The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: dj454 on March 23, 2009, 12:13:28 AM

Title: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: dj454 on March 23, 2009, 12:13:28 AM: I am looking for a light weight pocket carry snubby. I know there are a lot of good quality examples available and I know none of them even the +p rated ones can take alot of shooting with full power loads.I know these are shoot a little carry alot guns but I was wondering how they will stand up to heavy practice with light loads and just a few heavy loads. I want to be able to practice enough to be proficient with any gun I choose to carry. I know the light pocket revolvers are a compromise no matter what but I have to be confident in my ability with the firearm I choose to carry. I have always leaned toward the sp101 in .357 because everything I hear about these guns are tanks but you pay for it with the extra weight. I think I can compromise with +p rated .38 for the lighter weight but I don't want to get one and be afraid to practice with it. Thanks for any help.
Title: Re: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: jaybet on March 23, 2009, 05:57:28 AM: With the exception of a bad part ot abuse, these guns are just smaller versions of their bigger cousins. In the case of the lightweights, I'm pretty sure that the alloys used are stronger. You will more than likrly wear your hand out before you wear the gun out.
Title: Re: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: TAB on March 23, 2009, 06:39:12 AM: I've never heard of anyone "wearing one out".

My guess is you would wear out well before the gun did.
Title: Re: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: ellis4538 on March 23, 2009, 06:51:41 AM: I have a non +P rated S&W 642 that I carry. I practice quite a bit with it and don't see any problems developing. Just joined an indoor range and will be practicing more with it.

FWIW

Richard
Title: Re: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: Frisco on March 24, 2009, 07:30:29 PM: My Model 37 Air Weight from Smith & Wesson is about 30 years old. It has ingested a few thousand rounds of standard, and hundreds of rounds of premium defensive ammo in +P ratings. It is still tight, and always goes BANG. It has darned little finish left on it from years of pocket carry, but heck....it was never meant to be a BBQ gun.

I retired it a couple of years ago in favor of a new Taurus 905 snubby in 9mm, which I had a 'smith punch out to .38 Super (more on that project later) which is....a FUN as hell little pocket wheelie.
Title: Re: Light weight snubby durability question?
Post by: Road Hog on March 25, 2009, 12:01:17 AM: Quote from: ellis4538 on March 23, 2009, 06:51:41 AM
I have a non +P rated S&W 642 that I carry.

My Smith 642 is +P rated. Strange.

This is a fun gun and I shoot it every week. Tight as a tick and accurate. It is an easy carry, pocket, IWB, whatever. I have Crimson Trace grips and it is very comfortable, for me. Get one and enjoy it!

I would imagine with Gold Dot short barrel ammo, http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=738035, or RBCD ammo, http://www.rbcd.net/Personal%20Defense-%20Ammo.htm, it would be very effective. I opted for the RBCD option.