[Trapper1]

I'm about to get a pocket gun. The 1911 is just too much, concealed. For open carry, It's my first pick.
For those that own them, (snubbies) do you feel the Scandium smiths are worth the extra dollars over the air-weights?
This is going to be carried a lot, in pocket
I've always wanted a old Colt and am open to the new Ruger, just not a Taures.
Thoughts? What do you guys like.....and why?

 

[Ko Improbable]

I'm about to get a pocket gun. The 1911 is just too much, concealed. For open carry, It's my first pick.
For those that own them, (snubbies) do you feel the Scandium smiths are worth the extra dollars over the air-weights?
This is going to be carried a lot, in pocket
I've always wanted a old Colt and am open to the new Ruger, just not a Taures.
Thoughts? What do you guys like.....and why?

Personally, having discovered belt technology, I have no problem with the full weight guns. I'm planning to switch to a S&W .327 Mag snubby they unveiled at the last Shot Show, which will be all steel. I used to carry a Taurus 650 CIA, which is all steel, and didn't feel overloaded with that.
The 642 I have isn't a pleasant gun to take to the range, and that's with a third-finger, rubber-backstrap grip on it. Those extremely light guns will likely hurt to a degree.
So, my $0.02 is that they're not worth the extra money unless you cannot wear a belt for some reason.

 

[Trapper1]

Thank you for the reply.
I have no problem with weight. It is carrying on a belt and having my T-shirt ride up and the gun being exposed that is the problem. I hate walking around , constantly pulling my shirt down.
One person complains and that's it, I wont be carrying anything.
I'm not to worried about recoil either as I don't plan to shoot it for long periods at the range.
It's not a range gun. I will likely only shoot straight 38 too, I don't feel the need to carry plus P necessarily.
I like the idea of pocket carry because I think I will feel very comfortable knowing it wont be accidentally exposed.
Did you carry your Taurus in the pocket?

 

[kudu61]

Hi Trapper, I carry a S&W 637 in the pocket of shorts or jeans, when it's t-shirt weather. No complaints. I do carry +P ammo in it. Idon't use a pocket holster and inspect for lint and dirt regularly. No problems. see ya, Bill

 

[Rangeguy]

S & W Model 60 (.38Spl.) in polished stainless in an reinforced leather IWB fills the bill......

 

[Abolt.270]

Whats wrong with a taurus? I carry a taurus ultra-lite .38 and it performs beautifully. I carry with an ankle holster, of course not the quickest retrieval, but it is the most comfortable since I am on a motorcycle most of the time. I sometimes forget that it is there.

 

[wildhobbybobby]

The scandium guns are not worth it over an Airweight, in my opinion. An Airweight in .38 makes an ideal pocket gun. Scandium is a bit lighter, but the Airweight guns are light enough to be very easy carrying guns. Scandium guns are more painful to shoot, and a scandium .357 is a real handful...no fun at all. Today's excellent .38 ammo is all you need in a snubby as far as I am concerned. I carry a Model 638 S&W .38 every day as backup to my Glock 19.

 

[oldbrass33]

Just went through this upgrading the wife from 22 land to something more effective. The Ruger had too big a footprint and no advantage over the smith, several dealers touted the Taurus, and yes they are lifetime warranteed and Taurus stands behind them , but the Smith is a Smith, so she settled on the 646?, 2" hammerless, lightweight, she likes it as well as the 22, not a go to the range and shoot it piece, but she can practice with it plenty. I got her a slot holster and she either pockets it or uses the holster depending on what she's wearing. I like the piece just fine and occassionally she lets me try it out at the range.

 

[jmortimer]

Got a .357 S&W J Frame M&P 360 for my wife which weighs 13 ounces. It has tritium night sights. To me, within reason, a gun can't be light enough especially if you want to carry it around. I am not into recoil at all and I think it is very easy to shoot with .38 loads. With 158 grain .357 "Cowboy" LRNFP it is no problem. I would not want to shoot full power .357 loads. I think the .357 will last longer than a .38 shooting .38's. I think the extra $$$ is worth it but like anything there is a cost/benefit analysis and I want to get the best possible gun for my wife to carry so I went with the M&P 360. She has no problem with the recoil either but she has never shot a full power .357 in the gun - just .38 Specials and the 158 .357 Cowboy load which, based on shooting some gallon water jugs, would easily penetrate 18" or more - probably shoot through most any man. We both use the Buffalo Bore 150 grain standard pressure hard cast DEWC which penetrate 24" in ballistic gelatin - again will probably shoot trough most any man. Here is a picture worth a thousand words - 24" of penetration with S&W 642 1 7/8" barrel at 900 fps - that Buffalo Bore 150 grain DEWC is real good - http://www.brassfetcher.com/Buffalo...r standard pressure Hard Cast Wad Cutter.html

 

[pisgah]

>For those that own them, (snubbies) do you feel the Scandium smiths are worth the extra dollars over the air-weights?


No.

My opinion, and worth what you paid for it.

 

[miestro_jerry]

I carry the Smith 340 PD in Scandium, Titanium and Steel. This is my concealed weapon that I carry in a *** (Small Of Back) holster, it also fits in the front pocket of my jeans. It is very light and that means it is comfortable for me to carry, even 24/7.

During the summer I can not carry a 1911 no matter what holster system I use, so it has to be small like the J Frames.

The reason I carry a Smith, is simple, I have never had a problem with any of the S&W guns that was the guns fault, plus the lifetime warranty. I sent a Model 39-3 back to Smith that was pretty worn with age. Springs need to be replaced, the grips were worn off and the finish was 60% worn away. It returned 5 months later looking like new and had an extra magazine in the package. I was not the original owner of this pistol. That says a lot.

Jerry

 

[Trapper1]

That's a lot of great feedback, thanks. I thought the LCR was bigger overall than the smith, that's why I'm leaning towards the Smith.

 

[miestro_jerry]

If you have to walk around all day with a pistol, the Smith is very comfortable to carry. So far, thank God, I have only shot it on the range. I carry 38 Spl +P in mine. The draw back with all small light pistols is the recoil, that is why I carry the 38 +ps instead of the 357 Mags that it can handle. I prefer the Smith for it's stopping power compared to a .380 and I don't think a compact 9mm is any better. Most of the compact 9mm that I have handled at the gun store are bigger than my Smith.

But in the real world usage, at 5 feet the small Smiths are better for taking down a perp, for 30 feet, I would prefer a 1911 or Hi Power.

Jerry

 

[slim 60]

the in pants holster made carry much easier an cleaner for me..
i carry a special w 4 inch barrel an never even notice it..
i also like full steel as accuracy is better for me with it..especialy on the quick second or third shot if they are necessary..
i recon if you got a little exstra hanging over the belt it could be uncomfortable ..but i don t know thats true..slim
i do put a strong magnet in the bottum of the holster to avoid
the gun slipping out if im laid back in an easy chair,etc..just enough to
keep the gun in place ,but doesn t affect quick retrieval,,should i need to pull it..

 

[m141a]

While it's not a snub, and not even 38 special, I do own a scandium revolver;
the Smith 325PD. It's a scandium 45 auto, uses moons, and has a 4" barrel.
I use a high ride pancake to carry it, mounted on a belt designed for carrying a firearm. Being it sits high, it's tucked up under your draw arm, and is very concealed...even for an N frame.
Recoil is obviously more in a scandium gun, but controllable with the big .45.
I have shot the .357 magnum scandi-gun, and it was stiff!!!!!

I agree, I would not want to carry a full size steel 1911, summer or not, but do also holster a Springfield lightweight Champion [read commander], again, in a proper holster and belt. Very concealable outside the belt, even in the summer.
Your carry 'tackle' can make all the difference.

Have you looked into the smaller 45 cal.1911's? For the price of the scandium, you could probably purchase a smaller 1911 used.

 

[Combat Diver]

I've had a Smith 442 Airweight since 92 and love them. Great carry guns, but have never used them on two way ranges only one way. Got another new 442 Pro series coming with no lock and is cut for moon clips. Have owned several M60s in .38 also and my mother still has one on loan.

CD

 

[epanzella]

I have an SW342, an aluminum frame/titanium cylinder hammerless 38 snubbie. It was the precurser to the Scandium and just out a few years before being replaced. I luv the gun especially in the summer. I can just stick it in the pocket of my sweat shorts when out on the boat and it won't pull my pants down even with no belt. I also have a model 60 with bobbed hammer and like that as well but it pulls my pants down without a belt. The recoil is pretty snappy in the 12 ounce gun with plus P's. I do most practicing with the 60.

 

[mattsbox99]

I have a S&W M&P 64, its actually a K frame 6 shot, and it has a bull barrel, so its not a typical concealed carry piece, but it does fill the bill quite nicely. It doesn't fit in the pocket, but its low profile enough to be worn with a OWB holster, I have an IWB for it though.

Its not my carry gun though, I have an M&P 40 Compact for that task. I'm quite happy with its size, recoil, sights, and firepower.

I've carried all manner of handguns, from Ruger GP100s to 1911s, sub compact pistols, full size pistols and J Frames as well, the small M&P pistol is my favorite.

 

[m141a]

I'll agree with you on the M&P series of compacts...I own the M&P9c, and it just about dissapears with the right holster. A JIT style holster, or a good IWB, and this gun is outta sight.

 

[hayes1966]

S & W Model 60 (.38Spl.) in polished stainless in an reinforced leather IWB fills the bill......

+1 but I have a clip on one side of the grip.