I want to buy a new revolver for concealed carry. My eyes aren't so good any more and so I think that it will be equipped with crimson trace grips. I currently have a Smith and Wesson Model 65-2 with a 3" bull barrel and am a decent enough shot with it at the range at least. I have had a cc permit for about the last ten years or so but rarely carry due to the weight and bulk of the revolver and my bianchi cross-draw holster with thumb break. I have been practicing DA only the last couple of outings.
Before the 65 I had 60 (that was around 1980) and thought I would go back to that until I noticed the dizzying array of s&w j-frames in the case. After doing some heavy internet research I decided that the centennial style enclosed hammer made alot of sense. +P ammo is fine with me so the field narrows to the 442 and 642.
I prefer the blue/black 442 but it has a carbon steel cylinder and barrel. Will that have a tendency to rust over the stainless components of the 642? What about the 1-7/8 vs 2-1/2" barrels? I know there will be a small bump in muzzle velocity but with the laser is the sight plane improvement still a consideration?
So then last time to the range I wanted to shoot one to check out the alleged killer recoil but alas they didn't have one to rent. However, they did have a Ruger LCR and I really liked it. The trigger was nice light and smooth, very comparable to my 65. Light weight, recoil not an issue even with the 135 gr +P rounds I normally carry. I read the positive reviews done by Gunblast and American Rifleman and have concluded that the design and construction of the Ruger addresses and meets pretty much all the features that interest me in a cc weapon. I have never owned or shot a Ruger before this but am not married to s&w either.
There are some incidents reported of flame cutting the frame and firing mechanism problems with the LCR and comments about the lack of a specific warranty from Ruger. As a happy owner of a BMW motorcycle I take the doom and gloom reports on the internet with a grain of salt. I haven't read of any operational or customer service complaints about the s&w.
Sorry for the long post but I'm looking for some bit of information that will break this tie in my mind. The small difference in price is not an issue for me.
Before the 65 I had 60 (that was around 1980) and thought I would go back to that until I noticed the dizzying array of s&w j-frames in the case. After doing some heavy internet research I decided that the centennial style enclosed hammer made alot of sense. +P ammo is fine with me so the field narrows to the 442 and 642.
I prefer the blue/black 442 but it has a carbon steel cylinder and barrel. Will that have a tendency to rust over the stainless components of the 642? What about the 1-7/8 vs 2-1/2" barrels? I know there will be a small bump in muzzle velocity but with the laser is the sight plane improvement still a consideration?
So then last time to the range I wanted to shoot one to check out the alleged killer recoil but alas they didn't have one to rent. However, they did have a Ruger LCR and I really liked it. The trigger was nice light and smooth, very comparable to my 65. Light weight, recoil not an issue even with the 135 gr +P rounds I normally carry. I read the positive reviews done by Gunblast and American Rifleman and have concluded that the design and construction of the Ruger addresses and meets pretty much all the features that interest me in a cc weapon. I have never owned or shot a Ruger before this but am not married to s&w either.
There are some incidents reported of flame cutting the frame and firing mechanism problems with the LCR and comments about the lack of a specific warranty from Ruger. As a happy owner of a BMW motorcycle I take the doom and gloom reports on the internet with a grain of salt. I haven't read of any operational or customer service complaints about the s&w.
Sorry for the long post but I'm looking for some bit of information that will break this tie in my mind. The small difference in price is not an issue for me.
