Revolver to carry

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hatterasurf

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I decided that i want a snub revolver to carry this summer. I want one that is less than 19 oz. I'm not sure if a .357 would be any better an .38spl +p coming out of 2in barrel(please voice your views). If not than, i'll get the lighter .38 to save from carrying the extra 7oz.

Now to which gun to get.

1. S&W 60
2. S&W 637
3. Taurus 617 (7 shot, i like that idea)
4. your recommendation

Thanks for your help guys,
John
 
My wife carries a .357 model 60 loaded with .38+P. I don't like the super light guns because of the chance of bullets jumping their crimp and seizing the gun up.....less chance of this with a .357 chamber and a SS frame. The model 60 feels nice in my pocket, not too heavy.
 
This is another "vote" for a Model 60. It is only 3+ oz heavier than the 19 ounce "minimum" (but the poster had it on his choice list) but, IMHO is a lot more gun than the super light snubbies and with the added choice of 357 to the "mix" gives the shooter a lot more choices.
 
For pocket carry I'd suggest a S&W 642, Taurus M85UL; and similar light weight J-Frame sized pistols from S&W or Taurus. There are lots of options so concealed/shrouded/bobbed/exposed hammer is personal preference. Try to shoot a couple if you can and see if you're comfortable with 357 Mag in a gun that size & weight or if you'd prefer to stick with .38 Special.

If you're going to step up a bit in weight and carry IWB or OWB you can cheat up on size & weight without compromising ease of carry on the belt. In that case a S&W 2, 2.5, or 3 inch S&W K Frame will give you 6 rounds in mid frame gun that's very easy to shoot and still easy to carry. Alternately - keep in mind I'm a K Frame die hard here - the Ruger SP101 is an excellent choice. I've had a 3" 38 only SP101 for a few days and find that it's a good 'tweener' size. It's a little larger and more pleasant to shoot (for me) than a J Frame and is little friendlier than a K frame for IWB carry. The weight is nice for soaking up recoil, which also helps with the pleasant shooting. The trade off is that you lose a round to a K Frame, and (based on 357 Mag SPs that I've shot) the K Frames are more shootable with magnum loads.

Confused yet? Me too. That's why I have a 2.5" S&W M66 (357 Mag K Frame), a 3" SP101 because I found it for a good price, and am now waiting on a J Frame to pop up at the right price. Best of luck in your search and feel free to ask if there's anyhting else we can help with.
 
I have shot a S&W lady smith .357 and it was a lot of recoil, but not to much to make me not want to carry it(only if i gain something from it over .38spl +p). I have S&W model 67, that i love to shot. Weight is a big fact for me. I hate carrying my cell phone, so that gives you an explain. So i'll be happy to save from carrying an extra 4 oz.
 
My wife has a 642 and it fits her nicely. If I will be wearing something that does not lend itself to concealing a larger gun I have a S&W 337pd. It is the Airlite .38 spl +p weighs about 10 1/2 oz. With +p rounds it will give you a pretty good smack, I don't have a problem but we are all different. I consider the recoil a reasonable trade for ease of carry. Jim.
 
I've shot a regular Taurus 85 SS with factory grips and it is heavy enough to be quite comfortable when shooting a lot.
 
More recomendations above are for the S&W 642 or Taurus 85UL.
My Taurus is my Sunday carry. Daily is 1911.
I do not consider myself under gunned w/ this.
It is basic, blue, w/ hammer. I carry it in one of 2 Galco holsters depending on dress. Highride Concealable is my preference. Tuckable when coatless or vestless.
If you want the stainless, hammerless, & I confess a little better trigger, then go w/ the 642 for every day carry.
If basic is sufficent then the T85 will do you a good job.

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The S&W 12 oz. Aitlite .357 revolvers are actually painful to shoot and are very hard to control. If you buy a Snub Nose J frame make it a 23 oz. Stainless Steel one.

I bought a S&W 15 oz. Airweight .38 Sp +P Model 638. (Bodyguard frame) I would suggest the M638, M642 or the M442 (in Blue). The M637 is a great revolver too but the exposed hammer might get caught on your clothing.

Here is a photo of my M638 wearing a set of S&W Banana Stocks I got off Ebay:

DSCN2054.jpg
 
Of your choices, i'd pick the 637.

But the 642/442 would probably be a better choice, since SA in a revolver is good for range but not self defense. Might as well get a DAO so that you force yourself to practice that way.

Steve
 
reverse engineering it...

IMHO - reverse engineering can lead you to think outside the box here. There's already a lot of good info in most of the replys but here's my 2 cents worth. you want to launch a .357 slug at reasonably close range with good terminal ballistics. A revolver is your chosen launch platform. a .357 snubbie will burn most of it's powder charge outside of a 2 inch barrel. this results in an enormous muzzle blast/flash which while impressive at the range puts you at a tactical disadvantage in most cases. a .38 or .38+P will give you about all the recoil and muzzle blast/flash the average person can handle while still providing acceptable terminal ballistics out of a snubbie. pick the revolver you can feel most comfortable handling because that will be the one you shoot the best. worry about the weight from the standpoint of how best to carry your chosen weapon and not necessarily from how much it weighs. a good holster or concealment pack can make all the difference in the world and if properly fitted to both you and the weapon the total weight won't really be an issue. BTW - i am 5' 9" 190# and my concealed carry rig is a S&W mod 13 in an inside the pants appendix carry. loaded with 200 grain hardcast lead in a .38 special case @ about 900 fps. bad ju ju for man or beast. good luck - hope you find the right rig.
 
My S&W 386Pd .357mag 17.5oz empty 7shot carries great in Galco hi ride under lose fit shirt all day long. Here in Fla when it starts gettin hotter i will swich to S&W 638 shourded hammer .38sp+p love them both and carry them always sometimes both at once:)

spacecoastguy
 
Another vote for a Smith 340 here. I bought one two years ago, and it would be the absolute LAST gun I'd sell. Perfect for carry in the pocket (without it banging around your private parts all day :scrutiny: ) and packs a heck of a punch! I carry mine stoked with .38+p's and range shoot with .38 standard loads. I bought a box of #20 .357 SD loads. I still have 19 in the box. I will not shoot it again with .357. It HURT! It is definitely a carry always, shoot a little type of proposition, but for a dedicated "always on 'ya" gun, it can't be beat.
 
340 PD.
NOTHING carries better.
First 2 up in mine are Corbon DPX 38+P.
Last 3 are Corbon DPX 357.

coach22
 
Taurus 617, 7 shot .357

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+ to Longtooth and the 85 or 642 in .38 special. Trust me, you don't want to shoot a hot .357 in a lightweight titanium revolver. And, you really kill the velocity in a 2" barrel and the flash/bang is excessive.

My own carry is a Taurus M85 stainless Ultra Lite. It has a much better trigger than the 642s I've fired and I like having the hammer on it. I like having the SA option. The 642 is the classic pocket self defense revolver, though, and an excellent choice for pure pocket carry in the CCW role and it's only slightly more money than the Taurus, best deal Smith and Wesson has IMHO.

5153PICT00482.JPG
 
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