Next gun S&W revolver, but which one?

[Friedrice118]

Ok im still pretty new to guns, I got a walther pk380 thinking it was smith and wesson but only to find out the design is, just manufactured. Then I get an M&P 9mm compact the same day as concealed weapons permit.

My next gun I want to be a smith and wesson revolver, BUT i want one for concealed carry, im thinking a 38, something with a small barrel.

What would you guys recommend, I only know the basics of the guns I have, but next to nothing when it comes to revolvers. I want somethin with at least 5 shots and a good deal of stopping power.

If you guys think a 38 isnt ideal for what im lookin for can you recommend some up to date models models ideal for concealed carry, and I would like to get the closest i can to the stopping power of a 9mm. Also, they make hallow points for revolvers right? in my state hallow points are legal. And for the last aspect ide like, I dont need a long distance accurate revolver, for concealed carry I dont think it would be right to shoot someone whos a threat whos 10 or more yards away unless their shooting at me. Im looking accuracy up to 5yards, but ide feel most comfortable at around seven. I dont know how accurate I would be under pressure in a self defense situation so i think an accurate 7 yard revolver would be ideal for me at 5 yards.

also 300$-400$ range but if the quality of the 500$ range FAR EXCEEDS the other, ill make the exception

Only one thing. ITS GOT TO BE A SMITH AND WESSON.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Go look at a 642 and a 442 and decide if you like silver or black.

 

[Friedrice118]

Go look at a 642 and a 442 and decide if you like silver or black.

thanks man, i whent on gun broker and im really likin the 442, and its a great price. How does the quality of this revolver compare to the higher priced ones? But ide like to get this lower priced one if it will do the job ya know.

Great suggection, im lookin at one with a polished wood finish handle, silver.

 

[VaRecon]

My personal favorite is my 640 Pro. I like the option of the .357.
My first carry piece was a 638, the shrouded hammer allows for single action fire and double action without the risk of snagging on the draw.

 

[patbelly]

I used to have a 637, but got rid of it. Bought a 442 and love it. Put on some rosewood magna grips and it's sweet looking. I don't shoot it as well as my semi-autos, but with practice, especially trigger control,
you can become quite accurate with it. Many owners can shoot very tight groups with their snub .38s. A great CCW handgun for sure.

 

[M3Stuart]

+1 on the 642 and 442. The 640 pro with the moonclips, the 640, 649 and the 60 are, IMHO, worth the additional $$. These second group are all stainless steel. They are a bit heavier, but absorb recoil much better. The airweights shoot fine also though. None of these are 'range guns'. I carry a Model 60 and recommend it although many do not think the exposed hammer spur is appropriate for a CCW.

Good luck.

 

[VaRecon]

I don't knock the exposed hammer. I just think I'm a little too much of a clutz to risk my life when with my luck I would catch the hammer.
Like any ccw piece, with thousands of practice draws you can get the hang of it and the risk of snags are certainly minimized.

 

[JCS&W]

For conceal carry, why not the M38 airweight? No hammer to hang on a pocket, light weight, will shoot +P's. Recoil is manageable. Not the prettiest Smith, but it will get the job done. Just my opinion.

 

[Friedrice118]

thanks guys, really appreciate it

 

[CoMF]

As far as something that "comes close" to the terminal ballistics of a 9mm (at least in 147 gr. loadings), .38 Special is the ticket with plenty of hollow point designs in various bullet weights to choose from.

The Centennial Airweights that other posters recommended are a sound choice in the $300-$400 price range you mentioned.

Me? I'm partial to older pinned barrel, all steel J-frames, hence why my EDC is a Chief's Special that's older than I am and will technically be a C&R in 9 years. Picked it up "gently used" with the original box, vapor wrap, inserts, warranty card and cleaning rod/brush at my LGS for $425 OTD.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The Aitweight 642 and 442 are both quality guns. They have aluminum frames so they are very light and easy to carry. .38 +P is a little snappy but still very manageable. Load up with some Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel or some Hornady Critical Duty and carry a HKS or 5 Star or two and you will be good to go.

The 640 has a bit longer and heavier barrel and is a .357 magnum with an all stainless frame. It's a howitzer in your pocket in both good and bad. Good in that you can stoke it with magnum if you feel the need and bad in that all that steel weighs down in any carry rig compared to the Airweights.

Either one would make a good choice but the Airweights cost less and .38's will still make a BG's day come crashing down around him. If you live where winter weather gets bad then you could save up and get both. Carry the 640 with 158gr magnums in the winter for insurance against heavy winter coats and such, and carry the Airweight in the summer for ease of carry with a good defense load like the above two mentioned. Unless you live in downtown Baghdad then you should be good to go.

 

[Pisgah]

You've gotten good suggestions. I would add that I can usually find very good deals on used-but-solid Model 36 Chiefs Specials if I take the time to look for one, and a good 40-year-old example can be had for less than a new one.

 

[gunny4053]

I, like others, prefer the older guns. The new light weight stuff has the advantage of being light, but when you practice, and it hurts, just not the best choice in my opinion.

I have become very fond of the model 49s, and their variants, like the 649. I shoot Gold dots with no rubber grips, and have no problem hitting the mark. The great thing about these, they give you the option of single action shooting, without the annoyance of snagging the hammer on your clothing or anything else. They handle recoil well, they're accurate for their intended purpose, they have decent triggers, they can be had for reasonable prices, and THEY ARE Smith & Wessons.

What's not to like.

 

[carbofan21]

Check out sportsmans outdoor superstore. They have the lowest prices I have seen (free shipping as well) on the 442 and 642, and you can get either without the internal lock. They frequently show out-of-stock for both guns but they get new inventory regularly.

Tough to beat an airweight centennial for a pocket gun.

 

[Lou_NC]

638 for me

I really like my 638. Yes, it's ugly. Let's get that understood right away. But I didn't buy it to win a beauty contest. That's what my 22-4 with nickel plating is for!

Seriously, I carry my 638 in a pocket holster in the front pockets of dockers or cargo shorts and I forget it's there. It's light, and I really like the shrouded hammer, it gives the option of single action shooting, with no chance for snagging.

Lou

 

[Lobster Picnic]

The Airweight models 642 and 442 are just about perfect for concealed carry. The are light weight and with +P ammo they have good power for their weight. Practicing with +P is pretty snappy, but you can do most of your practicing with wadcutters and the recoil from these isn't bad. The price is excellent at $350 - $400 brand new.

As others have noted, there can be some advantage to carrying one of the heavier steel models. Most of them are about 4 or 5-oz heavier than the alloy models. The steel models are also more expensive, usually about $500 - $600 new, although there are plenty of good used ones available in your $300 - $500 range.

The steel J-frames are nicer to shoot. They absorb recoil better. The stainless models are very rugged and any scratches can be polished out. The blued models are cool-looking and while the finish does show holster wear, the gradual aging of a blued finish can add a lot of character. The alloy models have a clear coat finish that can flake off over time.

 

[nathanistre]

That my friend is a loaded question. lol Your definitely in the right place if you need to locate such a find. Good luck.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Model 60 is my choice. SS means no rust or finish wear. If you use Mother's on it periodically, the steel stays looking nice. It's a Round Butt J frame...small and light but with a little more weight for +P rounds. You don't have to buy new. Just picked up my M60-7 (first model with +P rating) for under $200.

 

[M3Stuart]

Model 60 is my choice. SS means no rust or finish wear. If you use Mother's on it periodically, the steel stays looking nice. It's a Round Butt J frame...small and light but with a little more weight for +P rounds. You don't have to buy new. Just picked up my M60-7 (first model with +P rating) for under $200.

Yep, I carry the 60-9. Just put some Hogue Bantam grips on it and it fits in my pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster with no prob. Here's an older pic of it.

 

[Friedrice118]

thanks guys, im ganna look at my next gun show and see if i can get one of the more expensive models used if not, i think the 442 is where im at,

youve all helped so much thank you