[Cheeseybacon]

What would you guys say is the smallest and lightest revolver out there that is still what one would consider "practical"? By practical I mean nothing less than .38 spl, and large enough that you can get more than one finger around the grip. No derringers or microscopically small .22s.

I was thinking that a snubby S&W airweight probably fills this category, but I'm curious as to what else is out there.

[Ala Dan]

Probably, the 12 oz. scandium frame Smith & Wesson 340PD in .357 magnum.;)

[crankshop1000]

The S&W 642 is arguably the best small carry gun ever.When you consider cost,power,size and weight, it is unbeatable.

[armed85]

My Smith & Wesson 642 fits in my pocket just as my keys and wallet do. Unless I need it, I wont notice it's there.

It's not a precise weapon, nor is it very fun to shoot, but for the role of a gun that can be carried with nearly any type of clothing, a J-frame revolver is hard to beat.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=59147&d=1181461580

[Sistema1927]

Another vote for the 642. "Practical" is it's middle name.

[mavracer]

jragsdale,
put crimson trace ct405 grips on it.it becomes precise and much more plesant to shoot

[Vern Humphrey]

Colt Detective Special.

[Logos]

Model 19 Smith in the 2.5 barrel.

[MikeJ]

+1 for the 642/442. This is as light as I want to go and shoot .38's, no .357's for me in a gun that small and light.:uhoh:

[rino451]

+1 Probably, the 12 oz. scandium frame Smith & Wesson 340PD in .357 magnum.

[ArmedBear]

It's not a precise weapon,

I would disagree wholeheartedly. The things are SHOCKINGLY accurate and shoot tiny groups. Those frames must be really stiff.

What they are is downright painful to shoot. Buy one for self-defense, not as a target gun! Practice with something similar, but a lot heavier.

[scubie02]

the lightweight j frames have their place, and it's true the 642 just seems to fit better than most others. It does take alot more practice to shoot well, however, and they are certainly no fun with +P's. The 2" K frame model 10's otoh are *****cat's with +P's. But they are more of a belt gun.

If you can find one, the 32 H&R mag j frames offer energy similar to the 38 spl with 6 shots. The hammered version j frames are easier to shoot well, btw, with the option of single action, but of course slightly less concealable somehow, partially from the lack of an external hammer, obviously, but also because the grips are slightly different

[ArchAngelCD]

Although the 12 oz. Aitlite scandium frame Smith & Wesson revolvers are lighter than the 15 oz. Airweight revolvers they are not more practical. They will cost you more than twice the price at ~$900 instead of ~$375. I have a Bodyguard J frame Model 638 and I'm very happy with it. The M642 and 442 are also very good choices. You probably won't find a smaller .38 Special revolver than those I just mentioned.

[deputy tom]

Yet another vote for the 642.tom.

[glockman19]

Another 442/642 fan here. And I do think it is more practicle than the 340.

[Curare]

My vote would be my mid 90s 640-1 in .357 Magnum. It isn't the lightest, but you need some weight to be PRACTICAL with .357 Magnum. I sold my 642 to go up in power without sacrificing controllability. I also was disappointed in the fit and finish of the 642 and the damn lock.

I'm hoping for something in between the 640 and 327--a scandium J frame in .357 with a STAINLESS cylinder for cost savings, ease of care, and a couple ounces more weight.

[DAdams]

Probably, the 12 oz. scandium frame Smith & Wesson 340PD in .357 magnum.
Whoa, that just ain't right. :evil:

642/442 is probably your best value or check out a M&P 340 if you want to get in at 13 oz and a couple other "upgrades".

[ugaarguy]

There is a reason that the 642 is S&W's current top selling handgun. I prefer the shrouded hammer bodyguard types myself. However, the theme remains the same that aluminium airweight S&Ws just have it. I've no desire to shoot 357 Mags in a gun that small & light. For the price, weight, and practicality of .38 Special in the format the airweight J's are tough to beat.

[sm]

I am in the camp with OLDer J frames with steel and aluminum as being the lightest and most practical.

I do NOT want a newfangled alloy that is not going to offer me the choice of ammunition in weights and loading I want, nor requires special care of metal/ finish.
I want to be able to shoot as much as I want and not be restricted by newfangled materials.


I am old school, 158gr loads were the loads designed to shoot POA/POI and I happen to like this weight of bullet in a dedicated 38spl.

Gimme a OLDer Model 37, 042, 442, Bodyguard...
Metallurgy was better IMO and I damn sure do not want another key to keep up with.

Then again a all steel Model 36 is darn hard to beat, or its steel counterpart the Model 60.

[fiVe]

IMO, you can't beat a 642 in a Mika round-cut pocket holster. It's an easy carry--very comfortable.

[jt1]

I have tried many and have settled on the 642-2 with 158 LSWHP+P carried in a Mika or Nemesis. Not too heavy or too light. Stock grips. A basic, no frills, 24/7 pocket gun with a non-functional lock.

[evan price]

Taurus Total Titanium snubby.

[Starter52]

+1 on the Model 37.

[ok41]

Yep, what y'all said about the 642. Hell to hold with +P loads, fairly accurate and very nice to carry. Practice lots with mine stuffed with wad cutters.

[WC145]

If memory serves, the lightest .38spl around was the S&W 342PD at 10.8oz, they quit making them a couple of years ago. Great gun, felt like a toy. Hold a 342PD in one hand and a 642 in the other and the 642 actually feels porky by comparison.

I believe the Charter Arms Off-Duty is lightest currently available at 12oz.

*Correction - The 337PD was lighter than the 342PD by 1/10 of an ounce, 10.7oz total. The weight difference came from having an exposed hammer so the frame had slightly less metal to it.

[Dirty Bob]

Another vote for the 642.

With standard velocity loads, it isn't painful to shoot (though not a lot of fun), and it's more accurate than you might expect. It's also a better value, IMHO, than the Scandium revolvers. If you get one and don't like it, you could sell that almost-new Smith without losing a lot of money in the deal.

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[ArchAngelCD]

Snub Nose revolvers are not just "belly guns." They are no less accurate than any other revolver but they do require the shooter to do their job. The short sight radius makes shooting well more difficult than a 5" barrel gun but practice will cure that bypass. Anyone who says Snub Nose revolvers are not accurate either haven't shot one and are repeating what they have heard or the shooter hasn't shot it enough to become proficient.

[jrfoxx]

For something a little different, how 'bout a S&W 637? It's an airweight aluminum alloy gun, so it's nice and light, handles .38spl +P without being uncomfortable to fire as much as you want for practice (it's not at all uncomfortable to me anyway), but it has the exsposed hammer instead of hammerless like the 642, which gives it more "style" to it IMHO, and firing it single action make it a LOT easier to be accuate.I've had mine for several years now, and have carried it alost dailysince I got it, and I really like it.Yo hardly know you have it, its so light and comfortable,and the exsposed hammer as NEVER given me any trouble with trying to snag on any clothes like man people seem to worry about.Also, they can easily be found for $300-$350 NIB.

My 637 and its vintage 70's S&W made leather holster
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b289/jrfoxx/m637.jpg

[CZ.22]

Swiss Mini-Revolver :D:D:D
in reality, SW Scandium or Titanium, you know, the ones that float
But the NAA does seem to have its place

[SteveS]

*Correction - The 337PD was lighter than the 342PD by 1/10 of an ounce, 10.7oz total. The weight difference came from having an exposed hammer so the frame had slightly less metal to it.

I have a 337PD and think it is a great gun. It is reasonably 'comfortable' to shoot and is a joy to carry. Since they are no longer produced, I'd vote for the 340PD.

[BoneDigger]

S&W 642 or the comparable Taurus gets my vote.

Todd

[JNewell]

The S&W 642 is arguably the best small carry gun ever.When you consider cost,power,size and weight, it is unbeatable.

Agree, .357M is too much in a frame that size and weight. 342 was the outer edge of this envelope.

[Sir Aardvark]

I have a S&W 340PD with Crimson Trace 405's on it and it doesn't get any better than that.

[DAdams]

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/dadams111/P5150002.jpg

642 in a Mika Round Cut with CT 405. Mine.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/dadams111/_DSC2376.jpg

442 in a Kramer. (another members photo)

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m22/dadams111/SW642afic.jpg

642 dressed up for the BBQ (another S&W fans photo from the S&W Forum)

[StrikeEagle]

My Smith & Wesson 642 fits in my pocket just as my keys and wallet do. Unless I need it, I wont notice it's there.

It's not a precise weapon, nor is it very fun to shoot, but for the role of a gun that can be carried with nearly any type of clothing, a J-frame revolver is hard to beat

This is exactly the way I feel. The 642 stays in my pocket, like my wallet does, no matter what else I'm wearing or carrying.

I got some rubber grips for it, that didn't increase the size... but I went back to the original wood grips because the rubber just kept hanging up when I pulled the gun out.

[paddling_man]

+1 642.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/paddling_man/guns/SP32-20070210-162332.jpg

[jimmy]

The 342PD is at the top of my list of small-frame, light, practical revolvers. Very well-made and very easy and comfortable to carry in a pocket holster. The factory Hogue Bantam grip is a bonus. The gun is rated for +P, though I load mine with standard-pressure Federal Nyclad HPs.

[stevek]

Another vote for the 638 Bodyguard. You retain the ability to manually cock the hammer for single action, but it is still shrouded to prevent the hammer from snagging on the drawstroke. The best of both worlds for me :)

[Kymasabe]

640 and 340 are both great guns. I own an old Model 36 and it's a little heavy, I'd prefer a lighter snub. My idea of the ideal snub is no longer made by S&W and is a little smaller caliber that the rest. I'm a big fan of the 432PD in .32H&R Mag. Small, light J-frame, darn near .38 balistics, and one extra round. ALso, lighter recoil.

[mnrivrat]

S&W 642 is probably the top choice but not the only choice. Several good choices available.

My present choice is a Ti Tuarus 731 in .32H&R Mag. 13oz and pleasant to shoot packing the energy of a .38 Spl. New Light weight 731's are Aluminum and SS and are 17oz , still very acceptable weight for pocket carry.

Their all good !

[cdpII]

I carry a 642 with the ladysmith wood grips every day its about 3oz heavier than the scandium model but about $350 lighter on the wallet

[cslinger]

The 642/442/637/638 are all as small/light as I practically want to go. All are pretty much the same gun with different hammers/finishes.