I need a new carry firearm

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CopperFouling

CopperFouling

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Several years ago, I bought an SP101 3" for concealed carry. It was a decent firearm. It was pleasant to shoot .38 +Ps from it, and .357s were not a problem. However, it was too bulky (mostly weight-wise), and I did not carry it often.

So now I am looking around for a different firearm. I tried a Smith 637 a while ago at the range; the recoil from the .38 Specials was fairly harsh (for me), and the recoil from the .38+Ps was downright painful. :eek: I might be able to shoot a few, but I think it would engender bad habits.

I have a pair of firearms that I am considering right now: a Smith 640 or a Sig 238. If I purchase the Smith, it will see mostly .38+Ps, which should make recoil a nonissue. If I purchase the Sig, I will also have to purchase reloading supplies for the .380 ACP. I'm not terribly concerned about one caliber over the other, but I do favor the .38+P over the .380.

Does anyone have experience with both of these? Any preferences?
 
I have Taurus TCP, P3AT, and P32.

But what do I pack?

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The one on the right (a 640-1 .357.) The one on the left is my first CCW gun, an original S&W 640 in .38 Spl.

Deaf
 
Interesting. I had a similar issue.

I carried an 3" SP101 for three years. Then I got motivated an lost 50 lbs of fat. As a result I needed new pants, and the fortuitous padding on my hip and rear end was gone. All of a sudden the SP101 that I loved to carry IWB became a painful hip grinding chunk of fat steel.

So I thought I needed a smaller and lighter gun. So I bought a S&W 642 air weight that was only 15oz unloaded and significantly shorter in th bbl and grip. I hate shooting it. I can shoot it alright, I just don't like to practice with it. That is an obvious problem. It is a tad uncomfortable to shoot, I have a hard time holding onto the small grip, and it is just as thick as the Ruger. So some problems were solved, but new ones developed.

Last November the Springfield XDs entered my life. It is only an inch thick so IWB carry is easy with a hybrid holster. It generates more muzzle energy than a 38 +p out of a short bbl. It is unreasonably accurate for a gun with a 3.3 " bbl. I shot a 6 shot group last week, right through the bullseye that measured 1.2 inches diameter, and that was at 15 yards. It's a .45, and you get one more shot than a snub revolver. It has solved ALL my carry problems. It weighs 21 oz empty. I wasn't a big fan of polymer prior to this gun since I'm a revolver guy at heart. This gun changed my mind about semi auto carry, and polymer.

I still carry the Ruger now and then in a pancake holster while hiking, but the J frame will probably be sold or traded.
 
While I'm not one to get bent out of shape over caliber and do own and regularly carry an LCP, I don't find it a suitable replacement or equal to the .38 snub. I do love my LCP, but I only carry it when I can't carry something bigger.

For me, revolvers are just too thick for edc compared to the firepower they offer. I generally carry a compact RAI .45 when weight is not an issue and a 9mm Glock 26 when I am hiking long distances.
 
I own a S&W 442 and a Sig P238. The 238 is very soft shooting for such a small gun, and it very easy to carry. The 442 obviously has a decent amount of recoil, especially with +P ammo, and its slightly harder to conceal, but there is just something about a good J frame that I love. I haven't shot a steel framed J frame like the 640, so I don't know how the recoil is compared to my 442.


So between your choices, it would be a toss up for me. Smaller and less recoil vs. more powerful round and revolver reliability? The more I think about it though, the more I lean towards the Smith.
 
I love my P238 HD far more than I thought I would. It has become my EDC though that's not what I had in mind when I bought it. Recoil is beyond tame bordering ridiculous IMO. I think mine has spoiled me.
 
In a revolver I have both a lightweight alloy framed gun (S&W Model 638), and a heavier all stainless steel one (S&W Model 649). Typically I carry the 638 in the summer months and the 649 the rest of the time. Pretty much the same situation regarding my semi-autos with a KelTec P3AT and a SIG P238 taking turns in the rotation.
 
Most days I carry either a 642 with non +P .38SPL ammo or a TCP. The TCP is clearly smaller and lighter, it carries an extra couple of rounds, and would be much faster to reload if I needed to.

But unless I absolutely must pocket carry, I choose the 642.
 
If you find the Airweight too unpleasant to shoot, try changing the grips before just dumping it. Those little boot grips they come with aren't doing you any favors. Try some Hogue or Pachmeyer grips. My wife has a model 36, and a set of Pachmeyer grips really make it pleasant to shoot.
 
Why not step up to a 9MM. Many pistols in the really subcompact and compact size that will be thinner and lighter than that heavy ruger.

For a guy that's carried a revolver and use to a DA trigger pull why pick a SA with a external safety too. Get a pistol with a smoother lighter yet long DA pull like you should be use too.

To many brands out there today. even a sccy cpx-2 9 or KT p-11 with 10rounds in a 15oz pistol up to a shield with a several kahrs in between.
 
My sp101 is my favorite shooting pistol but unless I have a jacket or sweat shirt on I no longer carry it. My lcp is so easy to carry it seams to be my go to gun. I bought it when the lcp craze was in full swing,and until I saw my buddy's p 238 was satisfied. Like the safety feature on the Sig which is lacking on my lcp. Also the sights on the lcp are almost not there. Even with the crimson trace on the lcp,the sights on the p238 are easier to obtain for me. Still love my sp101 but it will be bed side or cold weather carry. Good shooting.
 
Yup, LCP. The .380 I carry is infinitely better for CC than the .357 or .45ACP I don't carry and leave at home for the very same reasons posted above. Even with swim shorts there isn't enough weight to drag them down.
 
Thanks for the feedback, all. Keep the responses coming.

The one on the right (a 640-1 .357.) The one on the left is my first CCW gun, an original S&W 640 in .38 Spl.

Deaf
Click to expand...

Are those VZ boot grips on the one on the right?

Also the sights on the lcp are almost not there.
Click to expand...

That's the main problem with that one. I have a neighbor who owns one. When he showed it to me, that was my first impression.

Last November the Springfield XDs entered my life.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the suggestion there, but the ergos on the XD aren't for me. Same with Glocks. They're both fine firearms, but I can't bring myself to buy one.

Judge, I think you just answered your own question. Go with the round you feel will work best for you.
Click to expand...

The issue is more of platform issue for me. Although I favor the .38, revolvers do have a little more bulk to them (which is fine when shooting them but not great when carrying them).
 
I only really need to carry the P238 when I need the smallest gun possible for pocket or ankle carry.

Most of the time, I'm fine with a J-frame.
 
I have many to choose from and my top 3 are P3AT, G19, G27.
The KelTec is basicly there all the time and one of the others most of the time in social environments.
Out in the woods it could be any one of a couple dozen depending on what's up for the day.
 
Just curious, what kind of gear are you using to carry that SP101?

I ask because often improper (cheap) gear is a common reason for a gun being uncomfortable, particularly with regards to weight. I frequently carry full sized handguns such as 2.5 to 4" S&W K and N frames and a full size steel 1911 with little difficulty. I use a 1.5" bull hide belt from thebeltman. I also use quality leather holsters.

But even then, there are some days when my lower back acts up and I fall back on my S&W 642 carried in my pocket. If you go with a sub 20 oz .38, you might consider loading it with 148 grain wadcutters. These are typically somewhat lighter kicking, but they do provide plenty of penetration (if no expansion). However, I would carry a reload of standard hollowpoints as wadcutters can be slower and clumsier to reload, particularly with a speed loader.
 
Well, first you are like me and lots of other folks. You got an SP101 for your first carry gun. The SP101 is an excellent revolver in most every way except weight. I still have mine. Good, rugged gun. Mine goes camping with me sometimes.

But, a snubby revolver is a compromise. You're going to have to deal with some recoil. I believe a snubby is the best carry gun there is. Not going to entertain arguments. I'm right. : )

However, the Sig 238 is an excellent little gun. I have one of those too. PLEASE do not go to an LCP from a 238. The LCP is rugged and light. But if you have a 238 you have probably the best little .380 available. Great trigger, light weight, etc.

I say: If you absolutely do not like recoil, then go with the 238. You have an excellent carry gun there. Just take the plunge and buy some reloading stuff for it and knock yourself out. BUT if you are worried about the .380 cartridge, then get a light snubby revolver and learn to love recoil. You CAN shoot a snubby very accurately with practice.
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the Walther PPS. I have a 9mm version and that little pistol has been a bundle of happy surprises for me. When I can reasonably wear a shoulder rig I still carry a SIG 229 but in warmer weather or more "dressed up" occasions the PPS just vanishes with a good IWB holster.
 
The SIG P290RS has a true revolver-like DAO trigger; long but very smooth so no manual safety to worry about manipulating under stress. Recoil is mild w/115gr loads but stiffer (although not uncomfortably so) w/heavier loads like the 147's.
6rd mag affords a 2-finger hold for max concealability but the 8rd mag provides a full grip. I'm surprised at how accurate I can be w/such a small pistol.
I'd originally purchased the P290RS for those times when I simply couldn't carry anything larger but now it's my EDC.
Tomac
 
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