Best concealed-hammer .38 special revolvers

[chrisintexas]

what in your opinion are best concealed-hammer .38 special revolvers? Thanks

 

[LewSchiller]

I like my S & W 642

 

[alex0535]

Any of the S&W concealed hammer snubs, whatever strikes your personal fancy, there is a number of options.

 

[lowercase]

I have both a 642 and 442. (No lock models.)

They're great.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Yes S&W makes the best ones.

All versions of the Centennial in either .38 or .357 magnum.

I have the 642, 640, and 640-1 (.357 magnum.)

Best snubs on the market (but I admit my Ruger SP101 DAO isn't bad either.)

Deaf

 

[mrray13]

Another 642 fan here! Great pocket gun, when the wife lets me have it, lol.

 

[engineer88]

I love my 638. I still want a 642 for some reason. Can't really say why tbh, lol.

 

[R1145]

Find ye a...

...S&W 342, because it's very light (10.9 oz.). .38 +P rated is adequate, because I can't imagine using .357 loads in such a gun, even in one rated for it, so why carry the extra weight...? The Centennial concealed hammer is better than the Bodyguard shrouded one, because it's a belly-gun and I don't think you'll need SA in real life with it. All alloy, so no rust issues. The trade off is that it's a gun meant to be carried a lot, fired very little, because it is punishing to shoot.

All in all, a very specialized little pistol that slips right into a pocket holster, and gives you five shots of Gold-Dot...

 

[hAkron]

With the correct grips, the 642 is not an awful gun to shoot. The rubber factory grips handle much of the recoil, but are a bit 'sticky' for pocket carry. The Hogue mono grip probably makes it feel like a full sized gun, but mostly eliminates the ability to pocket carry. The best solution I have found is a set of magna grips (still being sold by s&w) and a t-grip (still being sold at t-grips.com) gives you reasonable shooting comfort, good recoil management, and decent control. This is my pocket carry solution, which is the whole point of this gun.

 

[Kreyzhorse]

I prefer an exposed hammer S&W 637, but I would suggest that the S&W 642 might be a great place to start looking.

 

[kutz]

LCR

 

[TB9]

s&w 638

 

[shouldazagged]

The Smith Centennial series are all great guns. The Airweights and even lighter versions are not fun for most people to shoot much with .38 Special +P. Many experienced shooters say that .357 Magnum in a 14 ounce gun is quite painful.

I have severely arthritic hands, so my EDC for over twelve years has been an all-steel .38 Special +P Model 640 no-dash. Only weighs 21 ounces, not burdensome to carry, easy to conceal and comfortable to shoot. I don't feel under-protected with it loaded with +P ammo.

Many people suggest practicing with a steel gun and carrying the Airweight. Nice idea, but not one I can afford in my old age. It does make a lot of sense.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

LCRs are the best made currently. Much better trigger than the average J-frame.

 

[Rangegod]

Best concealed-hammer .38

S&W 242 on the belt;

and 342 in the pocket.

JAC

 

[colbad]

642 or a 640, when a .38 just won't do

 

[dgludwig]

My favorites are the D-frame Colt snubbies (Detective Special, Cobra and Agent) equipped with the removeable hammer shroud accessory.

 

[sandbag]

Old Standard

I like the S&W Model 40-1 -it has no Hillary Hole and is +P rated-I ahd an old Model 40 decades ago and liked that one also

 

[ryanryan03]

LCR X2

 

[wheelyfun]

I like my S&W 340 M&P
no internal lock, 357 magnum, night sight, and tough DLC finish:
(please excuse the 66 snub...)