- Well made

- Lightweight

- Snagless hammer

- $500 to spend

What models would you suggest and why?

But smith makes nice little. 38's

Ron

Well, if it doesn't meet with your approval, you can buy for me a better weapon.

But do gun-shops take food stamps?

http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=699&category=Revolver&toggle=&breadcrumbseries= 

Whatever you choose, try to find a gun shop with a range, that will let you try it out before buying.

Open carry is legal, but if a citizen becomes upset and calls the po-po, Disturbing the Peace and the temporary forfeiture of the firearm. I don't need the drama.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/index.html 

Heard from serveral folks in some open carry states, that if you attempt it, you get hit with a "disturbing the peace" charge, as 8track already said. Can't scare the sheeple.

Just had a incident in Philly. Girl friend and boy friend having a domestic. Police arrived at the same time girl friend's brother shows up to defend his sister. He was carrying his licensed side arm. Police claim that they told him not to remove it from his holster, but he did anyway. Police claim that they told him to drop it, and he wouldn't. Police shot and killed him. Family tells different story. Claim that police saw the gun and shot him dead without reason. Considering the fear of anyone with a gun here in the North East, even those legally licensed, I tend to believe the family.

http://www.taurususa.com/hot_items_judges.cfm 

Friggin sheep thinking only the "professionals" are allowed are part of the problem.

I open carry but not into stores.

Assuming you have some experience with handgun recoil, it will do the job better than a .38. Charter Arms also makes .357(shoots .38 too) and .38 only revolvers. Some gun snobs will turn up their nose but they work.

http://bdcgunroom.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_6&products_id=23 

Carry a BAT [ram27bat]

Bats are only good at really short range.