38sp Revolver for Concealed Carry

[DanGunner]

Love my S&W 442. It'll be Numero Uno on my CCW when I renew in about a month. Maybe it's me but I can shoot it all day long two-handed or one-handed without any discomfort with my Pachmayr grips. Accurate too. I have Ruger LCRs in.38 and 9mm, and they are very fine guns, but I find the DA action on the Smith to be a little smoother

[Citadelgrad87]

My next gun will be a 38 special for concealed carry (not CA... Utah). I have my reasons for preferring a revolver. There seem to be two classes of revolvers in this categary... I call them light and ultralight. Ultralight is something like a Ruger LCR which weighs about 13-14 ounces. Light is something beefier such as a S&W 442 or 642. They weight 20-24 ounces (I forget exactly).

What's the recoil light on an ultralight (ruger LCR) gun shooting 38 special? Is it too much to handle?

Of course the lighter the better but there's a tradeoff (momentum). I don't want to get a gun so light I'm afraid to shoot it because it's gonna hurt.

So what do you think.... should i go with a very light (polymer, mostly) revolver or a stainless steel one? Ultralight: S&w bodyguard, Ruger LCR. Light: S&W 442/642, Kimber 6s.....

As always I appreciate all of your thoughts and opinions.

My 85 year old dad shoots an lcr with .38 spl. He has never complained about recoil, only that its doa and hard to shoot well.

[nadodave]

I think at some point, the weight reduction with reference to comfortabikity becomes negligible, whereas the shootability continues to go down.

My smallest ccw is my kahr mk9, which is in the low 20 ounce category.

I will be adding 2 revolvers, but both bigger than the mk9. I generally prefer revolvers, but that little kahr is a pleasure to shoot, and conceals with shorts and a tshirt.

Enjoy testing and trying your potential additions!!

[Ranger20]

I have a 442 sw. Have had many others. A mod 10 snubby or sw 66 are good as well.
If you want all steel with the option of a 38 and 357. The Ruger sp 101 in 2 or 3 inch is a do all choice. Look at one of those

[plumbum]

S&W 642 has a lot going for it on the support category, but the LCR has caught up a lot more recently. If you aren’t going for the super-duper lightweight category, I’d strongly suggest looking at the .357 variants, for the extra weight (even if you don’t plan to shoot .357’s from them). Nothing carries like a snubby.

[bczrx]

I rented the Ruger LCR .38Sp and LCR .357.

I used the same box of .38sp +P ammo in them, to do a 'head to head' comparison of the 'feel' of them.


I REALLY like the smoothness of the trigger in either, but found that I preferred shooting the .357 over the .38sp version.


The .38sp felt worse in my hand than my .44mag revolvers [or shooting .357mag from my 4 or 6" revolvers].

This is to be expected, due to weight.

The .357 felt just a 'smidge' more comfortable with the same ammo.


I felt that 10 rounds through the .38sp were about as uncomfortable as 20-25 rounds through the .357mag LCR.


I decided that the ONLY reason I would get a .38sp one is if California tries to follow the Org of Am States policy of only allowing handguns of caliber .38sp and smaller, or .380acp and smaller.

My understanding is that Mexico has adopted this, and the .38Super is now no longer an option.


IF that were to ever happen here, I'd get the .38sp version and be fine with it- but would prefer to carry a Model 10 HB with 4" barrel, as it is MUCH more comfortable- despite pulling my pockets down.

Don't know if this helps, but hope it did.

[wild_weasel]

I own both a S&W 642 is 38 Special and LCR in 9mm. First off shooting either for an extended period of time can be fatiguing, count on getting a blister on your thumb so bring some plasters. Second, carrying 5 rounds of 38 Special in a Bianchi Speed strip is much flatter and easier than 5 rounds of 9mm in a moon clip. Other issues I've had with the LCR in 9mm is un-crimped bullets pulling excessively and or falling out the end of the cylinder after firing 3 or 4 rounds along with misfires if I do not use the moon clip. Hornady Duty/Critial Defense 9mm is crimped in a cannelure so does not experience bullet pull. Given the choice for concealed carry or backup I'd go with my 642 with 5 rounds of +P 158gr FBI<lead semi wad cutter hollow point> on a speed strip. Either gun is intended to be carried a lot and shot little.

[thetruecheese]

i highly suggest the LCR. it has the best trigger and is very affordable.

[KrisDSA]

442 all day. Do a trigger job without springs n call it a day.

[mnichols]

I went with the lcr.
Better trigger and lighter, no brainer for me.
Though it is #2 to my shield.

The Hogue grips that came on my lcr are great. Im not going to put 100 rounds through it each range trip, but its not unpleasant to shoot with +p for me.

[Squidward]

If you can deal with a couple of extra ounces, the Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum is another option. 26oz in 2.25" barrel length. It is also available in .38 sp +p, but the size and weight are the same as the magnum, so better to have the additional cartridge option, IMO. It has enough mass in the full underlug barrel to help tame recoil. You can get it with a regular or bobbed hammer. Also has a transfer bar which is nice if you get the normal hammer model. I like mine a lot.

It may be too late to add to the above opinion (which I agree with) but here are two extra additions:

The SP101 is easier to work on than a S&W, A Wolff spring kit can lighten the trigger to your liking. And, Gemini Customs offers a hi-viz fiber optic front sight which is nice for "older" eyes.

[JohnnieBoy]

I have several S&W wheel guns, all older. Don't really carry any of them. I bought a Ruger LCRx a few years back with a Visa gift card. I carried it for a bit. Carried well, shot well, smooth trigger - Good little gun. Gave it to a girlfriend that needed a carry gun.

[bczrx]

It may be too late to add to the above opinion (which I agree with) but here are two extra additions:

The SP101 is easier to work on than a S&W, A Wolff spring kit can lighten the trigger to your liking. And, Gemini Customs offers a hi-viz fiber optic front sight which is nice for "older" eyes.

Good option. The only thing I can add is that I find an SP101 needs to have the trigger worked on to be close to as good as the LCR is out of the box.

BUT, the SP101's heavier barrel makes it easier at the range also- as mentioned.

If it were a primary shooting gun, for all around use, i'd go SP101.

If it were a carry often, shoot seldom, I'd go LCR in .357 for some reduction of recoil with .38+P.

If it were range only, I'd break out the S&W K38 w/6" barrel from 1957. Or, the Colt OMT from 1935 with 6" barrel.

[mlentzner]

Not a CCW or revolver guy, but does the 2" rhino get any consideration here?

[TI-Tick]

S&amp;W 360

S&W 360 if you can find one is my recommendation. I have a 360 and a 642 and by far prefer the 360 as the grip is longer and has SA/DA capability. Also the 360 is way easier to install one of those large dot X sights than the 642. The 360 is my go to carry; light, concealable, enough power, simple, reliable, KISS. I prefer the S&W push or the Colt pull cylinder release over any push in release from Ruger based on my prior experiences. YMMV and that's your call.

I will say +P's are no fun with the 360 and are worse with the 642. I'll also say that with the proper defense load I have no need for +P. I just see no sense in it with a lightweight snubbie.

I also have the 360's Daddy, the 36 which is also a nice carry piece but over your weight limits. Ditto Colt Detective Special; six shots with a trigger like butter. These steel frames are more appropriate for +P per my shooting

Good luck with your snubby search. There are books out there on this subject.