Posted: 10/3/2008 5:01:30 AM EDT
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I've decided I'm long over due for a revolver I can slip into my pocket. I'd like something to carry casually (no holster rig, etc.) and there's just no good semi-auto out there that fits the bill. True, there's Kel-Tec and other small handguns, but my experience has been that there's a direct relationship between handgun and caliber size, and reliability. As the former drops, so does the latter. I'm looking for something that I won't have to screw around with failures to extract, feed, etc. Thus, a revolver. There's one other catch - I'm looking for a revolver with a shrouded hammer. My thought on this is having something to carry inside a coat pocket that I could also fire from there - any semi won't do in this case, because the slide would need clearance to cycle, clearance to eject the brass, etc. A hammer getting caught on fabric is about the only "snag" (pun not intended) I see with "any" pocket sized revolver. I'm aware that Smith & Wesson has a line of J-Frames which would fit what I'm looking for, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to the point where I'd feel like I researched all my options. So with the above in mind, I have only the remaining caveats for deciding on something: 1) Lighter is better 2) Something that would be a fair trade for a pretty good condition Ruger GP-100 3) .357 Magnum preferred, so if I do trade my GP-100 I don't have a bunch of .357 lying around that I can't shoot Fire away, gentlemen - I'm eager to hear what you think. _MaH |
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Any J you're going to want to shoot full power .357 out of is going to be more weight than you want to carry. I like the 342 and 642, in that order. Both are .38s. The first is 11 ounces, the second 15. A steel .357 is 23 ounces or so, IIRC. The next step down is a 13 ounce .357 and you don't want anything to do with that, trust me. |
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mhoffman, The gun I carry most often when home is my 340PD. It is handy and fits easily into a pair of shorts or jacket pocket. It fits your criteria of having the shrouded hammer, and being able to fire .357. However, it's spendy. May not meet your second criteria. I added an XS Big Dot front sight, and CT grips. My holster is a DeSantis Nemesis. I can shoot the .357's, but not comfortably. Like many who have one, I normally load .38+P Gold Dots. There are a number of threads about the J Frame options out there, from models, to holster options, to loads. Personally, I wanted the option the fire .357 if necessary, but I rarely ever will. Good luck with your search. |
+2 SW 642 w/ .38spl +p--Gold Dots 135s or CorBon DPX |
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Your needs defined the S&W 340PD. I could not recommend a wheel gun more highly. Crimson Trace grips are an essential addition IMO. I put mine in my front pocket and can forget its there. 38's or 357's, whatever you like. 38's may be all some need, but multi-caliber is never a bad thing, and I keep 357's in mine....has yet to pose an issue in any way. Its not a range gun, but it does go "bang" every time and it will drop anything on 2 feet. With CT grips, it makes getting on and staying on target lightening fast. One should never lean on lasers, but with a small, very light, short barreled wheel gun, it absolutely puts lead, quickly, exactly where you need it to go. It is the lightest, most compact, most powerful and most corrosion resistant gun made. It's just that simple. What else would you like to know? 
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Now that seems interesting... I wonder what the price differences are... _MaH ETA:  Almost double the cost!? Damn  I'm sure I'll get my money's worth, but I'm not sure I'm looking for something which costs that much.
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442 with DPX for me. |
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I carry a M&P 340 Centennial both on and off duty. It is rated for .38 and .357 and it is 13.3 oz unloaded, once I put it on or in my pocket it becomes and after thought. It comes with a XS 24/7 Tritium front sight. This sight is very quick to pick up in low light. It also comes with rubber grips which makes it very manageable and IMO comfortable to shoot with .38+P loads. I am Law Enforcement and required to qualify with every firearm I carry on and off duty. Our qualification course is 48 rounds and we have to shoot out to the 25 yard line. I shot 47 out of 48 the first time with out any practice, I am not bragging here, this little gun is a natural pointer and very accurate. The tritium front sight pops out at you day and night. I carry Corbon .357 in it and shot five rounds of them after I bought it, I will not do that again unless my life depends on it. To sum it up, shooting .357 loads out of this gun is like beating your hand with a hammer. I do not know why I waited so long to buy on of these superb little guns, this is my choice and it will be one that I will never sell. 
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My pocket gun is a Smith 442, loaded with .38+P Short-Barrel Gold Dots. I think the 442 (and 642 - same thing, but stainless) is pretty close to a perfect pocket carry. Going up to the .357s would be ridiculous, IMO, unless you go with a full-steel instead of a lightweight model. As others who own the .357 models have said, shooting full-house loads in these little guns is just brutal. The .38+P loads are about at the limit of controlability, which is about where I want it. Good power/MV, while still light enough that I can practice with 100-200 rounds without overly punishing my hand, and maintain relatively small groups with quick follow-up shots. |
Neat gun...what's it made of? |