"I carry the CM9 with 7 rds and a trigger that feels like the finest S&W DA trigger ever honed at 6 pounds.

Not until the 640 Pro did Smith make a serious sight for a belly gun under 2.25"s "

You know EXACTLY which revolver has "the finest S&W DA trigger" and have fired it? I haven't fired every S&W revolver, NOR every semi made. The "Best" semi trigger I recall was on a worked Colt gold cup, & the best revolver trigger (that's a tough one) may have been a worked model 10 snub??? Regarding Kahrs, if I had bought the stainless version instead of the PM9, I might still have it. As good as it WAS.
Sights for a SD belly gun? Think you will have time to get into your perfect stance/grip/sight alignment? My Seecamp is a single stack & has NO SIGHTS. IMO they would be as useful as a screen door on a submarine. Sorry if this comes across as sounding rude, that's not my intention.

The reason I'm not concerned by most of these stories is that when LEOs are involved it's an apples to oranges comparison to what most CCW holders will face.

A bad guy has a much stronger incentive to stay in the fight against the cop in order to avoid prison. By contrast, I'll consider it a win if either of us runs off.

I suppose there might be the rare individual who soaks up hits from my two revolvers and continues to attack. But even then I don't see where a single stack 9 would be likely to make a difference.

Relax, Francis.

The title of this thread warned me to stay away, but I didn't.
I jumped in and kept swimming.
Now 30 minutes of my life have been flushed.

Did you learn anything?

Nope.

I did enjoy the anecdotes about intelligent wives, though.

NO. The Illinois State Police carried the S&W M-39 for years as did a few departments. But not until the advent of the "Wonder Nine" did the revolver lose ground as the primary LE habdgun. The Wonder Nines were the S&W 659, the Glock 17, Beretta 92 and the SIG P226. PD jumped on the 9mm "lotsa bullets" bandwagon and everyone was screaming "we're outgunned". Single stacks didn't carry enough extra ammo to make conversion worthwhile.
I know because they had to drag be kicking and screaming into the Auto world. In fact I became a Detective just because of the wonder nine. (In my department detectives were allowed to keep their revolvers)

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Support your Police, & NRA

Just wait til your father gets home.

I own a number of carry revolvers in J, K and L frame sizes (and my Model 13 isn't in this group).





I own three single stack 9mm pistols, and none of them are really what the OP was talking about. The 1911 I carry (10+1 capacity), while the other two are just for fun:

My carry revolvers are still alive and doing well. I tried a 1911 commander. Just not for me. A model 10 snub is the one I usually carry but find my 686 on my hip often. I live pretty rural but when I go to the city the 686 is it. 7 rounds and a speed loader, I'm armed pretty good id say. Just not an auto guy. 20 plus hand guns, three are autos. All about what floats yer boat I guess.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

Let me look at my guns that would conceal carry well. Revolvers 8, semi autos 1, single stack 9mms 0. Only semi auto is an Commander length alloy 1911 45acp.

Guys there are no "hard and fast rules" no 'guaranteed one shot stops".....if there were rules; in the real world there are exceptions........and if a round/gun combo guaranteed one shot stops....... we'd all be carrying it!!!!!!!!!!

So we all just need to decide what works best for us ........ size,shape caliber and capacity.......... accept the inevitable short falls; then ..... hope for the best but plan for the worst!!!!!!!!

I "feel the force" of a Moderator lock down in this threads future!!!!!!!

I don't usually post but have to put in my 2 cents on this. I think plastic (injected moulded striker fired) guns are cheaper to make than steel revolvers or reinforced aluminum. A lot of the younger crowd is use to the throw-away mentality and want cheap instead of quality. Gun manufacturers can probably crank out a plastic semi-auto for pennies of what a revolver costs.

Another, previously mentioned issue is concealability. I saw in one of my gun magazines where a manufacturer has a curved frame now to better fit the curves of a person's body.

I have a couple plastic guns but most times carry a Colt Agent or a S&W Airweight, both 38s. The Airweight is not as succeptable to sweat rust when it is hot. Sometimes when it is cold enough to wear a coat a stainless 7 shot S&W 686 .357.

As a side note, if I buy a long gun it has to have a wood stock, not a rubber stock.

Hahahaha! I've carried a NY reload a couple times. I just might do it more because it was comforting and comfortable. A blued M36 in the right front pocket... in a Desantis "Nemisis" and the "reload"; a nickel M36 on my right hip in a Galco OWB holster with (2) flat speed strips in the back left pocket. Both times I did this was for a late night run to CVS for my wife or daughter.
I'm under 40 years old and I've come to the light in regards to the use of revolvers, (late but better than never.) Revolvers are "everybody's" guns... I'm finding. They simply do what other semi-auto platforms cannot in their own applications; and I'm a semi-auto nut!



All of the below revolvers were added to our inventory within the last 14 months... That's how much me and the wifey love them. The Colt is her purse carry with the adage of some Altamont's!

Disagree. I don't know anyone who's buying a disposable gun nor do i know anyone who wants to buy a none quality gun my self including. Polymer striker doesn't mean low quality just like steel doesn't mean quality. Plenty of both have been made like junk. I think the mentality of what a gun is ....is what changed. Quality is in performance and reliability not looks or feelings.

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The thinking man (and woman) will probably choose a revolver for every day carry. Three reasons.

1. Almost perfect reliability.

2. Maintenance is "duh.." easy.

3. Revolvers do not scatter used brass all over the scene of a fracas. MUCH tidier.

John

Correct:


Not correct:

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

John, which stock is that on the 1993 Model 640? ^^

Plastic, great marketing and politics killed the revolver as the American LE standard. The high cost of producing revolvers didn't help. If you recall, the makers of the new fangled "wonder nines" all but gave away their new guns to get a foot hold in the market (even our beloved S&W) giving high trade-in prices and new guns at or near cost (but made a grundle of money selling extra mags ) in order to convince the politicians that they were getting something for nothing. (Remember, Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs and Directors of public safety are really only politicians)

This can also be applied to CCW. All the modern gizzy-whizz dodads work with small semi-autos. lights, lazers, optics and such are being built into small autos or can be readily attached. Revolvers, with the exception of add on grips, are very limited. I still carry a revolver and am looked at as a semi-extinct species (probably true) Anyone under 35 or so can't remember when the revolver was king and were brought up on autos, usually plastic or aluminum framed and can't understand why anyone would limit themselves to a 5 or 6 shot wheelgun. (The exception being a few that have embraced the 1911 platform.) The world changes. Not always for the better.

Much more complicated than that. Miami in the late 70s early 80s had a lot to do with it. When drug cartels started having machine gun shootouts in the streets many officers went and bought high capacity semi autos. These gangs spread to other cities. In the late 80s my city was already all semi auto and it's not a small department. Something like 6000 officers.



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I think some personal attack posts were deleted!

Generally we're better than that around here.........

Even double stack .45's can be made easily concealable. I have one that holds 10+1 and is 1.25" wide. I can hide it in the palm of my hand. I've seen double stacks that looked like they had handles made from tree trunks but not all of them are like that. That same .45 I mentioned has gone through over 5000 rounds without a single hiccup. That sounds reliable to me. I only own one semi-auto pistol that isn't reliable in fact. I only have it because I bought it back in college when I couldn't afford anything else. It makes a good paperweight. The thing was actually accurate until I took it apart to clean it. It never shot the same after that.

High capacity can be your friend too. It isn't always needed of course but if a pack of feral dogs comes after me I want all the rounds I can get. And that has happened to me. Luckily I was on an ATV at the time so I just out ran them but still. If I had been on foot I might have faced a very serious problem that a revolver just may not have solved.

You ever notice how some discussions [ (debates) (difference of opinions) (mine is better than yours) (mine is bigger than yours) (mine is more expensive than yours)...etc...etc...etc....] never end?

This is a prime example.

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Hipcocked45

Not John here, Tom, but those appear to be Herrett's stocks on that '93 640. They would be made for the round butt, but extend lower than the gun frame a bit. I'm a fan of Herrett's, and they are still in business!

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So long ... Ken

Nice collection Sir! That Model 40 is absolutely SIC!!! And I've also often worried about leaving shell casings at a scene I didn't want to go bad. Don't have to worry about that too much with a revolver!

You're a lucky man! You've figured things out early in life, you have an outstanding collection, and you have a wife who can appreciate good guns. What more can a man ask for?

No. I think revolvers are selling great. I read somewhere that they are still 25-28% of both Ruger and Smith production.

I went to the range today to shoot both of my carry revolvers, a 640-1 and a 637-2 with the bobbed hammer spur. When I got out to the firing line there were two other folks there, both shooting revolvers. First time I've ever seen that. Usually I'm the only guy.

When paying, I made a commented about that to one of the LGS guys I see every week. He told me that based on what he sees on a daily basis wheelguns are making a come back. I don't know if it's true or not, but it was nice to hear.

whens the last time smith had wheel gun rebates?

Hey lots of people have an opinion. It isn't terrible that they express it. It's called discussion. My post was my opinion. Yeah it's what I own because I bought what I think is best for certain tasks. Others are best served with a wheel gun of course. I have a 629 that is my carry gun when I go to my bear infested farm. It's not that I expect to be attacked. I just want to be ready just in case. I wouldn't want to use a semi-auto in a caliber that powerful. For one thing they are way too big and heavy compared to the wheel guns that shoot the same caliber. And I certainly know that the .357 is a very effective caliber for SD.

It's not like I'm locked into one design or the other. I just made some points. Someone might actually want to read them. It's not about arguing or trying to change anyone's mind or anything.

I haven't had the chance to read all the replies. But I did read the OP. Here's my two cents.

I am currently a uniformed officer but work traffic, primarily fatal and serious injury dui crashes and work dui enforcement when provided the break from cases.
Mi carry a Glock 17 duty weapon (after a faulty Sig Sauer, but that's another story in itself). I see the Glock like a revolver. It just simply is going to work every time. Despite its lack of soul.

My BUG at work is a SW 640. If I need that gun, chances are I am hurt or in a fight to retain my duty weapon. I want power, reliability, but I also want something I won't be able to limp wrist due to a poor grip, won't be able to have a misdeed due to firing in close proximity to a torso, and won't knock out of battery hitting someone with it if need be to create distance.

The 640 is also currently my off duty carry.

I have to qualify with my 640. The last time I did I was the only revolver shooter. We shoot the same qualification with BUGs or off duty as with our duty weapons. It extends to 25 yards and has multiple empty and top off reloads. I was forced to shoot the semi auto times and still shot a 245 out of 250 (I have never shot a perfect 250). So the J Frame can be fired just as accurate as a Glock 17 if you practice.

That being said. I did just purchase an XDs that will probably take over my off duty carry. Simple, small (smaller in comparison to the 640) and carries more ammo (which is cheaper to buy range ammo than 357). I also get issued carry ammo (147gr HST) for the 9mm.

The 640 will remain my BUG at work and will be shot twice a month (if not more) when I go to the range. I vow to always be proficient (or more than) in the use of the revolver. But just as the automatic transmission has taken the place of the manual, I think the single 9's have come along.

But I still want my manual transmission Jeep Wrangler.

You forgot about caliber!

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Last year. It wasn't a rebate, just a sale on certain J frames. I don't know which or how many but I picked up a new 642 for $300

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For you NY reload folks:

One thing I found to work for ME with my 642 as far as comfort, control and accuracy is the Delta grip - UGLY, but it works!

I'd rather moon a perpetrator than put one of those things in my hand. Just. Can't. Do. It.

How does one carry such a holster? Do you keep both revolvers at small of the back carry? Or do you wear it on your hip, with one at 3:30 and the other at 2:30 for a cross draw?

You didn't realize that was a joke, did ya?

Yeah, I think that holster would have to be worn @ 6 O'clock to work. When I have in the past carried (2) revolvers its one in my strong side pocket and the other on my strong side hip.

What I like about pocket carry with a "J" frame is you can have your hand in your pocket without drawing much or any attention to yourself; while getting a good grip on the pistol in anticipation of defending yourself... all with none the wiser. You can't really do that on the hip without raising a brow or two.

Not a joke - legitimate product designed to be utilized as such

For you semi lovers:

And for those who like to go both ways:

Those are Herrett's "Shooting Star" stocks. They were handmade to a tracing of my hand back when I had one of the first Model 60s. Probably the most comfortable J frame stocks I have. The 640 is also equipped with a "clip grip" for pocket carry.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Well I stand corrected, then.

maybe this year the R8 carry it like hutch.

This has been an interesting thread. There is some good knowledge shared also. Thanks to all for sharing. Both revolvers and autos have their advantages and disadvantages. If I were a policeman or a soldier I would be making sure my SIG was handy. If I was headed some where sketchy and couldn't take a long gun then I would do the same thing. But for just getting through my life these days my M649 sure seems like a great compromise.

For me it has not. After almost 20 years of being required one iteration of semi-auto or another my EDC is now typically a Model 36 no dash with a Tyler grip adapter, a speed loader, and/or a speed strip. It may not be the perfect tool for the job, but it is adequate and I prefer wheel guns. If you look at the number of compact revolvers available on the market I would say that compact single stack 9mm pistols aren't killing off the revolver yet.

I regularly carry a Model 36 no dash (1971) with speed loaders even though I have an M&P Shield in 9mm. Mostly because I shoot the little J frame accurately and I love Revolvers


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Nachogrande: If you ever find a S&W revolver with a 6 lb DA trigger pull I will be amazed if it goes boom at the end of the stroke.

I was a cop for 33 years and arrested felons with revolvers and autos. I always appreciated the respect shown to revolvers and autos when the end of the barrel was 44 or larger.

I've arrested people with snubnoses at 35 yards plus and was thankful that I had some usable sights on the weapon when confronting the suspect who had just shot up his exgirlfriends house with her rifle. Fortnately for me he left it at the scene! Sights are always nice beyond bad breath range. In my 70s now and a small auto is easier to manipulate quickly than a small revolver. Hope it's not the same for you but glad to have the option.

Kthorn, I appreciate your experience. I came of age with revolvers and 1911's, so the use of the 1911 safety is second nature. Now, I have a variety of wheelguns and autos, but my carry rotation is limited to a few that I trust completely, like my Model 10 snub, a Ruger SP 101, a 1911 and lately, a Shield 45. For basically, the same reasons as you.