Pocket Gun or Work around 686

[Beemerguy53]

Goudy, I too have a 4" 686, and while it's a magnificent revolver, I think it's far too large and heavy for concealed carry, for all the reasons you cited.

Respectfully, I suggest the alternative to your 686 isn't a .22; if you need to squeeze a trigger in self-defense, you must have a reasonable chance that your shot will abate the threat right then and there...and no .22 can provide that.

If you really do not want to carry a J-Frame revolver in .38 or .357 Magnum, I would urge you to consider a Glock 43X or a Sig Sauer P365 XL. Either one would be light enough to carry, in a serious caliber, with enough rounds to protect you effectively.

Good luck.

 

[Baxter6551]

I second some who recommend the 365 even though I have the Glock 43. A Glock 42 is also another good choice. If you are fixed on a revolver then absolutely go with the 442.

 

[jmiles1960]

I am also recommending what Mercury said, check out the Sig Sauer P365. I have one and it is a wonderful CCW automatic. Recently, I picked up a 2nd generation Colt Detective Special in 38 Spl. Very nice revolver carry, but the gun's value has me wanting to leave it at home. Colt also makes an aluminum frame model, the Agent or Cobra, can't recall which. Lighter weight. Excellent quality wheel gun in a snub.

 

[jimmyj]

I have numberous medical appointments during the months. In the past I CCW a Glock 42 .380 in a pocket holster for the appointments. Currently I have purchased a S&W Model 442 for these appointments. I now wish I had gotten an Airweight Bodyguard.

 

[cda322]

I hate when people take "It's better than nothing at all," to extremes like this. That statement is not infallible and you're more likely to get yourself into trouble carrying a .22 than for it to get you out of it.

 

[John Patrick]

For pocket carry I'd be looking at a Sig P365, which is very easy to carry.

Second choice would be a J frame Bodyguard style, shrouded hammer revolver.

ETA: I carry a 3" Colt's King Cobra or a 3" K frame (usually a Model 64) often. A very good holster is required. I have a Rugged and a TT holster for the Colts, and a couple of Kramer's for the K frames.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

I really like the Sig P365 because 9mm is affordable enough and available as a NATO standard. I prefer revolvers but I'd consider it. Ruger LCR or P365 seem good alternative to 22 LR even though I like the low recoil of the 22

 

[John Patrick]

I really like the Sig P365 because 9mm is affordable enough and available as a NATO standard. I prefer revolvers but I'd consider it. Ruger LCR or P365 seem good alternative to 22 LR even though I like the low recoil of the 22

Your low recoil mirrors the perps reaction to being shot, imo.

Just like your reaction to more stout recoil will mirror the perps reaction to being shot.

A P365 or P365X has very manageable recoil, more manageable than a 38spl AirWeight J frame. I have all of the above.

 

[Old cop]

My EDCs are: 442PC no lock, 340PD no lock & LCP in order of preference. I always have one reload w/me, speed strip or spare mag for the LCP. I have a doctor's appointment later this week and that's a perfect role for the little LCP.

 

[sigp220.45]

I'd look for an H&R 922 snub. 9 rounds, fits in a pocket, and if you don't like it you're out 200 bucks tops (less if you look around). I've owned a few and they all worked fine. DA pull is a little heavy but that's not always a bad thing in a defensive gun.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I agree the 686 is simply too heavy for CCW. The problem with going to a 22 LR or a .380 is that if you need your concealed carry weapon you need it badly. Get a SIG Sauer P365, a pocket holster, and call it a day.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

You guys have convinced me away from 22 LR. I think I'd rather use 9mm than 38 special, while I'm a revolver guy one of the few autoloaders I do admire is the P365, feels well built (at least the one I held at LGS did). My only concern is failures in an autoloaders, but I've heard great things about SIG reliability. I know it costs capacity, but is the Ruger LCR in 9mm that worse off of an option in comparison?

I really like the sights on the P365 SAS but not sure if they are more gimmick than actually useful as most close encounters won't involve sights.

 

[haywood]

I use J-Frames for my pocket guns. These days 38 ammo cost so much it's cut back on my snub practice and I've been shooting my Shield and XDM 9 mm's. I have a stock of 38 ammo so I can shoot once in a while. If I didn't have all the J-Frames and ammo I would look at the Charter Arms 9mm Snub. You don't need clips to hold the rounds and 9mm ammo is more affordable.

 

[Old cop]

You guys have convinced me away from 22 LR. I think I'd rather use 9mm than 38 special, while I'm a revolver guy one of the few autoloaders I do admire is the P365, feels well built (at least the one I held at LGS did). My only concern is failures in an autoloaders, but I've heard great things about SIG reliability. I know it costs capacity, but is the Ruger LCR in 9mm that worse off of an option in comparison?

I shot a friend's P365 and really liked the way it handled. Minimal recoil for a small, light gun & very accurate at combat distances.

 

[John Patrick]

You guys have convinced me away from 22 LR. I think I'd rather use 9mm than 38 special, while I'm a revolver guy one of the few autoloaders I do admire is the P365, feels well built (at least the one I held at LGS did). My only concern is failures in an autoloaders, but I've heard great things about SIG reliability. I know it costs capacity, but is the Ruger LCR in 9mm that worse off of an option in comparison?

I really like the sights on the P365 SAS but not sure if they are more gimmick than actually useful as most close encounters won't involve sights.

Imo, skip the unnecessarily slick SAS and get the original Natron model. With it without the frame mounted safety. I like the safety, and both of my P365s have it.

 

[sophie]

I've carried different guns over the years and when I bought my Sig P365 right after they came out several years ago I knew I had found the ideal carry gun for myself. The Sig P365 is a good fit for me with a Kydex IWB holster, appendix carry, or OWB Leather holster at 4 o'clock. I put an Apex Aluminum Flat Trigger in my P365 and it is an improvement, even though the factory Sig trigger is pretty dang good. The magazines, 10+1 or 12+1 make the P365 easy to conceal. What works for one person when it comes to carrying a pistol most certainly doesn't work for the next guy. Just a matter of what you like.

 

[Xfuzz]

Glock 43X....check it out.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Glock 43X....check it out.

I have, it's a nice gun but I despise Glock grip angle.

 

[GerSan69]

This has been kind of interesting. I always try to figure out where a poster is coming from when they make a request for info like this. What I've found is it's usually because what they're planning to do is outside of their comfort level or level of expertise.

I'm glad that Mr. Goudy has dropped the .22 idea. This is 2022, and there are an infinite number of choices that will run rings around a .22 in performance. Not to mention, the sort of people that one might run into as an adversary these days tend to have one or more substances on board, and most of those things tend to render the user numb to injuries that might stop a sober person. a small round like a .22 may not register at all, considering the times where getting hit with a 9, 40 or 45 didn't faze them!

I'm not sure why a large gun like a 686 would be in consideration, either. Any rig that will serve to conceal a gun that big might be comfortable for a couple of hours, but having carried a 686 as a duty gun many years ago, I can tell you I still remember that it was a real chore to carry day in and day out. I was thrilled to be able to switch to a Model 669 after toting that brick for a while. I'm certain the L frame contributed to my lower back problems that I have to this day.

I hope you'll consider a semi-auto in spite of the reluctance you've mentioned here. First of all, forget anything you've read or heard about reliability. The majority of those are either internet legends or just plain wrong. A semi is as reliable as you are at taking care of it, and by that I mean doing the basic stuff like cleaning and oiling when needed. You don't even need to tear it down to the bare bones, either.

I agree, the Glock form is not for everyone. I hate them, personally, so I don't even try to use one. Plenty of other choices out there!

Bottom line: go to any range that rents guns and try one or two. Getting familiar with each one's controls, loading, and best grip to use will tell you a lot more about whether or not a particular gun will work for you.

By the way: if the range also rents the Ruger LCR 9mm, give it a try. Some folks say that the 9 in a revolver has some pretty snappy recoil and they don't shoot more than a cylinder or two at a time. See for yourself.

Anyway, I wish you luck and hope your journey is successful.

 

[OLDSTER]

My pocket carry .32. Disappears in any pocket in a Jackson Leather holster.