The 640 Pro is an awesome little gun. I have a few 642s, a few Detective Spec., Colt Mag. Carry, a Kimber K6s, a few SP101s, and a 66 snub so I have them well covered. I’d say spreading it around I will typically shoot 400-500 through at least 2 of the above and maybe another 50-100 through a few of the others, so I stay pretty proficient. While the sights of the 642 and Det specials aren’t great, the guns point naturally well for me.

I am not dissatisfied with my 642s but will say the Kimber K6XS is on a short list of guns I want to shoot in the lightweight category.

I'm surprised the LCR isn't running away with this poll. I don't carry revolvers often, but when I do, it is the LCR with .32 H&Rs. I just can't shoot the 442s with the short grip (maybe my hands are too big, although I admit I haven't tried aftermarket options). The 340p is so cool for what it is , but it is the most freaking horrible terrible awful shooting experience I've ever had.

The Smith 340 wins this handily (for pocket carry)

I’ve owned several 642’s and like them but they are 3-4 ounces heavier than an 11 ounce 340.

The smith 340 is compact and extremely lightweight and is the best pocket carry revolver on the planet.

I really like the LCR as well, but found it to be larger and bulkier and slower to get out of the pocket.

If it’s belt carry, I’d pick the LCR or Kimber lightweight or 6 shot Taurus 856.

If it’s pocket carry, the best is the 340 , period, end of discussion.

And FYI, the 340 is a very capable gun. I’ve told this story before… I used to carry the 340 on duty as my backup gun and off duty as my primary carry gun for years. As such, I had to qualify with it. I shot a perfect score with that little 5 shot 340 and outshot 20 other officers using my 340 while they were shooting full size duty 9mm pistols. If you do your part the gun is effective, accurate, and reliable.

Another vote for the 642.

I cannot shoot a S&W trigger nearly as well as the Ruger LCR. So, for me, the LCR is ideal.

quote:

Originally posted by neex:
I'm surprised the LCR isn't running away with this poll. I don't carry revolvers often, but when I do, it is the LCR with .32 H&Rs. I just can't shoot the 442s with the short grip (maybe my hands are too big, although I admit I haven't tried aftermarket options). The 340p is so cool for what it is , but it is the most freaking horrible terrible awful shooting experience I've ever had.

After reading this post, I realized two things. First, I really have ignored the Ruger LCR because it just is not aesthetically pleasing at all to my eye. Second, I have since had a chance to visually inspect an LCR and she’s a beefcake. Not only slightly bigger in just about every dimension, but her frame is fat. I’m guessing the trigger might make me seriously question whether I can live with such an ugly chubby beast. To me it might be just in front of the Chiappa Rhino in looks, but not by much. I already have two 642s with tuned springs that I shoot very well or I might be tempted to actually see what it feels like in my hand. My guess is most people pass by the LCR because it looks unusual and weird. I do own several Ruger Sp101s including a 9mm version. In this space, the only gun that has my current interest is the lightweight Kimber.

The LCR has a fantastically smooth and light trigger pull for a DA revolver. It also has an incredibly annoying tactile false reset that I can't stand. That combined with the extra bulk...I prefer my J-Frames. I can smooth out the trigger pull on a Smith if it needs it, but I can't do anything about that short-stroke inducer on the LCR.

It probably wouldn't be an issue in real life, and definitely could be trained around if one were seriously concerned about it...but I'm completely happy with my J-Frames so I never felt the need to subject myself to it.

642/442

I have dozens of handguns including many suitable for CCW. I vote and carry a pre lock 642 as my CCw. As noted stepping up to a steel frame ( I have a steel j frame and sp101) I might as well go with my 365. This choice is solely based on my 100% work from home lifestyle and generally safe area I live in. As well as my wardrobe which is shorts and t shirts and flip flops. Even today on new years it’s not cold. I get dressed decently for church and going to dinner with wife/family. If we go out it’s to the gas station or food market or a restaurant. 642 with premium 38 ammo is plenty in my estimation for that. I wish S&W would make an air weight no lock 327. If they did I missed that.

There are only three readily available choices today that combine BOTH full-length (darn near) extraction throw, and lightweight frames....

Charter alloy frame models
Taurus Ultra-Lite
Kimber's K6xs

CA grips all interchange. So, whether wood or rubber, you can find what you like, or alter a pair to suit.

Taurus small frame grips, a virtual ditto.

Kimber is not quite there yet, but...arguably the best trigger, and set of fixed sights found on a 'today' version snub.

That said, old Colt Cobra's and Agents still give you alloy and the 6th shot, also.

VictorLouis the last choice on your list the Colt Cobra and Agent would still be my choice today.

I would pick the choice you didn't offer:

Wait until SHOT later this month.

S&W 442 if it has to be a lightweight revolver.

I own one and frankly it doesn't make any sense to carry considering the P365 is roughly the same size and carries double the ammo. Yeah its heavier but packs way more punch and for me is far more accurate and easier to shoot.

I would also look at the Taurus 856 Ultra-Lite.

quote:

Originally posted by GJM AK:
I would pick the choice you didn't offer:

Wait until SHOT later this month.

Maybe a little more info would be helpful?

I voted for the Ruger LCR…I’m setting around the house and I have mine in my pocket as I type…for some reason I shoot it better than my S&W revolvers…but that’s just me

Had a Ruger LCR .38 light and easy to conceal, the main thing is if you shoot a lot of semi auto pistols at the range you can easily short stroke an LCR and end up with a pistol that won't fire the next shot.

The reset on the LCR requires you to let the trigger out fully, so if you are used to a quick short reset and try and pull the trigger too soon, nothing will go bang. It's muscle memory, so you need to practice with it and get used to the full reset.

That's the reason I got rid of it and went to the Ruger LCP Max 380, not to mention in the same light package I now have 10 +1 rounds available.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
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.

One plus for the J Frames is they are easy to tune. I have a flat latch Model 36 and it was unfired when I picked it up as a used gun at Michigun. The serrated trigger was as sharp a a bundle of knives and the DA trigger pull was, guessing, about 15-16 lbs. With my Lyman digital trigger gauge maxed out it didn't move at all. Ten rounds downrange on it's first test left my trigger finger bleeding and I've been working on cars since 1965 so my hands are a bit on the rough side. I got home, pulled the trigger and got out my Dremel with a scotchbrite polishing bob and worked those serrations till they were nice and smooth. Next I got on Wolff Gunsprings site and ordered in a J frame mainspring kit. I took a bit of experimenting but I found one spring that produced a nice smooth 9.5 lbs. DA pull and then tested it with 5 empty but freshly primed 38 spl cases. Subsequent testing with live ammo has proven it's 100% reliable and the standard grips from that era are just too small to allow any rapid fire, I had to re-grip the pistol after every shot. Now it has combat goodyears mounted to it. Too bulky for pocket carry but flat out fun to shoot.

Tip for anyone considering doing this primed empty case bit for an in the garage test, wear earplugs because primers are still loud and open the cylinder after each shot and remove the fired case. You will also want to drill out the flash hole it each case with a 3/32 or a bit larger drill bit to reduce the force generated by the primer burn trying to blow the primer out of the empty case. Fail to do this and you'll find you have a pretty good primer jam going on.

Someday when I have a bit of time to burn I'll take that trigger, coat it with some masking paint and rust blue those serrations. However no need to hurry on that because while very pretty it was a sock drawer special with pin prick rust spots on the sideplate. BTW, Never have established if it's the socks or the wood bottom of the drawer that creates those pinpricks of rust. However I have a model 19-3 with exactly the same pinpricks of rust only it's on the cylinder release side. And I know for sure the 19 was unfired because when I went to test it at a range I found the hammer nose was fitted too short to actually hit the primer. That fix was to get a Power Customs hammer nose and fit it properly to the action.

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
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...

The P365 made me pretty much retire my S&W 638.

quote:

Originally posted by Warhorse:

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:
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...

The P365 made me pretty much retire my S&W 638.

That's pretty much what happened for me. I may not need a revolver after the P365...

quote:

Originally posted by bcjwriter:

quote:

Originally posted by GJM AK:
I would pick the choice you didn't offer:

Wait until SHOT later this month.

Maybe a little more info would be helpful?

Two things coming that serious small revolver fans will want.