The one enduring 38 snubby

Good point and that's a nice revolver as well.
Did you have that hammer bobbed?
I will be getting my chl this year and have gone back and forth between a similiar no hammer revolver and the Mustang PocketLite or the fit in any pocket LCP as a carry gun.
No question about it though the revolver is more likely than not to work each time in a clutch.

Mine is strictly a pocket gun when I cant carry anything bigger. But, I really like the "5 for sure" line

Pretty little piece there.

I feel very much the same way. I've tried some autopistol pocket gun offerings, but they've never had the same kind of almost tedious reliability as my 642. That, and I've never been able to figure out where they put the cylinder on those bottom-feeders...

The 60 is a standard. I do rather appreciate the alloy guns, though, for carry. The 60 feels like a brick by comparison. Same guns, just lighter. Some may say they don't like the recoil of the lighter guns, but I don't have a problem with it and all day carry, I don't even notice 'em.

I agree, all the new .380s out there and I've swooned over some of 'em at one time or another, but the snubs just get it done. My buddy brought his new LCP down and I compared it to some of my guns for size. You know, that thing isn't that small. Yeah, it's thin, but in length and height, it ain't that compact when I lay some of my guns up next to it. I figure, my pockets are big enough for the slightly larger guns. Why should I shoot .380 when I can carry a caliber I'm more confident in? I sorta prefer the +P 158 grain .38 to a 90 grain .380, am more confident I'll get enough penetration with it while still getting expansion. But, that's just me and my hangups. I like the baby 9s, but I just can't get my mine around the .380 as a caliber.

The "Little gun that could" continues to serve, as it has served with distinction for decades. In this day of plastic doublestacks and Rhino stompin' magnums, the little J-frame .38 recolvers have been snickered at and denigrated as not being "tactical" or "Unsuited to serious Combat" but the quintessential snub-nosed .38" still has a lot to offer for many people...myself included.

It's small, and easy to carry. In the Airweight guise, one barely notices its presence...until the ay comes that it really needs to be there. Not well-suited to the target range or action matches...essentialy games...it was never intended for that sort of thing. The little revolver is strictly business, and is perfectly suited for its intended purpose...Extreme close-range self defense when all attempts to avoid it has failed.
Those nightmares that occur at "I could smell the liquore on his breath" situations, and the fight usually goes hand-to-hand...defending against a knife or a bludgeon.

The little revolvers have saved a lot of lives. They can still walk the walk.

Despite all the hoopala over the latest 380's. I keep coming back to the small frame snub revolver in 38 special. I didn't start out as a revolver fan. No, far from it, I thought they were old, outmoded and cumbersome. After a few years, I happened to try one out after being bored with the "plastic fantastics". I was truly humbled by the fact that here was a decent carry piece in my hands that could deliver 5 sure shots and still be comfortable to shoot and carry.
Although I can't afford the S&W and Rugers, I did find a decent no frills Taurus 85 that has proven to be a reliable weapon to me. Now, I have a similar sized 94 in 22lr beside it. I think I'm starting to get "revolveritis".

Excuse me? No mention of a Colt snub?

I like trying to hit that little red dot on my target.

Question for the snubby guys: I'm looking hard at these because of ease-of-carry. I like DA and I don't understand the covered hammer as on the S&W Centennial frame. Are these just SA or is there some cocking mechanism? If SA, is the pull the same length as DA or is there a difference?

The inclosed hammer revolvers are all double-action only. The purpose of inclosing the hammer inside the frame is to prevent the hammer from snagging when it is drawn from deep cover, such as a pocket - which can be a problem with guns that have a conventional hammer. Considering the size of the revolver, and the distance it's likely to be used, the loss of the single-action option is considered acceptable - but not by everyone.

Shockwave..You can also buy one of the hammerspur models and get a competent Smith to Bob the hammer like Doc's Colt.
There are a lot of the lightweight older Smith Airweight model 37's out there that can be bought and bobbed.

Excuse me? No mention of a Colt snub?

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But of course, Doc!

I've had three Detective Spcials, and loved'em. The advantage over the Smith is that they hold 6 rounds. The disadvantage is that they're a little bulkier and don't pack quite as easily. Although it's not a huge difference, it does factor in.

Humpback revolvers like Boss Hogg's provide a means for thumb-cocking and single action. Note the small tab at the top of the foreward section of the shroud. That's the top of the hammer. The Centennial models didn't offer the option, and are DA only.

For pure, close quarters defense, the lack of the SA option means nothing. Neither does a heavy trigger pull. Even intrinsic accuracy isn't much of a concern when the gun will most likely be fired so close that the poor, unfortunate, misunderstood, misguided boy gone wrong because of falling in with a bad crowd will receive a gut fulla powder gasses behind the bullet.

shockwave, I believe that you have SA and DA backwards. Single Action, requires that you cock it first, making a covered or bobbed hammer not feasible because it won't work. The Double Action one cock and fire on the pull of the trigger, which makes bobbed hammers quite attractive. The SA/DA ones are the best of both worlds, but has all of the restrictions of SA, if you ever want to shoot in that mode.

I am thinking about getting another rossi M68, having the barrel shortened to 2 inches, having the hammer bobbed, and if I can find it a crimson trace on it. Not sure if CT makes a compatible grip, so I would use a pacamyr (SP?) one if I could find it. Rossi shipped with one, but I cannot find any in the stores with them already on it.

If there isn't a CT, Ill have a new ramp put on the shortened barrel Man I love those guns.

Couldn't agree more! I have an older Model 60 built by LaRocca Gun Works in the early 90s. The exact gun was actually featured in an article in Guns & Ammo. It's such a sweet gun, quite possibly the more reliable firearm I know. The OP is right - it's nice knowing it's always there.

Just bought my first cc gun and it is a Taurus 85ul in 38 spec. I milled around a lot of guns before I bought this one and I couldn't be happier. If I had the extra dough I would've popped for the 637 but this ones ready to roll now and the Smith would still be on the shelf.

Oops edit, went of topic sorry, for my purposes the snubbie was the only realistic choice. as a pocket gun the only thing that carries as well IMO are the little .380s and I just don't like that caliber.

I like the slightly larger SP101 snubbies, and just added a 3-1/16" version to the ensemble, in anticipation of retiring from policin' sooner or later. (I presently tend to carry the same P229 pistols on my own time as I carry at work.) From 2002 to 2007, however, my usual companions when off the clock were a pair of SP101 snubbies.

Reliable, easier to retain in the hand during a tussle, maneuverable in tight spaces, able to fire when pressed against an adversary, and according to one source, more likely to spit out a squib load. Hmm, what's not to like?

shockwave, I believe that you have SA and DA backwards.

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I think you're right. I meant SA/DA with respect to guns like the Chief's Special. Thanks for the clarification and the answers about the hammer.

I like trying to hit that little red dot on other's targets

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there, i fixed it for me

--------a 642 has, since im now semi-retired, been my most carried.
it use to be my secondary [what most call a back-up] gun. now it still travels with me in a left vest or jacket pocket but without the p239 at 4 o'clock.

I never miss a chance to chime in and sing the praises of my S&W 642. Since I started carrying on a regular basis about 3 years ago, and through trying 4 different handguns for carry, the 642 has been my companion more than all my other carry guns combined. It just keeps sneaking it's way back up to the top of the rotation.

I've tried to justify carrying those "bottom feeders". More firepower, less recoil, flatter profile in a pocket or in the waistband, better sights, better accuracy, more comfortable ergonomics in the hand...I've tried all the excuses to carry another gun. I just keep coming back to the J-frame. It seems to overcome all of it's shortcomings with 4 important attributes: simplicity, 100% reliability, absolutely snag-free, and a proven caliber.

I still prefer an LCP in a pants pocket, but the 642 is THE perfect coat pocket gun. I even stitched some velcro to the top left side of my pocket holster, then stitched velcro to the inside of my jacket pocket so that the gun always stays upright and holstered, no matter how much it gets thrown around.

Long live the 5-shot snub-nose .38 Special revolver!

The S&W J-frame .38 Spl used to be ubiquitous when it came to off-duty weapons. Unfortunately, not everyone carrying one seemed to really invest the time and effort required to shoot them quickly, accurately and effectively.

Nowadays, with the improvements available and the huge increase in the model variations, the J-frame model line up offers a lot of options.

Steel, Airweight, Airlite, .38 Spl +P or .357 Magnum, longer barrels, night sights, lasers, adjustable sights, different finishes, etc.

The choice between the traditional double action (DA & SA capability) and DAO models.

I'd think they're still something that requires more of the shooter than the larger revolver platforms, though. The very attributes that makes them an advantage can also be disadvantages for some folks who may lack some experience and skills with them.

Speaking for myself, as a long time revolver shooter and someone who started my LE career carrying an issued revolver, I've long appreciated the advantages offered by the diminutive 5-shot wheelguns.

I've also invested a lot of time learning to shoot and reload them, too.

For the last several years prior to my retirement I carried one or another J-frame off-duty more often than not, and I've continued to do the same during my retirement. Sure, I sometimes choose to carry one of my numerous semiauto pistols upon occasion, but more often than not it's one of my handful of S&W J-frames.

I enjoy training and practicing with them when I still work as a firearms instructor, too.

Great guns for their intended purpose, as long as the owner/shooter is skilled enough to take advantage of the benefits they offer.

...the model 60 has since evolved into a slightly bigger and clumsier 357.

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Who you calling bigger and clumsier? It's longer and stronger

My 60-9 has been a trustworthy companion for many years; guess I'm a snub fan myself.
Regards,
Greg

Considering the size of the revolver, and the distance it's likely to be used, the loss of the single-action option is considered acceptable - but not by everyone.

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the Fuffster and I have argued about this before. Then again I have had to admit that if one pocket carries the advantages might be worth the compromise

BTW
Old Fuff...the hammer is "enclosed" not "inclosed". The distance in which you are anticipating using the weapon is “in close”

My favorite J-sized snubby, the good 'ole Chiefs Special (I'll take it in stainless, too):

Got a nickle-plated 2-inch S&W M37 (.38 SPL) in 1977 when I thought I was gonna be sent to Korea; my first snubbie and one that I carried many times as back-up.

Bought my Dad a blued 2 3/4 inch barreled Ruger Security-six (.357 Mag) in 1978 that I re-inherited when he passed on in 2007. He carried it many times, and so do I occasionally, for remembrance sake.

Got a 2-inch S&W M60 (.357 Mag) in 2006 as a birthday present from the home Commander in Chief. Just love carrying that one!

Got a 3-inch barreled S&W M686+ (.357 Mag 7-shooter) from the family as a birthday present in 2008. My back-country and mountain-country carry piece as I hunt the wiley trout.

Got a 2-inch S&W M642 (.38 SPL+P) from my kids this past Christmas. It has become my "usual, everyday carry piece."

I just LOVE snubbies.