[Hoppy590]

hey do you guys know of any 357's or 44s that are fairly concealable. i was thinking the S&W 360. any other options?

[Legionnaire]

Ruger SP101. Take a look at this thread (clickey) (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=217688), as well as search on "sp*101". Lots of good stuff.

[Blue .45]

The most concealable .44 I can think of is the Charter Arms Bulldog. While mine has been reliable, there are higher quality revos to be had in .357. I think the S&W or Ruger SP101. would be a better choice IMO.

[rbmcmjr]

I occasionally carry a 3.5" Model 27 concealed. That is about as big as they get, but so am I.

[armedcitizen]

For .357s any of the K and L frames with up to a 3" barrel: 13, 65,66, 686, 681, 586, 581, 19.

My personal CCW piece is a 3" 65.

[barnett]

love my SP101 3"...fast becoming my favorite . accurate. reliable. powerful. concealable.

[duckjihad]

Another vote for the SP 101.

[1 LT MPC]

Ditto SP101.:D

[Deanimator]

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a 3" roundbutt S&W Model 65. It's the stainless version of the Model 13. It looks like a heavy barreled stainless Model 10 (Model 64) only in .357. It's a great little gun, very amenable to CCW. CDNN had some, but are sold out now.

[bpisler]

J frame magnums are easily concealed but give
up 1 or 2 rounds to the K/L frames.Taurus has
made various 5 shot 44 spl's with 2 and 3 inch
barrels.Charter arms makes a real small 44 spl
but there's debate about the overall quality.

[Old John]

Yiup.........Plus on the SP101.
You can't beat them.
Rugged, Reliable, Solid, Good looking little gun.
Great Companion, day in & day out, in a Galco-Pancake,
belt holster loaded with anything from 110's to 158's.

[weregunner]

Some considerations here and recommendations. Don't shoot 357 mags in a scandium or titanium lightweight revolver. Muzzle blast is horrendous. Bullet setback occurs quite frequently and would bind the cylinder. The bullets pull out of the cases and jam the cylinder. This disables the gun completely. Even 38 special +Ps have had this happen.Nerve damage can happen within a few rounds or if more are shot. Tingling in the wrist or arm is a sign of trouble,but why wait for that to happen? Accuracy from the TI and SC series for S&W are not as accurate as their 442,642,60,and other makes. This has been , in detail, written up in many of the police magazines and shooting journals. I am looking at Mas Ayoob and Wiley Clapps info on this while posting. I have fired two different Sc small models and can say I agree with their recommendations. Recoil was savage, painful, and even with double hearing protection outside was somewhat disorienting. Much larger and taller folks than myself were handling the guns better, but the consensus was that most were not impressed,nor would they want one. This was at an IDPA BUG gun shoot. Everyone was trying out various revolvers and pistols after the main event. Being short didn't help. S&W 442,642,60, and other models would be better choices for carry. Rugers SP101 is a good pick due to dureablility and accuracy. Taurus makes good aluminum framed snubbies as well if price is a major concern. Ported barrels do take some of the sting out,but am not sold on ports on a revolver that is close into the face or body spitting blow torch like exhaust. There may be Sc and Ti users here that are ok with shooting the small snubbies. The bigger Sc and Ti can be shot with full loads and the specials and be fine. Hve shot the bigger cousins of the snubbies,but only a cylinder or two. So take these recommendations any way you want to. Remember, one must normally practice more with a smaller revolver due to it being harder to use in a deadly encounter than a larger version. Good luck on you search.

[up_onus]

look up sw 642 and see how many people love em
I personally like the sw 340 pd, J frame
weighs less than a 1 lb loaded
.357
concealable in my pocket

Oh, and btw THIS IS A SCANDIUM. I LOVE IT. it is unpleasant to shoot, but a joy to carry. It is not a "range" gun, but a gun that you take to the range to practice with so when the time comes you can use it well. It does sting a bit when using 357 mags.....

[Hoppy590]

thanks guys. iv taken a look at the charter arms bulldog before, but had heard less than stellar reviews, though i will keep it in mind.

next time im in a shop il try to get a look at a sp101, i got plenty of time to decide ( 21 in june)

im looking at the taurus website. any opinions on the MODEL 605?

thanks for the opinions guys. they have been added to my "to consider list" wich started as mostly 1911's and has molded to mostly revolvers

( im also near the S&W shooting sports center so i have plenty of opertunity to try many of thier current models)

[Sir Aardvark]

I have a S&W 340PD that I use as one of my CCW handguns.

My opinion of the Scandium/Titanium J-frame revolvers is that they are made to fill a certain niche - that of an extremely lightweight, yet incredibly tough, carry weapon, one that you could comfortably carry all day in your front pocket with hardly even knowing it was there.

To quote what others have said here in the past: "It is meant to be carried often, but shot little".

I shoot mine enough to be comfortable with it and to stay in practice, but I don't take it to the range with 10 boxes of ammo and punch holes in targets with it all day - I have other guns for that.

[Hoppy590]

well just found out i cant get any new charter arms in MA. so i donno if thats still on the " to consider list"

well to me the 360 would be good cause i can target shoot with 38's and carry with 357, sound like a good idea?

[Vern Humphrey]

SP 101 all the way -- it's a concealable snubby that you can actually shoot with full-charge .357s.

[Essex County]

I don't think you want a real concealable .357 or .44.....Essex

[foghornl]

I don't own one...yet But I have shot the Ruger SP-101's that belong to other folks. Nice, and the weight soaks up a lot of the recoil of .357Mag loads. Weight can be a disadvantage for all-day carry, though.

I owned one of the mid-70's vintage Charter .44Spl bulldogs. Shot pretty well, but that ammo was PRICEY!

[miko]

I believe 360 is an exposed hammer model. For pocket carry, you are better off with a "hammerless" design like 340. For IWB or OWB, I would recommend a 3" steel K or J frame.

I pocket carry a 340 or a 3" 66
I've got a 3" 60 mostly to practice for 340 - though it would make a good carry gun for my wife once she gets her license.

miko

[atlctyslkr]

The S&W 649 is pretty easy to conceal, little heavy but you get used to it.

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't think you want a real concealable .357 or .44..

That's why I like the SP 101. It really is concealable and you really can shoot .357s from it.

Now there are people who say a very light .357 is okay because, "In a gunfight you won't notice recoil." But you will definitely notice it in practice. Which means you will either pick up bad habits like flinching and jerking, or not practice. And those are not good options.

The SP 101 would definitely be my choice.

[Hoppy590]

naw id rather not a hammer less for 2 reasons. simplicity and looks. i just feel more comfrotable having soemthing there i can see, and operate by hand if need be. and also i dotn think hammerless look good at all.

[louisdove]

Bought one used(foud here) and love it. I've probably put 300 rounds down her with no problems...not a bad looking gun and can easily be concealed, pocket carry or IWB. Can easily find one for less than 250 used which IMHO is a great gun for the price.

[enkindler]

Here is a really bad picture of a Bulldog Pug next to a S&W Model 60.

The Pug Is not huge but is big enough that you may leave it home. The S&W is also built better and they cost the same on the used market but the price on the 60 was low.


Edit: I should note that the 60 is 38 non +p only but even in my 357 capable J frames I end up shooting 38s

[Arcticfox]

There are more options if you go with a .357. Forty-four special is my round of choice. I have handled the bulldog, and it feels cheap. Lots of cylinder play, and hardly a smooth hammer or trigger. But I do hear they are accurate. I just didn't feel I could trust my life to it.

If you go 44, you HAVE to check out a Smith 696. It is good for occasional carry, as it is still kinda big. I have a Taurus 44 snubbie that I take hiking. Not a bad gun, but not up to Smith quality. keep in mind, 44 ammo is pricey!

A lot of the guys here are recommending a Ruger. I haven't fired one, but they are well regarded. Let us know what you decide!

[Stainz]

I bought both a 2.5" Ti/Al 296 and a 3" SS 696 new on the same day, nearly 4 yr ago. I love both of them, but they are just too big for cc. The 296 in a OWB pancake holster isn't bad at all - it's only 21 oz loaded with Blazer 200gr GDJHP's and sporting some backstrap enclosing Uncle Mike's combat grips. The 696 is only six ounces less than a standard 4" 629 - which could take six of some hot .44's while giving you a 4" barrel for increased sight radius... and probably cost you less new than a typical used 696 would, due to the latter's nearly cult following these days.

Get a 642 or 637... they can be CC-ed. As they are +P, you can carry the proven 158gr LHPSWC +P 'FBI load' - or the snubby-designed 135 gr Speer GD's. They are inching up - $370 or so now. You can buy ammo anywhere - try to find .44 S&W Special

Stainz

[ChristopherG]

Hoppy, I carry a 340 just about all the time, usually loaded with .38 +P LSWCHP's.

Since you say you have the opportunity to shoot the S&W's, I strongly advise you to do so. Shoot a 360 (if you prefer an exposed hammer) with the .357 ammo you think you might carry, and shoot it with .38. Shoot a steel j-frame in both calibers for a comparison point--then post your reflections here to be a resource for the next guy trying to make a similar decision.

.357 in an airlite gun surprises a lot of people, usually not pleasantly. My 340 is a great gun, don't get me wrong; but it's also a terrible beast with full-power magnums.

[Hoppy590]

well im not too concerned about kick. as if i go to the range i will shoot 38's and god forbid i ever have to draw, iv got bigger things to worry about than recoil. iv shot some of S&W other 357's and 44's ( various frames) and wasnt the slightest bit phased by the kick so im not too concerned.

[Panthera Tigris]

I have a Taurus 650 I like quite a bit.

[Socrates]

Hoppy: You are getting good advice, and ignoring it. Corbon's 125's at 1450 out of a 360 PD, which I own, will give you 24 ftlbs of recoil, at 47 fps.

A 44 magnum 240 grain bullet, at 1450, out of a standard, 3.2 pound, and that's a big gun, will give you 16 ft lbs of recoil, at 18 fps.

When you drop the gun weight to the 329PD, with the above load, you get 27 ft lbs of recoil, at 30 fps.

I shoot 400 grain XTP hollowpoints, at 1350 out of my FA.475(37 ft lbs @ 27 fps).
I also shoot 525 grain bullets at 1350 fps, out of my 500 Max(61 ft lbs, at 35 fps).

The last time I went to the range, I shot the .475 FA, then loaded the 360 with 125's at 1450 fps, .357 magnum. I took ONE shot, cut my finger, and, went back to .38's in the gun. I've since put on longer grips, and may try the 357's again, since I believe a major factor in using a snubby is the effect of the blast, and sound, on the bad guy. I think the more, the better. Being blinded, and singed, by a 357 flame cloud does a lot more then the little 125 grain bullets out of a glorified 38.

Since art lends credence,

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/Socrates28/Model%2083%20FA%20475/360and475.jpg
I've since had the hammer bobbed on the 360, and, it's nice not to have it sticking me in the stomach. to fire single action, I have to pull the trigger, catch, and cock with the hammer, but, the trade off is worth it.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/Socrates28/RUGER%20510%20Max/Ruger5104copy.jpg

S

[Hoppy590]

what advice am i ignoring? i know its got a strong kick out of a light gun, hence the reason i posted this topic to begin with, to find a possible alternate brand/model. i feel that 38 is just underpowered for what i want for carry. there for i want a 357. im familiar with S&W as i live right near springfield MA where the factory is. and have gone shooting at thier indoor range and have used several of thier models. so by personal experiance and the fact the S&W line is the brand i know best. i chose the 360 as a small, concealable 357 as my default choice until i can find out more about other brands. so far the Ruger and S&W are at a tie for the win.

what am i ignoring?

[up_onus]

the 360 has a hammer.... that means something to snag on your clothing when you draw! 340pd is hammerless. smoooooooooth....easy to draw.
This gun takes practice especially with the 357 rounds....ive shot maybe 600 rounds through it, and of those maybe only 100 357 rounds. Although i hit the 8, 9, 10 regularly NOW, it took me back to the range a few times (because i only shoot 10 357 rounds a time at the range)...

Also....crimson trace has a grip that has the laser on it...but more importantly on the backstrap it has a "recoil reducer" or air pocket. Just an idea for you although ive never tried it, I want to.