S&W snubbie vs Taurus?

[dj53]

I am very happy carrying my .45ACP Glock 30. It conceals well and I have 10+1 of +p EFMJ. When weight is an issue, I have a 9mm G26 with +p EFMJ.

However, there are times when I need to just drop something in my pocket and go.......so, I need something small and light, so my pocket doesn't sag. My G26 weighs 26 oz loaded and my G30 34 oz. I considered going with a Keltec in .380auto, but even on the KTOG users groups discussion boards there is a tremendous amount of discussion of how the Keltecs need a lot of "fluff and buff" to be reliable. I can't see using a pistol with a weak cartridge that might not be there when I need it.

So.......enter the snubbies. I am looking at the .38special+p, since the .357's get too heavy. From a weight point of view, the titanium ultralight models from S&W and Taurus seem to fill the bill, ranging from 10oz to 13oz.


So my question is, since the MSRP on a S&W Model 342PD is $758 (Ouch!), and the Taurus Model 85CHULT is a more moderate $531, does anyone have any opinions about the relative quality of Taurus vs S&W revolvers?

I understand that these ultralight titanium models don't stand up to 1000's of rounds (carry a lot, shoot little), but I would still like to have the most reliable revolver for the least money.


Any thoughts?

 

[feedthehogs]

Rent before you buy a lite, air weight or Titanium revolver and shoot what loads you intend to carry.

Almost all the people I've taught who had one of those revolvers had trouble controling it with good carry loads.

With the lite weight, felt recoil is increased quite a bit and is uncomfortable for most.

As far as Keltec goes, they are not target or multiple 1000 round guns,
but do the job.
Local dealer has sold Keltecs for many years and has had very few returns or problems. Local group is a bunch of shooters too.
He can't keep the .32 or .380's in stock.

I've put 4 bills worth of ammo thru the p-32 I own with no failures.

BW

 

[Standing Wolf]

I am looking at the .38special+p, since the .357's get too heavy.

A tenth of an inch of cartridge case length is going to make a significant difference?

My trusty old Colt Detective Special .38 special is about the same size and weight as my pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60 .357 magnum. I carry the latter because it packs more punch, although it's a five- rather than six-shooter.

I've looked at several small Taurus revolvers, one or two of which looked pretty good; unfortunately, I've read some horror stories in this and other forums about Taurus quality and customer disservice, and so have decided to pass them by.

 

[landon74]

Hey dj53, I know a lot of guys here have horror stories with both manufacturers, but I own several of each with no probs.

The fit and finish on either are good, I find the triggers on the Taurus pistols are actually a little smoother DA than the S&W, but I can live with either of them.

If you shop around for the guns you should probably a S&W for around $575-$600 for a .357, and probably $100-$125 off of MSRP for a Taurus.

The issue I find with Taurus snubbies is that almost all of them are ported, whereas S&W snubbies generally aren't. I know that Taurus' website lists a few non-ported models, but you don't see too many of them around these parts.

To me the porting does a bit for the recoil, but the trade off is a muzzle flash and louder report, but a 1 lb .357 is going to be much fun to shoot anyhow...

 

[Ala Dan]

It May Not Suit Your Need's-

But, I would definitely look at the less expensive
Smith & Wesson "Airweight" model 38 in
.38 Special. I believe that you can find a nickel
one NIB, for close to what you would end up
paying for the Tauri?

FootNote: From what I've seen those Ti's and Sc's
are more for carrying on the person, than they are
for shooting! This is especially true of the .357 mag
snubbies.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[dj53]

.357 a bit heavier

The cylinder must be heavier, because the 340PD is 13 oz vs the 10.8 for the 342PD. That is not a lot more weight, but for 2 more oz I can get a 640 in stainless steel and spend a lot less money.


I wish I could get a better feeling about the Keltec in .380. Light, small, but the cartridge is less powerful and will it be there when I need it.......?

 

[dj53]

Taurus barrel porting

You are right about the Taurus being ported! I didn't notice that......I don't think I want the blast going straight up into my field of view at night, with a louder report, all while trying to bring a light snubbie back on target.


I think a will go down a rent a couple of S&W's, the steel vs titanium and see what they feel like.

Thanks for the insights.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I have 2 Taurus snubbie revolvers and 1 S&W. My Taurus 650 is all stainless as is my S&W Centennial. I like them both. I didn't want a gun with a Titanium cylinder and an aluminum frame so, for my lightweight, I bought a Taurus 85TI. Nice, lightweight gun. Unfortunately, it does have ports (my other Taurus doesn't). It is my understanding that S&W uses aluminum frames for their Titanium and Scandium revolvers, with the cylinder being made of the other metal. I may be wrong, but I think this is the way it still is. You'll see the Taurus revolvers for quite a bit under retail. Same goes for S&W but you just won't see it as low.

 

[J.BELLINO]

I WOULD RECOMEND A SMITH 442 (BLUE) OR 642 (SS)....WEIGHT IS JUST 15 OZ. HANDLES .38 +P'S AND I'VE SEEN THE 642 AS LOW AS $380.00. I CARRY MINE AS A BUG IN A DESANTIS ANKLE RIG AND FORGET IT'S THERE. BOTH HAVE ALUM. FRAMES WITH STEEL BARREL AND CYLINDER.

 

[10-Ring]

The good Taurus revolver is at least on par w/ its S&W counterpart. I would fondle the gun before I bought it...Taurus or S&W. Make sure you get the one that feels best for you & you'll be fine and the price won't hurt so much

 

[SteelyDan]

I'll second the recommendation for the S&W 442 or 642. If you're used to carrying a heavier gun, these will feel like nothing and they won't snag. And while I'm delighted that many others have had good experiences with Taurus products, my admittedly limited experience has been the opposite.

 

[E357]

I owned a number of both Taurus and Smith 38 snubbies, both lightweight and all steel. Today I find myself with a blue steel taurus for practice and a ported Taurus Titanium (with laser) for carry. The Smith 642 or 442 is also a great carry piece.

I have not found the porting on a 38 special to be a problem. I can live without porting a very high pressure defensive snubbies (.357, 44 Mag).

 

[SnWnMe]

I agree with the folks who recommended the 442/642 over the Airlite series. Almost all 442/642 wheelguns in the stores here are priced below $400.00. These guns are "portly" at 15 ozs vs Airlite's 10 oz but to me, the 5 oz saved is not worth the extra $200-$300.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

We own several snubs...

The latest is a Taurus "Multi Alloy" .38 Special. Yes it's ported. But so is my wife's carry pistol~~a .38 Special Total Titanium. I've watched her practce in a darkened range and, though not as dark as night, I can't see anything come from the ports. I keep pretty close tabs on Taurus USA, and their revolvers seem to be getting better and better. The extractor star on the new .38 "Multi" is perfect. Not a bit of trouble either. Taurus makes their ti parts look nice and slick. I'm quite impressed with this new "Multi-Alloy".

KR

 

[280PLUS]

ive got,,,

s&w model 332 lightweight j frame in .32 h&r mag and a keltec p32

both have been reliable and accurate, 332 is 14 oz loaded and keltec is 7 oz or so,

6 rounds and eight rounds respectively

i did replace the polymer spring guide in the p32 with steel, from the factory

i carry the 332 in my pocket mostly when i'm in casual dress but find the keltec to be less visible when i'm in tie and jacket type clothes/suits.

i prefer the 332 naturally because its got more wack than the .32 acp and its a revolver

the heavier load ti and sc j frames are hard to control for a second shot
which is one reason i chose the 332

i have no experience with taurus but have noticed "made in brazil" stamped on the frames so i lean away from them, but thats just me...



oh, and that msrp you mention seems way high,,,shop around

 

[dj53]

280Plus -

As it happens, I was down in my favorite local gunshop this Sunday, fondling a variety of S&W snubbies.

They put a 332 .32H&R Mag in my hand and I was impressed at how the 10oz gun almost didn't seem to be there.

We discussed the relative merits of .38 Special out of a 1 7/8" barrel vs the weaker .32 H&R in a self defense mode. Since this will be my gun for "when I can't take a gun", the weaker cartridge seemed reasonable. If I can bring along a more powerful gun, it won't be a .38, it would be my .45 or at least my 9mm+p.

I am a bit concerned about ammo availability since only Federal makes the cartridge and may discontinue it. They wanted to move the gun, gave me what seemed to be a good price for a titanium/aluminum alloy gun so I gave it a try.

It is my first revolver, so if it turns out I can control a .32H&R in rapid fire, I may trade up to the Airlite Ti in .38s+p.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Porting thoughts...
Porting on a target handgun, to me, is a good thing when legal.

Porting on a defensive gun, to me, is a bad thing.
Not because of flash.
Because if shooting from close retention position, and some other positions, the junk from the ports is lookin for your face and eyes.

Sam

 

[dude]

my next pistol will be for just such 'pocket' requirements........ the Taurus ti 9mm revolver

the ports on my .357 mag don't bother me a bit and the performance has been flawless in the three years since I bought it NIB. I'm thinking of picking up a 4" (or 6") ti taurus .357 mag and cutting the barrel down to 3" leaving the ports in the scrap bin anyways.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Nuther angle.
Try as many different ones as possible.
Carry what you can shoot the best with, under all sorts of circumstances.

Comfort takes a back seat to comforting.

For the last fifty some years I have nearly constantly packed a full sized steel revolver and/or autoloader. Sometimes round the clock. Often concealed.

And I am a little feller.

Sam

 

[wunderkind]

Quality Brazillian revolvers

I own a Taurus and 2 Rossi revolvers. (I think comments about Rossi are somewhat relevant since Taurus is the parent comapny.)

For the price of one S&W J-Frame titanium/scandium revolver I have a mini-collection of sorts.

All 3 are fun range guns that I never get tired of firing. The Rossi snubbie, in particular, locks up so tight it feels like the cylinder is soldered to the frame!

Sometimes I can' believe how affordable the Brazillian wheelguns are. I see the prices some Colt Detective Specials are commanding for well-used models and I cringe...I know, apples/oranges.

 

[280PLUS]

dj,,,

georgia arms,,, i think the link is www.georgia-arms.com a general search might bring it up, they have a 100 gr sjhp .32 h&r that was just clocked coming out of my 332 at 977 fps @15 ft away. i'm not as comfortable with the federals after shooting the georgias, georgia is a little cheaper too, even with shipping figured in. (to conn)

fwiw,,,i'll admit to not being real crazy happy about the last few pages of the flyer they included with my shipment,,,

then there was a texas ammo that was supposed to be producing a "tuned" round for the snubbie .32 h&r but calls to them produced "just keep checking our website" which i havent done for a while now, you might try finding them and see if theres anything up in the category now.

incidentally, you WILL know youre shooting something with this gun, it does snap but not with as much overall inertia of the bigger round lightweights, you dont have to bring your arms back down as far

oh, fyi, i'm not crazy about the finish, its tough to clean and easy to mar

if you purchase i can give you some cleaning tips and some do's and don'ts for cleaning

m

link isnt working for me,,,sorry,,,could be my puter though, the doctor is supposed to be making a house call any day now...



[Link fixed by Tamara. ]

 

[sw442642]

I have recently seen NIB SW 642s for $329. That's a much better solution than the high end guns. It shoots +p 38 spl without the ammo difficulties and fierce recoil of the 357 lightweights.

Buy one of these and save the rest of the money for chocolate, pizza, beer and girls (if that is your thing)

 

[ChuckB]

I have a slightly different Taurus wheelie- an 85UL. It's tight, and tremendously accurate for a 2" barreled gun. At just 16 oz., it's not a chore to carry, but it's pretty easygoing with +P's.

Chuck

 

[KahrKarrier]

Shop around and find a Colt "D" frame. The Colt is about the same weight as either the Taurus or S&W small frames with one major plus-----it's a six shooter.
I bought a perfect .38spl Detective Special with wood grips and polished nickle plate in a local gun shop for $325. Trigger is better than either S&W or Taurus and the best part, it's a Colt.
Use Mr March's checklist found at the head of this segment and you can't go wrong. -------Jed

 

[treeprof]

The cylinder must be heavier, because the 340PD is 13 oz vs the 10.8 for the 342PD.

Among other things, S&W shaves metal off the frame (check the groove in the backstrap on the 342 PD, for example), saves a bit on the diff grips on the 342, etc.

Having owned a 342PD, I'd also recommend the 642. Much more pleasant to shoot with +P ammo, better accuracy (at least for me) and the weight isn't all that much more to deal with. I'll never part with my 642, but had no qualms abt dumping the 342PD. Definitely try before you buy. A lot of people buy small revolvers for their high degrees of cuteness and compactness, but find shootihg them a chore. It takes a bit of practice and diligence to shoot them to their potential.