Jump to content

CCW Revolvers


Illini2A312

Recommended Posts

Hi all,

 

Looking to buy a backup handgun in case something happens with my S&W semi-auto/I need to take it in for service. Was thinking of possibly getting a .38/.357 revolver due to revolvers in general having less moving parts/less likelihood to jam. Does anyone have any recommendations into models to look into (don't know if I should look into double-action only or if ones with hammers are generally OK for carry)?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all,

 

Looking to buy a backup handgun in case something happens with my S&W semi-auto/I need to take it in for service. Was thinking of possibly getting a .38/.357 revolver due to revolvers in general having less moving parts/less likelihood to jam. Does anyone have any recommendations into models to look into (don't know if I should look into double-action only or if ones with hammers are generally OK for carry)?

 

If you plan to pocket carry it , I would stick to a hammerless model. I recently bought a S&W model 36 but will only carry it on my belt. If your budget will allow , you might want to check out the Kimber K6s models. They have a very nice trigger and felt good in my hand. There are many S&W's to chose from also in the hammerless design.

 

If not worried about pocket carry then the market is wide open.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a lovely Charter Arms Police Bulldog snubie that could serve as a temporary replacement for my primary carry gun - an AlloyFrame-DetectiveSlide High Power. I have other semi-autos in different sizes that could also be fine temporary replacements.

 

My first choice would be to use another High Power as a temporary back up.

 

I like keeping things the same. Being able to interchange parts in several guns seems wise, to me. I only need to stock one or two of each spare part (mostly springs) that may need replacing so I don't need to send it off for repair. When an extractor broke on one, I had a spare ready to go and the pistol was up and running fine the next day. Slides and frames an be swapped. All the frames work with the .22 slide kit, so I can practice shoot at a much lower cost while using the same trigger as the carry gun. Having an abundance of interchangeable magazines also seems to be good.

 

It's a system.

It's my favorite gun to shoot.

I never feel compromised by my carry gun.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Hi all,

Looking to buy a backup handgun in case something happens with my S&W semi-auto/I need to take it in for service. Was thinking of possibly getting a .38/.357 revolver due to revolvers in general having less moving parts/less likelihood to jam. Does anyone have any recommendations into models to look into (don't know if I should look into double-action only or if ones with hammers are generally OK for carry)?

 

If you plan to pocket carry it , I would stick to a hammerless model. I recently bought a S&W model 36 but will only carry it on my belt. If your budget will allow , you might want to check out the Kimber K6s models. They have a very nice trigger and felt good in my hand. There are many S&W's to chose from also in the hammerless design.

 

If not worried about pocket carry then the market is wide open.

Thanks, are the mechanics for IWB carry (what I'm planning on) similar to pocket carry? How much should I be concerned about the hammer catching on something?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm going with the 642/442 recommendation also. The enclosed design is more resistant to pocket lint and debris, which is a real thing. It's far more snag-free than the exposed-hammer guns and the firing grip is higher on the frame as a result of the "humpback" design- a very desirable trait. The aftermarket and holster market for the gun is second to none (possibly excepting the 1911).

All that said, yeah, my pocket gun's a (old-style) Cobra with the hammer spur removed. I just like having that extra round and it only weighs 2.7oz more than the 642, loaded.

Let me add, describing a carry gun's weight as what it is unloaded is about the silliest thing imaginable. Who carries it unloaded?

For the record the Cobra goes a shade under 20oz and the 642, a nick over 17oz.

I prefer semis but there's nothing superior to the 642 for the pocket or backup use. Possibly the LCR comes close, but the handle doesn't seem good for normal pockets and the aftermarket there seems week. Good gun, though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A reference book to consider:

I bought a copy for a buddy but read most of it first. Might have to pick up my own copy. Delivery has been speedy.

 

THE SHOOTER’S GUIDE TO THE AIRWEIGHT J-FRAME

Stephen Camp

 

This book is a user's manual and was written with a focus on understanding

the little snub's characteristics as a self-defense tool. Both strong and

weaker points of the design are covered. Detailed range evaluations are

provided with 130 black-and-white photographs accompanying 138 pages

of text. Other areas of concern include chapters on:

Why Choose a Revolver?

What About "Firepower"?

Grips for Airweight J's

.38 Special Airweights and +P Ammunition

Standard Pressure .38 Special Ammunition

Pro's and Con's of Pocket Carry

Comparing Snub Ballistics of the .38 vs. .357

Stopping Power

Practice When Ammo is in Short Supply

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For an economy buy for this emergency backup firearm I would not rule out Taurus. Yes, I know they have had issues in the past.

 

A snubbie in .357 gives you the most options for ammo choice, but I also agree with the idea of keeping things the same or 'similar' for a backup carry gun and in that vein I would recommend my EDC the Taurus PT111 G2C. It can be had for under $300, is 9mm and provides 12+1 capacity. Super reliable and accurate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I use a Bodyguard .380 auto as my BUG. But if I were to use a revolver for the job I'd probably get a Ruger LCR. It's not my first choice for a revolver but it would be my first choice for a backup carry revolver. Mostly because it's light, hammerless, and polymer. All things that make it great for carry although not so great for a collector.

 

Would probably get the .357 and carry with .38 special +p.

 

Hogue makes a variety of grips for the LCR. Worth a look.

 

 

 

Crap, now my shopping list just grew by one more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My vote goes to the LCR. With the boot grip and Nemesis pocket holster it slips in and out of my pockets, even while sitting in my car. My work has a "follow local laws" policy, so I can slip it in and out every day without issues. Even though it is bigger than my LCP, it doesn't print like the LCP does, even in jeans.

 

I'm sure everything that I said can also be said about the S&W J-frames.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi all,

 

Looking to buy a backup handgun in case something happens with my S&W semi-auto/I need to take it in for service. Was thinking of possibly getting a .38/.357 revolver due to revolvers in general having less moving parts/less likelihood to jam. Does anyone have any recommendations into models to look into (don't know if I should look into double-action only or if ones with hammers are generally OK for carry)?

 

Depending on budget, I'd be looking into a S&W 442 or 642 or Ruger LCR. Both quite small enough to pocket carry. Or possibly Ruger SP101 (a bit bigger).

 

Other guns. Low end: My first snubby was a steel Taurus 605. Mine has never had a problem, and I do carry it at times. I had a Charter Arms Undercover for a while. Did not have good luck with it. YMMV on the budget end.

 

Go with "hammerless" (fully enclosed hammer) or spurless DAO hammer. "No your honor, I could not possibly have manually cocked my hammer for that premeditated deadly precision shot." As well has having nothing to snag coming out of a pocket.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

K6s is best, but most expensive. I love mine, absolutely great trigger, great night sights. Next up would be the lcr, nice trigger. The sp101 is smooth, but heavy. The 642 and 640 are decent stock trigger. I own and shoot all 4, except the 640.

 

Budget wise, the lcr is unbeatable for a light carry gun. On the belt however, the k6s wins every time, especially with 6 rounds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like my S&W model 65 and my S&W 625 in 45acp each of which has a 4" barrel. Carried IWB in a Cabo holster, the company went out of business shortly after I purchased them. I would carry both of them more often if I would loose some weight so they would fit inside more of my pants. Jim.

I have a model 22 and, although I don't carry it, I think .45 is great for concealed carry. I'd rather carry 2 moon clips than one speed loader.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For all you folks that are thinking of abandoning your semi autos for wheel guns because there might be a new law passed let me be of help to you. Ill take them off your hands before they lose all value.

Just turn them in to me and you can get a prepaid Visa card just like Father Pfleger gives out.

 

Hey $25 is better than nothing.

Beat the rush before they pass some crazy laws.

 

<Purple off now>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...