Grandpa wants a new revolver .38/357..Best option?

[dmarsh8]

Gramps is looking for a concealed hammer, and small enough for a pocket holster
LCR and 642 are two off the top of my head, but wanted to check for other recommendations.
New or used around $500
Will be shooting .38's
Thanks INGOERS

 

[Ziggidy]

LCR for sure


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[VERT]

Nope. Grab a S&W 642. Then find a gunsmith to clean up the trigger.

 

[Bennettjh]

Ideally, he could get a feel of both. Hard to do in these times though. I like Ruger's, but obviously S&W makes a great gun.

 

[indyartisan]

Both

 

[VERT]

Both

One for each pocket. I like the cut of your jib sir

 

[700 LTR 223]

I have a 642 and as one reviewer stated , "Frankly, the trigger of any new Airweight is as stiff as a dead carp." It is easily the most difficult handgun to shoot well that I have ever owned. In fairness it was not designed as a target gun and for its intended purpose it will get the job done.

From the reviews I've read the Ruger LCR has a much better trigger but I have never fired one.

 

[TBone3006]

I have both, the LCR has less perceived recoil for me. But that is just me. Try before you buy!!

 

[Ziggidy]

I have both, the LCR has less perceived recoil for me. But that is just me. Try before you buy!!

Even with 357’s the recoil is very manageable..... but I prefer 38’s.


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[1nderbeard]

If price is firm I'd go Ruger. I don't know if you can find a Smith for $500 right now.

 

[sloughfoot]

SP 101

 

[dmarsh8]

Thanks everyone!

 

[doddg]

I've had the SW 642 & the Ruger LCR: .38 special & .357 magnum & enjoyed both for different reasons.
The 642 was a fine tool, but not fun at the range.
I couldn't believe the delightful difference with the LCR.

I figured it was just sales talk about the accuracy, recoil & trigger.
It wasn't.
One of the best small revolvers I've had.
I've had both the LCR .357 magnum & the .38 special.
The .357 had the better trigger for whatever reason.

 

[kickbacked]

I have an old .38 S&W police issue that was passed down through the family. It's tough as nails and has a good trigger imo. If the current S&W's are anything like the old, id highly recommend.

 

[Route 45]

The LCR will advance the cylinder without firing if you short stroke the trigger, which is easy to do in the stress of a lethal force encounter. Unacceptable for a defensive firearm. Choose an SP101, a S&W or a Kimber K6s instead.

Here is Dave Spaulding with a promotional video for the LCR, and it happens to him as he is firing the LCR at about 2:00 in the video. And he's not even in a hurry. Of course, he doesn't mention it.

 

[Snapdragon]

Gramps is looking for a concealed hammer, and small enough for a pocket holster
LCR and 642 are two off the top of my head, but wanted to check for other recommendations.
New or used around $500
Will be shooting .38's
Thanks INGOERS

I have an LCR in .357 and have probably had 6 or 7 J-frames over the years. As much as I love my Smiths, the LCR is the one I carry the most. It's also just a bit easier to shoot than the Smiths.

Some of us in the NW did a real-life comparison of several smaller wheelguns here. https://www.indianagunowners.com/threads/the-2014-great-snubbie-shoot-off.333690/#post-4802341 I had only been shooting for a couple of months, so my impressions were not as 'seasoned' as the other guys.

 

[Amishman44]

I see a lot of recommendations for the Ruger LCR, the S&W 642, etc...and I've even tried a few of those.
But one day, I discovered the S&W 360 series...and it's quickly become my favorite for light-duty / small-pocket carry!
The .38 special version is on a Scandium J-Frame and weighs-in at just 13.9oz. empty.
The .357 magnum version is also on a Scandium J-Frame but weighs in at 15.9oz. due to the heavier, unfluted cylinder.
Both calibers have a pinned-in front sight, which I replace with an XS Sights Tritium (green) front sight - standard dot!
The S&W J-frame has dozens of grip options, making it sizable to a variety of different grip sizes, and comfortable too!
The .38 special is often my 'throw-in-the-pocket' revolver when I make a quick run out to the store...in a nylon pocket holster.
The .357 magnum version rides in a OWB open top holster, where it sits-n-rides quite nicely for a lightweight revolver!
They're not concealed-hammer revolvers, but the hammers can be bobbed and not have the thumb-bump sticking out.
Best of luck with Gramps!

 

[92FSTech]

They're not concealed-hammer revolvers, but the hammers can be bobbed and not have the thumb-bump sticking out.

Or just buy a 340. The 340 is basically the 360 without the hammer. I am a big fan of my 360J in .38+P...it's my working-out and dress-clothes gun. It's lightweight, accurate, and disappears in a pocket. Personally, I like the exposed hammer, but if the OP is looking for hammerless, the 340 is the way to go.

 

[Magnum314]

SP 101

This for me for sure! Although I would be and have been perfectly happy with both. But again...these days finding any quality name brand compact revolver be it S&W or Ruger will likely be one of those, "I can't pass up this deal!" kind of finds. Ether one has positives/negatives for sure depending on who is behind the trigger.

 

[SgtFury]

Those are all good choices...but selection available will control what he chooses from these days more than likely. I have a .38 charter arms 5 shot. Replaced grip with 1 a little nicer..carries great, shoots great. I love it.