Which has better recoil...?

[mrscales]

Hi y'all. New member here! I have applied for my CCP and am currently waiting for it to be approved. In the meantime I have been searching around for the perfect CCW. I do plan to carry on-body when I can so I need something lightweight. However, I'm apprehensive of the lightweight guns because of recoil. I handled a 638 today and really liked the feel of it, but of course if I was going to buy I would get a 642. And from internet reading I have read that polymer handguns help with recoil. So, which (in your opinion) has less recoil...a 642 or Bodyguard .38?

I held a Ruger LCR today as well. I read great reviews online but didn't like the way the trigger felt after I dry shot it. (Please forgive me as I don't know gun slang lol) But it felt "grindy" to me. I asked the owner of the gun shop and he said because it was a polymer handgun that I was feeling the cylinder moving. So, again....pulling the trigger was fine, it was the feeling of letting go that I didn't care for.

Sorry to ramble; I'm looking forward to any advice that y'all have!

 

[Research Nerd]

Good rule of thumb is, the lighter the gun, the more recoil. However, it also depends on the size of bullet. Bigger bullet, means more recoil.

.357 magnum loaded with .38 special +p loads would be one option.

There are guys on this forum much more knowledgable than me, so I'll leave it to them.

Enjoy and welcome aboard,

 

[russp1]

While recoil is an issue with these smaller guns, you have to remember that when it comes time to use it in self defense, the last thing you'll notice is the recoil. Just make sure you don't choose a gun/ammo combination with so much recoil that you can't land the second shot. I carry a 442, the wife a 642 (because it came with pink grips).

 

[Bullwinkle J Moose]

My EDC is a NL 642 and I love it. I have never shot the new bodyguard.

IMO as long as you maintain a firm grip (as one should do with any handgun), recoil in a .38 is not an issue worth fretting over unless possibly you have some kind of medical condition in your hands or wrist. One may easily overcome any anxiety about recoil with practice, which should include some of the same rounds you intend to carry.

My advise to you is to quit worrying about recoil, buy the one you like the best along with some ammo and practice.

Be sure to post a range report when you shoot your new handgun.

 

[venomballistics]

I think full house 44 magnums have better recoil than a 25 auto ... but better is a subjective term.
you seem new to guns .. my advice is to test drive as many as they'll rent to you on the range and form your own opinions before you settle in on that 1911 45. .. you OWE it to yourself to at least try that one, and a few of its compact variants.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I wouldn't get too tied up in lightweight as a good holster will eliminate that. I carry a full sized 1911, the weight doesn't bother me at all. Believe me, I am aware of it's presence when it's there, but it's lighter than my backpack or messenger bag.

 

[blujax01]

A 642 is a much better built handgun than a Body Guard 38 and is something you will still be able to depend on 50 years from now. I shot a BG38 as well as an LCR and they feel horrible compared to the 642.

"Venomballistics" has the best advice. Most gun ranges, if not all, will rent you different guns to try before you buy.

 

[mrscales]

Thanks everyone. The only bad part is that we only have one range here in Southern WV that rents guns.

I guess I need to suck it up and just give one a try. It felt super nice in the store yesterday!

 

[sipowicz]

Thanks everyone. The only bad part is that we only have one range here in Southern WV that rents guns.

I guess I need to suck it up and just give one a try. It felt super nice in the store yesterday!

If you shot it in the store an liked it then you should like it at the range..go for it....

 

[David Sinko]

The problem with recoil is if the gun hurts you too much you'll be reluctant to practice with it, especially if it makes you bleed. The cylinder latch on the S&W is much more prone to make you bleed, while the Rugers don't have this problem. But I never met a Ruger that I could shoot as well as a good S&W.

Dave Sinko

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome to the Forum.
The M642 is a fine carry revolver. If you like the one you handled I don't think you can go wrong with one. If recoil is a big concern, have you considered an all steel revolver? The M642 is an "Airweight". It weighs about 15 oz. unloaded. A M640 would go about 23 oz. and would be much more comfortable to shoot. I agree with previous comments that if you have to use it for real you will not notice recoil. However if you are going to carry it you need to be proficient in it's use, and that means a lot of practice. You, of course, will notice recoil there.
The Ruger LCR is a fine revolver. A client of mine, a Woman who is a senior citizen, bought one because she couldn't pull the trigger on her M442, and she couldn't rack the slide on most semi-autos. She has no trouble with the Ruger. The polymer is a bit better on recoil because it flexes with it. Steel or aluminum can't do that.
You've got a lot of good choices. Try them all. We're glad you're here.
Jim

 

[GKC]

I think the LCR is a fine CCW revolver, and IMO the trigger is better than the S&W J frames. The LCR comes in a .357 model as well as the .38, and the .357 model is 17 oz versus the 14 oz .38 model. Loaded with .38 + P, the LCR .357 would be a good carry gun.

At the range, use a shooting glove and practice with mild .38 special loads, and you will not have any issues with felt recoil...although recoil is subjective and everyone experiences it differently...then shoot a few cylinders of the +P loads to test function. Carry the revolver with the +P loads, and if you actually have to use it, you won't notice the recoil at the time.

Personally, I wouldn't use .357 loads in a small revolver, even one chambered for them.

 

[mrscales]

Ahh! I think this is going to be more complicated than I ever thought. My husband took me gun browsing yesterday and I held a Ruger SP101 and loved it. It's heavier but it didn't seem too drastically heavier than an airweight. Hubby says that shooting .38's out of a .357 shouldn't be more than I can handle. It's a steel frame, which will help with recoil. And honestly...the only thing I noticed that was bigger than a 642 was the barrel was a little longer. What do you guys think?

Good gun for a lady? Any tips on holsters for this size/weight of a gun?

 

[P&R Fan]

The one area the M642 has a definite advantage over the Ruger is the fact it has no external hammer. That makes it really good for concealed carry, especially pocket carry. There is nothing to snag on the draw.
Most people who have a lot of experience with concealed carry have one of these. S&W calls them the Centennial. I have three, a M642, M640-1 and a M340PD and one of them is ALWAYS with me. They take a bit more practice to shoot well, but they're great revolvers.
The Ruger is built like a tank, and will be very pleasant to shoot with .38 Specials. If you have a GOOD holster, it should conceal fine, although not as easily as the M642. Lobo Gunleather has great holsters, and the owner is a member here, I'm sure he can make you something nice, at a very good price.
Glad to see you're taking your time. Keep us posted.
Jim

 

[Rainman61]

Thanks everyone. The only bad part is that we only have one range here in Southern WV that rents guns.

I guess I need to suck it up and just give one a try. It felt super nice in the store yesterday!

My local gun store credits the rental fee toward a gun purchase. Ask about it.

 

[C Islander]

I've got a 442, it's a great gun and conceals easily in a pocket. That said, my SP101 is one of my favorite carry guns. It carries well and shoots even better.

 

[Chuck1217]

I have nothing new to add, all the info about calibers and weights are true of course. I only wanted to add that unless you plan to use this pistol for fun- I mean, shooting it a LOT just for the heck of it- then the recoil should not be that important. If you'd like to use it for both SD AND plinking, then I think I'd go with the .357 that also shoots low-load .38 specials. Best of both worlds.

 

[hawgleg]

The S&W 638 is a most excellant gun. It's know where close to a 357. I can shoot my 638 all day long with a good round of 38 spl.

 

[Jeb21]

Another factor that can affect the way you perceive recoil is the grip. A rubber grip that covers the revolvers back strap will seem to have an easier recoil to manage than one without.

On another note, while the 642 is an excellent weapon, I really like the all steel j-frames, as the extra weight tends to help me get faster follow up shots -i.e. the model 60, 640 and 649 are the model model numbers for the all steel Smith J-frames.

 

[sheepdawg]

I carry an SP 101 during weekdays and at work. A good holster is all it needs. I got this very good fitting holster from a guy at the Survivors SKS Boards named Heimdahl. You really hardly know your wearing it. The SP has manageable recoil with the cheap 110 grain 357 White Box JHP from Winchester. 38 +Ps feel like regular 38s.

Heimdhals Hybrid Holsters: General Info



I carry a model 15-3 2" barrel in a DeSantis Thumbreak on Sunday and to dressier events.