Inexpensive pocket revolver recommendations?

[MCgunner]

I love my Taurus M85 stainless ultralite. Very accurate revolver, still tight, still 3" at 25 yards accurate after 14 years and many thousands of rounds. It's 17 ounces and it is not noticeable all day in a pocket. I think they run a might over 400 at Academy IIRC. I've seen Smith 642s at Academy for under 500. 500 is a more realistic top price methinks. The new Ruger LCR is between 4 and 500. You can get an all steel Rossi for under 300, but it's a might heavy compared to the little alloy guns. The little Ruger is REALLY light at 13 ounces.

The little light weight alloy guns have some recoil with +P stuff. I shoot light loads at the range in my Taurus so my hand can handle a hundred rounds or two. The gun has no problem handling it. I have the rubber boot grip it came with on it for pocket carry, but a larger grip would help the hand. It's not a range gun, though. It's a pocket defense revolver for me, so the boot grip stays.

 

[Gato Montés]

Don't forget that Smith and Wesson is running their $50 rebate on snubbies til the end of the year. I just got a 642 for $370 after rebate.

 

[mstrat]

Don't forget that Smith and Wesson is running their $50 rebate on snubbies til the end of the year. I just got a 642 for $370 after rebate.

A quick google only found rebates for M&P and and Sigma. Do you have a link or more info?

I'd *love* to get a 442 or 642, but the cost is holding me back, unless i can find one used... maybe a time-limited rebate is enough to defend the new purchase (to myself, and the lady).

 

[MCgunner]

Of course, if caliber isn't a problem, there are the NAAs. Hey, technically a pocket revolver for under 400 bucks.

 

[Fat Boy]

I can tell you about a S&W Centennial that sold recently for $450- in 90% or better condition at a gun show; the buyer considered it a good deal....

 

[Gato Montés]

A quick google only found rebates for M&P and and Sigma. Do you have a link or more info?

Here.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_762155_-1_757992_757992_image

 

[mstrat]

Perfect, thank you Nasser.

 

[radar721]

I carry an older Charter arms 38 special undercover. I fits well in my pocket and fires every time. I bought it for $200.00 otd and love it. You can buy a more expensive revolver but what do you really want it for? For self protection or show?

 

[mstrat]

I saw a used S&W 642 at the store today for $390. But they also had brand new 442 for $445. With the $50 rebate, i'd only save $5 used.

I'm still not quite ready to make a purchase, so (after using their range, of course ) I just handled them, did some browsing etc.

So in case they still have this later and I'm deciding between the new and used, let me ask a really dumb question: What's the gun store etiquette on asking for a lower price, used? Is it ok to bring up the fact that the $50 rebate makes their used one essentially the same price?

In the past I've only ever bought new so I just paid sticker price when it was fair.

 

[wrs840]

The 642/442 solution is hard to argue with for anyone's "first" pocket-snub.

It's an industry-standard for a reason.

Les

 

[Gato Montés]

^^^
That was my line of thinking. I really liked the LCR's trigger, but I felt more comfortable going with the tried and true, especially given it's my first snub.

As for haggling over used guns, it never hurts to ask.

 

[weisse52]

New LCR (for a snubbie they have GREAT triggers)
Used an OLD Smith or Colt. Yes, I do think the old ones are better for some or all of the reasons that people have already mentioned.

But, my problem is that when I find an old one it ends up being a safe queen because I don't want anything to happen to them. So a LCR is in my pocket now and my old snubbies are safe in the safe...

 

[5532JWK]

I have a North American Arms in 22 mag and you can carry it all day long and never know you have it in your pocket.

 

[msgunner]

I never realized how proud S&W is of their new small J frame revolvers. The LCR is a good choice, I would go with the 357mag model. Just personal preference.
As far as 38 vs 380, 75% of the 380 autos I've shot, jammed every round. The taurus 380 I owned, was sent back to the factory twice and they still couldn't get it right. IMHO, I would always carry a small frame revolver rather than a small frame auto.

 

[oletymer]

I have the LCR 357. They are a nice carry gun. I carry it or the S&W 380 bodyguard. I also have the North American 22 mag for times when I wear shorts and tee shirts.

 

[bigtubby]

I can sell you this S&W M-36 chiefs special for $325.00 one bad spot on the cylinder rest of the gun is in good shape pinned barrel .38 special just a honest working gun.

 

[mstrat]

As far as 38 vs 380, 75% of the 380 autos I've shot, jammed every round.

msgunner: I've heard that a number of times, and each time it makes me more and more likely to buy a revolver. I love the idea of the TINY size of a 380, but I really don't think it's worth the tradeoffs.

Bigtubby, that looks like a nice revolver. I think I'm pretty set on a 642 or 442 though, but I definitely appreciate the offer.

And thanks again to everyone for your replies. It's been really helpful, and should be helpful to others in my shoes who stumble upon this later.

 

[mstrat]

I spent a lot of time going and back and forth between pocket 380s, various .38 revolvers, and even some sub-compact and slim 9mm.

Just wanted to follow up and say today I finally bought one.
I ending going with my gut and the overwhelmingly positive suggestions on this forum, and got a S&W 642

Got a pretty good deal (for this area), too: $455. Other shops around here wanted $520-590 for it.

Thanks again to everyone!

 

[S&Wfan]

A very, very wise choice . . . and a gun that can last you and serve you well for an entire lifetime . . . and still be going strong!

Congratulations!!!

 

[Maia007]

Typically most shops don't have a lot of leeway on new gun prices, except sometimes.

On used guns, most shops do have some discretion and it is considered "appropriate" to ask or offer less than the tagged price.

 

[greenlion]

$530.00 is about $100.00 too much for a 642. I bought one several months ago for right at 400. Check to make sure the barrel is squared up with the frame. I saw quite a few when I was shopping that had a slightly canted front sight. I still think the 642 is the best pocket revolver even with the new polymer entries. The latch on the new polymer S&W 38 is awkward and slow, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[mstrat]

$530.00 is about $100.00 too much for a 642. I bought one several months ago for right at 400.

Only way I could get it for $400 is by driving waay downstate. I'm happy with 455.

Check to make sure the barrel is squared up with the frame. I saw quite a few when I was shopping that had a slightly canted front sight.

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to check that as soon as I pick it up. Can hardly wait.

 

[camsdaddy]

I tell ya there is a lot of talk about locks, finishes and MIM parts. I have a prelock M38-1 I would trade in a new york min for a used 642/442 or LCR.

 

[Rico567]

The J-frame Smith is the gold standard. As the OP points out, in more ways than one. The Colt revolvers were great, but are produced no more, and the used market is pretty steep there, too. I'm suggesting South America...the J-frame is also one of the most knocked-off guns in history, and I really like my Rossi 88 copy of a Chief's Special Stainless. I picked it up from a CA pawnshop online. Evidently, due to the enlightened law of the Left Coast, they couldn't sell it in-state which probably accounted for the very reasonable price. I'm not that familiar with Taurus, but they probably make a J-frame copy, too, and have a good rep.

 

[Erik M]

I ran into a Taurus 85 Ultralite a year or so ago, Its been my 'light' carry piece since. The overall consensus is that S&W j-frame is the go to for light revolvers. I just happened upon the Taurus clone of the Smith 637, and the price was just over 2 bones.

A bit of advice, don't go cheap on your choice of holster. No matter how nice your firearm is, the comfort and quality of the holster is just as important. Im not saying to buy the most expensive thing on the market. Holster makers have large fanbases for a reason, just like firearms manufacturers.