Which would you go for? Why?
Thanks for the input and take care!
I realized this thread is a tad dated but it was still on the front page and it's interesting in the choices you listed. I could not vote on the poll because it was closed, but anyway, of the ones you listed the 'sweet spot' is the the model 60.
For two reasons,
#1 it's under 24 oz
#2 it's a 3" inch barrel.
Lite enough to do your belt carry and the real difference in ballistic starts at 3" for .357 magnum from a snubby size, forget about all the rest until you hit a 6" inch barrel than it changes again, but there is significant change from say a 1.8 up to that 3". And still small enough to get it out if you are well in health and experience. Not to mention you will have a fun gun to shoot at the range so you sort of get the best of both worlds.
Some of those you listed will get mighty old when your pants keep sliding down. Just to go from a 13.5 oz. .38 LCR to a 17.1 .357 LCR I had to add suspenders under my shirt to my belt, no kidding.
And I pocket carry, you going on the belt OWB or IWB you will really feel it.
One of the best guns I ever own and still regret getting rid of was the S&W Governor and it only weight just over 33 oz fulling loaded with two .410 bore shells and 4 250g .45 LC. But I can't do a OWB or IWB so I use to pack it in my back pocket with an un-tucked shirt with even sewed hem so I didn't look like a bum, weird experience as I have always been a tuck and go person myself.
Anyway it carried nice and was not uncomfortable but than I got worried someone would see a bulge and think I had fat wallet and try to jack me, they get the gun I'm dead for sure then.
But how I miss
BIG Hoss, I always felt safe when I had it. Each person has to access their daily routine and what they may encounter. Mine is up close and personal, the co-cock I will never even see coming. And a .410 shell to the face will make anyone put their hands to their face no matter how big you are or how jacked up on dope you are, enough time hopefully to roll away from it and try to get away or get lucky and nail a .45 LC to their chest. Even at that close a .410 will still give you a pattern of around 5 inches and it's just human nature to grab your face if something touches it, even just one bb could possibly buy you some time.
And a .45 LC defensive round is 'devastating' !
I only carried the a.c.p. for the quicker reloads. I'm gonna hit you as hard as I can.
Only gun I know of that ticks all the right box's, Carry, House and Range. And believe it or not a nice trigger for a non performance center.
I'll stop now, before I shed a tear for 'ole Hoss.