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S&W 642 or Charter Arms Off Duty 38 spl

Peanut59
I am considering a S&W 642 Centennial 38 spl or a Charter Arms Off Duty 38 spl. Both are lightweight and hammerless. Which would be better as a first handgun for a female with shooting experience?
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • CS8161
    Go with the 642...WAY better quality than the charter arms!
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  • royc38
    Smith
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  • duckhunter
    Smith every time.
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  • William81
    No contest....642
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  • Laredo Lefty
    I concur..... Smith
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  • drobs
    In this case Smith.

    Between a Charter Arms and a Taurus?
    Charter Arms.

    Doh: missed that it was for a female. As mentioned below, take her to an indoor range that rents handguns and let her shoot a bunch of different types to find out which she likes best and shoots best with.

    I doubt it will be a 38 snubby.
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  • badchris
    If you can afford it, I'd suggest the Smith. If you can't justify the cost, I would not be ashamed to holster a Charter Arms. I would also take a Charter over a Taurus.
    Regardign the female with experience. Let the person decide which handgun they want. Even better if she can test fire the weapon. The gun will not do any good if it's at home in the safe.
    Good luck!
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  • beantownshootah
    Smith.

    Better gun overall, easier to find replacement grips in a variety of configurations, plus it will retain its value better for resale, (should that ever happen).

    I do agree with badchris. If you can't afford the Smith, the current versions of the Charter are OK.
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  • nmyers
    I've seen some men without the physical strength to pull the DA trigger on the Charter & the Taurus. No one makes a light spring kit for either brand. On the other hand, everyone has the Wolff light spring kits for J-frame S&W's.

    Also, consider that Taurus has more parts breakage (& poorer factory service) than the others.

    Neal
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