My problem

[glock4life]

On occasion, before I leave my home, I'm faced with a difficult decision. Should I holster/pocket holster my Smith 638 or should I holster/pocket holster my Glock 42. I love them both! They both disappear without loosing accessibility. They both have comparable firepower with a slight edge going to the 42 (due to a few more rounds). They both function flawlessly. I've already thought of carrying both. That is not always an option. Besides, if I have room for both, I have room for my G36. Which is of course a more potent caliber. What's a man to do?

[Gunsnwater]

638 for dress. Glock for work or play. Going out to dinner, S&W. Going to lowes or home depot, glock.

[ungawa]

Go with what matches your shoes.

[Boondox]

How is glock4life going look packing a smith 638??

[MARINE DIVISION TWO]

Just a personal habit ,when dressing up more than casual,my Glock 43 IWB and my S&W 637 on the ankle. MDT

[Gun]

What's a man to do?

Buck up and make a decision.

[glocknurse]

They really don't have comparable firepower. In a 2 inch barrel like your Smith 638 the 38 special round is really anemic. Even the mighty .357 is really lacking in a 2 inch barrel. In a pistol of this size the 9mm shines. In a 2 inch barrel the 38 special is putting out about 150 ft lbs of muzzle energy, the .357 about 230 ft lbs of energy, but a 9mm has 315 ft lbs of energy. OR, a 9mm with a 3 inch barrel (roughly the same size as a 2" revolver) has about 380 ft lbs of energy.

[IronButt]

I always confer with my fashion consultant (wife) before leaving the house.

"Does this 226 make my ass look big?"

[Gunsnwater]

They really don't have comparable firepower. In a 2 inch barrel like your Smith 638 the 38 special round is really anemic. Even the mighty .357 is really lacking in a 2 inch barrel. In a pistol of this size the 9mm shines. In a 2 inch barrel the 38 special is putting out about 150 ft lbs of muzzle energy, the .357 about 230 ft lbs of energy, but a 9mm has 315 ft lbs of energy. OR, a 9mm with a 3 inch barrel (roughly the same size as a 2" revolver) has about 380 ft lbs of energy.

You must keep up with the advancement in ammo.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx
Why? Because we make sure that your Gold Dot® ammunition will excel in the stringent handgun ammunition tests developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for service-class* handgun cartridges. These tests evaluate total penetration, expansion, and retained weight in bare gelatin, and gelatin shielded by common barriers, to find out if the cartridge produces the tactical penetration required. Look at the table below for an example of Gold Dot results. The load is the 38 Special +P Short Barrel® Gold Dot fired from a 2-inch revolver, a real challenge for other bullet types. Those numbers tell you this is an outstanding performer, as are all our Gold Dot products.

[Deleted]

The important part is you are carrying... flip a coin or pick the one which makes you feel sexy that day!