2 1/2"-3" S&W 66. Small enough to carry IWB or OWB all day, heavy enough to shoot a box of .357 magnums.

"For Me"..... it's a 3" 66; or if I want something a bit smaller a 3" 60-10, micro 5 shot 686.
Both carried IWB in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. But there where only about 5000 3" 66s made and 60-10s don't seem to be all that common either.

My backup and one easier to find is/would be a 3" 65 or 13. But still can be pricey.

Again an even more common gun would be a 2 1/2" 19 or 66.

I love my 4" 686/586 Lframes.... but for a gun that will be carried a lot more than called to action..... I go with the smaller lighter K-frame.

Good luck.

............is long and expensive because it is like buying shoes. Sometimes you have to have different carry revolvers (or pistols) to fit the activity, or enviroment , just like you may need a few different pair of shoes.

Sounds like you are on the right track by experimenting with what works for you.

The cost of this search is expensive because it means buying different revolvers to try , purchasing a variety of holsters to find your most comfortable method of carry that works for you. Don't forget you may go through a lot of different grips to find the ones that fits you and then you have a considerable ammunition bill to be come proficient with your chosen revolver and to maintain that proficiency.

Some things I have learned in my quest going on 50 some odd years that have worked for me.

Steel. They are a little heavier but they are more comfortable to practice with. Never had a steel frame crack.

S&W. They are my brand of choice, hard to beat the DA of a Smith.

.38 Special works for me, if you have a .357 and don't practice with you might fail when you come to the moment you need it.

Don't scrimp on holsters, grips, ammo, practice. What is your life or that of a loved one worth.

Read/listen to folks that have experience. Won't guarantee the one revolver that will work for you but you will still learn a lot of helpful knowledge.

Good luck, may the Lord bless you and yours and keep you safe.

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LEX ET ORDO

I too like the humpbacks. Made to be deployed from a pocket and single action accuracy if needed. I recently picked up the dump pouches for $5. They were unused. Mostly got them for woods walking and just because they look cool.

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You have to consider the whole package: gun, carry mode, ammo. And practice like hell with them.

For me, that's a 3" M-64 carried AIWB in a Lobo offset belt clip. I honestly don't even know it's there anymore.

This all requires some investment in clothing and good carry rigs. I'm lucky in that I can work in jeans. I get them 2" oversize and a heavy belt of 1 1/2-1 3/4". Usually a 5.11 operator. Then an untucked shirt.

Since I live in Texas, cover garments aren't an option most of the time.

This conceals better than 4:00 with a cover garnent.

Warning: viewer discretion advised:





Sorry, but I can't tolerate undershirts unless it's freezing.

My mother is frowning from above in disapproval at my un-tucked shirt tail.





My carry round is the blazing hot Federal Gold Medal Match wadcutter. That's right. Light recoil, shoots to point of aim, and predictable terminal performance. It penetrates straight and deep, and cuts a .36 channel. Every time.

Since full WCs aren't the best for speed reloads, I carry Remington +P LSWCHP on a "speed" strip.

The answer is pretty simple. You need to use the New York reload method to up your capacity to 10.

Buy a good small of the back holster, and then a good shoulder holster. Use one in conjunction with your 4 o’clock. Buy another J-Frame. You’d be surprised how easy it is.

With all this being said, I think both Smith & Wesson and Taurus came pretty close to having a line of "Ultimate" personal defense revolvers

Smith & Wesson came out with the Night Guard revolvers more than a decade ago. These were 2 1/2" barreled K, L and N framed revolvers built on Scandium alloy frames. Chamberings were offered in 38 Special, 44 Special, 45 ACP, 10MM Auto, 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum and 44 Magnum. The heaviest of the crowd tipped the scaled just 3 ounces over the J-Framed Model 640

These are not for everybody, plenty of people are turned off of a Magnum cartridge in a lightweight gun and that is fine . But the Night Guards work in lots of situations for lots of people. I think their down fall was the expense that the Scandium alloy added to the price tag.

Even though pricey, Smith & Wesson followed up with the Model 340 revolvers. One of these hads been my daily carry piece 95% of the time ever since their introduction. Make no mistake, 357 Magnum fired from a 14 ounce revolver is no *****cat. Even so I think this is the sweet spot in the Smith & Wesson lineup

Years before S&W started offering lightweight Big Bore snubbies like the night guards, Taurus came to the market offering L-frame sized snubbies made in Stainless Steel, Alloy and Total Titanium configurations. You could get a 7 shot 357 Magnum that weighed around 20 ounces or you could head up to 44 Magnum or 45 Long Colt that weighed in just the same. Also 44 Special, 41 Magnum and 45ACP versions were offered

My first venture into these wonderful big bores was with the 41 Magnum. This cartridge was offered in 2 1/2" barrel configuration in either Stainless or Titanium

These tipped the scales at 29 ounces and 19 ounces. Bit of a difference there. I loved carrying the 41 Magnum.

But then I came across the one I really wanted the Model 45o chambered for the 45 Long Colt cartridge. It is hard to feel under gunned with 5 BIG 45 LC hollow points in your pocket . I found one in the Shadow Gray finish

All of that aside, In all my years of having to draw my sidearm, I was only involved in one firefight, it changes the way you think. We were issued SIG P220s and carried 2 spare magazines. The ammunition was Federal 230 Hydrashok +P and I am thankful that it was +P.

Seeing a van pull around behind a small strip mall, I turned to corner to see what was going on. Instantly two suspects opened fire. I was still sitting behind the wheel of my Dodge K-car. I do not know how I drew while trying to hunker down behind the dash, but as soon as I cleared leather I double tapped each suspect. I was firing through my windshield and I credit the Federal +P for breaking through the glass and still striking the intended targets.

With four shots fired and both suspects on the ground, I exited my vehicle while loading a fresh magazine into my sidearm. Neither suspect was a threat any longer. The total time of this event was somewhere around 6 or 7 seconds. I have no recollection of using the sights or hearing my rounds go off. I saw nothing but the suspects. I went tunnel vision and everything seemed more like a dream state

This event made me rethink things, Even though I only fired 4 rounds, i went from carrying two spare magazines to six spare magazines. And I continued that practice for many years.

Now in my olden years, I am not willingly walking in the neighborhoods where I can find that kind of a Friday night party. But just in case, As I am heading toward the door, there is a space in the living room where I can grab my Smith & Wesson Model 340 or the Bigger Model 450 Taurus. A Speed Strip can be carried in the weak side pocket for reloading

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"Acta non verba"

In spite of some of the others' suggestions, I'm guessing you don't want to replace a J frame with an N frame. Someone suggested a 3" Model 65 or 66 (K). I'd go with that. I wouldn't switch to an auto if I wasn't comfortable with the idea.

I like the idea

J-frames used to be BUGs now they are primary carry weapons

I have carried a NY Reload.

This holster is made by Bell Charter Oak for everything from Government Models to J-frames. I can draw with either hand or both and I can cross-draw while driving a car, it is a very coolk idea

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"Acta non verba"

This holster is made by Bell Charter Oak for everything from Government Models to J-frames. I can draw with either hand or both and I can cross-draw while driving a car, it is a very coolk idea[/QUOTE]

I recall Nicholas Cage wearing that holster with a pair of 1911's in a movie. Just curious - where do you wear it such that you can cross draw while driving?

Do you wear it at 8/9 O'clock ??????


Right hand draw cavalry style behind the back??????

I am not a big fan of Mr Cage so I never realized it had been used in a movie.

Now I need you to tell me which movie so I can stream it and see how it works on the Big Screen

I am not built for behind the back draw, I am more like Santa Clause but with toys for older boys

I have worn the NY Reload on both hips. I have settled on keeping it on the strong side. So weak side has the cross draw. This was done with driving in mind and I think offers me the most versatility

I keep toying with the idea of getting one made for a pair of Commanders, I just worry about that much weight.

But then it will give me the excuse to build up two new alloy framed auto loaders. I am thinking about 38 Super. I do not think the alloy frames would be up to 9x23 Winchester

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"Acta non verba"

Face/Off

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Watch & Pray

IIRC those were originally marketed as small of the back holsters.......
kind of dangerous IMHO next to the spine.

colt-saa carries 2 guns on one side.... seems like it would bother your back over the course of the day????

Why not just two holsters......????????

Like a Bianchi Cyclone with a primary say 3" 65/66 and a 2" J-frame IWB behind the right hip??

OP: There's a nice looking 3-inch, 686-6 plus being offered by one of our members at what seems a fair price, should that interest you. You'll need a good belt and holster cobination to carry it comfortably all day, but 7 rounds of .357 magnum is excellent firepower. Carry a speed loader, and practice reloads if you think you'll need extra.

I have owned 16 S&W handguns over 50 plus years.
I say that to say this. A carry revolver needs 6 rounds, weigh around 22oz empty (to enjoy shooting at the range) and a hammer. JMO
Unfortunately! S&W doesn’t make such a gun.
I have carried the new Colt Cobra 38+p which is one of the best revolvers
I’ve ever owned ((along with a S&W mod#19 4”bbl (late 1960’s model)and a Lady Smith mod #60 3”bbl))
Sold it because of fiber optic front sight which I could not see well. If you get a Colt Cobra or Colt Python be sure to get the front night sight (Colt makes a replacement for the fiber optic).
I now have a Taurus mod 856UL with hammer for carry (AIWB).

A lot of good suggestions on this post. I would go with the Colt. Just Sayen!

Be SAFE and Shoot Often!

When ever I read one of these threads I find myself being grateful that I don't live "where these guys live". If I ever find myself living some place where I feel unprotected unless I carry multiple firearms and dozens of rounds of ammo I will just leave. Not to be questioning anyone's choices but seriously some guys must live in some truly awful places. I have lived in some sketchy neighborhoods in the past and my conclusion, it just ain't worth it.

Thanks for the heads up!

I've been lusting after a 3" 686+ for a while now!

Trying to sell a few things off to afford one!

A Colt King Cobra 3" is near the top of my list too!

If you do buy a 3" 686+ and decide you don't really like to carry it you will at least know that you've bought a really nice pistol. I own a 5" Pro model and as much I go on about it's accuracy I wish I would have bought the 3" instead because it would make a better woods gun.

I never saw them advertised that way and would not think it was very comfortable while driving. Plus I doubt it is possible to draw while driving
J-frames, no way. They hardly weigh any different than when I carried a Government Model. Even lighter if both are Scandium Model 340s

If I went to Commanders and I was walking all day, you would be right

With two holsters in two locations on your belt, you have to be conscious of how both sides of your jacket are blowing in the wind or exposing the sidearm to the public.

With the NY Reload in the same location that you are used to carrying your single sidearm, you are already accustomed to protecting that side from public exposure

Truth is, I bought it because it looked cool

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"Acta non verba"

LOL We're all guilty of that!!!

Somebody mentioned the Model 13, three inch earlier. Good choice, I think a 3 inch gun has a lot going for it. If they made a three inch 640-1 I'd want it. They didn't so...

The old police turn-in 640 is my first choice. It has the slickest double action of anything I own and I can shoot it well. If five rounds of 158 grain LSWC .357's isn't enough, well I guess I'm in bigger trouble than I thought.

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Another Taurus to consider. They are bringing out the 856 Defender,
a .38 special + P six shot with 3" barrels. They have 5 or 6 different
variations of this model but 2 of them weigh only 16 ounces empty.
Even though I already have a 642-2 and a 637-2 I am quite interested
in that extra inch they give. Maybe just an excuse to buy another gun.
Take a look at their website because I do not think that they are out
in the market place yet.

Yes the model 640 in .38 Spl.was made in a 3 inch version, scarce though.

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LEX ET ORDO

Another Taurus to consider. They are bringing out the 856 Defender,
a .38 special + P six shot with 3" barrels. They have 5 or 6 different
variations of this model but 2 of them weigh only 16 ounces empty.
Even though I already have a 642-2 and a 637-2 I am quite interested
in that extra inch they give. Maybe just an excuse to buy another gun.
Oh yeah, don't forget an extra round (6) as well !
Take a look at their website because I do not think that they are out
in the market place yet. Ok yeah, don't forget an extra round (6) too !

I have the same Ruger and I think it is a great carry. I have a CT/Green laser on mine and I love it. I use 32 HR Magnums as my practice load.

I could carry my 7-shot 357 but, I like my J-Frames best. A 442 has been in my off hand pocket for so long I forget its there. A 3” 36 is in my waist. I can rotate the waist carry but rarely do. If I couldn’t pocket carry I would use my belly band and just wear it bellow the belt line .

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Two Handguns every day

'nuff said.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I am very happy carrying my S&W 60-15 Pro (a 5-shot, 3" SS J-Frame) in a Milt Sparks IWB Versamax 2 holster. Great trigger (after spring change) and ergonomic with a Hogue rubber grip. Easy to shoot well with practice and 100% reliable. It's loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 38 +P ammo.

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S&W M60-15 Pro 3", M69 2.7"

Reloads are like a microcosm of carrying a gun. It's extremely unlikely you'll need it, but when you do, you need it badly.

But, I agree. A civilian needing more than five rounds to get out of trouble should take a serious look at their lifestyle and tactics.

Now let's see if I can count to ten before the story of an outlier that proves the rule gets posted.

Does it have to be a Smith & Wesson?

I carry one of these when I am toting a wheelgun; 657 .41 Magnum 3". I use a Milt Sparks PMK holster. Upper has original combats, lower has Ahrends boot grips.

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No good deed goes unpunished.

Sometimes this with a factory DAO hammer

I been shoulder holster the ruger Redhawk in 44 mag ever since they were offered. I purchased some cor-bon 44 mag 300gr ammo. Definitely a stopper round.

For concealed carry the 5 1/2” and 7 1/2” fits me fine. I like the 5”, 5.5”, 6”, 6.5”, 7 1/2” barrels. Do I need more than six rounds of 44 mag for a home invasion I don’t think so.

It’s not we’re you live, it’s the bad guys travel to your town to do crime. No one is safe. Are you ready for anything?

When I had the privilege (here in Italy) of a CCW, I tested every kind of semiauto & revo, my ultimate was revo:a 5 shot 38Spl S&W 442.
But if you have problems with many gangs at the same time, the 327 seem to me the better choice: after you hit 5-6 of them you still have 2 /3 shots.

My EDC is a 640 Pro Series .357 loaded with 125 gr .357 JHP. If there are 15 after me, how many will keep coming with 5 dead on the ground?

Exactly. My CWP instructor said IF (and a big IF) you ever have to draw in self defense, by FBI statistics you have 3 seconds to decide, it will happen within 3 yards and you will fire no more than 3 rounds.

Since we can never prepare for all possible possibilities, it is prudent to prepare for most probable situations. Grant Cunningham has some really good stuff about this in a couple of his books.

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Only a cold warrior

I read a couple of his books. Good stuff.

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Two Handguns every day

. I sure don’t think so. A few good revolvers out there

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Two Handguns every day

3" M66-2



If concealment is of highest importance: 3" M36... or M60 or other J frame in a proper IWB holster / belt.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

flagman......... I've got those old holsters in my "Big Box-O-Holsters".

They set the standard in their day ....... and are still good holsters today!

6 rnds of 38/357 is too big to carry for me. 2xJ frame? ***? If I wanted more rounds in a revolver I’d go m351 in 22 mag (7shots) or 32 mag (6shots) any more than that you need a auto. I’m good with a Ruger LC9s 9mm x 7 rnds. If that’s not enough, Sig 365, 9mm x 10rnds.

I'll stick with my 642-1. Easy to carry all day, every day and if 5 rounds isn't enough well....

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Support your Police, & NRA

I trained the 400 armed personel of my department for 6 years. After retiring I trained civilians for 10 years. In the case of both groups of people the majority had a much higher opinion of their ability than proved to be the case when under tight time limits and center hits were required.

As for the above comment about having 3 seconds to decide...if it takes you three seconds to decide what to do you may very well already be dead or dying.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

What I've read is 3 seconds for the entire encounter. Typically. Of course there will always be outliers. It's just a matter of what cost/benefit ratio one is willing to accept. No real right or wrong answers as far as I'm concerned. Most of the time I've got a double-stack 9mm with a spare mag, and a 5-shot snub .38 with a strip as a BUG. Sometimes I just have a 5-shot snub with a strip or two. There are even times when I don't have any gun on me at all.

We carry a gun because we think we just might need to use it. If we do
need to use it, it may be tied up in an evidence locker for a long period of
time. Therefore, the ultimate carry gun should perhaps be one that is not
particularly valuable and/or easily replaceable. Of course the gun we carry
should also be totally reliable. Here are a couple of examples:
At left, Colt's Agent with bobbed hammer .38 Spl. DAO.
2nd from left, Agent in Black Hills lizard high ride pancake.
3rd from left, Charter's Undercover .38 Spl.
4th from left, Charter in Wolfram Blazer with dog ear.

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In Omnia Paratus

I'm inclined to agree. I wouldn't want to use the cheapest, bargain-basement junk gun for self defense, but I probably wouldn't want to carry a rare or unique gun worth thousands of dollars, either. I definitely wouldn't want to carry a family heirloom. One reason why guns like Glocks are so popular for self defense.

But I don't think there's anything wrong with someone carrying a high-end pistol if they want, so long as they recognize that, at the end of the day, it's just a tool.

Just my opinion.

I love the size of the 3" SP101. If I was going to belt carry, s 3" King Cobra is a viable option. I had the opportunity to fondle one a couple of weeks ago and was quite impressed! If I were going to invest in a revolver and had the FUNds, it would probably be a 3" King Cobra! Any 3" K frame is also an option.

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otis