studenygreg
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I love this revolver. I still havent found a holster and sights for it that I like.J frame on steroids. 327 eight shot.
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Looking for the ULTIMATE carry revolver!
- Thread starter Mr. Tettnanger
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studenygreg
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The s&w 340pd and 327pc are my most carried revolvers. Occasionally I break out the 686+ 4". Its just a tad too long for me
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The ultimate? It has to be the 340 PD. Effortless carry, dramatic and vivid results if you touch it off.
Combines the best of today's flashbang stun grenade and amazingly lightweight materials with the ancient and dependable technology of Smith & Wesson.
Combines the best of today's flashbang stun grenade and amazingly lightweight materials with the ancient and dependable technology of Smith & Wesson.
Coyote56
Member
Decades of service say the J frame is about as good as it gets. My 442 validates that opinion.
Wanting a bigger burrito? The current Colt offerings are excellent choices. Proper holsters can be a tad more difficult to find but are available.
Wanting a bigger burrito? The current Colt offerings are excellent choices. Proper holsters can be a tad more difficult to find but are available.
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Here's one the FBI issued to agents in the 1980s to carry. 13-1 shipped to Quantico FBI FTU Dec, 1980. Agents carried this duty revolver for over 10 years until the change over to the 1076. The bureau went from a manageable carry weapon in the K frame Model 13 .357 Mag to, for many, an unmanageable one for concealed carry purposes in the 1076. This is my carry weapon of choice today when I want a break from the M&P 40 Shield.
Chuck
Chuck
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Where is the love for the 38/638/49's everything you get in a 642 PLUS single action capability for that carefully aimed shot while the assailant is running away 
(or "field use" for you politically correct fellows here 
)
Can't beat airweight J frames for pocket carry although .38's are as stout as I can stand shooting. If I had NO small frame revolvers, my first choice would be a K7 DASA. If I had no small autos ( like the M&P380 and the .45 shield) my FIRST pick would be a Sig 365 with manual safety. Since I've got all the bases pretty much covered already, anything I buy now is pretty much just pissing money away on stuff I want but don;t need....although I've been jonsin' BAD for a 365 MS lately. Oh and a 7.5" Super Redhawk in .44 too
(or "field use" for you politically correct fellows here )Can't beat airweight J frames for pocket carry although .38's are as stout as I can stand shooting. If I had NO small frame revolvers, my first choice would be a K7 DASA. If I had no small autos ( like the M&P380 and the .45 shield) my FIRST pick would be a Sig 365 with manual safety. Since I've got all the bases pretty much covered already, anything I buy now is pretty much just pissing money away on stuff I want but don;t need....although I've been jonsin' BAD for a 365 MS lately. Oh and a 7.5" Super Redhawk in .44 too
A very good answer - and I would add that it be one you can do that repeatedly (to take out two or more if need be).
likely to take incoming on this...love revolvers, nothing like them for feel, function and pure elegance of design.
With that said, for many of us elders who no longer have the range time of previous, currently living relatively low threat lives, dealing with hand issues such as athritis or carpal tunnel, revolvers are not always the best solution for EDC, recently gave up my 642 for those reasons.
When I do carry a revolver these days, usually during a woods walks, it's with a 3" SP101 .357 in a comfortable OWB leather slide.
If threat assesment requires it, my Sig P365 is fine carry piece, light and accurate, sweet trigger, 12 round mags, easy to carry and conceal.
95% of the time, however, an LCP gen2 (not LCP2) is riding along in my pocket, as easy to carry as my wallet. I can punch center target with this little gun at 25', and carrying 15 rounds of Extrema XTP going 1000fps with 200 ft# does not leave one unarmed.
With that said, for many of us elders who no longer have the range time of previous, currently living relatively low threat lives, dealing with hand issues such as athritis or carpal tunnel, revolvers are not always the best solution for EDC, recently gave up my 642 for those reasons.
When I do carry a revolver these days, usually during a woods walks, it's with a 3" SP101 .357 in a comfortable OWB leather slide.
If threat assesment requires it, my Sig P365 is fine carry piece, light and accurate, sweet trigger, 12 round mags, easy to carry and conceal.
95% of the time, however, an LCP gen2 (not LCP2) is riding along in my pocket, as easy to carry as my wallet. I can punch center target with this little gun at 25', and carrying 15 rounds of Extrema XTP going 1000fps with 200 ft# does not leave one unarmed.
Attachments
As posted earlier:
Mas Ayoob has an article in the latest issue of "Handgunner" magazine (Ayoob files) were a 5 shot revolver wasn't enough ammo during a home invasion. A second revolver had to be deployed. And that was with only one invader.
Personally, anything that holds less than 8 rounds is a back-up/secondary gun for me.
Mas Ayoob has an article in the latest issue of "Handgunner" magazine (Ayoob files) were a 5 shot revolver wasn't enough ammo during a home invasion. A second revolver had to be deployed. And that was with only one invader.
Personally, anything that holds less than 8 rounds is a back-up/secondary gun for me.
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bearman49709
Member
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.
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.
lawandorder
Member
The quest for the perfect carry revolver..............
............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.
............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.
max503
Member
jtcarm
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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.
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.
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.
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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
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
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
hyena
Member
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?
