Revolver suggestions

[thumbs]

Ok I am willing to listen to anything that makes sense. Let me tell ya what I am thinking and you tell me what you think.

I have a Walther 380 about 25 years old I bought new. Never fired HP stuff in it but I guess as a defensive pistol it really should and I'm not sure I have compleat faith in it doing so. Ball ammo has always fed find as long as I held the pistol tight. I will buy some HP and try it but in the meantime.

I do a lot of hikeing and traveling. I am lookin for a revolver because I would like to be able to load shotshells in it, for snakes and HP loads also. I would like the revolver to be my ccw. Now I have carried revolvers in the past. Ok they were hugh things. I carry an Old Army while deer hunting for a final shot if needed. I also carry a 6" single six for squirrel and other critters during small game. Not so bad but it's a .22. Still not a ccw. So I know these things can get heavy and bulkey. I would like to be able to put it in my pants pocket so I can carry all year round without haveing to do something to conceal it like bulkey clothing. Light weight, durability and reasonable power is what I am looking for. I choose to avoid problems rather than looking for trouble. Also availability of ammo and choices of ammo are a very important.

I have been lookin a bit and came across the S&W 638 line of revolvers. They seem to be pretty close to what I am looking for. I like the ability to use the thing single action if I want. I saw the Ruger LCR but it's only double action. I realize you can't have to much gun but in the real world I want be able to carry this thing all day every day if I want.

This being said what do you recommend? Is there something better, for my needs, I should take a look at? Again I am open to suggestions.

thanks guys

 

[Crazy K38]

I have a 638 that I love, I load it with winchester PDX1 HP +p, and it is a remarkabley wonderful carry gun when I don't feel like wearing the 1911 or the SW99

 

[thumbs]

Do you have the 1 7/8" or 2.5" barrel? I have been lookin at the S&W site and see they make a 642 and 637 models. Tryin to figure out the differences.

 

[haggis]

Mas Ayoob has a good article on S&W J-frames in this month's American Handgunner. The digital version is in here:

American Handgunner May/June 2010

I personally carry a 642 as my everywhere gun. Concealed hammer, DA only, fewer openings to get lint into, and the higher grip frame lets me get a more controllable grip on the gun. You may have different requirements, so read the article.

Buck

 

[thumbs]

Hey thanks for the help and the artical. Learned a bit there. I really don't like the look of the shrouded hammer but like an exposed hammer. I am afraid the Chief may hang up in a pocket but I like the grip better. I am a bit afraid of the Centennial because its more difficult, and more dangerious, to check the cylinder to make sure its free.

Always something huh? One thing for sure the J frame is the way to go so far. Do you think the 2.5" barrel would be a problem for the pocket? The longer ejector would be real nice for sure.

thanks again

 

[Crazy K38]

what sounds like a good option for you is get the chief and have the hammer bobbed and unless you have DEEP pockets you may want the 1 7/8 inch bbl

 

[thumbs]

Yeah I was thinkin about that but didn't know if it was a viable alternative. I do like the looks of it. Of course if it comes down to it form follows function always with me.

I have only put the 1 7/8" in my pocket. I didn't know if the extra length would create a problem. I'll have to check. I understant that all new J frames have the longer extractor. Is that correct?

Hey have you or anyone else shot shotshells through this revolver? On of the reasons, for me, to have a revolver is so I can have some protection from snakes. I was just wondering about the density of the pattern at snake shooting distances. Don't ask me why. LOL

 

[flop-shank]

Do you think the 2.5" barrel would be a problem for the pocket?

That's a good question and the answer is yes. My 2 1/4" Taurus 605 has trouble with some pockets that my 1 7/8" 360 PD works in. YMMV

 

[westczek]

I just got one of the 642s with the 2.5 inch barrel, It fits in the pocket of my Wrangler blue jeans. The grip is conceled. But I have it in a Highnoon IWB made for the 2 inch guns, barrel sticks out a tiny bit. I don't have a pocket holster to try it in yet. I like the longer barrel, but it is my first J-frame. It fits in my pocket better than my 686...

Westczek

 

[thumbs]

As of now, and I very well may change my mind as I go along, I would like to be able to put this thing in my pants pocket whatever it is. Don't know if the difference in barrel length makes much difference in accuracy or velocity?

 

[USAF385]

I'll give another nod to the 642 1 7/8 inch. Great revolver. Small, light, comfortable to carry. Possible to carry in some front pockets, but to me much easier to get to in an inside waistband holster. I went with the enclosed because it cuts down on the bulk and eliminates snag. Double action is how you'd be firing it in a self defense situation anyway.

It's accurate enough for it's purpose: up close self defense. It's not made for target shooting, but 4 inch groupings at 7 yards, not a problem.

 

[NE450No2]

I recommed the 1 7/8" Bodyguard model.

It is the best of all worlds.

It will fit in your front pocket.

It will not snag when you pull it out.

You can shoot it while it is in a coat pocket.

You can thumb cock it if you want/need to.

I have been using one since @1972.

 

[thumbs]

Ok let me ask ya this about the 642. I was at the gun shop this afternoon and he had them all. Got me to thinkin as I handled them. My main reason for the hammer is for target shooting. I have always shot better in single action than double action. The guy at the shop said, why didn't I think of this, if you want to shoot targets pull the trigger back until it almost brakes then when ready apply just a bit of pressure and fire. He also said it will take a little practice to get the feel. Has anyone tried this with the 642? Will I be able to shoot as accuratly as if I was in single action? Maybe this is old hat to you wheel gunners but this stuff is new to me.

Can you get these J frames like the 642 in black?

Is the 442 the same as the 642 but in black? I see on their sight it says cut for moon clips whats that and can you load it without them?

Is the crimson trace really needed at the ranges this revolver will be used?

Last thing what is a good price for the 642?

thanks

 

[David Sinko]

Forget the hammer spur! It serves no legitimate purpose on a J Frame. If you feel tempted to thumb cock the hammer, you will find yourself doing this more and more frequently, probably to the point where you won't be able to do effective DA shooting. The great advantage of the Centennial is being able to fire from inside a pocket. Weight is a tradeoff. Heavier revolvers are much easier to shoot well. Effective manipulation of a J Frame requires LOTS of practice and you won't be practicing if you're afraid of the recoil or it hurts your hand.

Dave Sinko

 

[thumbs]

I don't want to hyjack my own thread, I think it falls in line with the original question.

I was out again lookin at revolvers. Ok kick this around a bit. I was shown a Ruger SP101. Ok right off the bat it's heavier for shure but size wise it's reasonably close to the J. Ok for the purest maybe I'm way off base here. Anyway I would guess there are guys that own the J and the SP101. The advantage that I see is the ability to handle 357. Can this revolver be effectively carries as a concealed revolver? Can it be used in the pocket with a pocket holster? Is this just over kill for a carry revolver? The only thing I can think of is when I'm hikeing and run across a po bear.

And finally, how does the quality stand with the SW? I very well may be talkin apples and oranges. But is it worth considering as a carry revolver for hikeing and everyday or is it just to heavy? The price is pretty close to the J frame.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Hey Thumbs,

I have a 3" SP101 and my wife has the 2.25" with a bobbed hammer. They are rugged little revolvers and make good guns for carry in a belt holster (either IWB or OWB) or for bouncing around in a glovebox, but in my opinion are not so great for pocket carry due to weight and size (they seem to fall between a J and K frame in size). I could carry my wife's SP101 in a pocket, but it feels like a huge lump there compared to a J-frame. The triggers of the SP101s can use some work out of the box and ours can't touch the triggers on any of my J-frames.
Many newer all-steel J-frames are rated for .357, and I find them tolerable with 110gr bullets, but a quite a handful with full-house 125gr. The SP101 is better with the 125gr bullets because it is heavier and the rubber stocks/grips absorb some of the recoil. Larger grips on the J-frame may help with the recoil, but you will sacrifice some concealment.
I have carried all three styles of J-frame (chief's, bodyguard, and centennial) in my pockets and the bodyguard and centennial are the best for avoiding snagging issues, though if you put the tip of your thumb on the tip of the chief's exposed hammer it comes right out of the pocket without any trouble. Key items are to use a good pocket holster and make sure the pockets are deep enough and have a large enough opening for the revolver to come out easily.
YMMV, good luck with your decision.

 

[flop-shank]

The SP-101 is a great gun!

I'm brain dead, so the weight of my SP-101 is no issue in the front pocket. Generally a 1 7/8" J frame is a better bet because it's smaller and shorter and fits some pockets that don't quite work out with the SP. The SP-101 is excellent for appendix carry, and the dedicated shooter can shoot 125 gr. .357s.

As far as quality goes, Ruger makes a fine gun. They are built like little tanks.

My opinion is that the SP-101 is a great addition to a carry line up, but most people who don't have a pocket gun would be better served by an Airweight Smith, or a P3AT since they conceal and carry easier. In some situations the little Ruger may not quite work. For the person such as myself who carries multiple guns, the SP-101 is a Godsend. Example: I was practicing deep concealment tonight, so I carried the SP in the appendix position, a Taurus 605 left front pocket and a NAA Black Widow right front pocket.

 

[Capt Steve]

How about a 649 Bodyguard? A nice J Frame, stainless, shrouded hammer 357

I like my 649 for a number of reasons. It is only slightly larger than the 642 but gives me several benefits. With the shrouded hammer I have the option of SA or DA with nothing to snag. Like most folks I am more accurate in SA and any number of defensive scenarios would benefit from this option. Being a 357 it handles 38's nicely, even the Plus P loads(JHP's are my personal preference). Since it is a little heavier it handles recoil far better than the Airweights adding to second shot accuracy and it is more fun to shoot. Being more fun to shoot I shoot it more often and consequently better. I happen to like stainless and the 649 is built like the proverbial tank.

I did add the Crimson Trace laser grips and absolutely love them. If there is anything that any snubby lacks it is the accuracy of a longer barrel. Paint the bad guy with the laser at a reasonable distance and you probably won't have to drop the hammer. The CT's are nice comfortable grips so you lose nothing there. I carry in a Lobo Gun Leather enhanced pancake holster at about 2:30 and it disappears beneath a golf/Hawaiian shirt or jacket.

About the only down side for this selection is the cost. I'm close to a grand with the 649, CT's and holster, hell, throw in the belt and I'm there. (o; But for the $ you get one hell of a nice gun that shoots well and can be a hidden cannon when properly fed.

 

[2hawk]

I find myself in agreement with the good Capt.:

.357, about 20 oz if I recall correctly. A little heavy in the pocket, but I like the weight when I'm shooting it.

Truth is, all the suggestions in this thread are good ones, the question is which one fits best?

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
Down here in Peru EVERY handgun is liscensed as a CC. For near 20 years I have used either my old 38 Special Colt Police positive or my 5 shot 38 Special with Hip grips. Very light weight and a 160 grain near pure lead bullet with 4 grains Unique is going to do all I need done up close. My greatest threat is walking out of the bank so what ever happens is going to be up close.
I carry one speed loader in my pocket but I dought it will ever be needed.