Grandpa wants a new revolver .38/357..Best option?

[Drotis]

I have both. I like the 642 better. Replaced the Trigger spring with a Wilson Combat S&W J frame Custom Tune Spring Kit. $8.95. Easy to replace the spring. Much improved trigger. Full disclosure: I'm a S&W revolver junkie.

 

[toyotaslave]

I have both. I like the 642 better. Replaced the Trigger spring with a Wilson Combat S&W J frame Custom Tune Spring Kit. $8.95. Easy to replace the spring. Much improved trigger. Full disclosure: I'm a S&W revolver junkie.

I bought a 642 but hesitate to recommend it due to the trigger pull. I 'm also very curious on the subject and am following closely. Perhaps I should take a look at the Wilson spring kit. At that price, what's to lose?

 

[Amishman44]

Or just buy a 340. The 340 is basically the 360 without the hammer. I am a big fan of my 360J in .38+P...it's my working-out and dress-clothes gun. It's lightweight, accurate, and disappears in a pocket. Personally, I like the exposed hammer, but if the OP is looking for hammerless, the 340 is the way to go.

Great point...I didn't even think of the Smith & Wesson 340!
The 340 really is just about the 'perfect' pocket carry .38 revolver!
Same revolver...same light carry weight...snag-free enclosed hammer!
Has the same frame and pinned-in front sight...which can be replaced!
What's not to like about it and it meets the OP's stated requirement!

 

[sharpetop]

The S&W 360, 340 and Kimber are somewhat higher than the $500 Gramps wants to spend.

I've got a .38 LCR and S&W 642 I would be willing to let Gramps shoot if you are anywhere near Liberty, IN., providing you can find some ammo.

 

[Steve]

IMHO, the best thing for Grandpa to do is go to a range and rent both pistols. Then Play with them UNLOADED and see which one fits hand hand better. Then see how each one fits his pocket, points for him, and so on. Then go burn a few rounds thru each one. He is going to carry it 100% of the time and fire it maybe 5%. Fitting his hand is far more important than a "gritty " trigger pull. I would doubt that he will notice much of a difference between the 2 pistols. In the end though, both the 6452 and LCR are great pistols and will serve him well.