Budget US made snubbie

What is your budget? A S&W 442 or 642 can be had for sub 400 dollars if you don't purchase at an overpriced sporting goods store. I bought my 642 at a Rural King a week before Thanksgiving this year (ie not on sale) for $409.99.

It really does irk me when people say this, but I'm going to say it, but if you save just a bit more (maybe 80 bucks), I think you'll get a better quality gun for your money.

If I were in the market for a budget .38 snubbie, and I'm ALWAYS in the market for a budget .38 snubbie, I'd look at a Rock Island, but they aren't US made.

I don't think Charter Arms makes a bad gun at all. I just think S&W competes really, really well in the entry level .38 snub market.

Of course, your milage may vary

Find a used S&W 442. 15 ounces of quality firearm you can put into your pocket , and if you don't like it you can resell in a heartbeat.

That said , if Charter is what you want , go right out and get one.

No-lock 642 for $339. I've purchased several from Keeley.

http://www.keelyarms.com/product_p/sw_103810.htm

Smith really priced their standard J frames right.
Place near me has had them priced at 369 new for the past couple years now

All steel frame S&W J-frames run over $600. The alloy framed series from them are substantially less and are a great value. Considering overall quality and resale, I would strongly recommend a S&W.

J1

I have never understood skimping on the gun to protect my life and safety.

I picked up a NIB Ruger LCR 38 for $300 on gunbroker. Nice gun

I've put thousands of rounds through and have carried my 642 for years. The finish is just about gone (some type of film). I no longer carry it as I've moved exclusively to auto-loaders, but if someone said "this is the only gun you can have", I would not feel disadvantaged. With practice, it shoots very well. The trigger smooths out over time. I would take it over a Taurs/Rossie/CA any day of the week. No experience with the LCR offerings.

j1 said:

I have never understood skimping on the gun to protect my life and safety.

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Having been dirt poor to dead broke for a significant number of my of 71+years, I can certainly understand wanting a firearm for personal defense right now as opposed to waiting a few months while I save the $80-$100 for something others might see as a better choice.

Would I prefer a used/new S&W to a Charter Arms? Yes. I own a S&W 36 and have never owned a Charter. I hear that quality of CA firearms has varied over the years.

I have never understood those who have the affluence to say "just save your money and get a better (in their opinion) handgun." The first rule is have a gun.

Sounds like the OP is reconsidering his options based on the availability of handguns in his price range.

Charter is a gamble. You might get a good one, you might not. The Ruger LCR opened my eyes to what polymer can do for a handgun, and they're not that expensive even new.

I have two Charter Arms snubs. They go bang every time. Sometimes I carry the 44.

They make snubs in 44 special and 32 magnum. DA snubs in those calibers can be difficult to find, especially at a reasonable price. That is why I have two Charter Arms.

Charter arms guns are hit and miss. My friend has one that he has carried for 15+ years with no problems. His son bought the same model gun and it has been back to Charter 4 times in 3 years.

I have a 442 and it's OK but I prefer my Detective Special even though it's a bit more bulk. Nice ones are a bit pricey but if you don't care about the cosmetics you'll find them at prices competitive with the new J frames.

CA are fine, and as Tallball stated they make a few calibers that are hard to find elsewhere. S&W makes very low cost J frames in aluminum that I think are a good deal. But for carrying the one that keeps getting taken along is an LCR. The .38's are very light and the frames are aluminum, easy to find under $400. The .357's are about 3oz heavier and the frames are steel and can also be found under $420. The .327's have 6 shots, and steel frames, but are hard to find under $480.

I bought a slightly used S&W 637-2 last year for $300.

Works like a charm.

Keep you're eyes open for deals. Look at the BUY,SELL,Trade subforums here and elsewhere.

What about the current-production S&W Bodyguard? They're going for $500 on up on Gunbroker, with the Crimson Trace laser grips:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=539880860

Coyote3855 said:

Having been dirt poor to dead broke for a significant number of my of 71+years, I can certainly understand wanting a firearm for personal defense right now as opposed to waiting a few months while I save the $80-$100 for something others might see as a better choice.

Would I prefer a used/new S&W to a Charter Arms? Yes. I own a S&W 36 and have never owned a Charter. I hear that quality of CA firearms has varied over the years.

I have never understood those who have the affluence to say "just save your money and get a better (in their opinion) handgun." The first rule is have a gun.

Sounds like the OP is reconsidering his options based on the availability of handguns in his price range.

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You're correct - Charter Arms' quality has varied over the years.

It has gone from bad to awful.

I think you will like your SP101 but it is a bit heavy for pocket carry. I carry my SP in a owb pancake. I pocket carry a J frame with CT 405 grips. It is much lighter and slightly smaller than the SP.

Contact the local concealed weapons instructors in your area and tell them you are in the market and will buy the next snubbie some woman's husband or boyfriend sends her to class with. Once they shoot about 15 or 20 rounds most ladies are ready to smack the man that told them this is a great gun for you right on the noggin. In SC you have to fire 50 rounds to qualify on the range. I've yet to see a single woman finish the class shooting one of those. You can normally pick them up for a hundred or so less than they paid and they are glad to get that price.

If your wife or girlfriend agrees to take the class, don't be that guy.

Another vote for the Ruger LCR, I bought the LCRX because I like the option of cocking it and having a light release, mostly for when I am on the range, but who knows when you might need that ability. I sold my sp101 because it was DAO and I did not have a hammer, and the trigger was terrible and heavy in DAO mode.

My wife had a Taurus 85, she could shoot it, and she could put 100 rounds through it. She would not shoot it with +P ammo though, and as was said above, she did not really like it. She eventually moved on to a LCP, not sure in my opinion if that was better or not for recoil, but it kicks less than a 9mm to her, and she likes it.

I mention that because the Taurus was ok, I carried it for a while after I sold my SP101, and I shot it quite a bit, it was an OK gun and it was only like $299 when I bought it, it worked and if that is all you can afford, then that might be an option. Taurus had a bad rep for a while, and I wont say they are as rugged as a ruger, but, if you need something now, then it might be an option.

My LCRX is my Primary EDC, I got it new for $450 IIRC. I alternate between it and the LC9S, but mostly I carry the revolver.

I was just going to suggest looking at Taurus, IF you have someone you can trust and knows what he is doing to check it out first. Taurus guns can be excellent quality at a reasonable price, OR real clunkers. The clunkers are usually fairly easily spotted by a knowledgeable person.

Edited to add:

OOPS, sorry. I forgot that the OP specified US made, which the Taurus is not. I will leave the post up for info, and the OP may disregard.

Jim

As far as U.S. built snubbies go I tried the less expensive Charter Arms route and it didn't work out. Have been buying S&W ever since and have been very satisfied with all of them.