Smallest 38/357

[Bud White]

Who makes it there was a issue i can't go into but leaving me with the need for a small pocket sized 38/357

I need the smallest j frame smith? or something else

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[P95Carry]

I guess 642 or 637 are about it Bud - the former of course with no external hammer.

To go smaller would take you below cal towards the NAA Mini I reckon.

[enidpd804]

642

[Bud White]

i wont go below 38 so the smiths will be fine

[Lumberjack98]

Taurus 85

[AKsrule]

This is the Smallest and Lightest I know of.

http://www.gunblast.com/SW_342PD.htm

S & W 342 PD Titanium

[artz]

Ow!.....my hand hurts !

[steve_db]

i have a 340pd .38 & .357mag
it's a little beast - at 12oz, the .357 loads are very hard to handle in this package.
.38 is more pleasant shoot.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...04&isFirearm=Y

[AnimalKracker]

Who makes it there was a issue i can't go into but leaving me with the need for a small pocket sized 38/357

I need the smallest j frame smith? or something else

Taurus took over the Rossi, they have a very nice little .357 mag with a 2" barrel. It's nice I have one. Sorry I forgot the mod. # but it's a nice lil shooter. And I'd bet a lot cheaper than a S&W also. And it's easy to control to.

[Fargo]

IIRC, the smiths are slightly smaller than the taurus snubs, at least to my perception. The .38 smiths have an 1 7/8 in barrel and the .357s have a 2 1/8 in barrels. (With the exception of the S&W 640's made for the NYPD which were chambered for .38 but built on a .357 frame.) I suppose the hammerless centenials like the 442, 642, and 640 are the smallest of these. A 442 sits in my pocket as we speak and I can barely tell that it is there.

All the best,

Joe

[Tros]

This is the Smallest and Lightest I know of.

http://www.gunblast.com/SW_342PD.htm

S & W 342 PD Titanium

Exactly what I was going to mention. Great minds think alike, eh?

[ELCruisr]

My Commander has been away getting some work done so I've been carrying my Airlight 638 .38 +P. Always had it around as a backup but it sure carries nice and easy. I have a pocket holster, IWB and a chest band for it. Like the +P .38's over the .357 for me as the followups to the first shot are much faster and more controlled. The snubbie did take alot of practice to get good with. Not near as natural to shoot as my 1911. However, with enough practice I can empty the little bugger at a respectable rate of fire and keep the rounds in the important part of the target at 20 feet. The Smith snubbie trigger usually needs some break in. I hated it at first as it had a gritty, uneven pull. After a few hundred rounds it seemed much better though. I also went with a slightly longer Altamont aftermarket grip, still conceals well in pocket but gives me a little more to hang on to. I use the Gold Dot short barrel +P loads myself but if the gun was for someone not comfortable with a snappy recoil the Federal 110gr Self Defense loads are much tamer.

[Bud White]

Thanks for all the info

[DDGator]

The Taurus Instant Backup is a bit smaller than a Smith J-frame -- made shorter to acommodate the shorter 9mm round. We are talking very small differences though. Also, they don't have an ultralight version.

My vote is for the "The Beast" -- S&W 340.

[p8riot]

My wife is a nurse and carries a S&W 642 conealed. She is small framed and has no problem handling the 642 with +P loads.