Concealed Carry Revolvers

[Huntolive]

Just got permit, and want your recs. on good cc revolvers.
Want something that will knock down both a large man, and modest sized bear fast. Also live/hunt in snake infested area, but that is secondary consideration.
Have revolvers in 44Mag and 45LC already, but will consider other calibers.
What do you think of ultralight models by either Taurus, or Ruger (LRC or LCR)?
I am willing to cary something decent sized, if that is what it takes, but wouldnt' mind a good match of compact, lightweigth power.
Not looking to spend more than $600.

Thanks! Your advice may help save a life (and clean up some riff raff ;-)

 

[Old Fuff]

I would trust my Taurus .38 Special/Ultra-Lite snubby or Colt Detective Special on any two-legged attacker I might run into because what does the "stopping" is bullet placement, not raw power. However I have no intention of trying to do the same on any full grown bear. I also can't get enough shot into a .38 Special to impress a big snake (which we do have in Arizona) but a ball round will do the job.

The small, lightweight snubbies are not up to what you have in mind, even in .44 Special or .357 Magnum. I suggest that you buy a good holster for one of your .44 Magnum's or .45 Colt's and a garment to cover it when concealment is necessary.

 

[357 Terms]

sp101 357 mag, 2.25 or 3in barrel

Great for CCW, I love my 2.25 DAO, carries real well and handles 357 great for a 5 shot snubbie.

All kinds of choices for the 357, bullet weight and construction, and you have all you requested.

You could also get a k-frame Smith (or an L-frame snubbie), or a Six series Ruger. These are six shot and would be larger.

 

[coop2564]

Look into a Charter arms Bulldog .44sp or Pug .357 great carry guns and pack power.

 

[1894]

SP101. Mine is a 2¼" but if I had to do it over again, I'd prolly get a 3". I have no proof (though someone here will) that the additional length will help with sight radius, muzzle flash, velocity, etc. I just can't hit a soda can at anything over about 20yds. Still, it's my favorite.

You might also consider a GP100 in 3" or 4" if you want to go that large. Go to your lgs and play w/ a few.

A six series Ruger would be an excellent choice as 357 Terms suggested.

 

[rooster59]

As to the modest size bear fast, I would go for a Freedom Arms Model 83 Field Grade Adjustable Sights in .475 Linebaugh. I don't know who makes an IWB or pocket holster, someone else may help.

 

[Wishoot]

Can't help you with the bear thing. I'm bringing a 12ga with slugs if I'm walking around bear country.

As far as the revolver is concerned, the LCR is excellent and Rugers service is tops. Their .357 LCR is lightweight and the trigger is fantastic. I carry an LCR .38 almost every day.

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm really liking the LCR in thunderwear for deep concealment. But I hate the sticky Hogues it comes with. I've got Eagle's wood grips on order, but they're swamped with demand now.

Recoil is fine with 158 RN or wadcutters, and acceptable with LSCWHP's. I'd stay away from the light high-vel rounds as you'll get more blast and flash with no improvement in performance and marginal penetration.

 

[sirsloop]

Why on earth would a person need a CONCEALED CARRY "BEAR" GUN??? The bear don't care if you conceal bro!

 

[1894]

^^^Because you don't want to alarm Goldilocks when you walk in on her....

 

[19-3Ben]

Why on earth would a person need a CONCEALED CARRY "BEAR" GUN??? The bear don't care if you conceal bro!

I think it may be that he wants one "do it all" gun. Honestly, I don't know that it really exists. Anything in a caliber big enough to

knock down ... modest sized bear fast

is going to be a big gun to carry around, like an N frame smith. There are plenty of people who carry N frames around, it's just not going to be a walk in the park.

I also don't know exactly what you mean by "modest sized bear." If we're talking black bears, you may be able to get away with a heavily loaded .357mag 4" tube on a mid-frame. Still not an easy gun to carry around, but easier than N frames. Even then, black bears are relatively small as bears go so I don't know if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks

Sounds like the Ruger 357LCR is a good bet. How nasty is the recoil/kick?
I have shot 454 SRH in 7.5" brl, and did not find it bad at all, but in a little gun, 357 might be nasty. Thoughts?

What is an "sp 101" ? SP?

Yes the idea is 1 gun for trail (for example when bow hunting or at night camped in deep bear country) and street carry personal defense.

 

[sirsloop]

I've shot .38spl +P outta a Smith 340 M&P (11.4oz) and it stung. I cant imagine loading up full horse .357's in that tiny little thing! Ouchers! For comparison my 686SSR is like 38oz and its got a healthy snap to it. Multiply by more than 3 times as much felt recoil. Brutal for such a tiny little gun.

I would get a CCW gun for using when you are walking around people. Then I would get a hunting gun you use when not walking around people. Bears and snakes don't care if you are showing. Like really when is the last time you were in any danger of being eaten by a bear or bit by a snake... ***AND*** you needed to CCW!! Lol.. I was walking down the main street today and a rattlesnake scared the grizzly bear that was hiding behind a parked pickup truck..

 

[dprice3844444]

ruger alaskan 454casull

 

[19-3Ben]

What is an "sp 101" ? SP?

This.
It's a very solid recommendation, given what you are looking for

 

[Jim NE]

For mere concealability/carry-ability, it's very hard (if not impossible) to beat the classic old S&W model 37 that I just bought. It's an alloy frame, so it weighs next to nothing and is chambered in .38 special. Won't knock down a bear, except maybe point blank. You may want to rethink that criteria and look for a second gun. JMO.

It's not like the modern alloy frames, though, which has it's pros and cons. CONS? It's not as strong as the modern alloy frames, so you can't shoot +P on a regular basis. PROS? The smaller original grips fit in (and slide out of) a pocket much better in my experience.

Mine's accurate and very solid, though I intentionally wanted a less expensive example with pre-existing scratches so I wouldn't fuss over it like my other old revolvers.

I was truly surprised how pleasant the recoil was with target loads, but I know it'll be a bit stiffer with more standard charges. I ordered some non+P hollow points, as they aren't easy to find in stores around here.

My model 37 makes my SP 101, and even my Rossi M88, seem like bricks. They just aren't as comfortable to carry. As far as the LCR, I've never shot one, but I was impressed when I held one. Very light, and well built, I'm sure. A new S&W 442 or 642 would work good.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Just got permit, and want your recs. on good cc revolvers.
Want something that will knock down both a large man, and modest sized bear fast.

The gun you're looking for has wheels and is towed behind a truck.

No handgun, nor any rifle, either, will knock down a man. A good hit from a .38 Special will stop a man, however.

 

[BlackSky]

This would fit the bill. A S&W Model 624 or 24, 3" barrel, .44 Special, carries great in an IWB.

 

[Huntolive]

Thanks for the responses that actually give advice,
but "sirsloop", a comedian you r not... and apparantly have never bow hunted in bear country. Also in many states to carry a gun in bow season, it MUST be CC.

The Alaskan SRH could be just the thing even in 44 Mag, or the 44 special.
Is there a 357 that is well constructed enough to have enough power w/o an extremely nasty kick and still be light enough for every day CC?
Anyone fired the Ruger LCR for instance? Does that come in 357, or just 38?

 

[sidheshooter]

Is there a 357 that is well constructed enough to have enough power w/o an extremely nasty kick and still be light enough for every day CC?
Anyone fired the Ruger LCR for instance? Does that come in 357, or just 38?

The LCR does indeed come in .357. That said, the answer to the question posted right above that has already been answered:

The Ruger SP101 (I'd go 3" if I were you, but mine is a 2 1/4").

Failing that, another favorite of mine is the 3" round butt version of the S&W model 65. That one also stands the test of time (the Feds used to issue these in the revolver days). Mine eats anything I run through it (though I am sparing of super fast light loads like the full house 125s). 158s are cake.

I have fired the LCR, and I would personally not want to make a practice of firing the type of loads that actually make the .357 magnum a magnum enough to get good with it. Others with hands of steel may differ.

FWIW.

 

[Huntolive]

what does sp stand for in sp101?

Many of you have recommended sp 101. What is sp? Brand? Where do I find one? How much$

 

[Doug S]

Doesn't sound like what you're looking for, but the Centennial line of S&W revolvers are about tops for CCW. Wouldn't want to defend against a bear with one, but...

SP101 is manufactured by Ruger firearms...another good gun. My recent purchase of one cost $499, but I think they can be found for a little less. Could also look for a used model. I bought one a few years back for $469, but prices seem to have gone up a little.

 

[beag_nut]

"Look into a Charter arms Bulldog .44sp or Pug .357 great carry guns and pack power. "

Sorry, but the Pug, if you get the modern compensated barrel, isn't any good with shot capsules for snakes, if that's what the intent is.

 

[Jim NE]

The SP101 Ruger is a very well made gun. I purchased mine recently, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The great thing is used, they run $100 to $150 less than a comparable used S&W. (Mine was $378 used.)

It is small, but will reportedly handle ANY .357 round (though I haven't tried really stout loads.) I HAVE tried slightly hot .357 loads, and it's not exactly PLEASANT to shoot.

There was a thread a while back complaining that SP101's might shoot a bit low, generally speaking. Don't know if this is generally true, but it's true of mine. It was suggested that this might be because they are sighted for .357 and most people use .38's most of the time. Mine, however, also shot low with the above mentioned .357's. Just something to consider. OH, and you'll want to get a Hogue monogrip for it, because the stock grips aren't good for any hot loads, IMO.

Mine is stainless - 2 1/4 inch and very concealable, just bulky compared to my S&W 37 and Rossi 88. Pretty heavy for it's small size. They're easy to find new, but a little harder to find used, due to their reasonable price.

Good gun, as long as you keep in mind the sight might need to be filed or something. BEST WISHES.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

What is a SP101? Its a Ruger .357 magnum available in 2.25", 3" & 4" barrels.

The SP stands for Special Purpose (I think.) Mine is the 2.25" double action only one.

I'm a S&W and Colt fan but carry this little Ruger daily. Its just right and packs a punch.