Which short barrel S&W pistol ?

[NDAR15MAN]

New to the pistol world. Always a rifle shooter. I bought a brand new S&W 617 couple months ago. Wow one hole pistol.
I am needing a Carry revolver. I want something with adjustable sights in a 357/38 or could go the 38 cal. This pistol needs to have real short barrel under 2 3/4 barrel. I will be carrying this pistol in a sneaky peat holster out side waste band. The holster looks like cell phone holster. I know few guys with these holster and they work well for their application. Smith Wesson has so many different model numbers so wondering if you guys could give me a some company model numbers I could start researching ?
Thanks. Marty

 

[ronbwolf]

Model 66, 2-3/4", or model 19 2-3/4". Best all around S&W .357. I prefer the stainless only because I am fastidious about cleaning the front of the cylinders, and blued is more difficult.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[ISCS Yoda]

My preference is .38 Special even in small revolvers that can handle .357 Magnum.

The K frames mentioned above will certainly work for you, as will a 2.5" L frame M686+, which has 7 rounds.

It might be a little wide for a Sneaky Pete "holster" but I've never tried one of those. I already carry a cell phone in a holster on my belt - a Sneaky Pete would be weird for me.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I would go with a nice M-19 or, if you can't find one, a 686-7 shot. For that matter any K-frame RB 2 or 2 1/2 should fit the bill. Finding a good example is the hard part.

 

[murphydog]

A quick check of this holster maker's website finds the only S & W revolvers that will fit are 2" barrel J frames. There is no adjustable sight J frame .38/.357 currently made with less than a 3" barrel, but one used option would be a 2" model 60-1 in .38 Special from about 1985. Be sure to sit down before researching prices on these.

Two additional thoughts. For a CCW gun you may not need adjustable sights, just highly visible ones. And the size of the holster for even a J frame may make it apparent to some that you are carrying a gun - it is a lot bigger than for a cell phone.

There are probably non-S & W options to fit your criteria. Good luck in your search.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Thanks for the help. I will start looking for model 19 or 66 or 686-7. Will see which fits my hand better and a holster I like. Marty

 

[MetalMan]

What about a 640-1 Pro?

Shoots .38 Spl, .38 Spl +p and .357 magnum in an easily manageable and concealable all-steel frame package.

IMHO, everything that you need for CCW/SD and nothing that you don't …

 

[Hawg Rider]

It's interesting that you choose to carry a revolver in this day of high capacity polymer pistols. However, many of us do! Here are a couple of suggestions if you haven't already made up your mind.

Model 642-2...small J-frame .38 Special, very accurate and dependable, easy to conceal. One of my EDCs, carry it in a pocket holster but would be fine in a Sneaky Pete.

Model 19...small K-frame .357/.38 Special, very accurate and dependable, quite easy to conceal in an OWB holster.

Model 627-5...N-frame .357/.38 Special, 8 rounds, very accurate and dependable. Not as concealable and a little heavy- I carry it in a crossdraw OWB holster, and use Crimson Trace laser stocks. I also use this as a console gun when traveling...lots of firepower!

 

[Breaker]

I don't think there will be anything sneaky about carrying a disguised 686 L frame in a pouch. I can only offer what I actually carry most of the time as advice…a J frame 640 pro series 5 shot .38/.357 with the factory high visibility sights and concealed hammer. I have a whole gambit of larger more capable revolvers in terms of caliber and 6 round capacity, but if I feel I need more and still want to conceal, I transition to semi auto; which in my case is a Sig P239 or P220 carry.

 

[BigBelle]

I think the S&W Model 66 with 2 1/2 inch barrel is the sexiest revolver ever made. And you can probably get an excellent condition used one for a reasonable price.

 

[ispcapt]

I really like the 2.5" Mod 19 and 66. I've carried both a lot on and off duty since the mid 1970s. However, I've never seen a Sneaky Pete holster that is big enough for a Model 19/66. I've only seen that holster big enough for a 2" J frame.
Fixed sight gun is usually slicker for CCW. Adjustable sights and a hammer will snag and eat up clothing. In the 60s-70s guys in plain clothes would often put a slip on pencil erasure on the hammer to keep the hammer from chewing up jacket linings. That sort of worked.
For a J frame look for a 2" either shrouded hammer or hammerless. From something like a Sneaky Pete those will come out smoother without the hammer hanging up.

 

[Mehutch]

If you can find it and if you got the coins for it, S&W 686-4 7 shooter .357 Mag.

 

[Benchrest1]

Another vote for the Model 19/66 snub.

 

[DR505]

I kind of prefer the Model 13-1 through 13-4 for carry, as long as they are 3" RB versions. Like a Model 19, only better.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Another vote for a RB 2-1/2" K frame, M19 or M66. This setup conceals better than anything else I have, a high-riding holster that keeps the gun mostly above the belt. Much more comfortable than IWB.

 

[Rlg#17]

A model 66, 2.5" revolver. Load it, shoot it and repeat as necessary. Clean it once in awhile! Do they make a sneaky Pete that fits it? It will have to be a thick one.

 

[JH1951]

Personally I would pass on the adjustable sights. IMHO they tend to get in the way and tear up clothing when employed as a self defense weapon. In a 'situation' you are unlikely going to take the time for precision sighting.
My EDC is a 649 stainless J-frame .38 Spl. Fulfills all if my needs for self defense. Should fit in a Sneaky Pete, too.

 

[hyena]

Another vote for the 640 Pro. Worth the $$$. 2 and 1/8 inch barrel, adjustable night sights, 357 Magnum.

 

[Bald1]

Like me , as a rifleman u are probably pretty picky about accuracy. I assume this is why u want adjustable sights. But self defense revolvers are not about 1/2 MOA accuracy. A fixed sight J frame will surprise you with its accuracy at self defense ranges (ex 10-15yds). The sights are factory regulated for particular (popular) loads. They will fit easily in your holster of choice as well as a front pocket.

 

[Capt. F.]

My edc for years. Model 66 2 1/2" carried in a Simply Rugged Sourdough pancake. Pre-war elk stocks by Mr. Grashorn.