choice 2" or 4" to carry

Like I said, snubs cause if you have to sit down or drive a lot you will see they are so much better to carry. And snubs of the .357 variety, especially with +p+ type .38s, are quite capable.

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Either one of them with Buffalo Bore 158gr LSWHP at 1050+ fps will do to ride the river with.

Deaf
 
I know it's not wat you asked, since it is not one if your choices.......but I think .38spl is seriously under-powered out of a sub 2" and 357mag is being seriously handicapped as well as harder to shoot. I know the last thing you wanna do is run out and get another gun, since you really just pretty much invested in a whole new personal catalogue, but the answer is a .357mag should have at least the 2.3" barrel like the Ruger SP101, that's about perfect to get a "decent" amount of velocity, and I think the only carry choice for 38 with a good size barrel is.........wait for it.........wait for it.....the Taurus View clocking in with a 2.7 inch barrel, how perfect for 38's.

but our snubbies will still poke great holes in whatever needed.
 
Buffalo Bore 158 gr LSWHP .38 specials get 1000 fps from a 2 inch barrel. I've chronoed them myself and that is really what they get. Perfect for a 2 inch S&W M10 or 2 1/2 inch S&W 19/66.

For such as the Colt DS BB makes the same load but at 850 fps.

Deaf
 
think .38spl is seriously under-powered out of a sub 2"
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Over 12" penetration in ballistic gell covered with denim, perfect expansion, and almost 100% retained weight. Seriously under powered? I think not, especially with the right ammo. The Fiffties are calling, they want their 158gr.lead round nose bullets back!:D
Speer Gold Dot 135 gr HP +P Short Barrel is what is in my LCR.:D
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k890Rio2oBY
 
Mr. Smith, that GP100 looks nice and I want one badly. I do remember reading a remark from Jeff Cooper, that a gun should be comforting not comfortable.

I carry an LCR .38 some depending where I'm going, but I dress around my gun. I usually carry a 3" SP101.

Phil
 
a gun should be comforting not comfortable
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And within reason that is the truth.

Now dragging a Ruger Toklat .454 might be a tad heavy, but guns in the 30 oz ball park are not.

Look folks, look down and see how much belly you have showing. Can you not drop 5 pounds and carry a 2 pound (32 oz) gun instead of a flyweight? Can't you practice a bit more, spend a bit more, and carry a more powerful gun?

A 3 inch GP 100 weighs 36 ounces, just 2 pounds 4 ounces folks. 2 1/2 S&W combat Magnum weighs just 30.5 ounces! The 686 Plus 2 1/2 seven shooter weights 36.8 ounces.

Just get a good holster and belt and wear it under a sleeveless jacket.

Deaf
 
My choice in a revolver for carry is a 2" or 2.5" barrel. Either a J-frame in a pocket holster or a K-frame in a belt holster. Reason is for convenience of carry and concealment. I have a couple of 4" K-frames but no suitable holsters for them.
 
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I've had several occasions to compare 2.5" barreled .357s against 4" barreled .44 & .41 mags, and hot-loaded .45 Colts, and have always walked away with the impression that the snubbed .357s were the more obnoxious guns to shoot, and harder to shoot well.

I'd rather have the 4" barreled revolver. They're not significantly more difficult to conceal than a 2.5" revolver, no slower into action when drawn right, and far easier with which to hit, not to mention hitting harder than the abbreviated revolvers.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies about 2" vs 4". Since I consider myself a "Old
Fart Novice', and most the answers I get really are illuminating and educational.
I've said this before. The Firing Line is the best Forum that I have ever found.

Thank you one and all. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.
 
Skeeter Skelton was quite enthused over the 2.5" S&W M-19 when it was introduced, then he decided the 4" was a better choice noting that the hardest problem in concealing a revolver is the cylinder.
 
I regularly carry a j-frame Smith M60 with a 3" bbl. My wife has a M637 Smith Airweight that's her usual carry choice. We both carry in an OWB of the open top, Tom Three Persons type. In position at 4 o'clock on the right hip, the holster positions the revolver with its hammer nose just above the belt line.

With that carry position, the guns are equally concealable, and weight is not a factor. Both are reasonably light and you can't really tell much of a difference after 5 minutes or so. The use of an OWB pretty much negates the problem of an uncomfortable sag on the hip....within reason. A 45-50 oz. revolver of what ever caliber would be another story. Choice of holster being paramount in my opinion.

As to pocket carry, I find that even the 637 Airweight is a bulky, uncomfortable lump, no matter what sort of garment I choose. My wife finds it similarly unsuitable...but in her purse, it's not a problem.

Weight/length/comfort are key to our carrying on a regular basis and for the most part, a good fitting, dark colored OWB holster fills the bill.

Best Regards, Rod (Pic of my usual holster and carry position with my 3" M60)

 
When it comes to a carry revolver it comes down to compromises. Having shot a 6 inch revolver in bowling pin matches, I attained a level of proficiency that I could never replicate with my 4 inch guns. A longer sighting plane is not the trivial advantage some would have you believe. Nevertheless, I pocket carry (in a Bianchi pocket holster) a S&W M36 snubbie for my concealed carry gun. Therefore, I compromise and do not get the potential accuracy (longer sighting plane), and shootablility (weight more forward via the longer barrel), of a six-inch, for the convenience of pocket carry inasmuch as I have no butt to hold up a belt (suspenders), and do not want to cut myself in half with a belt to carry anything heavy. If you wish to carry a four-inch on your belt (and have a butt to support your belt), then do not compromise as I do. What it comes down to, is what compromises you are willing to make and what compromises you feel are necessary.
 
Both of these weigh about 37oz, the 627 actually has just a little smaller footprint. The 627 has an 8 round cylinder and is thicker, but not bad. I can carry either. I bought the 627 for capacity and to replace the 1911. I do have other guns on my permit, 3 are revolvers, the longest 4".

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I prefer to carry 4" 357s but have been known to carry a 3" or a 2 1/2" 357 from time to time. When I carry the 4" I load with magnum ammo. For the shorter barrels I use 38 Special ammo due to the recoil. My 4" Python carries concealed very well almost as easily as my 3" S&W 65.
 
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