Updated 2/22/2022What are the Top.38 Special Revolvers for Carry?Smith & Wesson Model 642Ruger LCRRock island M206WeihrauchWindicatorSmith & Wesson M&P bodyguard 38Taurus 856CHCharter Armes Off-DutyConjuring up images of hardboiled detectives wearing fedoras, the.38 Special revolver is still very appealing. The snubnosed version is particularly appealing. The tried-and-true wheelie is one of the most concealable handguns. It’s also steadfast and loyal as a faithful dog. It is an anachronism, though. The handgun is still an option for concealed carry today, especially considering the cost of many solid makes and models. In a moment, we’ll be looking at some of these affordable options for.38 Special revolvers. Before we get there, let’s discuss the pros and cons of this platform. The stereotype is true. The platform is reliable and in double-action format it is easy to aim and shoot. If a round doesn’t fire, you can simply pull the trigger again to move on to the next round. However, the handgun is not immune to malfunctions. They do happen. They happen. Tap and rack won’t solve a pulled bullet, stuck case or malfunction in a revolver. However, malfunctions of this magnitude are extremely rare in a fully functional wheelgun that shoots good ammunition. The guns are thicker than your average concealed carry pistol in terms of width. The snub nose 38 Special revolver has a shorter barrel than the average concealed carry pistol and a length that is less than 2 inches. This makes it stand out. The small wheelie semi-auto is more compatible than most semi-autos. The handgun can be carried with an ankle rig or dynamite in a belt if the hip is not for you. The.38 Special is a small backup gun that offers flexibility in concealment and body placement. It’s also reliable. It’s actually one of the easiest to send downrange, even in +P or out of small revolvers. This advantage is obvious when you see shooters struggle to keep a 9mm out of light pistol or a.357 Magnum on target. Round placement is key to neutralizing a threat. Most people can place rounds with a.38 Special. Take a look at the.38 Special:Why you don’t want a.38 Special revolver. Long ago, due to its performance through barriers–particularly sheet metal and windshields–the FBI deemed the .38 Special unfit for service. These tests (the post 1986 Miami Shootout balistics testing project) also eliminated 9mm–which is what the bureau now carries (go Figure). The revolver can still pack a thunderclap, even if it’s a snubbie.38. Finding the right ammunition is key. This means that you need to do your research to ensure your dog has a round that penetrates and expands consistently. This is not a task that can be done only with the.38 Special. Due diligence is required for any caliber or handgun. The cartridge’s lower velocity means that acceptable options may not be as obvious as in.45 ACP and.357 Magnum. Additionally, the.38 Special revolver does not have a lot of ammo. Five rounds is the standard for concealed carry models. However, there are six-round options. Reloading is the key to carrying your capacity. Speedloaders are faster and easier than semi-auto pistols. Even with the aid, the procedure requires fine motor skills and a cool mind. The adrenaline coursing through the veins will make it difficult to get both in a lethal force encounter. Double-action triggers offer advantages, but accuracy enhancement is not one of them. DOA triggers can be heavy, making it difficult for you to keep your target through the break. This list has four criteria. There are four criteria which we used to choose .38 Special revolvers:Reliability: The guns are well made with a reliable track record.
Concealability: We are looking into concealed carry revolvers. In turn, we are sticking with snub nose.38s.
Price: We’ve set the price ceiling at $600 MSRP to target the lower end of the market. This should allow nearly all shooters access.
Accessibility: All models are in production and can be found at most gun retailers. Smith & Wesson Model 642The Model 642 is a popular choice among armed citizens. It combines all the attributes shooters expect from Smith & Wesson. Performance is the most important. The Massachusetts gunmaker produces high-quality handguns that have earned a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and durability over the years. The “Airweight” is one of the lightest options in its class (14.6 ounces). The.38 Special revolver can also be carried for less than one minute. The 642 is just over 6-inches long and offers a wide range of carry options. It also has an integral rear sight and concealed hammer. It packs a punch with its +P rating. This handgun is strictly a double-action option.
MSRP: Starting at $477; smith-wesson.comRuger LCRThe LCR has won accolades for its concealability. Ruger’s carry-tailored revolver.38 Special is small, lightweight, and easy to conceal. The 5-round wheelie is not only highly desirable, but also has many other appealing features. Perhaps A-No. Perhaps A-No. Ruger has added a level of customization to the gun that is not possible with other revolvers. These include a swappable front sight and an interchangeable grip system.
MSRP: $579; ruger.comRock Island Armory, M206Rock Island is best known for its economical 1911s but it’s also a competent revolver-smith. The M206 is a good example. The M206 is a classic design, a little like a Colt Detective Special. However, the spurless.38 Special revolver adds an aesthetic touch to its solid and reliable performance. It weighs in at 24 ounces (a bit more than some modern snubbies), so its carrying position may be a bit tighter for most. The M206’s 2-inch barrel makes it a joy to shoot and increases its accuracy, especially shot to shot. The gun is fairly standard, with an integral rear sight and ramp front sight. It also has a 6-round cylinder. This brings about some controversy. It is listed as a.38 Special in the revolver’s literature, but not as a +P. Armscorp claims that the gun can only run a small amount of higher pressure ammunition. It’s a grey area, and some people are unsure if you can use +P ammo in your gun.
MSRP: $492; armscor.comWeihrauchWinicatorWeihrauch is not a well-known American name outside of the air gun world. The German gunmaker has a long history with revolvers, especially those for self-defense. The Windicator has been available on the U.S. Market for a few years now. It is an import from European American Armory. It is a very basic revolver. The 6-round wheelie, which can carry 6 rounds, is sturdy, reliable, and concealable. Overall, the gun is a good mix. It weighs in at 1.7 pounds. It can still manage the.38 Special’s already mild.38 Special well, increasing its shot-to-shot accuracy. The former is better than the latter. The Windicator’s DA draw is very heavy in comparison to its American counterparts. What more could you ask for in a concealed carry revolver.
MSRP: Starting at $345; www.eaacorp.comSmith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard38″Tactical revolver” sounds absurd, but Smith and Wesson manages to make it possible with their M&P Bodyguard38. The.38 Special revolver, which is lightweight and optimized for manipulation, is a significant departure from S&W dogma. In particular, Smith & Wesson moved the cylinder release from the left side to the rear of the frame, making it ambidextrous and giving shooters greater access during reloads.Additionally, the gunmaker has dehorned every square inch of the 5-round revolver, ensuring it draws smoothly and without a hitch. The Bodyguard 38 weighs in at just 14.4 ounces. This makes it suitable for almost all types of carry. The handgun also has a +P rating.
MSRP: Starting at $402; smith-wesson.comTaurus 856CHAs far as .38 Special revolvers go, the 856CH isn’t going to win any beauty contests. (What concealed carry snubbie? It’s a very similar gun to the Taurus 85, but it can perform when you need it to. It looks very similar to the Taurus 85, but it has 6 rounds instead of 5. The revolver weighs in at a flat 1 pound. It’s a good compromise, enough weight to handle +P ammunition but not too heavy to make the gun bulky.
MSRP: $364; taurususa.comCharter Armes Off-DutyIf concealability and portability are important, the Off-Duty might be the solution. The minuscule wheelie is one of the most compact and lightweight.38 Special revolvers. The revolver is also ideal for those who need a backup gun. It weighs in at just 12 ounces. The revolver can be carried everywhere and is a great second-hand option. It’s a great pocket pistol. On the flip side, even a tame.38 Special can make a light gun jump in your hand. Charter Arms reduces this issue by providing a contoured rubberized grip. It will cause your pinky to hang, but it provides good control over the revolver. It’s also very lightweight, with an enclosed hammer. So snags won’t be a problem. The Off-Duty is easy to use with a left-side release cylinder.
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