I think I made the right decision

[Eddiejoe3333]

I was looking for something that is rather hard to come by - Ruger Speed Six with the 2 3/4 inch barrel. Finish was not important.

I say "was" because I have paused my search. I found a Security Six (adjustable sights) yesterday at the local gun show. I passed on it for two reasons - I want fixed sights for pocket carry, and it was pretty heavy.
Now, after having held the one at the show (okay, I WAS tempted to buy it at $650), I realized that pocket carry is not realistic with either model simply due to the weight (IMHO).

Here is reality meeting fantasy and beating the snot out of it! I already carry a SIG P365 in my pocket, and I have carried a Ruger LCR before. Both are lightweight, reliable firearms.

These older Rugers are built like tanks, reliable, accurate, and usually affordable. I decided to stick with what I have because I would have had to sell that P365 to pay for the Ruger, and I would have regretted it.

Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma?

 

[Gordon]

Wise decision! Use HST 124 grain +P ammo for carry

 

[drobs]

If you shoot well with your P365, best bet is to keep it and add another gun.

Maybe find a Security Six at a gun shop and put it on layaway. Pay it off over time.

Security Six revolvers have gone up in price / value over the last 10+ years. I bought my 1st (stainless on the left) in 2010 and paid $350 for it. The 2nd blued one cost around $500 something.
I would like to add a 4 inch stainless SS to this group but don't want to pay $600 plus for it.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I was looking for something that is rather hard to come by - Ruger Speed Six with the 2 3/4 inch barrel. Finish was not important.

I say "was" because I have paused my search. I found a Security Six (adjustable sights) yesterday at the local gun show. I passed on it for two reasons - I want fixed sights for pocket carry, and it was pretty heavy.
Now, after having held the one at the show (okay, I WAS tempted to buy it at $650), I realized that pocket carry is not realistic with either model simply due to the weight (IMHO).

Here is reality meeting fantasy and beating the snot out of it! I already carry a SIG P365 in my pocket, and I have carried a Ruger LCR before. Both are lightweight, reliable firearms.

These older Rugers are built like tanks, reliable, accurate, and usually affordable. I decided to stick with what I have because I would have had to sell that P365 to pay for the Ruger, and I would have regretted it.

Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma?

Yes I run into that dilemma! my daily pocket carry is my super reliable Ruger LCP Max 10 shot of .380

But it’s never stop me from buying more pocket snub nose!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

For a time I owned a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel and fixed sights. It was more comfortable to shoot with heavy loads than my S&W 3" M60s but I was never tempted to carry it. Eventually sold that Ruger and kept both of my M60s.

 

[Pat Riot]

Has anyone else faced a similar dilemma?

Absolutely!

I have bought several different carry pistols only to find I really either didn’t trust them or like them. I always end up going back to my S&W 442 .38 Spl.

I got it in my head that I wanted…No, needed a Ruger SP101 for CCW a couple of years back. I have never shot one nor carried one, but I was determined to buy one. Until one day there was a used one at my LGS and I handled it.
I was actually surprised how heavy it was. The sales guy let me put it in my pocket and walk around for a few minutes.
I saved $500 that day.

Oh, I may one day get an SP 101, but not for pocket carry.

 

[.38 Special]

For my money, a frame of that size and weight should probably carry a 4" barrel: if you're going to put up with the damn thing, it might as well be as shootable as possible. A short barrel on a service-sized steel frame strikes me as neither here nor there - and as much as I have a jones for an old Detective Special, I doubt I'd either carry or shoot it outside of special occasions.

Conversely, if you're looking for something truly portable, it ought to be aluminum or Scandium or something along those lines - and come with a concealed hammer and a 2" barrel.

Which is a long way of saying that when I'm up for lugging the thing, a 4" K frame gets the nod, and when I'm not, it's a PD340.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Conversely, if you're looking for something truly portable, it ought to be aluminum or Scandium or something along those lines - and come with a concealed hammer and a 2" barrel.

Basically in agreement with this, although a 3" Centennial would be pretty cool. Chased one or two on the 'broker.
But I do agree for actual carry, lighter is better. But have I told you about my 640s? Actually killed a deer with the old one (Disclaimer; she had already smashed hell out of my buddy's pickup.)
Moon

 

[stonebuster]

Absolutely!

I have bought several different carry pistols only to find I really either didn’t trust them or like them. I always end up going back to my S&W 442 .38 Spl.

I got it in my head that I wanted…No, needed a Ruger SP101 for CCW a couple of years back. I have never shot one nor carried one, but I was determined to buy one. Until one day there was a used one at my LGS and I handled it.
I was actually surprised how heavy it was. The sales guy let me put it in my pocket and walk around for a few minutes.
I saved $500 that day.

Oh, I may one day get an SP 101, but not for pocket carry.

Sp101 2.25" at 25 ounces carries very well IWB or OWB in a Simply Rugged Silver dollar pancake holster with a stiff belt. Conceals OWB with a long untucked t-shirt. SP 101 isn't really a pocket carry gun.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think you made the right decision. These modern, reliable, compact autos are designed for carry.

 

[Riomouse911]

I think you made the right decision. These modern, reliable, compact autos are designed for carry.

^^ Same here.

Here is a pic of a 3” Model 36 with an oversized grip and a SA 35 Hi Power copy. The SS woukd be of similar overall size to the 36, with a smaller grip though.



Neither would be my choice for pocket carry if a 365/Hellcat type gun was also available.

Sometimes the best buy is the one we don’t make.

Stay safe.

 

[tubeshooter]

For a time I owned a Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel and fixed sights. It was more comfortable to shoot with heavy loads than my S&W 3" M60s but I was never tempted to carry it. Eventually sold that Ruger and kept both of my M60s.

I still have a 3" GP with the compact grip, and I agree that it's just a little too much to carry around for an EDC unless you really, really want to. What it DOES make for is a relatively small and very robust woods/house gun.


This also, to me at least, speaks as to why the K-frame snub club is so much smaller than the J-frame snub club. There's a reason for that. The K's probably shoot like a dream - but the word "pocket" doesn't come up much. Especially nowadays with all the other options.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

This also, to me at least, speaks as to why the K-frame snub club is so much smaller than the J-frame snub club. There's a reason for that. The K's probably shoot like a dream - but the word "pocket" doesn't come up much. Especially nowadays with all the other options.

Totally agree, but ever since I shot an M27 I've also been wanting an N-frame .38 or .357!

 

[Armorer 101]

I did a few of these for the ladies of the family to carry and take their CWP class with. The Airweight +P 38 Spl 637 with hammer for single action shots. I took them all down and did a carry gun type action job on them, smoothed all the internal machined edges. Replaced the springs with Wolf kits, then put Packmeyer grips on for one more finger, then got two speed loaders for each. If you want a revolver for pocket carry, this is the answer to a reasonable weight and cost light weight revolver.

 

[WisBorn]

My favorite carry is a 442. The Airweight is a nice size and weight. My #2 carry is a Kimber R7 Mako it's about 0.4" longer and 1 ounce heavier than the 365.

I think you made a good decision holding onto the 365. If you want a revolver for a pocket carry option I would go with a LCR again or an Airweight J frame...

 

[Riomouse911]

The S&W airweights are certainly good carry/pocket revolvers. I avoided them for ages due to their snappy recoil, but when the cost of a new 642 was unbelievably affordable several years ago I picked one up. A couple years later I added a clean tribal PD trade-in 442 I found for $180.

They still snap at me when fired, but if carry was on the docket these airweights would certainly be an early choice.

Stay safe.

 

[Eddiejoe3333]

Totally agree, but ever since I shot an M27 I've also been wanting an N-frame .38 or .357!

I have a 4-inch Model 28. I carry that on my hip when walking around the property. When I'm in town, I usually have the Sig in my pocket. I love that heavy, solid feel to the M28! I've had a few, but traded or sold them off. I'm keeping this one!

 

[Haywood]

I have had several snubs in various sizes. I miss some of the bigger six shooters and even had a seven shooter at one time. Although I miss them if I’m going to carry something that heavy, I carry my Glock 26. At this point I quite often carry Two J- Frames. In most areas I am in throughout the day. I feel quite comfortable with Two J-Frames, 10 shots plus reloads. I’ve been carrying these Two lately.

 

[buttrap]

My wife has a performance center talo 637 that I carry at times on hot days. I prefer my 60 target 3 inch but that can be hard to hide on beach days. Her brother used to have a speed six 4 inch and that gun did shoot so well I was shocked vs my smith and wesson 357s.

 

[Pat Riot]

Sometimes the best buy is the one we don’t make.

Ain’t that the truth.

They still snap at me when fired, but if carry was on the docket these airweights would certainly be an early choice.

I found that +P ammo isn’t worth the snap and pop. I carry and shoot standard velocity ammo in my 442. It’s manageable and I can get in quick follow up shots accurately.