The laws in my home state of Wisconsin have finally changed and all non-felon residents can qualify for a Concealed Carry Permit with training and back ground check. My wife has decided she too would like to carry concealed. The question before us was, which gun would she feel comfortable carrying and shooting?
After looking at all the choices in the concealed handgun market, my wife Mary decided on a Smith and Wesson J framed air weight snub nose revolver. The Model 637 is a five shot revolver with a 1.875 inch barrel chamber for 38 special. This little gun will also handle +p ammo, even though it is made with an aluminum alloy frame. The Model 637 has an exposed hammer, making it a single or a double action. Smith and Wesson also makes the Model 638, which has an enclosed hammer but is basically the same gun in every other respect. The little revolver comes with fixed rear sites and integral barrel front site. Unloaded this handgun weighs less than a pound at 15 ounces, its overall length measures right at 6.31 inches long .
Shooting the little Smith and Wesson, I found the trigger to be one of the best double action triggers I have tried. The trigger spring does not stack when pulled all the way until it breaks cleanly and fires. The cylinder rotates with ease early in trigger cycle, long before the trigger breaks. The little handgun feels of quality and is priced within reach of most people. Accuracy was good with copper jacketed bullets even though the barrel is very short. This little gun is more than accurate enough when used at the distances that are common in self defense situation. I did try some of my own lead wad cutters bullets in hand loads that I use in my longer barreled L frame and they were not as accurate as copper jacketed bullets. I tried one type of 38special +p ammunition and I would recommend for use with this handy little gun. The synthetic rubber hand grip helps keep the gun controlled even with heavy +p loads.
In conclusion, Mary has been very happy with this little Smith and Wesson and she said that she would recommend it to anyone that likes a little revolver that is easy to conceal and very easy to shoot. I myself am impressed with this J frame revolver and I love the slick trigger action of this weapon The old pistol maker Smith and Wesson has made quality firearms since about the time of the US Civil War, and they seem to be keeping up that tradition today.
Info: Smith and Wesson Model 637