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Spdracr39

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I am going to get my wife a 38 revolver because she cannot rack the slide on any of my semi's. My question is should I buy hammerless or find one she really likes with a hammer and have it bobbed. Does anyone have a guess what it might cost to do the mod? I am liking the S&W bodyguard but it will be her choice. I guess another question is leaving the hammer intact really an issue for CC ?
 
I have a pile of snub and carry one daily. All of them have hammers. I have trained myself to cover the hammer with my thumb when drawing from a pocket.
 
For defense one should shoot DA. SA on a defense revolver is really just in the way and a potential liability. You've gotta practice though. I've shot God only knows rounds DA through revolvers, fast and "slow".. PPC etc, etc.
 
Spdracr39 said:
I am going to get my wife a 38 revolver because she cannot rack the slide on any of my semi's. My question is should I buy hammerless or find one she really likes with a hammer and have it bobbed. Does anyone have a guess what it might cost to do the mod? I am liking the S&W bodyguard but it will be her choice. I guess another question is leaving the hammer intact really an issue for CC ?
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I would look for S&W Model 37 DAO. Those are out there I had one.
 
While I certainly prefer DA-only for defense, if she has trouble with an auto slide, she may have trouble with a DA revolver trigger. Keeping the hammer may not be a terrible idea depending how she would use, carry, etc.
 
Had not considered the shrouded hammer. Looks like a good compromise :) We are not sure how she is going to carry yet so I am leaving all options open. I have not had any experience carrying a revolver and it just appears the hammer would be an issue. It may not be. She would most likely not be shooting in SA mode at all but it might be good to have it as an option. I will certainly look at the shrouded hammer closely.
 
did she choose the gun?
I'd take her to the LGS let her handle and shoot a bunch while you stand in the corner with your mouth shut, and let her pick the gun she is the most comfortable with. Then, when she has chosen, smile and hand over the credit card.
 
I agree with the shrouded option. You still have the hammer for single action shooting and the no snag characteristics of the shroud.


Unless its going to be pocket carried - there is no advantage over a traditional hammered gun.
 

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Preference - its up to the INDIVIDUAL

I own a few snubbies and they range from .22 RF to .38 SP,.357 Mag,.44 SP.

The one that gets carried THE most is not the one I like to carry,that would be the 360 as its super light and I can shoot 38 & .357's in it,BUT it has a hammer and that slows down my draw.

I have drawn it in live fire and snagged clothing with it,the pocket carry of the 442 is not as much fun due to extra weight [ 9 oz. v/s 14 oz. ].

But the hammerless 442 is MY prefered carry,due to its lack of a hammer.

yes I can do the 'thumb over the hammer' but as I understand the "Murphy law" thing,I will see if I can find a hammerless 360 PD model [ so as to have my cake and eat it too].

I have had 2 S&W 640-1's but they were too heavy [ still have a Ruger SP101 that is the same ] for pocket as a BUG.

And I wont try .357's in the 360 as I am too old and I like my hands to keep working.

Good luck in finding your solutions.

BUT get a lot of input from the wife,if she is the primary CCW of that snub.
 
Got my wife the ruger lcr .357. She will be shooting38 spl. I chose it for her. But when she went to look she then chose it herself. She shoots it well. I really like the trigger
 
I will be letting her choose I just want to be able to steer her to the best style if she asks for an opinion. It sounds like the shrouded hammer is the best of both worlds.
 
I have always been a big fan of J frame snubbies and over the years my favorites have been shrouded models. Currently I have a stainless Model 649 and a lightweight Model 638 and either one makes for an excellent choice for concealed carry.
 
My wife had a gun. Then I bought a Ruger LCR .38. FIRST time she picked it up, she declared it "HERS". Sold her old one. She has been very happy with it, shoots it well and it is her ONLY carry gun.

Let your wife look at & try one. Internal hammer and good, smooth trigger.
 
The LCR does seem to be popular. Does anyone shoot a S&W bodyguard .38? I thought about getting one for me to match my bodyguard 380. Not that I NEED another gun but ....
 
My gal can't really load her own magazines so I of course keep guns loaded, lolz. She shoots a revolver fine and wants her very own.. meaning she wants to pay for it. I'll probably recommend a lightweight Ruger snub and be done with it since she's shot things very similar.
 
Do you have a rental range available where she can shoot some of these guns?
Or friends with good collections she could work through?

If she can't rack a slide against a 17 lb spring with both hands and arms, will she be able to pull a 10 lb double action with one finger?
(Rhetorical question, I have seen more than one woman with BOTH forefingers on the tough DA trigger. They weren't strong, but they weren't dumb, either.)

The shrouded hammer on a S&W Bodyguard M38 or M49 is more of a neat idea than a workable piece of gear. I have had one for a number of years and consider trying to cock it for SA to be inviting a fumble.

The little I have seen of the Ruger LCR, I think it would be easier to run than a J Smith.
 
I have a pile of snub and carry one daily. All of them have hammers. I have trained myself to cover the hammer with my thumb when drawing from a pocket.
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but for firing in the pocket the hammer may sang preventing any follow up shots, or even the 1st one. I have for years practiced firing from a coat pocket (old coats and it is my off-side gun) with a 642 as it does not snag...though half the time the coat pocket starts smoking after even 1 round. --be mindful of metal zippers that may be in the bullets path--

for a lady who has a purse with a gun pouch designed into it, there may be no worries regarding an exposed hammered gun
 
SA on a defense revolver is really just in the way and a potential liability
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Just don't cock it if you don't want to shoot single action.

As far drawing from a purse, just learn to cover the hammer with your thumb on the draw or holstering. This also allows you to safeguard against something catching the trigger.
 
IMO this is the best carry revolver ever designed. The hammer is unnecessary and even unwanted in a carry gun.


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I think carrying in a purse is trouble waiting to happen so I would never recommend that to her. I know she can shoot my model 66-2 with no trouble in DA although the trigger is very smooth and not all that stiff. I'm sure it's not a 10 lb pull. Her problem with racking is more of a wrist issue not a finger issue. I have even tried to show her the grip and push method but it won't work for her. I hope she can handle enough different ones at the show this weekend she will find one she likes.

BTW what model is that saxon?
 
So why would it constitute a liability to have a hammer on a CCW piece?

I think it really comes down to personal preference. Some of us like the option of single action.
 
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