Which Snubbie would you buy??

So if you were going to buy a 2" .38 wheel gun...which one would it be?

I'm partial to S&W so my first choice would be a Centenial, a Model 36, or another of there steel non-airweight guns. Or maybe something in .357 as I can shoot 38 sp. and the extra weight of the gun will reduce recoil a bit and one is not getting the full benefit of the cartridge out of such a short barrel.

Oh, and I'm on a budget....so price would be a factor and used bothers me not at all.

(It's for pocket carry or when wearing a tucked shirt and I'm not carrying a Shield, my Walther 99c or a 6906, I'd like a wheel gun now so if I ever develop arthritis...I'm reaching the age where one does...I'll be ready.)

 

. D
The top photo is a model 640-1 which I acquired a few years ago as a police trade in gun. I added Altamont stocks, night sights, and an Apex “Duty” spring kit and firing pin.
The Second photo is a model 66 no dash that i bought in the 1980s and is completely stock.

 

Redcoat3340

I have always had a "thing" for the S&W Model 38 and Model 49. My two current versions of those are my Model 638 (alloy frame), and my Model 649 (stainless steel frame). Both are very well made, have very nice trigger pulls, and are extremely easy and comfortable for concealed carry.

 

Steel jframe size gun on a budget? Taurus 85 in stainless will cost you about $300 or less on line. Lifetime warranty too.

I have a blued Taurus 85 I bought in 1988. Zero issues with it and still runs fine. Steel small frame guns make sense but not in 357. You're really not gaining that much for the recoil and muzzle blast you get. When I carry a J frame size gun I load it with factory wadcutters with semiwads for a reload.

If you get a Model 66 like the one shown above, add 1 1/2" of barrel and you might as well carry a 4". Don't get me wrong it's a great gun (I own and carry one) but it's much bigger than a J frame.

 

I've owned three Taurus Model 85's. All of them went bang every time. One had a great trigger (it was stolen, unfortunately), one has an okay trigger, and one has a stiff trigger.

I have a bunch of snubbies. The LCR has the best trigger and is easiest to carry. That sucker is light. It's the one I carry the most. Other revolvers make the cargo pocket of my shorts sway or sag, but the LCR is light enough that it's not a problem.

For OWB covered with an open second shirt, my 2" S&W Model 10 is my favorite.

For a coat pocket I like my CA Bulldog in 44 special.

I prefer hammerless if at all possible.

 

How about something bigger than a 38? I've got a Charter Arms 44 Bulldog from the early 80's. Not something you'd want to spend an afternoon at the range with, but it delivers a pretty decent punch.



I suppose it's a little bigger than a J-frame, but it fits the holsters I bought for a J-frame Smith. The barrel is 3", instead of 2", and it has a steel frame. I think the current production ones have a 2 1/2" available.

If I had to have a 38 "snubbie" I'd get a Ruger LCR. I like the grips and trigger better than any other gun in it's class.

 

this is the snub i bought, and carried some. It is a great gun, but heavy.

I hear great things about the LCR. If i wanted a snub, i would look for a used one to try. Many caliber choices too.

 

I have a Model 38 Airweight, myself. But if I was buying today, I’d look at the LCR. In fact, I’ve thought about selling or trading my Model 38 to buy an LCR 357.

 

For pocket carry , a 642 .

 

FWIW, I have long been partial to the classic 1 7/8" Model 36s.

I have never owned one (the stars never aligned for me) but I had an occasion ~40 years ago to use one (borrowed from my, now, BIL) here at the farm while I was teaching a "city-born&bred" friend about firearms.

The two things that stuck with me about that experience; how comfortable it was for me to shoot and how accurate the thing was in my hand ... shooting (with my .38spl reloads) at some of the close range rifle targets that I had placed across the pond, I discovered that I could (in a non-adrenaline situation, at least ) reliably hit man-size targets at ~50 yards.

 

Here's another S&W 642 vote. Light, inexpensive, common as dirt. You should be able to find good used examples for <$300.

 

S&W 642 Performance Center, costs a little more but, the trigger is worth it!

 

Lcr 38 with boot grips if weight is deciding factor.

Lcr 357 or 9mm with boot grips if the extra weight isn’t an issue.

Use 38’s in the 357 though. The extra weight helps tame recoil and makes it more enjoyable to shoot.

Great guns. Have had all 3. Gave the 38 to my dad since he wanted something really light. He prefers the LCP I gave him instead now. Shoots it much better and conceals easier too.

 

There is one for sale near me in EC for $275 . I am surprised it hasn't sold yet for that price .

 

If you like steel, and want to buy new, then consider a S&W M640. You can get a version without the internal lock.

But they are pretty heavy.

I'd go for a Ruger LCR in either 357 Mag, 9mm, or 327 Federal. Those are a bit lighter, but still not as light as an all aluminum gun like a 642 Smith. And easier to shoot.

BTW, I have all three of the above LCRs, and carry them the most.

 

For small snubs, I prefer Charter Arms. Make sure you buy from a company that has good customer service. Quality control is not what it used to be regardless of brand name.

 

What's the magic number?

I'd look at a model 640, 60, or 60 Pro because it has better sights.

There's also the Ruger LCR and the 2" DAO SP101.

The Kimber K6S is a nice gun too if you can find the funds.

 

I recently swapped out my 438 for an 80’s Model 49. Just call me Rico.

Shoots great, and comfortably with Pachmeyer grips on it.

 

While I have a 642, I would also not rule the 6 shot snubbies from Colt and Kimber; definitely worth at least a good hard look.

 

IMHO for pocket carry it almost has to be a aluminum alloy or polymer frame revolver. The idea of putting a 20+ oz gun in my pants pocket sounds uncomfortable. My pocket revolver is a S&W 442 though the 642 is basically the same gun. I am a big fan of moonclips so I picked up the 442 Moonclip from the performance center for only a few more bucks than a regular 442/642.

 

Pocket carry: 642 or 442.

 

Really like my S&W 442. Just going to slip it in my pocket now. (in a Simply Rugged pocket holster)

 

I carry an all steel gun in my jeans pocket everyday, and even carry it in basketball shorts. I want all steel I already have a gun that is harder to shoot than a full size revolver or auto and it needs more training to use the extra weight mitigates recoil extremely well.

 

My skinny butt has enough difficulty keeping my pants up with my 442 in my shorts pocket. If I was carrying a steel snubby it would be on my belt and if I am going to carry that much weight I have semi-auto's that gives me more capacity for similar weight. That said I have never had an issue with recoil in my 442. I can keep my +P ammo I carry in the A-zone at 10 yards and on a USPSA metric target at 35 yards and can still feel my fingers well enough to reload quickly. Maybe some can pocket carry an all steel snubby I am not one of those people. Once a handgun get much heavier than my 442 it moves to my belt.

 

A used S&W model 60.