today's best carry revolver

[.455_Hunter]

To me, the LCR seems significantly bulkier than the J-frame, especially if compact magna style grips are used on the Smith.

 

[bluetopper]

http://i537.photobucket.com/albums/ff334/bchesarek/4410c287.jpg

 

[FLNT4EVR]

I carry the Ruger LCR .357 loaded with .38's . The extra weight is a big plus as far as comfort and control. if I am going to use heavier loads i change the grip to the LCRX much more comfortable with +p OR 357

 

[Coyote3855]

Early 1980s S&W Model 38 for me. Airweight, nickel plated, IWB, with a speed strip reload. Of course, I'm an old man in a rural area and seldom out after dark. The likelihood of encountering a flash mob, biker gang, or zombie hoard is slim. That said, I carry a Glock 19 with two extra mags when I travel and the M38 is relegated to backup duty.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I've got a S&W 360PD. It feels like a toy because it's ridiculously light but will shoot .357 magnums. It's not the most economical ($800 new), but you can find used ones closer to $550-650. You might also want to look at the 642 and similar j-frames as they can be found for sub $400 and are solid. For a better trigger and smoother action, I'd consider either a Colt Cobra or Detective Special. It's hard to find smoother actions than those found on classic Colts, especially snake guns.

 

[jad0110]

In my opinion, their is no one "best".

I'm carrying a 3" 629 .44 Mag right now. Love it, but I'm pretty sure most people would not be enamored with carrying that wonderful pig around .

 

[Brett Byers AKA Slow]

As much as I love Ruger I think a S&W 642 makes the best light, snag free pocket carry .38 Special.

 

[wild cat mccane]

New Taurus 85s are going for almost 200 right now.

That said, you have the best carry gun right now and is infinitely easier to shoot accurately, the LCP

 

[Sarge7402]

For me it's the .38 Charter Undercover I've owned for the past 30 years. It's never let me down and been my companion on many a long patrol shift

 

[Tallball]

I got LCRx grips for my LCR 38 because the tiny grips it came with beat my giant hands up too much. It will be a couple of weeks before I can try it out again.

That being said, back around 1990 I got a steel Taurus 85 and it was a good revolver. When it was stolen I replaced it with a Model 85UL, which has a lightweight alloy frame. It's DA trigger isn't as good as the LCR, but it is good enough that I removed the hammer spur. It will continue to be in my carry rotation until I can try my LCR with its new grips. They have made a whole lot of Model 85's for a long time.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I like the S&W 351c because it's super light and 7 shots (.22 Magnum). You could also go with the 43c which is 8 shots of .22lr. I like the extra capacity, and the light weight makes for easy carry and pain-free practice.

 

[Gun Master]

Like .22 LR for Carry ?

I have two .22 LR revolvers that are both 4 " essentially the same light weight High Standard Sentinel (J.C. Higgins & HS Deluxe). I slip one of them in my hip pocket for vicious dogs in the area of my home. Both are dependable nine shot wheelguns. Two more shots and two more inches on the barrel for better accuracy, more power, and less recoil.

 

[savit260]

If I choose to carry a double action revolver these days I like this one.






Eight rounds of moon clipped 357 Magnum in a surprisingly easy to shoot platform, and easy to carry with a good holster/belt combo. This disappears under an untucked T shirt, and the weight is easily handled by the belt and holster.

 

[NormH3]

If I choose to carry a double action revolver these days I like this one.






Eight rounds of moon clipped 357 Magnum in a surprisingly easy to shoot platform, and easy to carry with a good holster/belt combo. This disappears under an untucked T shirt, and the weight is easily handled by the belt and holster.

Now that's a good lookin' wheel gun. My guess is that it cost a pretty penny...or two.

 

[savit260]

Thanks!! and
a bargain compared to some high end 1911's.

 

[johnnycarpenter]

I am carrying the LCR 327; a good SD round and also the benefit of a 6th round.

Johnny C.

 

[Charles S]

Savit260, that is a good looking revolver.

I have been looking at the 642 for a while, but cannot convince myself I "need one."

 

[NMPOPS]

I carried a M60 with bobbed hammer for years and thought it was light until I git my first S&W M-38. Now I carry either a 638 or a 642 daily

 

[V-fib]

delete

 

[Gun Master]

I'm with you NMPOPS. I pocket carried My S&W 638 and KelTec P-32 to Kroger today, which is my usual CCW.

 

[Rex B]

Just bought a Taurus 85UL yesterday for $265

 

[tubeshooter]

You know - I think one of the great things I see out of this thread is that the .38 snub seems to have been well represented and - dare I say - nearly perfected.

Between that and modern day ammo improvements, the .38 Special is definitely alive and well.




Carry on.

 

[antiquus]

I actually had loads that were guaranteed to go right through a person even out of a 2" barrel. When I realized what I loaded, I went back a found or created loads that didn't. The advantages of revolvers is any load is possible, and the .38 can be loaded in ranges from those that will likely not overpenetrate (standard non+P) to over 425ft/lbs if you use CiP data (with extreme caution, but VihtaVuori has loads for this). Add to the versatility the fact that a snubby is by far the best gun to use at bad breath distances and that many an old timer who knew what of they spoke carried them, including it seems about half the old guys on this forum, and I was sold. I'm long convinced it‘s the best choice for me.

 

[herkyguy]

The LCR in .38 does it for me. light and concealable. I've carried an SP101 and would still rather take it to the range, but I can put 50 rounds through my LCR and it's not bad at all on my hand.

 

[Flfiremedic]

I like the Ruger LCR in 38, and the SP101 in 357...especially if you can get one of the Wiley Clapps. I will say that you the SP101s don't have great triggers...but that is an easy fix.