C&R Snubnose .38 - Which One?

Bertfish · Nov 10, 2019

What would be a good choice for a C&R snub nose revolver? 38 Special preferred.

Wife asked me for "something small" to keep in her night stand in case she is unable to get to the 12 gauge I keep for some reason.

DutchV · Nov 10, 2019

I like the S&W Model 40. It's a Centennial model, with a concealed hammer. The original "point and click" interface.

If you get one with a grip safety, you can pin it down with a short length of wire. Just pop the grips off. There's a hole in the grip frame for exactly that reason.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Centennial

calicojack · Nov 10, 2019

If it's a night stand gun, then a S&W Model 10 perhaps? Or a model 64 (stainless steel version)? Lots of those around.

303_enfield · Nov 10, 2019

Model 10 with a short barrel. Or a chopped one for $150.

cstone · Nov 10, 2019

I know you specifically asked for C&R, but IMO, defensive guns should be functional as well as inexpensive, with little or no historical value. Odds are pretty high that if used for their intended purpose, you will never see that gun again or the price of recovering it from an evidence room will be far higher than the value of the gun.

For a self defense revolver my choice would be a Ruger SP101 2.25", chambered for .357 Mag. Load it with whatever .38 Spl +P+ JHP you like. Get a Wolff Spring kit for it to get the trigger pull where you like it, and shoot a lot of targets from contact to 3 yards.

Good luck finding what you want. I pray you or your wife never need it.

Be safe.

Bertfish · Nov 10, 2019

I think most stainless ones will be newer than 50 years. No HQL so I need something 50 years or older

Bertfish · Nov 10, 2019

cstone said:
I know you specifically asked for C&R, but IMO, defensive guns should be functional as well as inexpensive, with little or no historical value. Odds are pretty high that if used for their intended purpose, you will never see that gun again or the price of recovering it from an evidence room will be far higher than the value of the gun.

For a self defense revolver my choice would be a Ruger SP101 2.25", chambered for .357 Mag. Load it with whatever .38 Spl +P+ JHP you like. Get a Wolff Spring kit for it to get the trigger pull where you like it, and shoot a lot of targets from contact to 3 yards.

Good luck finding what you want. I pray you or your wife never need it.

Be safe.

I've got a used K38 police trade in which while C&R is pretty cosmetically rough but mechanically perfect. It's just bigger than she wants to deal with.

ken792 · Nov 10, 2019

Bertfish said:
I think most stainless ones will be newer than 50 years. No HQL so I need something 50 years or older

Yeah, I think the only C&R stainless would be the 60 introduced in 1965. The next stainless revolver that S&W did was the 64, which they introduced in 1970.

I've seen factory 2" barrel 10s and M&Ps in the $350-500 range in recent months, depending on condition. The 36s are about in the same range. Colt Detective Specials are stupid money now.

Is her issue the grip size or the weight? If it's the grip size, full size K frames can come in round butt too.

There's a 1968 Charter Arms Undercover for $325 on VA Armslist. The listing is still live, so I don't know if it's still available.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/10591...arms-undercover-model-138-2-1968-original-box

Bertfish · Nov 10, 2019

ken792 said:
Yeah, I think the only C&R stainless would be the 60 introduced in 1965. The next stainless revolver that S&W did was the 64, which they introduced in 1970.

I've seen factory 2" barrel 10s and M&Ps in the $350-500 range in recent months, depending on condition. The 36s are about in the same range. Colt Detective Specials are stupid money now.

If she's not carrying it, does it have to be a snub nose?

There's a 1968 Charter Arms Undercover for $325 on VA Armslist. The listing is still live, so I don't know if it's still available.

http://www.armslist.com/posts/10591...arms-undercover-model-138-2-1968-original-box

Guess it doesn't necessarily need to be. I know she prefers the smaller grip size which seems to accompany many snub nose wheel guns though. She has small hands.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Nov 10, 2019

Colt Detective Special...the quintessential detective piece. Six round capacity...well proven...well made. They can also be found with 3" barrels but due to being uncommon they're more expensive. The Colt Cobra and Agents are excellent choices as well but being aluminum framed will exhibit more felt recoil. I used to carry a Cobra off-duty...great carry piece.

ken792 · Nov 10, 2019

Bertfish said:
Guess it doesn't necessarily need to be. I know she prefers the smaller grip size which seems to accompany many snub nose wheel guns though. She has small hands.

Have her try a round butt K frame with a 3" or 4" barrel.

Shazam · Nov 10, 2019

For a small nightstand gun a 3 inch barrel S&W 36 comes to mind. The three inch barrel goes for a premium over the 2 inch, and is much less common but shoots and feels better to me.

Any snub nose is kind of a handful to shot if your wife doesn't practice with it. If it's not too big for her, a 4 inch model 10 makes a real nice night stand gun. I found a slightly scruffy S&W 10-5 pencil barrel on Gunbroker for the high $200's recently. "C" prefix Model 10's are C&R.

bean93x · Nov 10, 2019

Why a revolver when they are limited in capacity, take more training to manipulate proficiently than a semi, and why something old and used? Not too mention .38 terminal ballistics suck..

Bertfish · Nov 10, 2019

bean93x said:
Why a revolver when they are limited in capacity, take more training to manipulate proficiently than a semi, and why something old and used? Not too mention .38 terminal ballistics suck..

Simple for her to operate. She is decent with a wheel gun.

BeoBill · Nov 10, 2019

bean93x said:
Why a revolver when they are limited in capacity, take more training to manipulate proficiently than a semi, and why something old and used? Not too mention .38 terminal ballistics suck..

At close range a .38 will kill you just as dead as a .45. If she can handle a .38 well, why go with something bigger? Just sayin'...

knastera · Nov 11, 2019

I have a 1960's Smith and Wesson Model 37. It's chambered in 38 Special. The design is so popular that it is still made as the Model 637.

Doctor_M · Nov 11, 2019

TheOriginalMexicanBob said:
Colt Detective Special...the quintessential detective piece. Six round capacity...well proven...well made. They can also be found with 3" barrels but due to being uncommon they're more expensive. The Colt Cobra and Agents are excellent choices as well but being aluminum framed will exhibit more felt recoil. I used to carry a Cobra off-duty...great carry piece.

This and this.

Bob A · Nov 11, 2019

3" J-frames or 3" Colts; in deciding, it's probably a good idea to have the prospective user evaluate which grips work best for her. The Colt grips are somewhat different in shape. fro the Smiths.

I suppose aftermarket adaptations could be found if indicated.

LOWRIDER60 · Nov 13, 2019

C&R for women...

How about an old school Iver Johnson or H&R hammerless in 38 S&W ?

deputyG23 · Nov 13, 2019

303_enfield said:
Model 10 with a short barrel. Or a chopped one for $150.

2” M10/64 or M&P for the win.
Much easier to shoot well than the five shot Js and cheaper than a vintage Colt D frame.
2” barrel is harder to forcibly take away from the user in a struggle.
‘49 M&P pictured with period Western ammo.

C&R Snubnose .38 - Which One?

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