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For sheer rareness, memorability, and ligament damage, a Security Industries (Little Ferry N.J.) copy of the J-frame Smith Chief's special in .357.I am missing, in my lineup, a good snubby. One could say that I've always made due with a larger package. But now, I need some help in being a tad more discrete - and I'm thinking, are small revolvers worth it?
38sp? 357? 327? Something else entirely? Ruger has always treated me well with single actions - what about the LCR? Are Smith's any good (new) or would you look for something older?
Anything you'd stay away from?
Friend of mine had a Ruger 357 2", yup brutal he sold it!Have you shot them? If not this is a good gun to rent first. As mentioned the air weight versions of these are not for everyone. Nice for carry, not so nice for shooting unless you are going to stick with mild .38's. In .357 they can be BRUTAL! Older Smiths are well knows for smooth actions if you don't mind the price. Would look to rent a couple of these things first though and make sure you really do want one.
I carried a 1970's model Charter Arms Undercover for more years than I care to remember. It had the slim wood stocks it came with and I switched to the rubber gripsI gave it to my daughter after I'd had it 50 years which is her age last time I checked maybe 51 now. I missed it so much I started looking for a replacement for it. I was browsing in my local gun shop, and came across a Taurus model 85 SS 2", I've been leery of Taurus for years, but this one had a great trigger right out of the box. Figuratively speaking since they had lost the box and paperwork! They gave me a smoking price on it so I bought it, I found it to be quite accurate if I miss with it it's my fault.To recommend one over the other a person would have to have experience with both. I dont have that. What I do have is over 30 years experience with a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in .44spl.with 200gr slugs and medium loads my son was able to shoot it at age 5 he could hit a paper plate at 5 yards. Its ungodly loud but accurate to 10 yards min of paper plate. And reasonable compact 5 rds. The FBI rated the .44spl as a very close to one shot weapon in their tests as it made a big hole that dumped all of its energy in the target rather then blow through it.
I also have 10 years with a Charter Arms undercover in .38+P alloy frame very light 5rd. I carry 115gr HP's with medium level loads.
I should note here that with a 2" barrel unless your hoping to burn your target hot loads are a waste of powder as half the powder ends up burning past the muzzle on these small revolvers so better to use a medium level load with a fast powder. Then a load designed for a 4 or 6" barrel. You get the same spd and energy without all the flash.
The Undercover is a good handling little gun and is my primary EDC. Accuracy is also in the min of paper plate at 10yards level I have shot 5" 5rd. Groups with it. In single action the trigger is very nice and crisp.
Thats my two cents.
Huh. I inherited my dad's 3-inch Taurus 85 SS and it's impossible to shoot DA, the heavy break is so severe it snap-dives below the target sheet. (shoots fine SA.) I don't know how old yours is, this one was made in the early '90s.... came across a Taurus model 85 SS 2", I've been leery of Taurus for years, but this one had a great trigger right out of the box.
I find that unfortunate as my 2" was a pleasure in DA.Huh. I inherited my dad's 3-inch Taurus 85 SS and it's impossible to shoot DA, the heavy break is so severe it snap-dives below the target sheet. (shoots fine SA.) I don't know how old yours is, this one was made in the early '90s.
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It is fairly common to find complaints about Taurus wheel guns. They have made and imported a ton of them. I have had several over decades and all worked fine. None were as nice as the high end models but I was not paying high end price. With that mass production they do let out a problem child now and then as does everyone.I find that unfortunate as my 2" was a pleasure in DA.
Or learn to not shoot it. Done. It's a keepsake. I've got three other quality carry options.or learn how to shoot it the way is is ...
I'm guessing those are not the stock grips for that gun.Smith 642 without the Hillary Hole for the win.
You won't even notice it in your pocket. I'm pretty sure two full speed loafers weigh more than the gun.
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It's kinda cool that the traditional J round butt panels fit on it. Me like.I'm guessing those are not the stock grips for that gun.
Mine is brand new when I bought it. The reason I was leery of Taurus was stories like yours and bad reports on waranty work. I think the DA is rated about 6# and the SA is about 1.5# both are smooth and crisp, that's why I got it. A good gunsmith could probably make it easier to shoot after a new set ofsprings and a good polishing job. Smooth parts move easier. I recall some stories about Taurus back in that time frame that they didn't have very good quality control, and possibly bad repair problems. I may be wrong, but I think I read where S&W took them over recently that may have something to do with newer production.Huh. I inherited my dad's 3-inch Taurus 85 SS and it's impossible to shoot DA, the heavy break is so severe it snap-dives below the target sheet. (shoots fine SA.) I don't know how old yours is, this one was made in the early '90s.
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They're S&W J-frame grips. The black rubber ones that came with it are fugly, but more practical. A box of 158gr +P tends to tear up my middle finger pretty good with the wood grips.I'm guessing those are not the stock grips for that gun.
I have a set of CT LG-405's on mine. Much more comfortable to shoot plus has a laser.They're S&W J-frame grips. The black rubber ones that came with it are fugly, but more practical. A box of 158gr +P tends to tear up my middle finger pretty good with the wood grips.
I only use the wood grips for pics to post on the innerwebs or if I'm carrying IWB/OWB as they seem to make drawing easier. The rubber ones look ugly, feel weird, but certainly make the gun easier to shoot more than a couple cylinders and work better for pocket carry.
I had those same CT grips, but I took them off because of the laser. I personally found that its so hard to actually hit a target with the j frame, that the laser just distracted me from using proper shooting mechanics. Follow up shots especially.I have a set of CT LG-405's on mine. Much more comfortable to shoot plus has a laser.
The laser grips actually make a great training aid. Using one when double action dry firing can really improve your finger/hand control. Start slow and work faster.I had those same CT grips, but I took them off because of the laser. I personally found that its so hard to actually hit a target with the j frame, that the laser just distracted me from using proper shooting mechanics. Follow up shots especially.
The .357 are nuts though, definitely nice to have the rubber butt. Still feels like your punching a brick wall!