Looking for the ULTIMATE carry revolver!

I have run through several carry revolvers and a few small autos. I keep leaning towards revolvers. My last being the S&W 442. I really liked it....but, I hated pocket carry and figured if I had to belt carry=go with larger and more capacity!

I really like revolvers but can't get past their low capacity vs size and weight.

I've pondered the S&W 686+ 3", the Ruger SP101 3" (which I recently sold), and the Colt king Cobra.

Any suggestions?

The 3" model 65 or 66 is just dandy. If you want to step up, then 24/624 657/629 or 696 would do well.

3” Model 60-15 carried IWB in a Milt Sparks VMII works for me stoked with Winchester PDX1 .38Special +P...

Appropriately dressed, my second choice is this Model 66-4 in a custom OWB holster by forum member “Snubbyfan”.

Mr. Tettnanger said:

I really like revolvers but can't get past their low capacity vs size and weight.

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If this really bothers you, carry a Sig p365. Going to a bigger revolver gives only 2 more rounds. Unless you want to go really big and tote a 627 N frame all day for 8. I own one and wouldn't want to do that. I've carried a LCP (6+1) for years and recently started to carry J frames. With the J I slip a speed loader in another pocket and feel I'm carrying enough. I'm not a cop, so I'm not confronting or trying to detain anybody with the possibility of a drawn out gun fight. It's there to get me and my family away from that. Multiple assailants? Sure, could happen. But if it was in this State in public, they'll have more than just me pointing a pistol at them. Life is choices and compromise.

Well, your title says "Ultimate"

So how about UDR..like this 657, might be hard to find though, as they only made 161 of these.

But there are other calibers out there.

If I holster carried (I don’t), this 2.5” M66 would ride along. Relatively small and concealable but packin a big punch. Here with it’s larger sibling .......

Mr. Tettnanger said:

.... the S&W 442. I really liked it....but, I hated pocket carry .....

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I see your question as your answer. Start with a good holster belt and holster for the 442 you already like, assuming you can draw and hit what you aim at. Nothing wrong with more choices though, and you won't know until you try.
I'm an unwell female senior citizen, and occasionally comfortably conceal carry a 3" 686+ in a Galco Combat Master and two speed loaders. It's no heavier than my regular EDC, but my lifestyle isn't as active as it used to be.

Wouldn't call any choice the ultimate, but I like it for what it is.
Happy hunting.



Edit: I'll add that it's a naturally good shooting choice with enough mass to very comfortably shoot lots of 158gr magnum loads at the range.

A 2.5” or 3” K frame would be my recommendation.

Ultimate ?

A Manurhin MR-73, with 3 inch barrel in 357 Magnum.

No such thing as the "ultimate" carry revolver. Everybody has different needs/wants. What's ultimate for me may or may not be ultimate for you or anyone else.

Having said that, it's hard to go wrong with a 2-3" K-frame. I've had a 2" 64 and a 3" 65, both excellent guns that carried well and could be comfortably concealed with my clothing choices. The biggest problem is availability.

There's nothing wrong with belt carrying a 442. For several years my EDC was a 642 carried in an IWB holster.

I like the Ruger SP101, but unless you plan to regularly use/carry heavy .357 Magnum loads, I think there are options with a better power/weight ratio.

A Kimber K6S might be a good option. 6 rounds of .357 Magnum (or .38 Special) in a roughly J-frame-ish size. I don't have one and have never handled one (mostly out of a fear I will want one ), but the reviews I've seen have been very good.

If capacity and weight really are an issue for you, then I'm going to have to agree with Collo Rosso that a semi-auto may be more to your liking.

Just my opinion.

Revolver

Check out a kimber K6 DA/SA . Mine is awesome. 6 shots, great trigger, same size envelope as a j frame. It's what you have been waiting for

For me this is the ultimate carry revolver.
7 rounds of 357 SD ammo in a roughly K-frame sized package (same frame size just a tiny bit larger cylinder). The attached photo is bigger on my laptop screen than the actual revolver. And only 19 ounces - Taurus 617 Total Titanium

The first rule of gun fighting is to have a gun. If it's heavy and uncomfortable and you leave it home, it won't matter how many rounds it holds. I'm not dissing anyone for their carry choices but I think the whole high capacity thing is over blown. If you are regularly confronted with multiple assailants and protracted gun battles, you should probably change your life style. Remember that the average police gun fight is over in three rounds. And these are the people who seek out the bad guys with guns. The likelihood of a civilian engaging multiple armed subjects is somewhere less than the likelihood of getting struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark. This is the long way of saying that if you take a liking to that 5 round J frame, then carry it. My general daily carry is a 360 titanium. It weighs 11 ounces and I carry it in a Vedder IWB holster. In the winter I sometimes just stick it in my coat pocket. I sometimes, but not faithfully, throw a speed loader in a different pocket. I'm old school with my ammo choice and carry Winchester, 158 grain, 357, SWC. I want to make sure they make it to the boiler room regardless of whatever barrier is between me and the threat. In the hot months, I switch out to my 380 Bodyguard that usually ends up in a cargo pocket. I will make up for cartridge capacity with marksmanship and stealth.

My personal belief is that the ultimate carry revolver is the one you're most likely to have with you. Your 442 is pretty much perfect in my opinion. I've known guys who claim to carry larger pistols but they never seem to have it on them because they're not wearing the right jacket or something. That's not to say that those who recommend them don't carry them but it's a whole lot more pistol than many want to lug around in a truly concealed arrangement. I own a beautiful 2.5" K frame that I love to shoot but if I wanted to make it my carry I know that half the time it wouldn't be with me. My M&P340 only holds 5 rounds but, I always have it with me. If I'm going someplace where I figure 5 rounds of .357 won't suffice then I really have to question why I'm going there in the first place.

My EDC is a Kimber K6s with a IWB ,I also have a S&W 327 Pug 357 8 shot Owb which is a winter only ,also have ammo strips for extra ammo.Never feel under gunned.

I carry 2 revolvers. A custom 642 and a custom 342. Both are +P rated. Together they hold 10 shots. I own and have carried a round butt Model 12 4 inch with a model 38 as BUG. I am no fan of autos although I have carried them when they were issued and required but always with a J frame BUG. It doesn't get better for holster carry with little weight than a airweight K model. The BUG 342 goes into an ankle holster very easy to draw from a seated or driving position. Ask me by private message how I know.

Mr. Tettnanger said:

I have run through several carry revolvers and a few small autos. I keep leaning towards revolvers. My last being the S&W 442. I really liked it....but, I hated pocket carry and figured if I had to belt carry=go with larger and more capacity!

I really like revolvers but can't get past their low capacity vs size and weight.

I've pondered the S&W 686+ 3", the Ruger SP101 3" (which I recently sold), and the Colt king Cobra.

Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

It's a natural contradiction to be "leaning towards revolvers" and being unable to "get past their low capacity vs size and weight", so is this an exercise in futility?

Perhaps the best first thing to do is step back and determine what your carry needs, concerns and expectations are, and if they're reasonable to your circumstances. Mission drives hardware.

Fact is, the overwhelming number of ordinary citizens living their lives in the U.S. today will never need to defend themselves with a gun (or anything), whether they carry or not, ever.

Fact is, those who will (and carry), rarely fire more than a few rounds, if that, or are in a situation that requires more firepower.

So, with that in mind, and assuming you're living an intelligent and blameless life vis-a-vis your personal safety, what do you think you truly need to be adequately armed?

Food for thought...

Per your OP, a little more on what you prefer in a revolver will help us best advise you. Fixed or adjustable sight? Relative size and weight? Preferred finish? The list goes on. Tell us more about your preferences or needs or as is often the case this thread'll just become a useless list of everybody's personal favorites.

But folks like easy options, so...

1) Get thee to your 442, a couple good styles of holster inside and outside the waistband that are comfortable, secure and conceal well. Get thee to plenty of good training ammo and the defense load your 442 likes best. Get thee to the range, the training course and the room in your home where you can safely dry fire and practice draw and presentation, movement, retention standing and entangled, and access under stressful circumstances.

Maintain relaxed alertness to your surroundings, and know ahead of time in your heart what you will and will not do in justifiable defense of your life and the lives of those entrusted to you.

Know the self-defense laws where you spend your time, and contemplate the moral aspect.

Do all this consistently and you'll be significantly more equipped to defend yourself if need be with a J-frame snubby .38 than your average concealed carry or nightstand dude who bought a big bore or high cap, shoots it every now and again and calls it good.

If you must "step up", I think the Kimber K6S beats anything S&W is making right now -- much though it pains me to say -- as far as personal defense revolver go.

Be safe.

Mr. Tettnanger said:

I keep leaning towards revolvers. My last being the S&W 442. I really liked it....but, I hated pocket carry and figured if I had to belt carry=go with larger and more capacity!

I really like revolvers but can't get past their low capacity vs size and weight.


Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

When was the last time 5 rounds wasn't enough?

I went from a Glock 27 to my good old 642-1 and feel most comfortable with it.

Depending on the situation I either carry it in a pocket holster, or this belt holster. It is nice to free up the pocket sometimes, I never carry anything else in my pocket if the 642 is in it.

.327 Federal Magnum

My latest carry revolver is a Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum. Very potent caliber, six round capacity and carries very well. Good luck with your choice!

I like the Ruger SP101 with 2.25 inch barrel. Great for OWB wear and soaks up recoil of Buffalo Bore and Underwood 38 Spl +P loads.

...and nothing shabby about the S&W 642 J frame...it’s double action smoothness can’t be beat. Put some Altamont Falconia grips on it coupled with Speer 38 Spl +P 135 gr Gold Dots and you have all you really need for self protection.