Pocket/IWB snubnose .38 poll

Which snubnose .38 would you choose for daily pocket/IWB concealed carry and why?

  • Charter Arms Off Duty (12 oz)

    Votes: 1 0.8%

  • Ruger LCR (13.5 oz)

    Votes: 22 17.6%

  • S&W Bodyguard .38 (14.3 oz)

    Votes: 9 7.2%

  • S&W 442/642 (15 oz)

    Votes: 56 44.8%

  • Charter Arms Undercover DAO (16 oz)

    Votes: 6 4.8%

  • Taurus 856CH Ultra Lite (16 oz)

    Votes: 6 4.8%

  • Other (specify in your post)

    Votes: 25 20.0%
  • Total voters
    125
  • Poll closed .
Status
Not open for further replies.
I'm not a fan of alloy j frames.

I still heve my 70s era M60. I've retired it but I carried it for 30 or so years.

Carried a M640 and a M649 that was issued.

I carried a Taurus 85 for awhile. Not now as I gave it to my daughter.

I've carried a Charter Undercover on occasion.

Now my j frame 38 is a Taurus Ultra Lite. Alloy frame but weighs about the same as my M60.

I felt confident with them all.

The j frame 38 will be around forever. Many flavors. Whatever floats your boat.
 
I voted for the LCR. I prefer Ruger revolvers generally and it will match my LCP nicely, but besides the brand affinity I really like the design. The example I fired had a good trigger and the sights were adequate for pretty good shooting at 7 yards.

I don't care for Taurus reputation or S&W new production lock holes, certainly no lock on a CCW I'm the kind with bad luck. Charter would be my other choice as they are quite the up and come and I keep meaning to give something a try.

If you want to spend far more and heft a few more oz. Obviously the colt & Kimber look amazing.
 
Don't ask me why but I always have had a "thing" for S&W J frames and the Model 49 and Model 38 in particular. Currently I have two: a stainless steel frame Model 649 and an aluminum alloy frame Model 638. Both are great guns and have served me well for a number of years now.

poKELn4.jpg
TyNf0Dv.jpg
 
I chose the 642/442 option but the reality is I would probably not pick a light weight option.

idXStnw.jpg

I've been carrying this steel M85 for 35 years, generally in an ankle holster but in hot weather it sees use IWB with the Barami Hip Grip and Tyler grip adapter.

I personally can't do pocket carry with something this size, the gymnastics involved with getting a XXXL hand into a pocket that already contains a revolver negates any advantage having the hidden handgun may have provided me.
 
My personal preference would be a run-of-the-mill S&W M36. Solid steel. Enough heft to help mitigate recoil, but still small enough to conceal and carry. Failing that, a S&W 442 Pro with Pachmayr Compacs.
 
cluttonfred said:
Thanks, .455_Hunter, that's good advice. On another note...will the two people who voted for the Charter Arms Undercover DAO please weigh in with the "why" part? No "vote and run" please. ;-)
Click to expand...
While I didn't vote I do often carry a Charter Arms Undercover with the DAO hammer and it's been quite reliable. But I also gave a Smith modern and original Centennial and find I enjoy the old Lemon Squeezer more than the newer lightweight one. If I carry one of those it is in a pocket with an old Lou Alessi holster.

I didn't vote because I have not found a significant enough difference between the options listed to prefer one over the others. When I do carry a snubby it's usually a Colt Detective Special.

Fondle them all. Pick the one that points best for you.
 
It doesn't matter what anyone else prefers.

What matters is whether you can carry it comfortably, whether you can shoot it with a good balance of speed and precision (think three shots in around two seconds into the area of an upper chest at twelve feet), and whether your hand hurts after a session at the range.

I has a S&W Model 642, and it fell short on all of those.

The internal geometry of the trigger mechanism in a J-Frame is less than ideal.

If you intend to put a large number of rounds though it, keep in mind that even young, fit people can suffer permanent nerve and joint damage, and pesky tendon damage, from too much in the way of repeated recoil over time.

jar said:
Fondle them all. Pick the one that points best for you.
Click to expand...
I did that. I chose the 642, and I regretted it.

The fact that a Ruger SR9c that I bought later was really no larger than the 642 came as a shock, but it should not have.

I carry a semi-auto, but I do have a Kimber K6S for occasional use. Far better trigger than the Smith, six shot capacity in a very compact package, and a lot heavier. With a holster, that's okay for me--shoots a lot better, and I don't have to soak my hand when I get home.

Winthrop makes good holsters for it.

The Colt Cobra appeals to me a lot, also.
 
I voted for the 642 - it is light enough without being noticeable. The round shape blends in well with the human body. Mine has never failed. I will say that +P can be a little testy - but that will be true with any of these light revolvers
 
cluttonfred said:
I suspect that I will soon be in the market for a lightweight snubnose .38 Special revolver for daily concealed carry in a pocket or IWB holster. If you had to pick just one, which would you choose and why?

I am deliberately limiting the options here to only .38 Special, shrouded- or bobbed-hammer DAO, readily available guns in current production that weigh 16 oz or less. All hold five rounds except the Taurus that holds six and I have no particular preference on finish. I welcome other suggestions if I have missed one but please stick to those criteria.

Cheers,

Matthew
Click to expand...
S&W Performance Center Wyatt Deep Cover 637

One on GB for $450 open

Bobbed hammer, light alloy frame, DAO. Mine cost way more than $450.
 
Last edited:
RKRCPA said:
I chose the 642/442 option but the reality is I would probably not pick a light weight option.

View attachment 869771

I've been carrying this steel M85 for 35 years, generally in an ankle holster but in hot weather it sees use IWB with the Barami Hip Grip and Tyler grip adapter.

I personally can't do pocket carry with something this size, the gymnastics involved with getting a XXXL hand into a pocket that already contains a revolver negates any advantage having the hidden handgun may have provided me.
Click to expand...
With a Barami hip-grip no less? Sweet! :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
I carry two of the choices you have shown daily, specifically...
• https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-bodyguard-38-crimson-trace
• https://charterfirearms.com/collections/undercover/products/13811-undercover-blue-dao

I carry the Smith as my primary IWB at 4 o'clock. My Charter Arms® is my pocket gun. I chose the specific model because of its very small footprint, no side plate, all-steel construction yet it's very lightweight. I am exceptionally pleased with my model 13811. While this is my first Charter Arms® it won't be my last.
 
I have both a S&W M642 revolver and a S&W M442 revolver. The M442 came machined for moon clips and I liked it so well that I had the M642 modified. Moon clips with a BMT loader are a great combination for a small, J-frame revolver.

I also have a Model 60 and Model 36 but I prefer the shrouded hammer of the Centennial style revolvers. Also, the pre-357 Magnum versions of the J-frame S&W revolvers are a bit trimmer than the post 357 Magnum versions since the frames of the 38 Special only version are a bit shorter.

I have an interest in obtaining a Charter Arms 38 Special revolver but have not done so yet. So, I cannot comment on any other manufacturer other than S&W.
 
Kimber K6s. Smooth edges, carries well, two rounds of ratshot for snakes, great all around carry gun, with a massive selection of ammo.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

7
  • Locked
12 oz Charter Arms 38 Special Undercover Lite?
Replies
14
Views
4K
7Star
7
P
  • Locked
Thoughts on Taurus 85-6
Replies
8
Views
2K
WAID
W
C
  • Locked
Thinking about a new carry revolver
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
sidheshooter
S
O
  • Locked
Range Report Taurus 605 CIA .357 Snub
Replies
24
Views
3K
Panthera Tigris
P
Tallball
  • Locked
High Capacity Carry Piece with Longer Barrel
2
Replies
40
Views
1K
GeoDudeFlorida
GeoDudeFlorida
Back
Top