[FW]

I'm considering purchasing a new small frame revolver for carry possibly.

I'm not finding to many used deals at this time.

I've been looking at Taurus, Ruger, and S&W.

I am open to any opinions concerning these.

Do the new S&W's have some kind of internal lock like the Taurus models do? Do these present any real problems on either? I'd prefer to not have such a gimik; Are models offered without them?

For political reasons I'm leaning towards the Taurus. If they have done anthing like Ruger or S&W has done in the past, please enlighten me.

[C.R.Sam]

New Smiths have locks.
Taurus has not sold us out.

However, I would keep on lookin for an older Smith.

Sam

[Kimdo]

Nothing political here.
It is just that the last Smith I tried, a 386, had a trigger that felt like it was 18lbs and filled with gravel.
So I now own a Tarus 85TB2C with a lazergrip. The trigger feels like it's about 8bs and is totally smooth from start to break. (All subjective of course.)
My amateur and not "politically correct" advise is to get an old Smith if you can and a new Tarus if you can't.
That said, I'm looking to trade my Tarus 627 Tracker 4" for a Smith 627PC 5" when I can afford to make the deal. (Of course a PC model is not comparable to a regular S&W. Nor is the price.)
Good Luck, Kim:)

[tomkatz]

My older S&W jframes, a nickel 442 and a nickel 38 bodyguard, have great triggers and no gimmicky stuff. The 386 mentioned probably has the worst trigger I have ever felt on a smith, just going by the one I tried.
I really like my ruger sp101 too. I smoothed the hammer spur a bit and shot it a bunch, which helped the trigger, and it is an awesome little revolver, tough as nails........tom

[Rob96]

I have been extremely pleased with my Ruger SP-101. Tough little gun, accurate and reliable.

[stans]

I have a S&W 640, bought it shortly after they started chambering them in 357 Magnum. Mine has been great and is comfortable to carry inside the waiste band.

[RON in PA]

Ruger SP101s are great revolvers, built like a tank and they don't have built-in locks.

Older Smith 640s are great too and more concealable.

[ruger357]

Have a S&W 649 without the lock and a S&W 637 with the lock. No problems with either one.

[Brian Williams]

If I was going to shoot a small frame revolver alot I would get a sp101 in 357 with a 3" barrel. If I would carry it alot and shoot it some I would get a S&W 640. I have a 2" S&W 940 in 9mm and it is great and I have a S&W mod 60-4 3" 38spec that I practice with. What I would like to get is the best of both worlds is a 3" SP101 in 9mm with a 3" SP101 in 357 as a practice gun.

I prefer Blue guns but it is hard to beat these little Stainless beauties or is that beasties.

[poletax]

I pack a Charter Arms 'Bulldog' in .44 special. Medium size small is what I call it. Only holds 5 rounds but .44 cal w/ 240 grain keiths shoots thru about anything , windshields , walls, doors and bone.

[Bob]

I picked the SP-101. I am very satisfied. I did change out the springs and I have shot it ALOT. Trigger now is plenty good enough for me (and I used to own several s&w's). I really like the fact that I can shoot any load I can stand in it. I have many thousands of rounds of everything from 38 spec to 357 grab-a-hold-and-hang-on loads and it is still as tight as the day I brought it home. It conceals well in pocket or IWB holster (I can wear it all day with no problem). You just can't go wrong with this little stinker!
Bob

[ARperson]

No experience with S&W. Why bother?

I have had great success with my Taurus M85ULT snubby. My biggest complaint was that the rubber grips rubbed blisters with any large amount of shooting (quite a kick from a 2" barrel). Fixed that with a nice set of wood grips.

Also like the Ruger revolvers. The SP101 and the GP100 have worked fine for me (though the GP100 is not a small-framed model).

I don't think you can go wrong with Taurus or Ruger.

[MikeJ]

I have a pre-lock S&W 640 .357 (concealed hammer) and think it is the ideal small frame snubby. Mine is very accurate and comfortable to shoot, I have the Uncle Mike's boot grips on it. I can't say enough good things about this gun, I like it that much. Mike

[Kevinch]

I have a little Ruger SP-101 in .357Mag I acquired used. Nice little gun - very robust design. I'm pleased with that purchase.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/images/Products/50L.gif

I did own a little Taurus Model 85 in .38 Special I bought new. Not as robust a design, but lighter in weight with a better trigger pull than the Ruger. I sold it to fund another purchase, but I would buy another if in the market.

http://www.taurususa.com/imagesMain/H_85B2.jpg


If I was able to find a good deal on a pre-agreement S&W, I'd definetly give it consideration but would not buy a new one. In addition to the agreement (the most important reason I won't buy one), they are, IMO, overpriced when compared to what the competition offers.

Only my $0.02 - & who knows if it's worth that?? :cool:

[10-Ring]

IN order of preference, I like the S&W 640 & the Ruger SP-101 w/ bobbed hammer.

[PawDaddy]

I carry a stainless 3" pre-lock Taurus 85. I don't think that you can go wrong with an all steel Taurus. I have heard of problems with their Titanium guns.

[Ala Dan]

For CCW purposes, how about an older model Smith
& Wesson model 38? Its the .38 Special Bodyguard
2" barrel model; and its nicely finished when you can
find one in factory nickel. Plus, it won't snag on your
clothes!:D :) :uhoh:

Best Wishes,
ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[gulogulo1970]

I have an SP-101, I love mine. it just seems kinda heavy for its size. But the upside of that weight is its very shootable. Hits point of aim with 357 Mag 158gr loads. Even with that heavy bullet its not that bad recoil wise. 125gr 357 mag are really no problem. Of course muzzle blast is insane. I don't know if I would want to let 5 shots rip indoors without ear protection.

[JCM298]

I have three: A Model 649, a Colt Magnum Carry, and a 340SC. The "always" gun is the 340, the 649 is the most accuarte, and the Colt was bought because I promised myself that I'd buy a Colt .357 snub if Colt ever made one. I bought the first one I saw which, according to the dealer, was the first to hit Tucson.

The 340 is not for a novice or a recoil sesative shooter,

John

[Dr.Rob]

Magnum carry = rare but fun 6 shot 357 smaller than a 5 shot sp101.

Don't discount a used D-frame Colt.

[RWK]

FW,

I really like my Ruger SP101 -- accurate, reliable, durable, excellent-quality, and basically as tough as bank vault -- but Smith J frames have a wonderful, deserved reputation. Also, Ruger makes a three inch GP-100 (both stainless and ordnance steel); this is a heftier revolver to be sure, but I would consider it -- IF you find it to be comfortable and concealable for YOU.

Regards.

[sm]

Another vote for an older smith for carry.

[Kamicosmos]

Another 'Yea' vote for the SP101. Pretty much can't go wrong with them. I swapped the springs out of my bobbed hammer model, and it is rather enjoyable to shoot, and it's nice to know that the gun can take the heavy mag loads better than I can!

[Stainz]

New .38 S&W 637 & 642 were reduced in cost by S&W earlier this year due to poor sales (Everyone wants the .357!). Locally, the Airweights go for $340 for the 637, with the hammerless 642 $10 more. They have the hammer-lock-zit, which is a non-issue. Simply leave it unlocked - and the keys in your box. I have done this with my most-used 4" 625 .45ACP plate gun, and that lock has never been a problem. Additionally, new S&W's improve drastically after break-in and subsequent cleaning - equivalent to a simple 'trigger job'. I have seven 2001-2003 production and one 1983 production S&W's all bought new - the QC was poorest by far on the '83. The new ones have been faultless. Additionally, should you ever need parts - S&W has been around for a bit and has an 800# - and Brownell's also carries parts.

My choice for a 'small' frame was the venerablw M&P, the Model 10 - actually a K-frame. I bought a new (Made in Jan of this year.) 2" M10-11 a month ago from CDNN ($280 + S/H + FFL xfr). It weighs ~11 oz more than the 637 - but has a round-butt Uncle Mike's grip that is useable in my medium sized hands, the boot grips on the J-frames being just too small. It is quite accurate - and a joy to shoot - and it is +P rated. It joins my 296 (.44 Special, 5-shot Ti/Al, hammerless, L-frame) as CCW/PD/HD.

Stainz

[Bob C]

I prefer a S&W "J" frame. There are still a lot of pre-lock models around. If weight is a concern, the light weight models are around also.

In my humble opinion, the Ruger SP101 is about as bulky as a 2 1/2" or 3" "K" frame, and holds one round less.

[JPM70535]

I don't like internal gun locks of any kind. That having been said, the internal lock on a S&W J Frame really is a non issue. I sold a SS mod 60 28 spec. (Older model) that had no internal lock, and purchased a model 649 357 mag. SS with the infamous internal lock, anticipating major operational difficulties.

Surprise, surprise, there is absolutely no difference in trigger action. If any thing the newer revolver actually had a better pull, both lighter and smoother than the older model 60 had when it was first purchased. After a little judicious stoning, the trigger on the 649 is an absolute pleasure to shoot. ( excluding he prolonged use of 125 JHPs of course) Even though the 649 is SS and has a little weight to it, full house magnum loads are not enjoyable.

The one thing the Smith J Frames have that sets them apart from the Taurus is quality. Taurus has improved its quality a lot, but IMO, there is just no way the 2 are in the same league. Same goes for the Ruger SP101 with an additional plus for the Smith. The J Frame Smiths are infinitely more concealable.

If you are just adamently opposed to the internal lock, then by all means go for the older J Frame and you can't go wrong.

[Poohgyrr]

For a snub revolver, Smith J frame, or being honest, a Colt Detective Special if you find one. Here is a link to a 640-1 picture (about halfway down the page) that has a great trigger and shoots really well for me.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=27409