I am looking for a general purpose revolver possibly for CCW at times. I really like the Ruger SP 101 but am not keen on buying into another caliber. I shoot .40S&W, .45 ACP, 45 Colt, .44 magnum & 9mm but actually very little 9 these days.

For a revolver I'd want a .44 or .45. Since I am not reloading at this point the .44 is probably out because in that platform I'd want to shoot specials...specials seem hard to find at my LGS. I guess I could order some, I wrote off CTD......maybe Lucky Gunner for ammo.

I shoot .44 mag in my SRH Alaskans & my 629, both revolvers a bit too big for CCW or anything but outdoors / woods carry. So I am leaning towards a 45, no moon clips., no .45 ACP. I think .45 Long Colt (ya I know it's not an accepted official term). So what's available these days? I am looking at snubby options.

I am open to any suggestions be it Ruger S&W or other recommendations. Thanks.

I would get a 625 JM and a bunch of moon clips and have a hoot!

Randy

Charter Arms Pitbull is a 45acp 5 shot revolver that doesn’t use moon clips.
22ozs with a 2.5” bbl. I had considered this gun due to arthritis in my hands causing difficulty in operating the slide on all the semi autos (9mm and up) but then Smith came out with the M&P 9mm EZ. It worked for me!

Be SAFE and shoot Often!

Ditto on the Pitbull. Mine shoots to point of aim, and goes bang every time. Not as refined as my Smiths but I find myself not caring. Charter also makes a Bulldog XL snub in .45 Long Colt that is a bit cheaper than their Pitbull.

This is a handy revolver to have around, Taurus 450T full titanium Tracker Series in 45 Colt. 5 shot and weighs about the same unloaded as the 5 rounds do. Been out of production for a long time though so hard to find.

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CCW is an animal all unto itself. It's hard making a recommendation without knowing so many personal variables about you like intended use, weight, barrel length, grips, volume of shooting?

I have a scandium S&W 340PD that is 13.3 oz. and is a joy to carry and a handfull to shoot. It's not on the list of calibers you like, it's a 357mag.
Recoil is very, very intense since there is no weight to mitigate it. You get something, you give something else up. The way of the world.
I shoot it very little, but it never leaves my side. I absolutely forget I'm wearing it. It's the worst range toy made; but it will save your life.

I traded recoil for light weight. I'm light in the butt and my pants fall down with weight. If you don't look forward to carrying it every day; you wouldn't carry it. The best gun is the one you have with you. So know yourself before you know the gun to buy.

S&W I think only puts their 45 colt in N frames. The size means it will not be light or small for CCW. I believe there is one -11 variant in the 625 that is 45 colt and it's probably a minimum of 4" barrel.

To me, CCW means small, light weight, and shorter barrels.
Your calibers of choice are not seen in small, light snubs. You may have painted yourself into a corner. Except with second tier builders like Charter Arms and Taurus you're not got a lot of choices.

Prescut

Since you already shoot .44 Magnum, a good compromise carry(ish) gun may be a 2 3/4" model 69. It would be fairly brutal with full loads. .44 Special is not hard to find online.

If you really want a .45 ACP and no clips the Charter Arms seems to be an option. .45 Auto Rim would broaden the possibilities. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

THANKS ALL...I'll take my time with this one. In no hurry but the S&W 69 ya, I could consider it in the shorter barrel length...Or I may just have to decide that another caliber won't be such a big deal then I can start looking more at the Ruger SP101 LOL.

The funny is I'd just finished shooting 50 rounds of .44 mag in my SRH Alaskan & was looking in the LGS inventory, asked to see the SP101. I'd never held one. My first reaction was 'it's so tiny'. My second reaction was 'I would need some Hogues on this to fill up the grip'. I was surprised because it's supposed to be one of the larger .357 revolvers. But I don't get around much. Anyway, it intrigued me a bit got me thinking about getting another revolver not entirely sure what role I want it for cause I have other logical choices.

S&W Governor with 45LC or the Taurus Judge Public Defender.
Charter Arms does make a 40SW Pitbull.
Cimarron makes a lot of 45LC, all SA

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Super Snooper

Agree with the Charter Arms suggestions. We're (sons and I ) are big fans of CA. Best revolver for the money on the planet.

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John

2nd the 69 2 3/4"

The SP-101 is a smaller frame gun, bigger than a J but nowhere near a K frame. They're pretty dense (heavy for size) too. No worries about putting full .357s through one.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I own a m69 2.75 inch. It's at S&W right now, having the barrel sleeve adjusted (it was canted).

If you can find one, and you can examine it to make sure it's put together correctly, I recommend the m69. I shot .44 magnum Winchester Silvertips (210 gr. @ 1,250) and American eagle JHP magnums (240 gr. @ 1,250). I shot these with WOOD STOCKS on the gun.

It's not what I'd call a brutal wrist wrecker at all. The Silvertip magnums are what I'd carry in it. The 240 gr. full power stuff does hit hard, but it's not unmanageable.

It carries and conceals very well.

Ruger Blackhawk Convertible
45 Colt / 45 acp
4 5/8 in. bbl.

May not be the best for concealed carry but with a nice western gunbelt and holster just the ticket for open carry , BBQ's and informal weddings .

OK ... to be real , how about a S&W model 66 Combat Magnum , 38/357 magnum , 2.75 " bbl . for concealed carry .
You don't have one and everyone should !
One of the most versatile and useful handguns ever built...
Try one I would bet money you gonna Like It !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I second the Governor or Judge PD.

They're on the big side for CCW, but they aren't too heavy and despite what their legions of ignorant detractors say, they're good guns. The Governor in particular is nice because it can shoot both .45LC and .45 ACP (with the included clips) as well as 2.5" .410 shotshells.
However, the Judge is significantly cheaper, and generally speaking, any Taurus that functions at the gunshop will continue functioning just as long as any other gun.
Personally, I wouldn't carry shotshells due to the risk of collateral damage. Sure, proper shells which are designed for Handguns will hold a tight pattern and buckshot is obviously effective, but I still wouldn't be comfortable using it out in the street. Save shotshells for Home or the hiking trail.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

If you have arthritis in your hands, then a big bore Charter Arms micro revolver is not for you! Take my word for it.

Ruger makes the GP100 in 44 special.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I think you might be confusing the GP100 and the SP101. Both are Rugers, but the GP100 is an L frame while the SP101 is much smaller and almost as small as a J frame.

If you can find a 3" GP100, they are great carry guns that can be gotten for a decent price if you shop. The standard 3" has fixed sights, but if you want upgraded sights track down a Wiley Clapp version. If I remember correctly, Ruger offers the standard version in a 7 shot or 6 shot. That said, the GP100 is all steel, so will be much heavier than the guns I discuss below.

If you want a small, easy to carry big bore revolver, Charter Arms or maybe Taurus are all there is unless you want to shell out for a Scandium S&W.

I have a Charter Bulldog and a Taurus 445. Both are short barreled 5 shot 44 Specials. The 445 is a bit more robust, but both guns are well made and light. They do have pretty snappy recoil, though.

45 Colt is significantly more potent than 44 SPL, so I bet the Bulldog XL is beast to shoot.

Personally, when I carry a revolver it's my 3" M629. I load it with 210gr Silvertips.