Best Frame Size for Concealed Carry

[Polish_Pounder]

I tried the search tool but didn't find anything quite in line with what I want to know. I currently carry a full-size 1911 IWB, 45 oz. loaded with 9 .45 ACPs. The revolver bug has bitten me hard, and I need to get one! I am leaning strongly towards a Smith, with my second choice a Ruger. My question is, for comfortable all day carry, what frame size and barrel length is the best compromise of shoot-ability, carry-ability, durability, etc.? From what I have read it looks like 3-4" barrels are preferred. Also, I want the empty weight no more than 40 oz. or so. Any info is appreciated!

-Polish

 

[jfh]

Unless you are thinking of 'standard' belted / holster carry, the j-frame smiths the way to go.

Their weights range from as low as about 13 oz for a Scandium lightweight on up to about 24 - 26 oz. for a SS model with a 3" barrel. The 2" barrel guns can be pocket carried, and even the 3" version is not beyond pocket carry but cumbersome to do so.

They take some determined practice to shoot well, and IMO you should plan on practicing a lot. Personally, I think that for carry, the M&P 340 is the way to go, but if weight is not a factor, then I would go with a 640. Both are probably equally durable. I've put about 4000 rounds through my 640, and no issues at all.

There's a thread here titled the M&P340 that discusses the merits of this particular model very well. Search on "640" and you will probably find all the info you want.

Jim H.

 

[FranklyTodd]

+1 M&p340

If you are considering pocket carry - my favorite method - it's hard to beat one of these lightweight j-frames. If I'm in any kind of threat environment, I can walk with it in my hand (in the pocket) and nobody is the wiser. I can then present just as fast as I can pull my hand out of my pocket... Can't imagine a faster way to present!

If you are carrying on a belt (I assume you are, if your top empty weight requirement is FORTY oz!), then something with a little more weight will certainly be more pleasant to shoot, although I love shooting .38s in the 340 (anything more is manageable, but can't really say fun).

I've also just ordered (and you could consider) S&W branded Crimson Trace grips (backordered a couple weeks ) which will mitigate the short sight radius. I'm told the snub is just as "inherently" accurate as a 4", it's the sight radius that limits its accuracy. If you look at the ballistics, the velocity loss from 4" to 2" isn't enough to worry me, especially with the ability to go up to .357.

Wow, sorry for the longwinded answer, kind of bored at work...

 

[Ala Dan]

J frame Smiths, or D frame Colts~!

 

[Haywood]

For pocket carry I like the 2" Air Weight J-Frame or my favorite the 2" 605 357 Taurus. For IWB the SP101 Ruger 357 or The one I seam to carry IWB the most is a 7 shot 2" 357 Mdl. 617 Taurus.

 

[craig_o]

overwhelming consensus would be J frame smiths.

 

[DawgFvr]

Hard to go against the current...but I will. For .38 Special...sure...the J frames just cannot be beat in the front pocket with a Mika holster. If you want to fire .357 mag then go to the bigger framed S&W or Ruger. The end-all should not be comfort in carry but being comfortable with what you carry. If I really had to draw a weapon in self-defense, I personally would rather have that big-ol-framed .45 ACP or .357 mag.

 

[glockman19]

Another vote for the j-frame here.

 

[jt1]

With proper ammunition (Buffalo Bore 38/38+P) you just don't get much better that an airweight. If you want to get really serious about it you can have two of them and still be around your 40 oz. goal. Combine this with a good point shooting program and you will be well prepaired.

 

[Rexster]

With a good belt and holster, I have comfortably carried up to 4" N-frame revolvers concealed, but it is much easier to achieve that goal with an S&W K-frame or a Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six. The SP101 is a wonderful fit in my hands, and while I only have the snubby-length in .357, and the 4" in .32 H&R, I bet the 3-inch .357 is a great little package, and will probably try that length someday. The SP101 is my 24/7-always-everywhere gun, regardless of what else I might be carrying.

 

[AWMP]

fight the bug, get a better carrying 1911, I carry two different models (no not at the same time), a Kimber Ultra CDP II, great pistol, perfect carry, light, feeds and shoots anything and is a joy to shoot, I also carry a Les Baer Concept VII (commander size), smooth as butter, for me 1911s are easy to carry, they are thin, feel good in my hand, easy to reload, fun to shoot, my .02

 

[DawgFvr]

...and, if you are out in a boat and have a rope handy...walla! You now have a spare anchor! We all like our larger weapons but the S&W 642 just melts into your front pocket. One must give credit to where credit is due...eh?

 

[Old Fuff]

During the dark ages when folks actually carried revolvers as serious defensive weapons, the .38 Special or .357 Magnum in a 4" mid-frame S&W, Colt or Ruger was the choice of most serious professionals. If you are used to a full-sized Government Model and have no problems carrying it, I would, from personal experience, suggest a .357 Magnum mid-frame with a 4" barrel.

One of these will shoot circles around any pocket gun, and offer an extra shot to boot. I personally like S&W's old model 19 (or 66 in stainless). If you are satisfied with fixed sights, consider the model 13 (or 65 in stainless).

Ruger's GP-100 is also a good choice, but on the heavy side if it has the full-lug barrel. The same can be said concerning Smith & Wesson's 686 series (in stainless).

If you find any of these to be attractive, go to: www.cdnnsports.com and download their hardcopy catalog in .pdf format. They have some good prices on police trade-ins.

You are going to have to do some learning. 1911 fans are used to crisp, 4 pound (give or take) trigger pulls, and you will be switching to a long, double-action pull around 12 pounds. But revolvers are simple, point-and-shoot guns, that can digest any kind of ammunition and keep on ticking. You may come to like one.

 

[Rexster]

Old Fuff, some of us still like the medieval sixguns we carried in the Dark Ages.

 

[Old Dog]

As someone who has no problem carrying/concealing a full-size 1911, I'm totally in agreement with Old Fuff on this one ... I find that packing a 4" Model 19 in a Kramer Vertical Scabbard is essentially the same for me as packing a 5" 1911 in a Kramer Belt Scabbard ... OWB is by far the most comfortable mode of carrying a handgun, and not nearly as difficult in the concealment department as most here seem to believe. Frankly, even though I love J-frames, they're really just a back-up gun. Carry what you shoot the best, not what makes you feel the least self-conscious about concealing ...

 

[Roswell 1847]

I frame Hand ejector seems smaller than the J frame but J frame grips fit it. I doubt you'd pick a .32 anyway.

Go with the J frame but I'd consider a longer barrel than the 2 inch or less snubby.

 

[Old Fuff]

Old Fuff, some of us still like the medieval sixguns we carried in the Dark Ages.

No ya' don't, you only think you do...

Such hopelessly obsolete hardware (and any leather to go with it) should be thrown into the used gun market for very low prices. When you come around to my thinking let me know - to protect some newby from being taken to the cleaners...

 

[shamus]

I can;t speak about all day carry since it's illegal in my state. But I can say a ruger sp101 is small and comfy in a holster.

 

[Iggy]

As Fuff and some of the others have said.. A K-frame revolver is hard to beat.

 

[sportsterguy]

I'm a SA 1911 5" IWB packer and recently swapped over to a SA Champion which is IMO the best CCW I've ever owned. When I do carry a revolver it's usually a "J" frame model 36 in a Don Hume IWB. Occasionally pack a moel 29 3" OWB in the winter and making long road trips.
Go S&W and you will not be disappointed.

 

[azredhawk44]

I carry either a 1911, or a Ruger 3" sp101, or a Redhawk 4" with 44specials. The 1911 and the Redhawk carry about the same; OWB, about 8 o'clock for my southpaw curmudgeony self, just a tad over 40 ounces for both of them. The redhawk is actually a bit more comfortable, having a bit shorter grip frame that doesn't poke quite as bad.

The 3" sp101 does conceal better if that's the goal. It's about a pound lighter.

But it ain't a 4" 6-shooter or a 1911, either.

If you can leave your shirt untucked and a hint of a print ain't a big deal to you, go with a 4" service sized gun.

 

[Round Gun Shooter]

2.5" S&W 66-1 in an Alessi IWB. Comfortable, reliable, and has worked for a lot of years.

3" 610 in a Texas Tucker is also very comfortable for the N frame crew.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

For CCW, my S&W 642 is hard to beat. I also have a 3" Rossi .38 that has been stone-cold reliable for the 12 years I've owned it, but I seldom carry it. I would love to carry my Taurus M66SS4, but it's a tad large for CCW.

 

[P97]

I carry a full size Auto IWB, but I also carry a S&W 642 in the front pocket. It is mighty comforting sometimes to have one in your hand and not have to brandish it until its time to shoot.

 

[wuchak]

Ruger SP101 2 1/4"

It's a couple of ounces heavier than the comparable J frame Smith but that extra couple of ounces is in all the right places to make a much stronger gun. I think the SP101 is the highest evolution of the .357 snubbie. I carry mine either OWB or in a pocket holster. It is a little on the heavy side in the pocket but you don't notice the weight after 5 minutes.