20 Revolvers That Are the First Gun a Serious Buyer Picks Up at Any Pawn Shop

Photo credit: Rayvolver44/Youtube

Walk into enough pawn shops and you start to see patterns. The glass case will be full of polymer pistols that got carried twice, a couple of mystery-brand rifles with a scope mounted too far forward, and a handful of shotguns that look like they rode behind a truck seat for a decade. But the serious buyers—the ones who actually shoot—usually drift to the revolver row first.

Not because revolvers are trendy. Because used revolvers tell the truth fast. You can check timing, lockup, endshake, the forcing cone, and whether the cylinder lines up like it should. And when you find a good one, it tends to stay good. Here are the 20 wheelguns that get handled first by folks who know what they’re looking at.

1. Smith & Wesson Model 10

This is the “boring” .38 that isn’t boring at all. Most shops have seen one, and most of them were carried a lot and shot a little—which is exactly what you want in a used revolver.

Look for tight lockup and a clean barrel crown. If the double-action pull feels smooth without stacking like crazy, it’s hard to go wrong. It’s also one of the easiest older Smiths to keep running if you actually use it.

2. Smith & Wesson Model 19

If there’s a blued Model 19 sitting in the case and it hasn’t been loved to death, it’s going to get picked up. The balance is just right, and the sights tend to be better than you’d expect on an “old cop gun.”

They’re not the revolver you feed a steady diet of hot 125-grain .357 loads forever. Still, for woods carry, range use, and the kind of real-world shooting most of us do, a clean Model 19 is a smart buy.

3. Smith & Wesson Model 27

This one feels like you’re holding a piece of American steel history. Big N-frame, usually slick, and usually accurate. It’s also heavy, which is why they show up in pawn shops.

Serious buyers like them because they tend to last, and because the fit and finish on older examples can be a level above what you see on a lot of new guns. Check for a cylinder that locks up like a bank vault.

4. Smith & Wesson Model 28 Highway Patrolman

The Model 28 is what you buy when you want Model 27 toughness without paying Model 27 money. It’s not fancy, and that’s kind of the point.

If you hunt around, you can still find them priced like “grandpa’s old duty gun.” They carry like a brick, but they shoot like a dream, especially with full-house .357.

5. Smith & Wesson Model 29

Everybody knows the reputation, and that reputation keeps buyers reaching for it. A used Model 29 is one of those guns that can be a bargain or a headache depending on how it was treated.

Check the cylinder gap and endshake and make sure the forcing cone isn’t beat up. If it’s tight and the action feels right, it’s an honest .44 Magnum that still makes sense for the woods—especially when you’re not trying to be a hero with the hottest loads.

6. Smith & Wesson Model 686

The 686 is a working revolver that doesn’t need excuses. Stainless, tough, and common enough that parts and holsters aren’t a scavenger hunt.

What I like about picking up used 686s is you can usually tell if someone babied it. A little holster wear is fine. A cylinder that drags or a timing issue is not. When it’s right, it’s one of the best all-around .357s made.

7. Smith & Wesson Model 586

Same bones as the 686, just blued. It’s funny how many of these get traded because somebody decided “stainless is better.” That’s good news for the buyer who likes a classic look.

The triggers on many older 586s are excellent. If the shop lets you, dry-fire it (safely, and ask first) and feel for grit or a weird hitch. A clean 586 is a revolver you keep.

8. Smith & Wesson Model 60

This is where practical carry meets revolver simplicity. A steel J-frame that can actually take use without feeling like a disposable pocket gun.

It’s small, so you’re not getting a full grip unless your hands are modest. But it carries easy, it’s reliable with good ammo, and used ones can be priced right because everybody chases lighter scandium guns.

9. Smith & Wesson Model 36 Chief’s Special

The Model 36 is one of those revolvers you don’t appreciate until you’ve carried a lightweight snub that beats you up. Steel soaks up recoil. And the shape just works.

On a used one, look for signs of being carried hard: dings on the muzzle, chewed-up screws, and a cylinder that feels loose. A good Model 36 is a legit “always” gun.

10. Colt Python

Yes, the price is usually painful. Still, serious buyers pick it up because you don’t see them every day, and because when you do, you need to check if it’s the real deal and what kind of condition it’s in.

Older Pythons can be phenomenal, but they’re also not the revolver you want to buy blind. Watch the cylinder rotation, check lockup, and make sure it isn’t out of time. If it’s right, it’s hard not to want it.

11. Colt Detective Special

This is the snub that makes you understand why Colt had such a following. Six shots in a compact frame is a nice thing, and these point naturally for a lot of shooters.

They can be more sensitive to timing than some other brands, so a careful check matters. When you find one that locks up correctly, it’s a classy little revolver that still does real work.

12. Colt Trooper Mk III

The Trooper Mk III is one of those revolvers that gets overlooked because it isn’t the Python. That’s fine. Let it be overlooked.

They’re solid shooters and often show up with honest wear instead of abuse. If you want a Colt .357 that won’t require a second mortgage, this is a good place to start.

13. Ruger GP100

If you want a revolver that doesn’t care about your ammo choices, the GP100 is the one. It’s built like it was designed by somebody who got tired of broken parts.

They’re not as sleek as a Smith, and some triggers feel a little heavy until they’re worn in. But used GP100s can be an excellent buy because they’re tough to actually “wear out” in normal hands.

14. Ruger SP101

This is a serious small-frame .357 that’s not trying to win a weight contest. It’s a handful with magnums, but it’s controllable, and it holds up.

Pawn shops get these when someone decides they want lighter and thinner. That’s understandable. Still, the SP101 is one of the best choices for someone who wants a small revolver they can practice with a lot.

15. Ruger Security-Six

The old Six series has a following for a reason. They’re sturdy, simple, and often priced under what they should be because they look “old.”

Check for timing and any weird cylinder play, but don’t be scared of cosmetic wear. A Security-Six with a decent bore is a revolver you can actually use in the woods without babying it.

16. Ruger Blackhawk

Single-actions aren’t everybody’s idea of practical, but a Blackhawk in .357, .44, or .45 Colt is the kind of pawn shop find that can turn into your favorite range gun.

They’re strong and generally accurate, and they have that simple, deliberate feel that makes you slow down and shoot better. Also, it’s hard to break a Blackhawk without really trying.

17. Ruger Super Redhawk

When you see one of these, it’s usually because someone thought they wanted a big-bore hunting revolver and then realized carrying it all day is work. I get why they sell it.

As a used buy, it can be a lot of gun for the money. If you’re actually going to hunt with a revolver or want a serious backcountry sidearm, it’s one of the few that feels purpose-built for that job.

18. Dan Wesson Model 15

These are the revolvers that make the “revolver guys” lean in close. Dan Wessons have a reputation for accuracy and solid construction, and they don’t always get priced like collectibles.

Make sure it has what it’s supposed to have (barrel shroud setup, correct parts) and that nothing looks cobbled together. When they’re right, they shoot better than many shooters can hold.

19. Taurus Model 85

Here’s the truth: not everyone can afford a Smith, and not every Taurus is junk. The Model 85 is one of the ones that gets picked up because it’s common, it’s simple, and a good one can serve.

But you have to check it carefully. Feel the cylinder lockup, check timing, and look for signs it was shot loose. If it passes inspection, it can be a decent little .38 you don’t mind carrying in rough weather.

20. Charter Arms Undercover

Charter Arms snubs are light, basic, and not fancy. They also show up in pawn shops a lot because they were bought for a purpose and then forgotten in a drawer.

A good Undercover can be a practical “grab and go” revolver for folks who want simple controls and a manageable price. Just don’t fall in love until you check the trigger, lockup, and overall fit. Some are gems, some are not.

A pawn shop revolver hunt isn’t about chasing internet legends. It’s about finding a wheelgun that locks up tight, points naturally, and won’t turn into a project the minute you get it home. Handle them like you mean it, inspect them like you’re going to depend on them, and don’t be afraid to walk away. The right revolver will still be a revolver ten years from now—assuming you don’t let someone else buy it first.