Revolver for edc.

CajunBass said:

My EDC revolver is a Colt Cobra (2019). But you won't find one of those for $400.00. I doubt you'll find many quality revolvers for $400 or less, even used unless you just run up on a deal. Maybe a Charter Arms... The problem is a small revolver is HARD to shoot well. It takes a lot of practice. Practice takes ammo and range time, something in short supply these days.

If I wanted a SD gun, and only had $400 to spend, I'd be looking for semi-auto...and I'm a dyed in the wool revolver gun. A couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of Ruger Security 9's (compacts). I think the price for one was about $270...something like that. They were on sale, but I think the regular price is around $300.

That's a lot of gun for $300. And an extra magazine is included.

Of course you still have the ammo and range time problems.

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Push comes to shove 10+1 and an additional 10 round mag of 9x19 147 grn FMJ beats fists and "Help me !!!". His drawstroke from holster and first shot can be practiced with snap caps. *Should* be practiced with snap caps. Regularly. Daily. FTF and FTE drills can also be performed w/ snap caps, as can target acquisition and changing.

Sneakshot92 said:

A friend of mine has the sidewinder version. It's fun at the range but that's about it.

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Glad you realize that.

Sneakshot92 said:

I was considering security 9 compact but I like to roll my own ammo. 9mm isn't worth it to me. Yet.

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At 9x19mm bulk prices (or prices before this plague) it wasn't worth bothering with handloading 9x19 Luger.

On a limited budget, some of the stainless S&W Model 64's have been quite nice. I already had a 64 no dash from the early 1970's, but couldn't pass up opportunities to buy a pair of 64-8 revolvers for under $400 each, one in 3" the other in 4". Yes, some of the S&W purists have no time for these newly minted revolvers, seeing as they have some MIM parts, the internal lock, and 2 piece barrel, but they are as well made as anything that S&W has built, are dead on accurate, and robust.

The ones that I purchased were LEO/Security guns that were released to the public, but they both came LNIB without a single blemish. You could do far worse in the beginning days of your revolver pilgimage.

I picked up a new Ruger sp101 blued for 450 a couple weeks ago at soss. It's the 2 1/4" snubby and is really accurate and fun to shoot with 38 special. I practice with 38 and shoot a couple cylinders of 357 just to stay ready. It's super comfortable and concealable in an appendix carry.

I just rotated my new Charter Arms Undercover in .38 special into my EDC line up. It conceals very easily in an AIWB holster (I'm 6 ft, 200 lbs -- with a slight case of Dunlop's disease). I use a Minimal Clip holster from Side Guard (Excellent holster and excellent company to work with!) and it makes for very comfortable daily wear. I did try the larger Full Combat Rubber Grips from CA but they added too much length (for me) when carrying, so I'm sticking with the factory rubber grips. They're comfortable and I'm able to get a good grip on the drawstroke from the Side Guard holster.

As far as shooting, it's very easy to shoot and the accuracy is good out to about 10 yds. In the 5-7 yd range, I have no problem hitting an 8 inch steel plate consistently. I practice with some Speer Lawman 152 gr +P ammo -- and shooting 50 rds in a single session isn't the least bit tiring. The gun itself is 15 oz (It's not the lightweight version) and it makes for a very comfortable shooting experience.

As far as price -- I ordered it from my LGS and it was $330 out the door (that was last month -- before the virus nonsense got people panicky).

Sneakshot92 said:

I'm looking into a revolver for A ccw piece. I've only got about $450 to spend at this point. I want something with a bit of heft to it because I plan on shooting it regularly. I don't have any significant caliber preferences. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and I'll try to keep you all posted.

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I went thru this a while ago and settled on a S&W 642, small, relatively light(see below), no hammer, so no snag BUT..problems I found were-
-light-PITA to shoot, 'snappy'.
-DA only. Being accurate takes practice.
-only 5 rounds
-slow to reload even with 'speed loaders
-small but width made it 'bigger'..G26 actually 'felt' smaller

I have a Taurus 85UL (UltraLight) with a Crimson Trace grip that I've had for years. What I don't like about it is the 5 shot capacity and the hard plastic grip smacks your hand pretty good when firing +P loads. What I do like about it is that it's easy to carry and the Crimson Trace laser can be sighted in (which is really easy for middle aged eyes to pick up), although that laser really has nothing to do with the gun itself.

If I were to pick another revolver in this size range, I like the idea of bumping it up to a 3" barrel and a 6 shot capacity if possible. I'm not really a Taurus fan, but the new 856 Defender with 3" barrel and 6 shots looks promising (MSRP ranging from $425 to $477). It would be harder to conceal than a 2" barreled 5 shot revolver for sure, and I'd have to check one out in person before plunking down the money.

I'll go with a 3" stainless 38/357 with ammo that you can shoot well. I will give my often repeated advice that you need to train and practice with it.

My own choice is too exotic for most. It would be my SW 632 SS 3 inch hammered model - it's a 327 magnum. But they don't make them anymore. I like the J frame for my handsize.

About a dozen years ago I was fortunate enough to find a NIB unfired 2-3/4 Security Six thats a nice cc piece. Prior to that I carried this SP101 DAO. Either one carries well and both came in under your $450 budget.

It's out of your price range, @Sneakshot92, but the Ruger SP101 in .327 Magnum looks appealing to me. 6 shots, 3" barrel, and can be had for $590.00 in my neck of the woods.

Edit to add: Now that I look at ammo costs, that is an expensive option. .38 Special has much cheaper practice ammo options, it would seem.

That's true about the ammo. Years ago, I bought a case of Fiocchi FMJ 32 SW Long for practice and plinking in my 632. I did shoot some 32 HR and 327 at times. So perhaps in a match, 12 327, 12 32 HR mags and then the rest - about 65 32 SW Longs.

I've mentioned elsewhere that when I switched to a cylinder of 327s, the SO next to me thought the gun blew up. They are loud and kick.

If you wait a few months, you'll have lots of "used" items on consignment to choose from. It'll make your money go further. Just a thought.

Have always been a big S&W snubby fan though I wouldn't walk away from a 3" barrel model either. But I do realize that they take a lot of practice to get use to all their various idiosyncrasies if you plan on using it as an EDC. Lots of good advice here, especially those suggesting the Ruger SP101, LCR and LCRx, Charter Arms Police Undercover, Bulldog, or Pitbull, or maybe check out a new Taurus Defender 856. Used I would look for a S&W Model 13, 19, 64, or 66 with a 2.5" or 3" barrel with a round butt configuration. In a Ruger I'd try to find a Speed Six in decent shape with a 2.75" barrel.

I would look at the used used market.

This Model 10 was $380:


This 586 was $350:

Given your price point and mode of carry I would definitely want to take a look at that Taurus 856.

I like light and I like compact. Boat anchors sort of got tiring to carry. So, if you have money to burn, these snag free airweights are a great choice. All 38 Special. I don't need the blast or recoil.





this was a best buy at the time, it is accurate, wide front sight, and I like the feel of the grips in my hand.



just after the 2016 election this was ridiculously inexpensive, so I purchased it. Great price, great pistol, but heavy in comparison to the aluminum frame 85UL. So it is a "truck gun".



Of course, if you are going to drop into a firefight with AK armed terrorists, or are chasing aliens armed with phase rifles, sure, carry one of these



but, having a lightweight revolver on you is much better than remembering that the boat anchor is back in the vehicle.

Slamfire said:

I like light and I like compact. Boat anchors sort of got tiring to carry. So, if you have money to burn, these snag free airweights are a great choice. All 38 Special. I don't need the blast or recoil.

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this was a best buy at the time, it is accurate, wide front sight, and I like the feel of the grips in my hand.

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just after the 2016 election this was ridiculously inexpensive, so I purchased it. Great price, great pistol, but heavy in comparison to the aluminum frame 85UL. So it is a "truck gun".

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Of course, if you are going to drop into a firefight with AK armed terrorists, or are chasing aliens armed with phase rifles, sure, carry one of these

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but, having a lightweight revolver on you is much better than remembering that the boat anchor is back in the vehicle.

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Ditto on the Smith Airweight, sweet shooting gun. I am also interested in the new Taurus 656. Never owned a Taurus, but know so many guys that love the 85

My missus is now carrying a S&W 37, the airweight cousin to Models 36/60, with Crimson Trace grips. It's bouncy even with target .38 Special loads but she can handle the recoil, and appreciates the weight reduction. I bought a safe queen for more than you want to spend, but there are others on the market.

Slamfire said:

this was a best buy at the time, it is accurate, wide front sight, and I like the feel of the grips in my hand.

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Those particular factory Taurus grips are actually very good.

These polymer grips with no rubber (except the button) are hand smackers.

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