Mulliga
Member
Is there a decent lightweight .38 snub NOT manufactured by S&W, Ruger, Colt, or Taurus?
Looking for a .38 snub, but with major restrictions
- Thread starter Mulliga
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FPrice
Member
That is a major restriction.
I have an older Charter Arms .38 Undercover which has served me well. But CA's reputation is kinda spotty.
I have an older Charter Arms .38 Undercover which has served me well. But CA's reputation is kinda spotty.
CAS700850
Member
Not that I can think of off-hand. Rossi makes a fair quality revolver, from my limited experiences, but not sure how lightweight you can get with Rossi.
Can I ask why you're knocking out the prime contenders?
Can I ask why you're knocking out the prime contenders?
Harrington & Richardson used to make revolvers once upon a time--semi crude looking and I don't remember seeing a snub, but that's not to say one couldn't be cut down. Kind of seems like they were break tops but its been years since I've seen one so my memory could be going...
Mulliga
Member
I'm not a fan of handguns with integral locks. I can tolerate integral locks on rifles and shotguns, but I've never had any faith in them. So that rules out Taurus/Rossi and S&W (are we still boycotting them?). I don't like the business practices of Ruger and Colt, either. If pressed, I guess I could just buy a revolver from one of the big names, but I was just wondering if other options existed. I'm looking to pocket carry this revolver, BTW.
If you buy used, you aren't endorsing anyone's politics and the original corporate profit was already earned.
If you want to be a purist, I guess you can always resort to a knife, because most firearms companies have either been involved in questionable political deals, legal settlements, engineering by legal counsel, and/or are from countries whose governments support national and international gun control initiatives and non-governmental organizations.
Bill Ruger is dead, so how long are you going to curse his ghost? Colt isn't even manufacturing snubs so snubbing their products on the secondary market accomplishes exactly nothing.
If you want to be a purist, I guess you can always resort to a knife, because most firearms companies have either been involved in questionable political deals, legal settlements, engineering by legal counsel, and/or are from countries whose governments support national and international gun control initiatives and non-governmental organizations.
Bill Ruger is dead, so how long are you going to curse his ghost? Colt isn't even manufacturing snubs so snubbing their products on the secondary market accomplishes exactly nothing.
I understand your position, but would make two suggestions.
1. You can buy an older used (but like-new) S&W that meets your specifications, and will not provide the present company a red cent - if you have a problem with that. In addition these older versions do not have internal safeties. The same could be said about Colt and Taurus. Ruger has never made a lightweight snubby.
2. It is easy to remove or deactivate the safeties you object too.
I have used both solutions to my satisfaction.
I know of no other manufacturer that makes a quality LIGHTWEIGHT revolver, and I would be more concerned with the basic quality of the gun, then safety or political issues. These are things that can be delt with (see above) but the basic quality of the arm is something else.
1. You can buy an older used (but like-new) S&W that meets your specifications, and will not provide the present company a red cent - if you have a problem with that. In addition these older versions do not have internal safeties. The same could be said about Colt and Taurus. Ruger has never made a lightweight snubby.
2. It is easy to remove or deactivate the safeties you object too.
I have used both solutions to my satisfaction.
I know of no other manufacturer that makes a quality LIGHTWEIGHT revolver, and I would be more concerned with the basic quality of the gun, then safety or political issues. These are things that can be delt with (see above) but the basic quality of the arm is something else.
Johnny Guest
Moderator In Memoriam
Haunt the gun shows for a while!
There are a huge number of high quality, used, handguns out there, many of which were manufactured during "The Glory Days" of Colt, S&W, and others. "Pre"-locks, pre-whatever political controversy arose. Having been previously sold, the current company derives no financial benefit.
My favorite pocket-carry revolvers are alloy-frame: A Colt Agent made in 1962 and a 1983 S&W model 37. They nestle nicely in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and see almost daily carry, now that I'm retired. They both go to the range occasionally and are shot with moderate loads, to maintain proficiency and to remind me they are not really gentle little items.
Florida is a gun-friendly state, and you should have no trouble locating one of these or something similar. Try the used gun counters of local gun shops and gun shows. An added benefit: though prices have risen a lot in the past few years, they may still be had for less money than the new-production versions.
Best,
Johnny
There are a huge number of high quality, used, handguns out there, many of which were manufactured during "The Glory Days" of Colt, S&W, and others. "Pre"-locks, pre-whatever political controversy arose. Having been previously sold, the current company derives no financial benefit.
My favorite pocket-carry revolvers are alloy-frame: A Colt Agent made in 1962 and a 1983 S&W model 37. They nestle nicely in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and see almost daily carry, now that I'm retired. They both go to the range occasionally and are shot with moderate loads, to maintain proficiency and to remind me they are not really gentle little items.
Florida is a gun-friendly state, and you should have no trouble locating one of these or something similar. Try the used gun counters of local gun shops and gun shows. An added benefit: though prices have risen a lot in the past few years, they may still be had for less money than the new-production versions.
Best,
Johnny
Mulliga
Member
That's true. Based on what I've seen, the internal lock doesn't seem too difficult to disable. Well, I guess I'm off to look for a 642.
CAS700850
Member
I agree that the used gun market is your best bet for both finding a "lockless" revolver, and also maintaining your principles. Friends in Florida tell me that the used gun market is ripe in Florida, due to the guns being sold off by retired folks that don't want the gun, surviving spouses that may have never wanted one in the first place, or estates looking to liquidate the assets.
tbeb
Member
I use an "old model" Charter Arms Undercover .38 which has an empty weight of 16 ounces with the small grips. Nice used ones can be found for under $200. I carry it a lot and I don't shoot many rounds. It is fine for my use. If you plan to do a lot of shooting then I'd get a lightweight S&W or possibly a Colt.
FPrice
Member
Here is mine:
denfoote
Member
You are not going to find a modern revolver made without the lawyerlock!!
My advice is git over it and buy yerself s good S&W, Ruger, or Taurus!!!
I am aware of several such prototypes made by Ruger, but the fact that none of them went forward into production says something I think. I also strongly suspect that it won't be long before the Ruger double-action revolvers join the New Vaquero and have internal locks.
That said, I consider the SP-101 to be a fine revolver, and one maker of high performance (+++++P) ammunition told me that it was the lightest gun he'd recommend for steady use with their .357 Magnum line of cartridges.
But Mulliga is looking for a pocket gun, probably with an enclosed or shrouded hammer, and for all of its considerable virtues the SP-101 doesn't fill the bill.
That said, I consider the SP-101 to be a fine revolver, and one maker of high performance (+++++P) ammunition told me that it was the lightest gun he'd recommend for steady use with their .357 Magnum line of cartridges.
But Mulliga is looking for a pocket gun, probably with an enclosed or shrouded hammer, and for all of its considerable virtues the SP-101 doesn't fill the bill.
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