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Member |
Looking for a lightweight revolver in .38 Sp and am looking at all the models out there…it’s amazing. I want something for lightweight discreet carry…maybe in a pocket or IWB. While I’d generally stick with S&W I’m open to other options. So I figured I’d put this out as a poll for fun. Any experience you have would be greatly appreciated. Just looking for info to help me evaluate this revolvers - and I figured with all the shooters here there’s literally hundreds, if not thousands of years of experience. Feel free to post pics, carry systems, or what your real world experience has been. Also if you have one and think “I really would rather have…x, it would be great to hear why. | ||
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E tan e epi tas |
While there are lots of good choices on your list I am going 442/642. -Light enough to easily carry -Heavy enough to actually shoot - Smaller then most of the competitors with lots of grip choices -Long proven -Inexpensive (relatively speaking) -Plenty of spring kits etc. if necessary. I think they make the quinticential pocket gun. "Guns are tools. The only weapon ever created was man." | |||
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Diablo Blanco |
I will also throw my weight behind the 642/442 for the same reasons as cslinger. I’ll add that there are choices in the lineup to get exactly what you want. I have an older model from the run in the early 1990s and a newer model 642 Pro Series, neither of which have the ugly lock. The pro is cut for use with or without moon clips. I have no problem shooting +P 38spl ammo and currently carry Speer +P Golddots. I added a Wolffe spring kit to my 642s which makes the triggers feel fantastic. The Kimber is another choice that would have my attention. I have two of the all steel K6Ss and they are fine revolvers. I haven’t shot the K6XS yet, but the extra round is nice. Less aftermarket support would be my only gripe. The regular K6Ss are machined like my Ed Brown 1911s, but you pay a considerable premium for it. The lightweight is priced substantially lower from what I have seen. _________________________ "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile - hoping it will eat him last” - Winston Churchil | |||
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| Member |
I had many S&W snubs (miss my 2.5 inch Model 19) and the J frames all worked well. I bailed on them for the LCR because the trigger was much better and easier to control than my late production 442. YMMV. The Kimber does interest me, though. End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles | |||
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Member |
I’ve owned or own most of the guns on that list including the new LW Kimber K6xs. I find the LCR accompanying me on most occasions in the lightweight low observable role. ______________________________________________ Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun… | |||
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Member |
I only voted Charter Arms because of my original Undercover   This message has been edited. Last edited by: SigSentry, | |||
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Prepared for the Worst, Providing the Best |
I'm actually looking to add an air weight Centennial to my lineup myself. IMO, if you're going to pocket carry, the Centennial Smiths or the LCR are absolutely the best choice. The shape lends itself to a clean draw, and there no hammer channel to fill up with crap like the bodyguards, or hammer to snag like a DA/SA gun. The K6, like the SP101, is a bit big. I vote 442/642, which is the way I'm leaning myself. I currently pocket carry a 640, and while I really like it there are times I'd like something lighter. I like the idea of having .357 capability, which makes me want a 340, but if I'm honest I'd rarely if ever shoot anything but .38s out of it (more out of concern for breaking it than anything else), so there not much point in paying the premium over the 442/642 line. If I did get a 340 it would be the M&P line with the steel cylinder, not the PD model with titanium. | |||
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Member |
The one I have been carrying and or keeping in a vehicle is a Taurus 856 concealed hammer 5-shot 38+P. I know it's a Taurus, but it was affordable and has functioned perfectly. I think I'm changing to a Makarov after I shoot it more to be sure I'm good with it. https://www.taurususa.com/revo...-in-concealed-hammer No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride. | |||
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| Member |
I occasionally carry the Kimber. Expensive but worth it in my opinion. Ignem Feram | |||
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Member |
I used to have a S&W 642. Nice little gun, but painful to shoot. That will be true of any of the real lightweight .38s though. Some people like the shrouded hammer on the 442/642 because lint and crud won't get into it. The drawback is, the gun is DA only, and with a J-frame that's not conducive to accuracy. It was strictly a contact distance weapon for me. I eventually sold it and bought an older used M-36 instead. The 442/642 is a really good gun, it just wasn't the right one for me. | |||
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Member |
I’m far from a revolver connoisseur as I’ve owned less than 10 in my 50+ years of gun ownership however I can say without reservation that I’ll never own or shoot another S&W titanium 38 snub again. It’s so lightweight that every bit of recoil transfers your palm. I do wholeheartedly recommend the Kimber K6S, which is a 357 but of course you can shoot 38’s as well. I have the 2” which is made for carry & a 4” engraved combat which is very pleasant to shoot. Both have nice DA triggers with a consistent and smooth pull. The 4” combat has an exposed trigger which when cocked is short and light. However being stainless neither is the lightest on the market.  I’m a sucker for engraved guns, fortunately for my checkbook I have to really like it before I buy it.  If you really want something you'll find a way ... ... if you don't you'll find an excuse. I'm really not a "kid" anymore ... but I haven't grown up yet either  | |||
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| Member |
I’m going with the S&W 340pd… BUT- Don’t go buying a bunch of .357 to shoot for just that gun. .38+p / .38 +p+ will do you just fine. It’s a super light weight pistol that conceals easily, and goes “BANG” every time. However, it is more expensive than the 442/642, which would be my second choice. ______________________________________________________________________ "When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!" “What the government is good at is collecting taxes, taking away your freedoms and killing people. It’s not good at much else.” —Author Tom Clancy | |||
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| Just mobilize it |
I’d vote 642, no lock version. Good balance between weight and shootability when using +P 38’s. The 340pd is lighter, but more punishing with both 38 +p and 357 loads, plus it’s double the price. The air weights are super popular for good reason. I’d also throw in the hat the wonderful 638. Shrouded hammer so as not to snag, though capable of that precision SA shot if it ever arises. | |||
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| Peace through superior firepower  |
My choice is a stock S&W Bodyguard 638 pre-lock, which I carry these days only rarely and as a matter of nostalgia. It's difficult enough to shoot well, but the ultra-lightweight centerfire J frames are brutal, flinch-inducing revolvers and are usable only at very close distances. I have a S&W Model 351, which is an ultra-lightweight, seven shot .22 magnum J frame, and it's a pussycat. With careful load selection, you're approaching reasonable energy levels against human targets at close range, but that's easy for me to say because I'm not finding myself at the moment armed only with one of these and having to face an aggressor. Theory is one thing, reality is another ball of wax. To be realistic, the small centerfire revolvers which are manageable to shoot, are all steel guns like the Ruger SP101, but when we start talking about twenty-something ounce revolvers, you might as well choose a small auto like the P365 or one of the Glocks. | |||
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| Member |
Funny you mention this. I am getting a P365 for Christmas, but thought I'd need something in a lightweight revolver. I currently have a S&W 640-1, and a Colt King Cobra 2". They are ok as long as I carry tghem appendix, but on my side they feel like they weigh a ton. Maybe I'll just stick to the P365... | |||
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| Member |
Lightweight J-frames have not been my friend in any caliber .38 or greater. For me I prefer the .38 LCR if I were to carry a revolver. The recoil is relatively mild in comparison to an alloy or Scandium J-frame, and thanks to its relatively smooth and even trigger pull I actually shoot mine pretty well as a result. In truth I never carry it because I'm a dyed-in-the-wool semi-auto guy and I just don't believe in just having five when I can have at least fourteen at my disposal with a form factor that is in the same ballpark as my .38 Ruger. -MG | |||
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| Member |
Another vote here for the S&W Bodyguard with the runner up being the Centennial. I own both in their Airweight stainless configurations now. I have used both for more years than I care to admit to. God forbid that you should ever need to, but I always felt that the Bodyguard's ability to take that single action shot gave it the half point up in the rating. Over the years I have been issued both at various times with the Bodyguard being the one most issued. | |||
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Spiritually Imperfect |
I spent a lot of time on this very same path, and a Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum caliber turned out to be the best solution for me. -6 rounds (.327) instead of 5 (.38spl). - More muzzle energy, better penetration. 450-500 ft lbs in the spicier SD loads. -Can shoot four .32 variants from very mild to very spicy. -Ammo can be hard to find and pricey. However, this is one that is carried a lot and shot a little revolvers. Also had a S&W 351c like Para mentioned, and .22mag is no joke. I regret selling that one and will one day acquire another. Good luck with whatever you choose, bcj. | |||
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| No, not like Bill Clinton  |
After buying a half dozen guns for the wife to start carrying she finally warmed up to the S&W Body Guard .38 with the freakin laser beam She shoots it well and doesn't complain about the extra weight in her purse or carry jacket WIDTH 1.36 in LENGTH 6.6 in HEIGHT 4.4 in WEIGHT 14.4 oz CALIBER38 S&W SPECIAL SIZESMALL CAPACITY5 ACTIONDOUBLE ACTION ONLY BARREL LENGTH1.875 GRIPPOLYMER SIGHTSBLACK RAMP OPTIC READYNO SAFETYNONE COLOR/FINISHBLACK STATE COMPLIANCECO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, NJ, NY, OR, RI, VT, WA THREADED BARRELNO BARREL MATERIALSTAINLESS STEEL FRAMEALUMINUM LASERNO PERFORMANCE CENTERNO 10LB TRIGGERNO | |||
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Member |
Lots of snubbies over the years, Colts, S&W, Ruger, and some others too. While on duty, my BUG was always a S&W J frame, different models were used (640, 642, 342ti) Nowadays, my "I'm not carrying a gun" gun is my S&W Model 38 Airweight (original Bodyguard). I like it, if I could find a 638 (no-lock) I would buy one immediately. Lately I have been thinking of getting a Kimber K6XS or a S&W 642 Performance Center, just because... Good luck on your decision. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tomorrow's battle is won during today's practice. | |||
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