Smith and Wesson 49

Produced after the Model 38 or Bodyguard and the same as that gun except for the heavier steel frame, this round-butt, J-frame, shrouded-hammer 5-shot .38 Special revolver is an excellent concealed carry revolver. These were produced from 1959 through 1996.

Mine is the blued steel version (they were also factory nickeled) and has the usual 2-inch barrel (3-inch barreled guns are rare).