Please help by listing good carry revolvers

W

wild billz

New member
I'm looking to pick up a small frame revolver for carry purposes. I'd like something that will go into my pocket or a IWB rig. I saw an olde Ruger 38 spl at the last gun show, it was old, dirty, but bluing looked OK, for 100 bucks, probably could get it out the door for 75-80. I liked it because it was inexpensive and small, though I'd prefer a .357. My other option is a semi- auto, but I'm liking this wheel gun stuff lately.

I'm going to a gun show this weekend, and if I run across a fantastic deal its comming home with me. I may get divorced over it because the last show I went to I came home with a Colt Trooper MK3, and my wife was royally POed.

ANYHOW, I'd really appreciate input to what to keep my eyes out for, and if there are higher end guns to look for I can save up for it. Thanks, I can research em as you list them, but you all have a tremendous fund of knowledege, and its foolish not to ask.
 
most of the folks around here will give you either a S&W J frame or a Ruger sp101. Some of us like things a little bigger and carry a S&W 13 or 65 with a heavy 3" barrel and a round butt grip frame
here is a thread about one such animal http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129955

here's another

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=129278

here is one of Tamara's J Frame's
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1158368

here is mine mod 13 with S&W HRT knife
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1154728
 
I forgot to add C.R. Sam will probably chime in with something like

2 "N's"
2 "K's"
and many more
Tis enough





but listen to the J framers
I love my 13 but respect my S&W 60 also
 
In my lowly opinion, if you want to carry a revolver, especially using a IWB holster, a 3" stainless Ruger SP101 in .357 is the perfect choice.

Whatever you get, stainless is a good choice so that you don't have to worry about corrosion due to continued exposure to your sweat and body oils.
 
I am somewhat of a Ruger fan, so my opinions tend to go that way. That being said, for the small frame, the Ruger SP101 series. 5 rounds in 38/357, 2 & a fraction or 3" barrels

In the medium frame, my nod goes to the Ruger GP100 line, available in 3", 4", 6" barrels. The 6" is a bit much for "discrete packing", though.

Not to say that S&W, Colt, and Taurus don't have fine weapons, I just don't own any of theirs and am not familiar with the produts.
 
"Shopper Beware"

nothing could be stated better!:eek: Just because you
see what looks like a bargain; don't jump on it
without checking it out.:cool: :D

That old trusty, rusty Ruger might be O.K.; but I can't
imagine someone letting it go for $100 bucks; much
less $75 or $80? That is unless you found some old
deceased individual's grandmother that is scared of
guns!:) After all, a Ruger SP 101 is not you're every
day pocket revolver.

As my friend Fess said, I would strongly recommend
checking into a Smith & Wesson J-frame; and oh yes,
new J-frames are available in .357 caliber! Would I
want to shoot one? No way, Jose! Those Ti's and Sc's
are just too darn lightweight.:( :D Some of these 11
oz. jobs are rough on the old hands with +P .38 SPL.
load's.

A nice, clean pre-owned LNIB S&W vintage model 60
Chief's Special (available only in .38 caliber), or a 3"
.357 magnum S&W model 65 would work just fine.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
"Looked old and dirty but the blueing was good" $100 or less.

Like Ala Dan says...
Raises red flag. Possible it is a really good deal. Also likely there is something seriously wrong with it.

Pocket gun...
.32 Long.....I frame Smith...20% smaller than J frame and 6 shots.
.38 Special....J frame Smith....partial to 36.
.357 Mag.....K frame...2½" round butt 19.

For bigger cartridges, I want bigger frames. Like to hit what I want...more than once.

Recommend usin Jim March's revolver check-out list...here...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816

Sam
 
Just for the record, I've shot a few revolvers namely just Chief Specials, Charter Arms and Tauri. I am no expert but I am VERY pleased with my Taurus 617 in Stainless.
For what it's worth it's a solid shooter, and the price is affordable. I don't really use "cheap", because I have come to the conclusion that many gun manufacturers "jack-up" the price on a firearm simply because the buying public approximates cost with quality.
A lifetime warranty, and an excellent selection of revolvers at a fair and resonable price is always welcome. May want to look into the following Tauri:
CIA
85 CH
605
617

By the way not found of Titanium of any stripe. Just like stainless steel. Especially in Florida's heat.

Jon
 
I've been carrying a S&W 386 for about six months and...........

I have become really fond of it. FYI it is a 357, 7-shot TiScan with a three inch barrel. It weighs in at 18oz empty and that makes it ideal as a carry gun. Been using a FIST #1 clip holster IWB and it rides and conceals as if it isn't there at all. Yes, TiScan revolvers have hefty recoil but IMHO this is a "carry-a-lot-shoot-a- little" piece and meant for that purpose. It has become my "every day carry gun" and is likely to remain that way. Good shooting:)
 
I carry an inexpensive, but well made H&R M925 break-top snubby revolver chambered in .38S&W. It has the nicest blueing job that I have ever seen on any revolver.
 
thanks for the replies, keep them coming in

I've read the article on inspecting a revolver, and it was great

i'll probably save sme money to get the right piece

thanks again
 
Surprised nobody's mentioned colt yet...

I carried the Smith snubbies for a long time and always felt well served by them. However, after I tried a Colt Detective Special, I dumped them and never looked back.

The DS has six rounds instead of five, and the gun is just barely any bigger. The stock trigger is better than the stock J-frame trigger(varies). There are plenty of grips and holsters available for these fine guns, and the "Agent" series even has an alloy frame. Downside- they aren't made any more. However, you can find them pretty easily.

My daily gun is an Agent that looks all beat to crap, but is tight and shoots great. I figure I can't hurt it any like it is, and someday I'll refinish it. I wish I'd found out about these little guns years before. I passed up on some real nice ones before I discovered them. Ah, well. Live and learn! Hope this helps!
 
I'm fond of this one:

t85vapor.jpg


It's a Taurus model 85UL, in stainless of course. 5 shots of .38 spl, and it weighs very little. Price: about $300 new
 
I recommend a S&W Model 60 or 640. I carry a Model 60 during warm weather months.

I like steel-framed snubbies for carry and I'll tell you why. Firstly, you're talking about a carry gun. I believe that with a carry gun a person needs to practice, practice, practice so they are proficient if they ever are called to use it. Secondly, in my experience the short sight radius of a snubbie also demands that you practice if you want to shoot it well.

Therefore, I'm no fan of lightweight snubbies that are so light you can't feel you have it on you, but are also so light that you don't want to spend a whole lot of time shooting them. I'll take mine steel-framed, thank you very much.

In my Model 60, I carry with .38 spcl. Federal Hydrashock. I've shot .357 out of it and I think these guns are overly criticized regarding .357. With the proper load, grip, and stance, .357 out of a Model 60 is not punishing and muzzle flip can be controled for an acceptible second shot capability.

My recommendation would be to stick with steel and forget aluminum, titantium, and scandium.

RJ
 
For me, the most important feature in any SD handgun is Control. I find that the J frames just have too small a grip for great control. The same issue keeps Charter Arms off my list, even the older ones.

My favorite CCW is a 4" S&W M-19 with a tuckable IWB holster. It's light enough to carry all day and is perhaps the greatest design ever in a SD gun. It's small enough for close work but large enough for distance shots. It's accurate and can be loaded from the mildest target 38 wad cutters to the most hairy chested 125grain 357Mag.
 
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Carry Revolvers

Here is my two cents worth:

OPEN CARRY:

S&W M24/29 with heavily loaded .44 Spl. JHPs @ 1,100 fps
S&W M27/28 with 170-180 gr factory loads
S&W M625 in .45 ACP (very fast reload with moonclips)
S&W M58 .41 Mag
S&W 38/44 Heavy Duty

CONCEALED CARRY

S&W M19/66
S&W M60/640 in .357 Mag

FWIW

Chuck
 
If you can find one, I recommend the Colt Cobra, alloy framed version of the Detective Special. Little bigger than the J frame S&W but holds 6 rounds instead of 5. Cobras are rated for 38 Special +P, just not a regular diet of the stuff.
All holsters and grips for the Detective Special will work with the Cobra.
Take Care
 
During spring and summer the Ruger SP101 in 357 fits the bill nicely. During the cooler/cold months, a Ruger KGP-141 is on the hip.
 
Smith and Wesson Mod 638 Body guard

How 'bout a stainless Smith Mod 638 Bodyguard? Weighs in fully-loaded at approximately 17 ounces and gives you a shrouded hammer for a SA or DA pull without snagging in the pocket. Workmanship on the one I owned was excellent.
 
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