The Rossi 351 is a Brazilian-built double-action snubnose in .38 Special, this one a modern production gun with the 2-inch barrel, a blue finish and rubber grips. It is sold used; the supplier reports a very good bore. Serial number AW80974.

Short-barrel .38 revolvers are the classic home-defense and nightstand handgun, and the simple double-action lockwork means nothing to learn beyond pulling the trigger. In New Jersey a handgun like this needs its own Permit to Purchase, available at 21 and filed online through the NJSP Firearms Application and Registration System to your local police department. The permit is good for 90 days and renews once automatically, and the state allows one handgun purchase in any 30-day window unless you hold an exemption. Rubber grips take the sting out of practice sessions at the range.

Key features

• .38 Special, 2-inch barrel
• Double-action snubnose, blue finish
• Rubber grips
• Brazilian made, modern production
• Very good bore

Ships to the New Jersey FFL dealer you select, who runs the State Police background check and hands it over against your permit.