S&W model 36 or pocket pistol.

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Just some pics that might help:

S&W Chiefs Special and 642 Airweight:
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S&W Bodyguard 380 (9mm Corto):
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Another thought to explore since you wear a suit is a horizontal shoulder holster. It conceals well, is very comfortable and allows much easier access when seated or in a car.
 
Riccaia

I have both and would rate the Colt Mustang to be easier to shoot and slightly more accurate with a very decent single action trigger. It's also very easy to conceal and is lightweight enough (12.5 oz.), to carry it around all day and not feel like it's weighing you down. There is also the SIG P238 which is a close copy of the Colt Mustang. Advantage with the P238 is better sights than on the Mustang.

My two S&W J frames, a Model 649 and a Model 638, differ only in the material that they're constructed out of. All stainless steel for the Model 649 and a combination of stainless steel (barrel and cylinder), and aluminum alloy for the frame. The aluminum alloy also makes the Model 638 a lot lighter than the Model 649 (14.6 oz. versus 24 oz.). Both models can be carried in a pocket though some sort of holster is still recommended when carrying it that way.
Like the Colt Mustang the S&W Model 638 can be carried for long periods of time in relative comfort.

One obvious benefit of the revolver is that you can run any kind of .38 Special ammo through it while the semi-auto may be more sensitive to different ammo along with the type of bullet being used (FMJ-full metal jacket versus JHP
-jacketed hollowpoint). Is ammo availability for either cartridge a problem for you in Italy?

Let us know which one you decide to get.
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31C9CA09-97DA-4213-88DC-0A444D96EFFC.jpeg You also should look at the Kahr CM9.... one of the smallest compact 9mm pistols on the market. Suitable for pocket carry. Well made quality guns for a modest price ($350 pre-Covid19).
 
Can you find a SIG 238? I used to pocket carry various J frame revolvers and have found pistols much easier to carry and shoot effectively. I currently carry a SIG 938.
 
wow, you are so many, thank you very much.
John Joseph said:
Have you looked into a 640 Centennial? The concealed hammer and 1-7/8" barrel allows for a quick draw or could even be fired from the pocket. I carry mine in a Bianchi 152 pocket holster.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, there aren't any available in my region and we can't buy firearms or ammo online but if there'll ever be the chance I'll definitely search for that.
 
jar said:
Just some pics that might help:

S&W Chiefs Special and 642 Airweight:
View attachment 941503

View attachment 941504

S&W Bodyguard 380 (9mm Corto):
View attachment 941505
View attachment 941506

Another thought to explore since you wear a suit is a horizontal shoulder holster. It conceals well, is very comfortable, and allows much easier access when seated or in a car.
Click to expand...
I'll definitely look into a shoulder holster since I spend a lot of time in the car but I am a bit concerned about the cross draw...
Thank you for the pics, I've always been in love with the bodyguard but they are so rare here, the Sig is also a solid choice but I'll have the same problems I feel with the Mustang
 
bannockburn said:
Riccaia

I have both and would rate the Colt Mustang to be easier to shoot and slightly more accurate with a very decent single action trigger. It's also very easy to conceal and is lightweight enough (12.5 oz.), to carry it around all day and not feel like it's weighing you down. There is also the SIG P238 which is a close copy of the Colt Mustang. Advantage with the P238 is better sights than on the Mustang.

My two S&W J frames, a Model 649 and a Model 638, differ only in the material that they're constructed out of. All stainless steel for the Model 649 and a combination of stainless steel (barrel and cylinder), and aluminum alloy for the frame. The aluminum alloy also makes the Model 638 a lot lighter than the Model 649 (14.6 oz. versus 24 oz.). Both models can be carried in a pocket though some sort of holster is still recommended when carrying it that way.
Like the Colt Mustang the S&W Model 638 can be carried for long periods of time in relative comfort.

One obvious benefit of the revolver is that you can run any kind of .38 Special ammo through it while the semi-auto may be more sensitive to different ammo along with the type of bullet being used (FMJ-full metal jacket versus JHP
-jacketed hollowpoint). Is ammo availability for either cartridge a problem for you in Italy?

Let us know which one you decide to get.
View attachment 941523
View attachment 941524
View attachment 941525
View attachment 941526
Click to expand...
Amazing pictures, thank you very much, I really like the 638, I'll dig the shops in my area; about the ammo, I'm sorry it slipped my mind, thank you for reminding me, in Italy hollow points are forbidden, a civilian (and an officer for all that matters) can only buy FMJ rounds.
 
Armybrat said:
View attachment 941533 You also should look at the Kahr CM9.... one of the smallest compact 9mm pistols on the market. Suitable for pocket carry. Well made quality guns for a modest price ($350 pre-Covid19).
Click to expand...
Hey, thank you for the photo, I really like the CM9 but unfortunately, they are unfindable in Italy (the same goes for all the Kahr handguns and the Bersa's too)
 
earplug said:
Can you find a SIG 238? I used to pocket carry various J frame revolvers and have found pistols much easier to carry and shoot effectively. I currently carry a SIG 938.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advise, the Sig's are foundable in the Italian market but they are really, really expensive (I'm talking 1.681 USD for the P238).
Kimber on the other hand is also pretty expensive but far more manageable than the Sig (around 1000 USD for the micro 9)
 
So I had the chance to look into the 43X, I really liked it, it fit the palm of my hand comfortably and it's easy to manipulate, I wouldn't hesitate to buy that to carry IWB in my free time but it just is not comfortable to carry with the suit, my gunsmith was so kind to let me carry it for a while and the but just kept hitting my side and printing on the jacket, of course, it might have been the holster but here you can't really risk to let someone see that you're armed, since there are so few CCW license owner every time the police is called on you by the typical Italian bystander might be the time that you go to jail for "procurato allarme" (caused alarm), that's why I think I'll stick with pocket carry while I'm at work and I can't wear anything a bit looser that would easily hide the CCW.
For the moment I think I'll buy the S&W 36 and maybe in the future I'll bob the hammer, I'll post the photos here when I buy it (should be pretty soon, another guy put his eyes on it).
 
Riccaia said:
Precisely thank you for clarifying :)
Click to expand...
Can you carry a 45 acp I had a Springfield XDs that is a small pistol but shoots like it's a full size with the flush magazine it's pocket size
with the extended magazine it has a full size grip Yes it;s less rounds but it's a bigger bullet
 
LUCKYDAWG13 said:
Can you carry a 45 acp I had a Springfield XDs that is a small pistol but shoots like it's a full size with the flush magazine it's pocket size
with the extended magazine it has a full size grip Yes it;s less rounds but it's a bigger bullet
Click to expand...
Thank you for the advice, .45 acp isn't very popular here and I've never had any experience with it, but I'll see if I find anything similar to the Springfield
 
Of the two, I would rather have the revolver, especially if pocket carry is a factor.

I did own an early-Nineteen-Eighties S&W Model 60, and, have owned several Colt Mustangs. The Model 60 is the stainless-steel (Inox) version of the Model 36. My S&W Model 60 had some quality-control issues, which affected the smoothness of function of the moving parts, but, it always fired, reliably. None of my Mustangs was completely reliable, in the ammunition-feeding part of the cycle.

The Mustang’s thumb safety lever was not within the natural arc of my thumb, so, even though I was very familiar and comfortable with the safety lever manipulation of the full-sized Colt 1911-pattern pistols, I was concerned about inadvertently missing the disengagement of the Mustang’s safety lever, during an emergency event. I was concerned that I would remember the safety lever, but fumble its operation, because it was so small in size. A user, with smaller hands, may be well-served by a Mustang.

I reckoned that it would be acceptable to carry the Mustang with the hammer down, making it unnecessary to engage the safety, but it would still be possible for the safety lever to become engaged, accidentally, especially during a struggle. Massad Ayoob documented a case of a Beretta pistol’s safety becoming engaged, during a physical struggle between a police officer and a criminal, with a fatal result, when the officer subsequently needed to shoot. The lesson of that event is that training to have an active interface with a safety device is important.

So, my Mustangs were eventually sold. I sold or traded my Model 60, but replaced it with a Model 649, which has no exposed hammer spur, and it was eventually replaced with other small-frame S&W revolvers, with totally-concealed hammers, and Ruger SP101 revolvers, the latter of which are more comfortable for my aging hands to shoot.
 
Having owned and carried both a small 380 and a S&W snub revolver, my experience was that the 38spl cartridge in +P loads is considerably more powerful. And the revolver is as simple as you can find. I sold the 380 (not a Colt) and I carry the snub in my pocket daily. I believe you'd be pleased with that Smith and Wesson Model 36.
 
We have proper firearms freedom but you have MOTO GUZZI motorcycles right there in mondello de lario!!! I’m jealous. ( I have a 98 EV california)
 
Me I love revolvers >> simple operation and high dependability . Modern Autos are getting to be as dependable, but many have a safety you have to remember , other a trigger that can cause negligent discharges . The Hated trigger safety. Seems the most people shooting themselves fall victim to that trigger dangle safety. At any rate my opinion 2:00 AM someone wakes you by breaking in your half asleep . A revolver is going to shoot . Auto maybe . Did you remember to rack the slide / disengage the safety ? The 1 in 300 dud . Rack tilt tap or pull the trigger again .
 
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