Which revolver for CCW?

Then a Smith and Wesson K frame. Plus a couple thousand dollars for ammo, holster, belt.

Or spend a hundred or two less on a Ruger. Still add a couple thousand for the other stuff.

In other words, go feel some. Stick them in a holster and draw them. Open and close them.

All the above being theoretical of course because it's not very likely that you are indeed able to "go and feel some" anywhere right now. Allow the nonsense to calm and THEN go and feel some.


Sgt Lumpy - n0eq
 
Like Sarge said, wait till the hysteria blows over in a bit and then go handle a few.

My top recommendation would be a Ruger SP101.
 
Not 357 Magnum but I really love my S&W 442. I really dig the Centennial Airweight series. Very safe DAO and very lightweight.

If you've never fired a snubby before you'll quickly realize that 357 Magnum is going to hurt to fire in a small revolver. You really lose a lot of velocity in that short barrel. You really need 3-4" of barrel to get good pop from a 357 Magnum.
 
S&W M66

If you can find yourself a pre-lock Smith & Wesson Model 66 snubby, I think you'd be more than happy! Impervious to the elements, and the balance is about as sweet as it gets!
 
I have both a 2 1/8" and 3" model 60. They're both great, but I guess as a true dedicated CCW revolver, I would pick the model 60-9 with 2 1/8" barrel to be the one. They're both .357's, but I just consider them to be stout 38's, as that is all I have fired in them. I personally like an exposed hammer, and they both have this feature. I know some don't. That's just my preference. As the poster just before me said, a short barreled model 66 would be a fine one to own as well. I would like to have one myself. jben
 
Several Good Choices.

J Frame Size:
60
649
640
SP101
LCR357 (Air Weight)
M&P 340 (Air Weight & Expensive)

K Frame Size:
2-1/2" 66
2" & 3" 65
2-1/2" 19
Snub Speed Six & Security Six Rugers

L Frame Size:
2-1/2" & 3" 686
3" GP100

Out of all the choices above the LCR 357 would be my first pick for CCW for a couple reasons. One it is barely light enough to pocket carry. And second it has a pined on front sight, so swapping the front sight out for something you can see like an XS 24/7 Tritium Night sight or a Fiber Optic is no problem to do. The Triggers are normally not terrible for factory. The polymer frame and Hogue Tamer Grip will really help with recoil.
Get a pocket holster such as a Mika, for pocket carry.
Get a Belt holster like a Lobo Model 1 or Enhanced Pancake. Have it Detail Boned and add an Inner Hammer Shield. The Inner Hammer Shield is a $5 Option, and will help to keep your shirt out of the holster, when reholstering.
http://www.lobogunleather.com/

My second choice would probably be the Ruger SP101 in 357 Magnum. They come in both 2-1/8" and 3" barrel lengths. Both lengths will work fine. The Steel SP101 is too heavy for pocket carry for me, and most who carry, so plan on a belt holster such as a Lobo Enhanced Pancake. The Original Old Model 357 SP101 will be market 125 Grain ONLY. It has a short cylinder. They are collectable and fairly rare but still encountered. The new ones will shoot 158 grain ammunition. Again the SP101 has a pinned on front sight, so you can again swap to an XS 24/7 or Fiber Optic front sight. For a reload you are a little limited. Safariland Comp I, HKS Twist Knob, Speed Strips, or a Jet Loader. I would probably give a 5 Shot J Frame Jet Loader a try.
http://www.pistoleer.com/jetloader/

I make Kydex Speed Loader Pouches mainly for competition shooting. However a Single Pouch for the Jet Loader would be the fastest reload possible with this revolver. I would give carrying a single infront of the holster a try.

My Third choice would probably be a S&W 65 in either 2" or 3" barrel length. They are fairly easy to find. Reasonably priced normally. The K Frame Snub is a very Shootable size revolver. For CCW Belt Carry the 3" is on the edge for length. For me the 3" barrel is right at the top of my Right back pocket with a holster with no extra length. On the Plus side for the 3" is a Full Length Ejector Rod and more sight radius. Either barrel length will work. Note: The 65 Snub comes in both Round and Square Butt. Round butt will be easier to find a compact grip for in rubber. Kim Ahrends make a Square Butt Boot Grip if you happen to end up with a Square Butt.
You will need to study on grips a litttle. A 357 kicks hard so rubber can help tame it down a little. The down side for rubber grips is being more grippy on your cover garment. Wood slides over your shirt much better.
Again I would carry in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake at 4 O'Clock.
I belt carry reloads in Safariland Comp II Speed Loaders carried in a CD-2 Spring Steel Carrier.
http://www.speedloaderstore.com/
The Speed Loader Store has Free Shipping over $25 something to consider on the total price of your order. I find them a little cheaper when making a small order.

Myself I carry a S&W 442 Pro Moon Clip for my small light weight revolver.

My most carried K Frame would be my 3" Model 66.

I also have a 2" Model 15 Barbecue Gun.
I also carry my 2-1/2" Barrel S&W Model 315 Night Guard some.
I had a 2-1/2" Model 66 I traded for the 2" 15. It was a great CCW revolver also.

You have lots of choices that will work.

Bob
 
I have 2 snubbie .357 mag revolvers,

a Rossi 462 stainless 6 shot 2", and a Ruger Security Six 2 1/2"...but I mostly carry this one, a Charter Arms Off Duty DAO..

http://www.charterfirearms.com/products/Charter_Off_Duty_53811.asp

It's THE most accurate short barrel revolver I have owned in near 50 years of shooting them, and after I got home from the range with it, I sold my last Smith snubbie...and bought another Charter Arms. They are VERY high quality under the current management, and first rate revolvers, IMO.

mark
 
I have the S&W MP340 and it is light and expensive. I wanted something light enough to be able to carry under any circumstance and this gun fits that requirement perfectly. I have IWB,Pocket and ankle holsters. Its never uncomfortable. I usually only shoot +P 38's out of it but Im comfotable with that. Im sure some of the other ones are good to but like I said lightest possible weight was very important to me. As far as recoil I can handle any of the 38's with no trouble. Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
I personally carry a Ruger LCR in .357 magnum, what it lacks in round capacity is made up for in potency.

It is light and takes practice to be proficient with it due to the significant recoil (I shoot 158 grain SD loads). It is a pussycat with 38 specials.

Choose ammunition that has a fast burning powder, this will help minimize the loss of muzzle velocity with the snubnose barrel. I know some people recommend against it, but I carry my own custom SD loads specifically designed for this revolver.
 
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I like the SP101's. They're small enough to CCW fairly easy, but heavy enough to soak up some of the recoil. The lightweight 357's just aren't that enjoyable to shoot for me.
 
Viper225 listed some nice choices, but inexplicably left out my own preference among K .357 snubbies - the Model 13 3".

Round butt conceals well; DA trigger is like butter. (I removed the factory hammer, and had a bobbed hammer installed on mine. No trouble at all with longer range shooting in DA only with that little gun.)

Great choice for concealed belt carry.
 
I like the S&W 640.

It's heavy enough to absorb some of the recoil from a 357 round. Since its hammer is internal, it does not catch or snag on anything.
 
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