[Lord Soth]

What does everyone think is the best S&W revlover for concealed carry?

Thanks!

[Erich]

340?

[El Tejon]

Ummm, the revolver you like best.

[Kentucky Rifle]

In .38 Special, I like my model 638 "Bodyguard". Shrouded hammer but with the option of cocking if necessary. Also, at 15 oz., +P's aren't so bad.

In the "AirLite Ti's", I like my model 331. (11.9 oz.) Six rounds of .32 H&R Magnum are pretty good. I like the speed too. I think it was Tamara who said that at high speed, hollow points are much more likely to open up. And these are high speed bullets. Recoil is not bad with the .32 H&R Magnum either. (For those of us with arthritis in the fingers, that is a BIG plus.)

Those two are my favorite J-frames at the moment. (But I have more. :) )
I know you asked about S&W's, but recently, I've been toting a Taurus Multi Alloy .38 +P. It is one fine snub. Perfect in every way. Believe me, I've looked!

KR

[DennisE]

The one you will practice with till you can always hit what you aim at, the one that you can and will CCW, the one that always goes bang when you pull the trigger, and the one that is powerful enough that a good hit with it will likely cause hostilities to cease. Not the lightest one/biggest caliber, that you probably won't be able to fire accurately and you probably won't practice with enough because it 'hurts' to shoot it.

For me this boils down to the S&W Model 66 in its 2.5" and 3" incarnations in a Milt Sparks Versa Max2 IWB holster. Dennis

[Gila Jorge]

I have a 2inch 60 LS and a 3 inch 696 in 44 spcl.
I usually carry the LS presently but its hovering around 100 degrees in the desert this time of year. But I much prefer the 696 in 44 Spcl.

[Blueduck]

It's doesn't get pretty till you own one it for awhile.

It's heavier than the aluminum or riboflavin models which feels bad in the store, but much better when you actually practice with it like you should.

You can only take out 5 armed attackers at one time without reloading, so it's a lousy gun for a John Woo movie.

It has no single action pull which means you can't "cheat" while shooting paper targets at the range to boost your self esteem.

JMHO

[Stainz]

The 296 (fixed sight, 2.5" barrel, hammerless, Ti/Al, ammo sensitive), although axed two years ago, is still available 'in the pipeline' ~ $400. Loaded with 200gr GDJHP CCI Blazers, it weighs in at 21 oz and rides well in my closeout priced Old World Leather belt slide holster while wearing my 696's grips. The 696 now sports similar, but squared, U.M.'s grips ( both ~$25 from S&W Accessories). It is more controllable than a 637, albeit bigger, of course.

Stainz

[valnar]

It depends. Can you conceal a 629?

:)

My vote is for the 642 Airweight.

-Robert

[Marko Kloos]

Current production?

That's a highly subjective question. My pick would be the 442/642 J-frame snubbie, and the 65LS "LadySmith" .357 K-frame with the 3" barrel.

The Titanium/Scandium wheelguns are pretty spiffy, but some have issues with heavy loads and certain bullet weights. Also, every Ti/Sc gun I have picked up at the store lately had a nasty trigger out of the box. For decent triggers and proven reliability with any bullet weights, I'd stick to steel or Airweight frames, and the two listed above are IMHO the best CCW pieces in their respective frame sizes.

[jake01]

Another vote for the 642.

[9mmepiphany]

best current production (if you want somthing small) has to be the 642/442 airweigt .38

when i feel the need for somthing bigger, i'll go with the 696 3", L-frame, 5 shot, .44 special

my favorite CCW wheelgun is the ruger speed-six in .357 or 9mm...so the closest smith might be the 2.5" m-66

[Whit]

The 640, in my opinion, is the best in current production. .....Whit

[JCM298]

The best that I have for concealed carry is my 340SC, but it is not the best for shooting. If I don't use gloves and band-aids with the "beast", it draws blood. With the Crimson Trace grips, it is very accurate.

My 649 is more accurate and does not hurt or cause injury.

My Colt Magnum Carry is nearly as accurate as the 649.

All three are easily concealed with the same style holsters. Because of its weight, the 340 is my "always" gun.

John

[Ledbetter]

649. Double or single action shrouded 5 shot stainless .357 snubbie.

[drod]

642.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid65/pbb500d846eca465a46b51c850e0ca4aa/fbe88024.jpg

[Jeff OTMG]

638 in an Airweight
342 in titanium

338, 349, 249, whatever, if they ever make one.

[Ed Ely]

S&W 638 stoked with +P JHPs.

[10-Ring]

Current fav in that catagory is the S&W 640

[fallingblock]

Blueduck said everything I was gonna say:)

I'll repeat...It is a bit heavier than the alloy-framed Centennials, which makes it a LOT more fun to practice with.

You have to learn to shoot well double action, which is by far the most likely self-defense mode

And it is really slick to draw from a pocket!:)

[Ivansrm]

342pd

[ruger357]

I have a 649 and a 637. Like them both.

[stans]

I have a 640 and carry it a lot.

[Rob96]

SP-101. I know it's a Ruger, just had to sneak it in.

[jem375]

Model 66

[keithernTN]

642

[MR.G]

638 AIRWEIGHT

[22luvr]

I've owned a Smith mod 638 "bodyguard" in .38 spcl and it was probably my best J-frame ever.

The one I currently own is the 340SC in .357 mag but if I was to do it all over again, I'd buy the 342 in .38 spcl.

My 340 doesn't draw blood but I have to wait a week for the swelling to subside in the web of my shooting hand after a session of .357 mag loads!

[Serpico]

442
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/album/00000364/aluminum_442.jpg

[Poohgyrr]

Hey, we have so many great choices from Smith that you can get picky. For maximum concealability, the J frames, especially the 640 !! are hard to beat. For much better controllability, give me a 3" to 4" N frame in .357 or .44 Special. Well, OK, .45 Colt would be good too ;). For something with great all around handiness and accuracy, I like the 3" to 4" K and L frames. I really believe you just can't go wrong with a good Smith- new or used. :p

[hoppinglark]

I also vote 640