Snubbies rule! (But I'm not giving up my Glock.)
It’a a model 642.
Congrats. What made you go with a DA only?
Good choice.
It’s among the most common .38s, if not THE most commonly sold model of recent years. Three friends and neighbors have bought them.
Getting to know the DAO trigger can be tricky, but it can be done with good training and practice.
I think that is the one I just bought too. And, it is my first!
good choice
S&W 642 — great choice...light, small, concealable, simple, effective for close range. Negatives are hard to shoot accurately at further distances, takes practice with the double action trigger pull, and low ammo capacity.
You can however make full contact body shots as there is no slide to catch on an opponent’s body, preventing you to shoot.
Modern defensive ammo by Gold Dot, Winchester, Federal, Cor Bon, Remington, etc is fine. I have mine loaded with +P Gold Dot 135 grain hollowpoints, with the first and last rounds being Buffalo Bore +P LSWHP, or the FBI load, semi hollow point wadcutters, which have big recoil.
I’ll go running with the 642 clipped with an Uncle Mikes holster inside waistband appendix carry, or in a coat pocket, along with another top concealable carry gun, the Glock 26, or baby Glock. 10 rounds 9mm... which you can supplement with any 15, 17, or 33 magazine.