I need help selecting a snubby for ccw

[Kahr fan]

For those of you who carry or have carried a snubby revolver IWB I need some good advice. My two main carry guns are a S&W 649 that I always have in my front pocket (stainless J frame in 357 mag with 2 1/8 inch barrel, shrouded hammer, and equipeed with a xs big dot night sight and crimson trace laser grips). My second gun is a stainless Sig P220 in 45acp wearing a set of nill grips that I carry in an OWB galco holster.

Bascailly I want a revolver to carry IWB when the Sig is too difficult to conceal. My requirements are as follows:

-Stainless steel finish
-Chambered in 357 mag
-Either be equipped with a night sight from the factory or be able to have one installed with ease by a gun smith
-Be between a 2.5-3 inch barrel

I will also say that I have never carried a revolver IWB before. I have carried my Sig IWB and a model 66-3 with 2.5 inch barrel OWB. My model 66-3 was given to a family member.

As of right now I am looking at a model 60 with 3 inch barrel or a model 686+ with either a 2.5 or 3 inch barrel. I would rather have a J frame or an L frame due to the fact that someday my model 66-3 will come back to me (it was given to my mother) and for the slight increase in size I would rather have a seven shot.

Any advice will be appreciated, pros vs cons of a certain barrel length or frame size is the main question I have to make now.

 

[Broker50]

Not everyone will agree, but I prefer a 4" barrel on a revolver for IWB carry. The longer barrel is more comfortable to me. A short barrel always feel like it's trying to jump out of the holster. OWB, the shorter barrel conceals better, IWB, you can conceal either.

 

[Bud11]

My next gun is the 60 3". Bud

 

[sgms]

Tend to agree with Broker50. For IWB I also go to the 4 inch barrel. It just feels right to me, however the 3 inch J frames aren't to bad. I find the 2 inchers most comfortable in pocket.

 

[wheelyfun66]

I recently posted a thread in which i asked who daily carries a model 66 IWB. (see: need your convincing, 66 snub)

There is a big difference between a model 60 and an L frame, for IWB. (weight and overall size), but...

If you have carried a Sig P220..I guess you are not worried about weight!

I have considered the 686+ model, because the 7 round cylinder is the same overall diameter as the 6 shot.

Or, you could get the 66 back from Mom.... (that is what I am doing w/ my 66-5 that I gave to dad

There are an infinite number of holster/weapon combinations that will serve you well....
please report back to us!

 

[indiandave]

I have a model 60 with the 3" barrel. It's one of my favorate carry guns.

She has adjustable sights and is fun to shoot.

 

[mg357]

i suggest s&w model 60 with a 3 inch barrel

 

[Broker50]

Kahr fan, the easy solution for you is to buy an IWB holster for your 220. The Sig is thinner in the slide than even a 5 shot J-frame, & you're used to the weight, so that shouldn't be a problem. I also find I can carry a heavier gun IWB more comfortably than I can OWB. Just a suggestion..........

 

[18DAI]

I went with the 640-1. I was never a J-frame fan, preferring Colt D-frames with their 6 shot capacity.

Work dictated a small reliable back up piece so I went with the 640-1. It is a very nice, easily concealed revolver. Sort of the "model 66 of J-frames". Stainless steel so no cracked frames to worry about. Good weight, so you can shoot it alot for practice and not get a sore hand or develop a flinch.

The 640-1 can readily be found on the auction boards for reasonable prices. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Andy Taylor]

Yes, I know this is the S&W forum but have a look at the 3" SP101. It is a little larger than the J frame, not as big as the K frame. It handles like a full size gun, but is much more compact. I frequently carry one one OWB and am considering getting an IWB holster for it.

 

[HiCap]

My next gun is the 60 3". Bud

It should be. I just got one and it's a great snubby. Holster is a problem; I have an IWB Alessi coming in ten weeks. I'm going to put the Trijicon front sight from the 60 Pro onto my 60-15.

HiCap

 

[C Islander]

Yes, I know this is the S&W forum but have a look at the 3" SP101. It is a little larger than the J frame, not as big as the K frame. It handles like a full size gun, but is much more compact. I frequently carry one one OWB and am considering getting an IWB holster for it.

I retired my 66 2.5 no dash as my EDC, and went with a 3" Ruger SP101. Andy's right as to how it handles. I have both an IWB and an OWB holster for it.

 

[keithherrington]

After doing a lot of comparing and shopping I settled on a pre-lock Performance Center 586 L-Comp with Spegel checkered extended boot grips. It comes with a tritium front sight and a 7-shot cylinder. It is by far the best gun I've ever carried. Easy to control even with 357 SilverTip ammo and easy to conceal. The 3" barrel is just the right length. The gun has good balance and with a holster that puts the cylinder right at the belt line, the gun does not print at all. Try one and I know you'll like it. They still sell this model, but with an internal lock.
Keith

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Another vote for the 640-1. Install CLGs on it and you are good to go. One thing though. With a Bianchi Black Widow #5 (?) OWB holster, it conceals just as well as IWB, and is a whole lot more comfortable.

Good luck,

WG840

 

[mikero]

Yet another Model 60 3" vote

Cannot disagree with the shooters recommending a 3" Model 60! I owned one, carried it, liked it a lot, and eventually traded it - now I wish I hadn't!!! Mine was very accurate and smooth from factory, new in 2001, a fine piece.

It should be. I just got one and it's a great snubby. Holster is a problem; I have an IWB Alessi coming in ten weeks. I'm going to put the Trijicon front sight from the 60 Pro onto my 60-15.

HiCap

 

[hittman77]

SP101 or S&W 60 for me.

 

[RPD20]

I love to carry my Ruger LCR 357. I put the XS big dot on her. The stock LCR triggers are great also.

 

[kbm6893]

3" K frame like the 65. All the advantages of a longer barrel with the full lenght extractor rod, yet much easier to carry.

 

[lhump1961]

3" K frame like the 65. All the advantages of a longer barrel with the full lenght extractor rod, yet much easier to carry.

+1 for the k frame. I carry a 3" 66-3 or a 2 1/2" 66-1 in a Lobo holster and it carries great like the k frame was intended.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Since you have a j-frame already...
And a K-frame that will someday return to you...
And express interest in a 686+...

I think you should decide on barrel length (2.5 or 3") and go with the L-frame!

If I cannot make the deal to get my 66 snub back from dad..
I want to go with the 686+.
I do not like the Internal lock, but I do love the 7 shots (with no increase in cylinder size) and the overall beefiness of the 686.