Ideal Tool
Moderator
Well...you did say cold...how about a Colt Mod. 1878 Alaskan in .45 long colt..that BIG trigger guard out to let you keep your pinkies toasty!
Time to make the "perfect" cold weather carry revolver
- Thread starter chaim
- Start date
I'm with you on this... except my Blackhawk is in 45 Colt carried IWB in a Simply Rugged holster.
No problem concealing with just an untucked T shirt for cover.
A good belt and holster make all the difference IMO.
I'd love to try out a Mernicke at some point. Looks like a very good design.
Just for giggles, I picked up a used Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster for my 7 1/2" Virginian Dragoon. Actually isn't too bad to conceal under an untucked button down shirt for a cover garment.
Wow, some of you guys carry some big and heavy revolvers. I suppose with a good belt and holster a heavier gun will carry OK, and with layers of winter clothing a larger revolver can be reasonably concealed. Unfortunately, I live in MD where I can't carry often (I can't carry here at all, only when in a state that takes my UT non-res permit). If I take my 625MG with me and it is too big or heavy, I won't have my entire safe of guns to choose from. Plus, I am looking for an excuse to buy another gun. I am about to order (in another window right now) a Simply Rugged Sourdough Pancake holster for my 625, but I'm still thinking about a more carry friendly revolver that is more capable than my 442, 85CH and 461.
Since I spent $600 on a SIG 290 last week, I'm leaning against the S&W Nightguards for now (I may buy one later though). I'm slightly leaning against the Taurus 65 or 66 (or comparable, used, S&W 65 or 66) due to weight. It seems to me that at 4" or less, weight probably makes a bigger difference for concealability than barrel length. I'm still thinking seriously about the sub-29oz Taurus 627 Tracker in a 4" barrel, or cutting it to a 3" barrel (and losing the porting). In addition to being a big .357mag fan, I'm a big fan of calibers starting in 4, so I'm also thinking about the .44spl Taurus 445 or a used .45LC Taurus 450 (even though both are 2"), I love the .41mag so maybe the 2.5" Taurus 415 or 4" 425 .41mag Tracker, or a used 3" Rossi 720 or Taurus 431. The .44spl Charter Arms are still on the list as well. As kind of a wildcard, I could see getting a single action .45LC 3.5" ~38oz Cimarron Thunderer.
Since I spent $600 on a SIG 290 last week, I'm leaning against the S&W Nightguards for now (I may buy one later though). I'm slightly leaning against the Taurus 65 or 66 (or comparable, used, S&W 65 or 66) due to weight. It seems to me that at 4" or less, weight probably makes a bigger difference for concealability than barrel length. I'm still thinking seriously about the sub-29oz Taurus 627 Tracker in a 4" barrel, or cutting it to a 3" barrel (and losing the porting). In addition to being a big .357mag fan, I'm a big fan of calibers starting in 4, so I'm also thinking about the .44spl Taurus 445 or a used .45LC Taurus 450 (even though both are 2"), I love the .41mag so maybe the 2.5" Taurus 415 or 4" 425 .41mag Tracker, or a used 3" Rossi 720 or Taurus 431. The .44spl Charter Arms are still on the list as well. As kind of a wildcard, I could see getting a single action .45LC 3.5" ~38oz Cimarron Thunderer.
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SFsc616171
Moderator
RE: "Perfect" cold weather carry revolver
For all those that live where the operative word is, or soon shall be, "snow", I make the obligatory apology. My bones don't do cold weather no more, so I live near the bayous, and the occasional hurricane.
My "perfect" cold weather revolver, with everyone wearing those big fancy football coats with the quilting, would be my Taurus 850CIA .38 Special, (their version of the '*42' series), loaded with solid semi-wadcutters, NOT the 'FBI load', and NOT in Plus P. More clothing means more layers to get through, to do the job.
For all those that live where the operative word is, or soon shall be, "snow", I make the obligatory apology. My bones don't do cold weather no more, so I live near the bayous, and the occasional hurricane.
My "perfect" cold weather revolver, with everyone wearing those big fancy football coats with the quilting, would be my Taurus 850CIA .38 Special, (their version of the '*42' series), loaded with solid semi-wadcutters, NOT the 'FBI load', and NOT in Plus P. More clothing means more layers to get through, to do the job.
Whirlwind06
New member
mavracer - What kind of front sight do you have your Speed Six? I have 2 of them that I'm looking to put better sights on.
deputy tom
New member
Chaim, I sometimes carry my 4" 64 in the cold weather however if I was looking to get a different winter revolver I'd look for a 2 1/2" 66 and call it a day. Good luck in your quest. tom.
silvermane_1
New member
no matter the gun maker, IMHO the min. bbl. lenth would be 4", has the least exceptable velocity for punching through heavy winter clothes.
I've got a Taurus 65 with the 2.5 inch barrel and a 66 with the 4 inch barrel.
I do have a Bianchi IWB holster for belt carry. The 7 shots is a bonus instead of six shots that a 65 carries.
The 66 hits to point of aim with .357 magnum or .38 Special with 158gr. bullets. With the 140gr. and slightly heavier bullets these all hit close to point of aim. All of this is at 25 yards.
The longer barrel gives one the benefit of boosted muzzle velocity with the 4 inch barrel versus the 3 inch.
I do like the 2.5" barrel on the 65 for summer carry.
Just make sure that with winter gloves the revolver will work. Make sure the trigger will cycle and reset all the way through without the glove material causing function problems.
One other thing. If the gun is carried in a holster so the gun is exposed to the cold the pressures and muzzle velocity will be lower. It may not be a big thing. Just something to be aware of.
I like the Ruger revolvers, that is the GP-100 ,for carry. But as already said the weight is a bit much.
It seems that Ruger has or is making the SP-101 in a 4" barreled version.
I do have a Bianchi IWB holster for belt carry. The 7 shots is a bonus instead of six shots that a 65 carries.
The 66 hits to point of aim with .357 magnum or .38 Special with 158gr. bullets. With the 140gr. and slightly heavier bullets these all hit close to point of aim. All of this is at 25 yards.
The longer barrel gives one the benefit of boosted muzzle velocity with the 4 inch barrel versus the 3 inch.
I do like the 2.5" barrel on the 65 for summer carry.
Just make sure that with winter gloves the revolver will work. Make sure the trigger will cycle and reset all the way through without the glove material causing function problems.
One other thing. If the gun is carried in a holster so the gun is exposed to the cold the pressures and muzzle velocity will be lower. It may not be a big thing. Just something to be aware of.
I like the Ruger revolvers, that is the GP-100 ,for carry. But as already said the weight is a bit much.
It seems that Ruger has or is making the SP-101 in a 4" barreled version.
I am not a Taurus fan. I can say that knowing that I have 2 Tauruses in my home. The first is a Judge (3 inch chamber and barrel) and the other is a 380 pocket gun. They both belong to the wife. The Judge had to go back to the factory 3 times to get it to work in single action (the hammer would not lock back and when you pulled it back by hand it would set off the round because it did not lock in the cocked position.
the 380 was not as bad. It works ok but occasionally fails to ignite the rounds. My wife still owns it but she up graded to a sig P238.
the 380 was not as bad. It works ok but occasionally fails to ignite the rounds. My wife still owns it but she up graded to a sig P238.
If I were looking for a project gun I would be very tempted to go with the tracker and cut it down. In fact, I'm mulling over your idea as a fun winter project to do myself! If you could find a used one, even better.
If you don't want a project gun I would suggest a model 60 with adjustable sights.
If you don't want a project gun I would suggest a model 60 with adjustable sights.
I voted for the model 65... Taurus is ok, if you've established its reliability. I've had a few of them, and only one of them had a few ignition issues. Replaced the spring, and it's been 100% since then.
I voted more for the concept. K frame size, half underlug, 6 shots, fixed sights with the front being a smooth ramp, not a patridge type, stainless steel, 4" barrel. Very simple mechanics, smooth to draw from under a coat, you'll never knock the rear sight out of alignment, and with the right load, dead-on accurate.
What's not to like?
I voted more for the concept. K frame size, half underlug, 6 shots, fixed sights with the front being a smooth ramp, not a patridge type, stainless steel, 4" barrel. Very simple mechanics, smooth to draw from under a coat, you'll never knock the rear sight out of alignment, and with the right load, dead-on accurate.
What's not to like?