Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 38 advice

LCRx, Single action or double action. One and one eight inch more barrel doesn't mean you can't hide it.

I have an early 640 in 38 and really like it. Even though it's all stainless, It's small enough to conceal yet heavy enough to shoot comfortably. If I were in the market today I think I'd go with todays version in 357. Shoot 38's for practice and load with 357 for carry. JMO

642 is right. I really really need to buy one. I am getting guilty carrying my Nickle Model 49 pinned barrel that is 99%...................

I like my little Christmas present to myself from a few years ago. 642 with CT grips. Carries easy in an Uncle Mike's in the back pocket. Lotta bang in a light little 5-shooter with the right loads.

Hard to beat the S&W 442 or 642. I must admit to really liking my New Model Bodyguard 38 though. Took me a while to warm up to a plastic revolver but the trigger pull is like butter from the factory and it weighs next to nothing.

I agree with my friend Marlin and other posters no flys on a SP101 either
I have been collection J frames for 30 years so like many of you I also have 42 holsters of something like that
right now Cabelas has Blackhawk retention holsters for 9.88 for the Jframes. I bought one I like it so much I bought a second (not sure why??) but its simple belt or paddle and it locks the gun in
If you are out in the woods its locked I liked it quite a bit

well never mind I was going to post a link and they are gone

Hank

You may "like" SA shooting but is really not appropriate for a DA revolver that is going to be used defensively. That and the more SA shooting you do with this gun the less DA practice you will get in.

You may not believe this but if you learn the correct DA technique your groups will be smaller than shooting single action as long as you have the hand strength to do so.

As to why the 642 is probably the top snubbie made...Because of the totally enclosed hammer very little lint can get into the action. There is also no hammer to snag on the draw. Snubbies with hammers also have a tendency to wear holes in pockets and clothing.

Bob

My wife had a M640 357. I shot it once with midrange 357 ammo and it wasn't too bad at all. I put a reduced power rebound spring in it. I really liked it but after a while she decided it was to heavy. She has a LC-380 now. IMO if you're going to shoot your snubbie a low a steel frame may be a better choice. I handled a Ruger LCR last year and the trigger pull was great.

I wouldn't disagree with what the others have said as i might have more than one of those mentioned. But one of my favorites is an early 5's j frame where somebody bobbed the hammer. It's mighty fine.
And there is always the dick special or the agent, or the cobra.
and you get six rounds.
that is, if you can get past them being colts.

Hard to beat a S&W J Frame. But the one I probably carry the most is their new 38. Bodyguard with the Polymer / Alloy combo frame. It only weighs 14 ounces and comes with a built in Lazer for less than $500 bucks.

Here's the link : http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/..._757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

That's a nice piece, too. Haven't handled one yet.

I cannot imagine using anything other than a 642.
It is perfect in a holster I got from Pistol Packaging in Maple Plain, Minnesota.
I shot a big feral cat with 125 gr Remington Golden Sabre and my sister in law who cleaned up the mess afterwards said it looked like I had used an elephant rifle.
whelennut

I love my S&W Wyatt Deep Cover. Could care less about the whole 'Gunsmoke' thing, but a Performance Center snubby with polished bits makes for a nice little carry piece.

out of the .38 Special revolvers I own, I am only carrying two. An elderly Model 60, and a newer Model 442. Both of them are DAO, One with a factory bobbed hammer, the other concealed hammer. The 60 has a three inch barrel, the 442 is 1.8 inches.
I have leather to carry these in the front pocket, IWB, OWB, on my ankle, and in my shoulder pit.
They are very versatile, accurate, reliable and 'adequate'. I load a 140 grain Sierra HP for them with Blue Dot powder.

Nice pair of J frames, Sam. The 3" gun is especially sweet.

Got the Wife a little lightweight Colt Cobra snub, not as small as some of the new offerings but she handles it well, milk jugs at 15 yards are in trouble.

This is what I carry

I have two Model 36 , Nickel and Blue. I very seldom carry either and usually carry my Ruger SP-101 when packing a revolver. My load in the Model 36's is a Cast 158 gr SWC loaded with 6.0 gr's of HS-6

This ammo rox in the 38

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/27...cketed-hollow-point?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I chose a 638, but for most people the 642 is probably the better choice. The current boot type grips make them both natural pointers and they are surprisingly accurate and easy to hit with.