I think a 686 mountain gun would be a good choice, 7 rounds and the tapered barrel to keep the weight down.

Without a moment's hesitation I'd choose my Bowen customized Model 58 with my handloads, a modern recreation of the best fighting handgun of the early 1900s, the Colt New Service in 38-40, also shown in the photos. They're almost identical in size and balance but the 58 is much improved both mechanically and metallurgically.




Keith

[QUOTE=Nothing wrong with a revolver, Personal choices...[/QUOTE]

Exactly, what works for me may not work for you. I would never look down on anyone who wanted to duty a carry a revolver.

Truthfully, I feel the same way...

If it was a gun I had to purchase today, then a 4" 686 would be just fine. If I could just carry ANY wheel gun? Then a model 27 would be pretty nice. To answer the other part of the question, no I would not feel handicapped not having an auto.

'nough said.
Steve

Either my 3 inch 13 or 65 Loaded with +p 158 SWCHP's.

Probably any SW 357 would do.

But I sure would prefer the 3 1/2 Model 27 .

I believe I even saw a Texas Ranger wearing one once. But mostly I have ever seen them with 1911s.

Believe I would pick a 4" Model 13 or 65. Model 10 HB handling characteristics with the option of using Magnum ammunition.

Don't own either - this question makes me feel like looking for one. Strictly an academic question for me, never having been a LEO and too old to think about working as one now.

Or like somebody else said, any .357 caliber Smith revolver would be fine, when you think about it.

Theoretically; I'd pack a 686 SSR with a factory PC installed 7 round cylinder. I'd used the quad speedloader pouch from Tex Shoemaker. Its slick, two up-two down. About the size of a Glock 21 mag pouch.
Thankfully, my dept. issues .158g .357 GDHP, not .38's like my California counterparts are limited too.

This is what I was going to say. I carried a Model 19 and a Model 66 both in 4". Stop carring the 19 when the 66 came out.

__________________
Don Mundell

I would have to go 45ACP 3 or 4" M625 plus 4moons of 230 JHPs

__________________
Tommy

If I couldn't carry my 4" Model 27, I'd opt for "Bill@Yuma's" (RdrBill) 4" Model 25-9 in .45 Colt!

My 66-5 in a Safariland Level II duty holster

Attached Images

388403_10200754228168449_1466543689_n.jpg (141.8 KB, 52 views)

__________________
The Oxygen Man
RRT/ NREMT-P

Model 66, 586/686, or 28 with 4" barrel, if allowed to use .357 Mag ammo. Otherwise I would use W-W .38 Spl. 158 grain SWC lead HP +P, and would not have a problem using the Model 10 with heavy 4" barrel.

I would have to go with my 64-7. Has a Wolff Type-2 mainspring and Wolff rebound spring. Apex Tactical firing pin and spring. It never fails to go bang, the DA pull is as close to perfect as it gets, and the SA break is crisp. The Hogue Bantams wouldn't get in the way in the holster but still give me the grip, utility and durability wood can't.

I love a blued revolver but for daily holster carry I have to go stainless.

I don't miss the .357 capability, I would carry it loaded with Federal 158 gr. LHP .38 +P aka the "FBI load".

You could do a lot worse than a stainless Ruger GP100 too

A pair of of Ruger Old Model Vaqueros in .45LC with the hottest JHP loads to be had or a TRR8 with Hearthco Moonclips and a TLR-2 again with the hottest 125-140 grain bullet available.

__________________
This≠DodgeCity&You≠BillHickok

Fascinating responses so far. What I've found extremely interesting that the vast majority of posters who worked in a LE capacity wouldn't feel inadequately armed with a good service revolver and a backup revolver even today. I find that remarkable, especially since the label "police is outgunned" usually sticks high above whenever a switch of duty sidearms and calibers is announced.

First off, I have never been a LEO, and I am not even an American. However I love threads like that and have given that topic some thought.

To me choosing a suitable revolver for police work would be MUCH easier than picking one of the modern semi-automatic pistol models for the same purpose. That said, for uniform duty carry any good S&W double-action revolver based on the K, L or N frame with 4 or 5 inch barrel would be acceptable. I am not a big fan of the internal lock so a good case could be made for the Ruger GP141 or KGP-141 nowadays. Another great but offbeat choice could be an old Manurhin MR73 revolver, but getting spare parts in case of wear or breakage might pose a problem. I'd find the Colt Python a bit delicate, so I would skip that particular model for service use. For elegance and pure aesthetics the Colt Python is unparalleled, IMHO.

For daily carry in a four season climate I think stainless steel might be preferable to blue carbon steel. However, not all preferred S&W models are available in stainless steel. For example, there is no SS version of model 28…

Choice of revolver model would also depend on the issue caliber and ammo. If .38 Special ammo is issued I'd choose a lighter, sleeker K frame. Makes no sense to haul along unnecessary steel in a bigger frame gun when only .38 Specials are going to be used. Preferred model would be M67 .38 Combat Masterpiece (which I actually own), then the M66 Combat Magnum (yes, I know it's a .357). The rather rare M68 would be an outstanding choice as well, but I only saw it with 6 inch barrel length, which might be a bit long in a patrol car. Acceptable choices would also be the model 15 and 19, but their blue finish is usually too damn nice that I would really feel bad if I'd subject them to the elements and hard use on a daily basis.

For plainclothes duty I'd pick a smooth fixed sight model 64, 65, 10 or 13 in that order. Again, stainless steel is preferred for ease of maintenance. What I also like is the extremely accurate (for a snubnose) M15 with a 2-inch barrel, but its exposed adjustable rear sight might snag on clothing. Unfortunately, there never was a stainless steel version I know of. Closest thing is the model 66 with 2 1/2" barrel already mentioned quite a few times here.

If .357 Magnum ammo is issued, I would have a hard time to decide between a model 686 and the M28. Either one would be a good choice, and I own both. The model 586 and the long discontinued fixed sight models 681 and 581 are okay, too. And, of course, the Ruger GP100-series.

I'd personally skip the .41 Magnum - not because of its ballistics but because (factory) ammunition and/or components can be hard to come by around here…

A good police revolver that never was could have been the model 58 chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge. If S&W would have made it in stainless steel and featuring a tapered barrel with a shrouded ejector rod that would have been an ideal LEO duty sidearm.

I don't trust moon clips for hard use, so no such sixgun for duty use for me (your opinion might differ), even though I think highly of the respective revolvers for range use and action shooting. Of course, the model 25-2 and model 625-2 could be used with .45 Auto Rim, but that calls for reloading and acquisition of uncommon brass cases. If I'd do that I would rather work with the model 29/629 with a 4 inch barrel for even greater ballistic flexibility. The model 24 and 25-5 appear as being good choices when larger calibers than .38/.357 are called for. Factory loads are more limited and not as easy to come by, though. After reading Massad Ayoob and others I have a slightly uneasy feeling about the aftermath of even a justified shooting with an over-.40 caliber handgun being used, especially since handloading of a more moderate, easier controllable load might be called for. I don't know how much truth there is to certain large bore, magnum calibers and/or handloads being labeled as "excessive force" in court. I know, the .357 Magnum is a "magnum" round as well, but it was a common LE caliber for decades and I am also aware that on principle a justified shooting is a justified shooting. I just feel it is equally as important to survive the aftermath of a shooting just as well as the actual shooting incident itself and not to fall into any traps just because of alleged mistakes made in the choice of gun-ammo combinations. I mean to what extend could the use of a .41 or .44 Magnum rather than a .38 Special be interpreted as negative for the defendant in a justified homicide? Not to hijack this thread, but if someone could comment on that, it'll be appreciated.

Back to the topic at hand: For backup, I prefer any all-steel J frame Smith revolver in cal. .38 Special. My first choice would be the all stainless steel M640 .38 Centennial, then the M649 Bodyguard, then the blue steel M49. The M36/60 Chiefs Special would serve well, too. But I'd make sure to have their spur hammers bobbed/radiused. I don't like any of the ultra lightweight, hard recoiling J Frames with titanium or scandium cylinders, but I would rate the various alloy frame/steel cylinder J frame models (M37, 38, 42, 438, 442, 637, 638, 642) as acceptable in that capacity.

Like I wrote the choices are virtually endless. It is very hard to make a bad choice, as most revolver models mentioned in this thread are well proven.

If pressed to the wall, I'd would probably stick to .38 and .357 calibers and simply use the model 67 and 28 4-inch for open duty carry, the model 64 (or 65) 3-inch for plainclothes work and the fully shrouded model 640 for backup.

What I've noted is that when U.S. police was equipped mostly with revolvers they didn't switch back and forth between various manufacturers/brands/models/calibers like they appear to do nowadays with duty semi-automatics. It looks like that an issued (or personally owned/department approved) service revolver was carried by a police officer or sheriff's deputy on duty for many years.

3 inch 65

__________________
Sure you did

Probably a 325. Have one. Not as flat as my Colt Commander, but you can stuff in the full moon clips about as fast as a magazine in the Colt.

My S&W 586 or my registered 357 It was the 25 off of the line.

I would pick either a 686+ with a 4-inch barrel or an 8-round alloy-framed 327 with a 5-inch barrel. Whichever gun I chose would be loaded with .357, which should be easily controllable with revolvers this size.

I would stick with the factory Hogue monogrips for control, comfort and durability. Reloads would come from two Five Star speed loaders (black anodized) on the belt and one speed strip in the pocket.

The 327 shaves an ounce or two off the 686+ and offers that extra round, but the 686+ would be a more compact package and the stainless steel would probably hold up better to daily use.

AMEN!!!!

Besides, there's just something about a full-house 125 grain .357 load that lets the bad guys know they just F---ed up.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

I would carry the new UTS-15. But I guess that doesn't qualify as a revolver so it would probably be a Chief Special (that's the original Chief Special or model 36 as it became) not the newer semi automatic.

I also would consider a 547 if I owned one as I have a boat load of 9mm on hand. My actual carry gun is a model 59 with a 14 round mag and a new 9mm shield as a back up.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497

Amen +2!

And a solid hit from a 158 grain LSWHC does a good job on messing with BGs also.

__________________
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

The "outgunned" mantra apeared after some notable shootouts where officers got themselves in trouble. In several of the shootouts officers had "heavier" weapons available, such as shotguns, but did not deploy them properly. Inadequate firearms training and poor tactical training cost several officers their lives. Very sad and unfortunate.

I have observed, as have you, the increased rate of wholesale switching of approved weapons on the part of many departments. Have not read much discussion aboiut why this is happening but I would really like to find more information. Tupperware guns not holding up? Semi-autos not performing as sold in the field? Or fickle "fashion" driving the changes (the move to semis was definitely an expression of fashion).

__________________
"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

Follow the money.

I still carry a 19-3. Have several others 44's 41's and a couple of pythons, but the 19 just seems right.

__________________
Take your time, in a hurry.
Don

I wasn't implying anyone was being trained to spray & pray, or that they were doing so in shoot outs.

I was asking: if it's true that the ratio of hits had dropped by 50%, as I understood SuperMan's post to say, is there an explanation?

Maybe I misunderstood his stats.

ROTFLMAO!

Yes indeed!

Hey if I can OPEN CARRY a handgun it would absolutely be a 4" M500.
And yes, an RPG does make a formidable defensive option!

Well, most police officers never get in a shooting during their careers, despite what pop culture might indicate.

I always thought the Python to look ungainly. I've used them in the past and didn't care for them. To each his own.

I concur with the choice of the M67 if .38 Special is the caliber of choice. Lightweight, easy handling, accurate, and stainless. I have a first year M67 that is a beauty and it shoots very well.

Personally I prefer to carry a full sized sidearm even in plain clothes (which I do every day, a Glock 21). They are easily concealed while wearing professional attire. In a UC role, I would opt for something else.

You just described the 625 Mountain Gun...a wonderful firearm in a terrific caliber.

As you said, a justified shoot is a justified shoot. My main weapon is a Colt M-4 in 5.56mm NATO, and some of our guys are issued a 7.62mm NATO patrol rifle. If going on a raid, arrest, etc., I opt for the rifle first. Each of these packs a bit more energy than a sidearm, we are trained in their use, and we are expected to utilize them as needed. My daily carry is a .45 ACP, so we are authorized large bore handguns and have not had an issue.

Bravo...time for a gratuitous photo of my Model 67:


By the way, I've been all over Europe and have family in several countries there...from which country do you hail?

WOW!!

What a COOL THREAD you guys have created here! I love it! Not a single smart-***** comment or demeaning statement. All great posts with some humor thrown in, but NOTHING meant to belittle anyone or discourage posting from other members. That's why I like asking questions here. Such good people here. Too bad all the gun forums aren't like this one.

Anyway, I think I'd like to carry a Night Guard. Maybe a 325 or a 386. I just watched a couple of videos on the 386 and even using hot 357 defense loads it looked pretty darn controllable and easy to shoot. The owner even said that it was NOTHING like his 340 which was very painful to shoot.
So many great guns to pick from though. Someone also picked another of my favorites...the 586 L-Comp. I REALLY like that one too. I've thought about selling my 65-3 3 inch and putting the proceeds towards getting one of those L-Comps. Wonder how much I'd have to come up with for it?

Thanks everyone for the replies.....KEEP the pics and info coming.

Nalajr

I'm a state Corrections Officer and when we do carry a gun, its a S&W 64 or 65 loaded with Federal 158 gr. LHP .38 +P.
Basically the PA Dept of Corrections hasn't changed their type of armament in over 100 years. Besides .38 revolvers we use 12 ga. Rem 870's. The weapons may be newer but we still use the trusty old .38 and 12 gauge.

I understand the need for police to have to go to semi autos.....as a country the US had gone from a Community Policing mentality to a para military law enforcement model.

No more do we see Officer Friendly directing traffic at the town square wearing his 6" S&W M&P .38 with 6 extra rounds in bullet loops....helping old ladies across the street and giving out warnings for driving home from the local bar after a "few too many"....these are memories my 65 year old parents have of cops when they were kids. Police didnt "need" auto pistols, those were for the military. They had neat looking leather gun belts, with just a holster, hand cuffs, and a whistle on it. They wore glossy leather shoes and had neatly pressed uniforms and drove around in neat old patrol cars.....there might have been a 12 gauge pump in the squad car...at the station house there might have been a few dusty 03 Springfields in case "something serious" happened...Once a year police officers went to the local police range and fired their revolvers in single action, with a one hand "Bullseye" shooting type stance at a static bullseye target to qualify. They might have got a $5 bonus for shooting expert. You would see Officer Friendly at the local diner with his family when he was off duty, everyone knew him.

Now we have Officer Tactical who wears a BDU style uniform with a hi-cap auto pistol with 3 extra mags, nylon duty gear with 50 lbs. of gear on it, a taser , probably a backup gun in his body armor, wears $300 combat boots and has an AR in his SUV patrol vehicle. He/She is probably a veteran of the Iraq and/or Afghanistan campaign and has combat experience and training. He probably drives 30 minutes to get to work and you wont see him out and about in the community.....Most towns and cities have some kind of SWAT team and even smaller towns do some kind of tactical training with their officers. Firearms training has gone to a fluid, aggressive combat style training.

It's the nature of the beast.......what worked in the 1950's doesn't work today.....now we have heavily armed gangs who will kill pretty much anyone, including cops, active shooters, psychopaths, terrorists.....a post 9-11 mindset for law enforcement.....even small sleepy towns have meth labs, drug trafficking, robberies.....

I like to get on a soapbox about calibers but seriously, if one considers the most likely "need" for a handgun, the largest is the bestist.
IF a police officer is anticipating trouble he will generally arm himself with a shotgun or AR...handgun is secondary.
Therefore, the handgun should be viewed as DEFENSIVE in nature, to be drawn and employed on short notice.
A M500 is a serous intimidator. Even a drug-fiend cannot help but notice the massive bore and overall size.
IF one is required to shoot, the M500 WILL DELIVER kinetic energy equal to a medium caliber high-powered rifle OR a 12 gauge shotgun! So WHY would anyone who would choose a slug-loaded shotgun NOT choose to carry what is essentially the same thing on his HIP???
The role of a handgun in a police encounter is vastly different than that of a military encounter. The same holds true for any DEFENSIVE encounter by a private citizen.
A center-mass hit from a .500 S&W magnum IS a "one shot stop" on a human. And yes, I've been schooled in the notion that one can shoot an autopistol faster and "better" than a magnum revolver, but the problem is, HUMANS tend to soak up 9mm and .45 caliber bullets fired in the 300-450 lb-ft range with no outward effect until AFTER the cessation of hostilities. At the same time, humans CANNOT simply shrug off a 12 gauge slug, or a .308 rifle hit at close range...these are KNOWN FIGHT STOPPERS! Well, guess what, so too is the .500 S&W magnum! It matches or exceeds both of the aforementioned rounds for power. Modern sabot slugs from a 12 gauge are in fact .50" caliber at 300-350 grains...around 1800 "claimed" fps....which places them squarely in the M500's wheelhouse of power.
A M500 4" barrel CAN be hip carried...a 12 gauge of ANY kind cannot.
A M500 4" barrel CAN be fired with one hand...and 12 gauge of any kind cannot.
A M500 4" barrel CAN deliver a single shot that results in immediate cessation of action by the aggressor...just like a 12 gauge shotgun or .308 rifle.

While I generally don't carry a M500 on my person, I USUALLY carry one in my car with more than a few filled speedloaders, because I know EACH round can get the job done against a human "predator" and my experience in the world of emergency medicine has proved that sub-throusand lb-ft of KE handguns are at best marginal for taking the fight out of someone.
UNLIKE TV, people hit with high-powered rifle rounds generally do not survive and if they do they do so with major defects. When shot they do NOT continue to fight...
The M500 is ballistically a "high powered rifle" on the hip if you will.

Kilibreaux, I would have to challenge your statement of being able to shoot a 500 one handed I've a JRC 500 and was a union construction worker all my working life and have plenty of upper body strength and wouldn't do this myself? And do you realize the over penetration this round produces in an urban area? Maybe you live in the country?
Steve

I have shot mine single-handed almost everytime I've taken them out. Magnum "kick" isn't about what the gun does...it's about how YOU accept what the gun does. Sure the 500's kick RIGHT BACK INTO THE PALM, and when casually firing one tends to change hands between shots, HOWEVER, when one is seriously intent upon saving one's own life, busting off five rounds from a 500 is NOTHING...I've practiced it with both my 4" and 6.5" because I WANT to know if I "can" and clearly I can. Maybe next time I go shooting I'll get someone to video and post it...one-handed shooting of the 500 is EASY-SQEAZY!
Now that I'm old and decrepit you could probably fold me up like a pretzel, but I can still hold, point, and shoot a M500 for combat purposes with ease.

As for overpenetration...ah...the age-old condundrum...no matter WHAT you buy or carry you're supposed to load it with WEAK ammo that is little if any improvement over the WEAK calibers you bought the magnum to best!
Let me give you a REAL scenario...two punks attempt to rob a store owner. The store owner shoots them both, wounding both. One bullet goes out into the street and KILLS a woman walking along. WHO is liable? While I'm sure one can debate CIVIL suits 'till the cows come home, when it comes to CRIMINAL charges, the person who will be charged with "murder" of the accomplice and the bystander will be the "leader" of the robbery scheme. The civil lawsuit will be filed based upon the concept of "deep pockets" which is why the store can expect to be sued and the store's insurance should be prepared. As far as incarceration behind a felony shooting, the store owner is golden...even though HIS bullet went through a window and killed a bystander because his actions were the RESULT of being robbed...so the murder charge attaches to the PERP not the store owner.
Additionally...and seldom mentioned on any forum, when bullets DO miss or overpenetrate, then generally do not hit ANYONE! The cops in Fresno shoot it out with gang members all the time and HUNDREDS of rounds are fired with not ONE striking anyone "innocent." The point is, you can choose to carry a magnum revolver loaded with WEAK ammo which means you might as well carry a WEAK autoloader, or you can choose to carry a magnum revolver loaded with REAL magnum ammo meant to STOP a 200-300 pound "animal" and realize that if you ever do have to shoot and the round punches through the ODDS are it won't hit anyone else...statistically.
We can spend YEARS advancing counter-factual arguments that have no basis in reality but the fact is, if you use a .500 magnum to shoot someone and the bullet passes through the ODDS are highly against it striking another person, but if it does, CRIMINALLY the person liable for YOUR act will be the person who instigated the situation that caused you to shoot...
Sure, if you're unlucky and you hit someone they will file suit because modern society is ALL ABOUT THE WINDFALL, but my point is, I'd rather STOP someone in their tracks than play mind games with my ammo and NOT stop someone in their tracks who ends up slicing my kid's throats because I was taking the advice of some so-called expert or forum goob. I don't know how many lethal shootings everyone else on this forum has been involved in as a private citizen, but the number is SMALL...smaller still is the number where the bullet went on and struck someone else...it's all about odds isn't it. So when I pull out my 500 magnum it IS loaded with 500 magnum ammo. If you happen to live across the street from me when I open fire all I can say is, "duck!"

Nothing wrong with that "gratuitous" photo......it started my morning off just fine, thank you! As much as I'm a fan of the M-64, the 67 is even better, and I'd be happy as a pig in a puddle to carry one on duty.

I currently carry a 4 inch S&W Model 686 in my duty holster with a S&W Model 37 in my pocket. If I were going to start from nothing, I'd carry a 4 inch S&W Model 686+ in the duty holster and a S&W Model 638 (.38) or 649 (.357M) in my pocket.

I am the last revolverdero in my office.

ECS

__________________
CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I have a 627 pro in my holster, w/ three dot night sights. I changed out the Hogues for square butt conversion wood grips. The young guys think its a "cowboy gun"

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

If you're carrying on a duty belt, those things drag you down. As an LEO, I dreamed of a 4" 27, but all the gear made me appreciate the 66 4". So I never switched. My old 66 ...



If I could do it again, the biggest gun I would pack would be the issue 4" Model 15. The one I have was cut for the Farrant stocks ... which feel great!



If I could get away with it, I'd pack my 640 ... compact and powerful, it will do everything you could want in a revolver:



For either I'd want some king of "safety holster". For duty use we were issued the .38 Special 125 Grain +P. I think that even today that is still a good load.

This is exactly what I had in mind when I posted my choice. With four full moons as reloads you are good to go anywhere.

Of course, you're correct, Sir. I didn’t' think about that particular revolver model when I posted my comments. Rather, in my head was an image of a SS version of model 520 sans adjustable sights and chambered for the .45 Colt. However, it's true, model 625 "Mountain Gun" in .45 Colt is quite similar and would fit that description almost perfectly.

Actually, I am somewhat familiar with the M625 "Mountain Gun" in cal. .45 Colt. I've been offered one for sale once but I declined because cylinder throats were oversized and I wanted to use commonly available jacketed and lead bullets intended for the .45 Auto (.451" - .452" diameter) in it. Guess, this M625 "Mountain Gun" would have needed .454 or .455" diameter bullets to achieve good accuracy. Not an uncommon "problem" with Smith revolvers chambered in .45 Colt. However, normally that's associated with the early production models 25-5, so it was surprising to see it in a mid-1990's production gun. For SD and duty use this level of accuracy is probably more than acceptable.


I've owned (still do) a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt which has tighter cylinder throats that works beautifully with .451"/.452" bullets. I also own a .454 Casull Freedom Arms M83 with auxiliary cylinder in .45 ACP. With that .45 ACP cylinder in place that gun probably shots better than most custom 1911s tuned for a high standard of accuracy. Since the various specimen of S&W model 625-2 in .45 ACP that I've tried of the years never grouped so well for me, I didn't expect that high level of precision from the FA M83 either. It was a real eye opener. That gun proves that if tolerances are held to a bare minimum, the rather long free travel of the bullet in that relatively long cylinder doesn't affect accuracy negatively. Sorry, I am getting carried away…

I own a model 67 identical to yours. It was made in 1973 (my year of birth!). It was and is an outstanding service revolver if the .38 Special is the duty caliber of choice. I wouldn't feel inadequately armed at all if I had to rely on it. IMHO, in the age of 9 mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W and .45 ACP semi-auto pistols the .38 Special has become a rather underrated cartridge. I still feel that for the non-enthusiast the all-steel, medium frame service revolver with a 3 - 4 inch barrel and chambered for the .38/.357 should still be the firearm of choice. I'd even go so far that anyone seriously interested in learning marksmanship basic should forget about the semi-auto pistol at first and start off with a good, relatively inexpensive .38 or .357 magnum revolver with adjustable sights, as these guns usually provide for a high degree of inherent accuracy potential that most other production pistols are lacking, save some rare or expensive ones (SIG P210, for example). If I hadn't started shooting revolvers but right with centerfire pistols at first, I believe that my level of marksmanship wouldn't be up to the level that it is now. Offhand, I usually am able to tell quickly whether a particular semi-auto pistol shoots accurately or not at 25 m distance. If in doubt, I normally switch back to the revolver and some proven loads to confirm whether it's really me or the pistol I've tried before. In my experience, the average, modern semi-automatic duty/SD pistol is barely able to compete with the average police service revolver in the accuracy department. I get hands on many different pistols but often I don't like what I see. Notable recent exceptions were the HK45C and the USP Compact .45 ACP, which both shot exceptionally well for pistols their size.

And that's one of the reasons why I still hold revolvers in such high regard. Another reason is that the revolver is normally much more reliable if it needs to be shoot one handed, weak handed, from an awkward position and/or in a personal struggle with an attacker. Quite often, a semi-auto - particularly those compact, subcompact or small pocket models - might jam on you if it's fired from an "unstable" shooting position, resulting in a single shot weapon. Therefore, if gun size becomes an issue and a smaller handgun is called for, at a certain point I strongly prefer the short barreled revolver to a compact and especially the subcompact and pocket semi-automatic pistol, because of much greater mechanical reliability. For these reasons, I think that the practical K frame sized revolver with a 2 - 3 inch barrel and especially the S&W J frame revolver - the quintessential "get-off-me-gun" - can never be replaced by any auto pistol, regardless of how small it may be. They're the most dependable in their respective niches.

I am from Germany. Despite constant attacks on our rights and our already restrictive national gun law, "gun culture" and shooting is alive and well around here. The best guys and gals I've ever met have all been legal gun owners and decent, law-abiding citizens. I'd call it a high level of mankind, decency and comradeship I have the honor and pleasure of experiencing frequently, and that's usually not found in most other hobbies/sports.

Have a good one today.

Do yourself a favor and never sell that 65-3 3 inch that you already own. Please! In one year or two you'll post how much you regret that decision whenever a thread about model 65s comes up...

My suggestion: Just save up on an 586 L-Comp. I feel they were mostly made in limited production runs, so you need to locate one first.

By the way, it's a good idea to limit use of .357 Magnum rounds in K frames and better use them with some more moderate .357 loads and/or some effective .38 Special HP +P. Acquisition of any L (or even N) frame revolver in .357 Magnum actually complements your M65-3, since they were made for constant usage of full power .357 Magnum cartridges... and they're more pleasant to shoot because of greater weight (and that compensator, as in case of your M586 L-Comp dream gun) anyway.

For a dedicated self-defense gun, I'd personally shy away from guns featuring compensators and similar devices. If you need to shoot from a close body retention position you're risking getting a big, hot, unpleasant blast up the side of your face. Wouldn't it be much better to have ALL that energy and power directed onto the attacker?

I think, the only reason to have a compensator and/or portings on my gun would be if I was a serious IPSC/USPSA Open Division or Bianchi Cup Open competitor - and that's for pure sport shooting, not serious applications.

I know it's heresy, but among the guns I currently have, I'd pick my 4" GP-100 blue as my main holster gun.

And I'd keep my M642 in my pocket as backup. Another pocket choice would be my LCR 357.

I like my 28-2 a lot as a shooter, but at 6" it's a bit too big.

I WOULD PACK A S&W M15 4" IN A BASKET-WEAVE SAFARILAND BELT AND HOLSTER. I CARRIED IT WHILE WITH THE FEDERAL POLICE YEARS AGO AND IT'S A TACK DRIVER. IT FIRED TOP SHOOTER IN TWO ACADEMIES, FEDERAL AND STATE.

Seein' as how I just finished a matching belt and holster, I'd carry an M66 on my belt.

And a 442 in my pocket.

I'd also whip up a leather speedloader holder for the M66.

What is the odd looking stuff on the side of the 442?

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

I agree completely about the superiority of long guns in most situations, but how can we know unequivocally that a COM hit from a .500 is always a one-shot stop? There is no such thing as a small arm (U.N. definition) that will do it 100% of the time. Maybe the first 10 shootings will be one-shot (have there been that many people shot with a .500 mag?). But after enough occurrences, there will be failures.

It may be possible to shoot a .500 one-handed, but what's the hit ratio in actual shootings? How about repeat shots should you face multiple assailants, or not score that COM hit with the first round?

As for the intimidation factor: I have never been a LEO except in the astrological sense , much less faced an armed, drugged-up adversary. I have, however, dealt with schizophrenic people. Untreated, especially after quitting meds, they can be so delusional you could stick the muzzles of a 10-gauge double under their nose without eliciting so much as a flinch.

I am currently carrying a 6in. S&W 14-2 in a Bianchi 350 holster with a Tex Shoemaker triple speedloader pouch and a speedstrip in my pocket for duty use. For the purposes of this question I would go with a 4in. Python for uniform and plain clothes or maybe a 4in. Manurhin MR-73 if I could find one (it's my grail gun). Let me throw a rifle sighted Ithaca 37 with a 18in. tube in the rack and a Win. 94 30-30, or 07 .351 or .35 Rem. model 8 in the trunk and I would be willing to take on the world!

My 3in. 13 or 2.5in 66 but really in this day & age I hate to admit I would prefer my Glock 30S or 21.

Attached Images

Guns 030.jpg (117.2 KB, 30 views)

Carrying a .500 for defense?!?!

I'm sorry that's just overkill....in fact it's LESS of a stopper against humans than you think. .500 has the energy of a 7.62x39 at the muzzle, it will likely punch straight through a bad guy causing a straight .50 wound channel. If a bad guy is on PCP he may have a few seconds of fight left.......357 However dumps most if its kinetic energy inside the body cavity creating massive trauma and hydrostatic shock = greater stopping power. Massive instant blood loss, organ destruction and just plain knock down power.

.......is the old, proven 125 gr. .357 fight stopper favored by Bill Jordan and countless others who have actually used it against REAL bad guys not enough?

It is for me, if I meet something that can take a Remington 125 gr. SP .357 center mass and keep coming I guess I'm screwed.....

Some of these new Ruger only loads like Buffalo Bore .357 +P+ 180 gr. would probably saw someone in half, I don't know how much more trauma can be inflicted vs. a .500 on a human target. There's not much in this world that can survive a kill shot with a hot .357 Magnum unless you're expecting to have to drop Elephants, Hippos or Cape Buffalo.....

If you have to fire that .500 indoors to defend yourself, good luck with those blown out eardrums...