.38 or .380

[bhornjr]

I have a hole in my collection, trying to get one representative of every major caliber.
Will only use for target shooting.
Which would be better first offering, based on fun to shoot, cost and accessibility of ammo and firearm cost under $250.

[KMAX]

I vote .38Sp. Every collection should have at least one .38 Special revolver. It is probably my favorite caliber because almost anyone can shoot one depending on how hot the ammo is and the size of the revolver. The ammo seems to be a little cheaper, not much though. I have three revolvers that I shoot .38 Sp out of, two of which are chambered for .357 magnum.

[jhenry]

The 38 Special will give far better service in any respect, but more so on the range.

[bossman]

The 38 spl is one fine caliber. Plenty of used 38spl to choose from. Ammo is found everywhere and for a good price. .380 ammo can be hard to come by at times.

[Adamantium]

38spl by a landslide. Most .380 guns are very purpose driven for CCW, not target practice. I personally don't find pocket guns any fun to shoot. A quality $250 38spl that is also fun to shoot is not a hard thing to find.

[OscarTurner]

I had a Beretta Cheetah in .380 That was a great shooter and loads of fun at the range. I should have never sold it. But, they are pretty pricey so it doesn't meet the rest of your criteria. Another vote for a .38.

[carguychris]

I had a Beretta Cheetah in .380 That was a great shooter and loads of fun at the range... But, they are pretty pricey so it doesn't meet the rest of your criteria.

Normally, I'd agree about the pricey part, but there's a BG seller with a whole stack of LE trade-in Beretta 84's for $250ish right now.

[OscarTurner]

Forgive my ignorance - what is "BG"

[carguychris]

GB - Gunbroker - typed too fast

[Onward Allusion]

bhornjr
.38 or .380
I have a hole in my collection, trying to get one representative of every major caliber.
Will only use for target shooting.
Which would be better first offering, based on fun to shoot, cost and accessibility of ammo and firearm cost under $250.

Pistols chambered aren't generally range toys. Cost of ammo is one thing and the size of the weapon is another. Revolvers chambered in .38 Special offers you a lot more options (i.e. barrel lengths, frame size, grips, loads). Also, they are really inexpensive to feed if you get into reloading. Reloading is also pretty easy for these low pressure rounds. Even a little hand press will work.

[a7mmnut]

Same opinion, basically: a 4" .38 should suit your needs.

-7-

[Buzzcook]

You can still find Model 10s for under $250.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Get a Glock 19 and a SW Model 66 - put quality rounds in each.

Yes, you have more capacity with the 19 - about the average 2 shots. Sure, the odds are in your favor but WE'VE discussed endless that you may want to decide not on the average (take STATS) but a reasonable cutoff for the very rare but extreme incident.

The 19 does that. They work. Avoid crap like Taurus, or some weird Chiappa.

If not a standard 38/357 is fine. However, when one asks the question it implies that training hasn't been a priority as those issues are well covered.

[ripnbst]

.38 Special no doubt about it given your criteria.

[carguychris]

Since I didn't address the overall question in my original post...

You can still find Model 10s for under $250.

This would be my suggestion as well, with an honorable mention going to the Ruger Security / Service / Speed Six. Due to LE trade-ins, all of these guns can easily be found in "Carried a Lot - Shot Only a Little" condition for cheap. They're durable enough that most of the examples on the used market are good shooters, and the bad ones are easy to spot.

Given the OP's comments on a similar topic in another forum...

Without needlessly rehashing about 1,000 threads in the "Revolver" subforum, I would strongly suggest a used .38Spl revolver from a top-tier company rather than a new(ish) gun from a lower-tier company such as Charter, Rossi, or Taurus. An old Ruger or S&W will shoot just as well if not better than these guns, resale value will be FAR better, and you will more easily be able to find gunsmiths to work on it.

That said, I would also discourage the OP from buying a Colt in this price range. Although you can still find one from time to time, most of the good examples have climbed in price, and the design of Colt DA revolvers is inherently less tolerant of wear than a S&W or Ruger. Factory support and the number of 'smiths who can do quality work on Colts are both dwindling, so there's a strong risk that an old cheap Colt may turn out to be a money pit.

Also, they are really inexpensive to feed if you get into reloading. Reloading is also pretty easy for these low pressure rounds. Even a little hand press will work.

+1; .38Spl is perhaps the ideal introductory handgun cartridge for reloading IF you are extremely careful to avoid double charges.

[Kreyzhorse]

Out of those two, the .38 S&W Special gives you a lot more ammo choices and good used revolvers can be found pretty easily. I'd suggest sticking with Ruger or S&W revolvers though. Other lower prices revolvers can be pretty hit or miss from a quality standpoint.

[cole k]

Of the two, the .38 Special will give you a lot more ammo choices and there are alot of good used Ruger or S&W revolvers around.

I only way I'll ever have a .380 is if someone gave it to me.

[SteelChickenShooter]

When you say "target shooting" do you really mean bullseye accuracy on official competition paper or just plain plinking? Shooting steel plates or bowling pins close up? I just can't associate the .380 ( If you mean the short little .380 auto pistol ).....I just can't associate that round for "targets". I see it is a small fry in the personal defense and small pocket pistol applications...........but not......"target shooting".

[.40cal]

38 special hands down.

Far superior to the 380 when used for target shooting.

Many different bullet wgts for many different applications.