ALL of the little J-frames are great for concealed carry. Frankly, nothing conceals better that has that kind of lethal punch!
The Colt DS is a great little six-shooter, but the cylinder is roughly the same size as the K-frame S&W and, if I'm going to carry that sized gun it isn't going to conceal as well (meaning you'll have to forgo carrying that sized gun sometimes.
Here's my Model 36 (original nickle plate from 1964) and an ALUMINUM framed version of the Colt Detective Special (the Colt Agent) from '61. Look how huge the cylinder is on the Colt vs. the 5-shot S&W. Heck, if I'm going to carry a revolver concealed with a cylinder that big, I'm going to carry a S&W K frame!:
THE THREE BASIC KINDS OF J-FRAMES . . . and no, I'm not talking hammer types this go around . . .
Steel Framed - These, such as the Model 36 weigh the most, and as such can be a tad heavy to carry under certain circumstances.
Aluminum Framed - S&W calls these the "Airweight" guns. Barrels and cylinders are steel but the frame saves a bunch of weight being aluminum. BEST CHOICE FOR CONCEALMENT AND LIGHT WEIGHT!
Titanium/Scandium Framed - S&W calls 'em the "AirLite" models SUPER light BUT . . .
1. Recoil is brutal . . . meaning that people won't practice with it.
2. Recoil is brutal . . . meaning that sometimes bullets will "jump the crimp" (actually move forward out of the cartridge case), and this can cause the bullets sometimes to move forward enough as to stick out if the cylinder fronts and then prevent the cylinder rotating to the next round . . . TOTALLY LOCKING UP THE GUN!
3. Recoil is brutal . . . so novice shooters develop a "flinch" anticipating the pain and the kick . . . this not become able to "hit the side of the barn" with one.
4. Recoil is brutal . . . causing the gun to twist out of one's perfect grip during fast shooting such as happens in competition or in self defense. When the grip is no longer perfect the accuracy quickly goes to pot even worse with every subsequent shot.
BOTTOM LINE ON AIRLITES . . . IMHO they are designed to sell to folks who know nothing about handguns, but who go into a gun shop wanting the most powerful but lightest gun out there. If I were dictator of the world I'd ban these flyweights from being made and sold! They ruin a lot of potentially fine shooters.
BEST COMPROMISE . . .
The aluminum framed Airweights are what most accomplished J-frame toters carry! Fast from the pocket, sufficient weight to damp recoil and prevent problems, accurate and heavy enough to get back on target quickly, yet light enough to almost forget you have one in your pocket!
I own a Model 36, and sometimes carry it on a belt holster. However, in my POCKET will be my "always" revolver, the aluminum framed version of the Model 36 . . . the legendary Model 37 "Airweight."
Heck, I just patted my front pants pocket, and sure enough, my Model 37 THERE! An Airweight can be carried virtually all the time its legal. Any gun that can't always be carried due to either size or weight will never be an "always" with you gun . . . and you won't have time to go get a gun when trouble comes!!!
My wife? She carries a rarer-to-find 3" barreled Model 37 "Airweight," which she shoots with great confidence and accuracy that the 3" barrel affords her.
I CONCUR with the advice on the Tyler T-grip. Used with original magna wood grips (or with magna style elk stags as pictured below), this combination is VERY comfortable to shoot . . . much more so than even the "rubber" grips of today.
Hope this helps . . .
PS: You may notice, my Model 36 and Model 37 posted both have pinned barrels that went away on S&W revolvers in 1982. Fine, vintage S&W J frames come on the market all the time, and generally haven't been shot much. Lots of 'em also haven't been CARRIED much either . . . simply bought as "nightstand" guns by their owners "back in the day." Once grandpa dies, his widow will contact a gun store and sell that "old gun." These vintage guns are as good, or better, than the brand new ones of today . . . and are MUCH CHEAPER to buy too than new ones with the d____ internal locks!
My Model 36 was made in 1964; the Model 37 was made in 1971. Both were rarely, if ever, carried as you can see!