I also have somewhat of a tendency to go to a gunshop planning on getting A, but walking out with B. Who knows I might end up with a Ruger MK II .22 again, or a Ruger Single Six or Super Blackhawk in .357. Not a bad thing but wouldn't serve quite the purpose I had in mind. Sometimes they have things well worth the money that are hard to pass up.
.38 Revolvers
- Thread starter Panfisher
- Start date
lee n. field
New member
I kind of take it as a given, that I'll want to replace the grip on a snubby. And, yes, I like the Uncle Mike's Combat grip a lot too. Worth hunting down on ebay or wherever.
Folks on Internet gunboards find all sorts of stuff to whine about. The transfer bar rattling (if you can even hear it) oughtn't to be one of them.
First opportunity to look was today at a small local gunshop. Not a lot of choices, did have a couple of Ruger LCR's smooth and light but just didn't intrigue me for whatever reason. And sadly they also had a Ruger SP101, 3" stainless in .357 mag. Sort of looks and feels like I washed my GP100 in hot water and it shrank. It is more gun (weight and size) than I was thinking of and more $$ than I wanted to spend, but dang it did feel like a real handgun. Also think if I took it home my wife would promptly claim it to replace the aforementioned full sized GP-100 of hers and I would be packing the GP around in the truck, not necessarily bad but not really something you drop into a pocket if desired either. Will have to make it back to town to look at more choices.
Agreed, something the size of the SP I would likely never (OK at least once just to see), put .357's in. It would get .38's in various configurations. I even looked at some .22's but ammo is still nearly non existent around here and what is available is at least .10 per shot. I can load .38's for close to that and still have a plinking gun capable of defense duty. The new Sp101 was listed at $569 which seemed a little high also, plenty of time to shop around.
nice info + pics
i have been lookin at 38's but would prefer a 357 to shoot 38's. it will last forever but wanting a 3" barrel with decent sights + midweight. hoping Ruger puts some decent sights on its SP 101 with a 3" barrel. i see the smith has one but i prefer Rugers build + price!! looking + learning + thanks for the great pics for comparison!!
i have been lookin at 38's but would prefer a 357 to shoot 38's. it will last forever but wanting a 3" barrel with decent sights + midweight. hoping Ruger puts some decent sights on its SP 101 with a 3" barrel. i see the smith has one but i prefer Rugers build + price!! looking + learning + thanks for the great pics for comparison!!
Whirlwind06
New member
http://beta.ruger.com/products/lcrx/specSheets/5431.html
Here go, 3 inch lcrx just a matter of time before is out in .357 I would think.
Here go, 3 inch lcrx just a matter of time before is out in .357 I would think.
model 36 formerly the chiefs special
I really like the smith and wesson model 36 with a Tyler grip myself. A classic revolver that can be had for 350 on up depending on vintage and condition. Awesome trigger pull and can be shot quite well actually. Hammer can be bobbed if thats your thing. I like how its slightly smaller that the new magnum size j frame guns being made today.
I really like the smith and wesson model 36 with a Tyler grip myself. A classic revolver that can be had for 350 on up depending on vintage and condition. Awesome trigger pull and can be shot quite well actually. Hammer can be bobbed if thats your thing. I like how its slightly smaller that the new magnum size j frame guns being made today.
2ndsojourn
New member
Not mentioned are the Colt Detective Special, Cobra or New Agent. They're slightly smaller than the S&W K frames but still have six shot capacity. I think the New Agent has an alloy frame so it's a little lighter than the DS. The later version of the DS has the larger grip so you don't have to stick on that Tyler grip thing.
Decisions decisions!
Decisions decisions!
nvdwarrior
Inactive
The LCR just for its trigger pull
I almost went with the S&W Airweight until I got tired pulling, pulling, pulling that trigger. The LCR .38 +p won my heart and my trigger finger. I just wish it wasn't quite so ugly.
I almost went with the S&W Airweight until I got tired pulling, pulling, pulling that trigger. The LCR .38 +p won my heart and my trigger finger. I just wish it wasn't quite so ugly.
Cosmodragoon
New member
The SP101 certainly looks more like a "real gun" and polished up, can even be beautiful. The LCR looks kinda funky, like something out of space-age or spy fiction. Just remember how much of that is sentimental. There's nothing wrong with that so long as you keep function in mind. The SP101 is a smaller-framed and relatively concealable steel revolver. The LCR is smaller, lighter, and easier to conceal composite revolver. Chances are, you'll end up having the LCR on you more often and in more places.
My short barrel .38 is a Colt Agent with Pachmayer grips in and Uncle Mike #4 "holster" (I think of it more as a sleeve, as it has no belt loops or clip).
My Agent is alloy framed and one of the last production series, so I guess you could call it a (new) Agent, it doesn't say "new" on it, it just says "AGENT".
38SPL+p rated (sort of) and six shots, I got it as part of a trade with some other guns, and while never been a snub gun fan, I rather like it now.
They usually ask a pretty penny for these at the gun shows now, but if you can find one at a decent price (from a private seller?), it would be foolish to pass it up.
My Agent is alloy framed and one of the last production series, so I guess you could call it a (new) Agent, it doesn't say "new" on it, it just says "AGENT".
38SPL+p rated (sort of) and six shots, I got it as part of a trade with some other guns, and while never been a snub gun fan, I rather like it now.
They usually ask a pretty penny for these at the gun shows now, but if you can find one at a decent price (from a private seller?), it would be foolish to pass it up.
My own assessment of "best" carry is that guns are better off in a belt holster, while I dress for concealment. I don't have any pockets that would be very accessible with any speed, but I suppose it is at least a comfort to know one has a gun with him.
My mode of carry allows me to carry a bigger gun that I can shoot well and which carries more rounds. I know that the 642 and similar guns are all the rage, but I think that is a function of fashion, lifestyle, and the modern trend of being significantly overweight, forcing what used to be backups to become primary carries.
Although I still own a number of 2" revolvers I have given up on them for concealed carry. I love revolvers for their beauty and enjoy shooting them, but their day is passed for defensive carry. The new generation of compact semi autos has rendered them obsolete.
Several manufactures offer very compact 380 autos and I have settled on the Taurus TCP as the best candidate considering features and price. The TCP is smaller and lighter than a J frame Smith. It carries a payload of seven rounds compared to the revolver's five round capacity. Reloading the auto if needed is also much faster and a magazine is much less bulky to carry than a revolver's speed loader.
A good 380 load is slightly less powerful than a 38 Special from a 2" barrel, but I doubt the difference is significant in the real world.
Buy a 2" revolver if you wish. But I don't think it's the best choice.
Several manufactures offer very compact 380 autos and I have settled on the Taurus TCP as the best candidate considering features and price. The TCP is smaller and lighter than a J frame Smith. It carries a payload of seven rounds compared to the revolver's five round capacity. Reloading the auto if needed is also much faster and a magazine is much less bulky to carry than a revolver's speed loader.
A good 380 load is slightly less powerful than a 38 Special from a 2" barrel, but I doubt the difference is significant in the real world.
Buy a 2" revolver if you wish. But I don't think it's the best choice.