Pocket Carry snubbie...suggestions?

[clark98ut]

I've fondled the S&W 637 and 642 and I'm really interested in those two, but I wanted to see what other options were out there before I drop a chunk of change. Does anybody else make a small, lightweight revolver that's worth its weight? Taurus maybe?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[j_a_espo]

smith and wesson 342-1 pd

I carry the 342-1 pd. It's the ultra, light-weight revo chambered in .38 special +P.

Since I was happy with carrying .38 special, I passed on the more expensive 340pd. I saved $$ over the 340.

It's easy to carry in front pocket of trousers or cargo pocket (as backup) on the weekend.

It's really no fun to shoot - but it's not a gun that you would shoot a lot.

 

[SnubbyMan]

I would probably go with the 442/642...

 

[Elkslayer]

Dan,

I carry either a S&W 342 .38spl or a 331 in .32 H&R Mag. But which ever you choose please take a look at carring it in a http://www.andrewsleather.com/ . I use one for both of my carry weapons. I have found this holster to fit the contour of a pocket the best and is very comfortable to have in the pocket. At least check them out.

 

[Tacoma]

Don't overlook the 38/638. More snag free than the 37 but allows SA shooting unlike the 42.

 

[concerned citizen]

38/638

I just got a mod. 38-2 and it's an outstanding pocketcarry piece!

 

[Harbinger]

My model 38 has turned into my favorite carry piece.

 

[Catbird]

I have a few light weight, small framed revolvers. This is my favorite and my current 24/7 carry gun:

Smith & Wesson model 638

 

[MR.G]

In an Airweight, I would also go with the S&W 638. It is good to be able to shoot single action, and still not have the hammer snag when you pull the gun out.

 

[clark98ut]

Thanks for all the help guys...sounds like the Smiths are the way to go...

-Dan

 

[Jack2427]

After 40+ years of carrying, I have fallen upon the following rule for pocket/holster carry:

If it is 16 oz or under, it can be a pocket gun, over that it goes in a holster. Obvious exceptions would be in a tactical vest or some other specific carry equipment, but it seems to work out.

This gives one the alloy frame S&Ws, and Colts, and the steel frame Charter Arms for the pocket (or holster), and the steel frame models for a holster carry. Also works out for mouse gun automatics(Kel-tec, etc.).

 

[Stainz]

I prefer big bores... and have a 296 .44 Special 2.5". I am considering a smaller gun myself - and, oddly enough, the 432PD is actually under consideration. It is a hammerless, like my 296 & the 642, but in .32 H&R Magnum - and with six rounds. I believe it weighs just less than the same size 642 - and is priced similarly. Georgia Arms .32 H&R Magnum ammo, 100gr JHP @ 1,100 fps, would produce 222 ft-lb of KE if they would do 1,000 fps at the muzzle. The Remington R38S12 158gr LHPSWC +P's, the tried and true 'FBI' load, I keep in my 2" 10 do 844fps from it's barrel, yielding 249 ft-lb. Six of the .32's will total a bit more KE than five of the .38 +P's... and, they are ~ what my 1895 Nagants shot in their heyday. The 432PD is a bit better - and has a trigger pull measuring a fraction of the Nagant's effort.

Until I get some $ for another snubby, that +P rated 2" 10 is my choice.

Stainz

 

[chaim]

Taurus makes a perfectly good revolver with many caliber, layout and materials options.

There is the 850/650 if you want no hammer and DAO. The 651/851 if you want a shrouded hammer. The CH series if you want a bobbed hammer. They make J-framed size snubs in .38spl, .357mag, 9mm, .22lr, .22mag, .32H&R Mag, .17HMR (why would you want that I don't know) and soon .40S&W. They make them in steel, aluminum and titanium (they were the first with the super light revolvers in "exotic" metals).

I have a blued steel Taurus 85CH that I bought used (it is 1991 vintage) and I am perfectly happy with it. When/if I live in a CCW situation (MD goes CCW or I move) I may want something lighter (and I will buy an aluminum S&W 642 or aluminum or titanium Taurus soon), but for my current needs it is wonderful- it is accurate, quite reliable (0 problems), easy to carry for my limited carry needs (and will be fine if I had more extensive needs- I'm just not sure how its 21 or 22oz would do in a pocket all day).

While the S&W 642 is a fine gun, don't neglect checking out the Taurus offerings as well.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

My favorite is a 642 and Hedley Pocket holster.

I have a Taurus 85TI that I've carried once or twice, but I prefer the DAO/fully enclosed hammer of the Centennial series guns.

BTW, I have a 650 Taurus stainless. Real nice gun. Too heavy for pocket most times IMO. The Titanium version of this model would probably work great, though.

 

[BluesBear]

The Taurus 651 (.357) and 851 (.38) are GREAT revolvers.

They're just like the S&W Bodyguard for a lot less money.
I am extremely impressed with both the trigger pull and the accuracy.
NO snagging in a pocket and you can fire it single action if you ever wish/need to.
You can get them in steel or titanium in several finishes.
They use S&W speedloaders.
The rubber grips that come on them feel better (to me) than Pachmayr or Uncle Mike's boot grips.

Im my area they go for around $260-$275 wich is not a bad deal for a gun with a MSRP of $383

 

[HiWayMan]

I'm with BluesBear. Taurus 651 all the way.

 

[280PLUS]

S&W 432PD

.32 H&R Magnum - six shots vs five in the bigger bores - hits better'n a .38 Spec.

14 OZ loaded

 

[PX15]

Model 638. The new ones have a very nice wide trigger, and are very easy to shoot accurately. Also these "undercover" models are so ugly you just have to love 'em......

 

[Litlman]

S&W 442 since 1993 ,front pocket with an U.M.'s holster.

 

[MassMan]

Pocket carry

I was looking for a pocket revolver and got a great deal on a S&W 340PD. It was a bear to shoot until I changed the Hogue Bantum grips to the regular Hogue grips. Now it is much easier and comfortable to shoot. It's weight makes it a dream to carry.

 

[FPrice]

I like my S&W 342PD for pocket carry. With an Uncle Mike's pocket holster it dissappears into most pants I wear.

 

[clark98ut]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I went to Sportsman's Warehouse this afternoon and picked up my S&W 637. Haven't shot it yet, but will this weekend. It was the one I'd been leaning toward but needed to fondle all the different options before I picked one.

I'll order a High Noon Pocket Grabber tomorrow, but I still need a set of wood grips to make it look right. Anybody have any suggestions? I want to keep the same size grips that are on here now if that helps.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Old Dog]

Not a bad choice. I've got a 637, and I dressed it up with some Ajax silverwood grips (definitely improves the looks of the revolver). I will admit, when I take the piece to the range if I'm gonna run more than a few rounds through it, I put the Uncle Mike's rubber grips back on (recoil with +P can get a little tough if one shoots more than a handful of rounds of it).

Check the Ajax website (www.ajaxgrips.com). You can usually pick up some of these grips at retail gunshops or gun shows for about $40.

 

[Master Blaster]

Are those little yellow things miniature dildos in case you get attached by a horde of Nymphomaniacs? Just kidding

I like and carry my 642, I was carrying a 1973 vintage 36 with a hammer in a kramer or desantis pocket holster. I got tired of practicing my draw with my thumb over the hammer, the 642 is much slicker.

 

[Border]

342PD in an Uncle Mike's. Best carry piece ever!