[QUOTE=msnbcnnbcbs;135920281]Hiya folks,

I'm debating on the pros and cons of revolver vs semi. I've looked over the bodyguard (.380 and .38) as well as the lcp/lcr and the m&p 340. I have an M&P R8, tried concealing it once, didn't work out.

I actually am changing my concealed weapon from a Bodyguard. I have purchased a model 10 snub nose because I have fat fingers and did not like the recoil on the Bodyguard. So whatever you decide on, try to handle it and shoot it before you buy.

New to the site and I have to say I love it so far. I carry a bodyguard 38 myself. There are guys at work who are new to CC and are buying these full frame 6" or 8" 357 and think they are going to be able to conceal them. Personally I think the best conceal gun is the one that you yourself can easily conceal. Also, remember the hottest and fastest load is not usually the best for CC. I know in my state (AR) you are responsible for the bullet from the moment it leaves the barrel until it stops, wherever that may be.

Key to any carried weapon Revolver of Auto PRACTICE PRACTICE and be comfrotable with the choice and most of all have a real good holster and practice with that.

Nowadays the amount of rounds isn't so much of an issue with 7-8 shot 357s and 10 shot 45acps. I like one of each. I carry a Kimber Pro Raptor as a side gun, and a S&W 642 with +P ammo on my back. 1911s may be the most reliable semi-auto ever made but I've NEVER had a S&W revolver (or pistol actually) fail.

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Insured by S&W since 2000 :)

The limp wristing phenomenon, much like prolonged multi-mag change high round count civillian shootouts, is greatly exagerated on the internet. Yes they happen, but not common enough to mean that semi autos are a bad choice for a carry gun. I've tried to induce malfunctions in all the pistols I've owned, Glocks, M&P, SIG SAUER, and I've never been able to. I've limp wristed them to the point of the gun almost jumping out of my hand upon recoil, and they just wouldn't do it.

To say that a semi auto may run well at the range but not on the street is correct, but the same logic has to be applied to any weapon, even a revolver.

And just to be clear, I'm not saying choosing a revolver is a bad choice or that I wouldn't carry one, just challenging the points made in the above post.

And just an fyi, I have in fact cleared leather in a self defense situation, I know exactly how my body and motor functions reacted to the sudden onset adrenaline, fear, and stress coursing through my body, and I was perfectly capable, able, and willing to operate the semi auto, just a little more shakey than normal.

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.

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As a new shooter, where can you go to practice like that? At the ranges that I attend, you are forbidden to practice drawing, rapid fire, or any moment that takes you out of your "cubbyhole". I have bought practice bullets so that I can practice drawing here at home.

Actually, I may not yet be proficient enough to do that sort of fancy shooting, but I do practice weekly and want to become comfortable shooting in whatever type of situation that I find myself.

As a new shooter, where can you go to practice like that? At the ranges that I attend, you are forbidden to practice drawing, rapid fire, or any moment that takes you out of your "cubbyhole". I have bought practice bullets so that I can practice drawing here at home.

Actually, I may not yet be proficient enough to do that sort of fancy shooting, but I do practice weekly and want to become comfortable shooting in whatever type of situation that I find myself.[/QUOTE]

I would suggest getting some training and asking your local instructor where there may be places that you can practice these things.You may also try putting pistol competitions into a search engine and see if any strike your fancy and where these competitions are held.These folks may also be able to tell you where these tactics can be practiced.

I carry a M&P9FS and admittedly it is a large gun to carry. I also have a Model 36 that I am carrying more and more, due to size, weight and comfort. Five rounds are a far cry from 18, but as stated, 13 of those 18 probably won't be needed. I do have a speed loader for the 36. So, there you are, your choice, lots of good advice here.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

General Custer believed in big revolvers, and big single shot rifles, and he only lost one battle.

(But that enemy cheated, they did not shoot from organized lines or formations, or ride down narrow roads. And the new enemy loved the smaller lever action assault rifles when they could get them, and they had plenty. All that West Point training did not apply anymore ever again).

His famous second to last words to General Terry was something like - Gatling guns will only slow me down.

I remember when I first got my concealed carry permit, I spent a lot of time researching actual cases of citizens using guns to defend themselves and it was quite shocking to discover how many times the semi-autos failed. I can't recall finding one single case of a revolver ever failing.

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Centennial Every Day

Semi...semi...semi.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

A locked and cocked 1911 45 slabside normally works. And later on, the big flat sides can take a lot of gold engraving.

I saw that movie "Pork Chop Hill". Nobody there would prefer a revolver.

I was taking a short-cut on my aircraft carrier one day. As I walked through a room full of marines they were all watching a guy under a blanket moving fast. A sergeant with a stop watch seemed to be in charge. Several seconds later the guy under the blanket emerged with a 45 all in one piece. The sergeant gave the time and they all softly cheered approval. Must have been gambling on something.
In the navy we did our jobs, played cards, and bet on when the anchor would drop next.
I never even saw one of our pilots even wipe off his little S&W revolver. Not much dust inside an airplane?

I guess it depends on where you are going and how many boxes of bullets you might need to shoot?

You can't say things about "emergency" situations unless you yourself have been in that situation. If semi-auto pistols were so useless why are they the number one firearm for police and military?

Crosman 357 CO2 Pellet Revolver |
These crosman pellet revolvers are easy to shoot and can be shot indoors. If you have a basement that is better. Make sure you have lighting on both sides of your sights for any fine target shooting.

I have. I had one lock up on me while qualifying at the range. Started getting tight on trigger pull, then progressed to not being able to fire.

Not saying that between the two that revolvers are not the more reliable, but they do fail. Even the ones made by the better manufacturers.

.380 is nice .357 in that gun is like catching fastball bare handed it hurts more that 44 mag go to inside pant holster and appendix carry

I've had my S&W mod. 10 lock up one time for no apparent reason and I had a heck of a time getting it to work right and it's never happened again? the gun is mint and super cared for! It taught me a lesson that the only thing that doesn't FTF is a knife. I think "have a backup" comes to mind quickly?

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S&W, Simply the Best!

Great input! (I also had to share the laugh about "skinny" as I am 6'2" with 200 lbs, and the government BMI, or Body Mass Index, says I should be under 195!) Regarding the weapon of choice, I am very partial to the Model 60 S&W with a three inch barrel. Shorter barrels lose too much velocity and give you a shorter sighting plane. Also, choose your ammo carefully. Some loads are made especially for the short pipes! Use of standard ammo in the snubs gives you lots of flash and bang, but a significant loss of effect on the target. You may also suffer a temporary loss of your night vision. Finally, if you get a .357, you can save a few dollars by using .38 special for practice. Good luck, and practice soon and often.

p.s.
I also spent many years packing a 1911. Great sidearms (I own several) but they require tuning to be reliable and accurate. To get there, we are well above your $500 guideline. The Army knew this, and spent a lot of time in training on "Immediate Action"....(what to do when the old slab-sided automatic decided to malfunction!)

I carry a Bersa Thunder 380.Also a Mod 10-6 38 Special in a Smartcarry rig.

I started out thinking I would go with a revolver for simplicity and reliability reasons. After further reading and taking CCW training I decided to switch to a semi-automatic as changing a magazine quickly and under stress seemed easier to do than use a speed loader or speed strips.

I only had 1 stove pipe after shooing @ 100 rounds and quickly cleared that and kept firing. Faulty ammo was the cause as I tried to shoot the round again with the same result.

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Regards,
mmesa005

When I was researching for a concealed carry gun, I had certain parameters in mind. It had to be dependable, small enough for a pocket, in a caliber used by either the military or police and lots of fun to shoot at the range. It came down to either a 442 or a 642. It just happened that someone at work had a used 442 that they shot once, cleaned and put in a drawer.
I bought it from them, did a detail clean and while I had it apart, did a trigger job with a spring change, got some Pachmayr compact grips and a Laserlyte side mounted laser.
I made a few holsters and now it's my constant companion, either in my pocket or riding on my right hip loaded with 110 grain Federal Hydra-shoks, with a couple of loaded quick strips in my left front pocket.

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It is really going to depend on your mode of carry. If you are going to choose pocket carry, I believe the J-frame would be the way to go. My J-frame sneaks in and out of a pocket faster and smoother than even my LCP which is considerably smaller. On an ankle, I believe the snub wins as well. If you are going with belt carry, I believe the semi's come into their own. For me they just seem to carry easier in that mode. A semi to keep in mind in this size range would be the Kahr PM9: thin, flat, powerful, and more controllable (too me) than the snubs with good defensive ammo.

If you decide to go the snub route, may I advocate for the M&P 340. Lots of folks talk about the expense and not wanting to shoot .357's in a gun this light. Both valid points. My points are:

1) It is omnivorous. ANY .38SPL or .357MAG of factory spec is safe to load and fire. Some guns, like the 342, have bullet weight restrictions or recommend against lead loads. Not so the M&P. With the current state of the ammo market, beggars can't be choosers and this is a real plus.

2) The Express Big Dot, for me, pushes the usable distance from 15 yards out to 25 yards. The sight makes that much difference. One of my first off-duty guns was an old Model 36 and my accuracy degenerated considerably outside 10 yards. I fire off-duty courses occasionally with the M&P now and have little trouble all the way out.

3) That PVD finish shrugs off rust and corrosion. Even stainless gets the occasional orange flakes if not wiped down regularly, especially given pocket carry in the south Florida sun. Nuff said.

I ccw a LCR in .38 spl every day. But I would be just as happy with most any S&W J frame. I have and still own some small auto's but after a lot of range time I'll place my chances with a wheel gun.

Jerry

j- frame with crimson trace laser........gives you a 3 finger grip ......I've carried one in front pocket for 10 yrs.

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eric jensen

Today I am wearing jeans a sports coat and a model 38--2. What I carry all depends on the weather and what I am wearing.

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The American dream is alive

Semi-autos are pretty reliable now-a-days especially with so much good defensive ammo available. Any time I buy a new semi-auto as soon as I take it out of the box I rack the slide about 50 times, eject the mag 50 times and flip the safety off and on 50 times.

I got used to doing this when I had cheap guns and just continue doing it now. I have had people tell me there is no reason to do that on a good gun, but I still do.

I then take it a part, clean it thoroughly, and oil it. I shoot 150 rounds of ball ammo to break it in, then shoot 50 of my carry ammo. Clean and oil again and carry it.

Very seldom do I have any hiccups with my semi-autos. A little more work than a revolver but a good shooting semi-auto is nice.

revolver. just a 2" s&w model 10-5

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