[mattw]

I would just like some recommendantions on revolvers that fall within these parameters. They have to meet all the qualifications, no exceptions.

1.) DA
2.) Stainless Steel
3.) Internal hammer (nothing exposed or just shrouded)
4.) .357 Magnum
5.) Sub-3 inch barrel
6.) reliable and well-built

I'm looking for a ccw peice and i've given up on trying to carry something owb or in a shoulder holster, my only option for iwb would be something very small and I want something that I can put in coat pocket.

I'm a small guy (5' 7" 130lbs.) so I narrowed it down to something like I listed above.

Thanks for your help, guys! Pictures always help, i'm a visual person.

[Brian Williams]

S&W 640, there might be a Taurus that fits your criteria, but..

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163690_large.jpg



OBTW loose the grips and get some that fit

[msb45]

It's a good gun, but every time I see a S&W I kick myself for buying the CIA 605. It's a handfull w/125 JHP. I just like the S&W feel better.

OTOH I have a 3" S&W M65. Check one out, if you're going to belt carry it's the gun to have.

[f4t9r]

I would recommend the S&W

[Dollar An Hour]

Ruger SP101 DAO 2-1/4" .357

[mattw]

Dollar, I'm pretty sure the sp101 only comes in exposed hammer versions, otherwise thats the one I would go with.

msb45, I was looking at the taurus CIA and the S&W 640, are there any particular mechanical reasons why you don't like the taurus? Or is it just personal preferance in feel?

What is the usual price difference between the S&W640 and the taurus CIA?

f4t9r, any specific reasons why you recommend the S&W? I'm kindof leaning toward it but can't find any concrete reasons other than S&W has been making guns longer and is probably a bit better on fit and finish.

thanks for the swift replies guys, keep 'em coming

[SouthpawShootr]

I have both the S&W 640 and Taurus 650 (CIA). My 640 is an older one in .38 special only, but the differences are negligible. I really like my 650. I've carried it lots of times. Not completely obnoxious to shoot with .357 full power loads, but it's no picnic either. Best part is I got my 650 new for $290.

[grimjaw]

The 640 w/combat grips pictured in this thread and shooting .38's equaled tolerable recoil. Nothing made shooting .357 out of it tolerable, and I like shooting .357! I figured if I was only going to shoot .38's out of it, might as well go for a revolver chambered for that round. The 640 matches all of your criteria. The Ruger SP101 comes very close. You might be able to find one that's had the hammer bobbed professionally.

I have no experience with Taurus revolvers to make a recommendation.

jmm

[Ala Dan]

Another vote for the S&W 640, as my friend Brian has already mentioned.

[Stevel]

Taurus 650.

[Texshooter]

The SP-101 comes in DAO, and while the hammer is "exposed" somewhat like the S&W Bodyguard, it can not be shot SA. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[Go For Broke]

I've got to ask about how you came up with your parameters. Kind of limited and leaves out a lot of good options. But.........

The only two revolvers that meet all six are the S&W 640 or Taurus 650. Either would be acceptable.

Is a coat pocket the only place you are going to carry? Rare would be the description of the times I've carried in a coat pocket.

Have you thought about ammo?

Winchester 125 gr Silvertip Hollow Point (STHP) in +P is my recommendation.

Just a thought. A .44 Special snub nose is a very suitable revolver for CCW.

Good luck.

[BluesBear]

In all honesty I consider the Taurus 650 to be a much better value, dollar per dollar than the S&W 640.

Let's face it the 650 is just a copy of the 640. Just as the 651 is a copy of the 649.

[Universal]

I too recommend the Smith & Wesson model 640.

[cookekdjr]

sp101. I love S&W's, but the Ruger might be the best given your criteria.
The S&W 640 (as well as the Taurus equivalent) are both work a look for comparision. However, the extra weight of the Ruger, due to its heavy-duty construction, tends to dampen the recoil. And this model is famous for its accuracy.
Good luck,

David

[mattw]

ok just to recap, thats 5 votes for the S&W 640 and 2 votes for the Taurus 650, and 4 votes for the SP101.

I disqualify the SP101 because the hammer is exposed. Yes you can get it bobbed or buy it that way directly from ruger but it is still an exposed hammer, wether it has a spur or not.

The S&W is winning by 3 votes but the Taurus is looking pretty good at about 1/3rd the price of what seems to be the exact same thing from Smith & Wesson.

keep the opinions coming guys, great points so far.

the reason why i want an internal hammer is, you guessed it, for the possibility of coat-pocket carry. while it might be an uncommon occurance i would still like to have something that will not get stopped by catching on a peice of coat (the hammer) and putting the handgun out-of-action for a moment while i try to untangle it. I like to have that option open.

[Smurfslayer]

Make that 6 for the 640 :cool:

I've owned several Taurii, and liked them, owned several S&W, liked them too. What I've observed with my Taurii was the burdensome trigger pull that I just could not manipulate well.

Every_single_Smith & Wesson I've owned, fondled at a show or in a shop, dry fired, shot as a guest shooter, and probably even thought about has had a lighter, smoother trigger pull than every Taurus revolver I've ever picked up, dry fired, shot etc. That's my experience, YMMV.

FWIW I did try some reduced power Wolff spring on the Taurus, but I got misfires with even the heaviest reduced power hammer spring.

*IF* money were a primary concern of mine, then I would certainly consider a Taurus and in fact I would still consider them. However, I would give high deference to my previous (positive) S&W experiences.

The only negative Taurus experience I've had was with the PT145MP, never with their revolvers.

AFAIK about the SP101, I've shot a couple, dry fired a couple... It feels a little more "stout" than the 640, but it's also heavier. I would also consider this gun strongly.

HTH

[Universal]

I do not want to come off as "bashing" anything here but I owned a Ruger SP101 and it is nowhere as nice a gun as the Smith & Wesson 640 I have now. Every Ruger I have ever fired or dry-fired has had a pretty terrible triggerpull. Every S&W has had a great triggerpull. I have shot one Taurus and it was O.K. but the Smith was still nicer. As long as S&W continues to make revolvers that is the only brand I will personally own. With that being said, I prefer to buy used S&Ws.

[TOADMAN]

5'7" and 130 lbs. S&W 640! Might be more better if you gave the 642 a good honest look. Secretly, I figured you wanted another option that wasn't on your no exception list.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Tough finding a pre lock S&W, so I'd vote for the Ruger SP101 DAO, unless the lock isn't a concern - then the 649/640 would get the nod.

[msb45]

I think the S&W has a better trigger and I think the cylinder release is also smoother. No knock against Taurus, I also have an old M85 that I still carry, being older the trigger is much better.

In addition I did limp wrist the gun in the beginning and the cylinder did bind on me. I got it open, but it probably just shook my confidence a little. I get the sense that S&W has a larger tolerance, but it could just be wishful thinking. However in the cold it is a great coat pocket gun and it still rotates as a carry piece for me.

The other thought is that if you are moving into being a collector you've got a copy instead of an original. For most folks it's no big deal.

Good luck either way. I don't think you can go wrong either way.

[el44vaquero]

Another vote for the S&W

[Mastrogiacomo]

Of course if you're worried about triggers, you could always holster the 3" GP100. The trigger's so good it's almost scary...:D

www.ruger.com

[DHart]

For me, this is the pinnacle of small frame .357 carry guns for a variety of reasons. Start your search for a pre-lock version... there are nice ones out there that pop up regularly. Both of mine came to me via GoingBroker.

http://www.legendportraits.com/Images/Guns/640_LF2677.jpg

[Mastrogiacomo]

"Goingbroker?" Never heard of it...sure you don't mean "Gun Broker?";)

[DHart]

Yeah... you know what I mean! ;) :cool:

[mattw]

5'7" and 130 lbs. S&W 640! Might be more better if you gave the 642 a good honest look. Secretly, I figured you wanted another option that wasn't on your no exception list.

I was actually giving the 642 some thought but I think I would feel more comfortable with a .357 than a .38. I know its all about shot placement and a .22 LR is better than a .357 if you can't place shots with the .357 but I want the .357. I grew up shooting .45 LC out of 4 3/4" barreled SAAs and .45 ACP out of 5" 1911s so i really have no problems handling handgun recoil. I realize .45 isn't the stiffest you can get, especially when compaired to a short barreled .357, but try shooting full power .45 LC loads from a light SAA when you're 12.

DHart, great picture!

[Greek]

I just bought my wife a S&W 640 a couple of months ago. Prior to that she had the choice of my stainless Model 60 (.38 Special) - she did not want the exposed hammer since she keeps it in a fanny pack- or a new hammerless S&W. So a five years back or so I got her the S&W 442. After going to thje range and practicing and getting comfortable with firearms she started grumbling about carrying something "more substantial". So, I got her the S&W 640. She is happy now.

My carry sidearm is a Sig 225 (9mm). Occasionally, depending on what I'm doing, I will take either the Model 60 along or slip the 442 in an outside pocket.

[Greek]

I put Badger Grips on the Model 60, and the 442. The 640 comes with some nice Hogue rubber grips.

[TOADMAN]

I was actually giving the 642 some thought but I think I would feel more comfortable with a .357 than a .38. I know its all about shot placement and a .22 LR is better than a .357 if you can't place shots with the .357 but I want the .357. I grew up shooting .45 LC out of 4 3/4" barreled SAAs and .45 ACP out of 5" 1911s so i really have no problems handling handgun recoil. I realize .45 isn't the stiffest you can get, especially when compaired to a short barreled .357, but try shooting full power .45 LC loads from a light SAA when you're 12.

DHart, great picture!
If you feel more comfortable with the 357 (S&W 640) - get it - also get the 642!!! If your handgun is not comfortable to carry - most likely you won't carry. Get a good sturdy belt and holster cause you are going to get tired of 25 ounces of stainless steel banging around in your pocket. I have the 640/642/442/60 and carry the 60 and 640 most of the time holstered. Sometimes I'll carry the 640 in a pocket holster (#3 Uncle Mikes) but only for brief periods.

[DHart]

I agree on getting both the 642 (for pocket carry) and the 640 when heavier is ok. By the way, the Pachmayr Compacs (not Compac "Pro", which are smaller, but much less effective for recoil reduction) shown on my 640 above soak up recoil better than any grip I've ever felt... it's actually relatively comfortable shooting .357 loads in the 640 when it's wearing the Compacs.

640's are as good as it gets in a small frame, .357 concealment revo.

[tomkatz]

I'll throw in another vote for the 640.....I always wanted one, I didn't realize how much I would like it until I carried it awhile, they are awesome!!!!
640-1
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2974/357mini0076uj.jpg

[KONY]

640-1 is a great choice!

http://members.cox.net/lukev326/640_3.jpg

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5720&return=Y

Ruger KSP-321XL This doesn't meet your requirments?

-Steve