my next gun.... .38 s&w or .357

[Spotteddog]

I always get warm and fuzzy seeing Barb's targets!

 

[Denise]

Cyrano. I was looking at a 638-2 on line today. I think that would be a great gun for me. So it'll give me something to search for.

 

[Capt Steve]

Denise, another plug for the 649. Why buy a gun that only shoots 38's? You may never feel the need to run 357's through it but it is nice to have the option. The extra weight, vs an airweight, just makes shooting it more fun, you'll do it more often and thus you will do it better. Try a 649 before you buy anything else, I think you will like it.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I will also recommend a J frame. Find the style J frame that you want and then decide if you want it in 38 or 357.
If you have any trouble finding grips that suit your needs I'll recommend you have Herrett's make you a stock/grip that is made to fit your hand size. It's the best way to be comfortable with your gun.
Here's a pic of my LadySmith 60-7 in 38 with Herrett's Detective stock. (this gun predates the 357 J frames)
I have large hands/long fingers so what mine looks like isn't what anyone elses would necessarily look like.

I usually carry this 340 PD or a 342Ti

I prefer wood grips since they won't drag or catch on clothing.

 

[79ipa]

Smith & Wesson 642 Revolver - NO INTERNAL LOCK : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

Smith&Wesson, 638, 38 spl, airweight : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

I find that .357 loads have too much flash for night shooting for me when fired from a small revolver. I do think that you should go with a j frame as the other females on this forum have recommended.

I also think that many .357 loads have too much recoil when fired from a light gun.

that being said a 158 handloaded in a .357 case to about 1100 is a good compromise between a 38 and a 357. Same could be said about a 125 to about 1200.

 

[tac803]

Denise,

.357's are a pain to shoot and hard to control out of a J frame. The muzzle blast from a .357 run out of a J frame in a confined space or vehicle is memorable, to say the least. The J frame can be easily concealed in the waistband, on the ankle, in a pocket, or in a shoulder rig. The benefit of the .357 is, of course, the ability to shoot .38's through it as well, making it a little less expensive and more fun to shoot. I'm sure you will probably wind up with at least one of each, like many of us here.

You need to evaluate your needs in order to find out what will fit them best right now. If you need a compact, full strength revolver for personal protection that is easily concealable, then a J frame in .38 has filled that bill for over 50 years for tens of thousands of cops and civilians. If you are in a place that you might run into bigger 4 legged critters that might need to be dissuaded from bothering you, then a .357 K frame short barrel is always a good choice.

Either one will do the job for you as far as lawful personal protection. Like I said before, it's not like getting married...if you don't like it, just trade it in on something else!

 

[roaddog28]

Denise:
i originally had the same thought as you for a pocket gun. i bought a S&W 637, it's an airweight with the hammer.(i think it weighs about 13ozs).

i just traded it away because i hated shooting it. the recoil with just target ammo killed my hand. the gun is so small the bottom of the grip would tear up the palm of my hand. it was so bad i never did fire +P ammo...being in my 60s, i have lost some hand strength & it really showed here.

secondly, while practicing at the range, shooting one handed, i couldn't hit a barn door from 20 feet, the shots were well scattered.

the double action trigger pull is good, however, the single action is a hair trigger, all you need to do is lay your finger on the trigger & it shoots.

so, in closing, i'm now searching for another pocket gun...may get a S&W 60 or 64 with 2" bbl...just not sure yet.

Suggestion Trailblazer. I would look for a 64 3 inch bull barrel. They are accurate and will not have the recoil. You can conceal the 64 3 inch. I am very small and have small hands too. Recoil is a problem. Light weight revolvers are not fun to shoot. Stay with a steel framed and a k frame revolver.
Good luck,
roaddog28

 

[Denise]

HI y'all....well here's an update. I now own a S&W 642-1 DA only/no lock. Love it! Got my CHL a few months ago and now finally have something to carry. So my "next" gun is DONE. I still have my "baby" .22LR S&W and now my 642... "Sarah".

p.s. The recoil is fine..fitted it with Hogue Bantum grips.....

 

[sourdough44]

I think you did great.

 

[Denise]

got some Speer GD HP ammo for it...I have not gone to shoot yet. I can't wait!

 

[stantheman86]

.38

I shoot mostly .38's in most of my .357's, so to me a .357 revolver is just an "overbuilt" .38.

I don't want to shoot through every wall in my house if I have to use my gun against an intruder(s). Also the same for my carry piece, I don't want to put rounds down the street trying to drop a PCP addled mugger.

To me the whole "stopping power" thing is over-rated. .357's are great manstoppers (or were) for police back when they carried revolvers, but as a CCW holder I just don't need it. I don't care what you're on a .38 HP to the faceplate will ruin your day, and I don't put innocent people in as much risk by risking a .357 going through or past (in the event I miss) an assailant and going 400 yards down the street.

People have said I don't carry "enough gun" but then crow about some .380 plas-Tec piece they just bought, go figure!

 

[Wee Hooker]

Finally a lady who thinks practically! Can't tell you how many times I have a new to shooting women insist she wants a 9mm or 40 semi because revolvers are "not cool". Hats off to you!

Personally, I wouldn't fret over 38 v 357. Think about whether you want less recoil and more durability (stainless steel) or lighter weight. Next pick the action type your preffer. DAO, Bodyguard or traditional/exposed hammer. Lastly, hunt up a nice used one. Nice things about J frames is there is always a deal on a used one somewhere.

Here is a pic of my favorite 38 special mod 60 w bobbed hammer. Paid $200 out the door

 

[gman1934]

I'll join the band wagon and suggest the model 649 stainless. Carry and practice with what you intend to use in an emergency so there are no surprises in an already stressful situation. Lower recoil means better, well placed follow up shots vs jerked shots (and potential misses) in anticipation of a huge recoil.

 

[rpg0123]

For a small J frame with some traditional flare take a look at the model 36. They make them now in the "classic" series, and of course you can get an older pre-lock model. I finally came to the conclusion that the lock is a tempest in a teapot and bought a "classic" with the IL myself. Blue finish with some custom ebony wood grips would fit the all dark requirement. I would definitely stick with 38 for a gun of this size though. Just my two cents. I wouldn't want a 357 that is too small. I am a snub fan, but the only snub 357 I own is a Ruger sp101. It's very heavy for a snub and full house 357 still recoils very smartly with it. It's definitely controllable, but I wouldn't want to shoot that type of ammo out of anything any lighter weight. The all-black 442 in 38+p is also a cool looking option. And, prob shouldn't say this on the S&W forum, but the Ruger LCR has made quite a splash.

 

[Eagles6]

649. Passed up a good deal on one some years ago & still kick myself.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

How about a 3 inch 686 with spare cylinder and have both cut for moon clips and one bored for 9mm, 38 auto, 38 super and 9x26. That would give you 6 different rounds to shoot from one gun. Heck make that a 3 and a 6 inch that you can swap the cylinders back and forth.

 

[Donna K]

I'm also a small woman with very small hands. My model 18 is my baby... but that's a different class than you're asking about. I also have a model 60 LS. I run .38's thru it for target practice, and it's REALLY comfortable for me. It's fun, easy, and relatively inexpensive to shoot, which is a big consideration. With rubber grips .357 is tolerable to shoot, but I prefer to shoot .357 only in a 'have to' situation. At any rate, a model 60LS is the best of all worlds.... comfort, economy, knockdown, carry. Hope you find the model that works for you.

 

[Robert B]

I love my 442 and I think the 642 was an excellent choice. I also run the short barrel round that you have, and it has had excellent street results in NY and LA.