Opinions, I need a 5-shot.

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Bob79

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I want to buy a small 5-shot, and #1 important is reliability. #2 would have to be price, I want to keep it under $400. Then is the weight size/issue, I want a "small" 5-shot, that is light, under 15 oz would be best. And the ability to shoot +P, just a minimal amount of +P though, and able to carry it obviously.

I was real enticed by the Charter 2000 Off Duty, for size and price, BUT I used the "search" function and it seems that most people said they were garbage.

So, let the information roll in:D

Thanks.
 
You should be able to find a S&W 640 for that price. For a lot of reasons I really prefer the Centennial style for a snub. These guns were originally made for .38 +P and then S&W made some changes and introduced them in .357 Magnum. Of course you can carry and shoot .38 +P forever if you want to do so but I think it makes sense to have the _possibility_ of using .357's. You will find used ones in both calibers. Very solid, easy to shoot well, reliable guns.

I see various used Smith .38's all the time for under $400. Check out gunbroker, etc. for some ideas.

I carried mine for a couple years before I switched to a 296. Just couldn't get past the allure of .44 and ultra light weight.

Gregg
 
With the possible exception of some of the "Blue" states, you can pick up a brand new S&W 642-2 for under $400. For this type of weapon, it is as near perfection as you can get:

* Light weight (right at 15 oz. empty)
* Reliable
* Snag free design - enclosed lock works to keep dust & grit out.
* Designed for and shoots a potent .38+P round.
* Even shooting +P rounds, it's comfortable and controllable (at least for the first 50 rounds or so).
* Spot on accurate at least to 15 yards (well within most defensive encounters).
* The trigger smooths nicely after 500 or so dry fire break in pulls.
* Well designed factory grip and good hold for a small handgun. A natural pointer (at least for me).
* Great lifetime warrenty from a stable, domestic company.
* A proven design that's been around for more than 50 years.

If you are only going to get one - don't even mess with the others. Get the S&W 642 first, and experiment with the others if you like. Believe me, rounds and years down the road - you'll be glad you did.
 
Given your needs, I bet you'd be very pleased with the S&W 642. I've shot one several times and plan to buy one eventually. It's one version of the ideal "carry gun," with a long evolutionary history behind it. And it's handsome. ;)

Re: ammo, all I can say is that Federal Hydra-Shok 129 gr JHPs (.38 spl +P) produce really good groups from my relative's 642. I'm sure others can weigh in with superior ballistics information.

It takes practice to shoot a J-frame well, at least for a new shooter like me. It's a small gun with a small sight radius and small fixed sights. But it's not hard to get reliable center-mass hits at 5 yards. Most authorities suggest that this is "combat accuracy."

$330 for a new J-frame would be a steal, even given the discounted prices that S&W is offering. $380-400 is typical 'round here.

PS: The 642 weighs 15 oz. If you're really firm about that "under 15 oz" criterion, then S&W offers a scandium J-frame that's just 12 oz -- the 340 PD. However, (a) it's far out of your specified price range -- around $600; and (b) personally, I wouldn't want the 642 any lighter than it is, for recoil reasons.

The 340PD can also chamber .357 Mag! They should include a referral for reconstructive wrist surgery in the gun box.
 
Look for a used, "old model" Charter Arms Undercover .38 in excellent condition, that was manufactured in the 70's or early 80's. Price should be about $145 for a blue or nickel finish, and about $195 for stainless. I've shot a limited number of +P's thru mine with no problems. It's the size of a S&W "J" frame and it weighs 16 ounces.
 
Really consider the 642

CDNN has them for under 350.00 right now and I absolutley love mine. I have 700 rds. through mine and it is as good as new.

Flip
 
642.

Or a 642.

Or a 442.

Got into bed the other day to take a nap. Still had my shorts on. Woke up with a cramp in my thigh. Realized that I had forgotten the 642 was in my pocket and had fallen asleep with it still there.

It literally disappears.

Paid 380 for mine in NH. Few boxes of ammo and a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster, with the S&W $25 Gift Cert, kept me at about 425.

M
 
Gotta go with the 642. I bought used 642-1 a few months ago. It was already broken in. The trigger is sweet. The finish is kind of beat, but it shoots fine. Handles +P, light, many different grip options to customize fit, snagfree, etc. So far this summer, the 642 has kept my Glock36 in the safe! It's just too easy to carry, especially in cargo shorts. The best $300 I've ever spent!:D
 
Bob79, $330 is a pretty average price for a 642. That's what I paid last fall. There are at least 3 dealers on www.gunsamerica.com selling for that price this morning.

Ex-MA Hole, that holster is an inexpensive nylon rectangular back pocket type, that I picked up at the same gun show when I bought the 642. Makes the guns profile look like a walllet. I don't remember the brand, but it was only $9.

Joe
 
I think I'm about to purchase a Ruger SP101. For you, I would recommend the 2" barrel. After that it will probably have to be a Smith Airweight. Man, those things are bad! Also Taurus makes some fine Titanium revolvers that would suit you just fine. Good luck to you, and by all means Go get you another pistol!
 
I just got a taurus 85 about a month ago. For $249 out the door, it has been a great gun so far. About 250 rounds through it. This one does have an exposed hammer, that I'm going to trim down a bit, but carrys very nice in the front pocket. I think it is 17oz.

Also as everyone has said, the 642 is a wonderful choice.
 
Thanks

Thanks for all the good info. It really helps when you have some people point you in the right direction, so I don't have to filter through unnecessary junk.
 
My Smitty 637 (daily carry piece) meets ALL your criteria... I got it and a Galco holster for under 400 dollars, and the gun and holster were both BRAND SPANKIN' NEW... from a dealer...

reliability has been EXCELLENT, and a FAIRLY steady diet of +p ammo has had NO ill effect on the gun... (I am close to 3 thousand rounds through it, of which about half have been +p)

I have yet to even have a hickup with this gun, let alone a FTF... shooting it is a joy, even with +p's (woulda expected more kick out of a 15 oz. gun...)

and considering it's non-existant sight-radius, it is VERY accurate... more accurate than I am, and fully able to keep every shot in a 6" circle at 25 yards!
 
I just picked up my new 642, and, to plagarize a jingle, I'm lovin' it.
small, light, easy to conceal, and $400 out the door. put 100 rounds through it today, and it's pretty accurate. I was doing solid headshots on a sillouette target at 7 yrds, no problem.

I'm happy with my first wheelgun.


wheeliewheeliewheeliewheelie :D
 
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