Another which one? Thread . . .

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For winter coat pocket carry...most value for the dollars . . . ?

- Charter Arms On-Duty enclosed-hammer 38 Spl - Alloy/Steel 12 oz - $300-$350

- S&W Airlite 38 Spl - Alloy/Steel 11.5 oz - $750 - $800

- Ruger LCR enclosed-hammer 38 Spl - Poly/Steel 13.5 oz - $400-$450

I already have a few Airlites but not in 38. While they are great guns, I'm not sure they are worth nearly twice as much as the Charter or Ruger. I am leaning toward the Charter Arms, but is there any downside to 'em? All my CA's are old school from the Stratford days. The only experience I have with Ruger are with semis. Suggestions welcomed.
 
What's wrong with the smith and wesson m637, m642 or m638? All can be had under $400 new in 38.

I have no charter experience so no comment.

Smith would be my 1st choice, followed by the ruger. I really don't care for the giant rubber grip that comes on the lcr. I had one and it negated pocket carry for me. That's just my preference. Some folks prefer rubber grips for pocket carry, I'm not one of them.
 
I can't comment on the Charter option, but for carry purposes, I'll take the LCR all day. Nothing wrong with the Smith's at all, but I just find the LCR to be a better value. I prefer the trigger of the LCR too.
 
I do like the LCR trigger much better, too. I'm not alone, that appears to be the internet consensus.

I prefer the smith's cylinder release, though.
 
642, 442, 637 are all sub $400 all day long here in Ohio. I cannot say enough about my 642.
 
I have no experience with the other 2 but I have an LCR in my pocket right now. I have carried it as my pocket carry for a couple of years now. It is such a comfortable carry that I sometimes forget it is even there until I go to take a shower etc.
 
For winter coat pocket carry...most value for the dollars . . . ?

- Charter Arms On-Duty enclosed-hammer 38 Spl - Alloy/Steel 12 oz - $300-$350

- S&W Airlite 38 Spl - Alloy/Steel 11.5 oz - $750 - $800

- Ruger LCR enclosed-hammer 38 Spl - Poly/Steel 13.5 oz - $400-$450

I already have a few Airlites but not in 38. While they are great guns, I'm not sure they are worth nearly twice as much as the Charter or Ruger. I am leaning toward the Charter Arms, but is there any downside to 'em? All my CA's are old school from the Stratford days. The only experience I have with Ruger are with semis. Suggestions welcomed.
Not nit-picking but you have the S&W guns and price wrong. The Airlite is a 12oz revolver but they are in .357 Magnum, not .38 Special only. The .38 Special J frame is a 15oz Airweight and they are normally ~$400 so they are much closer to the price of the Charter Arms than you think.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../products_id/26309/S&W+M637+5RD+38SP++P+1.87"
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...3/S&W+M642+5RD+38SP++P+1.87"+No+Internal+Lock
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/.../products_id/26311/S&W+M638+5RD+38SP++P+1.87"
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...2/S&W+M442+5RD+38SP++P+1.87"+wo+Internal+Lock
 
Smith 638 is a nice gun. I like the shrouded hammer. $400 all day long, or closer to $300 used. Mine weighs 14.1oz and they should be more durable than the Airlight models.
 
Smith 638 is a nice gun. I like the shrouded hammer. $400 all day long, or closer to $300 used. Mine weighs 14.1oz and they should be more durable than the Airlight models.
I have been carrying and shooting a M442 for at least 5 years now and it's still rock solid. I'm shooting a good many +P rounds too.
 
An older S&W would be my first choice, or a new no lock version. They can be had for around $400. The $800 ones are the .357s, for which I have no use, in such a small, light gun.
The LCR would be a close second, and would prossibly go home with me instead of the S&W if my LGS made me the right deal. (I've had the S&W since long before the LCR was on the market)
Last would be CA. They just don't have the build quality of the other options. If they were another $100 less, they would be more attractive. I'm sure they are functional, but for the money, they just don't have the value.
Honestly the only CA I've ever been interested in is the Bulldog .44, only because no one else makes anything in this class, at any price.
 
The LCR has the best trigger in class. The big Hogue grip soaks up recoil and, although some find that grip a tight fit in a pants pocket, in a larger pocket such as you'd find on a winter coat there's plenty of room. I have been known to carry mine that way. And there's always the boot grip.
 
Hmmm... Based on what some of you said about the trigger, gonna have to take a look at the Ruger. Truth be known, it was at the bottom of the three. Just don't like plastic too much. Thx
 
Definitely take a look at the lcr. Just keep in mind there are very few options in grips for the lcr. But if the stock grips fit your hand ok it's a great revolver.
 
Love my J frames. Don't love their DA pulls.
Thinking about getting LCR.
Really want a 640.
Not so crazy about shooting beer can J frames.

wlewisiii, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy??????
 
Been carrying a S&W 442 for a "few" years and favor the Centennial J-Frame design for the purpose you have described.

Got large coat pockets?

When a Charter Bulldog speaks people have been known to listen.

-Jake
 
The LCR has become very popular. Ruger quality. But I wouldn't carry one to a dog fight; I'm afraid the dog might see it and get sick. Absolutely the ugliest revolver ever made. But like Glock owners say, what has looks got to do with quality? To me, an LCR looks like a badly made toy. I'm a huge fan of snub .38's--just not the LCR.
 
The Centennial J frame has always been a great CC revolver.
I'm not nuts about the factory trigger pull of any J frame, but a lot of shooting/dry firing does a good job of smoothing it out.
Had Smith made a Centennial version of the L frame .44 Special, I probably would have bought it.
 
The Centennial J frame has always been a great CC revolver.
I'm not nuts about the factory trigger pull of any J frame, but a lot of shooting/dry firing does a good job of smoothing it out.
Had Smith made a Centennial version of the L frame .44 Special, I probably would have bought it.
They did. It's the Model 296
 
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