Best sub $400 pocket .38sp?

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Lucky Strike

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I currently carry an XD 9mm subcompact in an IWB holster.

Am interested in having an alternative on days I don't feel like wearing the holster. Don't quite trust the .380 round so I don't think i want things like a keltec or the new LCP....am interested in a snub nose .38 (+p capable) for pocket carry

What are the top candidates in the $300-$400 pocket revolver category?
 
Any S&W Airweight (but NOT Airlite) snubby will do, but I agree that the 642 "hammerless" is the cream of the crop. There are all kinds of pocket holsters for them, most of which do a nice job of staying in the pocket when you draw the revolver. I don't carry, but I do practice as if I did. I have a boxful of holsters for my 637. The best of the batch was the cheapest: an Uncle Mike. Incidentally, the 637's exposed hammer makes no problem for me. I simply put my thumb on the hammer as I draw. No hangups.

In my area, new Airweights go for more than your limit. Taurus makes a rather elegant snubby for quite a bit less, but I would rather get a used S&W Airweight (again, NOT Airlite -- once you have fired your Airweight, you will know why you wouldn't want an Airlite.)
Cordially, Jack
 
COLT DETECTIVE SPECIAL. The original is still the best. A close second place to that would be the older pinned Model 36 or Bodyguard from S&W. Do not get alloy. Do not get ultralight. 19 oz is about the minimum for effective shooting of +P .38 special. If you need it, you need the thing to hit dead on and have fast followup shots. The old steel snubs will do that for you. The older Smiths in particular have triggers you won't find this side of the Performance Shop today. Once you use one, you'll never buy new again.

If the grips are too small, get a T-grip.

For pocket holsters I like horsehide. Galco makes a great one.
 
I sometimes carry a 642 (about $415 in my area) in a Safariland pocket holster and I personally would not want to carry anything heavier in a pocket. Even though it is an alloy frame, I don't find it difficult to control and Gold Dot 135g +p ammo doesn't feel much different than standard pressure rounds to me. I have an older set of S&W round butt wood grips and a Tyler T-grip on mine. YMMV.

_____________________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"
 
I have a mod. 85 w/the hammer spur ground off, looking at getting an auto instead because it's not very accurate over 7 yards.I use the hydra shok 110 gr. self defence loads.
Ok gun carrys well after my modification.Light but hard to see the sights even when painted ,do to the aluminum frame color.
 
I think the most available offerings are going to be from Taurus. There's a wide variety of model 85s w/ 2" barrels, with materials and colors to suit you, with most falling within your price range easily.

Finding a used model whatever in good condition is always a crap shoot, so I hate giving that sort of advice, but if you have a good selection of used revolvers locally, you can get some very good guns that way.
 
I like my 642-1. No lock, and a decent trigger that's getting better all the time. I got mine NIB for $400 cash. There was a no-lock -1 at the local pawn for $379+ tax a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't last long.

I run Buffalo Bore LSWCHC standard pressure in mine. Stick it in a $10 Uncle Mike's pocket holster while you're waiting for your Mika, and you're ready to roll.

My .02

rd
 
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Hard to go wrong with a S&W 442/642 using Buff Bore Std Pressure and a Mika roundcut.

...S&W, a bargin at any price...
 
I don't find it difficult to control and Gold Dot 135g +p ammo doesn't feel much different than standard pressure rounds to me.
Click to expand...

That's because it's NOT much different. Acc. to Speer's website, it's got a MV of 860 from a 2"bbl. Not exactly a hot cookin' round.
 
Rossi makes a fine little snub nose revolver. Price is around $240. Dont like Rossi keep your eyes peeled for a Colt Detective.
 
You've got plenty of choice in that range. Can still get a new S&W 642 for <$400. It's kind of the industry standard.

I've had good luck with my Taurus 85SSUL; that thing was a bit under $300. Give the fit and finish a good eyeball before you purchase, do the Jim March revolver checkout with a bit of extra care on a Taurus:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

... but there are plenty of very good Tauruses. Mine came with a better trigger than most S&W snubs; that's common.

There's also Rossi or Charter, but I'd stick with S&W or Taurus for CCW. (I'd go with Rossi over Charter, if it came to that. I've handled too many dog-rough Charters.)

EDIT TO ADD: A Colt Detective Special in good shape is likely to exceed your $400 price limit, but some sell for close to it. I've never fired one. They are highly regarded revolvers. Six shots instead of five.
 
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I like the S&W 637 or 642.
I also like some of Taurus steel snubbies.

But I really like the new Police Undercover from Charter Arms. Its built on the Bulldog frame and holds six round. Igot to shoot one a day ago and its on my list.

22lr
 
I just paid 369.99 for a new S&W 638 last week at Kames in Canton, OH.

So far it has been great. I love the shrouded hammer. Sure I don't use it all that much, but why not have DA/SA both available? Plus it was cheaper than the 642 where I was.

Definitely keep looking around for an Airweight.
 
Rossi makes a fine little snub nose revolver. Price is around $240. Dont like Rossi keep your eyes peeled for a Colt Detective.
Click to expand...

The Colt Detective Specials I have seen lately at local gun shows are going for $475 to $600, a little $$$$, but worth every penny IMHO. All hold 6 and the later models are +P rated. :)


:evil:
 
I had too keep an eye out, but I found mine for about $300. The post-war ones, esp. the full shroud, will often go for less than the pre-war ones. And you don't need minty. One thing I've noticed is even the spots that are patina on my DS don't rust, in spite of being in a sweaty pocket.
 
I vote for the 642. I love mine. Carry it in a round cut Mika.
I bought mine for $379 on sale last year. You should still be able to get one for $399 and I've seen some bargains on used ones in the $325 - $350 range.
It does everything I want it to do.
 
Not the greatest but it will do for the price

I have a Charter Arms .38 Special I picked up from a female friend of mine for $250.00. Some unsavory dealer at a gunshow saw her coming and talked her into buying it new for $350.00, told her it was a gun that had no recoil and would be perfect for a girl of slight stature like hers.:mad:

She took it to the local indoor range and shot two rounds out of it and would not touch it again after that. I tried to get her to try some lighter ammo in hopes she would get used to the gun. Her hand was black and blue from shooting the two rounds. She said she would never shoot again and wanted to return the gun. The guy was an ass and would not give her a refund or an exchange. He offered her $150 to buy the gun back.:fire:

She asked if I wanted it and I told her that while $150 was less than the gun is worth, what she paid was way too much. She offered it to me for $250 with the agreement that I would go with her to a range and help her rent and try out some guns until she found something she is comfortable with. I agreed and made good on my offer and am also now teaching her to shoot.:cool:

Back to the question that was asked. This is a backup gun for me that I carry in an ankle holster. It's no Smith or Colt but it gets the job done as good as any snubbie I've ever seen.:scrutiny:

I think it is an okay gun if you can pick it up NIB for less than $300. ;)Otherwise, I'd spend the extra and buy one of the aforementioned Smiths.

Molone Labe,
Joe
:D
 
I saw an sp101 at a pawn shop for 289 the other day its as good or better than everything mentioned, heavy enough to tame any excessive recoil but that could also be a drawback. Someone mentioned rossi, my very first handgun was a 461 snubnose 357 that cost 219.00 NIB and was very accurate and easy to handle. A lot of the bad press about rossi is probably from people who have never owned them, mine was excellent.
 
I shoot the federal hydra shok 110 gr. low recoil loads in my taurus mod. 85.,not much kick compared to the speer +p that I have used.This is one of my HD guns so I don't want much kick for the wife.It's also my carry gun.
I paid 340 for my taurus than I ground the hammer off.
 
Since 6 shot guns were mentioned i'll tell you about mine. I have a S&W model 12 with a 2" barrel. It weighs 15oz and is 8oz lighter than my Taurus model 85 steel framed gun. The cylinder is only 1/10 of an inch larger than the 5 shot Taurus.

I've had it for about 6 months and still haven't fired it yet. When i do i may fall out of love with it. It IS nice to carry though.

Forgot to add, i payed $380.00 for mine total.
 
I just recently acquired a S&W 638.
It is of course +P capable and a comfortable carry in the front pocket of my jeans.
I shot it several times at 5to10 yards and was impressed with shot placement on a siloette target.
Zeke
 
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