Which S&W Carry revolver?

[Star1pup]

Planning to buy a light weight carry revolver.  Probably stick with .38 spl rather than a .357.  Any suggestions?

[Graybeard]

I most often use my S&W 638 for that purpose if a revolver is what I'm carrying. It has the shrouded hammer for firing in the pocket but has access to the hammer if you want to make a more controlled aim single action shot. I really like the totally enclosed hammers ala their 642 for pocket carry but really like the ability to fire single action if needed which the -42 series guns don't alloww.

[SharonAnne]

I do not do pocket carry. I use either a fanny pack or my purse. I want to get a 386. I would swap the cylinders between the 386 and my 6" 686+. Take some wt. off the 686+ and give the 386 a bit of wt it needs.

[Broom Rider]

I carry the 340PD. I know it's not a 38 but it's what I'm comfortable with.
There's 2 rounds of 38 Special in it 125 grain followed by 3 rounds of 357, same weight bullet.
I prefer wood grips on it, no drag on clothing that might occur with rubber grips.
If nothing else, it's easier to sell a 357 around here than a 38.


My other carry gun is for use when I ride my BMW (my 'Broom') and it's a 342Ti in the clear finish. (38 Special)
It has a retention strap or lanyard so it stays with me on rides.

[Star1pup]

I finally bought an AirLite .357, but will probably shoot .38 specials, at least for targets.  I think the light gun will kick the snot out of me with .357 loads.

[Davemuzz]

A few years ago I bought the Smith 386sc as a "double duty" revolver. Here in Pa. you cannot hunt with a semiauto handgun. So I picked up this revolver to carry with me when I go fox\coyote hunting at night. I am always by myself and I always carry a single shot rifle, but I feel much more "comfy" with a side piece. I was carrying my 4" 44 mag, but it just gets too heavy.

This 386sc is a great CC piece. I agree with BR that wood grips are the way to go. My 386 came with houge rubber grips which are great for range shooting and hunting, but not so good for CC. The rubber grips get a bit "clingy" on clothing or in a fanny pack. (I don't carry a purse.....not one of those CA. guys). The rubber grips are a bit easier when shooting 357 "full up" loads, but I don't mind the wood grips. I will tell you that the 357sc recoil is no where near that of a full load 44 mag. And I shoot a lot of 44 magnums.....so this Airlite 357 isn't so bad to shoot. I load all my own and I don't load or shoot any 38 cases. This little 357 is a darn accurate gun. It will hit the 12" metal plate at 50 yards 5 of 7 times or more as long as I have my grip correct. I shoot 180 grain Hornady XTP's over Vihtavouri N-110. My "best" hunting shot was this spring. I managed to take a groundhog at 50 yards with the 357. Now, I did miss with the first 2 shots....but the third was "center punch". (Now remember....groundhogs are like insurance salesmen....when you get rid of one.....in about a week, anotherone shows up....looks and acts just like the last one you just got rid of!  )

FWIW

Dave

[SharonAnne]

Totally jealous of your 386. I am not one of those Pipples Republik of Kalifornia guys either.

[Dale53]

My carry gun is an S&W 642 with CT #305 grips. I pocket carry with a Mika pocket holster. My ammo of choice is the FBI load (158 gr SWC HP).  I am one that believes in dbl action only for a defense piece. I don't want any accidental discharges under stress.

Dale53

[Davemuzz]

I just read an article in the most recent Shooting Times about Smith's new "Night Guard" series of revolvers. They all look pretty much the same, but they make a "N", "L", and "K" frame version of this gun.  All Scandium Alloy Frame/ Stainless PVD Cylinder and weigh around 30 oz. empty. These are suppose to "pick up" where the discontinued 386sc are no longer made. If you want to change the rear sight to a target sight for hunting, it's a simple matter of just removing the two top strap screws and sighting it in. Smith went with a stainless cylinder on these instead of the titanium as that add's a bit of weight for recoil purposes....but not enough to make a big difference for carry purposes.


http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=67965&tabselected=over&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=67967&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=67971&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=67969&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=71946&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

[Mikey]

M38 Airweight Bodyguard, 200 gn semi-wadcutters. 

[dave hall]

I'm Carrying a S&W 637 Airweight 38 P+ with Hydra-shoks.This week I'm getting a new one S&W 60LS in 357 Mag. all stainless with wood grips.I'll be using Hydras in it,too.

[dbriannelson]

When I carry, it's usually on long motorcycle trips.  California CCWs are scarce, so I don't carry regularly here at home.  Another state's CCW is good for everywhere else I like to ride. 

On a sportbike I mostly want light weight and something that fits a pocket.  The leather jacket doesn't stay on at a truckstop in Gila Bend in the summer.

So it's one of two:  Airweight Chief or the 351PD in .22WRM. 

For what it's worth, that ugly silver paint strips off the Airweight nicely, leaving a bare aluminum frame.  And the cost is also a driver.  Replaced the rubber sticky grips with classic round butt magnas and added a Tyler T-Grip and it feels like home. 

On the 351PD, I thinned the laminated boot grips to much narrower than the cylinder, made room for my pinky and the thing could hide in a shirt pocket.

Both have the hammer spur removed.

It's been awhile since I've lived any kind of dangerous life, so either of these do it for me.  (I do need to spend more range time with the .22 however - one-hand double-action 25-yard slowfire targets at 25 yards make me humble.)

-Don