Best EDC revolver

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Everything is relative. Some folks have no problem concealing a 4" N-frame or 5" 1911. Whether it's due to their body type or type of dress or both.

But the issue is what one could reasonably consider compact.
 
But the issue is what one could reasonably consider compact.
Like I said, it depends on the individual. If you're 5' tall and of slight stature, then an L-frame is probably way too big for you to conceal. If you're 6' 5" with a large frame, then a 4" N-frame or 5" 1911 is no problem. If we're speaking in general, that's one thing. When one individual is asking for suggestions, then it gets to be pretty specific.

Individual preferences will also vary. If you're not accustomed to carrying all day, then any of them will be large and uncomfortable. The person that's used to carrying a 5" 1911 won't think anything of it, regardless of physical stature.
 
No adjustable sights, but firing single action and taking my time I can knock six fired 12-gauge hulls off a fence with 6 shots at a distance of a little over 40 feet with my 3rd model Colt Detective Special. Double action and shooting more quickly I can do a 6-shot grouping just a hair over three inches at 7 yards. For me that's good shooting. The D-frame Colts are a nice size - it carries IWB quite comfortably.
 
Like I said, it depends on the individual. If you're 5' tall and of slight stature, then an L-frame is probably way too big for you to conceal. If you're 6' 5" with a large frame, then a 4" N-frame or 5" 1911 is no problem. If we're speaking in general, that's one thing. When one individual is asking for suggestions, then it gets to be pretty specific.

Individual preferences will also vary. If you're not accustomed to carrying all day, then any of them will be large and uncomfortable. The person that's used to carrying a 5" 1911 won't think anything of it, regardless of physical stature.

I suppose that's logical, but way too argumentative. Gun size is absolute while shooter size varies.
 
I have been a S&W fan for years! I would go with the 2 1/2" model 65 or 19 . Last year I saw an Armco revolver that was a close copy of a Colt Pistol with adj.sights it had a 4" Bl. but I believe it also came with a 2 1/2"Bl. Don't know much about them. I heard they were decent revolvers . They ran about $200. Held 6 rd.s . They looked nice for the price.
 
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1. Must be rather compact. (It must be able to be carried unseen easily).
Can be somewhat subjective. I can carry my 4 inch 686 IWB unseen easily.
3. Must have adjustable sights (Or can be fitted with adjustable sights)
Disagree. Adjustable sights are by no means a requirement on a SD handgun.

All that aside, I'd pick my S&W 386 NG. Seven shots, L-frame, night sights, 2.5 inch barrel, alloy frame. Handles full power .357 magnum ammo just fine. I fell in love with it the moment I picked it up. Every day I carry it and every time I shoot it just I creases my good opinion of it.

200991616289-w6067tar-1689_ms.jpg
 
This thread is going nowhere!

buy a darn revolver already!! :rolleyes:
I think it is a nice thread with lots of photos and oppinions.
For sure I know by now what I want. The problem is not one of the revolvers I decided on I can get for sale in South Africa. Here the shops don't list the guns they sell and don't update what they have in stock.
I fell in love with the 586 L-comp earlier shown in this thread.
If I can just get one to buy in my country, I will even pay a lot more than what it might be worth.
I have a shortlist, and do look at local classifieds daily for anyone of them for sale.
 
If I had a Diamondback (I wish), it would not be an EDC. However, my Interarms Rossi 851 shoots great and looks very much the same without the Colt's spade for a hammer spur. It shoots better than I do.
 
I'm not a fan of adjustable sights on defensive revolvers. In a bad situation, most of us will do well to hit "minute of thug" at five yards, anyway. Whether the gun shoots 1" high/low/left/right isn't going to matter worth a crap.

IMO. ;)

So with that in mind: A round-butt Smith Model 10 4" is reasonably concealble and a lot more fun to shoot than an Airweight snub, and they'll handle +Ps. For subbies, a Cold Detective Special. If you have to have .357, then a Model 13. (The Feebies carried Model 13s for years.)
 
I'm not a fan of adjustable sights on defensive revolvers. In a bad situation, most of us will do well to hit "minute of thug" at five yards, anyway. Whether the gun shoots 1" high/low/left/right isn't going to matter worth a crap.

Some don't actually aim in a bad situation. I like to think I would and I always practice with adjustable sights. I don't shoot very well without them. My point-and-shoot is pretty good though.

I draw with a slight twist, so nothing snags in a holster. Except for my little pajama gun DAO 38, I don't carry a gun without a full barrel coverage holster, so snagging clothing is not a concern.
 
I'm not a fan of adjustable sights on defensive revolvers. In a bad situation, most of us will do well to hit "minute of thug" at five yards, anyway. Whether the gun shoots 1" high/low/left/right isn't going to matter worth a crap.
Couple of points. Firstly, it's difficult to practice properly with a handgun that doesn't shoot to its sights. If you think differently, you're probably not practicing much. Secondly, if you're using the sights at 5yds, you're wasting valuable time. Far too many people practice with their carry guns at ranges so short that sights shouldn't even be necessary. If you can't point shoot at that range well enough to hit the center of a man's chest, you need to get to where you can. If you can't hit a paint can at 25yds, you need to get to where you can.
 
Did that happen? How about a quote?

Mkkay... How about we back up to your response to me here:

Big bore, heavy frame guns with short barrels are not what I would call compact.

Yet, the only guns I've ever mentioned in this entire thread are all .357 Magnum revolvers. That ain't a "big bore."
 
Fixed sights can usually be adjusted with a file, at least once. Choose your SD load, adjust the sights to it and don't change the load. And the shorter the barrel, means a shorter sight radius making it harder to avoid over adjustment, especially with click adjustable sights.

Also, fixed sights usually have a lower profile and don't snag easily on clothing.

Just a something to consider. :scrutiny:
 
Did that happen? How about a quote?

Mkkay... How about we back up to your response to me here:


Big bore, heavy frame guns with short barrels are not what I would call compact.

Yet, the only guns I've ever mentioned in this entire thread are all .357 Magnum revolvers. That ain't a "big bore."

Although in series, I wasn't responding to you but rather posts like #61, for one example, and others that strayed off into guns that would be ludicrous to represent as compact. Nice guns though.
 
If 2.5" is okay... how about 2.625"? How about a 'real' .357 Magnum - that can take eight at a time - moonclipped, even?? The 2 5/8" PC627 Ultimate Defensive Revolver, aka the 'Blood Work' gun from the 2001 Clint Eastwood's leading character carried one. It was re-released a couple of years back - with the IL and a US-made plastic PC box - for less than it listed for in 1999! It comes with an Eagle boot grip - too small for me, thus the PC Shop replacement grips below.

012.jpg

Sorry about the cheesy $11 WallyWorld belt... I spent all of my moola on the revolvers! Near perfection out of the box, as you'd expect for a PC Shop gun. The wood on both of the Eagle boot grips wasn't machined right - they took care of it - I didn't like their hand fit anyway! One front sight was a tad off-center in the dovetail - a 'tap' took care of that. My favorite cf revolver - unreal accuracy. Expect to spend, inc s/t, a kilobuck. Two is extravagant... or gluttony!

Stainz
 
RE: cylinder size between 44 Special and 357 Magnum:

Ruger GP100: ~1.54”
S&W Model 24: ~1.71”

Obviously, there will be differences between models. However, I do not find the S&W Model 24's cylinder to be too large. Do not forget to add in the thickness of the holster. The trick there is to go with an IWB holster that keeps the gun tight to the body.

I do find the grip length on almost all revolvers to be far too long. My S&W Model 24 with Nill stocks is taller than a Glock 21 (with magazine inserted) by at least 1/4" to 1/3". Consider purchasing boot cut grips from Herrett's Stocks, Badger, or similar.
 
If 2.5" is okay... how about 2.625"? How about a 'real' .357 Magnum - that can take eight at a time - moonclipped, even?? The 2 5/8" PC627 Ultimate Defensive Revolver, aka the 'Blood Work' gun from the 2001 Clint Eastwood's leading character carried one. It was re-released a couple of years back - with the IL and a US-made plastic PC box - for less than it listed for in 1999! It comes with an Eagle boot grip - too small for me, thus the PC Shop replacement grips below.

012.jpg

Sorry about the cheesy $11 WallyWorld belt... I spent all of my moola on the revolvers! Near perfection out of the box, as you'd expect for a PC Shop gun. The wood on both of the Eagle boot grips wasn't machined right - they took care of it - I didn't like their hand fit anyway! One front sight was a tad off-center in the dovetail - a 'tap' took care of that. My favorite cf revolver - unreal accuracy. Expect to spend, inc s/t, a kilobuck. Two is extravagant... or gluttony!

Stainz
What a beautiful piece. I love that nice wooden grip.
If someone complains about your $11.00 belt. You can punish them, 8X :D
Really would not mind owning something like this. 2.6'', 3'', nothing in it.
Can I ask you just how thick the cylinder is?
I suppose you also have experience carrying smaller capacity revolvers? How much more difficult is this 8-shotter to carry and conceal than a similar sized revolver with a 6-shot cylinder?
There are a 8-shot revolver for sale that I can get, but the barrel looks terribly short, something like 1''.
 
At 37.6 oz, the PC627 UDR is a bit stout - and takes getting used to, like any belt ccarry. I am 'large' - and find any belt holster carry to be uncomfortable. As I have a CCL, I prefer pocket carry - and carried a 5-shot 642 - until my torn rotator. As it mends, I opted for a lighter/no recoil 351PD, a 10.4 oz .22 WMR 7-shooter, in my pocket.

The PC627 UDR is an N-frame, like the 24, 27, 29, and SS variants. It's cylinder OD is 1.71 In. Here is one of mine as it was gripped NIB with the Eagle boot grips:

IMG_4156.jpg

Stainz
 
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