Snub nose help

[radiotom]

We are looking to get a 38 special/357 magnum snub nose revolver primary for the woman, so she would use 38 special but if I ever used it we would probably load it with 357, this is for carry btw. She primary carries a Glock 19, which we both love, but she needs something that could fit in a bra holster/anything else that offers deep concealment.

Any recommendations on brand/model and ammo brand/model?

Thanks.

 

[easy8]

I am a snubbie junkie, an would first say to take her to a range that rents guns let her shoot a couple an find whats right for her. Revolvers have a long trigger pull that might not be right for her. My wife likes revolvers but I had to send her S&W 642 out for a complete action job and polish the trigger to make it comfortable for her, now she loves it. Stay away from the lightweight 357 they are painful to shoot no fun at the range. The 642 is hammerless wont snag for cc an 38+ps is a great round for defense.

 

[mooner]

Has she shot a 38 snub nose? They can be pretty snappy. My wife's favorite gun is a 1911 in 45 and she hates my S&W J frame.

That being said, while I like my J frame and have no plans on selling it, the Ruger LCR might get my nod if I were to purchase again. They certainly don't look as nice as the S&W, they seem to be a bit bulkier (not much), and they have plastic in them (which seems a little wrong for a revolver). That being said, that trigger is just plain awesome. I also think the plastic, which turns me off just a little, helps to soak up recoil. I think I can overlook some traditional views if it improves the overall function of the gun.

They make the LCR in 357 magnum as well. It is a little bit heavier, but after shooting plenty of non +p Buffalo Bore in my 442 (158 gr SWCHP @ 850 fps), I have no desire to touch off full zoot 357 in a gun that size. If you would like a frame of reference, think about holding on to a Black Cat firecracker for too long. It is a very different experience than shooting something like a 44 magnum.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have a news flash!!!

If the revolver is compact enough to be hidden in a bra rig even you will not want to shoot it. If the idea is to use .38 Special cartridges then buy a .38 and take advantage of the smaller size/lighter weight of the platform.

The .357 round was originally developed to be used in a S&W N-frame revolver of .44 size, and while modern materials make it possible to chamber it in small frame snubbies, it does not do anything to compensate for the recoil. Put bluntly, after the first shot, fast but accurate follow up shots are unlikely.

 

[returningfire]

Well now, it appears to me that it would depend on the size of the bra rig as to whether you could hide your Desert Eagle 50 in it or only a 22lr derringer in it.

 

[Old Fuff]

Don't think I'll touch that one with a 10-foot pole.

I'll stand by my first observation. :

 

[Texan Scott]

If radiotom is concealing in a bra rig, something is slightly out of spec.

Seriously though, if your wife needs a deep concealment rig, she needs to commit to a mode of carry first and choose a gun platform on that basis. I doubt a FlashBang rig will support the weight of an sp101 very well, for instance; but if she's going to carry a scandium j frame, full power 357 may be more than she wants.

One thing to consider: 357 is generally a very inefficient performer in 2" barrels. It might only get you an extra 100 fps and a lot more muzzle flash. She really wouldn't be sacrificing much by stepping down to 38+p, and it would greatly aid in muzzle control for follow-up shots.

No five-shot brassiere gun is carried for its massive firepower. The important thing is that her deep conceal gun be everyday carriable, immediately accessable, and controllable.

 

[Cosmoline]

Has she tried to conceal the 19 in a shoulder rig? Women can often get away with concealing a lot more gun than men can with those. I knew one who could comfortably conceal a Beretta 92FS and two extra rounds in a Galco shoulder rig. It's the men who have a tougher time of it.

 

[billybob44]

Well now, it appears to me that it would depend on the size of the bra rig as to whether you could hide your Desert Eagle 50 in it or only a 22lr derringer in it.

That was my thinking also..You know with the "Proper Build" and bra size, a Gal could haul around a S&W Model 29 4"???Bill.

 

[243winxb]

The S&W 337PD @ 10 oz. is nice to carry, but not fun to shoot with 38 +P ammo.

 

[cougarman]

My wife chose the ruger .357 lcr. Great trigger. She will shoot 38 spl in it.

 

[oldbear]

I can't help but think the O/P is pulling our leg here. But I will try and offer a serious suggestion, the only 38 special revolver I can think of that would fit her needs would be a Smith and Wesson J frame, remember it's all in the fit and the feel.

I would suggest a pair of 38's but that may be out of line here

 

[ku4hx]

My wife fired a "38 snubby" once; 50 rounds I believe. To this day she refuses to even think about owning one but before she took my suggestion to rent one that's all she wanted.

Generally, for the same cartridge/load, small gun = big recoil; big gun = small recoil. My wife loves her Ruger KP90 and her three Ruger SR guns (9, 9c & 40) but she finds the "38 snubby" unpleasant to shoot. I agree; too many others out there.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I can't help but think the O/P is pulling our leg here. But I will try and offer a serious suggestion, the only 38 special revolver I can think of that would fit her needs would be a Smith and Wesson J frame, remember it's all in the fit and the feel.

I would suggest a pair of 38's but that may be out of line here

There is a new bra rig available on the market and it does work well.

I highly suggest a S&W Airweight (15oz .38 Special) and load it with Speer 135gr GDHP Short Barrel ammo. forget about the S&W Airlite because at only 12oz and shooting .357 Magnum ammo it's painful and very difficult to shoot well, especially followup shots. I won't even mention the additional cost of the Aitlite over tha Airweight. (almost twice the price when using the MSRP)

 

[jad0110]

Though I personally prefer small revolvers to small autos, I'd also recommend she try or at least handle some of the smaller semi autos. I'm not sure how recoil sensitive she is, the little .380s can be snappy too. A .32 might not be a bad option to consider, like the Kel-Tec P32. Very light, very concealable and the recoil is reasonable.

For the record, my wife also prefers to shoot my 5" 1911 in .45 ACP, when compared with my 642. She only fired the little .38 twice, at an indoor range; the 2nd shot she flinched so bad she hit the ceiling above the target hanger.

OTH, my sister loves shooting the little flyweight snubs, and she is a scary good shot with them.