Christmas is only 5 months away...

[solidsnake]

My girlfriend dropped a hint on me last night that she would be willing to buy me a new handgun for Christmas this year (finally she is opening up to letting me buy MORE guns!)

I'm thinking of a snub nose revolver. I don't want her to spend more than $400, and keep in mind that she would be shopping at Academy or a LGS with a very limited selection.

Of all the cheaper widely available Tauruses, Rossis, Charter Arms, Rugers, and S&Ws, which is the best option? I'm guessing most will say the 442 or LCR, but which is best among the cheap-o brands?

I'd like something with a decent trigger and not super air weight if possible. I'd rather a little weight on it to help with recoil... or should I just go with the LC9? Which would be more comfortable to shoot, a light weight snubby with 158+Ps or the LC9?

I'm open to any suggestions so long as my wonderful lady can actually find the gun. This will be my first compact weapon, so hopefully it will finally entice me to go get a carry permit.

Thanks!

 

[solidsnake]

Oh, she could also drive an hour to the closest Cabela's. The LGSs here have practically nothing for revolvers, so it's basically whatever is available at Academy or Cabela's.

 

[foghornl]

Couple come to Mind...That current iteration of Charter Arms seems to make good solid revolvers now. (I had a mid-70's Charter .44Spl Bulldog..solid gun)

Not sure what the present going rate is, but look at the Ruger SP101 or LCR

 

[skt239]

642, 638, 637, 442.

Any one of those should be in your price range and suit you well.

Why not order online? You'll have a lot more options both in revolvers and price.

 

[snakeman]

I like my rossi. I also like ruger and smith and wesson. I would personally go for either a lcp or smith and wesson 3" 357.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO a M642, M442, M638, M438 or Bodyguard 38 would be the best choices.

As for Charter Arms I like the Undercover Lite Black DAO revolver is a fairly good choice and is well under $400 in the stores. If you want a J frame size revolver that holds 6 rounds the Charter Arms Police Undercover holds 6 rounds and weighs only 20oz.

The Ruger SP101 IMO is way too heavy for what it is. The LCR is not a bad revolver but it's more expensive than the S&W Bodyguard 38 even though the S&W comes stock with a laser and the LCR doesn't.

Rossi isn't known for their quality or fit-in-finish and Taurus, well, I would never buy a Taurus for SD even though many here like and own them...

For SD you would be much better off buying a used S&W J frame than a new Rossi or Taurus IMO.

 

[bannockburn]

My favorite is the S&W Model 638 but any of the J frame snubbies would be an excellent choice as well.

 

[kludge]

Ruger SP101... probably not for $400 new, though. Used, probably.

It's three times the gun that a $300 Charter Arms is (yes, I have both.)

I prefer the weight of the SP101 to all other snubs.

 

[788Ham]

Go with the SP 101, you won't be sorry! Will handle the .357's a lot better, I've had the 3" for a couple months, love it!

 

[beag_nut]

"Ruger SP101... probably not for $400 new, though. Used, probably.

It's three times the gun that a $300 Charter Arms is (yes, I have both.)

I prefer the weight of the SP101 to all other snubs. "


I have the exact same experience as kludge. Contribute a little more cash yourself and get the SP101. If you get the Charter, don't expect it to hit to point of aim. I had to mill down my front sight. It's a common complaint.

 

[kludge]

To be fair, my (wife's) Charter does well in the accuracy department. I wanted to disassemble it and smooth up the trigger some, but due to the plastic pins holding it together I passed (it's the lightweight "Pink Lady"). Not to mention that there are no instructions that I could find anywhere on the web on how to take it apart (Charter only gives you an exploded diagram).

I ended up running a bit of oil down inside and dry firing it 500 times (it felt like aluminum scraping on aluminum) and that started to smooth it out. A couple hundred rounds later it's got a pretty decent SA trigger and an OK double action trigger. No more scraping feeling.

 

[solidsnake]

I'd love an SP101 but as stated, it's a bit steep. I wouldn't mind kicking in some cash for it but I think she would rather pick it up for me and have it gift wrapped. Maybe I'll go with a Smith 442 or 438. Thanks guys!

 

[Ky Larry]

You need to be clear about who she's buying this revolver for. I had a Colt Detective Special before I got married. Then, somehow, it became her gun and I'm not allowed to shoot it. Just sayin'.