hmmm... #?/%@" plastic revolvers ???

M

Magnum Wheel Man

New member
OK... I'm getting closer to buying a 38 snubbie... ( pretty sold on a 38 special snubbie... I have many 357 revolvers in non snub format ) looking to replace my lil Taurus 380 with a revolver... so I'm looking for small & light weight, so either a plastic or aluminum frame... the S&W's are more expensive, but I have seen some of the new ones for reasonable prices... the 380 is really light weight, so I hate to replace it with something heavier, even though I'm so much more a steel guy than a plastic guy... I do like a traditional hammer, but if the trigger is not awful, the DAO would not likely snag on clothes or stick in my "Dunlop" as much...

I just have a hard time believing that these plastic guns will last a lifetime or two, without getting brittle... my TCP is plastic & steel, & cost less than $200.00 so if it breaks... oh well... the revolvers are near double the price, so while they are not real spendy, I'd still hate to have one get brittle on me in 10 years, if I could have bought a metal one, that would last a 100 years plus, for twice as much...

also I handled a 3" Ruger LCR 38 today... was thinking it might be better, than a sub 2"... but after handling it... I'm thinking the shorter barrel would carry better...

what are you 38 revolver guys carrying, & if you were buying new ( or used ) what would you buy for EDC
 
what are you 38 revolver guys carrying, & if you were buying new ( or used ) what would you buy for EDC
Click to expand...

Have and carry a Charter Undercover, which, BTW, has a plastic grip frame and trigger guard.

Would not be averse to having Ruger's plastic gun.

also I handled a 3" Ruger LCR 38 today... was thinking it might be better, than a sub 2"... but after handling it... I'm thinking the shorter barrel would carry better...
Click to expand...

But I suspect the 3" would be a better gun to shoot.
 
A suggestion for one of the smallest of the 38 snubbies would be stick with the Bull, and get a new Tarus View. That is of course if you can get past the stupidity of the clear Lexan side plate. I personally can not. But if they ever decide to replace it with titanium, or another lightweight metal alloy it might just lengthen my short list.
 
My old Colt Cobra 38 light weight I got in a pawn shop for $250. The finish is almost gone, grips are smooth and the hammer is bobbed. It was owned by a detective in the 60's.
705565d1403529606-glimpse-my-little-collection-colt.jpg
 
Guernican steel.

I have an Astra 680 2" in .38Spl. I have the original grips, but fitted some home made plastic ones. Nothing to look at but print way less to my eyes, even if the originals were not exactly "in your face".
 
I wouldn't trade my little S&W m36 with a 2"bbl for anything alloy or plastic.

Yes, it is a touch heavier... but we are talking a difference of just a few ounces here. I carry it fairly frequently in a nice 3-slot belt holster. It conceals easily with an un-tucked t-shirt and I often forget it is there.

S&W lists the current "Classic" line m36 at 19.5oz. I would think my older -7 would be comparable if not the same. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

I picked up my used m36-7 for under $400 and I expect it to last my lifetime as well as that of my 10 year old son with relative ease.

Hate to regurgitate the old cliche about getting what you pay for, but.......

For me, my firearms are just as much as an investment as they are a tool. I would rather spend a few more $$$ now and know I have a quality piece that will last and last and still retain some value so long as I do my part in caring for it.

My m36-7 circa 1991



 
Last edited:
I use my Taurus model 85UL. It's made of an alloy and is noticeably lighter than the steel version. I have had it for ten years or more with zero problems. I removed the hammer spur for a no-snag draw.
 
Lots of Remington Nylon 66 rifles from the 60s that haven't turned brittle... as well as more than a few Glocks from the 80s that haven't turned brittle... and even a few Ruger P95s from the 90s that haven't turned brittle...

With reasonable care, I belive the LCR or LCRx will outlast you. :D
 
Love my old Model 36, yeah she is heavier than The Tupperware revolvers, but its no big deal with the right holster. She is a dream to shoot, and I actually WANT to shoot it. The Ruger LCR is a really great revolver with the Original grips, I put Crimson Trace grips on it for my wife and that thing is not fun to shoot for me.
 
Well--since you already have one Taurus, take a look at the
Taurus Poly Protector 605.

I ended up with one last year, and it kind of surprised me. Not
bad with 125 gr 357's, and the darned thing went bang with every pull of the trigger.:)
 
I just have a hard time believing that these plastic guns will last a lifetime or two, without getting brittle
Click to expand...
Glocks have been going on 31 years now. Haven't heard of any of them getting brittle.

Jim
 
I like my S&W Model 42 Centennial as a carry. It slips right in the back pocket of my jeans. It has already lasted almost one lifetime, and I expect it is good for a few more.
 
I've been carrying a snubby for forty six years . The past three has been an LCR 38+P. IMO it's the best of the J-frames. Best trigger (out of the box) and least felt recoil. I bought it with the XS Sights which work well for me.
 
Ride Red 350R - I'm with you on the Model 36 snub. That's my primary CCW. In fact I liked it so well, I got a Model 36 with a 3" barrel just to keep it company. :D

I had a Ruger LCR .357 - it was fine and shot well but I just like Smiths (I have a number of K frames as well). The Model 36 is an easy one to carry - light but still all steel. Mine was a "sock drawer" gun that I doubt had more than a box of shells through it. I picked mine up for $350 if I remember correctly. They are out there if you look and a good used one will give you just as much mileage as one of the new ones that Smith puts out.
 
Thanks goodness for variety!

My wife carried a S&W 36 (no dash) for a few decades, but after shooting my LCRX, she recently traded the 36 for an LCR of her own. We both appreciate older S&Ws, but when it comes to carry guns, the LCR offers us much more (lighter weight, shrugs off wear, and a much better DA trigger out of the box than any J frame we've ever owned).

Hers:
RugerLCR_zps68104546.jpg


Mine:
RugerLCRXmg_zpsdf04e3ba.jpg
 
I only have a few weeks of concieled carry behind me so anything form me is not from a lot of experience.

I have only carried a S&W BG-38 in a Desatis Ammo Nemisis pocket holster. I like the holster so far and I like pocket carry. I am a big man and the pants I always wear have an unused cargo pocket that is just right to make sure the gun doesn't print.

I changed the grips to Hogue Tamer grips and am very happy with the result. It does make the gun a little less concielable if my pocket is hanging open you could see the butt if you were standing right behind me. The gun is so much more controllable with the Hogues that I feel it is well worth the extra size.

The only reason I don't give the BG-38 raving reviews is I don't have anything else (only snub I own) to compare it too. It has been 100% reliable so far but I have only owned it a little less than a year. The trigger has gotten much better especially the last couple months.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top