Brand new member of the forum-just joined today. I'm looking forward to being part of the group. I hope I'm going about this the right way. I wanted to get some input regarding which handgun to buy in the near future to add some variety to my shooting
I have a S&W 38 special, 3" barrel, 5 shot cylinder, with adjustable rear sights, late 1990's purchase. Recently taken out of storage and now back in use at the local range. I enjoy target shooting
I can get pretty decent groups at 15 yards using SA with wadcutter ammunition. I'm working on my DA skills. I hope as I improve to shoot well at 25 yards. I know a lot will depend on practice, practice, and more practice. I'm not sure my 38 will ever give me tight groups at that distance-but maybe I'm wrong
Now for the question: I guess I have three options about a next purchase:
1) Use the 38 for concealed carry if I go in that direction, continue practicing with it, but purchase something that is more suited for target shooting. The 617 or the 17 come to mind-I've seen the 617/4" barrel at the local gun shop, very nice. The 17 may be beyond my budget. At least the 22 LR ammo is very reasonable
2) Go with a 38/357 magnum option like the 686. Consider it better than my 38 for target shooting, plus I can practice with 38 ammunition, plus it offers better home defense. Not a great concealed carry option
3) Take a different tack-go with something more suited to concealed carry than my 38. Problem: I'm afraid I'm trading accuracy for weight and portability. Plus ammunition can get pretty pricey beyond the 9mm range
You can tell I tend to favor revolvers, but I'm not totally opposed to a semi-automatic
I can't see owning several guns (at least at this point), so I want to make a "smart" decision about what to get next
Perhaps what I'm looking for does not exist- small(er) so its a good choice for concealed carry and with practice accurate at 25 yards. I know-"get real"-no one affordable handgun is likely to give me all that I'm looking for. Decide which attribute-accuracy, flexibility, or concealed carry- is most important and press on in my search. But it can't hurt to get some advice-thanks in advance for the input

First of all, welcome from Iowa.
If concealed carry is your goal, a K-Frame revolver is a good choice on the larger side. A M10 or M64 with a 2 or 3 inch barrel would work great. They are both fixed sight .38s. A M13 or M65 with 3 inch barrel are fixed sight .357 Magnums, although the 3 inch versions of those are kinda pricey right now. I happen to be carrying a Pinned and Recessed M13-2 right now in a strong side OWB holster, and it conceals very well under a sweatshirt.
A J-Frame is a great carry revolver. The Centennials are best for carry. The M442 and M642 in Airweight .38 and the M640-1 in Stainless .357 are great choices. The Centennial has a totally concealed hammer, so there's nothing to snag on the draw. In my opinion, the ULTIMATE carry Centennial is the M340 PD. It's a 12 ounce .357 Magnum. Trust me, it HURTS to shoot with full power loads, but you literally forget it's there it's so light. Mine lives in my left side front pants pocket all the time, loaded with full-power .357 ammo. (I'm right-handed) It is usually my backup gun, and I have it on now also.

A .22 is an excellent idea for a practice gun, and you can get them in both J and K-Frames. Plus they're just plain fun.

One more thing I have to point out. If you're looking for "just ONE more gun", you have come to the WRONG place, my friend. You are now on what is known as the Slippery Slope.
Enjoy the ride, we all do.
Jim

Welcome to the forum - lots of good people and good advice to be found here.

The 3 inch 36 is already a great concealed carry weapon. J frames can be very accurate, but are a little more difficult to shoot accurately do to their size and grips. If yours has the stock grips, I would consider installing a Tyler T grip adaptor, or look for a more hand filling aftermarket grip that does not increase bulk too much. A proper, hand filling grip makes these J frames a lot easier to shoot accurately, especially in double action. Then, practice, practice, practice....

Since you are a revolver guy, I would consider a double action .22 as my next purchase. Inexpensive to shoot, and good double action practice for your model 36. There are J and K frame models available. Back when I carried an L frame .357 for duty use, I picked up a model 18, 4 inch barrel, as a weapon to practice with that would give me similar feel to my duty weapon. They made a nice pair.

Larry

Greetings from Maine. Welcome aboard!

Welcome from Ohio!!

Welcome aboard from the great state of Pennsylvania!

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.:God Bless America:.

Welcome from Va.

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Roger

Welcome from Texas HitTheTarget. Great forum for all things S&W, have fun, learn lots, share what you know.

Good advice so far, no real right or wrong answer. Mostly what meets your needs.

Try as many as you can, read all about it, come to your own conclusion, and go for it.

Remember, the joy is in the quest.

PM or e-mail if you have further questions. Love to help if possible.

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1601 (ret)

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question-I appreciate the input

Welcome to the site from Arid-zona!

Welcome aboard from WI! This is best place to learn and share all things Smith & Wesson!

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"What does this button do..."

Welcome aboard the forum....good to have you.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

HitTheTarget, welcome from North Carolina.

Welcome aboard from Alaska. I have a feeling that you're just gonna buy all of them anyway. You might as well just start buying, and don't stop until you run out of breath, or money.

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas and good luck with the one more gun thing as they tend to multiply. On input for a carry gun I would argue that a hi cap 9mm semi auto is the way to go as mine is a Sig P228.

In revolvers a S&W model 10, 36 or 64 snub nose both would fit the bill in 38 special.