CCW revolver's (suggestions please!)

[Babalouie]

Actually, according to the writeup in the NRA Rifleman magazine one of the design goals of the 327 mag was to match the recoil of the 38 Special +P.

I absolutely concur regarding the 357.

 

[Sylvan-Forge]

Hmm...

Carbon Steel for weight, blue finish, .38 Special+P rated.:

S&W Classics model 36!

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ING&attributeValueOperator1=EQUAL&isFirearm=Y



.

 

[Meeteetse]

Depends on your definition of small. For me that is a J-frame Smith like a Mdl. 36 or a 442, both blue. The Ruger SP-101 is heavier but soaks up recoil better especially in .357.

I know nothing about the .327 but the idea is sound and having six shots is not a bad thing. I have two K-frame Smiths ( Mdl. 13 & 19 ), both with short barrels, but for me they are not as handy to carry as the smaller J-frames. All the super light weight guns are great to carry but tougher to shoot because of the stronger recoil. My 442 is often my go-to gun for pocket carry, but I have had to work harder to learn to shoot it well.

I agree with what everyone has said about the .357. I don't even use +P in my J-frames because I believe speed and accuracy are more important than raw power. When I was still working for LE we were taught that two quick, accurate shots were better than one boomer, especially if you couldn't hit with the boomer.

 

[Photoman]

3" Model 36 Smith and Wesson

 

[Vern Humphrey]

On another gun messageboard all the deaf old-timers scoff about people NOT choosing .357 magnum for light revolvers,

Well, I'm an old timer, but I've pointed out that shooting .357s in a light weight defensive revolver is a mistake. If you practice, you will develop jerking and flinching. If you don't practice, you won't be able to perform when the chips are down.

I have had people say, "You won't notice the recoil in a real gunfight." That may be true -- but you will notice it in training, and the bad habits you develop there may cost you your life.

 

[pogo2]

Colt Detective Special

The poster mentioned a blued, .38 special revolver that is not too light. That spec fits the Colt Detective Special perfectly. It is all steel, weighs 21 ounces empty, and gives you 6 shots. It conceals easily in a belt holster.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

+1 on the DS. I love mine.

 

[Stainz]

I was fortunate enough to find the exact gun you want - new - from CDNN five years ago - a 2" 10 (a -11!). It is +P rated - and a sixshooter. In an OWL pancake (OWB) leather holster, it got old carrying it quickly - even with the wood service boot grips - it's bulky and heavy - and here, it mist be concealled. It became my wife's bedside & car gun.

My 296, a 642-looking, but larger L-frame, .44 Special was worn the same way on and mostly off for years. Finally, nearing two years ago, I ordered a Mika's pocket holster for it - and one for a 642, should I get one. It became a carry in 75% of my pants' front pockets. Then, I found a LNIB 642-2 - and now I have an EDC for all my pants. This, I can and do carry - all of the time'

Last fall, followed by two thugs in a store, they cornered me in the back - I reached into my pocket - gripped the 642 - was milliseconds from drawing it as I stared the bigger & older one in the face - he looked at his pal and shook his head. They turned and all but ran out of the store. My wife saw it - and was visibly shaken. "What did they want?", she asked. I could only muster a "Well, maybe he had a Watchtower in his pocket - and wanted to witness to me.". She was in tears. I go to church armed now.

Whatever you get, consider how you can insure you have it when you need it. Pocket carry permits 100% carry for me - even while cutting the grass or getting groceries. As has been said, a Glock by the bed does you no good if you are at the mall - in a parking deck.

I suggest, if you like a dark finish, you consider the S&W 442, the black Al framed/blued steel cylinder version of the 642. I couldn't care less whether my new S&Ws have the Infernal Lock or not, it hasn't been a problem for me. In a perfect world, they wouldn't have an IL... but... in a perfect world, you wouldn't need a CCW.

I'd avoid the .327 Magnum - just a longer .32 H&RM - and they were all canned, except for the Charter Arms 'Undercoverette', by last year. You bet an 85gr JHP at 1300+ fps will be loud, too. My money rides on bigger/slower/proven - a 158gr +P LSWCHP, aka 'The FBI Load'. Heck, even the mild 148gr full wadcutter target .38s make a great protective round, especially if you are recoil sensitive. Remember, this isn't designed to be a range plinker - it's to save your bacon.

Stainz

PS Ammo - buy .38s anywhere - .327 Magnums....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'll keep saying this until people get tired of hearing it -- the .327 Magnum is ballistically identical to the .32-20.

The .32-20 is a cute little cartridge, but I'm not really tempted to carry it for self-defense.

 

[Kleanbore]

I'll keep saying this until people get tired of hearing it -- the .327 Magnum is ballistically identical to the .32-20.

Vern, are you sure you are comparing aplles and apples in terms of the guns used?

Guns and Ammo shows the .327 115 grain load with a velocity of 1300 FPS from a 3 1/16 inch barrel.

Shooting Times had a recent article on a .32-20 M&P. They listed the velocity of a Black Hills 115 grain load at 727 FPS, and that was with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. The Super-X 100 grain load was only marginally faster.

Now, I'm well aware that once there were rifle loads and pistol loads for the .32-20 (I'm old enough to have seen them), and that today's loads are on the light side of what they could be, absent some of the old guns that are still around. I'm also aware that you can get more out of it with hand loads in something like a Colt SAA. However, saying that the the .327 Magnum is ballistically identical to the .32-20 would seem to me to be just a little misleading.

Isn't it more relevant to compare the .327 with the .38 Special and .357 Magnum in comparable guns, both in terms of energy and felt recoil?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Vern, are you sure you are comparing aplles and apples in terms of the guns used?

Guns and Ammo shows the .327 115 grain load with a velocity of 1300 FPS from a 3 1/16 inch barrel.

My copy of the Hodgdon's Manual, #26 shows the .32-20 (pistol) with a 110 grain bullet at 1546 fps (with a charge of 16.0 grains of H4226.) Now, that's from a 7 1/2" barrel, so if we shorten that barrel to 3 1/16", lop off 25fps (the usual guestimate) per inch of barrel lost, that would give us about 1400 fps.

 

[jjohnson]

Big Pocket?

Well.... I am rather fond of .44 Special in a pocket gun, but they're not the sort of thing you can conceal in tight Levis.

I certainly wouldn't feel out of place with the SP101. I think lots of us who carry concealed hate to trade off firepower, but if the choice is "carry something small" versus "don't carry it," I'd consider the .327. Not my cup of tea, but I'd be willing to see how it compared to the Colt Agent I carry sometimes.

 

[heavyshooter]

"You've just described the Ruger SP 101 and even mentioned it. I'd go with the .357 chambering, though." -- Vern Humphrey

Seriously .380, you described a SP101 to a tee. Right down to the weight. I agree with Vern. I would go with the .357 Magnum. I know that you said that you do not desire the recoil of the .357 Mag., but you can load it with 129 gr. .38 Special +P. It is managable recoil and, in spite of the disrespect it often recieves, it has great stopping potential. It is not an accident that so many police agencies used it for so long. A 2 1/4 inch Ruger SP101 .357 Magnum (with hogue grips) is what you are looking for.

Heavy

 

[hicksdm]

I normally carry one of the following 3; S&W442, Ruger Speed Six, or a 3" SP-101. If I had to choose just one it would be the SP-101. I shoot it well and it carries well although it can get a bit heavy but I find that comforting. Try as many as you can . I would also recommend the S&W 19 if you can get one at a decent price.

 

[XDShooter07]

I imagine you say blued because you want a darker color. A 442 would be a good choice. Also look at the M&P 340. I have one and don't find it uncomfortable to shoot at all. I didn't buy it for .357 but for the reason that the sights are leaps and bounds better than the x42 series. You don't get much more performance with .357 over the .38+P out of such a short barrel. .38+P is comfortable and easy to get back on target but .357 is another story out of the 340. Remember that the grip makes all the difference in the recoil world. Short grips and skinny grips will have more felt recoil. Rubber less than wood. You can get a x42 or 340 and put full hand grips on it and still have a very concealable gun. Oh yeah if you wan't an SP101 and want black you can have it refinished at any gander mountain or by gunsmiths like gemini customs.

 

[.380awsome]

thanks guys

 

[twoclones]

been thinking about a great revolver for ccw and just cant make up my mind

I had the same problem... Two months ago I was sure I wanted a model 686 for CCW belt holster carry. I figured the weight would be good for .357 and unflinching with .38 spl. But in the end I gritted my teeth and bought a 642 with Crimson Trace grips and I'm glad I did!

The light weight 642 with the CT grips shoots very true and hasn't hurt at all when shooting 50 rounds at the range. I wouldn't want any more weight on my belt for a whole day either.

 

[MAGNUM44]

Charter arms bulldog 44 spcl great little carry gun

 

[pps]

I have a 340pd (love it for dropping it in a pocket in a nemesis holster for all day carry) I use Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWCHP in 38+p. Occasionally I carry 125gr sjhp full house .357 loads.

The 442 no lock will be my next snubbie. S&W's reward for finally making a no lock revolver again. I use mostly 38+p in my 340pd, so the 442 makes the most sense for me now than does the 340.

 

[Pure Kustom]

3" 629

 

[BullpupBen]

My choice would be a S&W 638 in black. Light, compact, reliable and decent-looking, plus you get the choice of single action while still being snag-free.

 

[joneb]

what do you guys think about the new .327 magnum?.

From a SP101 w/a 3.0625" barrel with velocities ranging from 1,300-1,400 fps the .327 mag. sounds deafening if fired in a enclosed area it could make your ears bleed I will stay with larger heavier and slower bullets for SD. The .327 mag. would be a fun lever action rifle cartridge IMO.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Okay folks in the last 2 months i have really been thinking about a great revolver for ccw and just cant make up my mind,any suggestions would be nice,im thinking about .38 special,.327 magnum(i know some thing it wont succeed but i guess if it doent then im stuck with a collectors piece),.357 magnum,9mm possibly if i can find one,i would prefer one in blue(exception on ruger sp-101),i'd prefer it if it wasnt quite so leightweight,any suggestions please?

Thanks,.380 awesome

To paraphrase an old commercial:

Nobody ever got fired for buying a S&W J Frame.