Concealed carry 38 snub - Old school or new school?

R

Racingsnake

New member
I'm looking for a .38 Special snub to replace my existing Taurus Mod 85.

I've found two nice slightly used revolvers and one new. The used guns are a S&W 442 and a Colt Detective Special (post 72 with ejector rod shroud). The new gun is a Ruger LCR.

Which do you guys carry or recommend going with?
 
buying new, I highly recommend the LCR. I prefer the slightly heavier LCR357 over the lighter LCR38 even though I only shoot 38. Recoil is easier to manage and still very pocketable.
 
um... it depends...

absolutely nothing wrong with any of these choices... I have 5 snubbies right now, ranging from 22 Mag to 454 Casull... 2 - Rugers & 3 - S&Ws... I've not found a deal on a Colt... so I don't own a Colt snubbie

the light weight guns make better carry guns, & the heavier ones are better shooting at the range... your actual use for the gun would need to be known to know what works best for you... ( I know you said concealed carry... but if it's something you hope to put a couple 100 rounds a week through, or only a cylinder full??? )
 
I have a S&W Model 36 that I have pocket carried for years. Recently, I retired it in favor of a Ruger LCR .357. The trigger on the LCR, right out of the box, is great.
 
I used to own a 36 and it disappeared into my waistband and I never noticed the weight, But the next snubby I get is going to be the 442. No hammer to snag and lightweight. I owned a 642 once and the recoil is manageable.

I was looking at the Ruger LCR, and I admit the trigger is very sweet. But I just can't get into the polymer frame and the futuristic look of it. Snubbies are classic guns. They should look classic.
 
I've owned an LCR, M37 and 637-2.

LCR- great trigger and the grips make recoil very manageable. The grips also make it a beast for pocket carry and at the time, there were almost no options for grips. Sold it. Sorta miss it.

M37- Classic. Sold it (like an idiot) because I couldn't find a comfortable way to carry it.

637- After bobbing the hammer it carries in the pocket like a dream. Easier to pocket carry than my LCP IMO. Removed the ISL too.

I'd consider going back to an LCR now that there are a few more options for grips out there. I'm really hoping they come out with a 3" LCR in 22lr someday.
 
I've owned the 642, and currently own an lcr. Both are outstanding for that duty. I think I like the profile a little better on the S&Ws, but mechanically, the Rugers have the benefit of the newer tech.

As far as looks go, I still love an old Colt or S&W snubbie. They have class!
 
For target shooting and plinking, a heavy one with a hammer spur.

For CC, a lightweight one with no hammer spur.

I have a half dozen or so snubbies and love them all. :)
 
I've been very pleased with my LCR 38+P with factory CT Lasergrips.Carry load is Hornady Critical Defense 110gr.standard pressure.I find +P recoil much too sharp!
 
One of my recent purchases was a snub nose .38, just because I was tired of not having one. I wanted something of a classic, so for me, it was a tossup between a S&W 36 and a Colt Det Special. I chose the Colt for a couple reasons: it holds six rounds vs. five, and the S&W 36 grips & gripframe were too small for me.
 
I'm a huge fan of old Smith's and Colt's.

Having said that I pocket carry so I don't want an exposed hammer. I carry a 642.
 
Both are very good choices. I think it depends on how you intend to carry. The Colt Detective Special looks small but it is a fairly heavy critter (as you say, "old school"). I carry one in a traditional belt holster with my shirt or jacket flopped down over it. It is a very comfortable way to carry, but I consider it "semi-concealed" which is legal in my state.

I only have the LCR in 22LR and have been considering a 3" with the exposed hammer. I carry the 22 sometimes. I feel more comfortable with the exposed hammer in terms of firing the gun reasonably accurately. I often carry a S&W 442 (38spl) in my pocket when I want to be concealed.

In my opinion, if you are looking for the highest quality, the Colt wins had down overall. The LCR will be easier to carry.
 
Can't imagine going wrong with any of the three. If you have speed loaders for the 85, they may work with the 442 and LCR. I think I remember reading that but can't swear to it. An existing holster for your 85 would fit the 442 and maybee even the LCR? I guess the Colt DS will continue to climb in value. Seems to be no end in sight for the value of Colt DA revolvers.
 
I had a 357 LCR - it was a good handgun but I didn't care for the looks of it. I tried the 357 out of it and my hands just can't take the 357. 38s I'm fine.

I did the opposite of what most would do. I traded it in on a Smith Model 36 snub. I carry on the belt - usually under a shirt tail. The 36 snub carries easily. I liked it enough that I picked up a 3" Model 36.

I'm 62 and have always been a "revolver guy". I like the 36 but have just recently "traveled to the dark side" and picked up a 9mm S & W Shield in order to have a higher capacity of rounds - reason? I am sometimes in areas - in MI and AZ - whee I just feel "better" with 8 and a spare magazine than with 5. It is light, thin and easily carries OWB tucked in tight to the body.

I also don't think you could go wrong with the ones you are talking about. If I had found a K frame snub - then I probably would have gone that route. But . . it all depends how you carry and the weight you can stand all day.

The trigger on my LCR was smooth and function wise, I really had no complaints - but I am much happier with the 36 J frame. All boils down to personal preference and what you like. Good luck! :)
 
Any of them would be a great choice. Whichever you choose, pick you up a Galco Fletch holster to go with it.

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I'm looking for a .38 Special snub to replace my existing Taurus Mod 85.
Click to expand...
I actually went in the opposite direction and replaced a S&W air-weight (BG38) with a blued steel Taurus 85. The BG38 developed a problem and had to go back to the factory so I bought the Taurus to carry while it was being repaired. When it returned I tested it for function and then sold it. The extra weight is definitely there but manageable and I shoot it much better. I will probably get the hammer bobbed in the near future.

Good luck with whatever you chose.
 
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