Looking for a pocket revolver ...recommendations.

[printcraft]

340PD it is always on me.
It has a little finish wear around the edges where it rides in its holster.

Here's one for Christmas!

 

[EvilElmo]

Never tried the bodyguard but the LCR is great.

 

[kludge]

So far I am looking at the new S&W bodyguard .38 and the Ruger LCR. I am leaning toward the bodyguard because of a) the laser b) the ambi cylinder release (I shoot lefty). While a lack of either of these will not be a deal breaker, they seem pretty nice.

Actually after handling my friends Bodyguard, I think the standard cylinder release will be better/faster for a left hander... actually... go to youtube and search "Masaad Ayoob stress reload", and learn how to do it right. It might actually be faster to do it left handed than right handed.

After looking at the S&W I know some of the J-frames are similar in size, would one of these be better?

I have also noticed some have a shrouded hammer, is this any better than a internal hammer

J-frames are classic. Not much difference at all between shrouded vs. internal. The Ruger LCR has a very nice trigger though.

I was just wondering what else I should take a look at before making my choice.
also I would like to keep it around $500 in price.

Not exactly a "pocket" revolver, but the SP101 should near the top of anyones list. Much more comfortable to shoot than an Airweight.

 

[RetDep310]

Have had either a S&W 442, 642 or a Ruger LCR for several years. They are all great guns. The triggers with the Smith's will get a little lighter after alot of shooting/dryfire. The trigger pull on the LCR, in my opinion, was good from the box. Being a lefty myself, either brands can be easily operated left-handed, the Ruger maybe just a little easier because of the push button cylinder release. After trading up several snubbies, I currently pocket carry a S&W M&P340, and love it. Wish I had one during my LEO years!

 

[xM3RC1L3SS1x]

I'd say a Smith 442

 

[zip]

Thanks for the advice everyone, my list of firearms to look at is getting longer which is what I wanted

To add to the original poster's question.... do any of the recommendations that have been mentioned have a lefty friendly cylinder release?...or do we just need to adapt to a right-handed world?

Charter Arms makes a lefty
Charter Southpaw #93820

 

[Jetrefz]

.ruger lcr can be found for about 400 and they have a polymer frame if memory serves . this makes the gun a lot more tolerable to carry day in and day out. I prefer a pocket gun to have a thumb safety and stiff first pull trigger, I would look at walthers or the 380 bodyguard, Elmores in indy has a very small five shot smith airweight revolver in the used guns for about 300 and it looks like it has been shot very little . they wont be open till saturday due to a robbery though

 

[Chapparal]

We like the little Colt .38 Specials. They do have a hammer. How are you going to carry it? Hammerless is better in some carry situations. DA or SA?

Colt and S&W made some very nice, very concealable little guns over the years. I believe Ruger made some as well. Many choices. See what fits your hand best and know how you will conceal. These clues will lead you to a range of pieces from which to choose.

 

[Indy317]

I made a purchase of a similar revolver not to long ago. For me, the price of a S&W is just too high. So my choices were pretty much the Ruger LCR or Taurus 650. I want any snub nose to have a fully enclosed hammer system. For me, it is about being able to fire the gun from within a jacket pocket or purse if need be and making sure there is no way something can block a hammer (even a spur-less hammer) either coming back or going forward. Not saying this is the proper way to use a firearm in a defensive shooting, but it would at least be an option.

I ended up with a Ruger LCR in .357 at $415.00, which was the cheapest price in town at the time. I should have exercised more restraint in buying. The Taurus 650 has gotten good reviews over the years, and I would have likely saved $50-$75. Not only that, within days of buying the LCR, someone posted on for sale here on INGO for $350.00!! I was very tempted on buying it to lower my cost basis, but decided against it.

So if you really want to maximize you money, get a Taurus 650 or see if you can find a slight used LCR. I always opt for .357 revolvers. Use .38spl to practice with (with the occasional .357) and then carry with .357.

 

[mschlatter]

I just bought a S&W bodyguard a couple weeks ago and love how easy it is to carry. Compact with plenty of power.

 

[Pete]

When I want a pocket revolver I get my Ruger SP101. It is a 357 2 1/4" barrel DAO model.

 

[cav_cdr]

I have both the SP101 in .357 and the LCR in .38+P. They're both great revolvers but, for carry the LCR wins, hands down. For shooting comfort, it would be the SP101. The LCR has a great out of the box trigger and is very controllable with +P rounds but, the extra weight of the SP101 make it more comfortable to shoot in longer range sessions.