Concealed Carry Recommendations Please

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I have found the revolver concept reassuring (vs auto) for carry. I just feel more comfortable about the safety and readiness, not to mention the reliability. I also appreciate the available power of revolver offerings.

So, here is the question: What do you recommend for concealed carry?

Criteria
1. I have large hands, so would prefer medium/large frame
2. Must weigh less than 24 oz.
3. Probably .357 mag
4. Must be concealable
5. 4 inch barrel preferred, but may have problems concealing. Any carry solutions for 4 inch barrel?
6. Cost is not a concern

I do not have a great deal of experience with revolvers. I currently care for a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag with 7.5" bbl for back country. Hardly concealable!

Thanks in advance

 

[V-fib]

I like the Ruger Sp101 3" in .357. I carry it every day. I think it weighs about 26oz. The grips are fine for my large hands. I did put a set of crimson trace grips on it which I like allot. The Ruger is rugged, dependable and just plain fun to shoot with any load from .38 to the heaviest .357’s. Try it you’ll like it.

 

[schapman43]

I carry a Ruger GP100 with a 4" barrel and absolutely love it

 

[fallingblock]

I'll second Schapman43......

The fixed-sight "4 GP-100 Ruger is slicker/smoother for carry than equivalent offerings from S&W or Taurus....

 

[sm]

Partial to older K frames myself. Especially the 3" . Your weight req is tough...but a good holster/belt totes one of these...or anything quite well.
IIRC ~ 30 oz for a 3" RB k frame.

 

[Leadbutt]

Kind of hard to say, you don't mention how you are going to carry, for some one with large hands and reinforced pockets i would suggest a Ruger sp101 in 357 mag, if your going to carry on the hip or in side the waist, in your weight limit i would say look at th new S&W TI 357 trail gun or the 44mag, I always liked the 357 model 27 with the 3 1/2" bbl, and carried one for over 20 years before beening forced to go semi

 

[Rob96]

I have two revolvers for concealed carry, an SP-101 and a 4" GP-100. Both are great. I don't find the weight of the GP to be an issue, as my normal concealed carry piece is a 1911. Have been using a Don Hume IWB holster for the SP and just received the same holster in the mail for my GP.

 

[jar]

I'm partial to the Colt D frames, Detective Special, Agent et al. The grip is large enough for good control, 6 instead of 5 rounds and still small enough to carry in your pocket.

 

[RWK]

Many fine options to choose among. I personally favor the Ruger KGP-141 (four-inch barrel, all stainless, full underlug, GP-100 model), but I would also suggest Ruger’s SP-101, and Smiths’ K, L and N Frame .38 Specials/.357 magnums. With good leather -- and that means both a top-rated holster and BELT -- the Gp-100s and the four-inch or less N Frames are concealable and comfortable. I prefer the extra barrel length a four-inch provides (velocity, sight radius) and find the KGP-141 and the S&W Mountain Guns excellent all-purpose revolvers.

Best.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Thanks for all the info. So I can have a .357 with a 4 inch bbl so long as I get good leather. It also appears that many favor the Ruger, while some favor the S&W.

 

[TonyB]

Not to be reptitious....Sp101......my carry ammo is 38+p+....a little heavier than what you asked,but very controllable w/ even 357's,so you're more apt to practice......good luck on the search.

 

[mtnbkr]

For concealed carry I'd consider:

S&W 60 w/3" bbl
SP101
S&W 19/66
GP100
S&W 586/686

in that order. I have the GP100. It carries well with the proper leather, but I'm not comfortable CCW'ing it unless I have a long shirt and a coat
on.

Chris

 

[Hutch]

My all-time rave-fave is the 3" K-frame round-butt Smith, either the M13 or M65. Actually, I also have 3" 547 in 9mm, but that's just braggin'. The S&W 3" K-frame is just about perfect, IMHO. The ONLY drawback is that it requires a decent high-ride holster and cover garment. I like the Hume double-nine. Relatively cheap and good-to-go.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I occasionally carry my four-inch Colt Python. It's a trifle too bulky for me to carry comfortably, but if you're looking for a medium-framed revolver, I've never heard of a finer possibility. Affordable? Well, that's another story.

 

[valnar]

I don't know if you'd want to go that light with a powerful round, but if so, the S&W model 386 fits the bill and meets your requirements, but with a 3"barrel.

Space age materials that are not plastic and only 18.5 ounces.
Medium frame revolver.
Seven rounds of .357Mag or .38sp.

What more could you ask for?

-Robert


PS. The only way to get under 24oz in an all steel frame is to get a small revolver (J-frame in Smith & Wesson). You'd have 5 shots and might be a little small for big hands, although it would certainly conceal better.

 

[MikeJ]

Since you have gotten recommendations for guns that weigh more than 24oz., I will add one more, the Ruger 3" fixed sight GP100. As noted, you will have a very difficult time finding a medium to large frame gun that weighs less than 24oz., in fact I think S&W is the only maker with such an animal but I don't remember the model number. It is obviously made from the newer metals, either titanium or scandium. I think the 3" GP100 just might fit the bill for you, check it out. Best of luck, Mike

 

[Bob C]

I've never fired a scandium or titanium gun, but I am very fond of:

S&W M-37 2" in .38 Special
S&W M-60 2" in .357 magnum
S&W M66 3" in .357 Magnum
Ruger Security Six 2 3/4" in .357 Magnum
S&W M- 686 4" in .357 Magnum
S&W Mountain Gun in any of the available calibers.

These start out with very lightweight, easily concealed models, and progress to more difficult to conceal, but more controllable even with more powerful loads.

Take your choice, and then practice.

 

[Stainz]

I just got what I feel is optimum for carry in a car - or at the bedside - a M10 2" barrel .38+P rated. Weighs 26 oz with a round butt Uncle Mike's grip - properly sized for my medium sized hands (I hate boot grips!). Anyone can fire this K-frame oldie-but-goodie,

My previous CCW - still used for that purpose much of the time - is another discontinued goodie from S&W - a M296. This 5-shot enclosed hammer .44 S&W Special in Al & Ti weighs in at 21 oz loaded with the excellent Blazer 200gr GDJHP's. I replaced the boot grips with the same UM grips that M10 has - great improvement. Those Blazers are super protection - I really like big bores. This L-frame does bark with those Blazers and it's 2.5" barrel. It'll fit in a big pocket...

I have a pair of identical OWB holsters for these smaller fixed sight pieces. They will also take the 4" N-frames I have... they are too heavy for your requirement (40-43 oz). There is that new 329PD that weighs 26.5 oz - essentially a 4" 629 .44 Magnum made of Al & Ti. I hear it is a handful with magnum loads.

Stainz