Your besterest ever snub for IWB?

P

Pond James Pond

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When I carry, it is a .38Spl snub Astra 680. Essentially a 2" barreled S&W clown from the fine, if now defunct Astra firearms company of Guernica, Spain.

It came into my possession as a replacement for the first 680 I had bought got a slightly bulged barrel from an unfortunate squib. The first I had bought as I was in the market for a snub ans it had come up, a little tatty, but tight and with a fabulous trigger and ridiculously cheap. I bought it there are then.

Mourning it after the squib, when my current one was spotted under a shop counter, I nabbed that too and it has been with me ever since.

However, I would not say it is the best snub ever, it is the best I have as it works for me and was affordable. It is also very "carriable".
To make it better, I suppose I'd be happy with +p build and a cylinder-to-frame design that would allow speedloaders to line-up. I'm limited to strips. If really pushing the envelope, then a FO front sight would be nice, but that is a bit of an ask from a 1990's revolver...

So what is your best IWB carry snub and why?
(Not looking to buy, just curious)
 
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So what is you best IWB carry snub and why?
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At this point I've got two, a Taurus 605 and Charter Arms Undercover.

Which is better? The Taurus is a better gun, but the Charter's easier to carry, on account of its lighter weight (16oz vs 24oz) and spurless hammer. But, it's been troublesome. (Charter just replaced it. "third time in, replace" was what the service ticket said.).

IWB I could carry either.
 
No surprise to see either an airweight or a Charter in the responses!

I guessed they do well. Shame to hear the Charter has been a pain, though.
 
The LCR does seem, to me, to be the best concealed carry revolver in a decent cartridge on the market to day. However, what would let it down for me (and I may be wrong in this assertion) is that being so light would make it unpleasant to practice with, and so less effective if you ever need it.

158gr FMJs in mine are already a little uncomfortable after a dozen or so, so I can only imagine how a +p feels out of that waif of a gun!
 
I guessed they do well. Shame to hear the Charter has been a pain, though.
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Charter's customer support has been excellent.

I intend to run the replacement just like I did the old one, and see how things pan out. None of this "carried a lot, shot a little" for me. Anything I shoot, gets shot a lot.
 
Charter Arms Undercover with a Barami Hip-Grip at about 4 o'clock.

I'd rather have a S&W 37 or 637, but I've decided to leave well enough alone for now.

My EDC is a Ruger LCP in a IWB at 1 o'clock.
 
Taurus model 455. 5 shot, 45 acp, ported 2 inch barrel, The why is, it's a 45 acp and a whole lot more concealable than my 1911 Government model. If you are going to carry a snub, 5 rounds of 45 acp is a pretty potent package.
Gary
 
For IWB, the second-series Colt Detective Special. I'm also partial to the S&W Model 66 .357 Mag with the 3" barrel. I wish S&W still made them. The extractor rod is long enough to reliably kick out the empties. I can tolerate the muzzle blast of 125-grain .357 JHPs better than with the 2.5" barreled version.

I carry a S&W 642 regularly, but I use a pocket holster for it.
 
Your besterest ever snub for IWB?
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My besterest snub is for pocket carry. Light for pocket carry, and able to shoot standard, +p .38 and .357 magnum. The model M&P 340 CT. Very versatile.

My besterest snub for IWB carry is Model 640. Heavier than the lite weights, it is also easier on me to practice .38+P and .357 magnum.

If I had to keep just one, it would be the M&P 340 CT, only because I carry it 100% of the time. If I take the 640 it is for NY reload purposes. I fumble trying to reload the J-Frame revolvers, easier to just toss it and draw a backup.
 
Mine is a Taurus ultralight 38 with a 2" barrel. I owned it and shot it for many years. When I recently got my CHL I carefully removed the hammer spur. It is light enough for easy carry and surprisingly accurate.
 
With DIY spur removal, ie on a gun that was not designed for that, is there ever a risk of subsequent light strikes? Or is that more of a spring issue?
 
I'm sure there is someone with a much more educated opinion, but I would think removing the spur, resulting in less weight could cause light strikes. Once the sear is released, the spring tension wouldn't have any effect on the hammer strike.
 
I use my S&W model 642-1 for IWB carry via a pair of Barami hip grips. Here is my gun:

GD_Barami.jpg


I wear the gun on the belt, IWB, at the roughly 3 o'clock position. Stays put all day, and is an extremely thin and concealable package, no holster necessary.
 
Ruger LCR .38+P. It is not bad to practice with. It absorbs recoil better than any other J-frame IMO, and I've been carrying snubs for forty six years.

Of course, if you're really sensitive to recoil, carry a K-frame snub.

Snubs are obviously for deep concealment and close-up work. Not for a day at the range. Everything is a trade-off.
 
S&W 642 "Ladysmith". (.38 Special +P)

Although it's been shot loose (partially my fault ;))...
It's about as light as you can get.
It's nice and compact (though, for .38 Special only, it could be a little shorter).
It's about as reliable as you can get.
And, it still packs one helluva punch.

It's small enough and light enough that I've pocket-carried it in a cargo pocket without being bothered at all. And, it's small enough for pocket carry in a standard pocket, if I felt the need (and had an appropriate pocket holster - in the pants that I wear, anyway).
 
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