Small revolver models

[Eric F]

I am still on a search for a pocket gun. I am some what unknowledgable on this matter. What are some models from various manufacturers that are similar in size to the charter arms 44spl or smaller. I am open to any caliber but was really looking at a 44 charter or a 327 federal taurus with a 2in barrel.

But as stated I am still looking I just dont know what models would be similar in size. I am also looking for calibers from 32 mag and up.
Thanks

 

[Cosmoline]

The bulldog isn't exactly small for a CCW piece. There are J frames, esp. the ultra lights and titanium models, that are a notch smaller and half the weight.

For a true pocket gun the paradigm is the Detective Special which weighs about 19-20 oz. The SP-101 is about the upper limit at 26 oz. That's as heavy as most of us will want unless you're carrying in a big winter coat. OTOH you don't want to go so light that you have a firearm that's impossible to control. Personally I find the Centennial magnums and the .38's under 10 oz. are too stout for accuracy. The best all around in my experience is the Detective Special followed by the classic J frame or bodyguard in steel.

The new Ruger LCR also looks pretty interesting, though I haven't shot it yet.

 

[Steve H]

I think tomorrow I'm getting (or at least ordering) the Taurus Model 605

 

[Old Fuff]

I presume you looked over all of Smith & Wesson and Charter’s offerings. What's left is Taurus and Ruger's new LCR - that has a lot to recommend it as a pocket gun.

Taurus has a frame that comes in between the S&W K and L, and is large for pocket carry, but about the smallest you can go in larger calibers, such as .41 Magnum, .44 Special. .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I like these guns, but seldom try to pocket carry them in anything but a coat pocket. They also have a line of J-frame sized guns.

In my opinion, the largest cartridges that are practical for pocket carry are the .38 Special and (seldom seen) 9mm Para. That short list could include the .357 Magnum, but I consider the round to be too powerful in a revolver of such size as to be pocketable.

Pocket guns are a good choice for civilians who are unlikely to encounter any protracted shooting encounters, or as a back-up for a larger handgun. A competent marksman (or women) can make up for the smaller bore size by putting the bullet where it counts, and at the distances likely to be encountered, this isn't extremely difficult unless you have too much cartridge in a too little gun.

 

[Steve H]

Taurus has many model 85's that are .38 and .38+p

 

[MCgunner]

Love my 85UL and Taurus has concealed hammer and bodyguard versions. The 605 is a steel gun, .357 magnum, great shooter. Its a might heavy for a pocket, up near the SP101. But, it'll FIT a large pocket. I like Hogues on those little cannons, though, and that definitely takes 'em out of the pocket category. That SP101 beat the crud out of my middle finger with the factory grips, Hogues were a HUGE improvement.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

Love my new LCR but I hear they are going up in price.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Look for a older Charter arms undercover 38. I found one for 235.00

 

[Publius1688]

Consider a J Frame airweight Smith and Wesson .38 sp, 5 shot. Replace the rosewood grips with Pachmayr, and you are good to go.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I would probably opt for a bobbed hammer Taurus 85 in 38 Special or a Taurus 905 in 9mm and bobbed hammer.

 

[Hoxviii]

To carry I prefer the lightweight J-frames, to shoot I prefer my SP101- so i split the difference and bought a model 36.

It's noticeably smaller than the ruger (though not much lighter), but handles and shoots better than the airweights.

The taurus 85 is the same size and weight as a .38 steel J frame, the 605 is the .357. On a budget, I'd go for the 605. It's a nice weight that allows the comfortable shooting of .357 (even if you don't choose to), but is still small enough to just disappear. There's also the rossi 461 and 351. they're made by taurus but are a little cheaper and still of taurus' quality (however people want to take that).

 

[Taildragger-J3]

I've had a Taurus model 83 for YEARS that I love to shoot. I reload most of my ammo for it. Had a little 5 shot Rossi stainless 38 with a 2" barrel that I sold in a fit of stupidity. Just got another one with a 3" barrel. Shoots more accurately (obviously) and isn't really any harder to conceal. I'm sure a Smith has quality features that warrant it's 2X~3X price premium, but I've been VERY pleased with both the Taurus and the Rossi.

 

[Virginian]

I have a Taurus 605 I like a lot. The best deal going if you can live with 38 Special is a used Rossi Model 68. I got those for both of my daughters and they shoot them really well. Best revolver Rossi ever made by a mile, you can usually find them in great shape under $200.

 

[cannonballmount]

Small revolvers are not as popular as they should be, for some reason. I have read that back in the mid 1800's, Colt sold more little .31 pistols to the civilian market than all other calibers combined, to the civilian market, and by a pretty good margin. The New York police departments first issued model was the Colt New Police .32, I understand. Before that each policeman was responsible to acquire his own weapons. In a few years, after the .32 was adapted, that model was replaced by the .38. I suspect the cops on the beat liked the little .32 a lot, but they did not like it when in a rare real shoot-out.

I like a big bore pistol, but if I carry it in the mountains very long, I begin to wish I had a smaller version. The trim light .22 auto was for a long time, considered best for most wilderness survival, but I might expect the new .327 to be a better combination, however the .44's will probably continue being most popular, but those will end up left locked in the pick-up or left locked up at home, after the first time they are packed for a week or more.

 

[smallbore]

S&W j frame snubbie. . .442 or 642. Rated for 38+p. Nice little revolvers.

 

[Grey54956]

Why won't S&W make an updated M-Frame, darnit all! I wonder if a stretched M-Frame could handle .327 Federal Magnum?

 

[Dimis]

my vote is for the LCR bought it for pocket carry and thats where its lived since day one of its purchase

its so light i dont notice it its accurate and reliable i debated smiths and taurus models for a long time but once i layed hands on the LCR i didnt look back

 

[wad]

I'll go out on a limb, buck the trend, and recommend a nice used Colt Cobra in 38 Special

 

[Old Fuff]

I'll go out on a limb, buck the trend, and recommend a nice used Colt Cobra in 38 Special

I'll go along with that up to a point. I would take my 1950's Detective Special over any J-frame, except for pocket carry. For that purpose it's a bit bulky to fit in most side pockets - coat pockets are another matter.

Mine of course has the full-sized handle. Later production had the short handled frame, but most of those also have the heavy barrel with a full underlug. An older Agent with the short handle, aluminum frame and round barrel might offer some possibilities; but they are hard to find and expensive when you do.

I once had a Police Positive chambered in .38 S&W, that had been converted along the lines of a Fitz Special. The butt had been shortened and the barrel length measured about 1 3/4 inches. It made a dandy pocket gun, but one that the tactical generation of today wouldn't get near to.