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Old March 17, 2013, 08:16 PM   #1
chrisintexas
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Best concealed-hammer .38 special revolvers

what in your opinion are best concealed-hammer .38 special revolvers? Thanks
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Old March 17, 2013, 09:05 PM   #2
LewSchiller
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I like my S & W 642
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Old March 17, 2013, 09:14 PM   #3
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Any of the S&W concealed hammer snubs, whatever strikes your personal fancy, there is a number of options.
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Old March 17, 2013, 09:28 PM   #4
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I have both a 642 and 442. (No lock models.)

They're great.
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Old March 17, 2013, 09:29 PM   #5
Deaf Smith
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Yes S&W makes the best ones.

All versions of the Centennial in either .38 or .357 magnum.

I have the 642, 640, and 640-1 (.357 magnum.)

Best snubs on the market (but I admit my Ruger SP101 DAO isn't bad either.)

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Old March 18, 2013, 01:11 AM   #6
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Another 642 fan here! Great pocket gun, when the wife lets me have it, lol.
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Old March 18, 2013, 01:29 AM   #7
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I love my 638. I still want a 642 for some reason. Can't really say why tbh, lol.
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Old March 18, 2013, 01:31 AM   #8
R1145
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Find ye a...

...S&W 342, because it's very light (10.9 oz.). .38 +P rated is adequate, because I can't imagine using .357 loads in such a gun, even in one rated for it, so why carry the extra weight...? The Centennial concealed hammer is better than the Bodyguard shrouded one, because it's a belly-gun and I don't think you'll need SA in real life with it. All alloy, so no rust issues. The trade off is that it's a gun meant to be carried a lot, fired very little, because it is punishing to shoot.

All in all, a very specialized little pistol that slips right into a pocket holster, and gives you five shots of Gold-Dot...
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Old March 18, 2013, 06:08 AM   #9
hAkron
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With the correct grips, the 642 is not an awful gun to shoot. The rubber factory grips handle much of the recoil, but are a bit 'sticky' for pocket carry. The Hogue mono grip probably makes it feel like a full sized gun, but mostly eliminates the ability to pocket carry. The best solution I have found is a set of magna grips (still being sold by s&w) and a t-grip (still being sold at t-grips.com) gives you reasonable shooting comfort, good recoil management, and decent control. This is my pocket carry solution, which is the whole point of this gun.

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Old March 18, 2013, 06:15 AM   #10
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I prefer an exposed hammer S&W 637, but I would suggest that the S&W 642 might be a great place to start looking.
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Old March 18, 2013, 07:03 AM   #11
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LCR
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Old March 18, 2013, 08:48 AM   #12
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s&w 638
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Old March 18, 2013, 12:19 PM   #13
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The Smith Centennial series are all great guns. The Airweights and even lighter versions are not fun for most people to shoot much with .38 Special +P. Many experienced shooters say that .357 Magnum in a 14 ounce gun is quite painful.

I have severely arthritic hands, so my EDC for over twelve years has been an all-steel .38 Special +P Model 640 no-dash. Only weighs 21 ounces, not burdensome to carry, easy to conceal and comfortable to shoot. I don't feel under-protected with it loaded with +P ammo.

Many people suggest practicing with a steel gun and carrying the Airweight. Nice idea, but not one I can afford in my old age. It does make a lot of sense.
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Old March 18, 2013, 12:53 PM   #14
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LCRs are the best made currently. Much better trigger than the average J-frame.
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Old March 18, 2013, 01:00 PM   #15
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Best concealed-hammer .38

S&W 242 on the belt;



and 342 in the pocket.



JAC
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File Type: jpg 342&knife.JPG (201.0 KB, 487 views)
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Old March 18, 2013, 01:12 PM   #16
colbad
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642 or a 640, when a .38 just won't do
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Old March 18, 2013, 01:53 PM   #17
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My favorites are the D-frame Colt snubbies (Detective Special, Cobra and Agent) equipped with the removeable hammer shroud accessory.
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Old March 18, 2013, 02:26 PM   #18
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Old Standard

I like the S&W Model 40-1 -it has no Hillary Hole and is +P rated-I ahd an old Model 40 decades ago and liked that one also
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Old March 18, 2013, 10:59 PM   #19
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LCR X2
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Old March 19, 2013, 06:17 AM   #20
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I like my S&W 340 M&P
no internal lock, 357 magnum, night sight, and tough DLC finish:
(please excuse the 66 snub...)


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Old March 19, 2013, 06:20 AM   #21
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Old March 19, 2013, 12:44 PM   #22
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I prefer the 642 Centennial although I own and carry the 638 Bodyguard. Went with the latter after reading an article by Massad Ayoob about the snubbies and his opinion that the Bodyguard gives you the option of a single-action shot if you should ever need it but still completely shrouds the hammer for pocket carry. Sounded logical to me. However, I still think the 642 looks better.
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Old March 19, 2013, 09:45 PM   #23
fdreano
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Well I'm sure some will disagree but my little Taurus 851 .38 spl Ultralite is as good a revolver as I've ever owned and that includes Smiths & Colts. Maybe its a freak but it locks up like a vault and more accurate than I can shoot.

Technically the hammer is exposed but just barely enough to work the piece single action as desired.
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Old March 22, 2013, 07:39 PM   #24
WildBill45
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638 S&W

It shoots better than expected as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgsEmy3EJpY

This is a video I did of my first test fire of my new 638, as I shot the first shots at 50 yards and 100 yards... It is a good little shooter without a doubt. Being able to still shoot single action while still protecting the hammer is a great combination! I like the 442 as well...
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Old March 22, 2013, 08:16 PM   #25
Bloodraven
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My favorite is the Ruger LCR.

Great trigger.
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