Best CCW revolver?
- Thread starter timmerk
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4thHorseman
Member
Kinda subjective question, but I'll give you what I think.
Colt Magnum Carry is what I usually carry for CCW. Small 357, six shot well balanced, stainless steel, easy to shoot well, accurate, and is depenable as the day is long.
Most accurate? Again my vote goes to Colt. The Python is a most extraordinary revolver.
Colt Magnum Carry is what I usually carry for CCW. Small 357, six shot well balanced, stainless steel, easy to shoot well, accurate, and is depenable as the day is long.
Most accurate? Again my vote goes to Colt. The Python is a most extraordinary revolver.
There is no "best" when it comes to handguns. CCW handguns are a compromise between power and size.
The lightest are the titanium and scandium revolvers. You pay a price with increased recoil. The easiest to shoot and probably the most dependable is the Ruger SP101. You pay a price with increased weight. You can shoot an SP101 as much as your heart desires.
For my lifestyle, a .38spl is powerful enough. Loaded with a good hollowpoint, it will get the job done without heavy recoil.
I prefer an alloy j-frame and my current 24/7 gun is my M642 centennial. Lightweight, rust resistant and slick. It does what I want.
John
The lightest are the titanium and scandium revolvers. You pay a price with increased recoil. The easiest to shoot and probably the most dependable is the Ruger SP101. You pay a price with increased weight. You can shoot an SP101 as much as your heart desires.
For my lifestyle, a .38spl is powerful enough. Loaded with a good hollowpoint, it will get the job done without heavy recoil.
I prefer an alloy j-frame and my current 24/7 gun is my M642 centennial. Lightweight, rust resistant and slick. It does what I want.
John
Richard
Member
If I carry a snubbie it is a 2" S&W Model 37. Why? It is the best pistol I own in that class and it cost me $150. I would avoid 357 Mags in snubbies because the recoil is ungodly! Regards, Richard 
stans
Member
The best for me is a S&W 640-1, loaded with 125 grain magnum loads. The recoil is brisk, to say the least, but controllable. This is not something I would want to shoot all day long, but when the chips are down I want all the advantage I can get.
Okiecruffler
Member
Just to a voice against the crowd, my vote goes to my Taurus 650. I looked at everything, and it was what I brought home. 5 shots of .357, no hammer to hang up on things, grips that fit my hand well, and heavy enough to control. I also looked at the S&W's, but couldn't see any reason to pay that much more money. I also looked at the Ruger, incredibly well made firearm, but seemed to be a bit large to fit down my trousers. And that's the suggestion I give everyone. Take a few days, look at everything you find, handle them, shoot them, then decide which is right for you.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
The "best revolver for CCW" is the one that
works for you. With that said, MY best is an old
Smith & Wesson original .38 Special model 60; cuz
it was the first stainless baby born, way back
in 1965.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
works for you.
With that said, MY best is an oldSmith & Wesson original .38 Special model 60; cuz
it was the first stainless baby born, way back
in 1965.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Captain Bligh
Member
I agree that there is no best. My preference for a revolver carry is a S&W Model 60. But many will say that the best carry revolver is a hammerless so it won't snag on your clothes. Hammer snag has never been a problem for me, however. But then I don't do pocket carry either.
I'm no fan of ultra light weight revolvers that are a pleasure to carry but painful to shoot. My personal belief is that if you are going to carry a gun, it should be backed up by a lot of range time with that weapon. I'd suggest you buy a gun that you are willing to shoot a lot and will stand up to the task. Others will disagree.
RJ
I'm no fan of ultra light weight revolvers that are a pleasure to carry but painful to shoot. My personal belief is that if you are going to carry a gun, it should be backed up by a lot of range time with that weapon. I'd suggest you buy a gun that you are willing to shoot a lot and will stand up to the task. Others will disagree.
RJ
MrPink
Member
Well, unlike some others, I think there is a "best" - a best for you and your specific criteria.
My criteria for a daily carry gun are:
- reliability (it must go bang)
- quality (a gun that goes bang the "wrong way" could be a real downer)
- light weight (civilian daily carry for years of a heavy gun is a drag, pun intended)
- small size (pocket carry in pants or jacket also works for me day in, day out. Correlates with light weight.
- carry safety (I've come to like "fail safe" guns, I carry nearly every day and its just a matter of time before I do something bone headed or some freakish accident occurs therefore I'd like my gun to "fail" and still be "safe" versus "fail positive")
- ergonomics & ability to shoot it well
With all of this in mind, I've pretty much settled on a 340PD in either a pant or jacket pocket. I still like my HKP7PSP very much and will carry it on occasion. I also like my 1911s a whole lot, but pretty much regulate them to range/woods shooting and home defense. I know they can be carried cocked and locked safely and have done so for years without a problem. I've just decided that I'd prefer to minimize any potential problems.
My criteria for a daily carry gun are:
- reliability (it must go bang)
- quality (a gun that goes bang the "wrong way" could be a real downer)
- light weight (civilian daily carry for years of a heavy gun is a drag, pun intended)
- small size (pocket carry in pants or jacket also works for me day in, day out. Correlates with light weight.
- carry safety (I've come to like "fail safe" guns, I carry nearly every day and its just a matter of time before I do something bone headed or some freakish accident occurs therefore I'd like my gun to "fail" and still be "safe" versus "fail positive")
- ergonomics & ability to shoot it well
With all of this in mind, I've pretty much settled on a 340PD in either a pant or jacket pocket. I still like my HKP7PSP very much and will carry it on occasion. I also like my 1911s a whole lot, but pretty much regulate them to range/woods shooting and home defense. I know they can be carried cocked and locked safely and have done so for years without a problem. I've just decided that I'd prefer to minimize any potential problems.
cratz2
Member
I really think that small semi autos are preferable to snubbies for most of the year. The semis almost always carry more ammo and are easier to shoot rapidly. Most 38 ammo does not expand from a 2" barrel nearly as consistantly as 9mm ammo does from a 3 or 3.5" barrel.
And honestly, the terms 'smallest' and 'most accurate' are very rarely going to apply to the same gun. At least not talking real world accurace and shot place-ability. The shorter the sight radius, the less real world accuracy most shooters are going to be able to realize.
I have a Taurus 85CHULT and consider it a very worthy carry weapon... not crazy about the porting though. I'd rather have the greater recoil. But I don't consider it the equal of my Kahr P9 Covert which carries more round of what is generally a more effective cartridge but the same weight and in an easier to shoot rapidly format.
And honestly, the terms 'smallest' and 'most accurate' are very rarely going to apply to the same gun. At least not talking real world accurace and shot place-ability. The shorter the sight radius, the less real world accuracy most shooters are going to be able to realize.
I have a Taurus 85CHULT and consider it a very worthy carry weapon... not crazy about the porting though. I'd rather have the greater recoil. But I don't consider it the equal of my Kahr P9 Covert which carries more round of what is generally a more effective cartridge but the same weight and in an easier to shoot rapidly format.
I'd bet there are more j-frames legally carried than any other revolver.
I'm a Colt guy, I spent a long time looking before I found a Magnum Carry. Same size as a DS, but in 357, and six shots. Pretty cool.
I'm a Colt guy, I spent a long time looking before I found a Magnum Carry. Same size as a DS, but in 357, and six shots. Pretty cool.
Poohgyrr
Member
I wouldn't be surprised to find more J frames being carried, they are just too handy to ignore. But the best for me is more likely a 3" to 4" K, L, or N frame (yup). A good holster & belt make it much easier to CCW any pistol. And the better grips, recoil dampening weight, and sights of a standard size revolver make it much easier to perform my best if I ever find myself in the middle of a deadly force mess. That's just for me, YMMV.
What No Gravy?
Member
My vote goes for a J frame for size.
Going up to a K frame I really like the 65 with a three inch barrel.
Most every revolver I have shot is more accurite than i am able to get out of it.
Gravy
Going up to a K frame I really like the 65 with a three inch barrel.
Most every revolver I have shot is more accurite than i am able to get out of it.
Gravy
Personally, I don't care for double action revolvers much. I don't hate them, I just don't jump for joy when they are around.
That being said, there's something about a 3 inch 13 or 65 that just begs "take me home and use me." I've resisted so far although I did succumb to a 4 inch 13 that was too good a deal to pass up.
That being said, there's something about a 3 inch 13 or 65 that just begs "take me home and use me." I've resisted so far although I did succumb to a 4 inch 13 that was too good a deal to pass up.
45+
Member
Being a big guy, I tend to carry a big gun (Glock 21 or Taurus 627) or two (Taurus 455 or 605). But my wife often carries a Taurus 617 in Titanium. Seven shots, 19 oz., 38 OR 357. It is a very good choice for her, and I would not feel under-gunned with the same as part of my carry pair. I actually bought the gun for myself (boot gun), but she thought it was “cute†so I am happy for her to carry it when she wants. The rest of the time she carries a Taurus T145.
I also like Mr. Pink’s criteria, but I would put “carry safety†in position two or three.
I have always heard that the best CCW is the one you have with you when you need it…
I also like Mr. Pink’s criteria, but I would put “carry safety†in position two or three.
I have always heard that the best CCW is the one you have with you when you need it…
Swamprabbit
Member
I like the hammerless J-frame Smiths. For casual wear, I usually wear the "cargo" cut jeans which means the pockets are big and the pants fit loose. These little J-frames just drop right in my front pocket without any noticeable lines. Reaching for one looks no different than reaching for your car keys. As for bullets, I just use lead SWCs. I don't expect expansion from HPs with these guns so the SWCs will punch a .38 cal hole in most anything and have decent penetration.
Poohgyrr
Member
Rereading the original post, the "most accurate, in general" revolver for myself was probably the 4" 686 I owned, it was really good. An old 3 1/2" N frame .357 is pretty accurate too, but I haven't compared it with the 686. For some reason, I do better with .357's than a lot of other pistols; don't know why, I just do. I must need more practice with those other pistols.
And FWIW, I am always pleasantly surprised with the accuracy of my stubby 640-1; I've had two of these & both are great- wish I still had my first one.
I would expect a longer barrel to be easier to be accurate with.
And FWIW, I am always pleasantly surprised with the accuracy of my stubby 640-1; I've had two of these & both are great- wish I still had my first one.
I would expect a longer barrel to be easier to be accurate with.
Mannlicher
Member
I am partial to 3 inch J and K frame Smiths.
Most accurate?
I'd have to put on 100 lbs and move to Alaska, or start wearing Zoot Suits. Cuz a Colt New Service is VERY big. Also very accurate. That's a 5.5 Inch blue steel revolver with a trigger guard big enough to shoot with ski gloves on in .45 ACP.
I'd have to put on 100 lbs and move to Alaska, or start wearing Zoot Suits. Cuz a Colt New Service is VERY big. Also very accurate. That's a 5.5 Inch blue steel revolver with a trigger guard big enough to shoot with ski gloves on in .45 ACP.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
My list
S&W 940 2"
S&W 13 3"
S&W 586
Sistema 1911
S&W 940 2"
S&W 13 3"
S&W 586
Sistema 1911
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