Summer CCW .357?

[The_Shootist]

Yeah, I can carry my .357 686+ 4" bbl in shorts and a t-shirt (real baggy black t-shirt ) but I'm wondering if there are better options out there. A little more potent than my P-32 or my Bers .380

I'm thinking about a 4" bbl 6 shot .357 thats maybe a little lighter or compact than my 686. I already have an SP 101 in 3" bbl .357 but wouldn't mind something with that extra shot.

I figure a GP 100 is about the same size/weight as my 686, so I guess I have to give the S&W K-frames (Models 65/66?) a hard look, although I heard they were going to discontinue that line.

We have a gun show coming up on March 5 in Houston so any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I sometimes carry a 2.5-inch Python. The frame is slightly larger than a Smith & Wesson K frame, but the short barrel makes up for that.

 

[MikeJ]

Check out the Ruger GP100 with a 3" barrel. They have fixed sights and the grips are smaller than the adjustable sighted 4" models. I have one and it is a great gun.

 

[colubrid]

S&W 640 .357 hammerless.

 

[landon74]

How about an Airweight S&W? Light enough to pocket carry, and it'll provide plenty of pop....

 

[DHart]

The 640 is possibly the very best choice in a small, potent, CCW defense revolver. It's a 5-shot, but slick as a lick to pull from clothing, bags, etc. and carrys very well; can even be held and fired from within a coat pocket if necessary. All steel to make shooting magnums more manageable.

Defense shooting for the typical civilian is almost always very close range, very sudden, and over in a hurry. Adjustable sights are not needed, nor would they even be noticed during the intense adrenalized defense shooting scenario. Cocking a revolver would not be done either... this is purely "point and pull the trigger" type of shooting.. double action, fixed sights, and you'd better be good with it. That's why many pros prefer the internal hammer models... they can be pulled from clothing, bags, purses, fanny packs, etc. without catching on anything. And they're DA only, so you will train with it the same way you would shoot it... double action. Hitting well with a small revolver double action is more difficult than many people have any idea of... practice is extremely important, and moreso the smaller the gun gets. The 640 is one of the most popular choices in a small, CCW revolver.

The 3" GP-100 is an excellent revo and though it doesn't measure considerably smaller than a 686, it just feels considerably smaller... in part because the cylinder in the 686 is much beefier than the Ruger cylinder and the grip on the 3" GP is fairly (but not too) compact. It feels somewhat between the size of a K frame and an L frame. Downside is hammer spur can easily catch on clothing. Of course the spur can me cut off for better concealed carry suitability.

And of course if you can find a 13 or 65 with 3" barrel... defense revos don't get much better than that.... fairly compact, not too heavy... everything you need and nothing you don't. Many have been modified to be spurless. I found this Brad Lewis custom on the internet for $301. Verrry smooth action, bobbed hammer, DA only, recontoured and polished trigger... it's a perfect defense machine.

 

[Bronco45]

Check out the later production 66s in 4" bbl. Round butt and terrific balance and handles reasonable 357s with ease. Quite a bit lighter and smaller than a L frame 686.

 

[Dr.Rob]

why not a scandium/titanium lightwieght model?

If you want a six shot small frame .357... Colt's Magnum Carry is hard to find... but alloy framed 38's aren't.

 

[Super Trucker]

Maybe take a look at the S&W 649. It is the same size as the 640 but has a shrouded hammer. I just bought one this weekend to replace my hammerless .38

 

[carpettbaggerr]

I'm thinking about a 4" bbl 6 shot .357 thats maybe a little lighter or compact than my 686. I already have an SP 101 in 3" bbl .357 but wouldn't mind something with that extra shot.

K frame is smaller than the 686. Grip's the same size, but the frame's slightly smaller. Model 13 or 65/66 would be a little easier to carry than a 686.

 

[medmo]

I carry a Ruger Speed Six with 2 3/4"bbl in the same mannner. The Speed Six with this bbl is a pretty compact package, (much more so than the newer GP's). I carry it in an IWB leatherr clip holster. This is about the smallest and lightest 357 I want to shoot with full house loads. I really hated the experience of shooting the smaller 5 shot frame 357's. It was really not a very nice experience.....

 

[Norm357]

Take a look at the Ruger SP 101. I love mine and it handles full house .357 ammo like a champ. I never leave the house without mine.

 

[desmark6]

or maybe the 327.....8 shots and only 21oz to carry, just a thought.

 

[Stevel]

I love the 2.75" speed six. If you want a longer barrel the 4" service six(?) has the fixed sights, longer barrel and K frame size while weighing in around 32 ounces. It might be just the ticket.

 

[Nick96]

Shootist,

I live in the same neck of the woods as you. You really carry such a big hoss of a pistol in the summer months around here? Well, power to you brother. I'm just too thin skinned & lazy to put up with the cover garments & rigs required to carry large handguns in this climate.

You've already got an SP (me too and I really like it) - so if you want an extra shot in a revolver - how about the S&W 13 (or whatever they call their fixed sight, 3", K frame .357 now days). A used Ruger Speed Six 2.75" barrel would be a good alternative too (if you can find one). To my way of thinking though - instead of a bigger gun - why not another gun? You already have a Kel-Tec P-32. My personal "reload" is a Beretta 950BS with 9 rounds of Hornaday XP .25ACP. Less girth and about the same weight as a speed loader with 125 grain SJHP .357's. A S&W 686 or Ruger SP101 (both .357) & a Kel-Tec P-32 backup - you're pretty darned well armed with those already.

If you're really concerned about extra horsepower & rounds though - Glock & Sig make some compact autos in .40S&W. Close to a .357 in performance - but of course you'll have to practice a bit more to gain confidence that those autos will actually work all the time.

 

[trickyasafox]

i must just be lazy, i'd just carry extra rounds on a speed stick