What, in your opinion, is the best stainless steel S&W revolver for CCW? I have decided to step up to a caliber that will knock down a perp!

medxam

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Doc Garrett
Dead Man's Doctor

I have this decrepit, old #625-3 .45 a.c.p. Depending on the weather, it may/may not be a good carry piece. I have no experience shooting folks, and hope to remain inexperienced in this area. Lots of variables exist when it comes to knocking the fight out of something or someone. I can say this is a fine revolver and attracts attention any time I take it to the range. I also shoot this better than I do my Colt, Kimber, or Norinco 1911's.

You may not need stainless, per se, if you carry what I do:

S&W Night Guard .45acp



or

22-4 Thunder Ranch .45acp



or my Hard Chrome 1917 .45acp

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p110/JPaulF/1917.jpg

If you plan on carrying it a lot and shooting it a little, this one is about perfect.




Buck

I know you said stainless, but I just had to show off my favorite.


25-2 Jovino

If I ever come across a deal on a 3" pre-lock 625, I'll probably have to scoop it up as well.

I carry a M625 .45 ACP Mountain Gun as a CCW. It has a 4" barrel and it is stainless.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

That 22 Thunder Ranch is one of my grail guns! A pusher at a gun show a few years ago had two on hand, I didn't have the available gun money unfortunately. Oh well. Half the fun is in the chase.

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I hope I copied that right

I was surprised at how easily the N-frame 625-3 Model of 1989 3" carries. 38/44HD45 hooked me up with this one, and - believe it or not - it's my (non-shooter) wife's favorite gun. She doesn't find the recoil problematic (and I load some hotties for it) and she likes the big holes it makes. I love how even she can reload it in a twinkle with the full-moons . . . I mostly use it as the "house gun," but it's quite nice to conceal either OWB or even IWB.

You might not find this in a handgun. Consider a short barrel 12 gauge.

(I was thinking that, too, actually.)

That's EXACTLY what I'd like to have.

The best stainless steel revolver for CCW is the 640 in .38 Special (in my opinion). The only handgun I know that will knock down a perp is the one that is used to cave in his skull.

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Centennial Every Day

I just picked-up a new 625 PC. Nice gun.

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Watch & Pray

Sometimes a .45 acp will not do the job. I do not know of a single caliber that will assure instant cessation of a human.

I will grant that IMHO, a 1911 in 45acp will come close with one shot but followed by 2-7 more will certainly work when properly placed in rapid succession.

With an IWB holster you can conceal a 4" gun as easily as a 3".

I carry a 4" 44 Mag concealed quite a bit, but you may find that a steel N frame gets heavy at the end of the day. A GOOD leather belt will help a lot toward comfortable carry. I use a Milt Sparks Summer Special, or a close to the body custom pancake style holster.

If so, then a 45ACP Night Guard is worth a look as they are a lot lighter.

I do not think its recoil is bad, even with the small wood grips I use, but also I shoot a lot of 44 Mag in my Mountain Gun.

I have a semi-auto CS45 but something I think about going to a .45 ACP revolver. Good luck. I might do it too one day.

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For God and Country

I've hunted enough through the years to know that NOTHING drops your target instantly, every time . . . even with a perfect, killing shot.

However, if you want stainless you can't beat a 625-3 for your purpose. I too use a "variation" on that theme, using my custom, chopped barrel (to 3 1/4") Model 25-2, made in 1980. It is one heck of a revolver!!!

625s are great but require a good high ride holster and belt.

Tommy

625's are great and require my extreme cross draw holster and a good belt.

Knock down? Have you considered a Louisville Slugger?

Bats and medicine balls are for knocking down. Guns are for punching narrow long holes.

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Formerly Model520Fan