The S&W Model 642 Airweight is the most common .38 Special snubnose in America, and the case for it is straightforward: 14.4 oz, 1.88" barrel, internal hammer, and a cylinder that holds 5 rounds of .38 Special or +P. The aluminum alloy frame keeps weight down at a real cost — at 14.4 oz, there's almost no mass to absorb recoil, and owners consistently report that +P loads are the upper limit of comfortable practice. Most report keeping sessions to 25-50 rounds before recoil fatigue sets in.

The internal hammer is the defining feature for carry purposes. With no external spur to snag, the 642 draws cleanly from a pocket holster or IWB without the hang-up risk of an exposed hammer like the Model 637. The trade-off is a 12 lb DA-only trigger on every shot — there's no SA option. The Taurus 856 gives you 6 rounds in a heavier all-steel frame at 22 oz. Buy the 642 if a snag-free draw from a pocket or jacket is the priority. If you want an extra round or the ability to cock the hammer for careful shots, look at the 856 or 637.