Recommend a .38 snub?

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S&W 642 Airweight TALO. The trigger is nice and crisp, though the LCR fits in my hand a little better. Perhaps a change of grips.
 
Standard answer is S&W 642 / 442 or the Ruger LCR. They are different but both get the job done and the prices are reasonable.

If you want a little more shootability you can go with a steel J-frame like the model 36, 60,640, or 649. They generally run 4 or 5 ounces heavier than the alloy models and are pricier.

The suggestions for a snub K-frame are valid if you can handle a bit more size and weight. They are really nice to shoot, have wonderful triggers and 1 more round in the cylinder.
 
I really like my SW 36. Wish I could find a reasonably priced Colt Detective Special / Cobra /Agent.
 
Another vote for the S&W 642. It is my 4th carry gun, and the only one I will carry 100 percent of the time I can. It just slips into my pocket and disappears. Love it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
 
You should choose the gun based on the type of action and features you either like or can live with depending upon how you want to carry. Do you want something that's very light weight or not.

The Ruger LCR has a fine DA pull in the one I looked at and so do most S&W's. If I was in the market for a light weight .38 spl snub I would get a S&W 637 as it is a conventional DA with hammer and runs a bit less expensive than the LCR. Personally I prefer a standard type DA gun of steel construction with at least 5 but prefer 6 shots so I have the Colt Detective Special, a S&W M10 in 2" and 2 M36's one in 3" and one in 2" to carry. The 6 shot and 3" revolvers carry in a IWB holster rather than a pocket carry.

In general the heavier guns are more accurate for me, especially for follow up shots and all provide the option of using SA mode.
 
I have had a J frame for many years...current one is my Model 36...all steel, and still wears in a pocket holster just fine.
 
Colt Detective Special. I had a S&W model 37 and did not like it. With the Colt I get 6 shots vs. 5 and I shoot it better, which is the real answer.
 
Guess I have to be the first one here to mention the S&W M&P 340. At 13.3 ozs it really does disappear in my front pants pocket. I wear dress slacks or suits every day so this is important to me.

Is it much fun to shoot with factory .38 loads? Not so much. Factory .38 +p loads? Hurts a bit. Factory .357 loads? Are you freaking kidding me? Hand goes numb after 2-3.

What do I carry in mine? Factory .357 in 125 gr HP's. Why? In a true SHTF moment I really won't notice the recoil and if I've resorted to pulling this out it's because my primary weapon is A) out of ammo B) not within my grasp or C) failed to stop the threat. This is a contact, rammed into my attacker's side, holy sheep I'm about to die, Back Up Gun (BUG)

Doubt seriously I'll notice the recoil when stoked with full house .357 loads. May we never have to find out.
 
If you want to go new, Ruger is the way to go.
excellent trigger

if you don't mind going used, Colt D frame is the finest snub made. Detective Special if steel frame is desired, Cobra if low weight is desired.

An Old K-Frame S&W snub is second best. Good trigger, nice balance. Perfect size.

J Frames have 5 rounds and crappy triggers. New ones have Cold-War Russia build Quality, Injection Molded internal parts and many have a storage lock that locks itself.

If you just HAVE to buy a J-Frame, buy an old one. Mid 90's earliest. Late 60s or before is better...much better.

Taurus 85 is a better gun than the S&W and cheaper. Unlike most Tauruses, they have few problems. While better than a new J frame, your life is worth more.

So to recap
If new, buy a Ruger LCR
If you have to a Taurus

Not a new J Frame

If used

Old DS
Old Cobra
Old K Frame

Happy hunting
 
May have been the weight. It was a pleasure to carry, I almost forgot it was there. But it was not fun to shoot. May have been my poor technique but the trigger guard would bump my trigger finger for every shot right on the knuckle. That hurt. It may also have been the older model, because I tried a new 637 at my range and it was fine. In looking at them, I could tell the older M37 had a smaller space inside the trigger guard. I guess I could have bought a newer airweight, but by that time I was in love ...with the DS.
 
Save your money and get a nice Walther P99... If you just have to have a belly gun, EAA makes a nice S&W copy in .357mag. Mine goes bang every time and, I'm actually fairly accurate with it. I just don't have the same warm feeling I get from my .45 1911 or the smoothness and light weight of the .40 Walther.


KKKKFL
 
spm said:
May have been the weight. It was a pleasure to carry, I almost forgot it was there. But it was not fun to shoot. May have been my poor technique but the trigger guard would bump my trigger finger for every shot right on the knuckle. That hurt. It may also have been the older model, because I tried a new 637 at my range and it was fine. In looking at them, I could tell the older M37 had a smaller space inside the trigger guard. I guess I could have bought a newer airweight, but by that time I was in love ...with the DS.
Click to expand...
I thought it might have been the weight, it is a very light gun being an Airweight. I carry a M442 which is the same weight as the M37 and I agree it's not fun at the range.

I asked because if you liked the M37 but for the light weight you will probably really like the M36 which is the same revolver but in all Steel. It weighs a little more but enough to take the bit out of shooting it...

I also have a Colt DS and while it is easier on the hand when shooting it is just large enough to make pocket carry a little uncomfortable for me. It is a great shooter though and a really accurate revolver.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I thought it might have been the weight, it is a very light gun being an Airweight. I carry a M442 which is the same weight as the M37 and I agree it's not fun at the range.

I asked because if you liked the M37 but for the light weight you will probably really like the M36 which is the same revolver but in all Steel. It weighs a little more but enough to take the bit out of shooting it...

I also have a Colt DS and while it is easier on the hand when shooting it is just large enough to make pocket carry a little uncomfortable for me. It is a great shooter though and a really accurate revolver.
Click to expand...
ArchAngelCD,
You're right, the DS is a little bulky for pocket carry. I probably would like the M36 better with the added weight. I'll have to see if my range has one on the rental shelf. I have always been a S&W fan. This is my first non-Smith revolver.

Meanwhile, I carry my DS in a OWB leather holster.
 
I agree with G on this one....I own all 3 and carry them all, the best trigger is hands down the LCR. I would buy the .357 model and you can shoot from puffer .38 loads to hand whacking .357 for grins.
 
If you want to shoot .38spl, I think either an Airweight S&W J-Frame or a polymer Ruger LCR will serve you well. Both are good guns and it just comes down to personal preference. Chose whichever you like.

On the other hand, if you want to shoot .357 I'm not wild about the previous choices (although they are both available in .357). I really don't like anything smaller/lighter than a 2.25-inch Ruger SP101 for magnum rounds, or maybe an all-steel S&W 60. They are a little heavier than their alloy/polymer brothers, but because of that much more controlable and comfortable to shoot. Now, lots of people may disagree but that's my preference.
 
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