hotrod150
Member
.....Why don't you buy yourself a less expensive copy of a 'J' frame - such as a Taurus or a Rossi - carry it for a while and see if you like the feel. If you do - then sell it off and invest in a J frame... .
I don't think you'd save enough money doing this to make it worth the time & hassle. I doubt youre gonna find a Tauyrus for much under $300, which is what I paid for two different 442-2's in the past year or so. Paid the same for a vintage model 36 last summer. Good deals are out there- you just have to find them..
I do prefer my vintage Chief Specials (I currently own five and have bought & sold 6 or 7 others in the past couple years), but IMHO the 442/642 is about the best value there is in an good-for-everything self-defense gun for the average person. Yes they do require practice to obtain proficiency, but the DAO revolver is simple to load, simple to operate, easy to carry, and affordable to boot. Load, point and pull. No bang? Pull again. Much less chance of an accidental (dare I say premature?) discharge than with a cockable SA-capable model like the Chief. I will admit that after owning all three different models of the vintage Chief Spl, a couple airweight Centennials, and a couple Colt Dick Spl's, plus some larger guns (k-frames 1911's etc)-- the S&W model 36 is my favorite gun. I currently own three and am scheming to get another soon.