looking for input on a .38 snubbie

Post by **bigelowe** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:32 pm

I want a snub nose .38 for CC. , Pocket and ankle carry. Would like the ability to shoot +P ammo. Tell me what youve got and why you chose what you did. Was it the best choice, or a compromise of sorts.

Post by **DDgunslinger** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 5:58 pm

The S&W 642 air weights are nice, I owned one for a little while. I'm just not a big wheel gun fan for CC.

Post by **wash** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:32 pm

I carry the one on the left often, via ankle carry. It's an S&W Model 637 Chief's Special. 5 shot, handles +P. Works great for me. Some people don't like the hammer exposed on a carry gun, but for ankle carry it has caused no issues.

Post by **Mike** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:45 pm

S&W M&P 340 airweight. Love it..357 capable, night sight, easily carried in a pocket. The 642/442 airweights are great as well.

Post by **Toddinlou** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 6:57 pm

Here's a pretty slick deal $339 shipped to your local FFL for S&W 638

Not affiliated with seller BTW.

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore. ... D%20WESSON

Post by **Frailer** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:25 pm

I have J-frame snubbies in literally every configuration that S&W has made. I even have a Model 63 .22 snubnose.

For your purposes the answer is either a 642 or a 442--the former if you like shiny; the latter if you like black.

Post by **scorpionmain** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:32 pm

I have carried this .38 S&W SPL.+P all summer and have fallen in love with the snubby.
The Clipdraw accessory makes this gun one of my favorites to carry. It gives you so many ways to pack it.

Post by **scorpionmain** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:36 pm

I forgot to mention a Speed Strip thrown in that tiny pocket above the right hand pocket on a pair of blue jeans, is a handy way to carry a reload.

Post by **Frailer** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:12 pm

The various belt clip grips/attachments are indeed very handy and offer a number of carry options. I have a 649 with a Barami Hip Grip and a 642 with a DeSantis Clip Grip. I like them both a great deal.

Post by **Vividia** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:47 pm

I have a 442 and like it a lot. It is very light, fits in a pocket or on the ankle, and +38sp +p is plenty for defense, much better than .380 for sure. (Right now it is in its holster in my CC purse

)Revolvers are about the most rock solid reliable handguns around. I never have to worry about racking, stovepipes, FTE, FTF or anything else. The speed strips are great for reloading, not as fast as a speedloader or a mag change, but a 5 shot speed strip is tiny. LOL my revolver malfunction drills usually involve pulling the trigger again. Revolvers are as easy to use as a spoon.

I also have a S&W model 60. These were carried by LE for decades. I plan on carrying mine some this winter, just to change things up.

I have heard good things about the Ruger offering, LCR i believe it is. Very similar to the 442/642 if i recall correctly.

The argument will go on all day about number of rounds in a semi-auto vs a revolver, and I won't hijack the thread beyond saying that all life is a series of tradeoffs. The lightness, reliablity, ease of use (no safety) and carryability but fewer rounds and longer trigger pull of the revolver is a trade off for the greater number of rounds but dealing with safeties (on some models, not others), the chance of a FTF etc. in a semi-auto. For deep concealment, most really small semi-autos dont have substantially more rounds than a revolver.

Having said that, I do also have a Kahr PM9 which I also carry. The mags are 6 or 7 shot, which isn't much more than the 442.

ANY issues with ANY machine, whether firearm, auto, airplane, or whatever, are cured with training and practice.

Statistics show that very few shots are actually exchanged in a SD situation. YMMV and the decision is up to you.

Post by **bigelowe** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 10:03 pm

Leaning towards a model 638, for the ability to shoot single or double action if I want.

Post by **guncrank1** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:33 am

Armscor .38 cheap ass copy of a Colt

opaww · Post by **opaww** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:40 pm

I oft times carry a Taurus Ultra-lite 5 shot .38 spl, it is rated for +p but I don't shoot +p much with it

Post by **Dustin** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:46 pm

I carry a S&W Model 360 PD AIRLITE SC. Great carry gun but can eat +p ammo as long as you can take it. But any Smith J frame will do well for you.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ssracer02 · Post by **ssracer** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:50 pm

I've got a 642 air weight that I love. Light, easy to carry and retrieve from a pocket, shoots +P

Post by **nogomoto** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:59 pm

I'm a fan of the Taurus. 85, 617, 605, 66, etc, etc. It's all in what you want to carry, how many rounds you want to carry in that caliber, and the ability to spend much less money for great quality.

Post by **bigelowe** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:57 pm

i saw a 638 and 642 at the lgs today for $399. anyone seen them cheaper locally?

Post by **Dave1965** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:04 pm

My lgs usually sells the 642 for 369 ish...but thats Frankfort. Probably could get him to knock $10 off.

Post by **bigelowe** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:10 pm

thanks Dave,but i probably wouldnt save anything if you take into account my drive there and back.

o3rugby1 · Post by **o3rugby1** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:12 pm

Theres a guy on the other site (kyana) that has a 642 pro for sale with holster box etc. for 375$ in louisville are. Good looking gun. And its a no lock.

Harb · Post by **Harb** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:44 pm

Whatever you get, I recommend that it be an all-steel model. The Airweights are light, but physically painful to shoot with +P ammo.

Post by **Pitbullcrazyinky** » Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:34 am

Ruger lcr is nice. I regret getting rid of the one i had.
My next one will be the 357 model, also shoots 38 spl.

Kentucky Armory Club