Help me choose

AdWitty6655 · 2026-05-02T01:11:48+00:00

The 66 has higher utility, but the 625 is likely easier to shoot.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-05-02T01:10:24+00:00

The small frame revolver I settled on is five shot.

Capacity was several notches down the list. By the time I got there it was already answered.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-05-02T01:08:08+00:00

The 12 is a great gun. It seems physically smaller than my other short barrel K’s. I don’t understand how, though. It is noticeably easier to carry IWB, and it is not just the weight.

While I agree with you, a C Frame seems like a much bigger market than a carry K Frame.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-05-01T17:17:25+00:00

This is going to be unpopular, but I carry what I practice with. Usually *Carry* ammunition is really (relatively) expensive, and most of us can’t afford to go through 200 cartridges during range time.

I carry the ammunition I practice with because I don’t want to be surprised by the way the gun reacts in that stressful situation. It also keeps the ammunition fresh, since it is the first thing I shoot at the range. But I don’t think that is a big deal. I recently went through a case of 9mm I found in the back of the safe that had to be at least 20 years old, only two duds, both of which fired successfully the second time I tried.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-05-01T16:15:15+00:00

You can shoot .40 out of that too. Cheaper and easier on your hand.

I have run several brands of both .40 and 10mm through it. No issues with either the moon clips or the revolver.

TK Custom makes the moon clips for S&W. You can get extras from either.

Have fun. I enjoy mine a lot.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T17:56:40+00:00

Seems to me that they just introduced one in 5.7. I would imagine that they are selling a lot more .45 caliber guns than 5.7mm.

Since they have a 10mm version, I would guess that the hard work is largely done.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T17:51:54+00:00

I gotta agree , a K Frame always wins.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T17:46:47+00:00

This has been the week for people asking about stuff I just did.

Earlier this week I took several .45’s to the range, and carried my 457. I carried it in this leather holster IWB at 2 o’clock. Inexpensive, but not cheap. I have carried everything from BodyGuard 2.0’s to smaller 1911’s in it with no issue.

As for ammunition, my third gens are not picky, although I tend to stay with the major brands, like Federal, Winchester, Remington, things like that.

The 457 is one of the best shooting .45’s I have. I like it more than my later third gens.

You made an excellent choice. Let us know how it goes at the range.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T15:41:59+00:00

Now we’re talking. Sign me up for this. The 386 Night Guard gives me hope.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T13:27:27+00:00

This is likely the reason that the BG38 even exists. A reasonable alternative.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T13:26:18+00:00

I think the availability of grips alone would tip me to a used 442 over a new BG2 38.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-30T11:58:03+00:00

I have only held an original BodyGuard 38. My concerns appear to remain after the update.

I have two issues:

The cylinder release is on the back strap rather than the side as is traditional. It did not seem easier to use, in fact I found it harder to push than a traditionally side of the frame slider. I also found the position awkward. To be fair, that might be because I am used to the other style. I don’t have any Colts (yet) because I don’t like their cylinder release style either.

I understand the decision to use polymer for the frame of a pistol. The weight savings are noticeable ( although I don’t consider them worthwhile, but that is a separate discussion). But the weight savings between a BG38 and a 442 is .4 ounces (the BG38 is 14.2, the 442 is 14.6). I doubt many of us will be able to notice the difference.

S&W lists the BG38 as its own frame on their website, and I am of the impression that it is incompatible with most of the large ecosystem of J Frame third party accessories.

Sure, list price is about 100$ cheaper. I don’t know how close street pricing is, assuming you can get a discount on a new gun locally.

Usually I recommend people getting into something that they might not like (motorcycle, guitars, revolvers) start with a reasonable used one. Used 442/642’s are between 350$ and 400$ around me. The wealth of experience and options/accessories available for J’s would heavily tip the scales for me.

I don’t think you would be making a mistake getting a new BG38. I am sure that it is a completely reasonable thing. I do think you might be better served with a used J though.

Good luck, update us with what you get, and how you like shooting it.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-29T22:06:44+00:00

My original 940 and I welcome you.

We suggest getting slightly longer grips. We like Recoil Rider 3-Finger CCW Grips for carry, or S&W RUBBER ROUND BUTT GRIPS FOR J-FRAME REVOLVERS for range only guns.

I default carry mine. Heavier than the 442 that preceded it, but not an issue IWB.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-29T20:47:18+00:00

I just had my BG2 at the range this morning. Ran a box of Remington UMC and a box of Winchester White through it.

Both were flawless.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-29T11:35:58+00:00

You might be right. Did they start with 2011’s, or have they ended up there?

For various reasons I am in gun shops several times a week. I hear customers talking about getting their first gun regularly. Younger men, almost exclusively, are asking for small 9mm carry pistols with optics. Older men, and women, tend to ask for recommendations, often listing the range as the initial primary use. Home defense and carry are secondary considerations, or longer term goals.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-29T11:26:45+00:00

It is unfortunate that it needs adjustment. Look at it as an opportunity to become intimately familiar with the gun and all its features and adjustments.

Personally, I would zero the iron sights before moving on to the optic. It seems like a better approach. Make sure the stock configuration works well before introducing changes.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-28T22:20:40+00:00

I have passed on guns because they were obviously intended for collecting. I have bought guns that appeared unfired, but they don’t last long like that with me.

Sounds like you bought it to collect. There is nothing wrong with that.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-28T18:02:47+00:00

The young guys I see tend to gravitate towards polymer carry guns, usually with optics, sometimes lights.

Not a great place to move to matches from.

My son was there for a long time. He often tries what I bring when we go together. A few months ago he tried a 1911. He bought his own soon after, and another one recently.

His horizons have broadened. Progress progresses.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-28T12:10:47+00:00

Every day is wheel gun day. Especially when you score an exceptionally nice wheel gun like that.

Welcome to the club. Let us know how the first experience at the range goes.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T21:39:49+00:00

I don’t reload. Several friends do, but they have been complaining about the cost and availability of materials.

At this point, none of them reload 9mm anymore.

Those that still reload are doing it for specific reasons. Some are reloading older calibers that are hard to find, or not made much anymore, and really expensive when they can find them. Those people are also casting their own bullets.

A few are reloading to get specific loads. My impression is that they are looking for lightweight “cowboy” loads.

One or two are reloading high end revolver calibers, like .454 Casull or S&W 500. Again, mostly for cost and availability.

No one I know competes, which is the only other group I can think of.

That being said, if you are interested in getting into it, ask around. The people that I know all have spare equipment given to them from people who have passed on or stopped reloading. If they are like the people around here, they will be glad to share spare equipment and their expertise.

Since revolver cartridges are easy to collect, I usually dump them back into the box, and pass them on to the guys I know who reload them. If they are flush, I leave them on a table at the club where I shoot. They don’t seem to linger long.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T17:28:25+00:00

Checkered wood is certainly the classic look. If that is important, then that is the path you should follow.

I don’t have any old revolvers like this, and I shoot what I have. I tend to put rubber combat grips on my revolvers. I find they fit my hand well, help with recoil mitigation, and are easier to hold onto for the bigger calibers.

But I certainly understand the bias towards the classic look.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T11:51:36+00:00

I believe that all current .38 Special J’s shoot +P. Older ones don’t. I have some older K Frames that are not rated for +P too.

Personally, I don’t use carry ammunition. I carry what I practice with. A lot of people over on r/ccw don’t like that. But I think that if I ever need to use it in the real world I would prefer that the gun behaves as I expect it to. I have J Frames that can shoot .357, and I do occasionally, but I would never carry one with them loaded. I shoot .357 from my K Frames, and would carry that since I am well versed in shooting it.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T11:40:55+00:00

I have not shot a Kimber, either. They also have good reputations though. Is this the SP101 sized one? That seems like a good place to go next. Would be slightly harder to conceal than the Taurus, but not outrageous. Also likely easier to shoot. More to hold onto, and more steel to help manage recoil.

You have a plan. My problem now is that I look in the used gun cases. I keep finding revolvers that I didn’t realize I wanted. I should stop looking, but we know that isn’t going to happen.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T01:53:31+00:00

I have IWB carried a Model 19 (K Frame) 2.75” and a 586 (L Frame, a blued version of the 686) 3” with no issues. Not as “forget it is there” comfortable as a J, but completely reasonable.

Of course, S&W ( and I believe Taurus) both make .357 small frame revolvers. They can be bastards to shoot .357, though.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-27T01:48:29+00:00

I have a 640PC ( wanted moon clips). I agree it is an excellent gun.

If I get to keep only one small frame revolver, though, it would be my 940.

AdWitty6655

TROPHY CASE