[TurnerJim]

After a lot of reading, I have come to the conclusion that a snubnose .38 with hidden hammer might be the best weapon to concealed carry. My question...which brand of snubnose do you think is the best: accuracy, cost, ease of use, reliability, etc?

[The Bushmaster]

2 1/2" Mod 19 S & W...Unless you want a lighter revolver. Get one ot the air lites in .357 magnum and use .38 Specials in it or a Mod 10 with 2" barrel However...Smith & Wesson...

[cbm1948]

I use the S&W 637 the hammer does pose much of a problem and I do like the idea of shooting single action sometimes, target mostly. I have a M19 in 2" and the weight would prevent it from being a CCW. The GP101 is a smart looking, reliable pistol. It's just personal choice.;)

Be Safe

Clint

[indiandave]

The S&W 642 is nice and light. It has a concealed hammer. The 642 can handle plus p and mine has been very reliable.

[rcmodel]

There is no other "best" brand of snubnose except S&W.

rcmodel

[Hutch]

I agree that the slick-back S&W J-frame is the best choice (Models 640, 642, 42,442 etc.) aka Centennial models are the best pocket revolvers. As a very good alternative, the hump-backed Bodyguards (638, 649, 49) are also very attractive, and permit thumb-cocking, should that ever be a consideration. Finally, there are many exposed hammer J-frames that have had the hammer bobbed off to permit snag-free operation as well. Those are all basically one-off sorts, no telling what you might find. I had a bobbed Model 60, but traded it for 42.

[Hawk]

There may have been another option at one time but the collectors have priced the anibs out of sight.

The following is presented for shock value only.
I suspect it'll appear to be a bargain in 5 years.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=105499504

[Match10]

S&W 642 and S&W 36 are my two current carry pieces. More 642 as it is more comfortable.

[rcmodel]

There may have been another option at one time
Yep!
Anything with the Prancing Dancing Pony on it is getting priced out of everyday using gun territory!

Hate to let that one get all dusty & rusty in my pants over the years!

rcmodel

[dogngun]

I agree with you it's hard to beat a snubbie revolver. I have had severay S&W J frames over the last 30 years, and I still have an older Model 36 Chief special (Just carried it this morning when we went out walking areound with the dog.)
I prefer the settl frame models - the weight makes them easier for me to shoot well at some speed, and they feel very good in my hand. The airweights feel too light to me, but I know many like them.

Smith makes the best, but there is a little Ruger around that is very good, too - if you can find one for sale.

mark

[kostner]

Do yourself a favor and get a 442 or 642 and a nice pocket holster. It will become the most carried gun you own. I started carring a 1911 in the sixties and now that I have aged my SW 442 with Crimson Trace grips is with me daily sometimes as a BUG but mostly its the only one I carry. It has replaced my Glock 36 as the under the pillow gun. My wife is not crazy about it but does shoot it weekly. Good Shooting!

[george29]

With age comes wisdom. Comfort dictates you will have it with you. Having it with you dictates you won't feel defenseless. Not feeling defenseless makes you more confident. Being more confident makes you a narrower choice as a target. Being a narrower choice of target lessens your chance at needing the gun. Therefore wise people choose the most comfortable weapon possible. Mine is the 642 with NAA BUG.

[rklessdriver]

I've had quite a few S&W J farmes over the years and liked them very much but currently I carry a COLT Cobra and absolutly love it.

If I were in the market for a first quality snubbie I would look for any of the Smith J frames like a M36, M37, M38, M40, M637, M638, M642, M442. I'd also look at every Colt DS, Cobra, SF-VI, DSII, or Agent that I could find.

If money was a concern... I'd maybe consider a Tarus 85 or Charter Undercover or Off Duty.

You can always bob the hammer if you can't find a factory hammerless. This opens your search options up quite a bit.
Will

[rcmodel]

You can also just leave the hammer alone.

I have carried M-36's & M-60's for going on 50 years with nary a problem with hammer snags.

I like the option of cocked SA for longer shots when needed.

rcmodel

[The Bushmaster]

cbm1948...145 pounds...5' 7"...65 years old. Winter carry S & W Mod 19 with 2 1/2" barrel. Nickel plated. Loaded with 140 grain SJHP .357 magnums. What do ya mean too heavy???:evil:

[Iggy]

65, 6'2", 285 and a Mdl 19 21/2" OWB in the winter and on the ranch and a 640-1 OWB in the summer.:cool:

[Gideon]

shoot before you buy if possible.

S&W 642 is the benchmark, however, with .38+p rounds the recoil is stout to say the least and many find it quite awful which makes shooting it very difficult.

a 640 (the full stainless, ie, heavier version of the 642) is quite a bit better in the recoil department. The more weight, the less you feel the recoil. However, an all stainless snubbie is typically two heavy for comfortable pocket carry. So, for in pocket carry, the 642 is king, for belt carry go all stainless and then you HAVE to consider a Ruger SP101. It's heavier and a pleasure to shoot with .38's and actually manageable with .357 rounds. It's cheaper than the S&W and doesn't have an internal lock like the S&Ws.

It would be great to have several, the 642 for pocket carry, an all stainless S&W or Ruger SP101 for Belt carry.

The recoil on a J frame, even with just plain .38's is stiff and many find it almost too much so it's best to try one if you can.

If you really want to soak up the recoil, consider a Ruger SP101 w/3" barrel. makes shooting .38 +p's enjoyable.

God Bless

[Camjr]

642 / 442. I echo the other post. It is so comfortable in the pocket that it will ALWAYS be with you (within the limits of your state's laws, of course...).

I had always been a semiauto guy (and will carry an XD in the cooler parts of the year when the clothes help conceal a little better), but the 642 has been outstanding to carry. I recommend it to everyone that is interested.

[csmkersh]

After a lot of reading, I have come to the conclusion that a snubnose .38 with hidden hammer might be the best weapon to concealed carry. My question...which brand of snubnose do you think is the best: accuracy, cost, ease of use, reliability, etc?

With your specifying a hidden hammer and my admitted bias toward S&W, I have to say, for a lightweight gun, either a 442 or a 642. Both are .38 Specials and both are +P rated. If a little more weight isn't a problem, the the S&W 640 steps to the head of the line. It meets all your specs plus the option of going to .357 Magnum if your desire.

[JCMAG]

I relish my S&W 442. My father carries one of the Taurus 85 variants. It has porting. Not a bad little gun (although it broke on him one time and Taurus were not nice in helping him fix it).

For a little extra money you get the Smith. I think it's worth it.

[Noxx]

+1 for the 642. With CT grips it's nimber one on my list for "constant companion".

[jc650]

S&W MP 340 is my choice. Carries nicely and has good sights too.

[JERRY]

I had a bobbed Model 60, but traded it for 42.

Hutch, i still have that model 60....love it.

[mjb]

I use a Colt Agent with a hammer shroud

[bflobill_69]

Quote: "There may have been another option at one time but the collectors have priced the anibs out of sight.

The following is presented for shock value only.
I suspect it'll appear to be a bargain in 5 years.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=105499504"

...Yeah those old COLTS are damn nice, but they generally run 2X what a comparable S&W does...

Collector or Shooter seems to be the point of contention =P

Bflobill_69

P.S. - That one listed above sold for $1k+ =b

[S&Wfan]

Any of the little J frames works fine for me, though for deep pocket carry I prefer a "Lightweight" type (aluminum frame). Put it in a good pocket holster, toss it in the pocket and you'll almost forget it is there!

Right now, mine is a Model 37 . . . and only because a pristine 1971 specimen that only sat in a drawer in a nightstand for 35 years came up for sale.


I concur too about winter time. In a good belt holster (hip or IWB), I step up to a K-frame 6-shooter, a Model 65-3 with a 3" barrel in .357 magnum.

The 3" barrel allows Smith to use a full length ejector rod, for more dependable ejection of spent cartridges. The extra barrel length allows accuracy virtually on par with the 4" versions too.

T.

[wjh2657]

I EDC S&W 642 or S&W 640. S&W or a good Colt (no longer made) snubbie won't let you down if you take care of it. That said, one of my favorite carry guns is a Taurus 85 UltraLight w/bobbed hammer. I am my own armorer and the Taurus gets the same monthly strip to the bone, clean, inspect and lube treatment that all of my carry handguns get. I am fully aware that if something does go wrong inside the Taurus, it is going to be down longer than the Smiths for parts. Again my primaries are my Smith and Wessons, parts are easier to come by and faster on delivery. I like my Taurus, but if you can't really take care of it (disassemble and inspect) I wouldn't recommend it if it is going to be your only gun. Good as a second or even third gun, but all guns can break and you might be without a gun for awhile!