I’m leaning toward the S&W 642.
But what else is out there? Concealed or Open, no preference to me.
But what else is out there? Concealed or Open, no preference to me.
Carry Revolver - What are the options?
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Like the LCP? Ha! I really can’t stand shooting the LCP
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Is that the model 340?
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- #7
It looks awesome though.
Check out the new Colt Cobra revolver. 
For CC look at the Kimber, its a small gun easy to conceal and shoot lights out!
I like snub nosed revolvers and have been shooting them for over a half century now. I prefer shooting the all steel models but also find the Airweight versions easier to carry and conceal. I have small revolvers from Colt, S&W, Taurus and Charter Arms. The Detective Special is probably my favorite and what I have used the last couple qualifying rounds I've shot.
My modern Charter Arms has been reliable and accurate and the company has been the nicest to work with. I haven't needed any warranty work but did work with them to get a bobbed hammer to change it from hammered to hammerless.
The Taurus is also modern and slightly larger than the Charter Arms and Smiths "J" frames. It's been reliable and accurate but simply feels less polished and precise than any of the others.
One of my Smiths is modern, the Airweight but the others are all ones I've owned for many decades. Two are hammerless, the Airweight and an early Centennial Lemon Squeezer and the third is a pre-model numbers Chiefs Special.
If you are thinking about a snub nosed revolver then an essential resource is the Snubnose Files. It is a compendium of just about everything you need to learn related to the tiny wheelies.
My modern Charter Arms has been reliable and accurate and the company has been the nicest to work with. I haven't needed any warranty work but did work with them to get a bobbed hammer to change it from hammered to hammerless.
The Taurus is also modern and slightly larger than the Charter Arms and Smiths "J" frames. It's been reliable and accurate but simply feels less polished and precise than any of the others.
One of my Smiths is modern, the Airweight but the others are all ones I've owned for many decades. Two are hammerless, the Airweight and an early Centennial Lemon Squeezer and the third is a pre-model numbers Chiefs Special.
If you are thinking about a snub nosed revolver then an essential resource is the Snubnose Files. It is a compendium of just about everything you need to learn related to the tiny wheelies.
I carry this Airweight Bodyguard about 30% of the time. This model is not +P rated, but I believe newer ones are. Not bad to shoot with standard pressure loads with 125 or 130 gr. bullets. I have shot a limited number of +P rounds through it and carry +P in it for defensive use. Uncomfortable to shoot with heavy weight bullets or +P rounds. anyways.
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I like snub nosed revolvers and have been shooting them for over a half century now. I prefer shooting the all steel models but also find the Airweight versions easier to carry and conceal. I have small revolvers from Colt, S&W, Taurus and Charter Arms. The Detective Special is probably my favorite and what I have used the last couple qualifying rounds I've shot.
My modern Charter Arms has been reliable and accurate and the company has been the nicest to work with. I haven't needed any warranty work but did work with them to get a bobbed hammer to change it from hammered to hammerless.
The Taurus is also modern and slightly larger than the Charter Arms and Smiths "J" frames. It's been reliable and accurate but simply feels less polished and precise than any of the others.
One of my Smiths is modern, the Airweight but the others are all ones I've owned for many decades. Two are hammerless, the Airweight and an early Centennial Lemon Squeezer and the third is a pre-model numbers Chiefs Special.
If you are thinking about a snub nosed revolver then an essential resource is the Snubnose Files. It is a compendium of just about everything you need to learn related to the tiny wheelies.
Beauties and great info!
Long live the snubbies. I love shooting my Ruger SP101, but frequently carry a lighter, six-shooter ... Which is less fun to shoot.
Thought long and hard about getting the local GS to bore out the SP101 to take magnum rounds - this can be safely done - but there is almost no advantage in this; today's +P+ .38 ammo is enough!
AA
I also have a S&W 66 .357 with a 2 1/2 in. barrel. Very nice to carry OWB and much more pleasant to shoot, even with magnum loads. But I'm spoiled by my Airweight, in comparison, the 66 is a brick!
simon1
Self Ignored by Vista
People have been carrying 4 inch barrel .357s for decades. They are much easier to shoot than a snub. A 4 inch is as easy to conceal as a snub if you carry IWB and put on the right stocks.
www.smith-wesson.com
Model 19 | Smith & Wesson
The J-frame (S&W Model 442 shown here) is always an excellent choice. It's a weapon which is silly easy to carry and conceal. It's effectiveness has withstood the test of time for decades. If you are looking for something with a bit more heft (and a higher price tag) the Colt Cobra (or King Cobra if a tad more size works for you) are other very viable choices
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- #16
The 442 is nice option too I think. The Colt Cobra I also like the looks of.
Assuming all these are double action?
Assuming all these are double action?
642 is my favorite snubbie, I don’t own others, but tried a few out when I bought the smith. Pocket concealed easily and with +p it’s a lot but doable.
Models with fully enclosed hammers such as the S&W 442 and the lemon squeezer are obviously DA only, those with shrouded and partially exposed hammers, like my Airweight, can be cocked and shot SA, if desired.
I have many of the guns mentioned. I prefer the Colt D frames....Agent, Detective Special, Cobra, 2017 Cobra, Diamondback and so on because they are 6 shooters.
If I were carry revolver shopping, I would be scouring the stores and shows for a few decades old Smith or Colt. I believe the fit and finish is better on the old guns.
If I were carry revolver shopping, I would be scouring the stores and shows for a few decades old Smith or Colt. I believe the fit and finish is better on the old guns.
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