Which for ccw?

C

ccwnut

New member
I'm currently weighing my options for a snubnose .38 revolver. I'm cosidering the S&W 442/642 and the LCR. So, which do you guys prefer?
 
Not a fair comparison as the LCR is polymer and the 642/442 are metal. Apples to apples it would be the Bodyguard vs LCR.

With that said I choose S&W every time (I own both an LCR and a Bodyguard, as well as a 642 and a Vaquero).
 
I've had both, and prefer the LCR. Ruger really got that trigger pull figured out. And only the grip frame is polymer.

Unless you're going to pocket carry, the .357 LCR is only 3 ounces heavier than the .38 model, and the exact same size. It gives you the option of .38 Special and .357 Magnum.

Nothing really wrong with either.
 
Ajtozzi said:
Not a fair comparison as the LCR is polymer and the 642/442 are metal. Apples to apples it would be the Bodyguard vs LCR.

With that said I choose S&W every time (I own both an LCR and a Bodyguard, as well as a 642 and a Vaquero).
Click to expand...

I don't see how it's not a far comparison. Both are chambered in the same caliber and both are more or less the same barrel length and weight. Both are also DAO but in my opinion, that's what gives one the edge over the other. While I'm sure there are throngs of people who disagree with me, I find the S&W Airweight stock triggers to be vastly superior to the LCR's mushy trigger that lacks a positive return.

For me it's the S&W 637 but I'd just soon take a 642 over the LCR, or any other pocket pistol.
 
Last edited:
Non-lawyer lock 442 or 642/Ruger LCR .357magnum...

I'd look at a S&W J frame 442 or 642 .38spl +P. The type without the lawyer lock, ;). Smith and Wesson puts out a M&P J frame without a security lock too but it's very pricey, $$$.
I'd opt for the CT lasergrip or maybe the Lasermax format with a XS night sight. To get a carbon steel/alloy 442 then get it treated with Metalife SS or maybe Bearcoat; www.bearcoat.com would be smart.
The Ruger LCR is a smart pick too. I prefer the .357magnum format but they are hard to track down in 2013. :(
XS sights & laser aimers are also good add-ons. No special treatments or custom coatings are required due to the high tech polymers. Ruger made a real winner.

CF
 
Haven't had much experience with a Smith snubbie since I had a Mod. 36 years ago. But I will say I am very happy with my LCR. Holds great, feels great, sweet DA trigger, accurate, snappy, but controllable, very light, and conceals in most pockets in a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster surprisingly well.
 
Between a 442 and an LCR 38 it is a close call.
Most who try both will like the LCR trigger better.
The LCR's Tamer Grip soaks up recoil better, so you have less felt recoil.
The LCR has a pinned on front sight so it is cheap and easy to put a 24/7 XS Tritium or Fiber Optic front sight on one.

The 442 being a standard J Frame S&W has lots of grip options.
You can improve on the J Frame trigger pull with Wolff springs.

I really wish Smith & Wesson would put pinned on front sights on all its revolvers.

I traded off my LCR 357, and I have kept my 442 Pro Moon Clip. I have ZERO Problems however with the LCR as a carry gun.

If you are planning on belt carrying your revolver, I would not skip looking at a Steel 640. It's a little heavy for pocket carry, but more shootable than an airweight.

Bob
 
I would opt for a model that has single action capability. I have a model 38 Smith with the shroud in nickel and it is very accurate in single action. You occasionally need to clean the pocket lint out of the shroud with a Q-tip.

If I was buying today and wanted a lightweight I'd get a pre lock Smith model 37 in nickel. With your thumb on the hammer you can draw from a pocket snag free.
 
Neither for me. I prefer an all-steel Smith, the 640. Mine is a fairly early one in .38 Special. Frankly I don't even want to think about shooting .357 Magnums in a snubby. Quite apart from recoil, flash and blast are horrendous in a short-barreled revolver, and I'd fear being blinded by my first shot in a night-time SD situation.

The steel J-frames are comfortable for me to shoot with +P ammo, while the Airweights like the 442/642 are a lot less pleasant. I prefer the enclosed hammer--it's too easy, with the SA option in a stressful situation, to light off a round accidentally, and the enclosed hammer doesn't gather lint and crud.
 
Last edited:
I too was debating between these guns. Went to a range that rented them and shot both (LCR & 642). While the trigger might be a little smoother on the LCR, it seemed to kick a little more than the Smith. The grips on both were too small for my taste...I need a three-finger grip. Consequently, I decided to go with the Smith because there are many more grip options. Best advice I can give you is to shoot them both and see which feels better in hand.
 
I put Pachmayr Compac grips on my 640 over twelve years ago and never looked back. They're enough longer than the boot grips to give purchase for the little finger, cover the backstrap, give a high hold on the gun, and reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. I have no trouble concealing the gun in a pocket holster, and haven't had any trouble with them grabbing the fabric. Good product.
 
I'd go with the Smith because looks are important to me. That being said the LCR is a really nice shooting little snubbie. I'd go so far as to say the trigger surpassed Smith and Wesson which is saying alot.
 
Which are you most comfortable with shooting and carrying?
Some don't like CC anything larger than a small .380. I like my P229. And I've seen a Desert Eagle .50 AE CC'd reasonably well inside rear waist band.

What works for you? That's the right answer.
 
What works for you? That's the right answer.
Click to expand...

Well, not necessarily. If he's not proficient in shooting revolvers, and snubbies in particular, then it's not going to work well for him. Train first, buy second.

Or, if he's like me, buy three, decide he likes something different, buy that, go to training, switch back to one of the first three in the middle of the class, then sell that one after class. Choose another, buy a new one, sell two of the originals, regret that first sale, buy it again, shoot it lots, buy the coolest gun released at SHOT this year, hate it, sell it, and go to training again. Repeat this until I've owned all of those between two and four times and somehow mastered trigger control during all of that. Then suddenly get into revolvers and try to learn to shoot snubby and big bore revolvers. Fifteen years later, settle on a few "social guns" that never go away while the rest of the pool is fluid.

It's cheaper to train first and use one of the instructor's guns, but my way is more fun :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top