Looking for advice to help me choose a new pocket gun (kinda long)

[pingwax]

I am trying to pick a new revolver and am looking for some feedback from people that may have one or all of them.

First, some info. on me. I currently own a Sig P220 stainless, a Springfield 1911A1 Mil Spec and a Ruger Vaquero .44 mag. I shoot the Sig the most, about 400 rounds a month.

The new gun will possibly be used as a CCW, but for the most part, I just like punching holes in paper. I have rented a Ruger sp101 twice (the only snub available at the local range) and put 50 rounds of .357 magnum through it each time. I found it to be pretty easy to be accurate with and the recoil pretty manageable. It was odd adjusting to such a small grip, but it was not uncomfortable to shoot.

The current plan is that I will probably shoot mostly .38 special since it is cheaper and I plan to shoot it a lot. Every so often I will use .357 magnum to stay familiar with the feel of it, but I can't afford to shoot that all the time. In the times that I do carry it, I will carry it with .357.

Given all of that, the criteria are that it:
Should be capable of being a comfortable pocket gun
Should be a snub nose, because I think it will be a fun addition
Should be able to stand up to a lot of shooting.

So here is what I'm looking at:
Ruger sp101: The only snub I have experience with (and it’s limited at that). It seems like a solid comfortable gun to shoot and it is inexpensive.

S&W 360 kit gun: 3" barrel seems like it would be better for plinking and adjustable sights are nice, even if they probably wouldn't get adjusted very often. Big sights might impede carrying it and I'm uncertain how the Sc weight guns will handle.

S&W M60: 3" barrel and adjustable sights again, but in a steel frame. The one I handled seemed really small though and I wonder if it would stand up to a lot of shooting.

S&W M649: 2" barrel and no adjustable sights. Has the steel frame. I like the idea of the shrouded hammer; might be better for carrying, but if I want to plink in single action, the option is available.

given these options, what do you think? Is there any strong points for or against some of these? Do you think there is a better option that I'm missing?

All feedback is welcome and thanks in advance.

 

[C.R.Sam]

I went for other.
In that class....I would much prefer S&W Model 19 2.5".
Easy to conceal, a joy to shoot and accurate.

I use pocket holsters with pocket guns.
Keeps em where you thought they were.
Keeps pocket junk out of em.

Sam

 

[Jim March]

Unless you've got pockets like Bobo the clown, none of the 3"ers will make for a front-pants-pocket gun.

But in my opinion, NONE of the guns in this size range are really usable as a pocket gun. That's what the NAA Black Widow is for .

These little five-guns are OK in a *jacket* pocket. They're really slick in a good IWB holster and if you go that route, you'll find the 3" barrel flavors work better than 2"ers (the longer barrel lets you set the cylinder up a bit higher without the gun flopping over).

There's also fanny packs, ankle rigs and shoulder rigs...in most of these cases, esp. fanny packs, the extra inch of barrel doesn't hurt at all.

You'll also find weight isn't a serious issue with any GOOD variant of these carry methods, and hence the SP101 is really nice. By far and away the toughest of these, and most folks consider them the most comfortable to shoot of all the snubbies.

 

[JCM298]

649

I've had a 649 for 5 or 6 years. It is the most accurate snub I've ever owned although it is ugly & humped-backed. I've had Colt, other Smiths, & Taurus but none come close to the 649.

The ability to use it SA allows for precise accuracy testing of different loads.

The double action was a little rough at the beginning but it smoothed out with use.

My 340SC is not quite as accurate but because of its weight, it is my "always" gun,

John

 

[Jim March]

PS: danged if I know how CR Sam manages . Overalls? Weird pants?

Dickies, slacks and other office-compatible stuff just won't cut it pocket-packing a J-class piece like the S&W M60 or SP101. Not in my experience, anyways. Anybody standing next to me can look down at my pocket and spot the grip!

 

[pingwax]

I'm not as familiar with revolvers, but I believe the model 19 is equivalent to the model 66. I did look at these, but with the medium frame, they are quite large compared to, say, the sp101. I suspect they would be more manageble, but they are a bit larger than I am looking for at the moment.

The model 60 3" at the local shop is pretty small, despite its length. I believe it would be easier to carry in the pocket than the sp101. That is my main concern with it actually, it is seems almost delicate; I wonder if it would stand up to regular use.

For IWB carry, I would deffinately just go with the Sig. I am very confident with it and fairly proficient with it (I can keep 8 shots in under 4 inches at 50' now).

I wear jeans 99.9% of the time, but I often keep my shirt tucked in. It therefore would be nice to be able to keep the snub in the truck and be able to stick it in a pocket if I wanted to.

Realistically though, that won't happen very often. I will spend, by far, more of my time with the pistol at the range.

 

[Avery Goodschott]

My current pocket rocket is a S&W Model 64 NY-1 bobbed hammer DAO in a homemade Slickern's Knot holster.

Hammers can catch.....going in and coming out.

 

[Ala Dan]

From your list, I voted for the S&W model 649.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member