Choose a 2" or 4" barrel?

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bobbo

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Hey, all. I got my NYS CCW a few weeks ago. Since then, I bought a Heritage convertible .22 to practice up a bit (NY requires a permit to purchase even).

Well, I want something a little bit bigger :) . I don't have a ton of cash, but about $250 to spend. One of my local dealers gets in the Armscor 200 and 206 .38 revolvers (the 4" and 2", respectively), which I can get for inside my budget with tax, permit update, etc. The caliber will be fine and I don't need anything fancy.

I can't decide which I want, though. I mostly want for around the house and range, but would be willing to carry if needed. For comfort shooting, I'm thinking the 4", but for carry, I think the 2" would be better. For HD, I don't think it would make a difference, though.

What do you think?
 
Having lived in NYS I realize the kind of privilege CCW constitutes. Wrong forum. You need something compact with 10 round magazine capacity.
 
I think it's throwing away good money on an Armscor. :eek:

Save up another $50-$100 and buy a good used S&W Model 13 with 3" barrel. It used to be the FBI issued gun.

(or any K or L frame within that budget that you like)
 
David E said:
I think it's throwing away good money on an Armscor. :eek:

Save up another $50-$100 and buy a good used S&W Model 13 with 3" barrel. It used to be the FBI issued gun.

(or any K or L frame within that budget that you like)
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Oh, I don't know Armscor would make fine mate for that Heritage 'Convertible'. If I had NYS CCW I would go 'Mitt Romney Style' all the way and order a Korth.
 
Ok. On serious note top pick would be Model 12 round butt gun. This is
legendary sidearm once used by Swedish Air Force, US Marshals Service and US Military Intelligence. Last one I have seen was 4" pencil barrel gun with round butt and priced at $389. Impossible to go wrong.
 
A 4" is easily carried/concealed with an inside the belt holster , with the rite grips of course .

4" revolver is the most versitale made !!

If I was going for on the ankle/hideout weapon then the lighter the better.

It`s hard I know , but save up or layaway a Ruger GP100 !

I`m not biased , I like all Rugers !
 
PabloJ said:
Ok. On serious note top pick would be Model 12 round butt gun. This is
legendary sidearm once used by Swedish Air Force, US Marshals Service and US Military Intelligence. Last one I have seen was 4" pencil barrel gun with round butt and priced at $389. Impossible to go wrong.
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My 2" model 12-2 is supremely accurate for a 2" gun

My38SPLSWmodel12-212.jpg



VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3LZS3E-6Rs


Grouping13238SPLm12-23.gif
Grouping13338SPLm12-24.gif
 
S&W model 10 4 inch 38 special. Perfect for home defense and can be carried. Used around $275 to $300. Much better revolver.
Howard
 
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I'm impressed with what Armscor is doing these days with 1911s, but don't hear much about their revolvers -- whatever that may or may not mean.

If it's Armscor or nothing, get the 2". I've carried several different revolvers and find 4" or more barrels cumbersome for concealed. Your build and the clothes you wear will play a role here, but revolvers are almost always going to be a bit more unwieldy compared to autos, so why add to that with an unnecessarily long barrel?

Were I you, I'd save the cash, scrape a little more, and start the hunt for a well-maintained, used K or J-frame snubby.
 
Since you indicate it's primarily for range use and home defense, I would get the 4" as it is more comfortable to shoot. For limited carry purposes, the 4" would be fine.
 
bob,

Get what you can and start packing.

Yes a 2 inch snub if that is all you an afford. Heck my second carry gun IS a 2 inch S&W 642 and I would not be afraid to pack a Taurus or even a Charter Arm .38 snub.

Later put something like a Glock 26 on lay-away and upgrade to a better gun.

And most importantly, practice practice practice!

And if you can, LFI-1 (or should I say MAG-20) by Massad Ayoob.

Deaf
 
Like others I would scrap the idea of the Armscor in favor of something better. My recommendation would be for a medium frame revolver (K frame size) from S&W or Ruger. For barrel length anything between 2 and 4 inches would be sufficient but a 3 inch barrel bridges the gap between the 2 and 4 rather nicely. It has a longer sight radius without being too long. It is short enough to conceal easily. If you can't find one in 38 Special look for a 357 Magnum since it will chamber both rounds. On the job I must carry the issued Beretta 92FS but off duty I usually carry a 3" S&W model 65 or a 4" Colt Python. Good luck with your search.
 
I have a Charter Arms Undercover .38 that I bought used for $200. Mine has been a great little gun. If they're available near you, look for the ones made in the 60's/70's/80's made in either Bridgeport or Stratford Ct. as they're pretty well made AND you can still get all kinds of parts for them.
Stay away from anything that says Charco or Charter 2000 on it.
I'd buy a used Charter Arms, or S&W or Ruger LONG before I bought a new Armscor.
 
I would not be afraid to pack a Taurus or even a Charter Arm .38 snub.
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Heck yeah, CDNN has the Taurus 85 2 inch stainless full lug for $289.. and you can read my rant about how I think they are better and better priced than the S&W equivalent.

Thats a $350+ gun locally, closer to the $400 mark lately, even on Bud's.

I would go with a 2 inch for ccw. You will learn the bullets drop a bit on the fast side, and with one or two cylinders of practice you will develop minute of door sized target accuracy.
 
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