which concealed and what caliber

[berettashotgun]

Thw wife is going to be required to carry a concealed in lieu of her sidearm on her new job. We don't have a single revolver that I like and TRUST:banghead: to get the job done. In her situation she is gonna be around a ton of cash (literally) and personally I like any round above .4 in diameter- it has to be concealed. I am willing to go to the 38 but need advice on the revolver. Have been told that she HAS to carry a revolver; price and ammo are gonna be covered. I just want the best possible piece for her to have a fighting chance- I would suspect that any B.G. would have armor and a rifle, just want her to get a round in edgewise to the artery in the leg if she has to. They are buying so I need input. She is very proficient with the Para P-12/P-14 and Beretta 8000 series, and actually causes me to be ashamed of my practical skills when she gets out he Glock 17.

 

[lyricsdad]

glock 19, or 26..

 

[berettashotgun]

HAS to be revolver- they specified- she doesn't get to; otherwise her mind is made up

 

[lyricsdad]

model 60 smith and wesson

get her the ladysmith .357

 

[atlctyslkr]

Try a S&W 649. Very accurate for it's size and it has a shrouded hammer to reduce snags.

 

[Tiny in Ohio]

Ruger GP100 in a 3" configuration. 6 shots of .357 gives her more than a fighting chance, I would think. And it can be loaded as hot as she can handle.

 

[10-Ring]

Does your wife have a preference in frame size? I'd go w/ either the S&W 60, 66 or 686 or w/ a Ruger SP101 depending on which one fit her best

 

[Jim Watson]

Concealed how?
In a holster under a jacket?
K-Smith (Model 10, 12, 13, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66) with .38 +P+ or .357 magnum.
Lots DA and speedloader practice.

 

[MCgunner]

3" Ruger SP101 .357 magnum. Small, concealable and actually shootable with .357 loads. In lieu of that, an K frame sized .357 magnum of good quality in a good concealment rig. If a 4" barrel is too long, go for a 2.5" K frame. I really like the 3" SP101, though. Go the shorter barrel if her mode of carry requires it.

Now, you might consider a Taurus Tracker in .41 magnum if you like calibers that start with 4. Also, they make a concealable .45 Colt, I believe. I've really been thinking about a .41 mag tracker lately, myself. Lot of gun for most women, but if her job requires it, I'm assuming she can shoot and probably handle it a .41 Mag. Only trouble with the idea is I'm not sure what's available in the caliber for self defense. Go with .357 and you have a huge variety of factory ammo geared to self defense/law enforcement. Not sure what's available for speed loaders in .45 Colt and .41 mag either.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, yeah, I think Taurus still makes a .45ACP snubbie, too. It uses moon clips, of course.

 

[scullydog]

Beg

beg if you have to for the Glock 27

 

[Whirlwind06]

beg if you have to for the Glock 27

More then likely a Brinks type job. Wheel-guns only I'm sure.

Have you thought about the Charter Arms 44 spl ?

 

[cslinger]

If they are picking up the cost how about one of the below.

8 rounds of .357 magnum is nothing to sneeze at not to mention reloads with a moon clip are lightning fast.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...selected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=

Needs some smaller grips but once again 7 rounds of .357 is again nothing to sneeze at.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=14796&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

 

[yhtomit]

Curious: why do they require a revolver?

I realize it's non-negotiable, but is there some rationale for a revolvers-only policy? (Perception of reliability?)

I've not fired enough revolvers to have a strong opinion, but I do enjoy shooting my .45ACP S&W 625, and as someone else has mentioned, Taurus I believe still makes a shorter .45ACP model. S&W briefly made a 625 in a 3" barrel, and I wish they still did; that *would* be a great one for the task you describe, if you can find one of them. But if someone else is paying, buying new is probably smarter. (Nothing against conventional revolver cartidges I just have two other .45s, and generally like the feel of that cartridge.)

timothy

 

[cslinger]

Revolvers are generally Keep It Simple Stupid guns. I don't mean that in a negative way as I am quite the revolver guy at heart. Many of these companies feel that the as far as liability is concerned a double action revolver is the best gun for what is seen as a largely untrained armed force.

One thing I think many of us forget though is a good .357 revolver in trained hands is one deadly piece of equipment. .357SIG is the current wunderkin round and it only "approximates" a good .357 magnum round. Always remember it is the operator not the tools. I personally would not want to go against a stone cold gun fighter with a single action revolver even if I had the latest greatest 18 shot wundernine.

Chris

 

[depicts]

I like a .45 revolver with moon clips too. They get the job done and are as fast as auto's to reload, maybe faster. A S&W 625, or even an older Mod 25 is fantastic. If the barrel is to long for concealed, maybe you pay yourself to have it shortened...I'd say my life is worth it.

I shoot some small .357's, S&W 640, ect...but think the .45 a better round for control, followup shots and effectiveness.

 

[ARTiger]

.44 Special

Good 'ol Mod 21. Snubbies are hard to shoot well (though shooting skills are apparently not a problem with your wife) and a bit more tube is not all that hard to conceal. This is an accurate a wheelgun as you're likely to ever see. Makes nice big holes too. I'd load it with Buffalo Bore's (14A) 180 grain JHP, 1150 FPS personal defense load.

If this is too much to hide, I'd probably look at a 642 with the FBI +p load.

 

[Socrates]

For me, I'd take a Freedom Arms, or Ruger Bisley, in .475 Linebaugh, or .500 JRH. Darn, where can I get this job?
That said, for a more practical approach:

Now that's sort of a heavy gun. For concealed carry, I'd take a real long look at this:

It's only about 26 oz, but, it would be easy to carry, and, while it's a nightmare with full house 44 mag, with lite 44 loads, or heavy .44 special loads, it might well get through most BG's, and anything they are likely to wear.
The mountain gun is an excellent weapon, and, the .44 Special/44 mag is a 329PD.
Hope this helps.

S

 

[RON in PA]

The lady needs a concealable revolver. Is she petite, heavy, tall, short etc. How will she be dressed, in a uniform, dress, suit etc. The above will have a bearing, large frame revolvers won't hack it.

Smith J frames like the 640 are easy to conceal and being all steel handle recoil better than an airweight like a 642, but the 642 can be dropped in a pocket. The Ruger SP101 is a bit larger than a 640, is strictly a belt gun and handles recoil very well.

If her size and dress allows it, a 3" K frame model 64 is a great compromise gun. It holds six shots and handles better than any J frame.

Have your wife train to shoot the revolver double action only.

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

A CONCEALED revolver huh?

Well, she obviously can shoot short barrelled .45ACP autos well, so she's ok on the recoil and such.

With that in mind, consider one of the hotter cartridge offerings.

A lightweight or standard weight "J" frame Smith in .357 would be very concealable but really get the job done well if needed.

The Model 65 Ladysmith would be even better if the extra size and bulk is not too much of a problem.

If she can deal with a little more size and weight . . . and still conceal it comfortably . . . it's hard to beat a .45ACP, moonclipped revolver like a Model 625 3" or a chopped Model 25-2. Mine is the latter, chopped to 3 1/8" and it's my favorite revolver . . . the one handgun out of my many I'd want in my hand in times of real trouble!

Also, some of the light framed "N" frame guns in .44spl., 45 Colt, .and 45ACP would be fine defensive guns.


FULL CIRCLE . . .

I'll bet you end up with a "J" frame Smith that will be very light and comfortable for the long hours, day after day of carrying something that will probably never, ever get used.

OR . . . you could find a 14 oz. Colt Agent w/ aluminum frame and SIX shots in 38spl.

CHOICES, CHOICES . . .

Those little aluminum-framed "J" frames and Colt Dectective Special guns w/ aluminum frames are so small that you forget you are "packing" sometime.

As a matter of fact . . . I just now checked my pocket . . . and its RIGHT THERE. I forgot it was in there!

S&Wfan

 

[Dr_2_B]

I'm with McGunner or Tiny above.

 

[Stevel]

"price and ammo are gonna be covered"

Korth

 

[lanceman193]

A Pre-lock J magnum frame .357 mag Model 649,stoked with 38 +P 135 HP.Very little recoil,easily concealed,shrouded hammer,Five for Sure!!!!!

 

[gazpacho]

I would buy her a pair of 642s and send them out to have the cylinders machined to accept moonclips. Also CT lasergrips if you can afford them.

1) Since she is recuired to carry concealed, I assume her position is considered less dangerous than the armored car people. Also, since they want her to carry concealed, they probably don't want her to "print", so smaller is better. J-Frame snubbies conceal really well.

2) New York Reload. If one fails, or she needs to reload really fast, nothing is faster than a second handgun. Identical guns eliminate different reload systems. Only one manual of arms to remember.

3) Moonclips are proven fast and easy reloading systems. Ask Jim Miculek. They also make ejecting empties more reliable.

4) The concealed hammer will prevent snagging on clothing. Especially floppy loose clothing which women are more likely to wear.

 

[Majic]

We don't have a single revolver that I like and TRUST to get the job done.

Honestly since she will be the one carrying the handgun what does what you like and trust have anything to do with it? This decision is entirely up to her. Let her shoot a variety of revolvers in different calibers and then she should make up her mind not you make up her mind for her.