Which Snubbie would you buy??

I own a trio of vintage Charter Arms Undercovers (years 1966, 1985, and 1987.) I don't pocket-carry any of them now, but did so with the 1987 one back in the 1980s when off duty. These guns work for me, so the S&W 36 would be just fine.

The only snub that I am a fan of is the Ruger SP101 in 357

The OP mentions arthritis. Snubs are not the easiest guns to shoot. With pain prone hands, the more powerful rounds (certainly 357s) would not be pleasant or conducive to practice. One does have to practice with them if you want more skill than the typical paper target at 3 yards range session.

If possible, I suggest trying a steel or lighter weight snubby with various loads to see how one shoots one and esp. how followup shots seem to the shooter.

I might suggest looking at the 22 mag or various 32s if one things that will be problem. Also you add extra rounds.

BTW, I understand all the stopping power arguments, so spare me.

With the Clip grip a jeans pocket rivet rubs right behind the logo.

FL-NC said:

The only snub that I am a fan of is the Ruger SP101 in 357

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This would be my choice too. You only get 5 shots, but after that, it's still a heavy chunk of steel to use as a bludgeon.

GEM said:

The OP mentions arthritis. Snubs are not the easiest guns to shoot. With pain prone hands, the more powerful rounds (certainly 357s) would not be pleasant or conducive to practice. One does have to practice with them if you want more skill than the typical paper target at 3 yards range session.

If possible, I suggest trying a steel or lighter weight snubby with various loads to see how one shoots one and esp. how followup shots seem to the shooter.

I might suggest looking at the 22 mag or various 32s if one things that will be problem. Also you add extra rounds.

BTW, I understand all the stopping power arguments, so spare me.

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The LCR 327 not only has a great trigger but gives you the option of shooting 32 long or 32 H&R Magnum for low recoil.

My hands also suffer from arthritis and I budget shop as well.
I bought an early Charter Arms undercover (ordered rubber grips for $20) and shoot 110grain XTP rounds, the recoil doesn’t bother me.

Add another vote for a S&W 649 ...



... or S&W 640.

So I see 4 requirements:

Steel
Pocket carry
Arthritis approved
On a budget

I don't know that these requirements really mesh that well together. To me a steel gun is too heavy for pocket carry, and a S&W Airweight or Ruger LCR is the winner if it's going to be in a pocket. Both have smooth triggers too, which is a plus if you anticipate having arthritic fingers. Go for the .357 LCR. It'll be light enough to pocket carry, but heavy enough to make .38's that much easier to shoot.

But if you really need steel....
The SP101 will probably be the easiest to find on a budget, I got mine for used $400 a year ago. It probably has the worst trigger though, although I know you can make them better. It's hard to go wrong with a S&W 640 or 60, but for the price they command I'd rather step up to the new offerings from Kimber and Colt that offer 6 shots. The Kimber K6 would be my top pick for a small steel framed snubbie, but it's the most expensive. Based on what you've listed, I'd look at the Colt Cobra. From what I've read the DA trigger pull is really nice and the price is probably in the same ballpark as a S&W. But you get 6 shots of .38 special, which beats 5 shots.

I think brownells had the 442 with laser max grips for 299 and free shipping there is your gun if your on a budget I would have ordered one but I have a 637, model 60 colt agent and a detective special.

I concur with Bassjam above. Being in my 70's I don't enjoy recoil as much as I used to. I have a SP101 that has had the trigger worked on and one can get the double action down in 8.5 lb range. I also have a new Colt Cobra and the trigger on that out of the box is about where the SP101 is now with the double action being very smooth and linear. The one problem with the Colt is cost but with looking around a bit one can save some. The Ruger is probably the most overbuilt of the various snubs so should last for quite a long time.

Redcoat3340 said:

So if you were going to buy a 2" .38 wheel gun...which one would it be?

I'm partial to S&W so my first choice would be a Centenial, a Model 36, or another of there steel non-airweight guns. Or maybe something in .357 as I can shoot 38 sp. and the extra weight of the gun will reduce recoil a bit and one is not getting the full benefit of the cartridge out of such a short barrel.

Oh, and I'm on a budget....so price would be a factor and used bothers me not at all.

(It's for pocket carry or when wearing a tucked shirt and I'm not carrying a Shield, my Walther 99c or a 6906, I'd like a wheel gun now so if I ever develop arthritis...I'm reaching the age where one does...I'll be ready.)

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Given your remarks, any of the steel S&W J-frames in .38spl+P. I like the hump backs, so make mine a 649.

They can be had very reasonably, new or used. And the thing about .357mag snubbies is that buyers almost always start looking for a mild .357mag load to reduce recoil. Stout .38spl +P loads are available that bump up performance to near .357mag (1000fps 158gr LSWCHP).

When I carry a concealed revolver, it's a Colt Detective Special -- with two speed loaders.

Vern Humphrey said:

When I carry a concealed revolver, it's a Colt Detective Special -- with two speed loaders.

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Yup, a nice little option.

The steel J frames are too heavy for me to pocket carry comfortably. My EDC is a model 638, but a 642 would be fine also. For pocket carry it is best to not have an exposed hammer because the hammer can snag when drawing the gun

Pocket carry? 642 or 442.

I've got an older Charter Arms Off-Duty that isn't pretty but shoots really well. Light enough for pocket carry, too.

Howdy

A Model 36 Flat Latch from 1961.






A Model 36 from 1969.






A Model 60 from 1975.






All are 38 Specials. I am not the slightest bit interested in J frame 357s. Not interested in anything lighter than steel either.

fordtrucks said:

Lcr 38 with boot grips if weight is deciding factor.

Lcr 357 or 9mm with boot grips if the extra weight isn’t an issue.

Use 38’s in the 357 though. The extra weight helps tame recoil and makes it more enjoyable to shoot.

Great guns. Have had all 3. Gave the 38 to my dad since he wanted something really light. He prefers the LCP I gave him instead now. Shoots it much better and conceals easier too.

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The LCR9mm had turned out to be one fun gun to shoot. Also bought the LCR22 and like the 9mm so well that I most definitely be getting the LCRX 9mm to go along with them.

649 is my only snub

Driftwood Johnson said:

Not interested in anything lighter than steel either.

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I'm with you on that. Ive never understood how a few more ounces (that give benefits) make a gun "too heavy".

GRIZ22 said:

I'm with you on that. Ive never understood how a few more ounces (that give benefits) make a gun "too heavy".

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For me ~15 oz empty is about all I can comfortably carry in my pants or vest pocket. If I could still get a 342 affordably I would go there (but not touching a 357 Mag). Any handgun heavier than 442/642 and it's no longer comfortable in the pocket IMHO and for the same weight as a ~22oz steel J-frame I can carry a 9mm semi-auto with greater capacity and easier to control recoil. For me the aluminum J-frame is a very nice balance of weight, control-ability, pocket carry comfort, and cost.

For pocket carry I'm with the S&W mod. 442/642 crowd. Light enough when loaded to be comfortable in pocket (in pocket holster of course) no problem with printing, especially since I put my small bill clip in front of it, it's small enough to cover any printing but doesn't sit hight enough to hinder the draw(IE I won't grab clip or bills while griping the revolver) and they draw smoothly with out hanging up on the way out.

The trouble with the question is there are so many good answers. .38 snubs are very popular and for very good reason. Your initial inclination to get a Smith is a good one. They are classics, as well proven as sidearms can be, and parts and gunsmith expertise are available on every streetcorner, or pretty close to that.

Of course there are all the other good choices people are mentioning to you in this thread, so the most to be said is that Smith is among the fine choices. I prefer the ones without keyholes.

I agree with mcb. I carried a steel .38 snub that clocked in at about 20 ounces for a number of years. That extra 5 ounces will make the gun tend to sag and sway in a pocket more than an Airweight, alloy or polymer gun would. Made for a much more pleasant shooter, though.


Doesn't seem like much, but in the context of pocket carry every half-ounce matters. OP needs to decide how important pocket carry is vs. steel construction.