After long debate and consideration I have decided to ADD a snubby to my arsenal. Have not decided WHAT yet. The purpose of this gun will be to carry concealed here in Northcentral Arizona. Some serious questions remain for me though: 1) 5 or 6 shot? 2) J frame (or d frame colt) or K/L frame? 3) If a S&W do I get a new one with the "Hillary Hole" or look for an older one? What are the drawbacks to having the internal lock? 4) Do I need a .357 or will a .38 +P gun be sufficient? 5) Who makes the "best" IWB holsters for snubbies? 6) What self defense ammo has the best track record for 2-3" snubbies?

I own several 4" and 6" S&W K frames, and shoot them rather well, yet I am drawn to the J frame that could be carried "in pocket". So, I defer to you guys, who I am sure can give me greater insight into what I should do. Thankyou in advance for your suggestions.

Keep your aim straight and your powder dry,

Bflobill in the Wild West

I recently got the M&P 340 no-lock as my EDC. It's loaded w/the FBI .38+P, but another good round is the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P HP. It was purchased for the weight savings as I normally pocket carry and the 442 was a bit heavy in dress slacks. IMHO a .357 is too hard to control in these light guns.

My first off-duty gun was a D Frame Colt Cobra purchased new in 1968. I still have it but seldom if ever carry it now. Nothing wrong w/it, I just prefer the J frame Smiths.

As to the other questions I'll let others w/more knowledgable weigh in.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

My EDC is an S&W 642 loaded with Buffalo Bore non-+P lead semi-wadcutter hollow point "Chicago loads", carried in a Robert Mika pocket holster. (I also installed a set of diamond magna grips and a Tyler t-grip.)

After years of trying one gun then another, listening to the experts , experimenting with this carry method and that....
I have come to realize that it just don't get no better than a J frame Airlight in 38 spcl+p .. What goes out the door with me day in and day out is a model 637 with a shortened hammer spur...I like to shoot it single action so I left just enough to cock it when I want to, I've never had a problem with snagging this way. I prefer the 5 shot J frame for concealibility and airweight because its light. Anything more than 38+P is uncomfortable to shoot much. 357 mags in light guns are punishing ( but thats me...I like to shoot a lot so use target loads mostly ) IWB holsters ? My favorite is a model #3S by BIANCHI it has an adjustable ratchet between holster and belt slide so you can get cant exactly right. it's a neat set up. Ammo ? what ever you can shoot fast and accurate. 38 spcl HBWC target loads will work. The truth is accurate fire wins the day...misses with a magnum do no good.

Everything I'm telling you has been learned the hard way. I too like the J's and in self defense applications prefer revolvers...when things happen it comes at you fast , there is no time to be fumbling with slides, safties, magazines etc...
If you can put a round in the cylinder it will fire, no failure to feed or eject like semi-auto. I know it's only 5 rounds in the gun but thats usually enough. I tried carrying a 1911 and 3 magazines but it's just too much of a good thing.

gary

Just get a plain jane blued model 36 and your worries will be over. I'v been carrying mine for close to 16 years and outside of a little blue wear its still as nice as when I bought it. Use golden sabers works great. Frank

My favorite is a 3" M37. Unless I'm pocket carrying the extra inch of barrel takes nothing away from concealability but ads a bunch to shootability. Besides, if I want to pocket carry it’s usually a P3AT that goes in the pocket holster. Though I have a Hip Grip on the M37 and sometimes pocket carry that way

I'm convinced that my 642 in a Mika holster is the best option for me in a snubby. Loaded with Speer 135 grain Gold Dots. I have handled but not shot a Ruger LCR, seemed to be a nice gun but the grip seems a bit large for pocket carry.

My daily carry is an SP-101 .357 mag loaded with .38+Ps. I think the .357 mag chambering just gives you more options and if you haven't gotten the job done after 5 shots, I doubt a 6th is going to matter. My 2 cents......

TY all for the advice, I have decided on a S&W model 642. I am convinced it will best suit my needs.

Bill,

IMO I don't think that you can go wrong with the 642.

Bud's did have some no locks,

Joe

I carry a Smith 638 in a front pocket holster. I like the idea of the single action option. Sometimes (if you need to take a head shot at a perp) the single action shot is much more accurate. I shoot .38+P 158 gr lead hpswc, the old FBI load. Hope I never have to draw down on anyone but like the old Boy Scout motto says ''BE PREPARED''.

Just my opinion, of course....I don't have the creds
that most of the post responders have, but, as a newbie to
CCW, a 642 0r 442 in a MIKA's Pocket Holster will conceal well,
and be comfortable, too. Goes with me without a problem.
I can tell it's there, but it's not obnoxious. Remember, MIKA
has round-bottom and flat-bottom styles. And, they work
as well as advertised. JMHO, TACC1.

Ditto. My 642 wears a CT Laser and lives in DeSantis Nemisis in my pocket. My LCR also lives there. Both eat Spear 135gr. +P Short Barrel.

I also have an M&P 340 for pocket carry. I carry it a lot and shoot it a little. This light weight .357 magnum is just fine with .38 +P. The 5th chamber has a ,357 magnum in it so I know when I have emptied my revolver. Not being bothered by the weight of the gun is really important to my way of thinking.

__________________
Hook686

Count me on the "lightweight J frame" side.

I have others that I've tried and found myself constantly making excuses to avoid carrying.

Only caveat is to limit range sessions. Better to go more often and run 10 or 15 thru the AirLite before starting on other projects that day.

Carry a speed strip with 6 rounds. Every day. Even days when you carry something else. Get to where it feels strange if its not there.

Whilst I pocket carry a lot, don't overlook trying a good belt holster. I recce the Hume JIT slide, under $30 delivered from GunnersAlley.com.


Regards,

Pat

I have had several snub revolvers over the years, including two Model 36's, a Colt D Model, a Smith Model 10 snub and now my 649 which I like the most because of the concealed hammer. But the J-frame is the best way to go and there are so many variations out there, either in +P or standard .38 Special. I would not worry about buying a new J-frame because there are alot of good used ones out there. As far as ammo, test out a few different loads, I happen to load my own which right now is a good load of Unique behind a cast hollowpoint. Don Hume used to make a really nice pocket holster, I have a no name one that was given to me that works great at the moment.

Standard Model 36 with boot grips.



A Model 10 snubbie



A little 649 snubbie

__________________
Vaya con Dios

Bought a S&W Bodyguard .38spl for summer carry but found it was so light and easily concealed, it goes with me most days regardless of season or dress. A pocket holster in the summer, IWB or belt holster in cold weather with as many speed strips as I can carry.

Mod 60 AIWB Birami hip grip everyday since purchase new 1984..wow 28 years! I have other autos & airweights but The Chief is a part of me that will never change

One thing I noted in David's pic of his M36 is its wearing the Hogue boot stocks as currently supplied by S&W. I found them to be a HUGE improvement over the Uncle Mikes formerly used. (I have hand strength and nerve issues.)

I forgot to mention which loads I used: either 125gr Nyclads or a 158gr JHP; both standard pressure.


Regards,

Pat

For me the lightweight alloy j-frames are for pocket carry only. I don't own a belt holster for them. For pocket holsters for the lightweight j-frames I have been using either Kramer or Mika holsters depending on the clothes I'm wearing.

If I am going to carry a snub on my belt (IWB only for me), I prefer the slightly larger and heavier all steel 6-shot snubs like the Colt D frames or the S&W K-frames.Along that line, I recently purchased an 'offset clip' IWB holster in horsehide for a Colt Magnum Carry (think .357 mag version of the DS2) from Lobo Gun Leather. I have been wearing it a lot since I received it and I am very impressed with the fit, finish, and functionality of this little horsehide holster. I am not normally a fan of clip-on IWB holsters, but I have to say that this one has won me over.

BTW, Ray of Lobo is a member of this board and I can attest that he does real nice work and at a fair price too.

Oh, and for ammo choices in any of the snubs, I have of late been stoking them with Speer's 135 gr short bbl .357 magnum load. Its about 100 fps hotter than the. 38 +P version but still very controlable, especially in the steel guns.

Just my 2cents worth on the snubbie questions raised above.

Colt

I've been carrying one type of J frame or another since the mid 70's adn currently carry a 642 and occasionally my 638. Since you sound like your close to Prescott, try J&G Sales. They had some 642s listed the other day at a reasonable price.

__________________
Support your Police, & NRA

Nice decision.

I currently have a mdl 36 and I love it. You will have lots of fun with that little revolver. And they carry very well too!

I have a number of J frames (38, 49, 36, 60 and 640-1). The "pocket " gun I most often carry is my Ruger LCR with xs sights and Houge tamer grips - lightweight, outstanding trigger, cost effective and keeps the wear done on the more classic Smiths.

Uncle Mike's in pocket holster works perfectly.

Good luck.