Good first carry revolver

T

tatters

New member
Well.... I have always been a semi kind of guy. In fact, I really like my KelTec P-11 and P-32 for carry.
I have a hankering for a revolver for carry. Needs to be light and small. .38 would be fine. Anyone?
 
Greetings, You might want to try an older "R" serail numbered model 60 Smith & Wesson .38 Special!!!

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I have been quite pleased with my Taurus 85 Ultralite. The only problem I had was that the cylinder gap was too tight which would cause the gun to lock up after about 36 fast rounds due to heating. My gunsmith opened it up and now it shoots very well.
 
If weight is a concern, then the airweight S&W with shrouded hammers. With my primary on my hip, I had one in my pocket the other day and walked around for half the day before I realized it was there (opps).

If sturdiness and durability is at issue, Ruger SP101 w/bobbed hammer. No revolver is tougher.
 
I must mention the Ruger GP-100 series. All are .38 Special/.357 magnum six shooters. All are very high quality, superbly durable, and utterly reliable. All are quite accurate. All are inexpensive (well less than $400). They come in stainless or blue, in a variety of barrel lengths, with or without underlugs, and with fixed or adjustable sights. In sum, they are a terrific value.

In addition, they readily handle the great variety of .38 Special and .357 magnum loads –- from the most benign .38 130-grain target and plinking loads to the most robust .357 mag loads (1600+ FPS). There are real advantages in this flexibility.
 
WESHOOT2 got it right

If you want to shoot .357 as well, check out the s&w mod 649: 2" bbl, stainless, shrouded hammer (still cockable), small J frame 5-shot. Fires from inside your jacket pocket.
 
Hey, if you're fat like me and you like wearing baggy clothes, you can always carry a 6" GP-100. When it's winter, which it is 9 months out of the year here in Washington, I can easily conceal a GP-100 under my coat. In the summer I typically carry a Kel-Tec P11 (have to agree with Tatters) but having the .357 on my belt gives me a feeling or moral superiority. :)
 
For lightweight carry the Tauri 85 ultralite is hard to beat,it shares time with my keltec p_32 for my light days(so to speak)I have to second the notion that the sp-101 is the toughest of the bunch,I put reduced springs on mine and have been very happy with it,plus it loves the hot stuff.PJ
 
I have a Khar 9MM , P32 Keltec, but it is the old S&W Model 36 that I carry most of the time. I had a Taurus 85 Ultralite but for concealment I like the smaller grips on the S$W. I know light is better in most people option, but I find some weapons to light for comfortable shooting and carry.
 
S&W 640 stainless here. Gives me the option of carrying .357s should I desire. As a primary gun I would not carry less than a .38. My personal decision. I know guys that only carry .22s.
 
My carry revolver is the Taurus M605. It is reasonably light, and is chambered for the .357mag cartridge. It is built on the same frame as the M85.
 
Ruger SP101

The 1911 was born because the .38 rounds was not good enough. I would go with a minimum of a .357 revolver.
 
Revolvers Are Fun.

I would go with a hammerless version of any small to midsized all day carry revolver. It won't snag if you carry it in your pocket and you don't want to cock a revolver in pretty much any defensive situation...so DAO is a good way to go. I personally don't like shrouded hammers, but they would be fine as well. Here are my picks for hammerless carry wheelguns.

1. Smith & Wesson 640
2. Smith & Wesson 642 or 442
3. Ruger SP101

Of these guns, I like the 640 best just for recoil control, but for deep concealment, the 642/442 is best. The Rugers are fine guns as well.

Now, if I wanted to carry a mid-sized revolver I would get...

1. Smith & Wesson K-Frame 66 2.5"
2. Smith & Wesson L-Frame 686P 2.5"

In that order. The K-Frame isn't too big, but offers extra grip and recoil control. It isn't that hard to conceal. My L-Frame hugs my body and I can carry it in summer with just a t-shirt.

I guess the choice to make is what gun can cover all your needs the best and fits your hand best. The stainless steel guns will be a bit more hefty and shot much more at the range.

I would go with either the 640 or thr 66. They will serve you well. As a back up I would buy a 642/442. You never know when you'll need an extra or a BUG.

PS: Get several holster set ups and a great belt. I like having an IWB, OWB and a pocket holster.

PPS: .38 Special +P HP loads should handle most defense situations.
 
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