Pocket/IWB snubnose .38 poll

[cluttonfred]

I suspect that I will soon be in the market for a lightweight snubnose .38 Special revolver for daily concealed carry in a pocket or IWB holster. If you had to pick just one, which would you choose and why?

I am deliberately limiting the options here to only .38 Special, shrouded- or bobbed-hammer DAO, readily available guns in current production that weigh 16 oz or less. All hold five rounds except the Taurus that holds six and I have no particular preference on finish. I welcome other suggestions if I have missed one but please stick to those criteria.

Cheers,

Matthew

 

[.455_Hunter]

The 442/642 is a highly proven platform. If you have any issues, S&W will fix it promptly. Just make sure you give the exact gun you want to buy a quick inspection before purchase- canted sights, cylinder gap, end shake, timing and lock-up to avoid any problems out of the gate.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, .455_Hunter, that's good advice. On another note...will the two people who voted for the Charter Arms Undercover DAO please weigh in with the "why" part? No "vote and run" please. ;-)

 

[Fiv3r]

I've owned several on the list. The Undercover is my .38 of choice.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks Fiv3r, why do you prefer the Undercover over the others?

 

[Pudge]

I went other. LCR .357 is 17 oz and has a grip which better absorbs recoil. Some people find the super light .38 special to be harsh especially with +p, I find the .357 magnum LCR version to be a really sweet shooter. .357's are not tame, but no issues with .38's.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

I carry both the Smith 642 and Ruger LCR9mm 17oz. Ruger gets a lot of range work, but carry the Smith more. (lighter weight)

 

[sabbfan]

I voted LCR 38 but personally picked the LCR 357. I carry it with the Federal HST micro 130 grain 38 +p. Carries nice, nice trigger, put the boot grip on it and it’s easy to conceal.

 

[Whiterook808]

Colt detective special. My second choice would be my Smith M37 airweight.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all, for the comments, please keep them coming. Just a reminder, the criteria are:

• .38 Special
• Shrouded- or bobbed-hammer DAO
• 16 oz or less
• Readily available in current production

 

[LaneP]

I own a S&W M36, M642, Taurus M85 and Ruger LCR (though mine is .357) and I chose the Ruger LCR for daily carry. Light weight, durable, reliable. My wife owns and carries the LCR .38 Spl and it's by far the lightest carry she's ever had in that caliber.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, LaneP. FYI, all, I am not trying to be persnickety on the weight question, it's just that I already have an all-stainless Taurus 856 (22 oz) on order so a second snubbie would need to be substantially lighter and slimmer otherwise I could just carry the first one. Any of those I listed would be both of those except the 856ULCH, which is only lighter not slimmer unless you count the cropped hammer. ;-)

 

[ontarget]

I voted other because I love my Taurus 85UL.
It has an exposed hammer so it doesn't fit your criteria. But that is my vote.
I also own a Smith 642 that is a great gun that I bought new but after the sixth shot it had a huge mechanical failure in the action that stopped the cylinder from turning. After pulling the side plate it was obvious the problem was caused by a sliver of metal that jammed up the works. Problem is that it only takes one malfunction to lose trust in a weapon but takes MANY problem free rounds to gain it back. Maybe some day it will find it's way into my holster.

 

[cluttonfred]

Actually ontarget, Taurus doesn't seem to offer the 85 anymore, just the 856, so I'm going to count that as a vote for the 856ULCH. ;-) Taurus does still make the all-steel five-round 605 in .357/.38 (setting aside the horrifically ugly polymer Protector model) but after that the options are the 856 variants or bigger frames with six shots or more.

 

[Tallball]

"I own a S&W M36, M642, Taurus M85 and Ruger LCR (though mine is .357) and I chose the Ruger LCR for daily carry. Light weight, durable, reliable."

Similar. I own or have owned scads of snubbies. The LCR 38 is my all-time favorite for carry. It has a truly excellent trigger for DAO. I carry it more than anything.

 

[scaatylobo]

Smith & Wesson scandium PD360/340

 

[dickydalton]

Model 36 no dash or SP101. My 2" model 10 is too big.

 

[John Joseph]

640 no dash. No complaints.

 

[Blue Brick]

I am in your boat...

Police Undercover 6 shot 38 with a bobbed hammer.

Total under $400, but...3 oz over your limit.

 

[Riomouse911]

Sticking to your window, my Smith 642 will work well; lightweight, no openings at the top to gather lint or snag a pocket on the draw and it is +P rated.

I have other snub revolvers (m49 nickel, new Colt Cobra, SP101) but these either have exposed hammers, or in the case of the 49, really poor sights making any type of aimed shot practically impossible.

I had a 640 .38 years ago but traded it and a few bucks off for a 2.5” M-19. I missed the design so I grabbed a 642 later on and load it with Hornady Critical Defense .38 +P rounds.

Stay safe.

 

[Fiv3r]

Thanks Fiv3r, why do you prefer the Undercover over the others?

Well I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with my 642 or LCR. 38. I found the heavier LCR 9mm shot well. The 16oz Undercover is more accurate (for me) than either the 642 or LCR. I like trigger better than either as well.

I'm becoming quite the Charter fanboy. The low price isn't the reason. It's that they honestly do what they say.

 

[Pat Riot]

I picked the 442/642. I have a 442 and it is my favorite carry gun. It’s never let me down. I bought it in 97. I have tried other carry guns but I always return to my 442.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

My CA Undercover is not DAO, but it has real nice DA and SA trigger pulls. The grip is comfortable and the 16 oz. wt. seems just right for pocket carry and for shooting.

I also have the CA Police Undercover 6-shot. The 20 oz wt. is near the upper limit for pocket carry, but it's even more comfortable to shoot. Triggers aren't bad, but not nearly as nice as the 5-shot Undercover.

The little M37 Airweight I started out with, is so light at 12 oz. or so that it doesn't inspire confidence. It is accurate, however, and I shoot it as well as the Undercovers even though the recoil factor is well up there with target loads.

Ended up buying the M37 used (late 1960s vintage and looked almost unfired) when the NIB 642 I went to buy had a defect that wouldn't allow the cylinder to swing out. The advice to closely inspect new Smiths before buying are words to the wise

 

[unclenunzie]

In concealed hammer snubs: 642, lcr 38, lcr 357. In the pocket the lcr is lighter and although the boot grips do work, I don't care for the feel so I stay with the stock tamers. Thus it is great on the belt but it's a bit thicker than the 642 in the pocket. So for the pocket I favor the 642. They all take work to shoot well, all I can say is grip it tight and pull through the trigger smoothly.

 

[WheelGunMan]

I went other. LCR .357 is 17 oz and has a grip which better absorbs recoil. Some people find the super light .38 special to be harsh especially with +p, I find the .357 magnum LCR version to be a really sweet shooter. .357's are not tame, but no issues with .38's.

DITTO