Photo credit: Northern Hills Trading Post/Youtube
Used revolvers are one of the few corners of the gun world where you can still stumble into a deal that feels like a deal. Not “sale price plus tax plus transfer plus regret.” I’m talking about a wheelgun that’s been carried, shot a little, maybe rode in a tackle box or a truck console, and still locks up tight and does its job.
The trick is knowing which ones are actually good values and which ones are “cheap” because nobody wants to live with their quirks. Below are 20 revolvers I keep seeing that tend to deliver more than you pay for—whether you’re looking for a woods gun, a house gun, a glovebox companion (where legal), or just a solid range revolver that won’t break your heart.
1. Smith & Wesson Model 10
If you want a no-nonsense .38 that points like it’s reading your mind, the Model 10 is hard to beat. Most of these were carried a lot and shot a little, which is exactly what you want in a used gun. Holster wear doesn’t bother me; a loose cylinder and timing issues do.
A 4-inch Model 10 is about as practical as it gets for new shooters, farm use, and range time. Parts and grips are everywhere, and any decent revolver smith knows the platform. There is nothing fancy about it, and that is kind of the point.
2. Ruger GP100
The GP100 is what I call a “work coat revolver.” It’s not slick and svelte, but it’s tough, accurate enough for real use, and it soaks up .357 Magnum recoil better than most. Used ones often show honest wear, but they’re rarely worn out.
Check for a smooth double-action pull and good lockup, and you’re in business. If you’re the type that shoots a lot and doesn’t baby gear, this is one of the safest used buys out there.
3. Ruger SP101
The SP101 is a small revolver that’s built like a bigger revolver. That extra weight is why it’s actually shootable with real .357 loads, not just “carry a magnum, practice with .38s and hope.” The trade-off is it feels heavy for its size in a pocket.
Used SP101s are common because folks buy them for carry, realize they want something lighter, and move them along. Still, as a belt gun for the woods or a simple house gun, it makes a lot of sense.
4. Smith & Wesson Model 19
The Model 19 is the classic “K-frame .357” that generations fell in love with. The balance is just right, and the sights are usually better than what you’ll get on older fixed-sight guns. It’s also one of those revolvers people regret selling, which should tell you something.
You don’t need to run a steady diet of the hottest loads through it to enjoy it. With sensible .357 and plenty of .38 practice, it’s a sweet shooter that still carries nicely for a field sidearm.
5. Smith & Wesson Model 66
Think Model 19, but stainless. That matters if you’re the kind of person who ends up in wet leaves, snow, or summer sweat. A used 66 with a little handling wear is a fine buy, especially if it still has tight timing and clean chambers.
It’s one of those revolvers that just feels “right” in the hand, and you can actually find holsters and speedloaders without hunting the ends of the internet. For a general-purpose .357, it’s tough to argue against it.
6. Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman
This one is the quiet bargain in the S&W world if you can live with size. It’s an N-frame .357, meaning it’s big, heavy, and built for serious shooting. Most of them have plain finishes and old-school looks, which keeps prices calmer than the more famous siblings.
As a range revolver it’s a dream, and as a “nightstand and property walk” gun it’s comforting. Carrying it all day on your belt is another conversation.
7. Ruger Security-Six
Before the GP100, Ruger had the Security-Six line, and it’s still one of the best used values going. They’re durable, uncomplicated, and usually priced like they’re “old,” not like they’re collectible. I like them because they feel trimmer than a GP100 but still handle .357 well.
Pay attention to how the cylinder locks up and make sure the ejector rod is straight. If it checks out, it’s a hard gun to wear out with normal shooting.
8. Ruger Service-Six
The Service-Six is basically the duty version of that same family, often with fixed sights. Fixed sights are not sexy, but they’re tough, and for most real-world shooting they do just fine. These tend to be honest “used guns” in the best sense.
If you want a revolver that can live in a truck (legally and safely stored) or ride a belt on the farm, fixed sights can actually be a plus. Less to snag, less to knock out of whack.
9. Ruger Speed-Six
Now we’re talking about a little more carry-friendly shape. The Speed-Six has a round butt that prints less under a coat and feels good in the hand. They show up used because they’re older and because people move to lighter snubs, but these are still solid guns.
A good Speed-Six is one of those revolvers that just keeps running. If you find one that hasn’t been abused, it’s worth a serious look.
10. Smith & Wesson Model 64
The Model 64 is a stainless .38 that often lived a law enforcement life. Which means it got carried, knocked around, and generally left alone. That’s great for a buyer who wants a dependable shooter, not a safe queen.
They’re usually fixed-sight guns with simple lines. If you want a revolver you can hand to a new shooter and not worry about, this is one of the easiest answers.
11. Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chiefs Special
The little J-frame that started a lot of pocket-carry habits. A used Model 36 is a good value because it’s a real defensive revolver that also has that old-school fit and finish people miss. It’s not the softest shooter, especially with +P, but it’s manageable.
Look for a clean bore and a decent trigger. If it feels gritty or the cylinder play is excessive, pass. A good one will still be a good one twenty years from now.
12. Smith & Wesson Model 60
This is the stainless J-frame that ends up living in tackle bags, coat pockets, and glove compartments more than folks admit. It’s a practical little revolver, and stainless makes it forgiving of sweat and bad weather. Used prices can be reasonable because there are a lot of them out there.
It’s not a range toy. It’s a carry gun that you should practice with enough to be competent. If you want a small revolver that won’t rust the first time you check a trail camera in the rain, it fits.
13. Smith & Wesson Model 15 (K-38 Combat Masterpiece)
If you grew up shooting .38s and you like a revolver that feels like it’s on rails, the Model 15 is special. The sights are usually excellent, and the trigger can be downright addictive. A lot of these guns were used for qualification and training, not abused.
It’s not a magnum, and that’s okay. For paper, steel, and small-game camp chores where legal, a good .38 does plenty.
14. Colt Police Positive Special
Colt’s older double-actions have a different feel, and if you know, you know. The Police Positive Special is often a sweet-used buy because it’s not always priced like the bigger-name Colts, but it has that Colt charm and a very usable size. Many are .38 Special and make great light-duty shooters.
Here’s the catch: get picky about condition. Old Colts can be wonderful, but you want one that’s in time and hasn’t been “kitchen-table tuned.” If it checks out, it’s a classy, handy revolver.
15. Colt Detective Special
This is the snub that feels like a real gun instead of a compromise. Six shots in a compact package, and many of them carry extremely well. Used prices can swing, but you can still find honest examples that are a better buy than some new snubs that feel like they were made to be unpleasant.
Again, with older Colts, timing matters. If you don’t know what to look for, bring someone who does or buy from a shop that will stand behind it. A good Detective Special is easy to appreciate.
16. Ruger LCR (.38 Special)
The LCR isn’t pretty. It looks like a power tool, and some traditionalists can’t stand it. But for a used-gun value, it’s strong because the trigger is usually better than other lightweight snubs, and the design actually carries well.
If you need a real pocket revolver that you’ll actually take with you, this one deserves attention. Lightweight means you’ll feel recoil, but it’s still controllable with sensible ammo and practice.
17. Taurus Model 85
Taurus gets argued about around gun counters like politics and bait choices. Here’s my take: the Model 85 is one of the better bets in their catalog, and used ones can be a solid value if you inspect them carefully. A tight, clean 85 can serve as a basic carry revolver without costing a fortune.
Don’t buy it sight unseen. Check lockup, check timing, and dry-fire it (with permission) to see if the trigger is stacking weird or feels rough. When you find a good one, it’s a practical little gun.
18. Taurus Model 66 (.357 Magnum)
This one often shows up because somebody wanted an affordable .357, shot a box or two, then moved on. The upside is you can snag a serviceable medium-frame .357 for less than many brand-new options. The downside is you need to be honest about what you’re buying and inspect it like you mean it.
If the cylinder locks up well and the action feels consistent, it can be a lot of gun for the money. I wouldn’t call it heirloom-grade, but it can fill the “range and woods” role without drama.
19. Charter Arms Undercover
Charter Arms revolvers can be hit or miss depending on era and how they were treated, but the Undercover has saved a lot of budgets. It’s a simple snub that’s easy to carry and usually priced within reach. When you get a decent one, it does exactly what a small .38 is supposed to do.
These are not polished showpieces. Look for one that hasn’t been shot loose and make sure the cylinder gap and lockup look reasonable. If it passes a basic inspection, it’s a handy little tool.
20. Dan Wesson Model 15-2
If you want a used revolver that can shoot with the best of them, the Dan Wesson 15-2 is a sleeper. They’re known for accuracy and strong construction, and a lot of them were owned by shooters who actually cared for their guns. You’ll see different barrel lengths, and that’s part of the appeal.
They’re not as common as Ruger or Smith, so don’t expect endless accessories at every shop. But when you find a clean one at a sane price, it’s the kind of revolver you end up keeping.
The used revolver market rewards patience and a little mechanical common sense. Check lockup, timing, endshake, and bore condition. Don’t get hypnotized by finish wear, and don’t get talked into a “deal” on a revolver that feels loose or out of time. When you buy the right wheelgun used, you’re not just saving money—you’re getting something that’s already proven it can live a hard life and still work when it matters.
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