CCW opinions?

[Buckeye!]

I'm also a Ruger fan.....

Ruger Speed Six ..2 3/4 inch barrel 357 Mag... trigger and action job..scary smooth....

S&W 1938 Brazilian Contract 45 acp revolver......Lotz of custom work a true DAO trigger action job .barreled bobbed to 3.5 inches ,parkerized....
N frame

Charter Bulldog 44 spl...2.5 inch barrel...

Taurus Public Defender UL 20 OZ never considered one of these till I saw just how effective Federal 410 Handgun ammo was with the 000 Buck offering
Made a believer out of me.... and it was a tuff sell...

 

[BLRacing67]

Appreciate all the advice and opinions far. If I were to look into a small auto, what out there is a good double/single action with an exposed hammer?

I really, really like my Beretta Storm Sub compact. I have heard that the compact (slightly bigger) is even better shooting, but the SC keeps shooting better and better. Carries very nicely in a Desantis Speed Scabbard OWB or IWB crossbreed or Comptac Mtac style. My favorite pistols being 92 series Berettas, the Storm didn't feel that great at first as I didn't like the plastic grips. It has slowly worked it's way up my list of favorites!

 

[Buckeye!]

This is my small Self Defense Semi a S&W Model 908 single stack 9mm...Picked this gun up at a LGS

Don't overlook the Bersa 9MM Ultra Compact Pistol..well made very reliable its what I was looking for when I ran across the S&W 908

 

[pilpens]

what may be small in the hand for 2 minutes may be big and heavy in the waist for 4 hours.

I would look at Kahr CW9, Walther PPS and others.

 

[C0untZer0]

I think the 686 is a great gun, but it does seem a little heavy for CCW.

It sounds like you want to go with a revolver. You can get something like a S&W Model 60 - but you don't have to fire full-power 357 magnum loads through it every range session. You can get a lot of practice in on it with 38 spl loads or 38 +P, you can use a 686 to practice with full power loads, maybe even get a 317 revolver to practice with. Between those different options, you get a lot of usefull training and only shoot 6 or 12 full-powered rounds through your Model 60 once a month or something. That way you don't beat the hell out of your carry gun practicing with full powered 357 loads, but you are ready to use it for self defense if necesary.

 

[MLeake]

Arrowhead, also, if you are in the right area of near KC, I can let you try a few of the things mentioned.

Meanwhile, your question about frame sizes, this may help:

First, a GP100 I used to have, which is about the same size as a 686 (or L frame), next to a Model 13, which is a K frame (like the 10, 19, 65, 66, etc) -

Next, back to back K frames, in 3" vs 4" configuration (Model 13 3", Model 18 4"); they aren't side by side, but they are by virtually identical targets for scale -

Next, I changed the Hogue mono on the 13 to an Ahrends wood round butt grip, as it grabs fabric less and has a smaller, more concealable contour, yet still fills the hand; note also the bobbed hammer, for anti-snag, but the gun shoots just fine DA -

Next, we have an N frame 29 Mountain Gun, .44 Magnum (can also shoot Special); much bigger than K or L/GP -

Last, a J frame S&W 442, 5 shot .38 Special, next to a pair of M&P45 pistols for comparison -

 

[MonsterB]

I have a 2.5" 686, and it is definitely doable for ccw. Its actually a very comfortable and concealable gun to carry, but it is a bit on the heavy side. Not to the point of being overbearing, but you know its there. I find it conceals as easy as my glock26 subcompact, smaller in some areas, a bit bigger in others, but overall very comfortable and concealable. Mine is also the only firearm I have ever picked up that has been 100% reliable. It has a very good trigger, and in double action is pretty stiff, so its a good carry trigger. After shooting it for a bit, I became more accurate with it than my Glock which I had put close to 15k more rounds through. I love mine and its my favorite gun, hands down. Yet I carry my Glock26, because I am proficient with it and I wont care too much if its taken away after being used to save my bacon. I would like to have another 686 so one can be my carry gun. I also would suggest going with the 3" model with its longer ejection rod, as mine occasionally wont push out 357's after a bunch of shooting.

 

[MLeake]

Concur on the 3" barrel; makes all the difference in the world to have the full-length ejection rod. I hadn't realized what a difference it made until I picked up a 3" K frame; now I have 3 of them.

(Edit: FWIW, though, I generally prefer autos; have a PX4 9mm compact along today. 15+1 of CorBon DPX in a fairly small, light, accurate and shootable package is not a bad thing.)

 

[Buckeye!]

what may be small in the hand for 2 minutes may be big and heavy in the waist for 4 hours.

Proper leather ..will help that..High & Close.....

 

[DAdams]

Regardless of whether you want to carry in the pocket or IWB/OWB there a two frame sizes that are best suited for the job. J Frame for pocket or IWB/OWB and the K Frame for IWB/OWB.

You are going to have to see and hold these to best determine what's for you.

My favorite J Frame 2 inch is a S&W M&P 340 if you desire a hammer its brethren the 360 is available. These are lighter versions of the 642, in the three inch there is the heavier 60 series and a number of others that might fit your bill. K Frame 19 and 66 in 2.5 inch .357 are great revolvers and are called "combat magnums" for a reason. I also have a 686 L Frame. It would be a great "woods" gun but too heavy for civilian street carry IMO.

Here is a model 66 .357 in 2.5 inch.

and the blue version model 19 both K Frames.

One of my favorite pocket carries that is home in a pocket holster or equally on the hip.

M&P 340 with a laser grip.

Fortunately many ranges have J, K, and L Frame Revolvers including the popular Ruger equivalents you can try out.

 

[B.N.Real]

Smith 642/442 38 special revolver loaded with +P 124 grn rounds-five shots guaranteed to work when you need them to most.

Extremely compact carry revolver.

Pull from your pocket or holster and shoot if needed with no safety or slide malfunctions to worry about.

I have a Taurus 85 that fills that spot now but a 642 is definitely on the radar as is a Smith M&P 40c semi auto-ten rounds versus five,reloads way quicker with a very modern cartridge,carrying heavier weight bullets and loads.

Just not as easy to conceal as the super dependable 642/442 revolvers.

 

[cookie5]

Most people start with a medium size pistol then after a while turn to a J frame size or a subcompact auto.

 

[MADISON]

CCW opinions

CCW opinions
I CCW one of two guns:
Ruger SP 101 2 1/4 inch .357 revolver in an old Bianchi 9R-2 shoulder holster
Glock 21 or 22

I just received a copy from Gun Digest of "CONCEALED CARRY" by Massad Ayoob. Reading that should give you options...

 

[TheFineLine]

Try one of these bad boys!

In all seriousness, I keep a Ruger LCP .380 on me for casual daily carry and go with the Kimber Ultra Carry II .45 if I'm out at night. Both are kept with 2 spare mags.

 

[Mello2u]

Arrowhead


I'd like to get something in 357/38spl. I am a huge fan of Smith's even though they are quite pricey. Would like to get something I could wear inside my waist band. A PPK would be sweet but we can't get them here in Ca.

Your post raises two issues in my mind:
1) weight; due to your looking towards a large to medium frame revolver
2) width; same reason as above, plus your desire to carry inside the waistband (IWB)

If you do not yet have a good quality gun belt that is a couple of inches longer than your regular belts, you will profit by getting one.

A good gun belt is thick, stiff and contoured to fit. It can make the weight of a large handgun and holster seem to disappear. It should help stabilize the holster and gun so that you will never have to adjust it while you move around throughout the day. The extra length is important to accommodate the extra space taken up by the IWB location of the holster and gun. A quality gun belt could last you 50 years or more. Mine has lasted over 30 years, so far.

It would be hard to characterize buying a S&W as a mistake, even it in the future you find that it is not what you want to carry as a concealed weapon. Live and learn, get a different handgun in the future if that turns out to be the case. I would venture a guess that of all the the posters who read this thread and have been carrying concealed for more than 20 years, that all of them have tried more than one handgun as their concealed carry weapon.

I have been carrying a 40+ ounce 1911 IWB for about 30 years.

 

[sgms]

You may want to look at one of Smiths new model 60's in .357 mag with a 3 inch barrel if they are allowed in the P.R.C.. .357 capable but not as thick as the 6 round K frames (Model 15 with a 4 inch my fav. on belt revolver but also works in as well) I have been looking at one at my LGS and am being rather tempted (still don't like the stupid internal lock).