What revolver for CCW?

L

liketoshoot

New member
I know I know...not exactly a breakthough topic, but I'd like your opinions on this.

I'd like it small. I'd like it powerful. That's about it. Don't worry about cost.
 
Small, Lightweight, and Powerful?

How about a Smith & Wesson model 360sc in .357 magnum?
I wouldn't want to shoot this baby with "full house" .357
magnum load's; as I would reserve those for "rainy day's
and Sunday's! (LOL)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
J frame smiths always a good choice. You did not mention weight. If weight no problem I would go with 640 in 357 magnum chambering that weighs about 24 oz unloaded.
 
Carried the 640 for a couple of years very happily and would highly reccomend it. Currently carry a 3" model 65 and while I like it a lot, I think most people would consider it a bit big.

Weight wise I thought the 640 was just right. Just enough weight to make firing 38's at the range comfortable but still light enough I honestly could not tell if I had it on or not without feeling for it.
 
J-frames offer good punch in a small and (in Airweight or Ti variants) light package. They are very easy to tote, but shooting them well requires some practice.

I alternate between an Airweight J-frame (M642), and a K-frame (M65 3"). To me, the K-frame is the best balance between size, power, and shootability out there.
 
The snub to beat is the hammerless 340pd from S&W. 12 oz., 5 shots of .357. Most people say 'oh, heavenly days, I wouldn't want to shoot a .357 that light!' Most poeple haven't shot one. Loaded with Remington Golden Sabers or Proload Tactical Light ammo, it's perfectly shootable (though I don't shoot a lot of this stuff; mostly .38s for practice). The easiest pocket carry--of a comforting power level--on the planet. Try to find one to shoot.

cw

p.s.--It's a good thing money's not a big issue; I imagine your looking at around 6 bills for a new one now; maybe 4-450 used.
 
My favorite is the one that's with me now, my Taurus 605. To paraphrase my father, "If I can't handle the situation with 5 rds of .357, I'm somewhere I probably shouldn't be in the first place." And for the price difference of the S&W I bought an awful lot of ammo to practice with. (Ducking the flames that are sure to come)
 
My two favorites for concealed carry are the S&W 640 .357 and 642 airweight .38. Depending on your carry mode these can't be beat. I much prefer shooting the 640, I use .38+P's, due to its 23oz. vs. 15oz. for the 642 but the airweight is more easily carried in a pocket. I also find that these models provide a much better hand position due to their concealed hammer configuration.
 
S&W 340sc. I own one, and have shot it with full house .357 loads. It is painful. Not painful like it will knock you down, but painful as in your hand will be slightly sore after shooting a cylinder full of them. Very sore after a whole box. Not very accurate, and only holds 5 rounds, but the best combination of size and weight I've found. Do yourself a favor, get a Galco or Desantis neoprene ankle rig for it.
 
It depends. If compactness and light weight are of concern, it's hard to beat something like a J frame Smith. An airweight is light enough; spend the extra money on practice ammo. a 3" barrel is a plus. .357 is a theoretical plus, but at a price in recoil and blast. My solution to this is a 442 which serves well when I don't carry a 'real' gun.

In most cases I don't see why a 3" (or even 4") K framed gun, with proper grips and leather, won't work--say a M13 or 66 S&W. The power and hitting ability goes up radically at a small extra price in weight and bulk.

I have carried a 4" concealed since 1981 with perfect satisfaction. If you really need it you will be glad for the extra capabilities it has but still wish you had an 870.

If it makes a neat watch fob it's probably too dinky to stake your life on.
 
At the moment...
Left rear pocket...2.5" Model 19 round butt.
Right front pocket...3" Model 36 round butt.

Both in pocket holsters.

Sam
 
Small but powerfull

Liketoshoot:
S&W 640, 649, 60 in .357 magnum. No question about it! I like stainless steel solid handguns. The weight helps absorb the recoil which is quite significant, and will keep you accurate enough to stop the assailant. If you go with the featherweight handguns you will flinch unless you have a 20lb hand. Trust me I know. I shoot 44 magnum 6.5 inch Classic DX S&W handgun every weekend for the past 12 years and enjoy it. You need the weight to offset the recoil energy
Herb
 
Colt Magnum Carry.

Hard to find, worth the wait.

Six shots instead of five, wieghs less than an Sp101, just slightly larger than a J-frame.
 
Gee, how do you choose? I carry a variety of revolvers, from 2 inch snubbies to 6 inch N frames. I am having a Model 65 built for CCW. I was going to have my gunsmith cut the 4 inch barrel back to 3 inches, but I talked to Smith&Wesson, and they still have some of the 3 inch heavy barrels in stock, and will install it for $150. I will have my gunsmith bob the hammer, install all new springs, tune it, and convert it to DAO. A Birdsong olive drab finish, custom stocks, and new Leather from Sam Andrews will complete the work.

THAT will be the ultimate CCW revolver.................. for awhile anyway. lol
 
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