CCW/EDC 3" 65-3 .357/.38 or 3" 629 .44Mag/.44Spec which makes more sense?

[TAROMAN]

Wow she's lovely. Is she stainless or nickel-carbon? I love that color on her. Those grips are nice but I wouldn't be able to hold 'em. Sweet. Yeah, mine isn't that pretty as she was used when I got her but boy she's accurate as all get out!!!

That one's stainless, dirty in that image.
When I got the gun, it was spotted all over with rust and small pits.
So I polished it to nickel-like.
Got tired of it and bead blasted it then hand buffed it a bit with soft pads so it is a bit more business-like.
My load is a DEWC at about 900 FPS.
And that stock is surprisingly easy to grasp.

 

[cxglock26]

That one's stainless, dirty in that image.
When I got the gun, it was spotted all over with rust and small pits.
So I polished it to nickel-like.
Got tired of it and bead blasted it then hand buffed it a bit with soft pads so it is a bit more business-like.
My load is a DEWC at about 900 FPS.
And that stock is surprisingly easy to grasp.

Ahh makes sense. It looks really nice if that's the bead blast look you hand buffed. I like it. Yeah mine is stainless and a little rough as you can see. I've been using 0000 wire to buff my stainless models to get the burnt gun powder off the cylinder after shooting. I've never really seen a bead blasted revolver before so that would be new to me. But I like it.

 

[Georgia1911]

Of the options offered, the 3" K frame in 357 would be my choice, as it is nearly perfect for carry except perhaps for capacity. I carry a 2.5" M66 or a CCO 1911 whenever possible. There are times I must carry a J frame for deeper concealment. I don't feel outgunned with either 357 Mag or 45ACP. The 38+P may be a little weak in comparison, but is better than no gun at all.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I am surprised that no one mentioned the Ladysmith Model 65 in 3" For urban carry it could be the perfect carry gun. Light weight yet able to handle stout loads.

I have the 65-2 3" but am searching for that illusive three inch LadySmith.

 

[BobR1]

Double R Pawn has a 3" 629 on GB right now from what the owner told me the other day. Hoping to get $1,200 for it.
OUCH!!!
I would like one a lot better for around $800, which is still a lot of money.

I have owned a few 29/629's over the last 40 years, and all were 4 Inch. I did have a Lew Horton 24 that was a short barrel. I kept it NIB and never fired it. Almost 20 years later I wish I had kept it.

Bob R

 

[cxglock26]

Double R Pawn has a 3" 629 on GB right now from what the owner told me the other day. Hoping to get $1,200 for it.
OUCH!!!
I would like one a lot better for around $800, which is still a lot of money.

I have owned a few 29/629's over the last 40 years, and all were 4 Inch. I did have a Lew Horton 24 that was a short barrel. I kept it NIB and never fired it. Almost 20 years later I wish I had kept it.

Bob R

Bob,
Yeah that's just way too steep for me. I was at the RK gun show this past weekend here in Atlanta and found a couple of 3" .44 Magnums right at $1000. But, both had lock systems on them. One was the AirLite and I knew I would never shoot that thing. It feels great for carry but I know once you fire off a 240 or 300gr .44 Magnum you'll lose life in your hand and maybe forearm for some time. I think I'm going to stick with my 3" 65-3 and call it a day.

 

[cxglock26]

I am surprised that no one mentioned the Ladysmith Model 65 in 3" For urban carry it could be the perfect carry gun. Light weight yet able to handle stout loads.

I have the 65-2 3" but am searching for that illusive three inch LadySmith.

Yeah I haven't seen any of those anywhere. I know they made those marked "Lady Smith" or "Ladysmith" but just haven't seen one.

 

[cxglock26]

Of the options offered, the 3" K frame in 357 would be my choice, as it is nearly perfect for carry except perhaps for capacity. I carry a 2.5" M66 or a CCO 1911 whenever possible. There are times I must carry a J frame for deeper concealment. I don't feel outgunned with either 357 Mag or 45ACP. The 38+P may be a little weak in comparison, but is better than no gun at all.

The M66 is almost the perfect size except it's heavier than the M65. And I'm not really one crazy for adjustable sights. I kinda like fixed sights. Tend to be more accurate to me but that's just me. I have a Model 38 I carry as well for back pocket carry when I don't want to be obvious I'm carrying.

 

[NE450No2]

Gentlemen, I am just not a 357 Mag kind of guy. For me it has to be either a 1911 in 45 ACP or a S&W Revolver in 44 Mag, on duty or off duty, and the same now that I am retired.

IMHO the best way to conceal a handgun in civilian clothing is to use an inside the pants holster, now usually termed IWB, [inside the waistband].

I have been using this method since before I got out of high school in 1970.
Back then it was called "Mexican Carry", no holster was involved.

The Milt Sparks Summer Special [and others like it] are IMHO, the best, most concealable way to carry a handgun.

However, here is what you MUST DO. You MUST buy ALL of your pants 2" bigger in the waist. I have
been doing that since before I graduated High School. I am wearing a Milt Sparks Summer Special with a 1911 in 45 ACP as I type this...

As to revolver barrel length. I have used and carried a 4" Mod 29, in a Milt Sparks Summer Special quite a bit. I just never saw the need to get a 44 Mag with a barrel shorter than 4", as the barrel is inside your pants. I have also carried a 6.5" 44 Mag inside the pants quite a bit as well...

I also carried a 6.5" and later a 6" Mod 25 in 45 ACP as a Duty,and off duty gun, when my Dept banned the BIG Magnums. I REALLY like the S&W 45 ACP/AR revolvers.

So a few years ago I got a S&W Mod 325 Night Guard in 45 ACP/45AR from a good buddy. Well I LOVE this "little" revolver. I keep it under my pillow EVERY night.

It shoots great, and I even carried it to Town a couple of times as my Primary...

BUT, I just cannot shoot it at a distance, as well as a 4" revolver, so I must say, I do not feel comfortable with it as a Primary. As I live in the country I must be prepared for longer distances shots.

By the same token I would not carry a 1911 Officers Model or an Agent as a primary. My limit is a Colt Commander or a Wilson Combat Compact in 45 ACP or a 4" S&W in 44 Mag, or if I had one a 4" S&W in 45 ACP.

However, those shorter barreled 1911's or S&W N frames make a GREAT No2.

I would like to have a 2" or 2.5" 44 Mag Snubby. I would use it as a No.2 while on hunting road trips. I just cannot decide if I want the steel frame or an Airweight...

 

[nawilson]

So I don't know where else to buy ammo from except from either Walmart or Dicks or a Gun Show when they come to town or order online.

There are many places in and around Atlanta that stock ammo other than Walmart. In what part of Atlanta do you live?

 

[cxglock26]

There are many places in and around Atlanta that stock ammo other than Walmart. In what part of Atlanta do you live?

Yeah I actually got some from the RK gun show this past weekend at the Georgia Arms station. I would love to hit Georgia Arms more often but them only being open during the week makes it hard to get out west. I'm by the airport.

 

[BigBill]

Not sure about a 357 mag or a 44 mag?

How about the inbetween caliber of the 41 magnum?

In a ccw situation it's more than the 357 mag and more penetration than the 44 mag. The killing power between the 41 mag and the 44 mag seems to be equal dead is dead. But calibers seem to be equal killing and stopping power. I like them all but like being different with the 41 magnum.

Carrying the 357 mag in the heart of bear country I have no fear. One well placed shot and it's bear stew for everyone. There is nothing that's iffy about the 357 mag. I think it's way under rated.
I wish Elmer was alive.

 

[nawilson]

Yeah I actually got some from the RK gun show this past weekend at the Georgia Arms station. I would love to hit Georgia Arms more often but them only being open during the week makes it hard to get out west. I'm by the airport.

I have been very satisfied with Georgia Arms. Their prices are typically pretty good, and they actually manufacture 45 AR, which is unusual.

I'm more familiar with the north side, but I can think of two gun stores Stockbridge and another in Forest Park. The Forest Park store is also an Army-Navy store. It may take some shopping around to find what you want, but that is part of the fun. Personally, I prefer the smaller places over the big box stores. The selection tends to be wider, and you never know what you'll find that you didn't know you needed.

 

[Georgia1911]

The M66 is almost the perfect size except it's heavier than the M65. And I'm not really one crazy for adjustable sights. I kinda like fixed sights. Tend to be more accurate to me but that's just me. I have a Model 38 I carry as well for back pocket carry when I don't want to be obvious I'm carrying.

I agree the 13s or 65s with fixed sights are preferred for carry, but when I got bitten by the K frame carry bug, the first one I came across was a 2.5" 66-2 at a decent price, so it now has a place on my belt from time to time. I would pick up a 3" 10/13/64/65 if the deal were right, and I did see one at the recent RK show in Atlanta, but it was nickel and expensive and only 38 Special. I am not a big fan of nickel at all, but especially for carry it seems a bad choice. As I stated earlier, I will carry 38+P over nothing at all when necessary, but I prefer the option of carrying 357 Magnum.

 

[Georgia1911]

I have been very satisfied with Georgia Arms. Their prices are typically pretty good, and they actually manufacture 45 AR, which is unusual.

I'm more familiar with the north side, but I can think of two gun stores Stockbridge and another in Forest Park...

The Gander Mountain in McDonough (I-75 exit 221 west of the Interstate) has a good selection of ammo. Adventure Outdoors on South Cobb Drive has rebuilt its stock pretty well. I am not in love with AO (or especially the younger Mr. Wallace), but I hold my nose and buy there from time to time. Also, they do have a reasonable selection of used S&W revolvers that turns over fast enough to justify stopping in frequently to see what they have.

 

[ironhead7544]

The M69 is really about perfect. It is near K frame sized but can handle full 44 magnum loads. Use the 44 Magnum Gold Dot 200 gr Short Barrel load for 2 legged varmints and switch to full loads for 4 legged.

Will conceal in a good IWB from Andrews Custom Leather.

I would suggest taking up handloading for practice loads in any centerfire caliber theses days. Too expensive for factory loads. Only use them for CCW. My 44 Magnum loads run about $8.00 for 50, not including the brass.

I would stick to 4 inch barrels in 44 Magnum/44 Special.