HI everyone, seems like a good bunch of folks!! I have had a this .38 stainless since the mid 80's. It's a 2" barrel Model 60 J frame. I was thinking of using it as my conceal weapon.
my thoughts are a crimson trace laser grip and using 158 gr wchp +p ammo. I would like your opinion on this and type of holster. OR... should i take another direction like a semi auto compact pistol??? Your thoughts are appreciated. I have sot for a long time but just now starting to conceal carry.

Mike, that would work fine. That's a good round and a fine cartridge that's been proven over the years. Whether you'd be better served by another gun really depends on your situation, and none of us can really speak to that.

Same goes with the holster type - we don't know you or what sort of work you do or what sort of environments you'd need to carry the gun in. I've found that I've gravitated toward in-the-waistband holsters (carried in the front - the one I use is from shotist holsters), pocket holsters (I use a Mika), and the SmartCarry for all my snub revolver needs.

I've found that the CT laser grips are better for me as a training aid, but I acknowledge that they really do enable you to shoot the gun in the dark. Myself, I'm vitally worried about identifying the target, so I carry a small flashlight instead.

I've found that the CT laser dot is not easily visible in the arc-lamp NM sunlight (and I would expect that applies to UT as well), so I found myself using the sights to find the dot in the first place, which struck me as silly. As a training aid, the laser is superb: it shows you how much you're jerking the gun as you pull the trigger. Good way to stop doing that!

Welcome to the forums and best of luck to you with your concealed carry. You seem to have a good set-up there.

Thanks Erich, I had not thought of the problems with the laser out doors. I have not purchased the grip yet,but am considering it. i know many folks want to carry something larger ,such as a .40 or .45. I suppose this debate will go on forever. I was thinking of .40 Semi auto compact or just living with the .38. I have some larger weapons for home defense, but concealment has me flip flopping.. I am thinking of a pocket holster. I agree with the light aspect at home in the dark, but find it a cumbersome idea on a concealed weapon due to concealment size. So i guess i am left wondering about the trace laser.

Well, you can buy a one AA cell flashlight with an endcap switch that will throw 90 lumens for under $60, delivered. Mine rides in my back pocket whenever I have pants on. I got it here:

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_50&products_id=329

This doesn't throw as tight a beam as my Surefire E2e (about $100 nowadays), but it uses easy-to-find batteries and is small enough to carry w/o noticing, plus the Cree LED is not going to wear out in my lifetime (unlike the expensive incandescent bulb in my Surefire).

A lot cheaper than the laser grips, and you can identify your target and make sure you're not shooting the neighbor teen who drunkenly entered the wrong house at night. On the other hand, it doesn't give you the training benefits of the laser.

Mike, I started carrying more than 20 years ago with a .38 snub. I've owned and carried dozens and dozens (certainly over 100) handguns since then, and fired dozens and dozens more (used to manage a gun shop). I've got all kinds of handguns, and I like them all.

You know what I carry the most? What I'm carrying right now? A .38 Special snub S&W five-shot.

For almost anyone's genuine concealed carry need (never mind what the big-hole blowhards who've never seen a dead body say), that's a dandy gun. I've worked on almost 200 handgun killings in some capacity (as a private investigator while in law school, as a prosecutor, as defense counsel) and I've seen a lot of .38 Special shootings. They work just fine. Like any handgun, you'll need to ensure adequate shot-placement and penetration to effect a stop, but your carry set-up (gun and rounds) is certainly up to the task if you are.

If you want to buy a different gun or ammo, feel free, by all means. You don't need to, however: you're good to go as is.

By the way, here's where I got my pocket holster - around $20 delivered:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

I've used several pocket holsters over the years, and this one works best for me.

Happy new year!

quote:

Originally posted by Erich:
Well, you can buy a one AA cell flashlight with an endcap switch that will throw 90 lumens for under $60, delivered. Mine rides in my back pocket whenever I have pants on. I got it here:

https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_69_50&products_id=329

This doesn't throw as tight a beam as my Surefire E2e (about $100 nowadays), but it uses easy-to-find batteries and is small enough to carry w/o noticing, plus the Cree LED is not going to wear out in my lifetime (unlike the expensive incandescent bulb in my Surefire).

A lot cheaper than the laser grips, and you can identify your target and make sure you're not shooting the neighbor teen who drunkenly entered the wrong house at night. On the other hand, it doesn't give you the training benefits of the laser.

Mike, I started carrying more than 20 years ago with a .38 snub. I've owned and carried dozens and dozens (certainly over 100) handguns since then, and fired dozens and dozens more (used to manage a gun shop). I've got all kinds of handguns, and I like them all.

You know what I carry the most? What I'm carrying right now? A .38 Special snub S&W five-shot.

For almost anyone's genuine concealed carry need (never mind what the big-hole blowhards who've never seen a dead body say), that's a dandy gun. I've worked on almost 200 handgun killings in some capacity (as a private investigator while in law school, as a prosecutor, as defense counsel) and I've seen a lot of .38 Special shootings. They work just fine. Like any handgun, you'll need to ensure adequate shot-placement and penetration to effect a stop, but your carry set-up (gun and rounds) is certainly up to the task if you are.

If you want to buy a different gun or ammo, feel free, by all means. You don't need to, however: you're good to go as is.

By the way, here's where I got my pocket holster - around $20 delivered:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

I've used several pocket holsters over the years, and this one works best for me.

Happy new year!

++100 To Erich. I to am in the boat with my 640 no dash. Its my constant companion, with 158gr LSWCHP +P, and Don Hume's French Curve pocket holster.

Erich , Much thanks. That is a good sized light. I think I will add the laser grip and buy the light. I believe hits on target are most important and thats why i decided to use my existing snubby. With the laser and light i should be outfitted well enough for my needs. The holster i imagine is for either pocket? great value!! thanks again. I think you may have saved me a few hundred dollars!

Neat flashlight Erich!
Another "saved link"!
Thanks!

If anything, I would say the most important thing is to always have a gun. If anything, for the rare occasion when a model 60 might be too bulky to hide, I would say get a smaller gun to go with the one you have, before worrying about getting anything bigger. A small .32 or .380 auto fills that niche nicely. I carry a Kel-tec P3AT to fill this niche daily. I usually carry more than one gun (and one is a 5 shot S&W snubby that's in my left front pocket right now) and I carry a full size revolver when possible. You have to decide for yourself what you're willing to carry. If you have to choose between more guns or practice ammo for what you have, burn the ammo and get good with the gun you have. Welcome to the forum and kudos for carrying.

I wouldn't personally pronounce on what anyone's "genuine" need would be, as needs vary greatly from person to person. What someone does, what they can wear, where they work, and even such things as the terrain can all radically change the answer to whether such and such gun is adequate.

If you think that you're going to face more than one attacker, in low light, or that barriers will come into play, then no, a small .38 isn't the best choice as your only weapon. It's also not the best if you have to worry about non human threats.

I personally carried a Model 60 in the pocket for a back up gun. I did not have CT grips, so I can not comment on the utility of them on this particular gun. Weight was more noticeable on the all steel 60 than on the 337 that I also had then. I alternately used the WWB 125 gr +P JHP (which I had in bulk for my 337) and then switched to the 158 +P LSWCHP. At the time I had mainly Winchester's version of this, though now I have switched to Remingtons.

I used an Uncle Mike's pocket holster(you can throw them in the washer when they build up too much crud), though quite frankly, you can make a pocket holster out of a piece of cardboard and some duct tape (which is exactly what I did with my 12-3) and it will work just as well to break up the outline and keep a small revolver from shifting.

I carried these guns as back ups to a Kimber CDP (and sometimes a BHP). One wrong turn and being lost in a rather nasty ghetto cured me of ever carrying only a J frame again.

Weight and bulk are highly subjective. I'm 6' 1" and 170 some pounds, but I've found that I can comfortably carry a Model 58 IWB (I don't even wear a belt) and just pull a sweater over it to conceal it. A reasonably fit adult male doesn't begin to have his mobility impaired until his level of gear surpasses 45 pounds, thus personal comfort as to weight and bulk will vary widely. Assess the threats that you are likely to face and then decide how much bulk/weight you personally are willing to put up with.

MoabMike: Welcome to the forum.
Pocket carry is dependent on what type/style of pants you wear. Mika holsters, Desantis Nemesis, and Galco Pocket holsters are all popular with members here. Just do like the rest of us...buy holsters until you have a box of them. Then, pick one you like

And here's why everyone needs a light

http://www.wapt.com/news/14962750/detail.html

Husband Mistakes Wife For Intruder, Kills Her

POSTED: 12:01 pm CST January 2, 2008

NATCHEZ, Miss. -- A Natchez man shot and killed his wife when he mistook her for an intruder in their home, according to police.

Police Chief Mike Mullins said Glenn and Deborah Mizell awoke around 4 a.m. Tuesday to the sound of their barking dog. Mullins said Glenn Mizell went to investigate, taking a pistol with him.

Mullins said Glenn Mizell began checking through the house and was unaware his wife had left the bedroom and gone into the kitchen. Mullins said when Mizell saw her figure in the dark, he fired his gun once.

Authorities said he shot Deborah Mizell, 49, once in the chest and died at the scene.

Mullins said a preliminary investigation shows the shooting was an accident.

Good thoughts all... thank you

I carry a J frame and think it's a great SD handgun. I don't care for Laser grips though. I would rather spend that large amount of money on ammo and practice. Don't listen to those who tell you a J frame revolver is only a "belly gun" and that it's not accurate. With the proper practice you will become very proficient with a J frame revolver and you won't need the aid of a Laser grip. I don't consider myself a "great" shot but with a little practice this is what can be done with a M638 from 10 yards out.



I carry my J frame in a Mika pocket holster too. It's a great addition to the J frame, it works well and it's comfortable too.

As with anything, accuracy and proficiency comes with practice. My snubbies don't know that they're snubbies.

Dennis

quote:

Originally posted by 40SX:
As with anything, accuracy and proficiency comes with practice. My snubbies don't know that they're snubbies.

Dennis

Well said Sir!!