Small revolvers as Backup/Carry Guns?

[wb3jma]

Let me hear from those who own smaller revolvers for these purposes and the discussion should not be restricted at the two I'm looking at for possibilities the Ruger LCRx and the Taurus Defender 856.

Thank you in advance?

 

[4g64loser]

I own multiple J frame smiths in 38 and 357. There is definitely a learning curve to using them well. I don't have to beat the dead horse about shitty reload times and low capacity. If you are contemplating them, you know what you are getting into. I suggest reading some material on revolver specific shooting. Fast and fancy revolver shooting by ed mcgivern should be the first one.

The biggest advantage I find to the j frames is that they all but disappear when carried. If I pocket carry, it's a j frame. I also like them for running errands or attending family obligatories (antigun relatives).

In my 357, I like mainly 158s with a couple of 125s also doing well.

 

[6-Pack]

I have a Taurus 85 (5 shot) and a Taurus 856 (6 shot). The 856 is my primary carry gun. I have a leather IWB holster and it’s surprisingly comfortable.

I have a lot of striker fire guns (P-365, XD-S, GX4, Hellcat), but I like my wheel guns. Easy to load/unload while heading out.

If you get the 856, you can upgrade the front sight, which I’d strongly recommend.

 

[The Saint]

I carry a S&W 351PD in .22mag every day, never once felt less of it because of the caliber. Use one of the 3 defensive short-barrel brands of ammo (Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot, Federal Punch) and it's as reliable as any centerfire....and without the chance of a prosecutor holding up the cartridge and gun as an "assault pistol" in court if you ever have to use.

 

[Johnconlee]

My main carry is a colt detective special owb in a right hand DeSantis thumb break scabbard. I have the same holster left and right hand for my j frame. Some times the j frame on the right, some times detective special on the right and the j frame on the left. Deep concealment is the j frame in a pocket holster.

 

[Michigander08]

J-Frame SW 38 spl (hammer less - hidden hammer).

 

[Threeband]

I've had a Taurus 85 with bobbed hammer for ages, but hadn't thought to actually carry it. It actually has a very nice trigger though, believe it or not.
I can't believe it would be more concealable than my LCP, though. I'll have to do a comparison.

 

[linkstate]

Can’t add much that 4g64loser said…

I primarily carry a S&W 442 PC which is an Airweight hammerleas .38 special +p similar to the LCR. Not the LCRx. It is a joy to carry and not fun to shoot but I do shoot it fairly often and do well enough with it.

I chose the 442 because I learned to shoot with a revolver and feel most comfortable with them. I’m also lazy and work from home. Mostly when I go out it’s to the store or visiting family and I prioritize concealed over more firepower. A nice pocket holster and the 442 is a great combo.

I see little value in a compact carry revolver with a hammer unless you want a belt holster with a strap. I that case I would just carry my P365x.

I also have an all steel S&W 640 and it is pleasant compared to the Airweights when shooting .38 special.

ETA: All revolvers have a hammer. When I say hammers less, I mean your standard exposed hammer spur vs concealed by the frame or bobbed….

 

[4g64loser]

Can’t add much that 4g64loser said…

I primarily carry a S&W 442 PC which is an Airweight hammerleas .38 special +p similar to the LCR. Not the LCRx. It is a joy to carry and not fun to shoot but I do shoot it fairly often and do well enough with it.

I chose the 442 because I learned to shoot with a revolver and feel most comfortable with them. I’m also lazy and work from home. Mostly when I go out it’s to the store or visiting family and I prioritize concealed over more firepower. A nice pocket holster and the 442 is a great combo.

I see little value in a compact carry revolver with a hammer unless you want a belt holster with a strap. I that case I would just carry my P365x.

I also have an all steel S&W 640 and it is pleasant compared to the Airweights when shooting .38 special.

ETA: All revolvers have a hammer. When I say hammers less, I mean your standard exposed hammer spur vs concealed by the frame or bobbed….

Put some 357mag 158 golden sabers or gold dots in that 640. You might be surprised by the velocity you still get out of them. They are not fun to shoot but they really do a number on tissue.

Not a revolver, but as an example I was just chronographing some underwood 357sig 125s out of my glock 33 subcompact and they were cranking 1478avg. Some loads will still rock out in short barrels.

 

[linkstate]

Put some 357mag 158 golden sabers or gold dots in that 640. You might be surprised by the velocity you still get out of them. They are not fun to shoot but they really do a number on tissue.

Not a revolver, but as an example I was just chronographing some underwood 357sig 125s out of my glock 33 subcompact and they were cranking 1478avg. Some loads will still rock out in short barrels.

I’ll have to do that with the 640. I keep a few boxes of Federal .357 mag on hand for larger revolvers when the mood strikes. I learned with the 442 that I need to keep my thumb lower and to the left of the frame. I’m used to riding a high grip but those Airweights can beat up the nerve or vein in the web of your hand. Or at least my hand…. In a defensive scenario with up to 5 shots fired, 10 maybe is no big deal. But a prolonged range session isn’t what I call fun without an adjustment in grip.

 

[Chaim]

Taurus 85CH
Taurus 856UL
3" Colt King Cobra (mew model)
S&W 442

All of the above get some carry, sometimes as a pair of them, sometimes as a pocket gun or BUG.

2" and 3" Rossi 461, never carried and I haven't shot them in years. I had some issues with the 2" and just don't trust them.

Likely in the market soon for an 856 Defender (maybe the Executive series).

I also have two medium framed snubs... a 3" S&W 65LS and a 2.5" Taurus 431 (a
.44spl)

 

[Blacksmith101]

Primary carry gun concealable.

Secondary carry gun smaller.

Tertiary carry gun smallest.

Belt, suspenders, and elastic waistband.

 

[Bob A]

I have .38 cal snubbies by Colt and S&W, mostly "hammerless" or shrouded hammer types. I like 158gr wadcutters; they shoot to point of aim, and they supposedly work better than RN in tissue. Buffalo Bore makes a hottish 38WC load for short barreled revolvers if you feel the need.

Not interested at all in a snubby in .357. However, I do have a sick fantasy about cutting down a Colt New Service in 45LC; reduce the barrel to 2", shorten the grip and bob the hammer.

 

[joppaj]

I'll be the first contrarian. There's no advantage over a quality small semi auto other than the possibility that you're carrying .357 and .357 out of a snub nose isn't the same as .357 out of a longer barrel. You have a gun with an inherent bulge at the cylinder. You have poor capacity and slow reloads. If you do happen to have a jam (because you're pocket carrying and it's loaded with lint), you're done.

My dad considers that a blasphemous opinion. He still won't fire my Glocks and considers the P-38, Luger and 1911 to be the height of semi-auto technology. He frequently reminds me that "we didn't need all those bullets, we were taught to aim".

Frankly I can't imagine a situation where I'd carry a backup handgun short of a warzone UNLESS my primary was a full size revolver. At that point you're accepting a New York reload as opposed to a quicker top off with a semi.

Of the two you listed, I'm unfamiliar with the Taurus. I've never handled one of their revolvers that I liked. The Ruger is like any other LCR. They're light enough that I wouldn't see me practicing with it. I suppose that for a belly gun that I don't plan to reload in a hurry, that's less of an issue.

 

[John from MD]

Let me hear from those who own smaller revolvers for these purposes and the discussion should not be restricted at the two I'm looking at for possibilities the Ruger LCRx and the Taurus Defender 856.

Thank you in advance?

I carried both S&W 36 and M38 as backup guns. The M38 as an ankle gun. The lighter revolvers of today make them much conceal as they are light enough to be carried almost anywhere.

 

[4g64loser]

I’ll have to do that with the 640. I keep a few boxes of Federal .357 mag on hand for larger revolvers when the mood strikes. I learned with the 442 that I need to keep my thumb lower and to the left of the frame. I’m used to riding a high grip but those Airweights can beat up the nerve or vein in the web of your hand. Or at least my hand…. In a defensive scenario with up to 5 shots fired, 10 maybe is no big deal. But a prolonged range session isn’t what I call fun without an adjustment in grip.

If I can find the velocity test data from my 357 j frame testing, I'll post some.

As for grip, yes, you need to run thumbs down on the j. I run boot grips on most of the J's that I would carry so there's not a lot to grab. I also use a power crease trigger pull because I shoot them double action, regardless of which model (fully enclosed hammer, humpback shrouded hammer, or exposed).

 

[Jake4U]

Can’t add much that 4g64loser said…

I primarily carry a S&W 442 PC which is an Airweight hammerleas .38 special +p similar to the LCR. Not the LCRx. It is a joy to carry and not fun to shoot but I do shoot it fairly often and do well enough with it.

I chose the 442 because I learned to shoot with a revolver and feel most comfortable with them. I’m also lazy and work from home. Mostly when I go out it’s to the store or visiting family and I prioritize concealed over more firepower. A nice pocket holster and the 442 is a great combo.

I see little value in a compact carry revolver with a hammer unless you want a belt holster with a strap. I that case I would just carry my P365x.

I also have an all steel S&W 640 and it is pleasant compared to the Airweights when shooting .38 special.

ETA: All revolvers have a hammer. When I say hammers less, I mean your standard exposed hammer spur vs concealed by the frame or bobbed….

Agreed. The 442 is very easy to carry; light and with those rounded edges nothing bites into you. My preference is I don't like pocket carry as you can't reach it sitting down so usually IWB at 4 o'clock. In a shoulder holster under a sport or suit coat you don't even hardly notice it's there. Can't shoot it as well as my P365, but I'm a fan for carry.

 

[OMCHamlin]

My wife and I both have tiny wheel guns (NAA 22 WMR Minis), and also an S&W J frame each and even an Agent (mine), and a Detective Special (hers). The Colts are too pretty, but we carry the Smiths in “Mr No Shoulders” season, which we saw a freshly squished Copperhead 3-4 days ago but I mean real snake season, full or 3 outta 5 chambers, of CCI snake shot.
I really oughta have my head examined for not carrying the Agent, it’s a fine gun. Maybe I will, and load 3 and 3, just no +P. I have carried the wheel guns for protection against two legged critters plenty, and not felt out gunned. For a couple of years I had a uniquely Taurus 38, a model called The View, which was introduced with a clear side plate, but they sold the last of them with regular ones. The View was truly as small and light as you can take a 5 shot 38, smaller length and height, but still as wide (cylinder). I wish I still had that one!

 

[Blaster229]

When you carry a back up, you bring another gun to the fight that most likely would never have been there in the first place.

You won't train weapon retention for 1 pistol, let alone 2 pistols, because you can't. People rarely if ever need a spare mag, let alone a whole other pistol.

No one has ever given a good, solid reason for ever carrying a back up.

 

[possumman]

My LCR in a pocket holster disappears--concealed is concealed