CC revolver suggestions - no snubbies please

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KennyC

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As I'll be taking the CCH course in about two weeks, I have been researching what to buy for a concealed carry handgun. I've decided I want it to be a revolver (obviously, or I wouldn't be posting here ;) ), but it sure is easy to be overwhelmed by the choices out there.

I currently own only one handgun: a Beretta U22 Neos with 6" barrel. It's a lot of fun to shoot at the range, but certainly not a good CCW. Even though I'm more familiar with autoloaders, I do want to go with a revolver for their reliability; my first automatic jam convinced me of that.

I really don't want a snubnose revolver; never really liked them. I need something that is still fun to shoot. If it's not then I'm not going to practice with it like I should, and if I don't practice with it, I'm not going to feel comfortable with it. And if I don't feel comfortable with it, I probably won't carry it, and that doesn't do me much good. :eek:

I'm also not infatuated with the huge calibers. 32cal is as low as I'd probably go, but I certainly don't need a handcannon. I even question if .357Mag is necessary for me, though I wouldn't turn it down either. Personally, I'd prefer more rounds over higher caliber.

I'm 6' tall, 180lbs if that helps to know what would be concealable for me.

I have been doing my homework on this, but like I said, very easy for a newbie like me to get overwhelmed and confused. I also plan to visit some local ranges that rent guns and shoot a few to get an idea, but it'd be nice to have some knowledge beforehand. So would y'all have any suggestions for me? :) Thanks!
 
Welcome

Sounds like you might be comfortably armed with a Smith & Wesson 4" model 10 or model 64. Both are common fixed sight .38 specials.:scrutiny:
 
welcome to the madness

I used to carry a auto in 9mm and just picked up a
ruger LCR in 38 spc even though you dont like snubies (I didnt eather)
untill i handled one. As for the 357 mag ive shot a GP101 and didnt like it.
(i do shoot a SBH in 44mag) in my mind you have to be comfertable in what you
shoot and carry. That is why i chose the LCR in 38 spc.
 
I carry a 4" S&W Model 64 in a Blade Tech IWB, a very comfortable holster that conceals easily, even with the square butt and 4" barrel. The longer barreled, heavier, hand filling revolver is very easy to carry.

My wife carries a 3" Ruger SP101, which is about the same diameter in the cylinder, but only holds 5 rounds.

Either are fantastic choices that should last forever.
 
A 4" Ruger Security Six is not that big. Heavy enough to make the .357 easy to shoot if you so choose, still light enough to carry all day.
 
A 4" K frame in .38 or .357 should do the trick.

Fixed or adjustable sights, blue, stainless or nickel is your call.
 
you want a gun capable of concealing and range, and don't want a snubbie so i would suggest looking at 3" bbl revolvers. a few examples that come to mind:

Ruger SP101, 3" bbl ( i humbly suggest the .357 mag as it can also fire .38 spcl. and that is a very common round)

Ruger GP100 3" bbl. available in .357/.38

S&W model 66 3" bbl. available in .357/.38

The model 10 and 64 are also good recomendations. quality is understood, it's all about preference at this point.
 
You can't go wrong with a Ruger GP100 3" or 4". They are bomb proof and aren't any more difficult to conceal than any other medium frame revolver.
 
GP100 is a big revolver. I wouldn't want to CC that.
I'm 5'11" 170 so we're pretty close in proportion.

I carry an SP101 3". It's smaller than the GP, and with that 3"bbl it points very naturally. Much more so than a snubbie. I actually can't stand snubbies, but would never trade my SP101 for anything.
 
Might I suggest the classic S&W model 10 pencil barrel version ? Not muzzle heavy, .38 not .357, smooth trigger pull and reloads lightning fast with Safailand Comp 2 speedloaders. This if you prefer 4" barrel revolver.
 
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No ones has said it. I guess I will.

Ruger makes a sp101 in .327 federal mag. You get six shots in the same frame as the 5 shot .38/.357.

The .327 is a .32 caliber. It is hotter than the .32 h&r. According to most people doing the ballistics test. the .327 federal's power is better than a .38 special and nearly as good as some .357 loads.

Ruger also has the .327 in a 3" gp 100 and super blackhawk in .327 but the backhawk is a bit big for ccw. Charter Arms makes the .327 in a 4 inch. Smith and Wesson and Taurus also have .327 offerings.

Personally, I own the Charter 4". I bought it because it's more affordable than the Ruger. It also has a lifetime warranty.

For me they are just fun to shoot, and the cartridge is gaining in popularity. More and more gun companies are making products for the cartridge. I personally hope someone makes a lever gun for .327.
 
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I am in a near identical situation as the TC, would a taurus 627 4" tracker be a nice concealable non snubbie? Taurus list it as a compact frame, does that mean much?
 
Cocked and Locked

that is one snazzy looking gun. I think I might be in love. Stupid gun porn.

Hey if it goes bang chances are I'll like it.
 
I carry a S&W Model 64 4" in a Maxexpidition Jumbo EDC bag. 18 rounds of Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSCWHP +P will do anything I expect to need it to do.

William
 
What's a snubbie?

A 3-inch Ruger Speed-Six or a 2.75-inch Security-Six is pretty impressive in power and size. You might have quite a search for the former, but any Smith or Ruger would work.

A Model 10 would also be nice, but being able to stoke a gun with .357 is advisable for road trips and outdoor strolls where big animals might be a problem.
 
I've carried everything from a full size 1911 (5") to mouse guns. I finally settled on guns in the 2 1/2" to 4" barrel length and was recently forced to go totally revolver. I how carry either a Charter Arms Bulldog "PUG" in 44 Special or one of my Taurus'. Either the 415 or the 425 both in 41 Magnum in which I carry reduced loads. At one time I carried a S&W 586, 4" and concealment issues are way over exaggerated as 98% of the people won't even see your gun if you Open Carry.

Charter Arms Bulldog
14420.gif

Taurus 415
PC200039.jpg

Taurus 425
PC1800222.jpg
 
Genaric answer. 4" K frame.

Personaly, I prefer a nice Colt. A 4" Police Positve Special would make a great carry revolver.
 
My recommendation is a Smith & Wesson "K" frame revolver in .38 Special or .357 Magnum.

For a concealed carry revolver check out the 3" barrel guns. This is a compromise between the standard 4" barrel and the snub 2" barrel. The 3" barrel guns shoot well and conceal well.

Look for a Model 10 (.38 Special, but harder to find in 3"), Model 13, or Model 65. The Model 65 is a .357, but you can still shoot .38 Specials so you don't *have* to shoot Magnum loads. The 65 is also stainless steel, which is nice for a carry gun. It's what I carry.
 
Another recommendation for the 4" S&W Model 64 revolvers that seem to be plentiful lately.

As for new guns, the 3.06"-barreled SP101 is a great little package that is longer than a snubbie. Mine is .357 mag; the new .327 Federal version is available.

My "Holy Grail" is a 4" S&W Model 19, pre-keyhole, now discontinued, of course, when I can manage to find a good one. I very much regret selling the two I used to own, during a consolidation/thinning in the mid-to-late-1990's, when I was deeply into 1911 pistols.

Also on the pre-owned market, the Ruger Security Six, Service Six, and Speed Six, are nice. The Speed Six is a bit of a cult item, and therefore neither common nor cheap, if in good condition. My 4" Speed Six is not for sale, for any reasonable amount of money. It would take six or seven Benjamin Franklins to even tempt me.

The GP100 is a great sixgun, but its greater weight and bulk are probably not worth it unless a guy likes shooting magnums. I do shoot magnums, so the GP100 is good for me.
 
A 3 inch revolver will do a lot for you. You'll find it quite versatile and it'll carry very well.

3" Colts are very tough to find.
3" Smiths can be found, and they often command a premium over the same model with a 4" barrel.
3" Rugers are still in production, and don't carry the collector premium of the Smith & Wessons. A 3" model in the Six series (Speed/Service/Security) would serve you well as your first "business" gun. Even if you find something you like better later on down the road, I doubt you'll ever get rid of it. And if you do, you'll probably find yourself regretting you did.
 
I have two 357's both are taurus. one is a mod 617ss 2 1/2 and the other is a mod 627 mat.ss 4"....

I carry them both, no problem with concealment....
 
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