I like my 442 best for pocket carry. Mine has the old Uncle Mike's Grips for pocket carry. I put the Hogue Tamer Grip on my Wife's 442 for shooting. Actually I can pocket carry with the Hogue but, I like the looks of the Uncle Mike's and when I shoot mine I limit it to 50 rounds. The LCR357 is my second favorite for pocket carry. The grips are a hair wider so they are not as good in the pockets of my Jeans. I shoot 38+P in my LCR these days because of Arthritis But, a strong and younger guy should have no trouble with 357 such as Corbon or Gold Saber. If I wanted a Six shot I would go with the Rossi 461 or 462 357 and shoot 38+P from that but, since I carry Two Snubs and reloads a Five Shooter is ok with me
Concealed carry revolver - need advice
- Thread starter 0311INF
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I tried suspenders... to annoying for me... I then spent a couple of bucks and bought a thick gun belt... wow... night and day difference!
Stick with 1.25" but thick... 1.5" can be a problem for certain trousers or other things you may have on your belt. 1.25" is standard and a lot of holsters even are tagged "Fits Belts up to 1.25".
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Lou_the_welder
Member
Wow. No love for the 637? At 15oz.-you dont even feel its there. And it has a hammer!
No recoil out of 38 specials.
No recoil out of 38 specials.
I carry a 360PD in a pocket and love it. It is not a lot of fun to shoot, but I dry-fire plenty and figure my live-fire time with it isn't meant to be fun, it's meant to save my life if necessary.
One downside to pocket carry is the gun will eventually wear your pants in a pattern that looks like...a gun in your pocket. The high points rub on things; you can't stop it. Ditto for your spare ammo. I have a pair of jeans with a perfect rubbed-in impression of a speed strip on the back pocket (and a hole where the hollow points burrowed through). I admit had a moment of panic when I pulled them out of the wash. Then I bought a bit of leather and formed it into a wallet-shaped ammo carrier so that doesn't happen with the next pair.
One downside to pocket carry is the gun will eventually wear your pants in a pattern that looks like...a gun in your pocket. The high points rub on things; you can't stop it. Ditto for your spare ammo. I have a pair of jeans with a perfect rubbed-in impression of a speed strip on the back pocket (and a hole where the hollow points burrowed through). I admit had a moment of panic when I pulled them out of the wash. Then I bought a bit of leather and formed it into a wallet-shaped ammo carrier so that doesn't happen with the next pair.
640
Plus one on the 640. I have had both, the trigger was a tad smoother on the 38 Special , and I only fired .38 special in the .357 ...They are a bit heavier than the alloy framed models, but they sure do shoot nice. And for steady carry, stainless steel is the way to go IMO.
I have a Filson double layer harness leather belt that I wear 100% of the time, whether there is anything strapped to it or not, it is that good. I got an LLBean double layer and it is good, but not quite as good.
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I also live in Fl.I have 3 J's a 642,a 351 & just bought a M60 no dash in almost mint condition.I really like the 60...I carry in a Sam Andrews pocket carry.Sometimes I carry it in a old Don Hume OWB....looking for a better OWB.Oh, forgot to mention my 60 is a 2"(really a 1 7/8").
Jim
Jim
1.5 is standard for gun belts and holsters 1.25 is for dressy gunbelts ts the smallest that anybody makes holsters for and that's mainly custom makers
Stick with 1.5... 99% of production holsters are either 1.5 or 1.75
Yup, gotta have a good belt.
Mine's 1 1/2" wide, 1/4" thick and made of two layers of leather stitched together.
It holds my trousers up whether or not there's a gun hanging from it.
Mine's 1 1/2" wide, 1/4" thick and made of two layers of leather stitched together.
It holds my trousers up whether or not there's a gun hanging from it.
0311INF, I know this is mostly a S&W forum, but you didn't say it had to be a Smith. A old Colt Special Agent is a fine revolver.
I also wanted a 6-shot lightweight revolver and I found one and bought a Charter Arms #73840 Undercover Police 6RD .38SP +P. Weighs 20oz. BudsGunShop cash price $335.00.
I usually carry it concealed in a Charter Arms OWB holster or it will fit in my cargo shorts or pants pocket. Model DS-A HKS speedloader's work great. Shoots great I love mine, thinking about getting another for my wife. It comes with the ugly but very functional black rubber grips so I changed mine to finger grip Rosewood.
Just throwing it out there!
It is everything you want except it is not a Smith.
I also wanted a 6-shot lightweight revolver and I found one and bought a Charter Arms #73840 Undercover Police 6RD .38SP +P. Weighs 20oz. BudsGunShop cash price $335.00.
I usually carry it concealed in a Charter Arms OWB holster or it will fit in my cargo shorts or pants pocket. Model DS-A HKS speedloader's work great. Shoots great I love mine, thinking about getting another for my wife. It comes with the ugly but very functional black rubber grips so I changed mine to finger grip Rosewood.
Just throwing it out there!
It is everything you want except it is not a Smith.
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Ankle holsters are a great way of carrying a gun that you have no need to access in a hurry.
Hey, I can SEE that gun!
I've carried a 642 almost daily for over 11 years. It has a lot going for it. Does wear on the pockets, though.
I also have a 13-3 3" round butt. Great gun, but not a pocket gun unless you have huge coat pockets. I could easily just have these two revolvers, and not *need* any other pistols. But I never say that in front of my wife!
I also have a 13-3 3" round butt. Great gun, but not a pocket gun unless you have huge coat pockets. I could easily just have these two revolvers, and not *need* any other pistols. But I never say that in front of my wife!
Regarding your concealed carry
I've been carrying for over 45 years. I only believe in big bore handguns, so my answer will be somewhat different than others. Right now I have three weapons in my daily warm weather carry rotation. A Colt Defender and a Taurus pt 145 Millenium. Both are .45 acp with the Taurus being an 10+1 capacity. The other is a Charter Arms Bull Dog .44 sp. this one is the lightest of the 3 at I believe 21 oz. it also carries the easiest. I carry all three in Alien Gear cloak tuck 2 iwb holsters. The trick to carrying iwb is the belt. I use one from The Belt Man but I am sure that other brands will do the job. This holster and belt combo is by far the most comfortable I have ever carried with. I put them on in the am and take it off at night. Don't bother to take it off, you hardly know it is there. Get your shirts in the long cut and no one will notice it. I have even worn them with my shirt tucked in and my wife couldn't tell I was carrying. Don't limit your carry weapons caliber because of convenience. If you think that a small caliber won't do, try a combination like mine. In colder weather I can carry a larger one with a shoulder holster and a vest to cover it.
I've been carrying for over 45 years. I only believe in big bore handguns, so my answer will be somewhat different than others. Right now I have three weapons in my daily warm weather carry rotation. A Colt Defender and a Taurus pt 145 Millenium. Both are .45 acp with the Taurus being an 10+1 capacity. The other is a Charter Arms Bull Dog .44 sp. this one is the lightest of the 3 at I believe 21 oz. it also carries the easiest. I carry all three in Alien Gear cloak tuck 2 iwb holsters. The trick to carrying iwb is the belt. I use one from The Belt Man but I am sure that other brands will do the job. This holster and belt combo is by far the most comfortable I have ever carried with. I put them on in the am and take it off at night. Don't bother to take it off, you hardly know it is there. Get your shirts in the long cut and no one will notice it. I have even worn them with my shirt tucked in and my wife couldn't tell I was carrying. Don't limit your carry weapons caliber because of convenience. If you think that a small caliber won't do, try a combination like mine. In colder weather I can carry a larger one with a shoulder holster and a vest to cover it.
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Pay Attention!
The Old Cop is the voice of experience. The lightweight J frame is about the easiest carry around. Pocket carry is good. A good belt and holster make OWB a reasonable choice. The ammo is reasonably inexpensive, permitting lots of practice. Good luck! (And no, mine is not for sale!)
The Old Cop is the voice of experience. The lightweight J frame is about the easiest carry around. Pocket carry is good. A good belt and holster make OWB a reasonable choice. The ammo is reasonably inexpensive, permitting lots of practice. Good luck! (And no, mine is not for sale!)
Gpsman
Member
When I finally got a dedicated gun belt, in my case an Armour Belt, I was amazed at the side benefit of how well it holds up my pants.
Of course it does a great job holding up the gun but it makes an enormous difference on the pants too.
BTW, I highly recommend Armour belts..Ludington Michigan..
Great quality and fast service
chuckfw
US Veteran
Before you choose, be sure to give the 638 a look, I'm pretty sure it will please you. It has a hammer that you can cock, but it will never snag on clothing. It offers the best of both the double and single action shots. Weight is about 14 ounces and the grip can be replaced with the Crimson Trace extended grip, makes it a LOT better to shoot. Plus P Critical Defense 38s will usually do the job an a decent range, the CT laser sure helps getting on target quickly, especially in dim light.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
I like my scandium j frame except that the finish was a joke. I carry in a leather pocket holster and the finish wore through to the aluminum. I just had it coated but will see how long this finish holds up. I would suggest the Ergo grip for a lightweight J frame. It looks weird but works.
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What Hapworth Said...
Seconding Hapworth's recommendation of 442 Moon Clip (178041). Despite its number and finish, the cylinder is stainless steel and has an alloy frame. Weight is 15 ounces empty. It is from the Pro Series, if that matters to you. As the name makes plain, the cylinder is machined to accept moon clips, and mine came with two of them (but it runs fine without them ... it's another fast load option). It's 3.6 ounces heavier than the scandium 340PD for less than half of the cost (and it doesn't have the fiber front sight that the 340pd has). It does not have a frame lock. Mine fills a perhaps unusual carry role: it rides by itself in the zippered pocket of my motorcycling jacket.
Seconding Hapworth's recommendation of 442 Moon Clip (178041). Despite its number and finish, the cylinder is stainless steel and has an alloy frame. Weight is 15 ounces empty. It is from the Pro Series, if that matters to you. As the name makes plain, the cylinder is machined to accept moon clips, and mine came with two of them (but it runs fine without them ... it's another fast load option). It's 3.6 ounces heavier than the scandium 340PD for less than half of the cost (and it doesn't have the fiber front sight that the 340pd has). It does not have a frame lock. Mine fills a perhaps unusual carry role: it rides by itself in the zippered pocket of my motorcycling jacket.
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I carried a 36 for backup to my BHP for over 40 years. Now well into retirement I carry a 649-2 in my Levi's front pocket daily. I put Crimson Trace 405's on it and it is a real pleasure to shoot.
632 Pro Series
If you can find one for a price you want to pay take a look at a 632 Pro Series. 327 Federal Magnum, the other 32s, six (6) shot, all stainless.
If you can find one for a price you want to pay take a look at a 632 Pro Series. 327 Federal Magnum, the other 32s, six (6) shot, all stainless.
M.Cunningham
Member
Gotcha, the nudist colony eh? LOL
I carry a S&W M&P 340 and load it with Gold Dot 38 special + p 135 grain short barrel ammo. Ammo was specifically designed for short barrel revolvers for the NYPD. I carry it everywhere, always in a pocket. Even if I carry a full size weapon it is always with me. Yes it's worth the extra money for the Xdot night sight. Nothing wrong with being stuck with a light weight J frame.
The no-lock 642/442 are the best bang for the buck that fit your criteria. I prefer the 642 for the stainless. For pocket carry, I like Mika pocket holsters.
640's are nice, but fairly heavy for pocket carry and cost at least another $200+. There's the 340 M&P, but it's way too expensive for what you get IMO since you could buy two 642's(New York reload) for the price.
640's are nice, but fairly heavy for pocket carry and cost at least another $200+. There's the 340 M&P, but it's way too expensive for what you get IMO since you could buy two 642's(New York reload) for the price.
P33v3
Member
Let me give you some advice from someone who has spent a S***-ton of cash trying to find the perfect J-Frame. In the past 2 years I have bought the following:
442
642
M&P 340CT
Several others I don't remember.
The Airweights are uncomfortable for me to shoot. They are too light and any more than a couple of cylinder full is uncomfortable. I do not want to cringe trying to shoot.
So what is the best option?
Just get a Model 36 Chiefs Special which if I remember is right under 20oz. Throw on some Pachmayr SJ-C Compac grips and call it a day. You will have a perfect EDC. Throw a couple of speed strips or speed loaders in your pocket and you are well armed. It will last you forever and go bang every single time.
fchretireddet
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I recently retired from LE and had carried Glock 26 or Glock 19. Now mostly S&W 640-3 .357 in Don Hume OWB (no thumb break) or S&W 686+ 3" in an ? OWB with thumb break (with 2 speed loaders for either being carried). Both around 3:30-4:00 carry location. Usually under a loose T-shirt or untucked sport shirt. Ammunition: Speer Gold Dot .38.
Best of luck with whatever you choose. Remember, Safety first and Practice...
Best of luck with whatever you choose. Remember, Safety first and Practice...
ContinentalOp
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I agree with those who said the ideal situation would be an airweight J-frame for carry and occasional practice and a steel J-frame for regular practice.
However, if you're only going to get one I'd suggest the 642-1. I think the airweight's are more versatile in terms of how many ways you can carry them. They're also relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to find in case a replacement (or a back-up) is needed.
I'll also add that most people can conceal carry bigger/heavier guns than they think they can, but it may require a little additional care and consideration when choosing clothing and/or holsters/belts. I've carried a 3" K-frame for 12+ hours/day and never had an issue, but I carried IWB on a good quality gun belt (I like Beltman).
However, if you're only going to get one I'd suggest the 642-1. I think the airweight's are more versatile in terms of how many ways you can carry them. They're also relatively inexpensive and fairly easy to find in case a replacement (or a back-up) is needed.
I'll also add that most people can conceal carry bigger/heavier guns than they think they can, but it may require a little additional care and consideration when choosing clothing and/or holsters/belts. I've carried a 3" K-frame for 12+ hours/day and never had an issue, but I carried IWB on a good quality gun belt (I like Beltman).
A good belt is as important if not more important than a good holster. You dont need a $100 belt as I found a double-ply wrangler belt at a local farm store for $20.
Hold the edges of the belt, one side with your thumb and the other with your index finger. If you can pinch and the belt folds it is not stiff enough.
Another good tip is buy your pants 1-2 sizes bigger than you normally wear to accommodate the gun and holster
+1 for a solid belt IF you're going to be carrying OWB at any point. I carried IWB for many years and did just fine with a Wilderness Instructor 5-stitch belt - a stiff woven nylon belt that got worn with suits and jeans alike, everything but the tuxedo I have to wear once a year. But it wasn't quite stiff enough to keep a lightweight J frame in an OWB holster tucked tight against my body, and not nearly stiff enough to keep a K frame snubbie tucked tight. I now use a Lobo belt for all purposes (1.25") and it does the job, IWB or OWB.
Let me also give a +1 on the recommendation to get a Crimson Trace laser grip. You can zero it for whatever your carry ammo is, and you will know at all times where your shot is going, even if the gun isn't up at eye level. I do my most accurate shooting when I can use mine, and it is also the best dry fire training device ever invented. But mine is red so it's not much use in bright light. If you don't have one already I'd suggest waiting for the green lasers to be available in the extended J frame grip, which cushions the backstrap and has room for all your fingers. I had a chance to shoot a green CT-equipped gun last month and the experience in daylight was stunning - I could see the green dot on a black target face at 20 yards in direct sunlight. There was absolutely no doubt where the shot was going with that setup. As good as the red laser is on my 640 in dim light, I'm saving up to replace it with a green one.
Let me also give a +1 on the recommendation to get a Crimson Trace laser grip. You can zero it for whatever your carry ammo is, and you will know at all times where your shot is going, even if the gun isn't up at eye level. I do my most accurate shooting when I can use mine, and it is also the best dry fire training device ever invented. But mine is red so it's not much use in bright light. If you don't have one already I'd suggest waiting for the green lasers to be available in the extended J frame grip, which cushions the backstrap and has room for all your fingers. I had a chance to shoot a green CT-equipped gun last month and the experience in daylight was stunning - I could see the green dot on a black target face at 20 yards in direct sunlight. There was absolutely no doubt where the shot was going with that setup. As good as the red laser is on my 640 in dim light, I'm saving up to replace it with a green one.
I've conceal carried handguns for 29 years and over the years I have carried full size .45 ACP 1911s, 9mm Browning Hi Powers, full size 9mm CZ 75's, compact .45 ACP 1911's, compact 9mm CZ-75s, various PP and PPK/S .380 ACP pistols, and then eventually .38 Special and .38 Special +P S&W Model 36's and finally an S&W Model 60 in .357 Magnum - in that evolutionary order.
Concealed carry is always a balancing act between comfort, controllability, terminal effectiveness and magazine capacity. Reliability is also a potential issue given hollow point bullets and the practical and operational realities of wearing a gun every waking hour.
I started out feeling the 1911 in .45 ACP was the only valid choice as it offered comparatively good stopping power and the ability to reload quickly. And I shot the 1911 very well as it fit my hand very well. It was however not comfortable to carry concealed and carrying it concealed effectively meant dressing around the pistol, which meant you looked like you were carrying concealed - which pretty much defeats the purpose.
I switched to 9mm eventually when 9mm hollow point performance improved to the point that the 9mm round was finally both reliable and effective for self defense - with the benefit of 13-15 round magazine capacity. The downside is that a Browning Hi Power or full size CZ 75 was just as hard to conceal and the spare magazine was larger and harder to conceal. Despite 13-15 rounds in the magazine, with a semi-auto pistol you still need to carry a spare mag as it's the fastest, best was to clear most of the jams that are still present after tap-rack-bang fails to clear it.
Once Kimber started making a compact 1911 that was actually reliable (and none of the compact 1911s that preceded it were) a compact 1911 made sense in terms of having good terminal effectiveness, controllability and accuracy a small 7 round magazine that was easy to carry, and a more concealable form factor. Unfortunately it still wasn't comfortable for all day carry (although their current carry melt option would help, it's just hideously expensive). And the reality is that as well as I shoot the .45 ACP after years of practical pistol competition, I shoot the 9mm Para better, getting 3 A zone hits in the same time it takes to get 2 A zone hits with a .45 ACP.
Thus the compact CZ 75, although it was still not comfortable enough to ensure I'd carry it all day long - and if your self defense weapon is 20 ft away when a threat bursts in your door, you're screwed.
That led to carrying PP and PPK/S pistols in .380 ACP - sacrificing some terminal performance as having a handgun on me all the time was a better option than having a better one on me only part of the time. I will say that I found the longer PP to be no less comfortable to carry than a Walther or Manuhrin PPK/S. (And the S&W PPK/S was never comfortable to carry IWB due to the longer tang digging into my side.)
Imagine my surprise one day when I discovered that a J-frame Model 36 revolver with all its edges and the relatively wide cylinder was far more comfortable to carry than a PP or PPK/S. It wasn't perfect as the terminal ballistics of a standard pressure .38 Special out of a 1 7/8" or 2 1/8" barrel are worse than a decent .380 ACP load (like the 90 gr XTP) out of a 3.5"-3.9" barrel pistol.
That led to a S&W Model 36-10, a 2 1/8" S&W Model 60 in .357 Magnum and finally a 3" S&W Model 60 in .357, which is in a word, "perfect" for concealed carry.
I've found the 3" Model 60 to be comfortable to carry (I don't even notice it, standing, walking, sitting, driving, all day long when carried in a well designed holster. It's easy to conceal and with a Hogue Monoblock grip it's comfortable to shoot with 125 gr bullets at 1300 fps, even in an extended range session. It's also accurate, capable of holding 3" groups at 25 yards and the adjustable sights ensure the rounds go to point of aim.
Now...it's true that it only carries 5 rounds, but any enforcement of laws I do now is done from behind a desk and my needs are purely personal protection, where nearly all engagements are over and done with in less than 5 seconds at ranges less than 5 yards and with less than 5 rounds expended. In fact, the FBI analyzed 12 years of shooting data and found that 90% of it's agents involved shootings involved 3 rounds or less fired at 3 yards or less.
And those 5 rounds are a very credible 125 gr hollow point load that exceeds 9mm para performance and is at least equal to .45 ACP terminal ballistics.
Plus Wild Bill's Concealment (the same people who make the holster pictured) makes a slip over the belt speed loader carrier that allows you to carry one or two speed loaders in a very low profile, yet comfortable manner, hooking either 2 or 3 rounds inside your belt.
I'll also put in a good word for the 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum as well. It's about 4 oz heavier than a 3" S&W Model 60, but the top strap is heavier and the forcing cone is at least twice as heavy as the forcing cone on the Model 60, giving it much greater durability with full power loads. It's not quite as accurate, and it lacks some of the smoothness of operation of Model 60 as you feel the parts moving a bit more during a DA trigger pull with an SP101 than you do with a Model 60, but it is a gun that will survive 100-150 round range sessions with full power .357 magnum loads. A Model 60 won't stand up to a lifelong diet of .357 Magnum loads, it is rather a revolver that is intended to be carried with .357 magnum but shot in practice with .38 Special.
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Consequently, I don't think you are 'stuck' with a J-frame as one of the steel J Magnum frame sized 3" revolvers in either .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum will offer you good to great terminal ballistics, great to good controllability, excellent accuracy, and a very comfortable form factor to carry in a well designed IWB holster.
That's a far better option that going with one of the less durable, harder to shoot and less effective lightweight .38's, and it avoids the tactical disadvantages of ankle or pocket carry.
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