I prefer my S&W 469 for jacket, vest carry in a bianci paddle holster. It has been faithful for 15 years and never has given me a problem.
For loose shirt, jeans etc. I have a CM9 in Mitch Rosen iwb. Light and very concealable.
For tee shirt and shorts or quick trips I drop my Hi-Standard 22 magnum in my front pocket.
Everyone must make their own decision. I have carried several snubbies in LE as backup. Have NO problem with any revolver. Never went back carrying a large revolver after buying the 469. I do keep a model 10 at the front door closet for quick use if needed.

Random Thoughts.

Most bad guy on Civilian encounters will occur at conversational or even touching distance, and at very high speed.

Most Civilians are not WELL trained, and do not shoot a lot.

For these type encounters a revolver is best IMHO.

I most often carry a revolver myself as a No2 for these incidents/reasons.

However because of my time on the JOB, I also carry a semiauto, with several extra magazines, as I feel if I get into a really bad "deal" a 1911 in 45 ACP with a lot of ammo is my best option [till I can get to a rifle].

Most "normal" people are not going to carry 2 guns.

So, I recommend to most all, to carry a good revolver for concealed carry, and practice with it a bunch. I also recommed carrying extra ammo in either speed loaders or speed strips, on your person, with extra ammo in your car, and, if you use one, your briefcase as well.

Buy several of each and make up your mind over the next 10 years. We all do it this way.

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VIVERE MILITARE EST

The firearm I carry most these days is a 2" Model 36 "no-dash" in a leather pocket holster of my own construction.

It's reliable, accurate, more than effective enough, and easy to remove to enter a CPZ.

I've been carrying a small .38 for over 40 years, beginning w/a Colt Cobra in 1968. My current EDC is the M&P 340 which carries very well. The Colt is in the safe and my Ruger LCP comes out as wardrobe needs dictate, which is not all that often.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Primary concealed carry: Model 13-3


Alternate primary concealed carry: Model 10-5


Secondary (read "always") concealed carry: Model 37


Questions?

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

After many years of trying to figure it all out, I carry a fullo size KIMBER on a Clipdraw and tucked inside my jeans. It lays flat, has all the "punch" I'll ever need and an extra mag in a side clipon pouch.

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Term limits!

IMO, front pocket conceal is tough. The right holster will help with read. For size, I like the small .380's and have a Bodyguard. Their thinness is unequaled but that's where my love affair ends. I consider them as decent back-up pieces.
I also have a 442 and if you go with a J frame consider hammerless for all the obvious reasons. There are a ton of great loads available in 38s. They are flawless in operation but not the most fun to fire and limited to 5 rounds.
The new Shield or some of the other compact 9/40's look to score well on in all categories and present a really nice choice.
Personally, I seldom carry front pocket but sometimes when I have painter or cargo pants with large pockets and then I try to squeeze in my Ultra Stainless Raptor II or my M&P 9c.
I suggest that you carefully try all of the above and read up on ballistics for the calibers in your contemplating. Remember that new guns and especially ammo are available everyday so, take your time and ask questions. The posts here are very insightful.
Good luck, your question is a tough one and very individual but you appear to be on the right track.

amen brother!

I also carry an older Charter Arms Bulldog 44 Spl 3 inch barrel as my primary five shot revolver, and a secondary S&W 38 Spl airweight stainless steel five shot revolver. Additionally I also have a S&W 625-5 4in long colt 45 six shot revolver and an 851 Taurus 38 Spl.

I prefer the simplicity, carrying 3 extra speedloaders, and one
for my 38 not worrying about a malfunction as I have never experienced one with a revolver. I have with SA's. I carry the 38 Spl in my front pocket but with a good pocket holster that separates from the gun when I draw. I love the CA 44 Spl as it fits exactly into a J Frame holster. I won't rule out ever buying
a SA but for my needs I prefer revolvers.

And since I have neurapathy in my hands, I find it easier to load
revovlers than putting rounds into a magazine.

The wife and I were at the range a couple weeks ago and the guy next to us had a very compact .45. He couldn't get through a 6 shot clip without having either a fail to feed or a fail to eject. Every time he put in another clip full, he had to drop the magazine and clear the gun at least once. I couldn't tell what type of gun it was from where I was standing and he didn't seem in any mood to answer questions about his choice of weapon.

The advantage of the auto-pistol is firepower and quick re-loads.

But realistiacally, a CCW handgun is unlikely to ever be used, making the firepower and re-load advantage a moot point.

That said, the S&W 340 PD J Frame Airlight is the lightest and most compact handgun that fires a .357 Magnum. With a Crimson Trace laser, it is accurate in the dark at personal defense ranges, and it packs a tremendous wallop. It has but five shots, but those five are unlikely to ever be used. But if they are, you will have 100% reliability, even if the revolver is fired from inside a coat pocket.

The biggest problem with carrying a revolver is having the automatic pistol folks deride your choice.

The 340PD is my choice, and it is with me always.

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Fuego

If firepower and reload are a moot point a derringer or a rubber band would be acceptable, but we all know they are not.

I have a .357 in a 686, and that gun is a hand full. One of the keys to proficient self defense IMHO, is practicing a lot, under different conditions and shooting a lot of ammunition. Shooting while moving, running backwards, rapid fire, and weak hand.

How does that super light .357 feel in your weak hand or after a few hundred rounds? Can your best girl take that weapon and use it for defending the two of you if you are incapacitated?

The .357 is an awesome round and if you reload you an get some serious power out of it. But for me, it's a little hefty for a carry gun. Of course your mileage may vary....

I can't imagine it getting much better than a 3913 or 4516 for that matter. I'd prefer carrying a revolver but don't do near as good DA with any of them as with the auto-wish I could. I envy those who can. A little SP101 with cylinder cut for moon clips is near ideal for me but it's a revolver still.

I PREFER SEMI TO WHEEL GUN TO CARRY. ESPECIALY IF YOU USE THE RIGHT AMMO. I CARRY EITHER CS9, CS40, CS45 OR THE 3913.

When not carrying one of my 1911s in 45 I have no trouble at all concealing with comfort this 357 mag. IWB is my preferred method for all carry at roughly 3-4 oclock and the weight of any gun is negated by a great belt and decent holster...emphasis on great belt.

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God Bless Our Troops.

The weapon I carry depends on where I am going and what I am doing. If I am going into questionable neighborhoods I will carry my Glock 26, with my S&W 649 (in 357) as a backup. If I'm staying in my neighborhood and going up for a haircut or just messing around the yard, I take my 438 Airweight J Frame. I also just use the 438 J Frame when I take the dog out for a quick walk up the block before going to bed. It's just more convenient and more comfortable to grab the Airweight with an extra 5 round speed strip, and if you don't expect a real threat you get a little lazy.

The Glock is fairly small, light and easy to conceal for a semi auto, but it is still big and heavy (especially including the 20 spare rounds of ammo in the 2 extra mags) compared to a 438 Airweight. If you are going to be in a questionable neighborhood however, the Glock provides a huge plus in terms of firepower and accuracy. The extra bulk is kind of reassuring. (It's also nice to have the 649 in 357 as a NY Reload).

As far as reliability goes - the Glock has never failed, not once. None of my revolvers have ever failed either. I guess what I am saying is, in my opinion they both have their place, you pick the proper tool for the job in question.

I also have a Dan Wesson V-Bob Combat Commander in 45 ACP (all steel version of the Commander). Compared to the Glock, it is huge and weighs a ton. In the winter you can comfortably conceal and holster carry it under a coat, but in warmer weather it's just too big, hard to conceal, heavy, and uncomfortable. It is however great fun at the range, a beautiful work of art, and fun to show off at appropriate occasions. It will also be great to have the next time I have to go to war. Just my 2 cents on the 1911 for concealed carry.

These are my opinions, based on my actual experience living with these guns.

Some more pennies for the kitty:
I've been carrying almost daily for over 20 years. When I started, it was with full-size autos, IWB. Over time, I've tried shoulder holsters, ankle holsters, waist & belt packs, as well as quite a few guns. My current carry is an M49, for simplicity and reliability. As mentioned earlier, small autos can be sensitive to weak grips and need constant, frequent practice to ensure the user can shoot them reliably.

I finally settled on front pocket carry since here in Alabama, it can be a true year-round carry, not fumbling around in an emergency. I keep remembering a video of a soldier in Afganistan; he was wearing his pistol in a thigh holster, but when he had to suddenly draw, his hand went to his belt first, then dropped down to the holstered pistol.

Pocket carry is not a big deal; just keep everything else out of the gun pocket, use a good holster and wear 'relaxed' fit trousers. Another thing about pocket carry is that you can, by simply sticking your hand into your pocket, grasp the gun without appearing threatening or brandishing.

I always CCW my LCR .38spl.

The cylinder size argument is ridiculous! That one can be solved with a good pancake holster. As to which is better..... For me it is a good double action revolver. If I were patrolling the streets in a combat zone perhaps a semi would look better to me. As it happens I ain't! Going for some ice cream late at night or just general daily carry a revolver wins it hands down. I am an excellent shot with both platforms. But I bet all that knowledge goes right out the window when I am being attacked! I like to think I would remain calm, but the truth is I may piss my pants when it starts. That said I want an idiot proof weapon and for me that's a wheel gun, with a New York reload. Just my thoughts!

God Bless

WoW! Whereas there MAY be a need to flee of the scene of your otherwise righteous shooting, it's generally bad ju-ju. 'Flight equals the presumption of guilt'. That said, the cops will take possession of your gun, period! You don't think they'll see the empties in your chamber? If you shot half a mag outta your wunder-pistol, and several empties can't be found on the ground, how's that going to hurt anything?

Just watched a 2hr lecture at the fun-show today from one of our city's best defense attorneys. Rule #1: "JUST SHUT UP". He did his best to drill it into our heads in the time-frame allotted. Miranda was an Arizona case by the way.

WOW! And if it's NOT justified?!?!? Hello, cases with you, or on the ground, aren't going to matter!

So, you're going to waste a round in your limited capacity revolver that you MAY JUST NEED to use on one of that large gang? WOW! 'Warren on Homicide' is large, old text that can be found. You may take aim at the leader, and hit the guy over his shoulder. Oh well, still justified. There's a judicial principle that one can hit ANY member of a mob, because each member takes on the responsibility of FEAR cast upon the (armed) vicitim.The 'mob' may not respect your drawn gun, but you more than likely only need to drop one or two before the rest get the message that they don't want any part of your remaining ammo.

The FIRST one to dial 9-1-1 is the victim. You DO carry a cell-phone, don't you? "A gang of Devils' Minions attacked at me. There's been a shooting. Send the police and the ambulance. I'm wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and have a red windbreaker. I will have my hands UP when I see the first officers approaching". Then, remember Rule #1 above.

There are a ton of used S&Wsn a website I just saw. Someone mentioned a Williams Firesight, so I went to look. Never found their sights, but they hahve a used gun section, about 25 pages of em. Around page 17 starts S&Ws, and I don't think I saw a single bargain- but some older guns, rev's and autos- any collectors might wanta check it out just for fun.

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No work? No eat. 2 Thes

If you take care of a semi-auto, keep it clean, well lubed, and good ammo in it you are in good shape. Also don't carry it till you have at least 300 rounds thru it. I carry a Bersa Thunder .380 and sometimes a Ruger SR9c 9mm and both will do the job.

That said, revolvers are very good also, so go with what you feel comfortable with and make good shot placement.

Most of the time i carry my S&W 351 in an Andrews pocket holster.I also carry a Kimber 45.Lately I've been thinking of carrying my Keltec PMR 30! It's 30 rounds of 22 mag.Shoots like you wouldn't believe & hasn't jammed once!
Jim

I carry semi's. It's what I've trained on, both shooting and failure drills, so it's what I'm comfortable with. I don't currently own any revolvers, I'm not against them though and may eventually get another.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

i used to carry my mp40c but i have swithched it to a 637 AIRWEIGHT .38 dont get me wrong i loved carrying the .40 but i have decided to match my guns with the weather and wardrobe. when its warm and im not wearing much clothing my 637 gets the nod. i kind of like waking up and saying "which gun do i want to take today".....

I was trained and came into the gun world using semi-autos, so my perspective will reflect that.

I carry a 15 round 5903. As I figure it, the mission of my CCW piece is last ditch self defense. In my review of previous cases involving concealed carry shootings, the number of shots fired in the incident were consistently under ten rounds. Distances in the cases I read ranged from 25 feet to "other side of the car door" range. Incidents where a semi-auto was used never required a "combat reload";the shooter ended the incident with the same magazine that was in the gun. Thus, assuming the deterrent of presenting the firearm does not work, once the lead flies the incident will conclude one way or another inside of 13 rounds. Thus, carrying a full size semi auto obviates the need for a spare magazine or a backup gun ( not that its a bad idea, I just don't have the real estate on the waist for a backup piece).

Since carrying I have been in a self-defense incident which thankfully was defused without me clearing holster, but my hand was on the grips. I believe in light of all that data, the bottom line is that the citizen should carry whatever gun they can shoot the best. Period. Caliber, size, revolver, semi, Glock, HK, all that aint gonna matter when the sugar turns to **** at the speed of light. Only one question came to mind when I had my hand on the piece last year.....could I hit the guy and stop the attack.

My next purchase will be a Colt Detective Special as as back-up to my Springfield Milspec

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Just the opinion of a kid

I use the James approach.

Some days I feel like James Cagney and I carry a model 60.

Other days I feel like James Bond and carry a Walther.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

best gun to carry is the gun you can operate the best under any given situation.

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Aim small miss small

in the winter/fall i carry a mp40c iwb but for spring/summer i carry a j-frame inside the pocket

Much easier to load a revolver one handed... sure you can drop and pop the magazine in a semi-auto but then you have to rack the slide!! Try that one handed!!

(I actually tested both, and racking the slide one handed is very difficult, at least it is with my 1911 .45)

"What gun" works best for you may be different than what works for me. I carry an old .44 hand ejector (6.5"), No 2 or a Taurus PT 99 (5") with no problems. I'm 5'10" - 185#. HOW and WHERE you carry AND how you carry yourself make a difference in wheather or not the weapon is truly concealed. There is a FL holster maker that may have the answer for you. Go to SmartCarry - Concealed Gun Holsters. Charlie makes a lot of holsters for police and military. < Small business but good ( most made to order ].

All my M&P's stop shooting with the slide open. One handed I would set the gun upside down or hold it between my legs, slide the mag in and release the slide.

If I wanted to reload and the slide did go forward before I changed the mag, I would insert the mag and rack the slide against something like a table top, curb, wall corner, car door, whatever.

But as Silversmok3 said, chances are you won't need more than 13 or 17 shots, which is the standard capacity of many compact and full size semi-auto's.

A. Unless there's an issue with it, or you bought a hunk of **** without a slide lock, it locks back when emptied.

B. Unless you have a full-length guiderod you can rack it against a hard surface.

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Just the opinion of a kid

Yes good points about the slide locking open! I guess I was thinking worse case and for whatever reason the slide is closed and the gun is empty.... unlikely at best... but it could happen!!

Also... I don't keep a round in the chamber of my 1911 so if I am injured before I can rack the slide... well that's why I carry a revolver!! And before anyone says it... carrying without a round in the chamber is worthless.... I agree!!! That's why I carry a revolver!! I'm to feeble due to a variety of health issues to feel comfortable carrying my 1911 with a round in the chamber, plus it's to big and heavy!

And yes, I know a 1911 with a round in the chamber is perfectly safe... but it's a mental thing... a revolver with it's 12+ pound trigger seems safer... plus I'm old and started on revolvers.

I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the heat and humidity is infamous. Wearing a lot of clothing most of the year so you can conceal is not an option. I've tried everything from 1911 45 acp all the way to 25 auto's and every type of wheel gun I could get my hands on. After all this experimenting the conclusion is the best is an airweight J frame in 38 spcl. carried in front pocket. No worries about feeding, failure to eject, safety on-off, does the magazine work ( just because the thing worked yesterday it don't mean it's gonna work today ). The all steel model 60's etc are good too but that airweight is the best for my money and what usually goes out the door with me............gary

I stand in front of the gun locker and go eeny,meeny,miney,mo. I gotta quit starting in the same place 'cause I always end up with the same gun. Gets boring.

Right on the money. Enough said.

Pocket carry......37-2 DAO my smallest and lightest. (Hot Summer or Formal Dress)
AIWB........640-1 and most of the time my EDC
IWB.......13-3 3" (Fall & Winter)

For CC purpose, I agree with Sierra255. A good 38 special snub or 9mm pocket/subcompact is the MINIMUM I carry. For summer, I carry my Model 38 with two reloads. Soon it will be a Shield 40. Cooler months, its a full-size 1911 or Glock, with spare mags.

There is a common misconception that revolvers are inherently more reliable than semi-autos. That is simply not correct. While revolvers have the ABILITY to be more reliable than their bottom-feeding cousins, if a wheelgun fails, they will generally be more difficult to clear if it malfunctions in a gunfight.

Many parts of a revolver are exposed to the elements and can be damaged. With a semi-auto, many parts are enclosed and protected from those elements. Also, revolvers have more moving parts, in general, than semis. Those parts are typically more complex and require tighter tolerances than semis.

In the end, guns are just tools. Take care of them, they will take care of you.

Labworm,I hope you don't ever feel like James Brown.He ain't been doing too good lately.
....just kiddin'...just kiddin'

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

What kind of grips are those on your 13-3? I'd love something like that for my Cobra and Agent.

Those are Bianchi "Lightning" grips, no longer made. They can sometimes be found second-hand at gun shows. There were a number of sizes in both brown and black. They made hammered firearms more snag-free quite well. The only downside was their weight, as they had a steel liner. Here are some pics of a Model 60 using them, and of the box they came in.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I have carried a variety of pistols and revolvers over the years. I don't think there is a perfect choice for every situation. If I knew I would need a weapon on any given day, I would carry a 12 gage shotgun in my jeans. lol
Now days I carry a Ruger 357 LCR most of the time because it works for me.
I use 3 -.38 special up front and 2 -.357 on the back side.

I do like the J frame Smiths but my little LCR in 357 is accurate, comfortable and dependable. It did not come from the factory in working condition but when I sent it back for repairs they did a great job. I can shoot full house .357 loads and it is dead on at 7 yards and just smooth for me. No pain!

Sometimes I feel the need for a little more firepower and I carry a pistol.

442 or 642....

Gentlemen(and ladies) I was not trying to be a wise *** with this previous response.It's just that this question is asked so many times on forums.
What Old cop and ray45 said are sensible answers. The main concern is to do a realistic assessment,with emphasis on realistic,of your own likely needs. Where will you be going,what is the threat level,how likely are you to be accosted by an aggressive individual or group,etc.
An auto pistol has certain advantages over a revolver in some instances,and in some circumstances a revolver will be advantageous.
We have so much tactical training going on right now which assumes that you will need three or four "tactical" reloads in every situation.While it's intelligent to be as prepared as possible and carry a reload,I sometimes think that it's greatly overdone. It's true that anything can happen,anytime,at any place,but as civilian carriers,if we stay away from potentially bad situations and places,use common sense and stay aware,what are the chances,realistically,that you'll even need to unlimber?
As far as the handgun type either will do,if you train with it.Realistic training for realistic encounters.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

Some very good points here.

Obviously you never want a BG to get that close but if it does happen and he is able to get his hand on your slide before you fire that will probably be your last shot no matter what the capacity of your SA.Even if you get the first shot to the belly off then he grabs the slide and you shoot again it might as well have the capacity of a Derringer.

I prefer revolvers but would still say if you are better with SAs then that's the right gun for you.

How many spare magazines do you think you'll need?

ECS

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Exactly. Practice, it'll behoove you to get as much range time as possible with a tool you're betting your life on.