thoughts re model 36 vs 642 vs ???

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Wild Sports in Sacramento has 442s listed for $369.97 and 637s listed for $378.97 on this week's list of Internet specials.

They also had 642s in stock the last time I was there a week ago.

Cal is a big state so the op needs to shop around in her own area.
 
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Cal44mag those are a lot better prices than the OP listed. Hopefully she will see your post and do more looking around.
 
Thanks for all the responses. :)

Thanks for all the responses. :)

Seems like I should still try shooting both, which I figured from the beginning, but the comments were helpful, especially the suggestions of other models to look at, I will have to check those against the DOJ list.

Being that anyway I'm not interested in shooting SA I'd be perfectly happy with one without an exposed hammer.

On the topic of the SP-101, that is off the list, when I took a private lesson at the beginning of my shooting journey the instructor gave me one to dry-fire while we were sitting discussing things, and I could not complete the trigger pull on it. Granted I think I was holding it in only one hand but obviously in a real life situation I might have to shoot with only one hand. The instructor said it was because it was too small for me (assume he meant the grip), however I think the 36 and 642 are probably even smaller and the triggers on both were perfectly fine for me, and significantly, I can shoot my much heavier 686 accurately at self-defense distance with either hand alone.

Thanks for the tips on other sellers with better prices, although that gun store is not the one I usually go to anyway. As for buying online, I *think* as long as I pick something on the DOJ list I could buy online and pick it up at a local FFL for a $75 fee. (Which probably also sounds high to you guys in other places but it's pretty much standard here. If I would save enough on the price it would still be worth it.)

No, I have not looked at the LCR. Given my experience with the SP-101 and the fact that when I was looking for my full-size gun I tested the GP-100 and 686 in a head to head session and found the 686 hugely more accurate for me, I guess some corner of my brain decided I must be a Smith person.

Thanks for the nail polish idea. If that's not enough on whatever I end up getting, is there such a thing as tritium sights for snubbies? Or is it possible to buy fluorescent paint like at one time was used to paint watch hands?
 
Smith may have a model with factory tritium sights. Somebody here will know for sure. I think its a 640 pro?

Tritium sights are fantastic in very dark conditions, though bright orange fingernail polish helps in most other light conditions, more so than the fibre optic sights Ive compared to.

Its been covered already, but any J grip can be used on any other J gun, so choose the mechanical/weight model you want, then work around the sights and grip matters.

If youre going to actually carry it much, the airweight guns are great. If not carrying much, the steel frames are nicer for actually shooting. Many have a similar version of both, one for carrying, one for practice.
 
Its been covered already, but any J grip can be used on any other J gun, so choose the mechanical/weight model you want, then work around the sights and grip matters.
Click to expand...

Not quite.

Need to make sure that you don't get a round butt grip for a square butt gun and vice versa. Yes, there are fewer square butt guns and grips, but they are out there.
 
Yes, that occurred to me after I posted it, but square butt Js are a definite minority.

To be more precise, nearly any type J frame grip will work on any other J frame if both are the round butt type, which vastly predominate.
 
fe810a08da30fd40be08273732fedcb0.jpg
1982 Model 13-3 with Bianchi Lightning grips, $200.00 (I won't say how long ago that was!)
1963 Model 12-2 Airweight with Tyler T-Grip, $495.00 on the tag. Gun show swap for a nickel-plated 1982 M37 Airweight Chief's Special I had $200.00 in.
2016 Model 642-2 with Apex Duty Spring kit, $229.95 on sale with a $100.00 coupon! $249.54 OTD!

I recommend K-frames for neophytes, but a recent student couldn't reach the trigger of my 10-5. I loaded up the 642-2 with light 130 gr. FMJs, and she shot until her hand started cramping. Did very well out to 10 yards for someone who hadn't shot a handgun before.

Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk
 
Old lady new shooter,

$550 for a 642 is way high unless it has a laser grip.

Turners has it for $110 less. Turners normally rotates their sales about every 3 months and takes another $20 off if you wait for the sale.

There should be a Turners near you. I don't consider then the cheapest but consistently pretty darn good for CA.

Take a look at here and look at their other offerings. There should be a Turners near you.

https://www.turners.com/guns-handgu...esson/caliber/38spl/orderby/price-low-to-high
 
I have a 642, like it, it's my primary carry gun when I'm not going to town. It is a little more difficult to shoot comfortably than many other handguns, but with just a little practice it's fine. For the small of stature they make reduced recoil .38 ammunition, but I don't think it would be necessary for the majority. The trigger and grip screw aren't stainless...neither are the internal parts. I paid about $350 OTD at a LGS, the gun looked almost new.
 
You better find another dealer. That one not even going to kiss you as he takes you to cleaners . Almost 800 for a 36 They can be found much cheaper and my dealer sell new
S&W snubs depending on model 400 or less
 
A bit late to respond with any help but here's what I can add.

I've owned the following: S&W 638, 640, 642; Ruger SP101 in .38/357 and the 9mm version. The one I liked to carry most out of all of those was the 638, but I switched from it to the SP101 after I had major reconstructive wrist surgery. Even after the surgery, I shoot the SP101 better than I ever did my 638, even in DA. I'll grant you the SP101 does have a heavier trigger and it's not as smooth as your typical S&W. But I continue to do lots of dry-fire practice and I'm used to it. If I could undo the motorcycle wreck, I'd take a S&W 649 over all of them, and shoot .38s.

I agree with the others than that price seems pretty high.
 
Some thoughts to heave into the mix!

To O.L.N.S.:

There is nothing at all the matter with being a "Smith person," I might fairly be called one myself, but the Ruger LCR DA triggers are much much better than the SP101's double action heave-ho. If you add the LCR to your list of things to try, I think you will be favorably impressed at how much Ruger has learned in between designing the 101 and the LCR.

The 642 somehow insinuated itself into my affections to become my most-carried gun. It is light and convenient, snag free and also quite straight-shooting for a DAO snubnose. You will get a bit less recoil jolt from a steel framed gun, simple physics, than you will from an Airweight. I just hold on tight and don't worry about it.

A lightweight revolver is better for pocket carry because it sways less, to and fro, as you walk. Here it is a case of the lighter the better.
 
My vote goes to the 642, yes I have one. It does carry very nicely in the front or hip pocket. And it always goes bang when you pull the trigger!
 
I retired from NYPD in 1988 and carried a model 36 off duty and as a BUG on duty. Now in Florida I carry a 442 with crimson trace laser grips loaded with Speer Gold Dots 135 gr JHP and an LCP. I shoot my revolvers better than my Glocks. Old dogs I guess . :D
 
SWG said:
My vote goes to the 642, yes I have one. It does carry very nicely in the front or hip pocket. And it always goes bang when you pull the trigger!
Click to expand...

Yes it does and I have experienced a few FTF and FTE on my Glocks over the years. The most recent on my LEOSA qualification. I qualify in both pistol and revolver anually in FL.
 
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