Good morning all, well I have to make a decision to return to my roots and start carrying a revolver for CCW. I have several including a M60, SP101 and 642. I have made this decision due to my increasing age, simplicity of carry and use, and number of additional items that go along with carrying the gun. An example is when I was carrying my Glock 19, I had the gun, at least one reload magazine (normally two), my knife, and associated keys and wallet. Well, the gun, holster magazines and their holsters start to weigh you down and become increasing harder to dress around rather than the J frame revolver and holster and a few speed strips. I guess I just want to re-simplify my carry options. No more bells and whistles, just straight up protection for myself and family. In addition, my wife and son are more comfortable shooting and handing a revolver than a semi-auto (the crowning factor). Because if it hits the fan, they could handle my gun with confidence in or out of the home (they both carry J's as well). Thank you for letting me vent, LOL. Have a great weekend.

Back to your roots. Good ole J frame.

I've carried a 642 in a pocket holster with a speed strip reload for years and never felt underarmed.

I've been carrying my model 69 lately. Surprisingly easy to conceal.

I started ,45 years ago, with carrying a J-Frame and have not ever felt unarmed with one.

I have no problems with the KIS(S) theory.
KEEP IT SIMPLE (STUPID).

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

I own four revolvers. I initially qualified with a rented semi automatic.
I have never owned one or shot one since. I do however carry two revolvers
most of the time with 4 speed loaders, one a 44 special the other a Smith &
Wesson J frame 642-1. It is not so much I feel the need for the 2nd revolver,
but if I did have to reload drawing the second one would be faster than my speed
loaders. I like having the S&W 642-1 for pocket carry in a pocket holster, which
I can access faster than the 44 special.

I can always reach for the pocket holstered Smith & Wesson without
exposing are drawing the weapon, which is an advantage in some
circumstances. With the continuing releases of criminal illegals and
the great influx of criminal gangs into the US I do not believe having a second
revolver is being over gunned. However, if I lived in an area populated by well
known street gangs I would probably carry one semi automatic and one backup
revolver. Not being a police officer I think carrying two revolvers is adequate for
any situation I might encounter.

Most of the time I carry a 2" 36 in a pocket holster I made myself. It's the most convenient carry configuration I have.

You had a Glock 19 and extra mag, you were carrying at least 30 rnds. now 6 rnds well that's keeping it simple.

There is nothing wrong with a revolver. If I had to choose, however, I would ditch the extra mags (yeah, I know. . . ), as the G19 still has as many in the magazine as THREE J frames. The G26 carries as many as TWO J frames. The M&P Compact carries as many as TWO K frames. I know you will STATISTICALLY not need that many, but each case is different. And, I can hit far better with less felt recoil with the G19/26 or M&P Compact than I can with a J frame. And the G19 takes up the same "real estate." See picture showing G19 and 642.

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For years while wearing a suit I carried an H&K P7, (PSP Model), in a Mitch Rosen holster with an extra magazine. Now that I am old and retired I carry a Centennial Model 40 or my PC Centennial 640 in a Kramer inside the front pants pocket. The house gun for my wife is also a Model 40. I have told her it is either loaded or it is not. It has a long trigger pull so you are not going to trip over the dog in the dark and shoot yourself in the foot. If for some reason it fails to fire, when you pull the trigger again, an entire new cartridge comes up. And with the long trigger pull, you really intend to fire the weapon.

At a young 57 y/o, just getting out of a week in the hospital. Getting older isn't for sissies. I found out a couple years back, trying to outrun a wasp nest attack, after 1 1/2 steps, I was flat on the ground getting gang stang. I'm NOT gonna outrun anyone or anything and being able to reach cover will be doubtful. I've resigned to make the first few shots count however slow they may be, as that may be all I'll be able to get off. I believe a reload in a real event, semi auto or revolver, would probably be wishful thinking. In a multiple armed attacker encounter, If I could take out the big dog (or any), it may deflate their willingness, and change their decision. In reality I'd be toast if they were determined & had ANY skill, regardless of what I was armed with. I'm pretty much the youngest in my group of bowling pin & steel challenge shooters. Occasional new young Turks are a welcomed sight. I'm slow to get the gun into my hands but once there can compete with the top 10, ALL of whom have at least 10 years on me, some a lot more. With dedicated regular serious practice. I've gone from being unable to shoot at all (in 2 years) & never having shot any type of sport/competition to shooting lefty, then righty using my middle finger, to righty/index finger, to NOT having wrist/hand splints on. Eventually I'd like to be able to draw from a holster, A REAL working holster, NOT some skellatised competition rig. My Father showed me first hand that is IS POSSIBLE to accomplish & reach a high skill level at something you may have never tried before with enough hard work & practice, at an age much higher than mine.

One really nice thing about J-frames is that most of the time you can carry two of them as easy or easier than a bigger handgun.

It's best to go with what you shoot best and have the most confidence in.

I made the same decision sixteen years ago. Now, going on 77 and not getting out as much as I used to, I feel even more comfortable with it.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I used to carry a Colt DS .38 for many years. I felt confident with it and like the operational simplicity. I had to use it once. It did the job.

I was carrying a 640 until the 642 came out. Gave the 640 to the wife. When out walking the dog at night I will have the 642 in a holster on my hip and in my back pocket a Kel-Tec 380. I know there are a lot of non-fans of the Kel-Tec but this one has always shot and you can sit down with it in your back pocket.

If I am in an area where I feel that I need a little more, I might go to a 40 or 45. If I need more that 6 shoots I am in more trouble than I can handle. I really need to get out of there ASAP (not saying that I would want to stay in a threat situation) or pray for help!

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Ricky
Coastal GA

If we showed our 5 shot snubbies to our ancestors 300 years ago, they would marvel at the fact that it could reliably, consistently, and accurately fire 5 times without reloading. They would also marvel at the small size and rain-imperviousness.

If we keep our perspective, 5-for-sure, even in the rain, without reloading is actually a pretty darn amazing feat, and adequate in almost all situations.

My wife has carried an S&W 640 Centennial .357 magnum since 1992. I grew up in the Southwest in the 1950s and early 1960s with revolvers. I am 68 with arthritis and I carry a 5" 1911 in either .45 ACP or 10 mm with a spare magazine on my belt plus a pocket BUG with a spare magazine. If I go into black bear areas, I switch the 1911 for a 4" S&W 29-2 .44 magnum and two speed loaders.

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U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

So which of the three will you be carrying? My choice would be the SP101.

I bought a Glock G30s and it isn't to bad but,I love my revolvers better.

It's not the easiest gun to shoot well. Do you get to the range often enough to stay sharp? I love my 642 but I have found I can shoot as well or better with my laser equipped LCP and it carries 2 more rounds.

My 442 goes with me everywhere, either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade holsters.

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Keep on Chooglin'

I find myself carrying my J-frame more and more. It's brutally simple. It is also the fastest and easiest handgun I own to draw and fire. That little square butt is like a knife handle. I feel like I'm less likely to drop the weapon while deploying.

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Have Gun Will Carry

This is my daily carry. I'll very rarely carry a 642 if I know I'm going to be sweating a lot (like the beach) or a 1917 (in an extremely rare OC situation).


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I am not going back to a revolver as primary sidearm, but have added a model 36 as a second gun when on duty now. Will carry in a pocket holster. When I transferred to CID, I did not carry a second gun,( always did when on patrol) but have felt the need as things are just getting a little more out of hand with each day passing.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Guys, I'm 67 had health problems and still carry the same gun. S&W 59. been carryin g a 59 0r a 5906 for 38 years. I shoot 400 rounds a week with it, and practice drawing 50 times every day now that I'm retired. I own smith revolvers and love them but the 59 is the gun. Sorry to you revolver guys but more firepower quicker.

I pick Two Snubs for carry every day. The 442 and LCR357 were today's pick. I rotate all of these. The 442 and 37 are the best for pocket. The LCR357 also works in the pocket. The rest are IWB guns.

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I have been heading down that road myself, mostly because I am an old soul and enjoy revolvers more than anything. But also because I don't like polymer and revolvers don't get sweat trapped below the grip! (with most grips that is).

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Still just a kid at heart

With the focus on CC, there's a market for a DA revolver even smaller than a J-frame. I'd like to see the return of the I-frame, actually. No reason they couldn't do .22lr, .22 Mag, .32 long, and .32 H&R Mag in an I-frame design updated for modern materials and assembly methods. I'd be all over it.

If they can make a ultra-lightweight j-frame that can hande .357, then why not an I-frame that can take .327 mags? And .32 ACP with moon clips? Or the new "S&W .319 magnum"? I'd love a modern I-frame.

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Because of the metric system?

Picture worth a thousand words. Back up is a 642 in an ankle holster.

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its summer time and humid here in the south....the M36 is carried in my pocket until it gets cold

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I'm in my late 60's and have been carrying a revolver for more years than I care to recall. It saved me more than once on the job and I see no reason to change now.

At a recent LEOSA qualification I was shooting my Smith M38 while everyone else was using the Glock 23. The tactical utility of the semi auto was painfully obvious but I'm not a cop anymore, and my score w/the J frame was a good or better then some others w/their Glocks. If I was still on the job the Glock would make sense but in retirement the little .38 is all I need.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Go ahead, pocket carry that M19 Glock for a week. Let me know how much better and easier it is to carry than a 642.

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Support your Police, & NRA

All of the above would be good options for disabled people or those who otherwise cannot handle recoil or deal with the battery of arms of a semi-auto.

I'd like to see a .380acp revolver smaller and lighter then the J-Frame, not what Taurus came out with but something lighter and better quality from S&W or Ruger, a true little pocket revolver.

For those of us that ain't quite as sharp as we used to be, there is a lot to be said for a gun that you just draw and start pulling the trigger.

My present off duty companion...

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S&WCA #2815
Gun Scribe

I carried one form of Colt 1911 for all but the first 9 months of my LEO career and for a number of years after retiring. When I ran my own firearms training business (for 10 years) I experimented with Glocks because so many students showed up with them. The ones I had and saw always worked but I always ended up back with my alloy Commander.

A couple years ago the arthritis in my shooting hand swelled the knuckle of my thumb so much I had to give up 1911s. Just couldn't manage the thumb safety comfortably or positively so I went back to where I started in the academy with revolvers.

J-frames are just too small for my hands. I managed with L-frames for a while and even got a 325 NG that worked for about 8-9 months. I've always been able to shoot revolvers (DA) well deliberately but never as quickly as I could semi autos. For the past few years in which I've been carrying revolvers concealed there was always a nagging feeling that when the brown stuff hit the air circulation device my response would be too slow, or if I pushed it, too in-accurate.

I finally gave in and bought a Glock 30 (not my first one). First time out to the range I shot and hit better than I had with any of my 45 ACP revolvers. So, it is now my carry gun.

I will keep most of my revolvers as some are special to me and have a lot of meaning. But I have admitted to myself that for me the semi auto is the better weapon. The G30 is the size of my 3" L-frames, holds more rounds and I can shoot it better.

YMMV,
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Those of you who want something smaller than a J frame might consider the Ruger LCR or the LCRX. It's a 38 special revolver that is quite small.
I have not shot one but have read alot of good things about it. It comes
with a good grip that makes the recoil tolerable for such a small gun.
It's rated for P+ but I think I would stay with the standard P. It is also
said to have a easy triger pull right from the box. I know it's not a
Smith but it could be the best choice for some people.

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Goose
I'm still standing.

This week I carried a full size Sig 1911 with 2 spare mags IWB one day, and on another day I carried a Glock 26 with one spare mag in an ankle holster. I was in misery both times! It's summertime and guns this heavy are made for belt carry OWB in the Fall and Winter. I have decided to pull out either my S&W model 649, model 60, or Taurus model 85 until summer is over, all of which I'd carry either in a pocket holster or Galco ankle holster, plus a HKS speedloader in the other pocket. Not near as much firepower, but much better than throwing rocks!!!!!

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Steve

I like to rotate between a Colt Detective Special, Colt Police Positive Special, S&W 642 and S&W 520. In cool weather, when I can comfortably wear a bit more clothing, I also carry a 29.
Though I am no longer in any business requiring me to be armed, some habits don't change, so I usually carry two guns. One may be a semi-auto - I like my M&P357 a lot - and also drop a S&W 37 with laser sight into a pocket.
I also have a 386NG and a 386PD I used to carry regularly in the early to mid 00s. Can't really say why, but I don't carry them much any more. One does occasionally go with me when I walk.

In any case, with any one of my favorite semi-autos on my belt, I like a small revolver in a pocket or pouch.

I have an LCR and like it. I also have several j frames.

The LCR is slightly larger than a j frame, though.

Nothing wrong with that, but the J frame is only fat in the middle, where the Glock is fat and blocky all over.

Try ankle or pocket carrying that 19.

I shoot my little J very well, but it's not often I carry it alone.

I tote my 637 in a pocket holster when I carry.
Jawge

I bought a sig-sauer P 238 in 380 on a fathers day special where about $200s was knocked off. Being cheap plus the gun is a flyweight I bought it. I shot it the other day and couldnt hit a barn if I was in it! The gun has the hardest trigger I ever encountered. The gun being light with something like a 20 pound trigger its impossible to shoot it without shaking. Went back to my old smith model 40.

Going back? I really haven't strayed away from my favorite CYA revolver for conceal carry.



It's either my Model 19, or



my Model 66 in a Kirkpatrick holster. If I miss with the first shot, they usually need a fire extinguisher to put their shorts out.

I elected a 638 over a .380 auto

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I have 1911's high cap wonder pistols, etc. but the revolver is hard to beat for simplicity. It's what's in my nightstand and normally what I'll carry when I do carry.

+1 on the 642. I have the pro series cut for moonclips. Speedy reloads.

Though I am considering going to a Shield.

I just have to note that: not one person on this most polite forum has started the typical 'caliber war' debate regarding CCWs. In that regard, I give you my favorite carry (well, backup) gun in .22LR; "The Mighty Bobcat"!

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But then, what do I know?

I too went back to my J frame roots. Lucky enough to stumble across a 340pd some one did not pick up after ordering at a LGS.
You know the old saying....this is going to hurt me more than you.....well I put 357s in it. And boy that old saying is true. Can't say which end of the gun hurt worse. It took about a week to get the feeling back in my thumb. Lol