Concealed Carry Weapon??

[Slimslam]

OK, I'm halfway thru my Concealed Carry class; then I gotta wait out all the bureaucratic BS for several months to receive my actual CCW/CPL license. I have decided to carry a revolver. I am leaning toward the S & W Model 640 in a 3" barrel. (S & W told me they sell a 3 inch version even though it's not listed in their catalog or website). I like the "hammerless" design. I will only use 38S or 38S +P. Should I consider another S & W model instead that only takes .38 ammo? Any insight is appreciated....
SS

[Marlin]

My thought would be to buy a gun capable of .357 Mag.

You can always save money, recoil and etc. using .38Spec or .38Spec +P but still have the magnum capability if you desire. Initial cost is about the same. I carry an S&W Model 60, 2", as a back-up in an ankle holster. I prefer a hammer and the ability to use it SA, if necessary. My regular carry is either a Browning Hi Power 9mm or an SA 1911 Mil-Spec.

Just my 2¢ worth.

[ACC]

I agree with you marlin,It's nice to go either way with a pistol if you want to. I prefer a hammerless, I carry my air weight in my coat pocket in winter, behind the back summer,don't want it to snag on anything. personal preferance.

[mspears]

I agree with crowd. During the process of working towards my CCW permit, I thought l-o-n-g and h-a-r-d about what to carry. My personal choice ended up being a Ruger SP101 .357 mag with a 2 1/4" barrel. Sure, it's a little bigger (also a little stronger) along with a little heavier (which in my mind is a plus) than some of the lightweight Smiths, but I want to carry .357's on the street and the Ruger affords me the opportunity for somewhat faster followup shots since it's weight soaks up more recoil. In fact, it kind of blows my mind that S&W is making such lightweight magnum handguns. Nice to carry, but who wants to pull the trigger on one of tem things! Not me!

[Xracer]

If you like a hammerless snubby in .357/.38 Spl., the Smith 640 or 649 are good choices.

I personally prefer the Bodyguard style (649) as being a bit more snagfree: http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/stor...sw_activeTab=1 , but either one will do the job.

[mspears]

I posted a reply earlier stating my choice of carry gun was a Ruger SP101 2 1/4" barrel with 125 SJHP .357's. While this is surely a good combo, last weekend at a local gun show I purchased a Taurus Mod 85CHULT UltraLight/Titanium 2" barrel. This gun is soooo sweet, I think I just found a new carry gun. Weighing in at 13.5 oz's it is VERY light. Of course, this makes it great to carry, but unless you're a seasoned shooter or recoil doesn't bother you, you're gonna want to pass. Choice of carry ammo for this gun is CorBon 125 jhp +P. This round is extremely accurate cutting a ragged hole at 25 feet. One drawback with this combo to the average shooter (not to me) is the TREMENDOUS recoil and blast generated by the CorBon ammo. I liken the experience to firing my 6" Model 29 S&W (Dirty Harry gun). Truthfully, I feel no difference in recoil and blast. Extra blast may be attributed to the CorBon ammo in addition to the factory porting on the barrel. Recoil doesn't bother me so I found a new carry gun. I guess, bottom line, it's just personal preference anyway. Carry what you're comfortable shooting in a comfortable way and you've got a winner.

[inplanotx]

Wait until you shoot that puppy in the dark! Guarantee you'll be blind the first shot! Good luck, but I would not like to look through that muzzle blast especially without ear protection. But, whatever you like is what is important. Have fun.

[frostyduck]

From my point of view, give ol' Spears suggestion regarding the Taursu careful consideration. I have matched one with a Kramer pocket holster and it is indeed a sweet/simple concealed carry rig. Have not tried the CorBon ammo, have shot other +P loads and do not find any of them objectionable. My 18 year old, 110lb. daughter has shot the +P's and did not complain to me. I think that the Taurus titanium is manageble by most shooters, they have done the engineering on this machine!! Am surprised by the recoil comparison to the Smith 29 (which I have not shot) but am guessing that the quality CorBon rounds have more bite. Try other +P,s and enjoy. In regards to the muzzle flash at night,...shoot any short barreled weapon..there's that effect! Comfort and convenience equal having the weapon on the person. The Taurus is that. Any carry gun has some drawbacks, figure out which ones are the least objectionable. If we couldn't narrow the choices because of perceived negatives, we would probably all carry pump shotguns! It's choices!

An interesting observation regarding the Taurus setup, regular .38 loads seem to bite worse than the +P rounds. This is explained by the design...perhaps you can find some magazine articles referencing this. Much was written about it when the Titaniums first appeared!

[inplanotx]

Hi Frostyduck, nice to see ya back with us. I have a Springfield V16 that is ported. When shot at night, the fire comes straight up and back and also out front. What a hoot to shoot!

[jlmckinney]

Go with the .357!

JM

[frostyduck]

Slim,

Your post is a few days gone by now, let us know what beauty finally caught your eye so we can celebrate with you!!! duck

[Slimslam]

frostyduck,
Thanks! I think I made a fairly good choice. I bought a S & W 642-2, .38 5-shot revolver. I got good price at a 2-say sale a couple of weeks ago...couldn't pass it up. Any advice on a solid, self defense ammo choice? Now I wait for my CPL permit.....
SS

[ruffitt]

Slimslam -

Try contacting Carl at C&R Ammo (you can visit his store in the TFF Store Front Shops).

I don't know if he can help you with 38 cal ammunition, but maybe he can lead you to a source.

[SouthernMoss]

Carl does indeed carry some 38 cal ammo ... and he offers a discount to TFF members! Send him a message and see what he can do for you.

your ccw gun? If so, get an electronic shooting timer, and find out about what constitutes real speed of draw and hit, and real controlability. The Alloy 357 snubs are really slow for repeat hits on one man, or for getting a hit on two or more men. The times in between hits are referred-to as "splits". Split times of .35 second are considered to be really "fast" with such 357's, and full powered ammo, on men's chests at a mere 5 yds. With something like an SA 9mm auto, which has a trigger job, to include a trigger overtravel stop, .18 second splits are just fair, and .12 second splits are fast. When it's for real, why do you want to be 2-3x as slow as you need be?

Also, you have to practice with a steel framed, K-framed .38 snubby, because an alloy, J framed model can't take much shooting before it will beat itself to uselessness, especially with hot loads. The 357 is of course even worse in this regard. A really top 357 load is only 125 grs at 1250 fps in the J frame snubbies. An 8" long 9mm, using a good load, gets 125 grs to 1250 fps, too. If that 9mm has a polymer frame, it can weigh as little as 22 ozs, and if it has an alloy frame, it can weigh only 26 ozs.

It takes many, many thousands of rds to master a 357 snubby (as well as such a beast can be mastered,that is) and many thousands of rds per year to stay a masterof same. That means that you need a new gun every year or so.

[45Smashemflat]

Hey - I need a new gun every year or so whether I shoot them or not

[frostyduck]

Slim,
Good choice in firearms. Enjoy the shooting!!!!!!!!

[Crpdeth]

I agree with Marlin and Xracer on this one...I was looking for a CCW to carry at work, and was having a hard time finding something comfortable, due to the strenuous activities involved.

Finally settled on the Taurus .357 Mag...I have small hands, and am recovering from an injury to my wrists years ago, and have no problem shooting magnum rounds through this one.

Muzzle blast works both ways, glad to be on this end.

~Crpdeth

[Crpdeth]

Of course I cant wait untill this winter....




So I can carry a real gun!



Hehehehehehe!

[Wadcutter]

I have carried the 642 for many years. My load of choice is the Cor Bon 110gr. This load leaves the muzzle at 1215 fps. Average from my two-inch barrel. (According to my chronograph.)

I have found that the felt recoil from the Cor Bon load is roughly equal to 158 gr. standard velocity .38 ammo. Although this gun is not rated for such high energy loads, it will stand up to quite a few before you will notice any obvious wear. After all, this is a gun to be carried much but fired little.

I know you’re supposed to practice often, but I have found it not to be necessary with these handy little Smiths. Most gunfights occur within distances less than ten feet. How much practice do you really need? I have gone years without firing my little 38, and am able to put five rounds in a pie plate sized target at ten feet in about a second.

I recently retired my 642 (Gave it to Mom) in favor of a Smith 340 Pd in Scandium/Titanium. It fires .357 as well as all .38s. Hell of a blast, however with the right set of grips, the recoil is manageable. And I will not wear it out practicing with ANY .38 ammo. At 13 ounces, the greatest danger is forgetting I have it on me. Pricy as hell at 650 bucks, but well worth it to me.

[stash247]

You guys all know it's not how big the hammer, but WHERE you drive the nail, right?
In a 3" or shorter(?) barrel, there is NO significant difference between a hot .38, and a .357 Mag round; nobody's got enough barrel time to burn the powder.
I suggest, with the new offerings in the marketplace, that a 10 1/2 oz, Titanium/alloy revolver, like the 337PD, or other Ti-lite offerings, is prettywell the top of the pile.
Small enough to disappear, light enough to be forgotten, powerful enough to ruin anybody's day, what more do you wish?
The fact that it can be forgotten, aboard, says most of it. You get up load up, and go to where you gotta go. OH ****! It's here again! Is a GOOD THING. You are not unarmed; rather, you are armed so well you hid it from yourself!
Better than being Nekkid, when you need more.
Just my .02. Terry

[noslolo]

Hey now! My first post here (been lurking for a couple of weeks) and my first post after getting my CCW on any site. I carry a Firestar 40S&W, which was my first handgun, in a pancake holster. I would love to get one of the S&W snubbies but that will have to wait untill I have some more cash. I have two young kids (3&4) and I work two jobs, so it might be awhile.

[SouthernMoss]

Welcome to TFF, Noslolo! Thanks for posting; we hope to see more from you!

[noslolo]

Thanks! I'm sure you will see more of me in the future, but it won't be on weekends, since I live in PA and work the weekends in MD. My shift starts at 3pm on Friday and ends at 10pm Sunday.