Rick the plinker
Member
Looking to buy a good smith to carry anyone that can give input let me know please
Best S&W for concealed and carry
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diamonback68
US Veteran
Rick, there a hundred answers to that question. We need to know more about what you want and who you are. Example: Are you 5' 7" and 155# or are you 6' 3" and 220#? Are you looking for and are you familiar with a revolver or a semi-auto? Carry for what, plinking, hiking, camping, self defense or possible second back-up? What caliber are you looking for or are familiar with? On what occasions, daily carry? Give us more and maybe we can help. I have have three that suit me in different situations.
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jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
I would suggest either a M&P9c or a Shield if you can find one. The Shield is thinner and easier to conceal in your pocket, but has fewer rounds in the mag. If you are interested, check the M&P forum on this site.
Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
Personally, I like the Model 12 (this one is a -2) with the aluminum "K-frame". Lightweight, six shots, perfect for my needs.
As you can see, give the information you've given, you're going to get a lot of different answers.
As you can see, give the information you've given, you're going to get a lot of different answers.
I like the answers from DB68 and CajunBass. The very first question is "How do you dress?" The second is "What size is your hand?"
I suspect that the vast majority of posters here who carry daily carry J-frame revolvers. This is usually not the best revolver to carry, but it is a lot better to carry one of these than to leave a better revolver (or, perish the thought, bottomfeeder) at home. If your clothing permits it, CajunBass's recommendation is one of the best compromises. Myself, I usually carry a 2" Model 15, because I like the sight picture better and the weight and grips (Safariland/Rogers) help, too. When I find that burdensome and feel that I can afford to give up its advantages, I usually drop all the way down to a J-frame Airweight, because I can shoot those as accurately and quickly as my Model 12. However, the Model 12 is more comfortable to shoot, and carries one more round. I sometimes carry it.
You have to look at what you CAN conceal and carry, and find out what you can shoot well. Dressed right, you might even end up with a steel 4" revolver, frame size dependent on hand size and choice of grips.
I suspect that the vast majority of posters here who carry daily carry J-frame revolvers. This is usually not the best revolver to carry, but it is a lot better to carry one of these than to leave a better revolver (or, perish the thought, bottomfeeder) at home. If your clothing permits it, CajunBass's recommendation is one of the best compromises. Myself, I usually carry a 2" Model 15, because I like the sight picture better and the weight and grips (Safariland/Rogers) help, too. When I find that burdensome and feel that I can afford to give up its advantages, I usually drop all the way down to a J-frame Airweight, because I can shoot those as accurately and quickly as my Model 12. However, the Model 12 is more comfortable to shoot, and carries one more round. I sometimes carry it.
You have to look at what you CAN conceal and carry, and find out what you can shoot well. Dressed right, you might even end up with a steel 4" revolver, frame size dependent on hand size and choice of grips.
No lock Model 38 - And no, you can't shoot +Ps through one 
EVEN BETTER:
638 or 638-1 - IF you can find one
Or 638-2 - Same revolver with a magnum frame
But NOT the 638-3 - They put a lock in it to make some idiot(s) happy.
EVEN BETTER:
638 or 638-1 - IF you can find one
Or 638-2 - Same revolver with a magnum frame
But NOT the 638-3 - They put a lock in it to make some idiot(s) happy.
David LaPell
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I have carried three different Smith frame sizes for concealed carry, J, K and N. Of course when you are 5'9 and 325 and you are bigger built like I am carrying around a 4-inch N-frame under a coat isn't even noticed. But if you want a gun you can carry all year round then I suggest a J-frame. I can drop mine in a pocket and in a holster and none are the wiser about it. Get yourself a little J frame and you won't go wrong.
I'd add the weather where you are to the mix. In the summer I carry a smaller hand gun than I do during the winter. My fall back for instances where I want to carry something on principal is a 642 in a Mika pocket holster.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
So many choices. To start with you asked on the revolver forum instead of auto and I think thats a good start. This question will bring as many different nit picking favorites as it will answers. Want to keep it simple? Narrow it down to no longer than a 4" barrel, .38 special or .357. Do you want or need adjustable sights? How many people debate so hard on what hammer to buy? They all will do the job. Truth is any fixed site 2 to 4 inch .38 will do the job. Look at a bunch and see what turns you on and it will be the right one as long as it isnt wore out when you buy it.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
In my opinion, about the most useful products ever turned out by S&W for personal defense have been the 3" K-frames (Model 10, 13, 64, 65). Excellent balance, long enough sight radius for accurate shooting, sufficient weight to handle the recoil (at least up to .38 Spl. +P loads anyway). Good, sturdy workhorses that always feel just right in my hand.
Capt Steve
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Model 649 (stainless 357 snuubbie), with 38 +P's. Want more rounds? Try the MP9c. Both conceal and shoot very well. Better yet do what I did.... get them both. Can't argue with Ray either, a model 10 in 3" is a great gun but my 4" is just a tad much for CC.
The 39XX series for a fine, thin 9mm semi auto. Probably the finest single stack 9mm carry gun made by anyone.
The 4513TSW for the finest, most reliable and accurate 45 compact available.
In a revolver, the 640-1. Heavy enough to practice with comfortably. Durable enough to last without cracking the frame. Regards 18DAI
The 4513TSW for the finest, most reliable and accurate 45 compact available.
In a revolver, the 640-1. Heavy enough to practice with comfortably. Durable enough to last without cracking the frame. Regards 18DAI
My EDC is a 442 and has been some sort of small .38 for over 40 years. I'm in my mid 60's, 6' 2", 195 and I normally dress in jeans and a tee shirt in retirement. In business casual or suit & tie the 442 still works in a pocket or on my ankle.
Physical limitations have caught up w/me in spite of regular workouts, and I find that anything bigger or heavier than my 442 will be left at home. That said I take my 442 to the range monthly and run about 100 rounds through it at self defense distances.
The caliber wars will go on forever and I base my choice on experience from my days on the street, but I disagree w/an earlier post saying you cannot use +P in a alloy J, you absolutely can (I've done so for over 40 yrs.). Base your decision on something that will always be with you and is the largest caliber you can shoot accurately. A good rule of thumb is that big guns wind up being left either at home or in the car (bad idea) and anything smaller than a .38 is too "iffy" when it comes to real life self defense.
Physical limitations have caught up w/me in spite of regular workouts, and I find that anything bigger or heavier than my 442 will be left at home. That said I take my 442 to the range monthly and run about 100 rounds through it at self defense distances.
The caliber wars will go on forever and I base my choice on experience from my days on the street, but I disagree w/an earlier post saying you cannot use +P in a alloy J, you absolutely can (I've done so for over 40 yrs.). Base your decision on something that will always be with you and is the largest caliber you can shoot accurately. A good rule of thumb is that big guns wind up being left either at home or in the car (bad idea) and anything smaller than a .38 is too "iffy" when it comes to real life self defense.
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feralmerril;136894708 Truth is any fixed site 2 to 4 inch .38 will do the job..[/QUOTE said:
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Rick the plinker
Member
Well guys 6"285 lbs self defense want a gun with a punch if i ever had to use it want them to know i mean bussiness lol
diamonback68
US Veteran
Based on that, I would recommend what I carry. A S&W Model 65 3", 6 shot, fixed sight, stainless steel cambered in .357 Magnum. Mine is loaded with Winchester 145GR Silvertip bullets. Pick you own holster that suites you best. I also carry two Bianchi Speed Strips in the pocket for back-up. Everything you would want or need IMHO.
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Any of these are good:
2 inch J frame, such as Model 642*
3 or 4 inch K frame such as Model 64
M&P Shield in 9mm*
M&P Compact in 9mm*
M&P Full Size in either 9mm or .40 S&W
*Pocket carry is possible with these.
GoodMornin
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