truck most of the time and rarely gets shot. I need to fix that. miles

Don't forget the Colt Diamondback.

Get a 586 S&W or a Model 28 S&W and know what its like to shoot in Heaven



Hank

Does anyone shoot a 38 special?

Doesn't everyone? Every red blooded gun owner should own at least a few guns so chambered

Of course. I have several .38 Special revolvers, and shoot .38 quite a lot.

The last one I shot was my Colt Official Police. Before that, my S&W Combat Masterpiece.

there is a S&W 442 in my front pocket as we speak

My .357's are really just 38's that require a little more cylinder cleaning.

In order of numbers of rounds through handguns for me it's 22's, then 9mm's, then 38's....and the 38's are not that far behind the 9mm's.

I have, and use 4 different Smiths. On occasion "The Warden" lets me shoot hers.
2 - M 10's, 2- M 37's, and 1 M 12.

I have a Charter Arms 2" 38 splc. not sure of manufactory date as I bought it used.
Accurate but has a heavy rough trigger. The trigger is the only negative in my opinion

I might shoot some wuss .357 once in a while but no
38 spcl.

Just one case to stock.

I did many moons ago have a Smith 60 but only shot factory +p in it.

Have only one revolver now 6" .357. Hunting gun, dont really target shoot.

A K-38 is a great shooter, my favorite revolver of all the S&W centerfires. My son found a really nice one (appeared unfired ) with grips numbered to the gun and the original box last year, just a sweet handgun.

I appreciate all the inputs. Money isn't a problem. Availability is. Being in Canada and with COVID ongoing, there is a supply problem. We all know about the problems with getting stuff from manufacturers. I owned a 6 inch barreled 686 for about 8 or 10 years, but I got rid of it because it was awkward. I tried a couple of grips, but it was actually the barrel. It felt like I was holding a toilet plunger.

I liked the Model 64 and used one for several years. It had a 4 inch barrel, which handled and holstered nice. I still have the leather holster for it. Canada has a 4.2 inch minimum barrel length for civilian use, so that would be the smallest. It should fit in my old holster.



I see that there are several Model 66s available here. They would fill the bill for size and heft and are a K frame. I am familiar with S&W having been an armourer.

I was curious about the latest CA revolvers. The one thing about the Internets is you have to be very careful which information you accept. Case in point is with Charter Arms.

Here’s my 38 Special. A gun show find this spring. I have a few 357s that see ten times as much 38 Special ammo as 357 shot through them. This is my only dedicated 38 Special. I’ve not had a chance to shoot it much yet.

That’s a dandy Mart, I love those gold boxes. I also love both of my 38/44s.

There's one very like that at the pawn shop down the street from me. It's been tempting me for a while now.

Sweet.

Hard to beat a K Frame S&W for 38spl.

Twice I've looked hard at 8-3/8" barreled K frames in .38. Each time in the $1100 range. More than I want to spend, but if I spend less, I probably get less ... worn out or problem guns. It is really too bad there aren't any target grade .38s .. or much of anything else .. available anymore.

I think I've only owned one .38, an early SP-101 prior to the switch to .357. Fun, useful, but for my application I want adjustable sights.

Tom

Very nice.

Very cool as a collector's item but, practically speaking, it's an N-Frame .38 Special. Same with the Heavy Duty. The Outdoorsman was the precursor to the Model 27, but then the Model 27 is even questionable from a practical perspective in light of the existence of the Model 19, the Model 57, and the Model 29. But as a very nice piece of history, I'd love to own either an Outdoorsman or a Heavy Duty.

I carry a Ruger SP101 .357 occasionally. The nicest load I've found for it is the old "FBI" load. A Remington .38 Spcl +P 158 grain lead semi wadcutter hollow point. Hardly any flash and low recoil. My wife shoots this gun and load extremely well.

A .38 M&P is on my hip every day. It's fast and accurate. And with Buffalo Bore 158grain LSWCHP +P's it's plenty stout.

I do. I have a Taurus 85 that has never caused a single issue. I bought it when I lived paycheck to paycheck and many times since those days I've thought of replacing it with an S&W. But it shoots to the sights, is accurate, and works without a hitch. So I've become rather fond of it despite so many folks saying its not a quality gun.

I've never had one. If the right S&W appeared, I'd jump on it. I fire alot through my magnum revolvers. Had some fun experimenting with 38spl +p also. Both factory and handloads.

Great revolver cartridge.

I have a shielded hammer S&W bodyguard to keep in a pocket for backup. I use it when my SIG P220 or my 45 Colt are too large for carry. Be Well, RZ.

From my experience that's one of the most consistent handgun on the market today. Taurus discontinued it and brought out the 856 which is a 6 shot.

Honestly the last gun I'll ever get rid of is my Ruger LCR .38 special +P. From my cold dead hands.

Nice 38/44 mart. K frame SW's are a favorite of mine if you can find a 6" model 14 it will make you smile. Mb

Been carrying them in my pocket for yrs.
Before they became popular with the CCW crowd, I trained my wife on the S&W hammer less models, (own several), as they don't snag, and go in and out nice!

The Hollow point ammo is endless today, and for personal protection, it's a nice compact round!

I don't do much else with the .38 Caliber, to speak of, but it's one of my favorites!

Steve Redgwell: Bought my first "38 Special" in 1968 (a Smith & Wesson Model 60) shortly thereafter I was "issued" a Smith & Wesson Model 10.
Once I qualified "Expert" I was issued a Smith & Wesson Model 14 (1969) and I have been shooting "38 Specials" ever since.
My favorite "38 Special" to shoot though is a Smith & Wesson Model 66 with 6" barrel!
Qualified "Distinguished Expert" several times with that rig.
Accurate, light of recoil, affordable (used to be anyways!) and reliable - whats not to like about the 38 Special?
And in my experience/opinion it is THE perfect round to teach new/young shooters the ways of centerfire pistol shooting.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I can point you to a very nice one if you're interested. They will ship it to you via an FFL in your area.

I've got a Colt Detective special that I use every day for my "NY reload"

And, my Wife carries an Air Weight Chefs special, 38 special as her concealed handgun.

Virgil B.

I would feel lost without my 5-screw K-38 6" and my pre-war Colt Officer's Model 6" .38's. Those buggers are like death rays against paper targets, steel, and empty beer cans. 3 grains Bullseye behind a soft cast 158 SWC or a smidge less behind a wadcutter spells all day no-strain no-fuss fun.

Where are you guys finding bullets to reload these? I am looking for DEWCs or SWCs.

There is an old lead mine within a few miles of my place. Thinking about checking it out for scraps. Ha!

I found mine on the bottom shelf of my reloading room, too heavy to have any higher.

Have you checked Rimrock and Missouri bullets? I'm assuming a bit of a wait, but don't know. I have used both with good results

The Missouri Bullet Co. 158 gr. SWC coated bullet over a stout dose of Unique is standard carry in my 4" S&W M15 and 3" round butt M64. The 148 gr. Wadcutter with a lesser charge stokes my M642 cylinder.

I just ordered some bullets from Straight Shooters Cast Bullets. Took maybe a week for them to cast them up and send them out. I should get them in the next couple of days. I have some I have gotten from them before, but haven't loaded any up yet (I still need to set up my reloading bench and stuff).

https://sscastbullets.com/

Actually, I just now got them.



The "wide" flat SWC with the cool red coating. The meplat is wider than on the regular SWC.


Matt's Bullets makes an even wider meplat bullet in 157 grains. That would be kickass.

If I can afford a Smith, I’m not gonna buy a Charter, or a Taurus, or maybe even a Ruger. The 66 looks like your best choice, loaded with .38s or .38- level .357s to keep the chambers clean, and just maybe be more accurate. A piece by Brian Pearce years ago suggested that loads in .357 cases were a touch more accurate. Once my pile of .38 brass is exhausted, I won’t buy any more, as both my guns are .357s.

Not for Canadians, but my new 3” M60 Pro is a nearly perfect carry “.38”. Much easier to hit with than a snubbie.

I want to try some of the coated ones, probably Missouri Bullet Co. Seem to be the answer to a couple of issues, and they’re pretty.

You all talked me in to grabbing a model 64 police trade in off of GB last night. Should be a fun little plinker

Thanks for the link, though I'm not sure I'd give recommendations for something I've never used.

Nice to hear something good about it for once

Try Brazos, they show SWC's & WC's in stock:

https://www.brazosprecision.com/38-Special357-Magnum_c_13.html

Yes, the Model 66 is available. Probably because of the cost. I have 400 or 500 357 cases. It is easy to download 357 to 38+P velocities.

I really like my Colt Detective Special, will not get rid of my Ruger LCR, 4" Speed Six, or 4" Service Six. All in 38 special

Geez, I'm glad I got into casting my own .38 bullets two generations ago. Haven't had to shop for .38 bullets or sweat shortages, ever.

I carried a Stainless J frame 649 as an off duty and back up gun for years on patrol. My 649 has been exiled to wife's home defense gun. My newer 642 Airweight snubby gets carried more now if I'm in a .38 frame of mind (which honestly isn't often these days). I purchased my first issued duty weapon from the city when they issued us S&W 4506 autos. It's a Ruger Stainless Police Service Six with a 4" barrel. I'd have no issues using the Ruger for a woods carry gun loaded with 158 grain hard cast SWC bullets at 900-1000fps.

Ron

Can't beat a Diamondback
Don't shoot anything but 38 SP in the Diamondback the +P are a little to much.

I’d buy the S&W 66. The New Charter Arms you asked about are not bad. For a Charter Arms. But it’s no S&W, obviously.

I like 4.0 grs of bullseye pushing the lyman 155gr swc gas-checked. MV is rated at 858fps also according to Lyman. To me it's perfect. Enough power to keep things all business, but still rated as a standard load for controllable fire

I'm glad I have a friend like Gary (Gnoahhh) who showed me and others how to cast this winter. Once this "crisis" is over I'll be acquiring all the stuff to cast on my own. Another fun thing to do when I retire.

I have a short barreled S&W 586 chambered to 38 Special.

Didn't have much use for a 38 special with a 9MM and .357 Mag on hand. A S&W 38 Chief's Special changed that.

When I started looking for a replacement for the Model 64, I had no knowledge of the Model 66. The frame is perfect, IMO. I will be getting one.

I like Smiths (old ones) and Colt DAs (the ones before the Python) just fine.

But hasn't anyone here ever had a RUGER Security Six, Speed Six, or Police Service Six? Anywhere but CA (#@!!&***!) they are available at good prices and you can't break 'em. I've had just about all the classic Colt and S&W .38s and 357s except a Registered Magnum, and I wouldn't trade my Security Six .38 (ex-US) or .357 Police Service Six for any of 'em.

I'm a big fan of the 66.

be careful with that, i have gallon jars with lead bullets. i know i have enough to last a life time for some common calibers like .38.
i never sweated the .22lr shortage, when i could make .357

It was buying the Colt Officer Match in .32 S&W that made me get interested. Lovely gun to shoot but no bullets to be found. Luckily Gary has a good mold for it.

Been casting since 1975, easy to build a good inventory. The real trick is to build a bullet trap and/or a reclaimable backstop so you can reclaim your bullets to recast them
When you get to a point where your regular practicing at the same backstop and recovering 95+% of your bullets things get real inexpensive. Back during the oblama panic I was able to reload my 38's for a 1/3 to < 1/2 of what 22lr cost. As a matter of fact I still am. Lead , primers, powder, and casings are strategic assets that all you young guys need to get figured out. Just like money, no such thing as too much. Mb

I have a Ruger speed six 38 special that I keep loaded with 170gr swc.

Nice! Like the Herrett grips!

They make it an entirely different gun. The Speed six is not a light gun and it's never something I'm going to conceal carry in town. But I do lug it around the farm and it rides in the utv often.

It is loaded very hot and there aren't any problem things in my area that a 170gr swc can't fix.

My very first handgun was a Ruger Speed Six. Still have it.

Mine is a .357 Magnum, though.

Never really interested in the 36 vagina

Guess that is valuable information to someone??!

One of my favorite revolvers is a S&W Model 68 using 3.5grains of WW231 behind a 145grain SWCHP. It’s a joy to shoot and extremely accurate.

PennDog

I'm certain the vagina part gave you great pause.

I had one of those years ago that I never shot 357 through. For me, if a 38 won't work, time to step up to a 44 or 45.

Your Speed Six looks just like my Police Service Six, but I know that those spiffy Herretts cover up a round butt. My PSS has the Ruger factory "Compact" oversized grips that they made for a while as an aftermarket offer. They're smooth/uncheckered, which I prefer on it for several reasons, but I like Herretts too and have several on other handguns (You can get smooth Herretts too, I realize. But not for $35....).

Just like my jeans, spiffy and covering up a round butt. I have a set on my square butt (that's what she said) Security six 357.

Ooh, nice Baby Chief! I probably couldn't even get my finger in that little triggerguard!

👍

Grips are very similar to a set of Altamont "S&W K Round Classic Panel Super Rosewood Checkered with Silver Medallions" grips I just ordered for a 66.

https://www.altamontco.com/pistol-grips/smith-and-wesson/k-round/

I have a 6” stainless Security Six that I love. I will admit though that the trigger is tough compared to my Smith & Wessons. I still love it though. I’m getting ready to install a Wolff spring kit on it.

Why, now that American President mentioned high capacity 9mm many will buy such revolvers and the prices will climb drastically. This is a good one, due to long barrel one can just stick it behind a belt (sometimes affectionately called Mexican carry style) not bothering with holster. All this needs is high quality grips like those made by Pachmayr. This are comfortable and unlike some made by Hogue do not "stick" to clothing.

Of course, .38spl is a great cartridge. Fun to shoot, very accurate, and lots of choices in handguns to shoot it in.

1905, 4th change, M&P made in 1915. Targets shot at 12 yards.

I love to shoot the 38 special. Have a 5 screw k38 pre 15, 67 no dash (my daughter has it now), 67-1, two 66-1, 65-5, two 28-2 and a 586 on its way now.

I load and shoot well over a 100 a month. Would shoot more if I had more time to load.

I ordered a S&W 637 yesterday.... my wife adopted my old LCP several years ago and I needed to replace it. I really like an Airweight J frame in these applications.

My first center-fire handgun was a .357 that ate a lot of
38 spcl. Blasted a bunch through my dads Python too.
I got to shoot for free, so the price was right.....

But I have no love or even remote fondness for the .38 spcl as a cartridge.

Yrs later got a Smith 60 no dash and learned how to shoot that thing decent in DA mode. Carried it w +P for a couple yrs and then dumped it.

Not really a .357 mag fan either.

Had about 8 diff .44 mags, liked em better.

But old age and arthritis.....sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Boomers might be done for me, so Ill proly have to run a .357 for yotes or deer.

Will not shoot 38 spcl, even for plinking. My kids might.

I just dont enjoy plinking or even target shooting.
Test and find something accurate and then set the sights and go hunting.

My dad was different. He could spend a day at a range lobbing lead one after another.

And he might hit the range 2 or 3 times a week LOL

Very cool.

This is the oldest M&P (Model 10) I have. It's from the early 1950s. Shoots well.

Some of mine have seen a fair number of rounds through them.







This old 442 has been around the block.

Mackay, what do you have loaded behind those DEWCs?

It entirely depends on what the purpose is.

For low recoil target practice, Clays, 231, or Unique.

For carry, Unique or Power Pistol.

Pops ran Unique in all his 38 special and even mid level .357 mag target stuff.

Remember blasting as a kid, couple hundred rounds and my hands look like ive been in the coal LOL

Too many years ago, I bought a new S&W Model 66 with a 6-inch barrel. I did shoot a 50-round box of Remington mid-range 125 grain JSP .357 Magnum loads, but ever since I've fired only standard pressure .38 Specials, whether they be my own reloads or factory rounds. In other words, I treat that M-66 as a stainless steel K-38. Thus used, I'm confident that it will last far longer than I will!

Those old dead-soft wadcutters smoked to beat hell when goosed by Unique or 231. Until at least 1980 KCPD had an old commercial machine that cranked them out by the 5 gallon bucket. I recall walking in there 2nd week of Academy, seeing those buckets stacked two deep down the long wall and thinking I'd died & gone to Pistol Heaven. We shot thousands of them over the next 18 weeks (they used sped-up PPC as a qualifier) the only catch being your sidearm was inspected daily and there was hell to pay if it wasn't spotless.

They also had a yellow painted plow disc half buried in the berm, 70 yards from the picnic tables. Every Friday we would head over there and take six shots each to see who bought beer at Kelly's after class. Unlike my classmates, I'd spent years shooting rocks, groundhogs a 'yotes with a pistol, further than that. I didn't buy a first round for 18 weeks

Pops cast his own bullets, pretty hard.
Have his 4 cavity 158gr SWC mould. And about 500 lbs of already alloyed Lyman ingots.
I have a brand new digital Lyman furnace in the garage, along w a few other moulds too (sold my bud pop's old furnace).

I have 7 38 specials. All but 2 do double duty as a 357. On my trips to the range I always carry a revolver. I mainly shot 38 specials in it. I especially like dumping the brass I my ammo box instead of chasing it on the Ground.
Hasbeen

Re hasbeen1945: Yet another reason to love a .38 Special revolver! Even .45 ACP brass vanishes entirely too easily, even on a designated range. And for us old guys, bend & stoop can be a literal real pain, as well as a waste of scarce shooting time for oneself and others!

I hate chasin' brass, and the older I get the more I hate it. One reason my entire jammamatic inventory is my uncle's 2nd Model Colt Sport Woodsman....

I took to taking one of those arm length picker upper gadgets to the range with me to retrieve .45 brass. Slow but it works to save my back and knees.

I just have a thing about the .38 Special in a J frame. My no lock all forged 60-7 is as good as it gets. As many 9mm’s as I’ve owned I still carry the 60. Pull bang…

I have ten 38's, my favorite handgun cartridge.

I have two .38s and three .357s that see nothing but .38s. I probably haven’t shot five boxes of .357 in my life, even though one of the .357s I’ve owned for nearly forty years.

I still shoot this often...a 68 LAPD S&W in .38. Out of a dozen or so .38s I have, this one is a fave. Great gun for DA work



Another good one...10-8 in .38. My old off-duty revolver, carried long after autos were authorized



A nice pair of oldies...an M&P from 1935 or so (bottom), and a Colt OP Heavy barrel from '44

My typical use case for 38 special is a bit different- though I love shooting wheel guns, I love the 38 for suppressed subsonic night shooting with the Henry lever gun.

Kills critters dead without bothering the neighbors.
Henry model x + obsidian 9 + red dot is a whole lotta fun.

Doesn't have all the port pop of the gas guns (9mm &300 blk) but still rapid fire capable.

The thing about spending a bunch of money for a very good gun is that, six months from now, you won’t miss the money, but you’ll still be enjoying the gun.

Those particular Pachmayrs certainly date you.

I got a box full of new Pachys from back in the day LOL

Like the Compacts on a J and Grippers on a Contender, outside of that, everything else wears Hogues.

FWIW recently saw a K frame SA only like new in box.
Never seen one before.

On the .38 spcl........not a fan, but got a bunch of old wood grain Norma box stuff.
Burns kinda dirty. Is wimpy.
But good enough for my kids to use up in the Python.

There’s a possibility I may have had my hands on your Model 68. I was assigned for a couple weeks, along with the other members of the Pistol Team, to function test and sight-in the CHP’s first few thousand 68s before they were shipped out of the Academy to be issued. Talk about trigger finger calluses …

I’m with you, hookeye.

my spurless sp101

RGK,

PM sent.