Which snubbie to picK?

[Chris Brines]

I'm trying to decide between a Ruger LCR, a S&W Airweight or Bodyguard (one of the many, one with a shrouded hammer preferably, 442, 438, 638's are the ones I've been looking at), or a hammerless (or not) SP101.

I'm looking for a BUG or "pocket gun", preferably without a hammer so that I can draw from my front pocket with no snagging. But then again, I have to wonder how much of an issue that would actually be. It will probably spend the majority of it's time in my car, behind the passenger seat, and be used for those quick "in and out, vice versa" trips to the store, etc...or times when concealing my Glock might not be so easy.

Since this is where I got all the good info that lead me to purchase my FAVORITE gun ever, my 6" blued GP100, I figured it was the best place to ask about this next purchase as well.

I've found a few Airweights and LCR's for roughly $330-$360

But I've also found a few SP101's for roughly $400

Some hammerless and some not. Really I wonder if spending $400 on a hammerless SP101 would be worth it. I mean should I just get one with a hammer? How well do they shoot in DA?

I like the DA trigger on my GP100 (shoots just as good in DA as it does in SA in my opinion), and have heard some mixed reviews about the triggers on the 3 I mentioned above.

Help is appreciated.

 

[darkwater67]

I'd be surprised if you've had mixed reviews on the LCR trigger...it is one sweet stroke right out of the box. It is my current pocket carry. The hammerless SP101 is about the same size as the LCR, but heavier and more recoil-absorbing, so find somewhere to try them out and find which one you'd prefer. I liked the factory Hogue grips on the LCR over the exposed backstrap grips that the Airweight S&Ws usually come with...more controllable and less painful.

 

[Chris Brines]

I'd be surprised if you've had mixed reviews on the LCR trigger...it is one sweet stroke right out of the box. It is my current pocket carry. The hammerless SP101 is about the same size as the LCR, but heavier and more recoil-absorbing, so find somewhere to try them out and find which one you'd prefer. I liked the factory Hogue grips on the LCR over the exposed backstrap grips that the Airweight S&Ws usually come with...more controllable and less painful.

Actually I heard the LCR trigger is excellent (the pulling of the trigger I mean), but that you have to make absolutely sure you release the trigger ALL the way or it will not fire, just spin the cylinder. I'm having a hard time imagining that. A lightweight pocket gun is pretty much what I'm looking for.

 

[hammie]

For your purposes, my choice would be a ruger LCR, chambered for .38 spl.

Have you considered a new charter arms? The undercover in .38 spl, with a 2 inch barrel is very handy. If you want to dial it up a notch, a 2 1/2 barreled inch bulldog chambered for .44 spl is an even better stopper, and it's not that much bigger.

 

[Chris Brines]

For your purposes, my choice would be a ruger LCR, chambered for .38 spl.

Have you considered a new charter arms? The undercover in .38 spl, with a 2 inch barrel is very handy. If you want to dial it up a notch, a 2 1/2 barreled inch bulldog chambered for .44 spl is an even better stopper, and it's not that much bigger.

I've considered Charter Arms, Taurus, and Rossi and a few others, for their significantly lower price. But to be perfectly honest, although I know that the lower price doesn't "necessarily" mean these are substandard guns, I've pretty much set a bar for guns I purchase for SD, and I guess you could say I'm a "Ruger Fan Boy" when it comes to revolvers. I like Smiths too but I just know Ruger makes equally (if not better) good guns for less $$$. I had a Taurus snub nose 38 a year or so ago, and loved it. Then I just one day got curious and started researching to find out if these guns were any less effective or reliable, or if they were just as good as the top brands, but just at a lower cost. What I found is that with these less expensive guns, especially Taurus, you get a hit or miss situation. Some of the guns might be top notch, some might be complete lemons.

And because of that, I just would feel better getting a gun made by someone who I know has perfected the art of gun making, and has little, if any, quality control issues on their records. I mean we're talking about something to trust your life with.

I know these people make good guns, and I am not one of those people who thinks "more expensive = better", (I like my GP100 better than the Colt Python, and would not be too crazy about trading it for a Python, unless we were talking about a $$$ making venture here, but drop me off in a war zone and give me those 2 options, I'm taking my GP100...and hope I'm a darn good shot against guys with M16's and AK's lol), but for firearms, I just feel better going with certain manufacturers.

 

[hammie]

@Mr. Brines: I can't argue with anything you've said. I had two of the charter arms revolvers made in the late seventies, original production. They were good guns. I still have the undercover .38, and my son at fort hood, Texas, now has the .44 spl. I may be wrong, but charter arms later went through a couple of sales or bankruptcy, and the quality of the guns declined during those periods. However, I think the quality of the current production has vastly improved.

If you want the ruger, I would still lean towards the LCR in .38 spl. I can't imagine shooting the .357 one, although many folks do. I would think that gun would be no less punishing to the shooter than to the "shoot-ee".

 

[Rumrunner]

On all revolvers you must release the trigger all the way before firing the next round. The LCR has a great trigger. I find when some shoot my LCR or my ex 642, especially rapid fire they would sometimes short stoke it. This is the same for all revolvers.
I highly recommend the LCR for your intended purpose.

 

[flc]

I own two J frames and have owned an LCR. The LCR trigger was pretty nice but my two Smiths are just as nice. Some of the newer Smiths need some trigger work. I only use the Smiths as backup (or really as a quick reload) when I carry a revolver. For a 'grab and go' gun I snap on a compact 10 shot 9mm. When I put a holster on my belt it's a .45 ACP revolver with a J frame backup.

I am not a fan of pocket carry. I can deploy a handgun as fast or faster from any other place on my body (except ankle.) With a jacket or heavier clothing I typically carry my 442 or 640-1 in a snap on weak side belt holster (IWB or OWB.) I also use like a Kangaroo Carry rig for the J frames and use it when I have light clothing on.

The SP101 is a fine handgun but, IMO, too heavy for pocket carry. My only problem with the LCR was the trigger issue you mentioned above (and the looks!) I don't find my Smiths to be as easy to short stroke.

This is my normal backup

but I also carry this

 

[Chris Brines]

Yeah, I just went for a little stroll through the neighborhood, and I think I've found what I wanted. It's a Smith and Wesson 38 special snub nose, I don't know what model, but it is an older model I know that. Wood grips, heavier weight. They had the same gun in an airweight (I thought airweights were a new thing, but I guess not). I squeezed the trigger a few times and it's just like my old Taurus. The guys at a store down the street have it for $300. I put it in my pocket, even drew it from my front pocket a few times, and had no issues with the hammer snagging.

Just hope it's there in 2 days when I can actually go in there and get it.

 

[hammie]

@chris: Sounds like a good choice to me and a good price. The thing about the smith is that, as the years go by, it's value will only go up.

 

[eveled]

I was going to recommend an old stainless model 60 s&w. If you end up with one I really like the Barami hip grip on mine. I carry the 60 a lot more than my sp 101.

 

[57springer]

my carry is the 637 smith airweight and i like it. .... accurate as well !

 

[LightningII]

Yeah, I just went for a little stroll through the neighborhood, and I think I've found what I wanted. It's a Smith and Wesson 38 special snub nose, I don't know what model, but it is an older model I know that. Wood grips, heavier weight. They had the same gun in an airweight (I thought airweights were a new thing, but I guess not). I squeezed the trigger a few times and it's just like my old Taurus. The guys at a store down the street have it for $300. I put it in my pocket, even drew it from my front pocket a few times, and had no issues with the hammer snagging.

Just hope it's there in 2 days when I can actually go in there and get it.

I have an all-stainless 649 Smith. I love it.
I have smooth rosewood Eagle Secret Service grips; they halp a smooth draw from the pocket. I always use a holster for pocket carry; Galco makes a cheap one and a horsehide one; they both work.
i carry 158 grain LSWCHP +P Remingtons in it.

 

[Chris Brines]

Yeah, I just went for a little stroll through the neighborhood, and I think I've found what I wanted. It's a Smith and Wesson 38 special snub nose, I don't know what model, but it is an older model I know that. Wood grips, heavier weight. They had the same gun in an airweight (I thought airweights were a new thing, but I guess not). I squeezed the trigger a few times and it's just like my old Taurus. The guys at a store down the street have it for $300. I put it in my pocket, even drew it from my front pocket a few times, and had no issues with the hammer snagging.

Just hope it's there in 2 days when I can actually go in there and get it.

I have an all-stainless 649 Smith. I love it.
I have smooth rosewood Eagle Secret Service grips; they halp a smooth draw from the pocket. I always use a holster for pocket carry; Galco makes a cheap one and a horsehide one; they both work.
i carry 158 grain LSWCHP +P Remingtons in it.

Nice. Stainless and blue steel and wood grips put a smile on my face. Yeah I think I'll check out that pocket holster too. Probably gonna be carrying this gun pretty often, and want to make sure that it never slides out of my pocket, or prints in an obvious manner. This is a nice little gun though, it kinda looks like the ones the cops used to have back in the day, like in that movie "Hoover" the guy who started the FBI, or many other movies. Just for some reason that movie stood out when I saw this gun. I'm not sure what all the letters mean when talking about frames, I mean I didn't realize there were so many of them, so I can't say exactly what frame it is, I mean I'm guessing it's a J frame, but I really don't know the difference.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

I find the good old Model 36 just about perfect.

 

[WESHOOT2]

While I have not (yet) personally fired an LCR, handling them has shown me great promise.
Others reviews give high praise, worth testing.

And then there is the S&W M38 Airweight Bodyguard, like the one I bought my wife used in 1990. The ONLY thing I would like to 'do' to the gun is have it finished in Robar's NP3.

So, S&W M38 or Ruger LCR.



My buddy swears by his 642.

 

[tazbigdog]

Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum

 

[Chris Brines]

I find the good old Model 36 just about perfect.

That looks like the one. I can't say for sure which model it is, I didn't ask (why, I have no idea...), but it looks like that same gun.

 

[Chris Brines]

Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum

I have one of those with a 6" barrel.

It's my favorite of my gun collection. But a little out of my price range, for a BUG. My GP100 is on permanent bedside duty. (Oops....this is a GP100....I realized you said SP101 right after)

Yeah I've considered an SP101, but since I found this Smith yesterday for $300, I'm gonna go with it.

 

[Jeepnik]

For the purposes you mentioned, a Smith J frame airweight.

 

[41manor44]

I have the SP with no hammer spur double action only. It is a smooth trigger pull and won't snag or hang up when drawn.

I also have the SP with the hammer spur.

 

[Biggfoot44]

An actual front pocket gun is a specialized thing, and different from a good all around snubbie.

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

An actual front pocket gun is a specialized thing, and different from a good all around snubbie.

How's that?

 

[Chris Brines]

......................

 

[Chris Brines]

Smith and Wesson Model 36:

It's got a little holster wear and can't shoot +P's (made in 1981) but regular 38 Specials never had a problem making holes.

 

[Major T]

I have had a S & W 42 since the early 60s. (Lost the first one, got another). That and an airweight Chief and two 60s have served me and a daughter well. Most of my Smiths pre date Ruger getting into DA business. Those and an so original Colt's pocket .380 have served me well. The Ruger SP 101 is a sweet piece. I never learned to love the LCP so another daughter has it. (Traded it to her to get my Colt's pocket model back.) No experience with the LCR. jack

 

[Sgt Garcia]

I don't think one can do better than a S&W 642. Simple, light (16 oz), reliable DAO and stainless. I've carried and shot one for over 20 years and won't be without. Bought a second one for a backup last year....

Dennis.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Have you considered a .32 H&R magnum? Its actually a better round for the short barrel: higher BCE, less recoil, better penetration. Its dirt cheap to shoot if you reload and you can also fire .32 S&W Long and .32 S&W. I have a new production Charter Arms Undercoverette so chambered and LOVE IT, its an all steel 16 oz. pocket rocket that shoots great with my 115 grain cast bullet reloads.

 

[eveled]

I carry my model 60 chiefs special alot in my front pocket in a Mikas pocket holster. You can tell I have something in my pocket but can't see what it is. Or in an ankle holster or mexican carry with a hip grip. The 60 gets carried way more often than my DAO sp101. Ed