Want a revolver for CCW. Which one?

[RevDerb]

Ruger SP101 2 1/4" bbl with Crimson Trace grips. .357 mag.

 

[asia331]

Lightweight is perfect... right up until you pull the trigger. Frankly I wouldn't go any lighter than an SP101. With a proper rig concealing my 4" GP100 is no snag at all.

 

[jester88]

id like to go bigger. but a search of the web reveals no pictures of anyone concealing a revolver, only autos.

 

[SwampWolf]

My choice is an older Colt Cobra/Agent. 20% more ammunition than a J-frame chambered in .38 Special, weighs the same and is only fractionally bigger than an Airweight. Cobras/Agents can still be found in good condition for under $500.00 and they will retain their high resale value.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I like my S&W 642 aluminum & stainless five-shot Air-weight 38 Special +P a LOT.

 

[ironhead7544]

For a primary carry gun I would go with a 3 inch 357 Mag SP101. IWB in the appendix position. 110 gr 357 Mag ammo. Will also work nicely as a trail gun. Its large enough to get good results at longer ranges than a 2 inch lightweight.

 

[snooperman]

You are mostly interested in S&W to carry all Day ?...

That is easy. Any of the J-frame guns with 2" barrels and Hogue grips would allow you get all your fingers around the grip just fine for better control. You can get them either in 38 special and some in .357 magnum as well.

 

[snooperman]

Forgot to give examples...

S&W model 642 in 38 special about 15 oz or the model 60 in 357 mag. about 23.5 oz.

 

[Gordon]

Just to be different. 6 Shots 14 Oz, 3" 25 yard groups in SA fire.fits in pocket too BTW a smidgen bigger than a J frame airweight

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Not too different from me. This one rides in my front pocket a good bit of the time.

 

[JCallaway82]

Optional CT grips

 

[huntershooter]

My favorite CC revolver is a mod. 12-2 S&W, lightly modified:

 

[SwampWolf]

Very nice looking Model 12, huntershooter.

 

[wrs840]

My favorite pocket-carry J-frame is a S&W 637 with a 2-1/2bbl in a DeSantis Nemesis.

FWIW

 

[jimniowa]

The wife and I both can carry, hers is a Taurus .32 H&R mag in a 2" ported gun. Mine is a Taurus .44 sp in a 2" ported gun. I am not a big fan of Taurus but these two guns filled our needs at the time. I still slip the .44sp in the hip pocket for carry on a informal occasion. For real time ccw I am working on a 3" Kimber in .45 acp, which I believe is the main carry street gun for me.
Jim

 

[Mr.357Sig]

My vote would be the LCR 357, S&W Model 640 or M&P 340. As long as you don't feed your j-frame-sized pocket pistol a constant diet of magnum loads, you should be fine. Practice with mostly .38s and you're good to go.

 

[mystic82]

S&W M&P 340 357 MAG. is my choice for CCW.

However I really like the SP101. S&W 640 as well.(shoots....I love them all.)
The LCR looks interesting, but something about it just doesn't suit me.

 

[Usmc-1]

Ive never had any ccw revolvers , but have been giving it some thought lately , with that said , do I really need a .357 ? I mean some of those .38 +p rounds make it mighty enticing ?

 

[JCallaway82]

@USMC-1

Nah, you don't need it. But it sure is nice to have such a variety of rounds that you can shoot from a single gun. A few guys I know that carry j-frames exclusively carry .357s with +P ammo, and shoot a ton of plain ole' .38 special mixed in with some +p at the range.

Seems they only shoot the .357 here and there for novelty...
Nice options though....38...cheap ammo when plinking, but can pack a punch for a defensive round when you get some of the new +p stuff. Funny, neither guy carries .357 in the gun for SD. Although it has a wallop, they both have shot so much +p that they carry that in their CC guns. I guess if the "SHTF" they want rounds they know they can make good hits with...

Makes sense I guess.

They convinced me to buy an LCR in .357....still waiting on it...

But not a must have I'm sure.

 

[diablo2184]

But what about a .357 for pocket carry?

I see you guys mentioned for ccw but what about if I'm wearing a formal attire or can wear one on the hip?

 

[Murcielago]

S&W M&P 340 357 MAG. is my choice for CCW.

Mine too. Bought mine new in January without the internal lock. Will handle .357 if you're feeling masochistic. Swap the grips out for whatever you want. 14 oz. unloaded.

 

[WebHobbit]

Is that somehow more sturdy than an all steel S&W 640? If not then no it WON'T handle .357 Magnums. At least not MANY of them. See here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=26219

 

[CZF]

Ruger LCR in either 38+P or .357 Mag.



Light to carry with a smoother action than most J frames.

I won't own a charter.

No ugly/funky lock to mess up that i know of.

My last and final J frame locked up tight on me after 5 rounds of factory 38 Special.

Traded it for a Ruger LCR and never looked back.

 

[JCallaway82]

@CZF What holster is that? Looks real slim and like it sits real low. I like it.

I have been debating getting either one of these...
Bell Charter LCR Holster $79



..or getting on the long list for a Milt Sparks(22-30 weeks right now :O )...but what you have there looks real nice. Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[jester88]

Thanks all. Today I picked her up, a new s&w 642 airweight with NO LOCK for 340 OTD. I really, really like this BUG.