Best snub 38 for ccw

My favorites are the Colt Cobra (weighing the same as a Smith Airweight but carrying one more shot) and the Smith & Wesson Model 12-2 (the K-frame being a little bigger and heavier than the J-frame but still plenty compact and light enough to carry concealed), also a six shot.
True, you have to look for a used one of either but they can be found and can be had in excellent condition for under $500.00.
 
I got the LCR on Saturday after repairing his truck. Took it out yesterday and put at least 100 rounds through it. The trigger is pretty nice and after a while I got pretty accurate with it. Its very light. The only complaint I have is when sometimes I would not let the trigger fully reset after the shot when I pulled again it rotated the cly but did not cock the hammer. S&Ws when you do this kinda lock up to tell you you made a mistake. It only happened when making deliberate slower aimed shots not when doing faster "panic type shooting". Over all I really like just the trigger reset thing kinda has me carring it until I get some more trigger time. On a side note I found it interesting that it was so clean after at least 100 lead semi wad cutter loads. It was way more clean than the other S&W revovlers I was shooting even though they had half the rounds through them.
 
Taurus_zps2304a6b3.jpg
 
My wife likes her S&W Airweight 38spl +P. She opted for one with the Crimson Trace laser built into the grip. I've carried it on occasion with an IWB and you hardly know it's there. Our trigger is smooth and the pistol is well made and dare I say... affordable. :D
 
Thanks for the report and your observation on the trigger. And thank you peggysue for the shot of that old and evil Cobra.
 
Glad you got a new carry gun, if the Ruger does not work out I would go with the 638 S&W. I really like the option for hammer shooting and its weight was a huge plus for me.
 
I am sure if I don't like it I will get a S&W. But for now I like it. Its the first double action ruger I have owned or even shot. I have several S&W though. The only problem I have is the trigger reset. I will try it some more. I need to start looking for holsters for it as well.
 
The vague trigger reset issue was why I got ride of mine. See post 34. I tended to short stroke it during rapid fire, in the end, it's just something unique to this type of trigger design...a design compromise. Not good or bad, just not for me. The S&W has a pretty stout return spring and a more definite reset, which mitigates the issue.

Like you, what scared me the most is the nature of the malfunction. When it happens there is no indication that the mechanism is not reset, you press the trigger and the cylinder rotates, but the revolver doesn't fire.

That's probably why it happened to me in rapid fire, when I was trying to feel for the trigger reset as quickly as possible. The trigger would return half way, then I would feel the mechanism reset, but it hadn't! There is no warning when this happens, no difference in the trigger feel, you just pull the trigger and it doesn't fire, it just rotates the cylinder.

Here's a youtube video of it happening. (not my video!) See approximately minute 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ioFQkw-x8

Here's another review where it happens. The reviewer thinks it's bad ammo, but you can tell he didn't let the trigger all the way forward. At about 2:16.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGKnsMfVSSg
 
Last edited:
I only had the problem when slowly firing for accuracy. I did not have the problem when firing fast. Guess it is just the way I work the trigger. If I continue to have the problem I will also get rid of it. But I believe I can train myself out of it. I have had the same problem with my pre model 10 S&W. But it just locks up instead of rotating the cly.
 
I've grown kinda fond of a Rock Island 38 special that cost me about $230. It's parkerized, a 2 inch snubby and the DA has smoothed out after a hundred rounds or so. Easy to carry with inner waistband holster and heavy enough to be comfortable to shoot. Similar to the Colt Detective in size and weight. Who really needs more?
DSCN0333_zps5e38703a.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top