glock glockler
New member
I'm thinking about .39 +p for my hot weather carry load but I will need a gun to shoot it out of. What are the best ones for that purpose?
Thanks
Thanks
Best .38 snubbie
- Thread starter glock glockler
- Start date
I am partial to the Bodyguard series by Smith & Wesson. All mine are pre-agreement guns and .38 Special, but the 649 is now made in .357 Magnum.
I like guns that are a little out of the ordinary and the 49 series looks different enough to intrigue me. Despite a lot of printed arguments to the contrary, I like being able to cock the hammer with my thumb. My 649 suddenly refused to fire double action one day. It would still shoot single action, however. I have never had that happen again, but it has colored my thinking on the subject of hammerless guns.
The 49, 649 and 38 work well from the pocket and are unobtrusive carried that way.
I have fired a Colt Cobra and, while I like the Colt sights and the sixth round the Cobra's trigger was not as good as any of the Smith guns.
Snubbys can be accurate and the 649 is quite good in that area. The 49 isn't bad either, but I am still trying to find the right load for the M38.
Bodyguards may not be the "best snubnose" but they are the best one for me.
I like guns that are a little out of the ordinary and the 49 series looks different enough to intrigue me. Despite a lot of printed arguments to the contrary, I like being able to cock the hammer with my thumb. My 649 suddenly refused to fire double action one day. It would still shoot single action, however. I have never had that happen again, but it has colored my thinking on the subject of hammerless guns.
The 49, 649 and 38 work well from the pocket and are unobtrusive carried that way.
I have fired a Colt Cobra and, while I like the Colt sights and the sixth round the Cobra's trigger was not as good as any of the Smith guns.
Snubbys can be accurate and the 649 is quite good in that area. The 49 isn't bad either, but I am still trying to find the right load for the M38.
Bodyguards may not be the "best snubnose" but they are the best one for me.
Radicalcleric
New member
This is totally subjective, or course, and one person cannot tell another what kind of gun is "best." But, having said that, I really like my S&W M40 Centennial.
I have one of the older guns with the grip safety. A previous owner lived on the coast and he let it rust. He sold it to a gunsmith who polished it as best he could and then parkerized it. It is ugly but works as good as new. I picked it up for about 1/3 what one of these guns usually brings.
I like the concealed hammer. It is a little "slicker" than the M49 and a tad more compact. S&W still makes this model in a slightly different variation and a Magnum version is also popular. I can't imagine shooting the Magnum, as the .38 is plenty for me as far as recoil is concerned. But owners report satisfation with their guns, so who am I to say? Stainless is practical, especially for warm weather use, but I hate stainless steel. Very ugly.
I have one of the older guns with the grip safety. A previous owner lived on the coast and he let it rust. He sold it to a gunsmith who polished it as best he could and then parkerized it. It is ugly but works as good as new. I picked it up for about 1/3 what one of these guns usually brings.
I like the concealed hammer. It is a little "slicker" than the M49 and a tad more compact. S&W still makes this model in a slightly different variation and a Magnum version is also popular. I can't imagine shooting the Magnum, as the .38 is plenty for me as far as recoil is concerned. But owners report satisfation with their guns, so who am I to say? Stainless is practical, especially for warm weather use, but I hate stainless steel. Very ugly.
juliet charley
New member
My vote goes for the SP101 (and an Alessi Talon to carry it).
Chief Jones
New member
Only one answer: Taurus 617Ti 
Brian Williams
New member
S&W mod 60 with a 3 in barrel and adj sights. heavier than most but amazinly accurate.
mine is only a 38 spec but the loads I use I don't recommend standing in front.
I shoot 158 gr lswc at the range and I am getting 2 in groups at 15 yds.
mine is only a 38 spec but the loads I use I don't recommend standing in front.
I shoot 158 gr lswc at the range and I am getting 2 in groups at 15 yds.
glock glockler
New member
Rock Jock,
As hard as it is to believe, we actually do get our share of hot weather up here. We've had days like the one you described, especially in the Southern part of the state. I will take you up on you offer to visit you in Texas during the hot weather, I'll bring the Corona
I already have a *&* 19 and while it's a fine gun (and for sale BTW) it's a bit too big and heavy for hot weather carry. I was thinking of something along the lines of a Colt detective special or maybe one of those light Taurus 38s.
As hard as it is to believe, we actually do get our share of hot weather up here. We've had days like the one you described, especially in the Southern part of the state. I will take you up on you offer to visit you in Texas during the hot weather, I'll bring the Corona
I already have a *&* 19 and while it's a fine gun (and for sale BTW) it's a bit too big and heavy for hot weather carry. I was thinking of something along the lines of a Colt detective special or maybe one of those light Taurus 38s.
KEN CHAVEZ
New member
My vote is for the S&W 342PD, only 11oz. 
Stephen A. Camp
Staff In Memoriam
Hello. I like the little S&W M442 as I prefer blue to stainless, but cannot argue with the 642 for folks who feel just the opposite. I tried the titanium guns, but just prefer the aluminum-framed ones as I can shoot a wider range of ammunition with no fears of bullets backing out of cases. The gun shown is my old S&W M042, essentially a 442. It's not rated for +P so I tote Federal std pressure 125 gr Nyclad HPs in it. Chronographed from this revolver, they average 886 ft/sec. The gun's stock as it met my perceived needs as such. There are some worn spots on the blued cylinder, bbl, as well as on the aluminum frame, but it was "there" for many a day and many a mile. It's been replaced with a Glock 26 for pocket carry, but on occassion is still called into service.
Best.
Best.
Put my vote with 342 (titanium). At only 11 ounces and with totally internal hammer, I've found no other .38 as comfortable for (Texas) summer carry.
I also have a 638, but "extra" 4 ounces are discernable too me. While the semi-exposed hammer is nice for single action option, the hammer can be tough on clothing and lint can accumulate in the opening.
Having sold 342 to a friend who wanted it real bad, my carry gun going into this summer is 12 ounce (totally internal hammer) 340PD (scandium with .357 option) with overmolded Crimson Trace grips. Altho close, still not the "perfect summer" gun that I found the 342 to be when purchased in 1999.
I also have a 638, but "extra" 4 ounces are discernable too me. While the semi-exposed hammer is nice for single action option, the hammer can be tough on clothing and lint can accumulate in the opening.
Having sold 342 to a friend who wanted it real bad, my carry gun going into this summer is 12 ounce (totally internal hammer) 340PD (scandium with .357 option) with overmolded Crimson Trace grips. Altho close, still not the "perfect summer" gun that I found the 342 to be when purchased in 1999.
Smith & Wesson model 60 (- nothing)
The original Chief's Special with 2" barrel; the very first
model produced in all stainless steel decor, way back yonder
in 1965. Mine was manufactuered between 1979-80, and it
still looks like it is fresh off the dealer's shelve's.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
The original Chief's Special with 2" barrel; the very first
model produced in all stainless steel decor, way back yonder
in 1965. Mine was manufactuered between 1979-80, and it
still looks like it is fresh off the dealer's shelve's.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Eric Larsen
New member
The best .38 snubbie is a 357 ! OK....Ill vote for the Taurus 85UL, 850 CIA Ti and the 342 Smitty.....
shoot well
OK....Ill vote for the Taurus 85UL, 850 CIA Ti and the 342 Smitty.....shoot well
Reminds me of when I was younger and went up to Vermont to visit Norwich University with my father. When we left the high here in MD was several degrees over 100 (I no longer remember the exact high a decade later but it was over 100) with matching humidity. When we got to VT it was in the mid to upper 80s. It was beautiful, we turned off the AC and drove around with the windows open. When the locals found out we were visiting (the guys at the school knew and anyone who saw our MD tags) almost everyone apolygized for the "uncomfortable weather"
. They told us that they were in the middle of a major heat wave (the same one causing 100 degree temps at home) and that these were unusual temperatures.While I was at the school we did get a couple of hot days during the end of Aug. For a few days it was in the 90's and it got close to 100 on one (may have actually hit 100). However, that (mid to upper 90s anyway) is typical Aug weather here and there it was extremely rare (rare enough that many people there didn't have AC, something you can die if you are without during our summers).
OkieCruffler
New member
Right now I'm carrying a Taurus 650CIA, not a true .38, but it shoots a sight more .38 than .357 right now. But the best snub I've ever owned (hiding behind my flame resistant monitor) is a Rossi M88. With my handloads it will put 5 shots into a ragged little hole at 15 yrds. I'm sure I have over 10,000 rds thru it and it's still as tight as when I I bought it. Now if I could just find some decent grips for it.