Concealed Carry Snubbie?

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Olon

Olon

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Fellow gunners,

Right now the only pistol I own is a Glock 23, and I love that gun. I find revolvers fascinating though and I'd like to have one. My 21st birthday is coming up and I'm looking forward to being able to carry concealed. When it gets warm and I'm wearing thinner clothes I can't imagine carrying that doublestack Glock. I know they make a single stack (43) but that is a little more than I want to pay. I'm thinking a small revolver chambered in .380?

What is a dependable, concealable revolver that you have carried? If I'm buying used, what do I look for (or avoid)?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Olon

Welcome aboard!

For myself I have always liked the S&W J frames in .38 Special for a quality built snubby. In a used S&W you might want to look for a Model 36, 37, 38, 49, 60, 637, 442, 642, 649, or 638. Some models are all steel construction (Model 36,49, 60, 649), while some others are lighter weight due to having an aluminum alloy frame (Model 37, 38, 637, 442, 642, 638).

7l9ZPw2.jpg
This is an all stainless steel Model 649.

SlSg8OH.jpg
This an aluminum alloy frame Model 638 with a stainless steel cylinder and barrel.
 
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I do not recall seeing a revolver in 380, although 38 Specials are very common. I have the S&W 642 and it is comfortable to carry. With it's rounded shape, it seems to blend in better when being carried in a pocket.
 
'I'm thinking a small revolver chambered in .380?'

I'm assuming you mean 38 spl not .380. There are lots to choose from. Depends on if you want pocket carry or iwb. Pocket carry S&W 36, 60 are great choices. Taurus 85, 605 for cheaper options. I've personally had no issues with Tauruses. Ruger lcr. Personally I carry the Ruger sp101 .357. I like having the option for both .357 and .38. It's a little to big for pocket carry, can be done though. Super comfortable iwb and built like a tank, even laughs at full magnum loads. Shooting .38s is nothing for the sp. Plenty of excellent choices, just need to find what works best for you and your carry method.
 
George P said:
I do not recall seeing a revolver in 380, although 38 Specials are very common. I have the S&W 642 and it is comfortable to carry. With it's rounded shape, it seems to blend in better when being carried in a pocket.
Click to expand...
Taurus makes one, the M380. Its a neat idea, as its cut for 5-shot moon clips. Here it is next to a S&W:
34gq44i.jpg I see there is still plenty in stock at Bud's, but they don't have the greatest reviews, might want to do some research before buying.

Bannockburn hit it on the head, the shrouded hammer Smith and Wesson's are tough to beat.
 
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Jeb Stuart

Nice guns, do you have a preference to which one you enjoy shooting?
Click to expand...

Yep the Model 649 has a bit of an edge with it's all steel construction in shooting comfort but I love carrying the Model 638. Both guns had decent triggers right out of the box.
 
Godsgunman said:
'I'm thinking a small revolver chambered in .380?'

I'm assuming you mean 38 spl not .380. There are lots to choose from. Depends on if you want pocket carry or iwb. Pocket carry S&W 36, 60 are great choices. Taurus 85, 605 for cheaper options. I've personally had no issues with Tauruses. Ruger lcr. Personally I carry the Ruger sp101 .357. I like having the option for both .357 and .38. It's a little to big for pocket carry, can be done though. Super comfortable iwb and built like a tank, even laughs at full magnum loads. Shooting .38s is nothing for the sp. Plenty of excellent choices, just need to find what works best for you and your carry method.
Click to expand...

I'm not too picky on the ammo, I just mentioned .380 ACP because I know that's what the single stack glock is chambered in. As long as it's something I can control fairly well. Clearly I'm new to the revolver world haha. What little research I've done so far has yielded many people disgruntled with Taurus in general but you never know if it's just one of those gun snob things so that's helpful. I'll take a look at the guns you mentioned. Any tips on buying used? I've read to check the ejector rod to be sure it's not bent and to check for hammer "push back." Other than that I have no clue.
 
Be sure to take a good look at the S&W M442 and 642. Mine is the M442, but they are functionally the same . I think the finish on the 442 is more durable. Also, its more of a stealth gun.
These are ideal pocket revolvers. I recommend starting out with 148 gr target wad cutters.
You may just want to stay with them.
Use a good pocket holster.

Best,
Rick
 
George P

I believe Taurus still shows two 5 shot .380 revolvers (Model 2-3801 21UL and Model 2-3801 29UL), in their catalog. Don't know if they're still in production though.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Taurus makes one, the M380. Its a neat idea, as its cut for 5-shot moon clips. Here it is next to a S&W:
View attachment 806555 I see there is still plenty in stock at Bud's, but they don't have the greatest reviews, might want to do some research before buying.

Bannockburn hit it on the head, the shrouded hammer Smith and Wesson's are tough to beat.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the education........although, one can get a smaller 380 than that revolver.......
 
Since it sounds like you're budge constrained, I'd suggest a j-frame Airweight, particularly the S&W 642 or 442. They're light, so they'll have noticeable recoil but they also are very comfortable to carry in a front pocket. The Ruger LCR would be another consideration. The Smith Airweights have been around for about half a century and have a strong following. The Ruger is much newer, but it's been out long enough to be known as another reliable firearm. Either can typically be found in the $300-400 range, depending on if you'd consider used or not.

If you're planning on carrying on a holster you may want to look at the steel framed small revolvers, but they are more pricey. The cheapest will probably be the Ruger SP101, you might find one in the $400-550 range (again, used will be cheaper). From there you can also look at the S&W 640 or 60, Colt Cobra or Kimber K6, but expect to pay $600-900 for one of those.
 
If 380 is the round you want I would steer you away from a 5 shot revolver and more towards a pocketable semi that holds 2-3 more rounds. 38 spl gives you a much wider variety of projectile weights and bullet designs which have been carried by law enforcement for decades. Even the softest shooting 38 will out perform 380. Again it's what works for YOU. ME? 38 all the way especially since I reload and can fine tune to get my desired results.
 
Look at the Charter Arms.
  • It is not a range gun with a gunsmithed bullseye trigger.
    • So don't swallow the horrible trigger reviews.
    • It is an SD trigger for shooting 10 yards.
    • The trigger will break in with dry firing and shooting it.
  • Learn to hand load so POI = POA.
    • The sights are fixed so Bullet Weight & Powder Charge will make it shoot dead on at < 10 yards.
  • Lite Weight revolvers are difficult to shoot and tend to be unpleasant.
    • Charter makes 12,15 ounce & 20+ ounce guns.
    • Shooting a 12 ounce gun may not be pleasant to you at the range.
  • The Price, The Price, The Price and a life time warranty in your name.
  • Many Calibers to choose from 38 Spc,9mm,40 cal, 45 ACP, 44 Spc, & 357 Magnum.
 
Godsgunman said:
If 380 is the round you want I would steer you away from a 5 shot revolver and more towards a pocketable semi that holds 2-3 more rounds. 38 spl gives you a much wider variety of projectile weights and bullet designs which have been carried by law enforcement for decades. Even the softest shooting 38 will out perform 380. Again it's what works for YOU. ME? 38 all the way especially since I reload and can fine tune to get my desired results.
Click to expand...

No, it sounds like 38 special is the way to go. Thanks for the input.
 
Olon said:
I'm not too picky on the ammo, I just mentioned .380 ACP because I know that's what the single stack glock is chambered in.
Click to expand...

The Glock 43 you mentioned is chambered in 9mm, not .380. Nothing wrong with a revolver, but I've found that the Glock 43 is easier to conceal.
 
Is there anyway you can swing buy a local range that rents guns? As much as I enjoy airweights they can be a challenge to shoot and I would encourage you to try one if possible first. As for my recommendation I'd put in for the Ruger LCR if only because if fits the best in my hands so it may or may not fit in your hands. The bent ejector rod and end shake are two things to look for when buying used. I'd recommend looking on Youtube for a video describing how to look for damage to used revolvers as they will do a better job with the video than I could do in a paragraph. Another thing to help muddy the waters for you is they do make 9mm revolvers too. Good luck.
 
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