I'm a cop. I'm looking for a weak-side cargo pocket carry alternative in case shithead decides to try and pry my duty weapon from its holster. My partner carries a S&W 642 w/ CT grips. It's nice and light. I could barely feel it when I tried on the cargo pocket holster myself. I've noticed that there are many options when it comes to .38 Smiths. Here are the four models I've narrowed my search down to.
I will most likely swap the grips on whichever model I end up getting to CT laser grips. I'll likely replace the front sight with a tritium sight. My primary focus is low weight. Even if I get a .357/.38, I'll likely load it with .38. I'm interested in what /k/ thinks.
Model 340PD
>.357 or .38+P
>6.31"
>11.4oz
>Scandium Alloy Frame / Titanium Alloy Cylinder
M&P340
>.357 or .38+P
>6.31"
>13.3oz
>Scandium Alloy Frame / Stainless Steel Cylinder
S&W 642
>.38+P
>6.31"
>15oz
>Aluminum Alloy Frame / Stainless Cylinder
S&W 442
>.38+P
>6.31"
>15oz
>Aluminum Alloy Frame / Carbon Steel Cylinder
Better front sight is good, not sure about the laser grips. if it's a backup you're going to be shooting at contact distance and not aiming with the sights, make it as snag free as possible.
Go for the steel cylinders, more weight means less recoil.
I saw another thread for a Ruger LCR. They look cheap. I want lifesaving. I don't care about the price, it must go bang when I pull the trigger.
>>30659043
Why not also consider the 638?
model 36
>>30660243
Now this is shitposting.
>>30660302
I've read that there are slight bit real differences in trigger pull between shrouded hammers and hammerless models. I will also never cock this gun nor would I want to. Doing so would mean the difference between premeditation and self-defense in my state.
>>30659043
Charter Arms maybe? They seem to have a good selection of compact/backup revolvers.
I don't know about them, but I will admit I'm not a massive fan of S&W and that I do like the Ruger Redhawk I got to try out before. Never shot an LCR, but if I had to guess without ever shooting or handling either, given the reputation of the redhawk I'd grab an LCR.
>>30660302
Bodyguards truly are the best looking snubbies to me for some reason
>>30660398
Charter Arms is shaky
They've changed ownership many times, and consequently their quality has ranged from great to pretty shitty like a rollercoaster over the years
I don't know about the state of the company currently, but I'd still be a bit hesitant.
>>30660243
I've never heard anything bad about the LCR. They may be cheaper, but I'm under the impression the work just as well
>>30660468
Thanks anon.
All I knew is they made small revolvers, knew nothing of their history.
Given that I'd probably just suggest an LCR, as OP seems to suggest they can't cock it for SA the base LCR would be better than the X with the shrouded hammer. The one comes with laser grips already, which fills the laser grip mentioned in the OP.
>>30659043
Avoid titanium cylinders if you don't want to baby your gun and worry about cylinder erosion
That being said, I'd go withe the 442 or the 340 For their dark, concealable finishes
>>30660532
Their guns can be really quite good, but it can be a dice roll buying one
Which is really unfortunate, I'm quite fond of the classic Bulldog
>>30660398
Let me sum up your post
>I don't own any of these guns
>I've never used any of these guns
>I'm poor so I'll suggest the least expensive option regardless of function or quality
S&W J-frames are the undisputed champions of pocket revolvers. The LCR has made a lot of headway trying to steal that title but Ruger fell short where it mattered again by producing an ugly gun with little variety of models. These things don't make the LCR worse but definitely less popular. Charter arms, however, is on par with high point. Their guns are cheap and QC is hit or miss.
We're talking about guns you will use exclusively for self defense that also happen to be under $500. If you can't save $500 so you don't have to cheap out on a CC weapon then you need to prioritize your life and spend the money on a nice set of clothes and resumes printed on decent paper so as to gain better employment.
>>30660398
I just started looking into this, and have discovered that the triggers are prone to failure early on.
>>30660468
I have two CA's, both have served me well and are of fine quality. I think the naysayers are latching onto a rumor more than anything.
That said, I own a S&W 642. It's become my primary carry pistol. Zero complaints.
By the way, crimson trace/laser grips on a snubbie are overrated.
>>30660707
I disagree about charter arms QC. I did some research before picking up my two, which as predicted are just as trouble free as my more expensive revolvers.
I do think that because they were less expensive, people trashed them or didn't take care of them.
>>30659043
>weak-side
THERE IS NO WEAK SIDE. CORRECT YOUR DEFICIENCY BEFORE GOING OUT INTO THE FIELD
-ROB
>>30660870
>>30660800
I've owned 2 at different times. One purchased 2011, sold 2013; second purchased 2015, sold same year. Both guns had cylinder drag and the finish was like paint on a cap gun. Grips started to get torn up immediately with pocket carry.
Charters are ~$300 new around here and that's hot garbage when I can get Smith for $420.
>>30659043
>>30660243
>>30660494
My dad CCs and LCR and I've shot it quite a bit they are pretty well made you should look at one at a gun shop before dismissing it they are also really light and accurate and with .38+p out of the .357 model the recoil is not that bad when I get the cash Ill be picking it up or an SP101 (more than likely the SP101 first) just my 2 cents
I've decided to get the M&P340 without a lock. I'm going to put CT grips on it. Thanks, /k/!
>>30659043
>I'm a cop.
kys
>>30663757
nah i'm fine, you should kys
>>30663766
you work in county or city? I applied to some large metro cities.
>>30659043
Out of a 2" barrel there is a negligible difference between .38+p and .357 magnum. Moreover at the distances your describing your front sight won't matter much, so I would go with the 642 or 442.
>>30663917
>Out of a 2" barrel there is a negligible difference between .38+p and .357 magnum
This 100%
>Moreover at the distances your describing your front sight won't matter much
I think a XS Big-Dot would help immensely. J Frames are not the easiest guns to shoot well. A shame the 442 and 642 have a fixed front blade.
>>30661749
>M&P340 without a lock
Good choice. I'd avoid the 340pd too. Titanium erosion is a real issue with those, and personally not something I'd want to deal with.
>>30664197
OP is describing a situation in which a suspect is trying to grab his duty weapon. That means hes within arms reach of his attacker. In that case, why bother with a fancy front sight? You wont need it at a distance where you can literally shove your pistol in his stomach.
I carry a 442 as a backup on duty. It is lighter than most things you will ever carry and can be loaded hot. I use a belly band, you would probably be better off with that or an ankle holster. Pocket carry sucks when you are a cop. Don't get hungup on sights and grips, it's a backup, treat it as such. As a cop you are probably going to be point fucking blank doing a contact shot if you are resorting to using it over your primary.
>>30664314
It's either this, or the guy manages to somehow (some. fucking. how.) get my weapon away from me and I go to it as a last ditch. I just want the option of being able to plug the guy whether he's still on me or backing away with my own gun.
>>30664371
Our Blauer cargo pockets have inner/outer pockets. Inner is zippered closed. Outer is velcro flapped from the outside. My partner carries his in his weak-side velcro flap. It's not like it's in his pants pocket.
I have the 442. Great gun but you cant really change the sights. The MP series would be awesome but they are a lot more expensive, they shoot the same bullet yet are lighter so more recoil. Yes they can shoot .357 but I doubt you will, the ballistic differences are not significant with such a smaller barrel.
>>30661063
How is this bait? You're mixing up a facetious and ridiculous post for bait. Lurk more newfag
I've always wondered about the ballistic performance of snub-noses. Aren't the bullets more or less tumbling out with a barrel that short, even with rifling grooves?
>>30659043
>>30664834
I like it.
>>30664776 my gun here: >>30664600
No they are plenty accurate, bullets are pretty slow though. This is 2 .38 special (not +p) bullets I found in my self healing target. I think it only clipped it making it 180 and lodged in the target. That's why it only made 2 pedals blossom. The middle is a copper jacket from another 38 bullet, the rest must have went through. A .22 on the right.
>>30664890
>>30664948
>>30664834
is that a good thing?
>>30663757
I kiss myself every day.
>>30664955
It let's you get on target real fast, which is the point of this.
