Im looking to buy my first snub nose, Any good advise as to which is the best for conceal carry
and preformance,and which one would hold its value the best as far as caliber.
Ed.

Model 60

If you are looking for a pocket carry revolver that packs a lot of punch, you cannot go wrong with a .357 model 640-1. It is DAO, and they are all steel.

WG840

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Freedom above all else.

Model 60 or 642 in .38 caliber. Don't know exactly what you mean by "value" question but you sure won't lose money on either.

Be safe.

+1 on the Model 60 or one of its variations.

Im talking about resale value, and does anyone compare to Smith& Wesson as far as overall preformance. Im told there are repair problems with other makers.

Hi Packin-heat

I am thinking a 37, no dash, 3", .38.

Just a thought.

K.

I've carried every flavor of J-frame over my career. Right now, I'm carrying a 637. If you're going to carry in a pocket holster, then a 442/642 is a good option, as is the 38/638. Mostly, it's just a matter of preference and availability.

....Hold its value? Have you seen any Smith go down in value over the last 20 years?

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

638, excellent compromise; light but not titanium light, powerful with .38+P but not .357 recoil powerful, shrouded hammer, but has a hammer. Never leave home without it.

I'd spring for a Model 60 or 36 in 1 7/8" barrel.

They are light weight, concealable in your pocket and can be carried all day without even being aware of it.

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G.P. Charlie

ANY J frame is good. There are a lot of variations, just buy what turns you on. A old model 40 is what I carry. My prefrance is one without a visable hammer spur to snag my pants because I have always carried them just in my pocket, and if you need the gun fast you wont be thumbing the hammer single action anyway. I bobbed the hammer on a model 60 and carried it 30 years that way. It got stold, and I replaced it with the 40. They all are good.

I carry a 640/.357 or a M60 3”/.357 both great. I, at least need constant practice to shoot them well with .357 loads. I thought I would do better with the 3”, but at least in my case it isn’t necessarily so.

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Ipsis Rebus Dictantitbus

Wife and I both carry model 49s, work well for us.

A Smith & Wesson revolver is the single best monetary investment available in firearms.

The only way to top it, is to buy two, or three.....

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PC, censorship
with a smile.

I like my 60LS because being built to handle .357, it's easy as pie to shoot .38 +p defense ammo. It's small enough to always take along and small enough to carry IWB yet there's enough barrel length at 2" to sight down. It's a great all-around model. Here's mine with CT laser grips.

A 60 if you want a hammer.
A 640 if you wish no hammer.
Nearly impossible to do any better than an all stainless .357 Magnum rated J frame with a 2 1/8" barrel!

Agree 100% with your choices, forget firing .357's out of those new little guys, some can but not I.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

A lightweight alloy 442 or 642 .38 Special is the cheapest gun Smith sells and one of the best values in the firearms industry.

An excellent choice also, the 442 is really a nice little firearm.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I think the 642 is far and away the most popular of the snubbies and while opinions vary I like my 649. I shoot mostly 38's through it (cheaper and less recoil), but it is nice to have the 357 option. I also like the option of SA/DA with the shrouded hammer - nothing to snag when carrying concealed.

You can't go wrong with a 36. The steel frame takes quite a bit of the bite out of a .38 special load. I sold my 442 and bought a 36 so I could practice longer!

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Recycled Bricklayer

In the gunstore where I work one day pro week I carry an model 60.

Another vote for a 640-1. It's a little heavier than some of the alloy guns, but it can double as a hammer. As for resale value, I paid $275 for mine used, and it would take a lot more than that to get it away from me. Almost any Smith you buy USED is going to be worth that much or more in the future. You will see a drop in value if you buy new, though, just like anything else. If you can buy a new 642 for $500, why would you pay $500 for a used one?

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Insert short witty words here

I am happy with my 642 being hammerless it is great for pocket carry
Steve

Any "J" frame that lights your fire.

The model 60 has made me well the last 30 or so years,and i have a back up a bTj derringer in 38 special also

Colt New Service 45! If your the size of Sheqille O'Neil.

I really like my 340PD. Light and very concealable. Shoot .38 in it and work your way up to .357. I still have problems with recovering with .357 so still carry .38 and work on shot placement and second shot follow-up.

I like all of the J frames. Lightweight vs all steel depends on how you plan to carry it. Then there is also the other brand...Colt Detective Special, Cobra or Agent. They are all good revolvers. Some like the S&W's and not the Colts and some vice versa. I like them all. The Colts are only available used. The Ruger SP101 is also well though of by many people.

I love the 2.5" S&W 66 but budget was limited to a 2.5" Rossi 68. It has proven to be a real bargain but still looking for that 66.