need some help picking a new carry gun as a dd214 present

T

the_squid

Inactive
Hey guys, I'm separating to from the navy in 9 days after my third and final deployment in Bahrain, and I've saved up 800 bones for a new carry gun. I'd like to go with a .357 and regardless of ammo price I plan on practicing at least weekly and most likely getting into reloading. My father bought me a nice RIA 1911 as a welcome home present for my second deployment, but it's a bit large for me to carry every day, but mostly I just really like wheel guns and I could really use a versatile handgun equally at home for both extended hikes and doing daily duty in day to day life.

There are so many choices it's making my head spin, with everything from .327 magnum, .357, .41 mag, .44 special being cited as nice rounds, although .357 is the most common, and I've only found one manufacturer of .44 special revolvers. The .357 seems to be the most common round, how ever seems to have a commonly cited trait of blinding and deafening people in SD scenarios. Although, I'd rather be deaf then dead. Muzzle blast and flash isn't as large as an issue for me anymore, I'm a crew served weapons instructor and 6 m2's and 4 m240b's going off all simultaneously in the dark of night can be quite the cacophony of lights and sounds.

If I stick with. 357, that leaves me with a large choice of revolvers, which is where I am currently stuck. The ruger sp101 seems like a fine built and well regarded revolver, and a bit of weight to tame full house loads. The smith's sound like they have a far better trigger but don't like full house loads and are quite punishing on the hand. I have iffy feelings and read mixed things about Taurus and I'd prefer to keep in made in America. Is there any other brand I should consider looking at? Any specific models I should possibly research? I'm pretty much lost in the sauce as they say. Weight isn't as much as issue for me as concealing is. Iwb owb is no issue for me as I'm comfortable with both under an untucked button up or flannel and I wear a hoodie 80% of the time being on the western side of WA.
Sorry for the long winded post!
Tyler
 
From one navy guy to another, you can't go wrong with the Ruger. Go with 38 special for range/plinking, and 357 or self defense.
 
Welcome Home Navy.
I went with Ruger's GP 100 4.2" 357. This one eats up 357 loads like candy.

It also comes in a 3". I like it better than the SP because I prefer 6 to 5 shots.

Yes the 4" is 40 ozs. and the 3" is 36 ozs. The SP101 3" weighs 27 ozs and the 2.25" weighs 25 ozs.

Good luck.
Doc
 
I'd put good money that if you shot 20 new Smith and Wesson revolvers and 20 new Ruger revolvers all chambered in .357 that they would all last for tens of thousands of rounds, and that statistically you'd see little to know difference in when failures occurred.

I would recommend that you get what you like best. The awesome thing about revolvers is that grips can be changed easily and relatively cheaply. You can put a thin, hard grip on a big heavy gun and recoil can still hurt. Conversely, you can put a soft, big grip on a tiny gun and make the recoil feel fine.

Here's the rundown on size:

J-frame Smiths are the smallest, they come in steel and alloy. Steel adds weight, but helps with recoil. Most have 2" barrels, but there are plenty 3" version available. They come in a variety of styles relating to the hammer (exposed, no spur, shrouded, hidden).

Next up is the Ruger LCR, which is about the same size as the J-frame, but has a polymer frame (sort of). It's light. It has a pretty nice trigger, but to me if feels more like a Glock than a really good revolver trigger. There are far few grip options available. It's also pretty new compared to all the other models.

The SP-101 is next up in size. Barrel lengths are available from 2.25 to 4.2". The hammer is always exposed. The frames are steel.

Next up is the K/L frame Smiths. Most .357s are L frames, which are slightly more beefy in the cylinder area of the frame. These are six shot. The most common of model available new today is the 686. Hammers are exposed. Barrels range from 2.25" to 6". I carry an older 2" K-frame in .38 Special. I shoot it extremely well and it's very easy to carry if you don't dress like a hipster.

The GP-100 is slightly bigger than the K/L frame. Shortest barrel is 3".

Here's the other thing to think about. Smith and Wesson has a HUGE variety of guns that don't fit the standard six shooter mold. Some models can be hard to find, but they're out there. The 686 Plus holds 7 rounds of .375. The 327 and 627 are built a on S&W N-Frame (larger than the K/L) that holds 8 rounds of .357. There also most a tacti-cool version of the 327 with rails. And there's models that are no longer made in different variations of sights, materials, etc.

Ruger also has its older Speed Six and Security Six revolvers that are no longer made.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll find something you really like. Given that grips can always be changed and modern guns from any brand will last a long time, I'd focus on weight, number of rounds, the arrangement of the hammer (exposed, shrouded, hidden, etc.), the arrangement of the sights (adjustable or fixed), the barrel length, and if you actually like the look and feel of the gun.

You're right for sticking with Ruger or S&W though. Charter, Rossi and Taurus have their place, but Rugers and Smiths are heirloom quality while I feel the other brands are consumer-level items.
 
Have to correct a few things in ckpj99's post.

LCR: nothing like.a Glock trigger. Probably the best DA revolver trigger *out of the box* that you'll find. There are enough grip options to find one that works for you, IMO.

Sp101: there is a 2" DAO model that is great for carry.

If you're stuck on 357, I'd recommend either though my own choice is the LCR357 shooting 38+p for carry. Advantage to the LCR is that is also works for pocket carry.
 
The .357 is an excellent choice as a man stopper, I have to caution you on shooting that cartridge without hearing protection, IT HURTS! I shot at a grouse without plugs/muffs and my ears rang and hurt for 2 days and that was outside, it would have been worse if I had been inside. If you go forward with the .357 as a carry cartridge go somewhere and shoot at least one round unprotected so you'll have at least some idea of what to expect in a defensive shooting,which, is not the time for surprises.
I would also add that since you have a 1911 use that as your EDC. I have a S&W 66 and like it very well as an open carry gun but not as a concealed gun, my EDC is Springfield Champion (Commander size) and have gone to Mexican carry and it disappears even in light clothing while my 66 prints even when wearing heavy over shirts.
 
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If it's a revolver for carry, I personally reccomend a S&W K frame with a 3" barrel. The size is perfect for concealed or open carry, and it handles 38s or 357s with ease. Also, if you go S&W, I suggest looking for a Model 65/13, as the channel sight means its less likely to catch on the rear sight.
 
Thanks for all the great info guys, I think I've settle on the sp101 in 3 inch. I'd think that a 3 inch revolver in a caliber that packs a punch would be a segment that would see a bit more development. After reading about the air weights, they seem absolutely punishing for what it's worth, and the next step up seems a bit too big although I love the 586/686 models. But the sp101 seems to fill the gap between j and k size frames perfectly.
 
You've already made up your mind so all I'll say is "Welcome Home" - thank you for your service and "God Bless"!

As far as a 3" for carry - not what you're looking at but I carry either a Smith Model 36 snub or a Model 36 3". I think a 3" is a pretty "ideal" barrel length. Of course those two are J frame 38s.

The 357 will give you the option of 38 spl., 38 +P or 357. If you get in to reloading, they are a nice easy straight wall cartridge to reload.

You pobably won't be interested in this but if you do start to reload, the 357 will also give you the option of 38 Colt Short & Long - although the Long is only about a 1/10" shorter casing. It requires a different set of dies for the 38 Colt short but they are fun to plink with. I own something like a dozen different 38/357 revolvers and I like to play with that cartridge on cans and small critters. Just mention it as a 357 does offer you a lot of options.

Good luck with your new wheelgun - a Ruger is a fine hand gun and they give excellent customer service should you ever need it. Enjoy! :)
 
I know people talk about Smith's vs Ruger's strength when talking 44mag and 45colt, but I couldn't see a Smith not being fit for a steady diet of 357mag, even very stout ones.

357mag is tough for me, I am pretty small and light, the recoil is stunning and the noise can be overwhelming. therefor I don't practice enough with full-power 357 loads. as a handloader I can make tame 357 loads in the middle between +P and mag that are comfortable. if I didn't handload I would find suitable +P loads for carry. even +P is not impressive though, at least from a snubbie, ballistics wise. this may be of no issue to you, lots of people are fine with 357, just something to consider. if I was to buy a new "carry" revolver, I would seriously look at 9mm's and how they perform from my desired barrel length, if not only for the extreme savings cost on ammo but also heavy 9mm's are not so concussive, ballistically better than 38+P IIRC. just something to consider. you have a good choice with the Ruger LCR 9mm and Charter Pitbull(?)
 
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