recomended .38 or .357 for ccw

[mattdus]

What would your recomendations be for a .38 or .357 to be used for CCW?
please also recomend maximum barrel length and best mode of Concealed carry for a revolver. I currently carry a 1911 but am looking into other types of carry weapons.
Thanks
Matt

 

[goalie]

S&w 642

 

[Titus]

What are you looking for different in a revolver? If you're already carrying a full size 1911 and don't mind the size, then you'll have more options than if you're trying to go small.

 

[WT]

A 3" S&W Model 65, .357 magnum, is the PREMIER concealed carry revolver.

Its got capacity, controllability, sight radius, a decent grip size ....... everything one could want for concealed carry.

 

[SecuritySixShooter]

Removed Thread Hijack

Started new thread

 

[mattdus]

I use a S&W model 64 at work, thus I have more training with a revolver. I don't like the short barrels. I would think that 3" would be minimum for me. basically I want to know the consensus on barrel length/ accuracy and holster/carry options.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I carry a 386PD often, stuffed with +P Special Nyclads. This thing is so light I forget it is there, and the +P's are enough to not leave me feeling undergunned with 7 rounds of the things. I am very happy with it.

 

[P95Carry]

I favor weight - and so suggest SP-101 - not most wonderful trigger out the box but it improves. This platform will handle stiff .357's IMO more comfortably than a 642.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

50 shots, offhand at 15 yards with a nice stout +p 158 load.

I like this little guy. It gives me plenty of confidence.

 

[KONY]

S&w 640-1

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would go with a .38 now. I didn't in the past. However, I think the short barrel that most carry revolvers have give little time for a .357 to really get up to speed.

That's just my opinion though. I've carried a S&W 66 for years and have never felt like I needed more. However, now I'm looking for an Airweight since I'm getting a bit tired of the bulk/weight of the 66.

I would look into a +p rated .38.

 

[denfoote]

Taurus M85SSUL.

.38spl +P.
It weighs only 17 ounces.

Small and light are good things.

However, it is light enough so that you can only shoot jacketed bullets due to the well known "crimp slip" from the recoil!!

It's a good servicable CCW revolver!!

 

[Stevel]

It's always easy to suggest a K or L frame especially if you are used to carrying a large gun already, but I find my most carried revolver is a 3" SP101in 357. The second most, when the weather is appropriate for cover garments, is a Speed Six in 357. I just picked up a Detective Special in .38 because I like the idea of 6 rounds but the smaller size than the Speed Six. I'm comfortable with either round for self defense purposes. The DS and SP use the same size leather which is a bonus.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

While the S&W 642 is a great CCW choice, I have carried an old S&W
model 60 (.38 Special), and a S&W model 37 without any problems. I
prefer to use my soon too be 30 year old leather Bianchi IWB
holster at 4 o'clock for all day comfortable carry. When carrying my
642 or my model 37 (both weighing 15 ozs); I can't even tell I have
it on my person~!

 

[DennisE]

S&W 386PD with 7 rounds of Speer 135 grain .38+P ammo! Dennis

 

[Titus]

If you're already using a 64, a 3 or 4" 64 wouldn't be a bad idea. Or a Model 65 if you want .357. I like that 3" round butt Model 10 that Marko Kloos has posted on here, with the compact Pachymayr grips. If I put my 19-4 with regular Grippers next to my Commander, the Commander has the edge in grip size (overall smaller).

I have those compact grippers on my 625 (even though it's an N frame, they basically fit) and they compare more favorably to the 1911 frame.

 

[Cosmoline]

For .357 I find the SP-101 just about perfect. Any smaller than that and I'd load with .38+p's.

 

[Karate]

I really like the 2.5 inch model 66 by S&W...I almost always go with a K frame over a J because I cannot carry a J in my pocket very well and if I am going for belt carry it might as well be a K frame or a BHP or 1911

 

[Go For Broke]

Fixed sights.
Three inch barrel.
Winchester .357 Mag. 125 gr Silvertips HP.

In short, a S&W M-13/65.

If price is an issue, a used four inch of the the above is more than acceptable and just as concealable. The four inch also opens up the potential to aquire a S&W M-581/681, "L" frame.

I am not fond of Rugers, but used four inch Speed Six's can be found in any newspaper or pawnshop.

Also note that any of the Taurus line are shining stars for reliability and variety. Professionally I carry their two inch .44 Special.

Other things I would recommend for a serious carry revolver:
Remove hammer spur (bobbed)
Double action only (internal modification)
Grips that fit you (wood, rubber or grip adaptor, etc)
Nothing that requires a battery, repeat NOTHING!

Ankle carry?
Renegade Holsters, Cozy Partner. Elastic based. It can be cinched so tight it will cut off the circulation. They are out of Phoenix, AZ. Sorry, no other details.

Good luck!

 

[MICHAEL T]

Find a older Mod 19 4" then you have a great pistol and no lock. Should be no trouble to carry if your already used to a 1911.

 

[Trebor]

I use a S&W model 64 at work, thus I have more training with a revolver. I don't like the short barrels. I would think that 3" would be minimum for me. basically I want to know the consensus on barrel length/ accuracy and holster/carry options.

With those qualifications, I'd reccomend a 3" Model 10 or Model 64 in .38 Special or a 3" Model 13 or 65 in .357. I prefer the stainless guns for carry myself. I'd go with the 3" guns over the 2 1/2" guns because the extra half-inch of barrel gives you a full length extractor rod. That's why I didn't suggest a 2 1/2" Model 19.

The 3" K-frames are very easy to shoot well. You won't notice any practical difference when compared to a 4" gun. That inch missing from the barrel does make them easier to carry and conceal though. They weigh more then the little 5 shot J-frames, especially the new ultra light ones, but they are so much easier to shoot well and you have a full six rounds.

For ammo, I'd reccomend either the Speer Gold Dolt .38 Special 135 gr +P round that was optimized for snubbies or the classic .38 Special 158 gr +P LSWCHP round. I don't yet have a preference for a .357 Magnum round, so I won't try to make a reccomendation there. I will say that magnums are more comfortable to shoot from the K-frames then the J-frames.

As for holsters, I use an Alessi Talon clip-on IWB holster for my 3" M-65. I carry in the "appendix carry" position and the gun is comfortable and concealable. I don't have any experience with other revolver holsters, so I can't give any more advice. I actually find it harder to carry and conceal the extra ammo than I do the gun. I need a good clip-on Speedloader pouch.

 

[BBBS]

686-6 with a 2 1/2 in. barrel works for me.

 

[Shear_stress]

J&G Sales still has a slew of 3" M10 for sale for under two bills. No firsthand experience with that outfit, but, for those prices, I would like some.

 

[orionengnr]

Quote--

"Find a older Mod 19 4" then you have a great pistol and no lock. Should be no trouble to carry if your already used to a 1911."

Hmmm. I tried that. The one I bought is so near perfect... I haven't even fired it yet, let alone carrying it.

Now I'm looking for another

 

[TOADMAN]

S&W 642!!! Next Question!