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

[Denise]

Have fun with this....

now that I have my little .22LR, I'm on the hunt for my next gun.

I have shot a .38 airweight. Yes it's got a kick but I can shoot it. Thought I might like a .357 but sho0t .38's in it.

I've read that 'older' smiths are better. Age is probably not an issue but something 1980+ .

I want a snubbie to body carry.

Small j frame
definately not ported!
probably shrouded hammer or DA only.
I love the all black look or stainless.
NO LOCKS

So recommend away. If an older gun, I will be on the lookout for it. Might take time to find one.

 

[SAFireman]

640

I think that a 640 fills that bill...it is not unpleasant to shoot 357's in....the stainless is nearly indestructible...and you can get the 'no-lock' version if you look around....I have 2 and love them!

You can shoot 357 or 38's if you like.

 

[flagman1776]

357. Shoot anything you want in it. 38's for cheap practice.

 

[Spotteddog]

640 (Centennial means DAO=no hammer)
Model 60 (S/A-D/A capable=exposed hammer)
Bodyguard series (sorry, don't know that type well enough to give the model numbers-shrouded hammer, allowing S/A-D/A fire. But has a shield to protect hammer from snagging on clothing).
90+% find running .357's out of any gun lighter than the 20-24 ounces of all carbon steel or stainless steel models, (models beginning with a "6" are the all stainless models) guns unpleasant to shoot, to say the least! Heavier, all steel guns are harder to pocket carry due to weight. But are far easier to shoot for the same reason.
A 640-1 meets all the criteria.
YMMV-As will opinions.

 

[Engine49guy]

model 649 stainless or 38 airweight

 

[indiandave]

A girl who likes guns, can you cook?,will you marry me? All kidding aside as others have said a 640 would be a nice carry gun. If you don't mined having a hammer, and only shooting .38's, the model 36 is a good choice. It's made of steel and is easy to shoot. You can buy an old one for less than 350 bucks.

Wellcome to the forum!

 

[Denise]

I'm a pretty good cook. Just plain country food but my DH likes it! Thanks for the gun tip. I am considering a 38 for price purposes. I figure if I did ever NEED to use it , adrenaline would kick in and DAO would be no problem.

 

[user]

I recommend picking a gun based on the cartridge you really intend to use. I don't recommend any J frame chambered in .357 - they're too hard to control, it's hard to line up a second shot quickly, and it may hurt your hand to practice with it. Yeah, people say get it anyway, because it increases your flexibility but who needs that flexibility? Who wants to add more flash, bang, and recoil? What's the point of that? A .38 special from a reliable manufacturer will have enough kinetic energy at fifty yards to crush human bone, so any revolver chambered in .38 will work just fine at normal defensive range.

Even so, if you insist on getting a snubby, I would suggest the stainless steel (NOT Airweight) 649 "Bodyguard" model chambered in .38 (hint - they're only available used - S&W stopped making them in stainless steel). If I recall correctly, it weighs about 22 oz., and will provide enough mass to balance out the recoil.

But that's not my real recommendation, because I still think that's too small a gun. I'd suggest a K frame, which you can also get in a 2" barrel model. The only current .38 model S&W makes that I'd really recommend is the 64 which comes in 3" and 4" models. We're talking about something slightly larger than what you had in mind, but is still easily concealable, and much easier to control.

 

[Denise]

I'm a small women with small hands. Size 6 glove size. J frame is just the right size for me. I don't think a K frame would work at all. But thanks for the .38 recommendation. That makes sense to me. I am on the look out for a SS .38, no lock and something with a 2" bbl or less...and of course for a really good price.

 

[Sportsterguy]

You CANNOT do any better than a S&W 19 or 66 2.5" for a self defense revolver. Much easier to shoot than a "J" frame and it will keep it's value as long as you don't abuse it.

I do have 2 3" 60-10 that has been factory ported. Have shot it at night many times and the muzzle flash is not any worse IMO than a non ported revolver with magnums. With the Uncle Mike full wrap around grips .357's are pretty darn easy to control. It's my wifes and daughters favorite revolver. The 3" barrel helps with velocity and keeping the muzzle down. Also makes for positive extraction of empty cases with the extra length of the ejection rod.

Whatever you buy get it in a .357. Gives you the choice of either round.
Accuracy is the key and a "K" frame is much easier to control with ANY loads than a "J". Especially if you buy a lightweight model.

 

[Denise]

OK.. OK...two recommendations for a K frame....like I need an excuse to to visit my guys at the gun shop .... I will go fondle a K frame and see how it feels and if I can reach the trigger

 

[Babalooie]

I'm a big fan of S&W's and have owned model 38 and 649 bodyguards. Currently, I have a 442 centennial and like the double action only feature. I've also gotten a Colt agent and Cobra (alloy frame with 6 shots in .38 Special). As much as I like Smiths, I really like the agent and cobra. They handle fairly well and you have an extra shot in each. They're slightly larger than J frames, but smaller than K frames. Previous owners installed shrouds on them, so they're similar to bodyguards.

 

[Denise]

couldn't help it...bidding on a NIB Limited Edition S&W Model 442 No Lock .38 spec "Molon Labe" version. I probably will not get it cause I put in my max which isnt' aggressive and I promised myself not to look (but I will get an email if I'm overbid). Now I'm scared that I WILL get it! Blue carbon steel gun? How the heck do you take care of one of those?

My Hogue bantams got here today. All they need is a little gun. If I don't get this, I'll look at a a Stainless .38. Oh and K is way too much for me.

whew! got outbid on the 442. Glad! now for a stainless search. How about a 638-2 , if I can find one!

 

[BarbC]

60LS. It's built to shoot .357 and a dream with .38+p.

The trigger is easy enough and the gun is controllable enough to effectively fire rapid double-action shots in either caliber.

With Speer Gold Dot .357s, rapid double action at 7 yards:

It is small and light enough to carry IWB.

The round butt makes it very comfortable to get a good grip with good trigger contact.

You can get Crimson Laser grips for it too.

 

[trailblazer02]

I'm a small women with small hands. Size 6 glove size. J frame is just the right size for me. I don't think a K frame would work at all. But thanks for the .38 recommendation. That makes sense to me. I am on the look out for a SS .38, no lock and something with a 2" bbl or less...and of course for a really good price.

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.

 

[user]

No relationship to anyone connected with the ad, but here's one that fits my criteria:

649 Smith & Wesson 38 special : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[gman1934]

I second the idea of a model 19 or 66. Really not much bigger than a 649 or 49 and a little easier to control. Grips are about the same. My only other recommendation is to practice, practice, practice. Snubbies require alot of practice due to the short sight radius. You have to be able to hit what you aim at.

 

[cowboy117]

37-2..38 Special,factory bobbed hammer,no MIM.Hard to find but worth it.Dry fire if trigger is stiff.

 

[Iggy]

How's about a Model 12? Aluminum K frame snubbie.

Six shot .38. Enough grip options to allow most anyone to find a fit that works.

Or if you really want a J-frame, look for a stainless steel 640-1

Heavier than the exotics and you can if you really must, shoot .357 mags in it.

 

[Cyrano]

I sure like my 638-3. It's a J frame, and at one time they were called the 'Bodyguard'. It has a shroud that almost encloses the hammer; just a tiny thumbpiece sticks out the top so you can cock it. Very streamlined for pocket carry, but has the single-action option. It has an alloy frame, certified for +P, stainless barrel and cylinder. I mostly shoot light wadcuter loads in it for practice, however I've shot +P loads and the recoil is managable (the price of factory +P loads isn't managable, at least in the quantity required to shoot for practice). I carry it with Speer Gold Dots, Short Barrel, for snubbies like this. They also make them in 357, 44 and 45 ACP, and perhaps other calibers.

It's a superb carry piece, and makes a good bureau drawer gun. I've had it about a year and have put over 800 rounds through it. I couldn't be happier.