Need your advice on a new carry revolver

[A J]

I'm looking at three .38 caliber revolvers. Not sure what to get. I want something lightweight that I can carry in a pocket holster. I don't want an internal lock. I could go either way on a hammer or hammerless. I love the classic looks of the Smith but think the Ruger is a bit more of an advanced design.

Ruger LCR hammerless: $422 + $25 FFL = $447
Ruger LCRX with hammer: $411 + $25 FFL = $436
S&W Model 642 Airweight hammerless (no lock): $381 + $25 FFL = $406

Thanks in advance.

[Jbob]

Just my 2 cents worth but I think I'd rather have the hammer type revolver. I shot my first hammerless a couple months back and thought I was going to have to use 2 fingers to pull the trigger. You really need to get out and shoot both types to decide before buying, that's a lot of money to spend and then not be pleased.
I can't remember the brand of weapon I was shooting, a man at the range just handed to me to try out. I think it was a Ruger or S&W

[millman]

I would go with the S&W. The fact that it seems cheaper than the others is bonus.

[BuckeyeSgt]

What about a SP101?

[Mosinhope]

Go with the S&W. Smiths just seem to fit my hands better be they J,K,L, or N frame. I have found S&W to have very good customer service although can be a tad slow like most gun companies. However, local gunsmiths always seem to have plenty of experience with Smiths and can do the job.

[Judi and her Mosins]

Try a S&W 642 hammerless for winter, nice to keep in the pocket or mittens . I also have a Taurus M-85 White poly 38+P. I now use in the summer when I am running, or summer clothing dressing, Very easy CCW. worth . Judi and her Mosin's

[bunkysdad]

There is a couple of local ranges here in Dallas that will rent you a firearm, and let you shoot them to try them. I imagine that any of the models you mentioned are going to be good, but the issue of the hammer is one to work out. I prefer a hammer because I like to shoot single action. However, since you are talking about a carry weapon, the hammer can hang in your pocket when trying to retrieve it quick. Not a problem if you will carry holstered. You will want to decide how you plan to carry it. You have to get one that isn't painful to shoot because then you will never want to practice, and practicing is very important. I personally love the classic looks and feel of S&W revolvers, but I also love Ruger revolvers, built like a brick house. I have no experience with the new lightweight polymer Ruger revolvers but have held them and they are nice. The SP101 mentioned by buckeye is just a great revolver, but a little larger, heavier, and more expensive I think. Good luck in your decision. I have a little Ruger LCP 380 that goes right in the rf pocket and I like it when a .40 isn't around.

[A J]

Thanks for the responses. I already own a Ruger SP101 and a S&W .357 J-frame. Both are good carry guns, though better in my shoulder holster. I was looking for a lightweight version of these guys that I could hide in a pocket more easily without feeling too weighed down.

I own a big Ruger GP100 with a 6" barrel. Both my wife and I have old, used police revolvers as well (.38 cal, 4" bbl, Model 10). I really like revolvers but don't yet have a really light carry one.

I'm surprised there's so much love for the hammered revolvers. All my revolvers have hammers and I like them but... for this next one I'm going to consider a hammerless since it will spend most of its life in a coat pocket, pants pocket, etc... I still might get the one with the hammer.

[SA1911a1]

I have the Air weight and I really am not overly impressed with it. It is no fun to shoot. I think I might prowl the pawns and guns and find a S&W model 60 for around $450-$500 used. (you will miss the FFL fee that way too) I also like the hammer over the hammerless. Carried in the proper holster, the hammer should not get in your way, and I don't like carrying in a pocket, although in the pocket in a holster is not too bad.

[bunkysdad]

You have a couple of old model 10's? Now those are some great revolvers. No adjustable sights, just smooth fun range guns. Isn't that what Barney Fife carried, along with his 1 bullet?

[bunkysdad]

I actually just googled Barney Fife and it states that he had a Colt revolver, and Sheriff Taylor issued him one bullet to carry in his shirt pocket! [emoji14]

[millman]

I actually just googled Barney Fife and it states that he had a Colt revolver, and Sheriff Taylor issued him one bullet to carry in his shirt pocket! [emoji14]

It depends on the episode. Barney packed both S&Ws and Colts.

[Genetically Swiss]

S&W J-frame, all day every day.


GS

[A J]

You have a couple of old model 10's? Now those are some great revolvers. No adjustable sights, just smooth fun range guns. Isn't that what Barney Fife carried, along with his 1 bullet?

Yeah, they're very nice revolvers. The double action trigger pull is buttery-smooth. The single action pull is crisp and light. They fire .38 caliber and have a light recoil. My wife keeps one by her side of the bed and another locked away in the horse barn just in case.

They both came to us as used police-issue. One had Hogue grips and the other had standard issue wood. I eventually replaced the wood ones with Hogues; it's much easier to handle now.

I've never used either of these for carry guns. If I did, I'd keep it unloaded except for the one round in my shirt pocket!

[bunkysdad]

I recently took a friend to the range because he had a old 38 revolver that he inherited about 20 years ago but had no idea what it was or how to safely handle it. He pulled out a S&W blue box from his duffle bag and sure enough it was a pristine 6" Model 10. You are correct about the buttery smooth action. We put a couple boxes of 148 gr wadcutters through it and had a great time.

[A J]

Lady and Gentlemen,

I made my decision and just placed my order. I decided to get a.... (drum roll).... Ruger LCR .38 with the hammer. I ordered it from Sportsmans' Outdoor Superstore. Total damage: $365 + $25 FFL = $390. Sportsmans Outdoors was a bit cheaper than Bud's.

Why the Ruger? I kept hearing all sorts of quality issues about recent S&W Airweights. Some folks love 'em and some folks report having to do a lot of tweaking, fussing, adjusting and repairing. I'm just not in to that on a brand new weapon. I searched a lot of places and couldn't find a single serious quality concern on an LCR. If I would have opted for a Smith, there's a 95% chance, I'd be as happy as a clam and would have no issues. Even so, I still don't want to the "That Guy" who has to start hammering and grinding away at a new revolver.

Why the hammer? I strongly considered the hammerless but I like hammers, have never had an issue with either of my .357 snub nosed revolvers and already have "muscle memory" for handling them. I understand a hammer can snag during draw and can complicate firing from underneath clothing. On the flip side, it gives me the option of firing more accurately in single action mode.

Thanks a bunch to everyone who provided me with your unvarnished advice. I may not have chosen exactly as you would have, but I carefully considered the wisdom that each of you offered.

[bunkysdad]

Nice, I look forward to seeing it when you get it. [emoji14]

[walnut red]

I'm a long time S&W fan and regularly carry a m37. However my wife is simply a shooter with no brand loyalty and she carries a LCR357. That Ruger is ugly as they come but the trigger pull is smooth and it shoots where you are looking. The LCR is a classic case of function over form. Seeing as you are hanging out on a forum dedicated to those types of firearms I think you will be happy with your choice.

[Pureform]

model 10 on sale $319 shipped

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... /411545791

[BuckeyeSgt]

model 10 on sale $319 shipped

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/prod ... /411545791

Says not legal in CA! What's up with that?