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A-R wrote:Best deal for what you need is likely a used LEO trade in S&W K-frame .38 special with 4-inch barrel from JGSales.com in Arizona. Models 10, 19, 64 etc. Under $300 for a quality used gun. Many have bobbed hammer, which turns off some folks, but should not bother your purposes of learning to fire double action for qualification purposes.

I was scrolling down with my reply in mind and when I came across this response I no longer needed to type my answer out.

The 327mag is supposed to be a fairly powerful round.

The concept of the 327 was that you could get 6 shots in the same frame as a 5 shot 38spl.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/Article ... 2340&cid=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

flb_78 wrote:The 327mag is supposed to be a fairly powerful round.

The concept of the 327 was that you could get 6 shots in the same frame as a 5 shot 38spl.

http://www.americanrifleman.org/Article ... 2340&cid=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

THIS. And also I believe it is a more expensive and more difficult to find cartridge than .38 spl (which can be found at any Wal Mart)

Not really sure why one has to score on both a revolver and semi-auto to be a CHL instructor anyway... afterall, we're not going to be shooting with the ones qualifying.

I am very happy to see so many folks steer the OP away from a snubby for his first revolver. I have a S&W Model 49 with 1.78'" barrel in .38 Special and that is my most-difficult-to-shoot firearm. I'm pretty sure I can chalk that up to its sight radius more than anything; the snubby has about 3.5" sight radius vs. my Taurus Model 66 with 4" barrel that has a 6" sight radius (and bigger sights). Don't get me wrong, that Bodyguard is an extremely well-made firearm and I have fired it enough now to be confident with it up close (7 yards)...but its still harder to shoot. Oh, and I much agree with getting either .38 Special or .357 Magnum chambered revolver. Just my $2 worth...(darn devalued dollar )

Check CDNN for the price on a Ruger .357 GP100 4", this is my wifes first revolver and remains her favorite wheel gun. She picked hers up 20+ years ago and I liked it so much that we went back the next day and bought one for me. If I remember right this gun was designed by Ruger with input from Col. Charles Askins, Bill Jordan and Skeeter Skelton. When asked by Bill Ruger what aspects of Colt, S&W and Ruger that they preferred or liked best this gun is the result of their comments. They are very good weapons and most accurate. While the wife prefers factory grips on hers I like Hogue grips on mine.

Spend 300-500 on a S&W from 1980 or before. These seem to have a much nicer trigger and you shouldn't need to fire more than a couple cylinders to get ready for 90%. Learn the trigger, the gun will let you know when the hammer is about to drop. Trigger pull is the main thing semi auto guys complain about.

Smoothness of the action is a huge part of being able to shoot double action with a revolver. A Smith & Wesson in K,L, or N frame with .38 spec. will be smoother than anything else you're gonna find except maybe a Colt Python or Diamondback and you probably don't want to pay for one of those.

wgoforth wrote:I'm not really into revolvers, however I am wanting to instruct CHL and need a revolver to practice with, as you must score 90% on both semi-auto and revolver.
I have had very little experience with a revolver, so I need something that I can aim easily for the 90%...
How hard are the snubbies to hit the 3-7-15 yards? Long barrel easier I assume? How long would be optimum?
CDNN has a Charter Arms snubbie in .38 Special for $269, and a couple of Taurus 3" barrels in .327 Magnun for $259.
Any thoughts?

I think a 3-4" medium frame is optimum for teaching and testing. On the other hand, I know someone who shot high 90s on the CHL classifier with a DAO snubbie, and could do it repeatedly, but never got above Marksman in IDPA.

If I was going to suggest a revolver it would be a Ruger SP101 hands down, yes it will cost more but will also retain value should the time come when you may want to sell it. If a student wants to qualify with a revolver and theirs malfunctions it is always nice to have one to loan them to finish the course, positive customer service is the best possible referral a company can have.

Salty1 wrote:If I was going to suggest a revolver it would be a Ruger SP101 hands down, yes it will cost more but will also retain value should the time come when you may want to sell it. If a student wants to qualify with a revolver and theirs malfunctions it is always nice to have one to loan them to finish the course, positive customer service is the best possible referral a company can have.

Now THAT is some good advice! Thanks guys, you always come through

Opinion on this one? $295 for used GP100 http://www.gunsamerica.com/942429644/Gu ... PECIAL.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SP-101 in .357 with 3in barrel and run .38 special for practice or a GP-100 in the .357. If I had to give up one of my revolvers (S&W snub nose or my SP-101) it would be the S&W in a heart beat. I love the SP-101 and they are very well built! It is one of those revolvers that you can still easily conceal but still have fun with at the range. Perfect size! As for the .327, it has been discussed many times here but I would recommend the .357. It is a more versatile caliber with a ton of different weight loads to shoot.

Also the Older Ruger models, the security, service and speed six are a great size gun. They are bigger then the SP-101 but just a little smaller then the GP-100.

I never owned a Ruger revolver but I have shot a few and they are nowhere near as smooth as a S&W.