I just had surgery on my right hand and will have to have the left done when this heals. I don't have issues shooting with either hand but figured out that I do have issues loading and clearing my semi auto pistols. Since my smallest revolver is a 6"gp100 I think the best bet is a compact revolver. with the deductable on my porcedure and unexpected car expense I don't have alot of spare cash to spend on a new carry gun and holser. so what suggestions do you have? Looking for 38, 357 or 9mm since I have ammo in all of those. also will need a good holster that is easy to remove from my belt.
compact revolver suggestion
- Thread starter jak67429
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JCooperfan1911
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Kimber K6 would be great.
Ohen Cepel
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S&W J frame in .38 is where I think I would start. Pretty reasonably priced these days (in my mind). Charter and Taurus could also be worth a look.
Kimber is a good option as JC pointed out but I think will be the most $$ of them.
Kimber is a good option as JC pointed out but I think will be the most $$ of them.
Jim Watson
Member
One Ruger, two Ruger. I would look at a LCR. .38 is on an aluminum frame, .357 and 9mm are steel, therefore heavier.
UncleEd
Member
Ruger LCR (hammerless) or a S&W
J-frame (hammerless) which allows
for easy pocket carry. Stick with .38.
Ruger engineered its LCR to have
just about the best out of the box
light double action pull yet be reliable.
J-frame (hammerless) which allows
for easy pocket carry. Stick with .38.
Ruger engineered its LCR to have
just about the best out of the box
light double action pull yet be reliable.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
If you have problems loading an autoloader you won't fare much better with a DA revolver one handed. At least I hope you don't plan on loading it quickly.
Believe it or not a Single Action, if you can lay it on a table or bench is easier to unload and reload one handed.
The problem with a DA revolver is loading it with it lying on it's side. Keeping the cylinder open may require a block of some sort to keep the cylinder open for loading.
It can be done, it just takes practice and patience.
All the recommendations above are pretty much what I was going to say. If you're on a limited budget I would look at a good used S&W or Ruger.
Believe it or not a Single Action, if you can lay it on a table or bench is easier to unload and reload one handed.
The problem with a DA revolver is loading it with it lying on it's side. Keeping the cylinder open may require a block of some sort to keep the cylinder open for loading.
It can be done, it just takes practice and patience.
All the recommendations above are pretty much what I was going to say. If you're on a limited budget I would look at a good used S&W or Ruger.
edwardware
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And I think you need to try a couple compact revolvers before buying anything. I shoot a collection of 6" .357s, and a S&W 642, and they are completely different.
Moped vs Hayabusa, 4oz tack hammer vs 12# sledge hammer. . . try before you buy!
aaaaa
Member
What about the trick of stuffing the revolver in your waistband with the cylinder open so you can load one-handed?
Other than that, carry a small pistol so you can do a New York Reload: drop the empty revolver and grab the pistol. You can get some pretty small pistols in .32 or .380 ACP.
Other than that, carry a small pistol so you can do a New York Reload: drop the empty revolver and grab the pistol. You can get some pretty small pistols in .32 or .380 ACP.
J-Bar
Member
I carry a S&W model 60, my wife carries a model 36, both in .38 Special. Very comfortable, not very expensive if you shop for a good used one. Carry two if you are worried about only having 5 shots and reloading is a problem. You won’t lose money if you decide to sell one or both after you recover from surgery.
aaaaa
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The problem with carrying two revolvers is they are somewhat bulky. I would go with a pocket semiauto for the backup gun and hope that the revolver is enough to get the job done. Also consider that .357 magnum will be a much better stopper than 38 Special.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
.357 out of a compact revolver has quite a bit of recoil. If someone has hand and wrist problems already it may be a poor choice.
Jim Watson
Member
Agreed. But a steel framed .357 would also be more comfortable with Specials, even the wadcutters some are happy with.
I know you want to stay with a caliber you are set up for and are probably wise to do so these days, but you COULD get a LCR sixshooter in .327 Magnum, firing .32 H&R if the recoil was too much.
I know you want to stay with a caliber you are set up for and are probably wise to do so these days, but you COULD get a LCR sixshooter in .327 Magnum, firing .32 H&R if the recoil was too much.
GBExpat
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I'd be on the hunt for a nice S&W Model 36. 
Jim Watson
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What is your usual carry automatic?
bannockburn
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Got just the ticket for you: a gently used S&W Model 649: all stainless steel construction, able to handle the occasional "hotter than usual" ammo with no difficulty, and comfortable enough to carry for extended periods of time without feeling like you're carrying a brick around on your belt.
aaaaa
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Good point. Most, if not all, .357s can fire 38 Special. With what I know now and were I buying my first revolver, it would not be the S&W 642 38 Special I have now but a small .357 S&W and I would go for a 3" barrel over the 2" for a bit better placement.
Ethan Verity
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I'm a fan of the S&W Model 642. It's light, easy to carry, and a good shooter. I put 100 rounds through mine just yesterday.
Tallball
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I injured my dominant hand about a month ago and it's still not recovered yet.
The two handguns that I am able to dry fire well with my weak hand are an LCR in 38 special and a 3" k-frame 38 special.
They both fit my hand well, balance well for me, and have extremely nice triggers.
Apparently they will be my CC and "nightstand" pieces for a couple more weeks yet.
(My S&W j-frame is still in the sock drawer because its trigger isn't as nice as the LCR's.)
The two handguns that I am able to dry fire well with my weak hand are an LCR in 38 special and a 3" k-frame 38 special.
They both fit my hand well, balance well for me, and have extremely nice triggers.
Apparently they will be my CC and "nightstand" pieces for a couple more weeks yet.
(My S&W j-frame is still in the sock drawer because its trigger isn't as nice as the LCR's.)
ontarget
Member
A 642 in a pocket holster, or an IWB clip on type holster stoked with your favorite flavor of ammo would be a safe choice.
Mine has a pretty light trigger and handles acceptably with the small boot grips.
Mine has a pretty light trigger and handles acceptably with the small boot grips.
LaneP
Member
A lot of great suggestions above. My wife has never had the upper body strength to manipulate a semiauto slide so first we got her into a Taurus M85 which she carried for several decades, then when the 13 oz LCR .38 came out she got that. Another consideration is a S&W 642 or 442. I have the 17 oz LCR .357 and will carry that IWB on occasion. If you like shooting +P .38's that will add a few ounces to help dampen recoil.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I'd be on the hunt for a nice S&W Model 36.
I have a model 442 and a model 36. If one is not pocket carrying the 36 would be an excellent choice for carry. They are compact and you have the option of double or single action. With the right ammo my 36 is very accurate.
Pudge
Member
This advice is worth what you paid for it, but you asked and I have an opinion. The .357 out of an LCR is really something. But Ruger knew it, and while it is really light and there is significant recoil, they worked hard to take the edge off, and their work paid dividends. I've read about people complaining about the recoil of a .38 LCR, but .38's out of the .357 LCR are no big deal. The .38 LCR is noticeably lighter, but it does less to absorb recoil. I feel like the .357 LCR is plenty light, lighter than a J frame S&W, the 5 bullets and the holster seem to double its weight, but its grip and steel frame do a good job of making it more shooter friendly. If you're going LCR to shoot, my recommendation is get the .357 model even if you only intend to shoot .38's.
I really like J Frame S&W's. I have found that the Ergo Delta Grip, while pretty ugly, really improves my shooting without compromising any concealability.
Just be warned, if you are used to shooting a 6" GP, shooting a little 2" is a very humbling proposition. Those little guns are shooters, but it takes some work to discover what they can do. Start close and back up slowly.
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