The 2s had some issues that lead to redesigning the way the barrel locks up and the angle of the bullets in the mags in the Max. I haven’t heard of issues with the Max but haven’t looked. I have intentionally gone several hundred rounds with the MaX without cleaning and without issues to test it out but wouldn’t carry it dirty like I would a Glock. Being a light gun with a small grip I could see it being prone to limp wristing for some though I certainly don’t have the worlds strongest grip.
Probably not pleasant to shoot full-boat 357 magnum loads from. But, having a firearm capable of 357 mag means that if you encounter a spicy 38 special (especially if you reload) means it will likely handle such loads better than a 38-special-only revolver.
Yes, an extremely valid point that nobody explicitly stated yet, but is part of why I consider blowing th emoney for the mag version.
I have reloaded some and with companies like Underwood while I hear so many good things and have good experience with them in .44 and in .357 Sig…having that safety margin for spicy .38’s is definitely some peace of mind
I had a Ruger LCR in 357, note the word had. The light weight even with standard 38 spl had stout recoil but the 357 was very uncomfortable. I sold it for and LCP 380 also not fun to shoot buy with .8” with much better for deep conceal.
I have a Rugger SP101 in 357 that i carry with a speed loader on occasions. Easy to conceal and i wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. What matters is do you feel comfortable with it and do you train with it?
I train with it, as much as I can. 20ish rounds at a time. I usually go 100-150 with my Kimber and my Springfield. So I train with it but I’m not real comfortable with it.
Gotta or IMHO I don’t really mix my carry gun in with my “ fun guns” because if/when you have to use your carry piece it won’t be fun at all I guarantee you that and chances are you won’t notice any recoil if it’s a 454 or .22 LR just carry whatever you can carry and go about your daily binnus and a S&W Airlite in .38 spec w/+Ps in it tucked in a leather holster or a KelTec .380 or .32 in your pocket will be good to , it’s what I normally carry. BTW I only buy military calibers for my other guns and have for years now but in a carry gun anything goes
I’m not concerned with “noticing” recoil for defensive use as much as I am concerned with physics still applying and if the recoil of firing a shot one handed from a poor position puts the gun perpendicular to the ground any follow up shot is necessarily going to be slowed
Which is why I’m leaning slightly towards another 642 even though running with the ridiculously light 340PD is appealing also…
All the positioning of the gun like perpendicular and stuff don’t concern me it’s just a bunch of overthinking something simple and is just more stuff so a trainer or coach can spend a day on to have a job. Here’s my plan if anything happens , whip the thing out shoot the perp with a well placed shot and game over I’m not concerned with the perpindicuars or horizontals or verticles or anything else. I guess I have to remember I’ve been shooting my whole life and some, not necessarily you haven’t and feel they need all the training someone has to offer and training is good of course but IMHO there’s a time to break it off like when they start saying “ OK class Saturday we will be going through some maneuvers as to what to do if someone grabs your gun and takes it from you”. My advice is Run like hell ! And zigzag it is very important!
But handguns are generally weak and ineffective at stopping attackers right now, often taking multiple good hits (high center chest) to stop a determined attacker.
We shouldn’t rely on one shot from a handgun, unless it’s basically the “between the eyes” or substantially similar, stopping an attacker. Because it very often doesn’t (not physiologically anyway)
Given this, how quickly you can make accurate follow up shots is an important factor to consider
A nice feature of the “Centennial” Smith revolvers with the enclosed hammer is you can get a really high grip, putting your arm almost on the bore axis and minimizing muzzle flip.
Oh well anything above the shoulders is quite effective like a neck , face or head even a collarbone and a good ole fashioned gut shot don’t shut down one’s nerve system it will most of the time take them out of the fight because they could start thinking “ oh sh1t I’d better get the heck outta here since I’ve got a handfull of this guacamole looking stuff coming outta me…. I’m getting dizzy goin down boys…by now. Chest is a big target, I just think a body can overthink things, I just feel if I have a gun and bad guy don’t if I can’t stop him maybe I shouldn’t leave home at all that’s all no sense in getting to scientific about it. But everyone has their opinion
When I was applying for my CCL, I rented a S&W 642 since I enjoyed shooting my 357 model 66 and Ruger 44 magnum… with magnum loads. I fired off-the-shelf .38 +P through the 642 and hated every shot. Here’s the thing… a 9mm +P micro compact offers a similar size and weight, more ammo, significantly more power, and all with a comfortable recoil.
I initially went for a Kahr CM9 with +P ammo (very comfortable to shoot well using a good technique). The Kahr also has a revolver like trigger (long pull and long reset). Shortly thereafter I switched to a Kahr CW45 and never looked back.
I’m not suggesting a Kahr, however, I do suggest shooting the lightweight snub with ammo you are planning to use and see if it is something that you can practice with. Also compare the size and weight to micro-compacts in your preferred caliber.
Nothing against revolvers, I like them too. However, the snub offered me almost nothing I wanted over the micro-compact pistols, and in many ways offered less. It’s another story with my father who has arthritis that makes it difficult to rack the slide.
If you just want a revolver, go for it. Just put in the time at the range with your carry ammo. For the record, I do occasionally carry the 2.75" 66 with magnum ammo. However, it shoots like a full size revolver (its heavy and bulky for CC, too).
One last thing… My father picked up a stainless Taurus 856 a couple of years ago. The weight makes it comfortable to shoot .38 +P. I would imagine the steel S&W 60 would be similar. Personally I’ve wanted the 60 with some Pachmayr/Lyman Compac grips for myself… can’t afford it right now.
Weight is pretty much the number one factor for this gun, without giving up ballistics and reliability
I have G43x and shield plus and have previously owned a 642 through which I shot gold dot and buffalo bore
The more I run and keep toting the shield plus the more I really just want as light as possible and it’s pushing me more for a 340 unless I do something like a Glock 42 which is still 2 oz heavier
Weight is just a whole different thing when running for an hour and a half or longer and carrying water and a phone too
The more I think about it the more I’m pushed for the lightweight
Haven’t bought one yet still deciding though you have valid points on shooting which is why I have the 43x and shield plus and generally for even super minimal carry those are the least I go with when downsizing from a G19 or 17
NONE of my Revolvers fit it my pocket
(and dats da way I likes it! BIG BANG BANG or go Home!) My smallest caliber is my Sisters .38sp. My biggest is da HOWITZER! .44
I was extremely interested in the bodyguard 2.0 when it came out, I’ve been watching reviews and feedback on it all over…way too many issues. A bit disappointed in S&W for that. I have essentially zero tolerance for anything trending unreliable in pistol makes/models or any malfunctions of my own (this is why I only ever bought one Sig model and no proudly own 0 Sigs). So, bodyguard 2.0 is out.
Otherwise you hit the nail on the head, I was 50/50 essentially revolver vs bodyguard 2.0 when it first launched
I think the only small .380 whose reputation I trust enough is the G42
