The Smith & Wesson 642-1 is an alloy-frame .38 Special snubnose with a 1.875-inch barrel, and this used, modern-production example, serial DMH9989, is fitted with a Crimson Trace laser grip. The supplier reports a bright bore with strong rifling and grades the revolver very good overall. Model 642 revolvers sit in Smith & Wesson's lightweight snubnose line, and this one carries the dash-one revision.

The laser grip is the feature that decides who buys this gun: a snubnose is drawn at short distances and often in poor light, and a laser gives an aiming reference when the small sights are hard to see. With the alloy frame keeping weight down, the 642-1 is a concealed-carry and home-defense revolver that a buyer can holster the day it arrives. A .38 Special snubnose is also a simple gun to learn, with no safety levers or magazines to manage.

Key features

• S&W 642-1, .38 Special, alloy frame
• 1.875-inch barrel, snubnose
• Crimson Trace laser grip fitted
• Bright bore, strong rifling; very good overall

The revolver goes to the FFL dealer you select at checkout, where Form 4473 and the federal background check are completed.