"Not" buying a new revolver

[Lohman446]

In theory I am only starting to look. In reality this is going to end up with an "impulse" purchase when I run across one.

This is, ultimately, going to replace my P938 as a light carry gun. Slide manipulation is becoming a concern. The thought of firing a light weight .357 with my weak hand is not even something I want to consider so well I would buy a .357 and shoot .38 I am not going to do so if it costs me weight or any serious amount of money.

I like exposed hammers and this is going to be short barreled.

My list:

The front runner: Smith 360J .38 1.87': 11.4 ounces and about $450 by the time I get one transferred to me. Scandium frame, steel cylinder. Frankly the titanium cylinders scare me a bit so this seems perfect at first glance

The contender: Ruger LCRX .38 - 1.87": 13.5 ounces and $400. I'm not going to lie I am a little bit apprehensive of the LCR trigger system

The dark horse: Ruger LCRX .327 1.87": 17.7 ounces and in the $550 range. The sixth shot can't be bad, the weight is noticeably higher (and yes 6.4 or 3.2 ounces matter) but I am very intrigued at the idea of being able to fire the "lesser" .32 rounds in a snubbie.

With the caveat that I will not own another Taurus revolver (mechanically induced failure resulting in unintentional discharge - the hammer hung up) what am I missing that I should be considering

 

[74A95]

My list:

The front runner: Smith 360J .38 1.87': 11.4 ounces and about $450 by the time I get one transferred to me. Scandium frame, steel cylinder. Frankly the titanium cylinders scare me a bit (WHY?) so this seems perfect at first glance

The contender: Ruger LCRX .38 - 1.87": 13.5 ounces and $400. I'm not going to lie I am a little bit apprehensive of the LCR trigger system (WHY?)

The dark horse: Ruger LCRX .327 1.87": 17.7 ounces and in the $550 range. The sixth shot can't be bad, the weight is noticeably higher (and yes 6.4 or 3.2 ounces matter) but I am very intrigued at the idea of being able to fire the "lesser" .32 rounds in a snubbie.

Why?

 

[Lohman446]

Confession on the LCR front: have only shot one a couple times - I am told that you can actually manage to short stroke the LCR trigger. Maybe this is not the case.

On the titanium vs steel cylinder. A) the 360J appears to only be available with the steel cylinder rendering it a non issue B) i have heard of mulitple people managing to chip titanium cylinders and create issues.

 

[74A95]

Confession on the LCR front: have only shot one a couple times - I am told that you can actually manage to short stroke the LCR trigger. Maybe this is not the case.

Yeah, but you can probably say that about any double action revolver.

 

[Onward Allusion]

The front runner: Smith 360J .38 1.87': 11.4 ounces and about $450 by the time I get one transferred to me. Scandium frame, steel cylinder. Frankly the titanium cylinders scare me a bit so this seems perfect at first glance

Get this Airlite but be sure to get a more robust grip. The one that it comes with has no padding on the backstrap. I know - we have 3 Airlites. It'll probably add an oz to the weight though.

Also, keep in mind that these SC guns are meant to be carried lots and shot little.

 

[Lohman446]

This is why I value opinions more knowledgeable than mine. My limited experience with DA revolvers involve the SP101 and a couple Smith J frames. Having never managed to short stroke one, or even heard of it being a concern, when the LCR with the "new trigger group" came out and people reported issues I made the (possibly incorrect) assumption that it was an LCR issue

 

[Lohman446]

Also, keep in mind that these SC guns are meant to be carried lots and shot little.

How big of an issue is this using .38? Its likely I will put 200 to 300 rounds into it before I consider it carry ready and then 400 or 500 a year.

 

[jar]

While I own more Smith & Wesson handguns than any other make I must admit being very pleased with both the function and customer service I've received from Charter Arms. In the smaller framed "J" size handguns Charter Arms also has a pretty wide selection to choose from. From your description the Charter Arms Undercover series might meet your requirements. My example (sample size of 1 unfortunately) has been utterly reliable. In addition, Charter has been responsive and forthright in all my communications with the company even getting email responses from the CEO directly. And the cylinder turns deosil not widdershins.

 

[Onward Allusion]

400-500 rounds thru a SC gun per year is definitely NOT a lot. I guess I should have clarified that I shoot 200 to 300 rounds per week. Even that is not a lot. If you get that J Frame and shoot that round count with just 38's, it should last you decades.

 

[Lohman446]

400-500 rounds thru a SC gun per year is definitely NOT a lot. I guess I should have clarified that I shoot 200 to 300 rounds per week. Even that is not a lot. If you get that J Frame and shoot that round count with just 38's, it should last you decades

Thank you, I had heard nightmare scenarios with some of them shooting hot loads and this was one of the concerns on my mind.

 

[Mikerbike]

In my personal experience, I have found that the LCR has a better double action trigger than a Smith J frames out of the box for me. A good gunsmith can greatly improve any trigger, but you would need to spend money on top of the sale price, taxes and background check. Some used J frames have already had a trigger job which might be a consideration. Good luck with your shopping.

 

[44 AMP]

I guess I should have clarified that I shoot 200 to 300 rounds per week. Even that is not a lot.

200-300 rounds per week, of what??? Through what???

That's somewhere between almost 10,000 and 15,000 rounds a year, and you say "its not a lot".

I think that's a lot, even if its only .22LR

 

[lamarw]

I have three suggestions for you and not in a preference order:

1. S&W Model 36

2. S&W Model 10 snub nose

3. S&W Model 66 snub nose

There are plenty of them out there in the used market to choose from in order to get one in nice condition and at a reasonable price. You could also substitute a Model 19 for the Model 66. Both the 19 & 66 will run a bit more in price.

 

[74A95]

I have three suggestions for you and not in a preference order:

1. S&W Model 36

2. S&W Model 10 snub nose

3. S&W Model 66 snub nose

The latter two don't even come close to qualifying to the OP's criteria.

 

[cslinger]

A couple observations.

-You can short stroke any revolver this side of a SAA

-You say you won’t run .357 and that hand strength may be a small issue with slides of autos. For that alone I say ditch that 11oz Smith. Hot .38 can be punishing in all those SUPER light smiths.

-The LCR trigger is very nice in comparison to about everything else and the plastic, although heresy and an affront to all that is good and natural on a revolver, does help soak up recoil.

-.327 is cool but it’s never gonna be Uber mainstream and it’s got a lot of blast imo. Not recoil per say but blast. Like .357 SIG in this regard.

-300 rounds per week through any of these gives me carpal tunnel just thinking about it.

-Taurus.......ummm yeah....something something don’t have anything good to say........don’t say anything.

My honest opinion is go with a .38 LCRx or a Smith 637. Honestly you might want up the weight a bit and go .357 LCR or Whatever Smith’s current steel frame .357 with a hammer is. Neither to shoot .357 just to add a bit of weight while shooting .38.

 

[lamarw]

74A95, How so?

 

[Lohman446]

Weight. If i am getting into that size firearm, and that weight, I am just as likely to carry a G19 or G29 - the full size slides don't present the same difficulty in manipulating. That and those two guns are boringly problem free.

 

[Onward Allusion]

10K to 15K a year is average for me. It's mostly 9mm and now that I started reloading again, 38 & 357. Only about 25% of that is 22LR. For 22LR I shoot at least a brick when I go to the club. Thank goodness for Butler Creek and Maglula. Still cheaper than golf, if you think about it.

 

[TxFlyFish]

Short stroking the LCR is definitely an issue. Yes you can short stroke any DA it’s just much easier to accidentally do with LCR. Is that worth the lighter trigger? Only you can answer that.

 

[lamarw]

Lohman446, You are the buyer, and I can't debate your last point in the discussion. Good fortune with whatever you decide upon.