Looking for a CCW revolver

jbrown50 · Jun 19, 2020

Kimber K6S

https://youtu.be/RsHMlPBFhwQ

Tod · Jun 19, 2020

Snubby

I love my S&W 442 performance center
Aluminum alloy and +P rated

SkiPatrolDude · Jun 19, 2020

One of my closest friends carries a Taurus Judge "Public Defender". I make fun of him endlessly for it. Mind you, he also has a beautiful S&W 686 snubby that he does not carry.

Logic is not his forte.

python · Jun 19, 2020

I am very partial to this S&W 649-2. The shrouded hammer gives you the choice of DA or SA. 38 special is the maximum caliber for a pocket revolver, IMO.

DutchV · Jun 19, 2020

The Ruger LCR & LCRx have very nice triggers from the factory.

jimbobborg · Jun 19, 2020

I have an original 1972 Colt Cobra that I carry on occasion. I use Critical Defense rounds out of it. Low noise and flash. I could have bought a new S&W for roughly the same price but I like the extra round. I have an okay IWB holster for it, but I pocket carry it in a jacket pocket for the most part. Speedloaders are available.

ironhead7544 · Jun 20, 2020

AKbythebay said:
Is the LCRx essentially the same gun with an exposed hammer?

I have a GP100 .357 6" that I have had forever. Great gun. If it's similar to that might be worth a look

But again weight and overall size/width are primary considerations here.

Yes, it has a 3" barrel and is very light. they also make it in 357 Magnum that is only slightly heavier. 5 Shot cylinder.

Edit: just checked the Ruger site. The 38 Special weighs 15.7 oz. The 357 Magnum is 21 oz.

Boom Boom · Jun 20, 2020

S&W 442 or Ruger LCR. Both are excellent. Whichever you prefer.

AKbythebay · Jun 20, 2020

Boom Boom said:
S&W 442 or Ruger LCR. Both are excellent. Whichever you prefer.

That's probably going to be the final two. I've watched a bunch of YouTube reviews on them and seems like both have advantages and disadvantages vs the other.

Ruger:
Lighter weight
Better grips
Smoother trigger

S&W:
Smaller size
Lower price
Better factory sights

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Blaster229 · Jun 20, 2020

It's what I carry when I don't feel like carrying, pistol.

HonestFool03 · Jun 21, 2020

Smith j frame. I carry mine in a pocket holster if I'm in basketball shorts or something that I don't want to run an IWB holster with.

ETA: it's a Smith 442. Clandestine did some work on the trigger and it's about as nice as any DA trigger could be.

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Boats · Jun 21, 2020

TheOriginalMexicanBob said:
Personally I don't see much point in using a .357 in a gun with a 2" barrel...excessive flash and blast and too much lost velocity. In a snubby I think two quick hits with a good .38 Special works better than one loud blast from a .357 you have to pull out of recoil, blinded if in low light and that's if you don't drop the piece to hold your ears from the blast. A snubby that's chambered for a .357 is certainly nice and strong but probably not better for the immediate job.

because you might set your target on fire?

Norton · Jun 21, 2020

The Ruger LCR is fantastic as a carry gun. It can safely slide into a pocket with virtually no fear of a negligent discharge, be carried AIWB, or in a more conventional IWB or OWB holster.

Replace the grip with an upgrade.

Get a couple of quality speed loaders for it and you're all set.

I shot a .357 pocket gun once.....for 2 rounds. Nopety, nope, nope. That was worse than shooting a .500SW.

I agree that the .38spl in a snub revolver is the most to go with.

Boom Boom · Jun 21, 2020

AKbythebay said:
That's probably going to be the final two. I've watched a bunch of YouTube reviews on them and seems like both have advantages and disadvantages vs the other.

Ruger:
Lighter weight
Better grips
Smoother trigger

S&W:
Smaller size
Lower price
Better factory sights

My 442 had an action job. Trigger is smooth as silk. Better than LCR factory trigger. No graininess like LCR. I could be wrong, but I don't think the LCR design lends itself well to an action job, not like S&W anyway.

I put the S&W rosewood grips on my 442. Makes it even smaller (thinner). In real life, the weight difference between the two is trivial when both guns are loaded.

I still like the LCR. I think the 442 is better for CCW, though, especially with potent self-defense ammo. My 442 kicks bad enough with .38Spl 158gr SWCHP. The LCR being lighter makes it worse, as with S&W 340 PD.

My advice: The reviews mean nothing until you get a feel for both of them in person, ideally incuding dry fire and live fire.

Zorros · Jun 21, 2020

1950s colt cobra. Light, 6 rds, small, non +p. Nostalgic.
1950s s&w nickel, little heavier, little smaller, 5 shot, non +p. Nostalgic.
S&w 642 light, 5 shot, +p. Laser lite, more comfortable but bulkier grip.
All slip into jacket pocket, all disappear in owb holster under a shirt.
Have never tried a 3”, would like to.
All that said, i have less confidence in any one of these than a G 43 with an easier trigger, a longer sight radius and 7 rds. Maybe because i don’t shoot them as much.

Blaster229 · Jun 21, 2020

Boats said:
because you might set your target on fire?

He doesn't want to melt his eyebrows off shooting from the hip.

Boom Boom · Jun 21, 2020

Zorros said:
S&w 642 light, 5 shot, +p. Laser lite, more comfortable but bulkier grip.

I tried hard to like a laser grip on my 642. Went back to thin rubber grips. Laser grip is too bulky. It's awkward shape and feel screws up my accuracy. It tends to focus my attention on the laser dot, making me too lazy with shooting stance and overall technique.

cantstop · Jun 21, 2020

Go to a range that has a few snubbies you can rent and see which ones you like.

There's no substitute for actually shooting the guns to see which one you will carry. It's worthless sitting at home if it ends up being too big & heavy to carry or too light and painful to shoot.

Zorros · Jun 21, 2020

Boom Boom said:
I tried hard to like a laser grip on my 642. Went back to thin rubber grips. Laser grip is too bulky. It's awkward shape and feel screws up my accuracy. It tends to focus my attention on the laser dot, making me too lazy with shooting stance and overall technique.

The thought with the laser was help with the follow up shots. See where its pointing with a visual assistance. Might be too much to think about.

Boom Boom · Jun 21, 2020

Zorros said:
The thought with the laser was help with the follow up shots. See where its pointing with a visual assistance. Might be too much to think about.

In real life, it doesn't help, not for me anyway. Takes focus off of the target and there's a loss of situational awareness.

Looking for a CCW revolver

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