Lightweight .38's

[atwater10]

My primary carry is: Taurus Model 85 ss 2" w/pac grips and 5x +p Hydrashocks.

I have found though that you Must Practice with these little guys.....The little sights can be an issue if you've never shot with these little snubby's.

Anyway, That's my own opinion.

[Poogsdad]

Originally Posted by Bombard

My personal taste only - I like the fully enclosed hammer Centennial style more than the shrouded Bodyguard style. The Centennial is a *little* smaller and lighter, and to me just looks better. The Bodyguard lets you fire single action - but are you really going to use that little gun single action?

Like Bombard, I like the looks of the fully enlosed hammer of the Centennial Style. The 638 is a good revolver, however, it's looks do not appeal to me. The Body Guard Style does provide the best compromise, in my opinion, between the three S&W J-Frame Styles. It provides the snag free attributes and ability to shoot from within a pocket like the Centennial with the increased accuracy of single action when necesarry provided by the Chiefs Special.

Accuracy in a snubnosed revolver has been the subject of jokes and derisive comments for as long as snubbies have been around and I do not dispute these comments or jokes. Most of us, however, who have made the effort to master the snubby and learned to trust it have found that it is capable of far greater accuracy than we imagined, if we do our part.

Snubbies will in most cases be used a SHTF Gun or BUG, however, there are instances where the snubby may be the most appropriate choice as a primary weapon.

For those of you who practice controlled pairs and failure to stop (FTS) drills with a snubby, the ability to thumb cock the weapon for that third precision shot can be quite valuable.

The body guard style is a proven style with many adhearants. It still looks and feels funny to me so I have always gravitated toward the Chiefs Special Frame style. I practice double action shooting 90% of the time, but I appreciate the ability to thumb cock the weapon for a more precise shot should the need arrise.

Having just said that the Body Guard style is funny looking, I think is also appropriate to paraphrase a statement many of us have heard before. "If it is stupid but it works it is not stupid", likewise "if it is funny looking but it works.......". The Body Guard does work and anyone who chooses to carry one could do far worse.

Thanks to this forum I am a Kimber convert and have learned to trust my Kimbers completely. I still have a S&W 637 on my CCW, however, and rarely venture out without it.

Thanks,

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by nomustache

I carry a .38 S&W 442 ultralight. I forget it's in my pocket, it's so light. I don't trust Taurus revolvers as I had 2 out of 2 bad ones. My Pt-111 pro is solid, though.

I too carry two S&W J-frames .. the 640 is a little too heavy in SS, but the Airweight is just perfect. I had too much printing in pockets from the 640. Have tried multiple pocket holsters and they all printed .. went to IWB with simple Uncle Mikes and have been pleased. Have Milt Sparks VMII on order .... 5 months and still waiting.

I have never owned a Taurus revolver due to multiple friends that have had timing & locking issues, with them..... was a few years(5) ago, but not happy with trigger on new pieces.... I like my S&Ws ..

<edit> - I forgot - I did own a Taurus model 85 for about three weeks. Bought it and a Rossi 357 at the same time .. PPT. Rossi totally outperformed the Taurus 85, so I kept the Rossi SS snubby. It is a house piece, just can't leave the house with it since it is not on my list. - all shots are center mass with it. Taurus hit way left and spit lead from cylinder gap.....

I do have a PT145 semi-auto as my 3rd piece on CCW list. No issues at all. Cycles 100% - I also have owned a PT-111 in the past..... functioned 100%, but one of the two white dots fell out of the rear sight.... fixed it with white enamel hobby paint and sold the piece.

[damjo]

I have a S&W 638 that I carry in a pocket holster. It find as the weather gets warmer I carry it more. Have not had any problems with this gun and I shoot very well with it.

[naganthunter]

I agree, she ain't as pretty as the more conventional looking snubbie....but if I'm able to get my CCW, no one should be seeing it anyways, right??

I've got a 2" Rossi that I picked up some years ago at a small gun store for about $100 (which, given it's condition was a steal). I practice with it all of the time as it's the one I keep in the camper when we're out in the boonies. But, it's just too heavy to be worth carrying (it's as heavy as my P225/P6). I agree with the need to practice, practice, practice with one of these types of revolvers, as the sights are different as is the performance at longer distances. (by the way, I've put 100's of rounds thru it with no problems, to include 50 today).

I'm particular to that 638 as it's less likely to snag than a conventional hammer, but the option is there for SA shots if need be....

She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid.

- Han Solo

[atwater10]

Originally Posted by NikNak

I forgot - I did own a Taurus model 85 for about three weeks. Bought it and a Rossi 357 at the same time .. PPT. Rossi totally outperformed the Taurus 85, so I kept the Rossi SS snubby. It is a house piece, just can't leave the house with it since it is not on my list. - all shots are center mass with it. Taurus hit way left and spit lead from cylinder gap......

Interesting, I've had a Taurus 85 for over 6 years and I know it's had a minimum of 1000 rounds through it.

(It's mostly shot at 10 yards or less, I figure any unfortunate encounter will most likely be less than that, any greater distance and I'm going to be high tailing for cover... )

It's never gone out of time or shaved lead from the cylinder. So I guess there must be Good and Bad in every make and model.

btw. I also shoot a Colt Python and though it's smooth as silk, I have more fear that it'll go out of time one day.

[calex59]

Originally Posted by atwater10

Interesting, I've had a Taurus 85 for over 6 years and I know it's had a minimum of 1000 rounds through it.

(It's mostly shot at 10 yards or less, I figure any unfortunate encounter will most likely be less than that, any greater distance and I'm going to be high tailing for cover... )

It's never gone out of time or shaved lead from the cylinder. So I guess there must be Good and Bad in every make and model.

btw. I also shoot a Colt Python and though it's smooth as silk, I have more fear that it'll go out of time one day.

Like most threads on firearms you will have Taurus detractors. Many of the stories are bogus, repeated from someone they know and modified to make it seem like they were the one envolved. Some are true, but then again most brands of firearms have malfunctions in some of their weapons. I own 3 Taurus revolvers and one semi-auto. The semi-auto had to be sent back to the factory after I used an ammo that was outlined in the owners manual that I shouldn't use. Once I got the gun back I used the correct loadings in the gun and have had no problem since, that was 15 years ago.

The revolvers, one 85, one 450 and one 430(44 special loading), have never, ever had a problem. Over 2000 rounds in the 85(.38 special, but +P only for carry as recommended by Taurus) and no malfunctions or shaving or anything, accurate to 7 yards(defensive range), the 450 has had 700 rounds through it, no problem, the 430(44 special)has had uncounted rounds(all reloads)throught it and no problem and it is highly accurate to 50 yards. So, either my 4 Taurus guns are the exception to most of them or a lot of Taurus malfunction stories are BS.(which I think they are).

[naganthunter]

Originally Posted by calex59

Like most threads on firearms you will have Taurus detractors. Many of the stories are bogus, repeated from someone they know and modified to make it seem like they were the one envolved. Some are true, but then again most brands of firearms have malfunctions in some of their weapons. I own 3 Taurus revolvers and one semi-auto. The semi-auto had to be sent back to the factory after I used an ammo that was outlined in the owners manual that I shouldn't use. Once I got the gun back I used the correct loadings in the gun and have had no problem since, that was 15 years ago.

The revolvers, one 85, one 450 and one 430(44 special loading), have never, ever had a problem. Over 2000 rounds in the 85(.38 special, but +P only for carry as recommended by Taurus) and no malfunctions or shaving or anything, accurate to 7 yards(defensive range), the 450 has had 700 rounds through it, no problem, the 430(44 special)has had uncounted rounds(all reloads)throught it and no problem and it is highly accurate to 50 yards. So, either my 4 Taurus guns are the exception to most of them or a lot of Taurus malfunction stories are BS.(which I think they are).

...Interesting observation, and I suspect it's probably true - much like those that bellyache about the Sig Mosquito .22LR and how it's junk - which it's not. It just is picky on what you can feed it. But that's another topic...

However, after doing some more research, I've started leaning toward the S&W - providing it can fit in my budget. If not, I may go back to the Taurus and shoot the beejeezus out of it to make sure it's not got any problems before listing it on a CCW - this all assumes that I get the "fat envelope" with the "two pages." (not the two strangely dressed fat guys previously referred to on this site)

[JALLEN]

I dunno. I had the chance to shoot the lightweight S&W in .38 at the range a while back, and frankly they are such a handful, I would rather throw the gun at a perp than try to shoot him with it. I can't begin to imagine what a .357 in that small light pistol would be like. The lack of heft is the problem that I don't have with, for example, a heavier pistol like a GP100, or one of the S&Ws with some weight.

I don't think the weight is that big a deal, within reason. I carry a Sig 226 sometimes IWB under a golf shirt and slacks, no problem. Other times I have the H&K P7M8.

[X-ffdo]

Well, no one asked me, so here I go. For that I prefer a Makarova to a snubby but I have to say that I would not mind owning a S&W 638.

[X-ffdo]

NikNak.
I hear that the third generation PT-145s are all OK. They have now a good product.

[naganthunter]

Originally Posted by JALLEN

I had the chance to shoot the lightweight S&W in .38 at the range a while back, and frankly they are such a handful...I can't begin to imagine what a .357 in that small light pistol would be like. .

I agree. There's no doubt that YOU are the recoil buffer for the lightweight 38's. I think the 357's should probably come standard with some orthopedic Dr's visits given the smack you get to the hand with each round. But, given my normal wardrobe (t-shirts and shorts) I'm not sure where I'm gonna hide something any bigger than the 2" snubbie, and I hate the way that my current "standard weight" 2" snubbie weighs down in my pocket like a brick. I just can't see myself carrying that around all day, ya know?

Originally Posted by JALLEN

I carry a Sig 226 sometimes IWB under a golf shirt and slacks, no problem.

That's interesting. I have a 226 as well and have been struggling with the idea of listing on a CCW. It's BIG and heavy, and seems darn near impossible to me to effectively conceal - but it's my favorite pistol (and I bought it back before the ban on hi-cap mags)

[Dutchman]

Originally Posted by naganthunter

I agree. There's no doubt that YOU are the recoil buffer for the lightweight 38's. I think the 357's should probably come standard with some orthopedic Dr's visits given the smack you get to the hand with each round. But, given my normal wardrobe (t-shirts and shorts) I'm not sure where I'm gonna hide something any bigger than the 2" snubbie, and I hate the way that my current "standard weight" 2" snubbie weighs down in my pocket like a brick. I just can't see myself carrying that around all day, ya know

.357's out of my 340pd kicks like a mule (actually feels like an aluminum bat hitting an I beam at full force), but it's nice to know I can throw in some 38special 158gr +P buffalo bore ammo and not have to worry about tying up the cylinder, even if it were to jump crimp, or use full house .357 if the mood strikes me. 158 grains at 1000fps is going to leave a mark, I don't care if it is 38 special. I'm with you about not carrying around anything more than a 2" snubbie in the summer....although my N frame rides in my computer case with me on many days.

[1buba]

Over 2000 rounds in the (list of guns) no problem...

2k is a great number for break-in. 2k is nothing when looking at the life of a gun. For instance, in the .44 mag world, the S&W's are expected to need to be rebuilt at around 10k. That doesn't mean all HAVE to be rebuilt. It's like replacing the timing belt in a Honda Accord, its just good maintenance. The Rugers on the other hand, are never expected to need to be rebuilt.

I'm not saying that I would rather have a Ruger than a Smith in all guns, in fact far from it. The point is, some guns last better than others. The Taurus are just not nearly as well built, and I can provide a list of of 'smiths that will verify it. Most folks on this board don't have ill feelings toward ANY gun. It's just understanding where a maker should be listed in the quality food chain.

[atwater10]

Originally Posted by 1buba

For instance, in the .44 mag world, the S&W's are expected to need to be rebuilt at around 10k.

Interesting observation on revolver reliability, I don’t want to get too far off topic on Naganthunter’s thread, but this is good stuff.

Several years ago, I bought one of the second production runs of S&W’s 629 Mountain Gun in 44Mag. I’m surprised to hear that at 10K, I may have to have some service work done on this little beast.

However, I can easily say that I’ve only fired maybe 3 or 4 boxes of shells through this revolver. I’ll also admit I did list this weapon on my CCW but it’s not carried, unless I’m “Up in the Woods” with it’s companion a Winchester 94 / 44Mag.

My point is the recoil is so harsh on this light weight 4” with full-boat mags, I can’t see me putting 10K rounds through it in my lifetime.

Moderator, please let me know if I’m getting too far off topic. Maybe we can open a thread on Revolver Reliability

btw 1buba; my accord had the belts and service at 96,000 miles and at 152000 miles and counting, it'll get another around 195,000.