Which should I get? Another .357mag, a .44spl or holdout for a .45LC?

[chaim]

OK, some time ago I posted about my "ideal" carry revolver. It is a somewhat modified (bobbed hammer, DAO, matte finish, polished chambers, Eagle Secret Service boot grips, and several other possible changes) 3" K-frame. I love 3" medium framed revolvers, my S&W 65LS started this love.

Anyway, a local dealer has two used 3" S&W 65s. A little overpriced, but they are currently available, they are here (so I can look them over unlike online), and they are in quite nice condition. The prices are maybe 10% too high, but of course I can try to negotiate to something more sane, and I do like the people at the shop so I'd rather pay 10% too much to reward good service than go somewhere that treats me like cattle.

Anyway, this same store has a 3" Taurus 441 in nearly perfect condition. This is a 3", roughly K-frame sized .44spl. The .44spl can come quite close to .357mag levels at much lower pressure levels. It would make one heck of a carry and HD gun.

The third option is to hold off for a .45LC. Now that I have my Winchester 94 in .45LC and a S&W 57 (.41mag) I'm thinking I should limit my big bore revolvers to those two calibers (not counting wheelguns in auto calibers). I'm not necessarily into caliber consolodation, but at the same time I don't want to overcomplicate things unnecessarily and a .45LC can do anything .44spl can but maybe better (it can easily reach .357mag power levels at lower pressure, and it can easily surpass the .357mag if I wanted). However, I'm not sure 100%, but I don't think there are any 3" K-L framed sized .45LCs out there, new or used (the ported 2" Taurus 450 is probably the closest thing to that).

So, another .357mag (my 65LS, while a 3", is my first .357mag so I don't want to modify it), the .44spl, or are there .45LCs that fit my criteria (medium frame, avail in a 3"- though I guess buying a 4-6" Taurus Tracker and having it cut down is possible) and should I hold out for the .45LC? If I go with the Taurus (or hold out for a 3" .45LC) I will still go with a 3" .357mag sometime, it just will be put on hold and but it won't be ignored.

 

[Stainz]

A couple of local range examples of the Taurus Ti .44 Special have had similar jamming problems after a few cylinders full have been shot. A great choice for a CC or HD .44 Special, albeit quite ammo-restrictive, is the S&W 296 - still around as a closeout goodie at less than half it's original price (CDNN has 'em for $349). Mine has been great...

I also would suggest a bigger DA .45 Colt - my S&W 625 Mountain Gun so-chambered is a real joy to shoot. It's tapered barrel is 4" - and it is an N frame, perhaps a bit larger than you want for CC, but a great HD and plinker! Both of those rounds will be hard to find except at a gunstore.

A round that is still universal in it's availability - and a great stopper - is the .45 ACP - and I have heard positive feedback concerning the Taurus five-shot revolver versions. I won't buy a ported gun, so they are out of my realm - and my 4" 625 in .45ACP is of course another N-frame, again, too large for CC. Ammo availability is important.

Stainz

 

[HSMITH]

I would suggest you buy another hammer, and bob that one, Have it fitted to your current 65 and be done with that. Keep the old hammer and you haven't modified a thing. The other changes you mention other than the matte finish are things you should do anyway, as soon as funds allow.

Now, you have your ideal carry gun for $100-150 with all the mods you want and can think about a new gun.

You never said what the role of the new gun is going to be, so it is hard to pick a direction without knowing.

 

[Brian Williams]

Chaim, Would either of the 65's be a -1 or -2 and I still have my Tracker 4" for sale.

 

[Majic]

A few M696s have resurfaced on the market lately. Take a look at those. I really like mine and others seem to like theirs too. A L-frame 5 shot .44sp that does a fine job, but keep the nuclear loads out of it.

 

[MrPink]

Well for a carry gun, I like my 340PD.

I am kinda interested in a 386PD. That would also probably make a good carry gun.

 

[J.M.]

Seriously Chaim...all would be good choices.

The only question that I have is if you slicked up a different 3" K frame for carry, what possible reason would you have to ever shoot your other 3" K frame?

If you can pull off carrying a gun that size and you already have one, why not carry the LadySmith? That's a great carry gun, and in my experience the bobbed hammer, while a good principal, really dosen't seem to be an issue (but it still looks cool).

If you are looking for something different, get the 696 .44 spl. I'd love one, but used Smith's are like hens teeth around here.

Seriously - PM me the info for the store that has the two m65's. - JM.