Time to make the "perfect" cold weather carry revolver
- Thread starter chaim
- Start date
Obambulate
New member
I would just get a used S&W 3" Model 65. The non-LadySmith models aren't rare or expensive. Grind off the hammer spur, and you're done.
Redhawk5.5+P+
New member
That's like having to vote for the sext president. Neither.
There have been enough posts since my last post, that I will respond to a few general themes as opposed to specific posts...
Taurus sucks:
No one used quite those words, but a few said basically that. I have Taurus on my list because I do not think they suck. In fact, of the 5 Taurus handguns I own or have owned (all but one a revolver), I have had fewer problems in any of them than I have from my S&W 65LS (timing issues and lead shaving) or the SIG 226 I used to own, and I consider both the 65 and the 226 to have been quite reliable handguns overall. I have had far fewer problems in all my Taurus handguns combined (and multiplied by 10) than I had in the POS Ruger KP345 I used to own. I trust Taurus because I have had multiple repeat positive experiences with them, and most of them have had thousands of rounds through them (the post-Taurus buy out Rossi 461 doesn't have many rounds yet, but so far so good).
As for why only Taurus handguns are on my poll, I addressed that in my original post- ideally I want a 3" K-frame sized handgun, and only Taurus still makes new production K-frame sized handguns, and used S&W's (especially the 3") are getting pretty expensive.
If you don't like Taurus, please ignore the brand and address the revolver types (65= medium frame with fixed sights, 66= medium frame with adjustable sights, Tracker= ports, adjustable sights, and slightly smaller and lighter than a K-frame).
Ruger GP100
Well, there hasn't really been a theme of these, but I want to address it. I'm staying away from the GP100 because for me, it is bigger and heavier than I want for this purpose. Though with a 3" model in production, it is tempting to give it a try anyway, I'd probably go with the smaller 3" SP101 if I go with Ruger (I already have plenty of range guns, one of the main purposes of this purchase would be carry, both CCW and woods/camping).
Keep it 4"
Maybe. I have tried a 4" K-frame IWB when I had one, and it dug into my leg when I sat down. However, I never tried it with a canted holster, and I haven't tried it OWB. Either way, it may work (and with a canted OWB holster it probably would). So, if I go with a 4" gun, I may buy a holster and try it for a few hours before I make the choice to cut off the barrel. Certainly, if I go with the 28.8oz Tracker I'll try it, if I go with the 66/65 which are much heavier, lopping the inch off the barrel will also cut a couple ounces so I still may just cut the barrel.
Suggestions of various other guns:
Some of these seem interesting.
The Charter Arms in .38 or .357 don't interest me, but the .44spl Bulldog does. The Taurus 415, not as much (I love .41mag, but I've moved away from it and sold mine due to ammo and component costs and availability).
I wouldn't mind trying the SP101. However, it weighs about the same as my Rossi 461 so it probably won't help recoil v. the Rossi. The Rossi has one more round, but the Ruger is available in a 3" barrel. Seems kind of a wash. The Ruger has a better reputation, but I already have the Rossi so I'm not sure it really would do much that I don't already have covered. Still, choice is always good .
I'm becoming more interested in the S&W Nightguard series. Either the current 386 or the discontinued .44spl 396. They have an XS front night sight, and they are scandium so they weigh under 25oz which may help counter that they are L-frames (not the trimmer K-frame) and only have 2.5" barrels. They're kind of expensive, but they already have almost all the mods I'd want (and I might forget about the bobbed hammer/DAO conversion), so it may not be any less than the whole package once I got another gun to the smith for the work.
Taurus sucks:
No one used quite those words, but a few said basically that. I have Taurus on my list because I do not think they suck. In fact, of the 5 Taurus handguns I own or have owned (all but one a revolver), I have had fewer problems in any of them than I have from my S&W 65LS (timing issues and lead shaving) or the SIG 226 I used to own, and I consider both the 65 and the 226 to have been quite reliable handguns overall. I have had far fewer problems in all my Taurus handguns combined (and multiplied by 10) than I had in the POS Ruger KP345 I used to own. I trust Taurus because I have had multiple repeat positive experiences with them, and most of them have had thousands of rounds through them (the post-Taurus buy out Rossi 461 doesn't have many rounds yet, but so far so good).
As for why only Taurus handguns are on my poll, I addressed that in my original post- ideally I want a 3" K-frame sized handgun, and only Taurus still makes new production K-frame sized handguns, and used S&W's (especially the 3") are getting pretty expensive.
If you don't like Taurus, please ignore the brand and address the revolver types (65= medium frame with fixed sights, 66= medium frame with adjustable sights, Tracker= ports, adjustable sights, and slightly smaller and lighter than a K-frame).
Ruger GP100
Well, there hasn't really been a theme of these, but I want to address it. I'm staying away from the GP100 because for me, it is bigger and heavier than I want for this purpose. Though with a 3" model in production, it is tempting to give it a try anyway, I'd probably go with the smaller 3" SP101 if I go with Ruger (I already have plenty of range guns, one of the main purposes of this purchase would be carry, both CCW and woods/camping).
Keep it 4"
Maybe. I have tried a 4" K-frame IWB when I had one, and it dug into my leg when I sat down. However, I never tried it with a canted holster, and I haven't tried it OWB. Either way, it may work (and with a canted OWB holster it probably would). So, if I go with a 4" gun, I may buy a holster and try it for a few hours before I make the choice to cut off the barrel. Certainly, if I go with the 28.8oz Tracker I'll try it, if I go with the 66/65 which are much heavier, lopping the inch off the barrel will also cut a couple ounces so I still may just cut the barrel.
Suggestions of various other guns:
Some of these seem interesting.
The Charter Arms in .38 or .357 don't interest me, but the .44spl Bulldog does. The Taurus 415, not as much (I love .41mag, but I've moved away from it and sold mine due to ammo and component costs and availability).
I wouldn't mind trying the SP101. However, it weighs about the same as my Rossi 461 so it probably won't help recoil v. the Rossi. The Rossi has one more round, but the Ruger is available in a 3" barrel. Seems kind of a wash. The Ruger has a better reputation, but I already have the Rossi so I'm not sure it really would do much that I don't already have covered. Still, choice is always good
.I'm becoming more interested in the S&W Nightguard series. Either the current 386 or the discontinued .44spl 396. They have an XS front night sight, and they are scandium so they weigh under 25oz which may help counter that they are L-frames (not the trimmer K-frame) and only have 2.5" barrels. They're kind of expensive, but they already have almost all the mods I'd want (and I might forget about the bobbed hammer/DAO conversion), so it may not be any less than the whole package once I got another gun to the smith for the work.
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The mods I'd want (unless the gun already had them):
-Night sights (definite). The Nightguard series already have them, none of the others would and it wouldn't be a cheap mod on a revolver.
-Matte finish (definite). The Tracker and Nightguard series have it already.
-3" barrel (I might consider going without this).
-Bobbed hammer/DAO conversion (probably, but might put it off). I don't trust a bobbed hammer without the gun being converted to DAO. For a CCW handgun, an exposed hammer isn't a deal-breaker, but with the possibility of snagging a cover garment, it is one more thing that can go wrong.
-Boot grips (preferably wood, stag or elk). Probably Ahrends, Spegel, or Eagle Secret Service grips. You lose some recoil control with the smaller grips, but for carry, the lower profile boot grips are much better for concealment. Why wood or bone? Because I like it, there is no reason a carry revolver can't look good just because it is a CCW weapon.
-Night sights (definite). The Nightguard series already have them, none of the others would and it wouldn't be a cheap mod on a revolver.
-Matte finish (definite). The Tracker and Nightguard series have it already.
-3" barrel (I might consider going without this).
-Bobbed hammer/DAO conversion (probably, but might put it off). I don't trust a bobbed hammer without the gun being converted to DAO. For a CCW handgun, an exposed hammer isn't a deal-breaker, but with the possibility of snagging a cover garment, it is one more thing that can go wrong.
-Boot grips (preferably wood, stag or elk). Probably Ahrends, Spegel, or Eagle Secret Service grips. You lose some recoil control with the smaller grips, but for carry, the lower profile boot grips are much better for concealment. Why wood or bone? Because I like it, there is no reason a carry revolver can't look good just because it is a CCW weapon.
Didn't vote in your poll. Obviously, though, you're free to choose from among the Taurus revolver line based upon your individual experience.
The "perfect cold weather" revolver? Dunno exactly what I'd consider that to mean. I've carried J-frames to N-frames (and a Redhawk/SBH), regardless of the weather.
I tend to like the 5-shot snubs for their versatility in all weather/carry situations. I shoot them well.
I also own a 2.25" SP101 DAO, but it sees more range time than carry time (due to weight).
I've idly considered looking for a 3" 101 at some point. I'd like to have the XS front night sight, too, since I have it on my pair of M&P 340's. It's the best sighting system I've ever used on a 5-shot snub (because it's so easy & fast to see under a range of lighting conditions
).
I have a Ruger Service-Six heavy barrel 4" I bought new many years ago, and eventually had it tuned and Magnaported, and then the square butt rounded off. Really nice concealment .357 Magnum revolver. It stays in the safe due to the weight, nowadays.
Ditto a nicely done M66 2 1/2" snub. Nice example of the breed. Enjoyable and accurate snub to shoot out to 75 yds. I'd rather have an alloy or plastic gun of similar size & weight for retirement CCW, though ... unless I could choose one of my assorted J-frames.
After enough years of carrying medium & large framed .357 & .44 Magnum revolvers as off-duty weapons, using both IWB & OWB belt scabbards, I tend to like smaller, or at least lighter, nowadays.
I had a pair of the very early Charter Arms .44 Bulldogs. Never again. Your luck and experience may vary.
The GP series seems nice enough.
I really liked the L-frames (having carried a couple of them in their early days). I always wished I'd thought to pick up a 686-Plus (7-shot) with a short barrel. Now that might have been a nice medium-weight/size short barreled Magnum for CCW chores.
If it were me, I'd stick with the M65 3". Great example of the K-frame Magnum revolver. I see no reason to remove the hammer spur on a K-frame size revolver, but you can certainly suit yourself.
As a longtime revolver owner, shooter & user I can certainly appreciate a good revolver. I'd have carried one of the 8-shot Scandium N-frames as a duty weapon if returning to LE work and allowed to carry a revolver.
If it were me? I'd stick with S&W or Ruger, with Colt being a distant third choice (if you're going to be doing a lot of shooting with Magnum loads, anyway).
Luck to you. Enjoy.
The "perfect cold weather" revolver? Dunno exactly what I'd consider that to mean. I've carried J-frames to N-frames (and a Redhawk/SBH), regardless of the weather.
I tend to like the 5-shot snubs for their versatility in all weather/carry situations. I shoot them well.
I also own a 2.25" SP101 DAO, but it sees more range time than carry time (due to weight).
I've idly considered looking for a 3" 101 at some point. I'd like to have the XS front night sight, too, since I have it on my pair of M&P 340's. It's the best sighting system I've ever used on a 5-shot snub (because it's so easy & fast to see under a range of lighting conditions
).I have a Ruger Service-Six heavy barrel 4" I bought new many years ago, and eventually had it tuned and Magnaported, and then the square butt rounded off. Really nice concealment .357 Magnum revolver. It stays in the safe due to the weight, nowadays.
Ditto a nicely done M66 2 1/2" snub. Nice example of the breed. Enjoyable and accurate snub to shoot out to 75 yds. I'd rather have an alloy or plastic gun of similar size & weight for retirement CCW, though ... unless I could choose one of my assorted J-frames.
After enough years of carrying medium & large framed .357 & .44 Magnum revolvers as off-duty weapons, using both IWB & OWB belt scabbards, I tend to like smaller, or at least lighter, nowadays.
I had a pair of the very early Charter Arms .44 Bulldogs. Never again. Your luck and experience may vary.
The GP series seems nice enough.
I really liked the L-frames (having carried a couple of them in their early days). I always wished I'd thought to pick up a 686-Plus (7-shot) with a short barrel. Now that might have been a nice medium-weight/size short barreled Magnum for CCW chores.
If it were me, I'd stick with the M65 3". Great example of the K-frame Magnum revolver. I see no reason to remove the hammer spur on a K-frame size revolver, but you can certainly suit yourself.
As a longtime revolver owner, shooter & user I can certainly appreciate a good revolver. I'd have carried one of the 8-shot Scandium N-frames as a duty weapon if returning to LE work and allowed to carry a revolver.
If it were me? I'd stick with S&W or Ruger, with Colt being a distant third choice (if you're going to be doing a lot of shooting with Magnum loads, anyway).
Luck to you. Enjoy.
Haha, I guess I didn't spend much time explaining what I meant by that (one short blurb in my 1st post within some parenthesis was it).
During the summer when temp and humidity around here can be pretty ugly, a small J-frame is about all I can conceal. Often, when I'm down in VA or up in PA, I just take the 442 in my pocket. I am 42, I tend more towards "business casual" and don't do the untucked t-shirt much anymore, so my summer gun needs to be small enough to fit in my pocket or conceal well with a tuckable IWB holster (i.e. it needs to be a J-frame or a compact/subcompact semi-auto).
When temperatures cool off so that I can always have a cover garment, more options open up. When that allows a bigger revolver, I'd prefer a larger revolver than a J-frame because the larger and heavier guns (while having weaknesses of their own) address several of the weaknesses of the smaller revolvers. The heavier weight means it is a more controllable gun with faster follow up shots. The heavier weight opens up the possibility of using defense loaded .357mag rounds, an advantage when people are wearing heavy winter clothing. The 3" or 4" barrel instead of a 2" J-frame means a longer sight radius which makes accurate shot placement easier and quicker. A 6 or 7-shot revolver capacity (not only are these 3 Taurus revolvers 7-shot revolvers, so is the 386) is much nicer than 5 shots in the J-frame. If I go with the 44spl options I may still only have 5 shots, but 5 shots of .44spl > 5 shots of .38+P (especially if heavy winter clothing clogs the hollowpoint and it doesn't expand).
So, I'm looking for a revolver with more capability than the small J-frames, that can conceal well under a jacket or winter clothing, but isn't too big or heavy so it is still a reasonable CCW.
I get what you are saying in your post about a few of your guns being on the heavy side for carry. I certainly don't carry my 65LS every time I otherwise can. If I'm going to VA or PA for more than a day or so, I tend to bring something lighter. Definitely if (when) MD goes shall-issue, or when I move to VA (as soon as I can get a job there after I finish my masters) and CCW is a nearly everyday thing, this would not be an everyday carry (probably my Rossi and an auto or two will share that job), but it would be something I'd carry a couple times a week during the fall through early to mid spring months. Actually, the potential weight issues do have the Tracker (under 29oz) and the expensive S&W Nightguards looking pretty good.
Whirlwind06
New member
I carry the 3 inch GP quite a bit. I it weighs in around 36 oz or so. That's with the big factory grips. My 3 inch S&W K frame (.38) weighs pretty close, with in a few oz I would say.
mightyoakwildlife
New member
I didn't vote for any of your listed pieces, because I've no personal experience with them. Same reason I won't "bash" any of them. However, this question is one I've entertained from time to time, so I find this thread interesting.
Since you're fond of the .357, and already own several, why not try something different? Have you looked at the .327 Federal?
How about a nice SP101, 3" .327 from Ruger? At 28 ounces, with a full compliment of six shots, I've decided on one, not trying another caliber (I too own a few .357s I'm very happy with), trying it just this once, it could be the wife's gun, reasoning that there's no improving upon my 3" SP101 in .357, it does offer six rounds, etc., etc. Still, it is a reason to buy just one more handgun that I haven't tried, but I just bought that little .22LR Sig this weekend, and my pockets are a little light right now....
Since you're fond of the .357, and already own several, why not try something different? Have you looked at the .327 Federal?
How about a nice SP101, 3" .327 from Ruger? At 28 ounces, with a full compliment of six shots, I've decided on one, not trying another caliber (I too own a few .357s I'm very happy with), trying it just this once, it could be the wife's gun, reasoning that there's no improving upon my 3" SP101 in .357, it does offer six rounds, etc., etc. Still, it is a reason to buy just one more handgun that I haven't tried, but I just bought that little .22LR Sig this weekend, and my pockets are a little light right now....
Bob Wright
New member
I didn't cast a vote, will not vote for any Taurus, nor do I see a need to change my outfit because its starting to get cool.
My outfit is a .44 Special Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" carried in a Bob Mernickle PS6-SA holster. Works for me simmer or winter.
Bob Wright
My outfit is a .44 Special Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" carried in a Bob Mernickle PS6-SA holster. Works for me simmer or winter.
Bob Wright
jsiberians
Inactive
Ruger
LCR
LCR
badge851 said:
What's the leather?
Nanuk said:
I've thought about the Mountain Gun, in fact, occasional carry was part of what I had in mind when I bought mine (mine is a .45LC). I still need to get a good holster for mine, but it does seem to be a tad large (and heavy) for anything but occasional carry.
I've owned several Taurus guns and have not had good luck with them so I didn't participate in the poll. However, since you brought up some of the Night Guards, the 327NG is another you may want to consider. I have one that I got a good used deal on and it's a great gun, my favorite work around the property and outdoors side arm. It's not much larger than the 386NG and since it's pretty light it carries well. Plus, you get that eighth round with the 327 as well. It's out to a local gunsmith now getting the hammer bobbed, an action job, and being made DAO.
Deaf Smith
New member
'Perfect" Winter carry revolver?
Sure do.
My DAO Speed Six shown. In .357 Magnum (as they all are!)
No sharp edges and a slick action.
Deaf
Sure do.
My DAO Speed Six shown. In .357 Magnum (as they all are!)
No sharp edges and a slick action.
Deaf