Trying to decide on a first CCW revolver

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Dr_2_B

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Hey gang,
I have a lot of autos, no CCW revolvers. Trying to decide on a small 38 or 357.
Considerations:
1. I'd like a .357 because it can also shoot the .38s.
2. I'd like one I could carry in my pocket at times, but I don't know if I can find the .357 small enough and light enough to do that with, so I'm leaning towards a .38.
3. I know the snubbie .38 will fit in my pocket, but I believe the accuracy is pretty poor on the very short barrels.

I'm interested in your thoughts as well as your recommendations. Thanks for your insights.
 
I use a S&W PC 2 1/2" M66. It's a ported K frame (medium) 6 shot, I carry in eiter a SOB or IWB depending on dress. I'm a big guy so I don't have a problem with a revolver that is just a bit big. You may want to look at the Ruger SP101, and the S&W M60, both are 5 shot small frame wheelguns.
 
euclidean, I wouldn't mind having one I can do both with. It'll primarily be IWB as long as the weather is cooler, but on occasion, I may carry it in a Desantis pocket holster
 
medic

I want your 342 if it is a no-lock version.

Before anyone has a cow, I already have a 340 w/lock so buying a 342 w/lock doesn't gain me much.
 
I have a 642. I'm not sold on a .357 magnum out of a short barrel. Other are, but the guns are also much more expensive. I figure if 5 rounds of .38spl+P won't fix it, 5 rounds of .357mag won't either (at least, out of a snub).

As for the accuracy, I was very pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of such a small revolver. More than capable of placing aimed shots where you want, provided your abilities are up to using the sights and your trigger discipline is excellent.

Buy a 642- join the club. Great guns, and not so expensive that if you need to use it and the authorities take it, you haven't lost a $1500 fully custom wondergun.
 
Ooh, the 642 club roars its mighty call...
kitten_contenstant1.jpg


Just kidding guys.:neener:

If you actually want to be able to shoot magnums from it and have your hand still attached and have some degree of accuracy, look at an sp101 with 3" barrel, or GP100 3" barrel.

Otherwise any 2" snubby is acceptable for 38special.
 
I personally carry a Colt Detective Special (when I'm not carrying a full-size M1911.) I like it and find that the "unshootable" issue is largely a myth. Yes, snubbies are harder to shoot well than longer barrels, but not that much harder!!

I don't think there is a better snubbie than the DS -- and you can find them pretty reasonable on Gunsamerica.com (if you can get it to come up these days.) If I was in the market for a new snubbie, I think I'd go with the Ruger SP 101 in the 3 1/16" barrel -- that's what I bought for my daughter, and I was really impressed with it.

While the SP 101 isn't the smallest or lightest snubbie around, that isn't really a disadvantage -- especially with .357s, which have respectable recoil in a small revolver.
 
If you really want a .357 then you basically have several choices:

A S&W 60 or a 640 (the 640 has the enclosed hammer), there are all steel guns that weigh about 23ozs. You can get them in 2 1/8" or 3" barrels (640 is 2 1/8" only). Both of these can be carried IWB or in a pocket holster, although they will be heavy in the pocket.

Ruger SP101 in either 2 1/4" or 3" barrel, this gun is also all stainless, weighs a little more at about 25-26ozs, and the overall size is a little larger than the S&W. You can get these with a standard hammer or bobbed. I suppose an SP101 "could" be carried in a pocket, but really is too big and heavy.

A S&W Airlite in .357, which weighs only 12ozs, and can be bought in either regular hammer style or enclosed style. These are very light, but even 38+P can be fairly painful to shoot.

Taurus also offers several .357 snubs that are similar to the S&W's, but I'm too familar with them.

As others have already stated, your best choice in my opinion is probably a S&W Airweight at 15 ozs. The newer ones will have +P stamped on them, and you can shoot Speer's 135 gr Short Barrel 38+P out of them, and they perform pretty well from the short 1 7/8" barrel. The 642/442 are the ones with an enclosed hammer (centennial), and they would be best for pocket carry, otherwise you could get them with a regular hammer. There are also S&W available in the "body guard" set-up that allow you to cock the hammer, but will not snag.

Again Taurus makes the popular "85" model of 5-shot snubs that a lot of people like, but I have limited experience with them.
 
I love my S&W M60-15 with 3" barrel. Shoots .357 great. Very manageable recoil and muzzle flip. Great IWB. A little large for pocket carry. Very accurate. (Bagged two prairie dogs at over 60 yards last Sunday.) Has adjustable sights same as full sized revolvers so I switched to tritium night sights. Covers everything from prairie dogs to bear to ...
 
Ooh, the 642 club roars its mighty call...
Click to expand...
Ah, dang. How'd that photo of our last club meeting get out? :fire:

LOL. Yeah, I'm in the club. (I'm the tiger pattern-kitten, third from the right.)

I'm standing over here with fiVe, Rob & StrikeEagle: 642 for CCW.

For more serious altercations, given a choice on my ground, I'll take my 870P, or my 9.

But for CCW, hard to beat that sweet little 642.

Meow :evil:

Nem
 
I carry a Taurus 85 Multi-Alloy. This one is pretty similar to the Ultralight.
Weighs about 14 oz. Nice gun...once Taurus put a slightly heavier spring in it.

My 85 has a hammer. Since I use a Galco pocket holster, I've no problems with the hammer spur hanging up during a draw or the spur ripping my trouser pocket. The holster covers most of the spur.

I have thought about getting the spur bobbed though. I guess I'd hate to lose the single action option though.

If you're going to pocket carry, definitely use a holster!
 
I personally carry a Colt Detective Special (when I'm not carrying a full-size M1911.) I like it and find that the "unshootable" issue is largely a myth. Yes, snubbies are harder to shoot well than longer barrels, but not that much harder!!

I don't think there is a better snubbie than the DS -- and you can find them pretty reasonable on Gunsamerica.com (if you can get it to come up these days.) If I was in the market for a new snubbie, I think I'd go with the Ruger SP 101 in the 3 1/16" barrel -- that's what I bought for my daughter, and I was really impressed with it.

While the SP 101 isn't the smallest or lightest snubbie around, that isn't really a disadvantage -- especially with .357s, which have respectable recoil in a small revolver.
Click to expand...

I think Vern's advice is solid. I have a great fondness for the Colt Detective Special...and the Ruger SP101 is a small well built revolver that provides lots of versitility. ....I also like the Rossi small frame .357 (I forget the model number)...it seems solid and reminds me of the old Colt Magnum Carry........although all of these push the limits for pocket carry.
I would also throw into the mix a nice used S&W snub K frame.....M10, M13, M15, M19 or any of the stainless equivilents. Also a smaller used J frame 3" S&W M36 Chiefs Special or M60 would do......if pocket carry was not a must.

I have a newer Taurus M85 Ultra-Lite that impresses me very much....this is what I use for pocket carry.

-Regards
 
Guys thanks really! That is some excellent advice. I'm currently torn between one of the little Smiths (like the Centennial 442) and the Ruger SP101.

But there's no rush. Like they told me in my Intimacy and Sexuality class, the anticipation is half the fun. I'll keep looking. At guns I mean.
 
Another vote for the 642. Mine is accurate enough that I can reliable stay on-target at 25 yards off-hand using issued 158 +P LHP. Recoil is stout, but manageable in rapid fire. Weight is just right for pocket carry.

I had a 340 for a while; but never got around to shooting it. It was unbelievably light, and looked well-made, but since we're mandated to carry issued LHP ammo, I couldn't see holding on to it. Additionally, I'm not ashamed to say that I figured the recoil with .357 would be just too much of a good thing...

It sounds like you're PRIMARILY interested in a belt gun. In that case, a steel j-frame .357 would be a good choice. The weight of these will make them print pretty badly in most pockets, but since you're only going to pocket carry occassionally, this might not be such a big issue...

Regards,

Kevin
 
yeah, Kevin, I'd say that's right - primarily for iwb. Not sure I want to give up the pocket carry option and it sounds like that steel .357 would mean pocket carry would be near impossible. Still, I'm thinking seriously about the Ruger SP101. thanks for the thoughts everyone.
 
The SP101 is a great compact .357; one of the few that I find comfortable to shoot full house .357s through. It's noticeably larger than any of the j-frames, though, and I'd say it's grip length and overall weight make it very difficult to carry in anything but the largest pockets...

Regards,

Kevin
 
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