jerbehr
Member
I am looking to buy a pistol for concealment. A very short barrel is one asset. I have had both in the past but times have changed. Any opinons are welcome. Thanks, jerbehr
Revolvers vs Semi
- Thread starter jerbehr
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Well the barrel isnt usually a hinderence to concealment but the bulk of a revolver cylinder makes it harder to conceal as well as the grip frame of a high capacity auto. A Small single stacked mag autos with poly frame is a good choice for a CCW.
Waywatcher
Member
I prefer the flatness of a semi auto. The bulge of a cylinder bugged my side when worn iwb. Seems minor, but it irritated me after a day.
ogilvyspecial
Member
This should give you some thoughts on the topic, until things get going here.
Link>> http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/188441-ccw-revolver-semi.html
Link>> http://smith-wessonforum.com/concealed-carry-self-defense/188441-ccw-revolver-semi.html
mc5aw
Member
jerbehr ... Opinions are fine, but CCW is an extremely personal choice based on various factors. You need to find the handgun that best suits your needs and comfort level. Some folks don't trust semis safety-wise, and go the revolver route. Others want the higher capacity of a magazine vs. a cylinder. Calibers, frame sizes, cost, brand reliability, are other factors that you must give serious thought to. Being this is a S&W forum, you'll hear quite a number of votes for J-frames. The best advice you can get will come from everyone who tells you to shoot a variety of handguns, and then go with what you can handle the most effectively.
USAF385
US Veteran
I'm still always on the lookout for better concealed carry options!
After a few years of trying different styles and platforms, I've boiled it down to 4 different guns that I own for concealed carry. Each one is used for different situations.
Over time you'll figure out what feels best, what you're comfortable with, and what you shoot best.
I agree with what others have said. The flatness of a single stack semi auto is great. At the same time the reliability and simplicity of a revolver is an asset.
After a few years of trying different styles and platforms, I've boiled it down to 4 different guns that I own for concealed carry. Each one is used for different situations.
Over time you'll figure out what feels best, what you're comfortable with, and what you shoot best.
I agree with what others have said. The flatness of a single stack semi auto is great. At the same time the reliability and simplicity of a revolver is an asset.
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mc5aw has it about right.
For me the 2" M60-7 is the ultimate carry gun (being that I am NOT a LEO) and don't go into harms way as part of my job. Are there better calibers........... are there more controllable guns............ are there higher capacity guns............... SURE, but with practice the M60-7 fits my criteria the best and that is what I have chosen to carry over the last 30+ years.
If I were a uniformed patrol officer a high capacity 40 caliber Glock might be what I wold choose along with 3 or 4 spare magazines at the ready.
For me the 2" M60-7 is the ultimate carry gun (being that I am NOT a LEO) and don't go into harms way as part of my job. Are there better calibers........... are there more controllable guns............ are there higher capacity guns............... SURE, but with practice the M60-7 fits my criteria the best and that is what I have chosen to carry over the last 30+ years.
If I were a uniformed patrol officer a high capacity 40 caliber Glock might be what I wold choose along with 3 or 4 spare magazines at the ready.
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
I have two that I carry, which one depends on the weather and the clothes for that day. My favorite is my S&W 642 with a Crimson Trace laser. Good for pocket carry or a Stinger OWB holster. I have carried this gun for over 6 years. I removed the Internal lock soon after I bought the gun, but it never gave me a problem while it was still intact.
My newest carry gun is a M&P Shield in 9mm. It carries one or two rounds more than the 642, depending on the mag. I carry it in a Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB holster. It conceals well, but is a bit too large for everyday pocket carry. It also lacks the laser which to me is a great asset.
Which ever gun you chose take time to practice drawing and shooting. That maybe a bit difficult now given the scarcity of ammo, but dry fire practice is always useful. The semi-auto requires a bit more than just loading a pulling the trigger as in the 642, and as such requires even more practice in clearing malfunctions and loading. Good luck with whatever you decide to carry.
My newest carry gun is a M&P Shield in 9mm. It carries one or two rounds more than the 642, depending on the mag. I carry it in a Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB holster. It conceals well, but is a bit too large for everyday pocket carry. It also lacks the laser which to me is a great asset.
Which ever gun you chose take time to practice drawing and shooting. That maybe a bit difficult now given the scarcity of ammo, but dry fire practice is always useful. The semi-auto requires a bit more than just loading a pulling the trigger as in the 642, and as such requires even more practice in clearing malfunctions and loading. Good luck with whatever you decide to carry.
Moonman
Member
J-Frames are GREAT for carry, a 642 or 60 work well.
Lasers are a personal choice, I use them.
Generally revolvers are more reliable than semi-autos.
Semi-Autos need more care and practice with FTF drills.
A carry firearm should fit your hand well, and you should
be able to shoot and reload it confidently with a speedloader,
speed strips or a magazine change.
Lots of folks have two J-Frames close by.
Lasers are a personal choice, I use them.
Generally revolvers are more reliable than semi-autos.
Semi-Autos need more care and practice with FTF drills.
A carry firearm should fit your hand well, and you should
be able to shoot and reload it confidently with a speedloader,
speed strips or a magazine change.
Lots of folks have two J-Frames close by.
mc5aw
Member
jerbehr ... I carry J-frames almost exclusively. I have found that they offer me the most versatility (exposed hammer, Bodyguard, Centennial; steel or Airweight/AirLite) and carry options (belt, jacket pocket, shoulder rig, ankle). Five rounds in the cylinder with an accompanying speed strip or two (or a NY reload), and I'm very comfortable. I also like J-frames because I shoot them well. On occasion I will carry a 242, which offers seven shots, a concealed hammer, and virtual weightlessness for an L-frame. There are numerous J-frame options these days, from cost effective to costly, but all of my Js are pre-lock vintage. Chief38 and Moonman are dead on in their support of the Model 60. It is as perfect a revolver for CCW as there is.
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crofoot629
Absent Comrade
If I had to pick purchasing just one carry gun for me it would be a sub compact Glock, XD, or M&P. A J-Frame is just not enough gun for me.
I prefer a Glock 26 as my small concealed gun in a strong side vertical scabbard, and a J-frame in my pocket. I can conceal the G26 under an un-tucked T-Shirt if need be. I'm admittedly a horrible shot with a J-Frame.
I also frequently carry a G19 or full size 1911 instead of the G26.
I sometimes, but infrequently, carry an N-Frame as my primary concealed gun. As it just so happens yesterday it was my 4" 629 in a Kramer belt holster and a 442 in a Kramer pocket holster. I however was walking in the forest at the time, and there are plenty of bears and cats here. It was really just a chance to enjoy a different carry gun though.
I don't always carry two guns.
Emory
I prefer a Glock 26 as my small concealed gun in a strong side vertical scabbard, and a J-frame in my pocket. I can conceal the G26 under an un-tucked T-Shirt if need be. I'm admittedly a horrible shot with a J-Frame.
I also frequently carry a G19 or full size 1911 instead of the G26.
I sometimes, but infrequently, carry an N-Frame as my primary concealed gun. As it just so happens yesterday it was my 4" 629 in a Kramer belt holster and a 442 in a Kramer pocket holster. I however was walking in the forest at the time, and there are plenty of bears and cats here. It was really just a chance to enjoy a different carry gun though.
I don't always carry two guns.
Emory
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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.
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.
Attachments
Delos
Member
Depends
I do not know anymore. Have gone back and forth.
What is important now - depends.
I do not know anymore. Have gone back and forth.
What is important now - depends.
My EDC has been some sort of small .38 for over 40 years. Right now it is a nickle 442 backed up by my Colt Cobra from time to time. I'm very old school and the revolver is what I was trained on in the late '60's when I began my career in LE. My comfort level is 100% with a revolver because of my particular background, which includes surviving a gunfight while armed with a .38 Colt Det. Spl.
The best advise I've seen here is to try several handguns at a range and then decide based on your personal experience, everyone is different.
Good hunting, let us know what you decide.
The best advise I've seen here is to try several handguns at a range and then decide based on your personal experience, everyone is different.
Good hunting, let us know what you decide.
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walkin' trails
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What I currently carry concealed is based on what I am authorized to carry by my employer. The criteria they established was based on reliablitity and accuracy, and to some degree magazine capacity, not concealability. In my opinion, the first and foremost consideration with a concealed carry handgun is its reliability and how accurately you can shoot it. You have to go out and see what works for you. Some of the smaller semi autos have a barrel length advantage over a five shot (while being comparable in overall size), aren't necessarily more reliable. Five shots, while reliable, are not fool-proof and take practice learning how to master. The myth that a revolver doesn't need much cleaning and maintenance has caused a few revolver shooters to suffer embarrasment and grief. Personally, I would take a J-frame .38 Special over a little .380 semi auto. The super compact 9s and 40s are interesting, but just about all of them that I've seen require a break-in period of 300-500 rounds that usually don't seem to plague the full sized,compact, and subcompact Glocks, Sigs, M&Ps, Springfields which spoil us by being reliable out of the box (with proper lube, of course). A revolver isn't dependant on a break-in per-say, but you'd better make sure it shoots before carrying it, and shooting and dry fire will smooth out the trigger. Handgun concealment depends a lot on gun leather. I usually carry a full sized M&P 45 in a Milt Sparks SSII, held up by a Milt Sparks gunbelt. That works well for me. There are other good holster makers out there who offer good stuff, although it will cost you and you may have to wait a while to receive it. My bottom line, there is a place for a short barreled revolver and a place for a super subcompact semi auto. With either you must train and learn to master. You must understand the advantages and disadvantages of each one, and overcome the disadvantages with training.
C.S.63
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I have owned and carried a J frame for 20 plus years ccw 640,642 or 442 prefer the 640 38spl only model, concealed hammer usual favorite
(non LEO)Nothing at all wrong with a J frame!
Just recently I have started to transition to an auto found one that is the one along with an IWB holste,r It was also recommended by a friend that has been a LEO for some time, Took a long time and many pistols to come up with an auto that I liked and wanted to carry extensively.
(HKP2000, Lem-trigger flat floor plate, XS sights 357sig)I know its not A S&W sorry
Good luck in your pursuit. J frames have served many well and for a long time nothing wrong with them! If you go revolver think concealed hammer, good for IWB,OWB and pocket.
If you want big bore revolver Night Guard 396 and just get a spare hammer and have it bobbed.
Carl
(non LEO)Nothing at all wrong with a J frame!
Just recently I have started to transition to an auto found one that is the one along with an IWB holste,r It was also recommended by a friend that has been a LEO for some time, Took a long time and many pistols to come up with an auto that I liked and wanted to carry extensively.
(HKP2000, Lem-trigger flat floor plate, XS sights 357sig)I know its not A S&W sorry
Good luck in your pursuit. J frames have served many well and for a long time nothing wrong with them! If you go revolver think concealed hammer, good for IWB,OWB and pocket.
If you want big bore revolver Night Guard 396 and just get a spare hammer and have it bobbed.
Carl
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Steely Dan
Member
I bought a full sized MP 40 last summer.
Great gun, haven't carried it yet (waiting on my holster).
Bought a .357 LCR (Ruger) a couple if weeks ago. It's what I am carrying now. I really like the compact, simple revolver coupled with hollow point .357 Magnum cartridges.
For plain shooting pleasure, the MP wins.
But for simplicity, pull trigger.....go bang.....bad round, pull trigger again, hard to beat a revolver.
Easy to clean, easy to load.
It can go back and forth..........so, if you have the funds, I suggest......both.
S&W 442 or 642 in .38 Special AND a S&W MP Shield in .40 caliber.
Carry what mood your in that day.
I've bought two pistols in 8 months. It's addicting.
Great gun, haven't carried it yet (waiting on my holster).
Bought a .357 LCR (Ruger) a couple if weeks ago. It's what I am carrying now. I really like the compact, simple revolver coupled with hollow point .357 Magnum cartridges.
For plain shooting pleasure, the MP wins.
But for simplicity, pull trigger.....go bang.....bad round, pull trigger again, hard to beat a revolver.
Easy to clean, easy to load.
It can go back and forth..........so, if you have the funds, I suggest......both.
S&W 442 or 642 in .38 Special AND a S&W MP Shield in .40 caliber.
Carry what mood your in that day.
I've bought two pistols in 8 months. It's addicting.
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