I took my dd-form 214 to the sheriff's office a couple weeks ago, filled out an application, paid 50.00 and a week and a half later I got the permit in the mail. I don't plan to carry around here, but is nice to know I can if I want to. But, the only big gun I have is a .357 ruger blackhawk with a 6-1/2" barrel. I really don't use the gun for anything and am thinking about trading for a .38 cal. don't want a snub nose gun, looking at the smith and wesson model 10 or maybe the model 64, I would use it mainley for walks in the woods and take it with to the range, would like an accurate gun out to 25 yards, not crazy about the adj. sights, maybe accurate and non adj. sights don't go together. Would allso like to conceal carry same gun if I decide. I am new to this, so would appreciate your thoughts, suggestions. I am 57 and have been around guns all my life, mainley 22's and shotguns and muzzleloaders, but not centerfire revolvers. thanks, chuck
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got my carry permit
- Thread starter chuck-ia
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Welcome to the forum.
Just a comment on adjustable vs. non-ajustable, if you're reloading or using a variety of ammo you'd do better with adjustable.
Fixed sights have worked just fine for quite a long time. You just need to find where POA and POI put the bullets with the loads you're shooting.
Just a comment on adjustable vs. non-ajustable, if you're reloading or using a variety of ammo you'd do better with adjustable.
Fixed sights have worked just fine for quite a long time. You just need to find where POA and POI put the bullets with the loads you're shooting.
I have at least a few things in common with you. I took the school last September. It took eight weeks for my concealed carry permit to arrive in the mail. By now (March) concealed carry is beginning to feel natural to me. But I am not sure that I will ever get so accustomed to it that I forget that I am carrying.
The "caliber" discussion, as you can tell, is all over the place. I think the best answer I have heard is "The best caliber is the largest one that you can feel at home with, and are not reluctant to practice with." Depending upon the circumstance, I will carry either a Keltec PF9 plus a spare 7-round clip or a SW637 .38 Special +P revolver plus a speed loader.
The "caliber" discussion, as you can tell, is all over the place. I think the best answer I have heard is "The best caliber is the largest one that you can feel at home with, and are not reluctant to practice with." Depending upon the circumstance, I will carry either a Keltec PF9 plus a spare 7-round clip or a SW637 .38 Special +P revolver plus a speed loader.
A 4" M10 or M64 would be a fine choice. Accurate and dependable, they're both proven winners.
If you decide to carry on a regular basis, you may want to consider a snubby. They're lighter and easier to conceal in jeans or a jacket pocket. My 2" M64 is always at my side. I can't hit squat with it beyond 21 feet but I don't worry - Self defense doesn't happen at 25 yards.
A 2" M10 for your pocket and a 4" M64 for the range?? Priceless!
If you decide to carry on a regular basis, you may want to consider a snubby. They're lighter and easier to conceal in jeans or a jacket pocket. My 2" M64 is always at my side. I can't hit squat with it beyond 21 feet but I don't worry - Self defense doesn't happen at 25 yards.
A 2" M10 for your pocket and a 4" M64 for the range?? Priceless!
Congratulations on getting the permit.
A M10 or M64 would be a good choice, very dependable and for your purposes I'm sure they are accurate enough. Plus they are reasonably priced. One thing I would strongly recommend is for you to get quality holsters. A lot of people get that first permit and then go buy a cheap nylon one at a gun show. Please don't do that. Get something that will stand up under use. It will cost more, but the gun will be secure and it should last a long time.
If I were you I wouldn't totally rule out snubbies. If you were to ask everybody on here, at least the revolver users, you'd probably find the vast majority have at least one J-Frame. I couldn't be without one.
A M10 or M64 would be a good choice, very dependable and for your purposes I'm sure they are accurate enough. Plus they are reasonably priced. One thing I would strongly recommend is for you to get quality holsters. A lot of people get that first permit and then go buy a cheap nylon one at a gun show. Please don't do that. Get something that will stand up under use. It will cost more, but the gun will be secure and it should last a long time.
If I were you I wouldn't totally rule out snubbies. If you were to ask everybody on here, at least the revolver users, you'd probably find the vast majority have at least one J-Frame. I couldn't be without one.
Skeptic 9c
Member
There is the Ruger SP-101
KSP-331X 5719 .357 Mag. 5shot Black Rubber grip Fixed Sights 3.06" Barrell 8.00" LOA 27.00 oz. $629.00 MSRP
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver Models
Not light, but a good all rounder.
The S&W 60
Product: Model 60
Is just a touch lighter and has adjustable sights.
Both are difficult to find at the moment and most folks recommend using .38 specials, except for snake loads.
Geoff
Who has other revolvers to fill his needs.
KSP-331X 5719 .357 Mag. 5shot Black Rubber grip Fixed Sights 3.06" Barrell 8.00" LOA 27.00 oz. $629.00 MSRP
Ruger SP101 Double-Action Revolver Models
Not light, but a good all rounder.
The S&W 60
Product: Model 60
Is just a touch lighter and has adjustable sights.
Both are difficult to find at the moment and most folks recommend using .38 specials, except for snake loads.
Geoff
Who has other revolvers to fill his needs.
Model 442 .38 in the front pocket in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster with a speed strip or 2 in the off side pocket. I have a 340sc .357 too but it's quite a handful to shoot w/ magnums which is what I carry in it. Does double duty as a .38 if need be, is 99.99% reliable, and doesn't shuck empties on the sidewalk. The 442 would be my first suggestion.
Thanks for the replys. I may eventually get a snubby. Talked to a friend of my mothers last night at her 90 birthday party, who has a 4" model 10 he may be interested in trading for my blackhawk, will have to look at the gun and do some price checking if I like the gun and he likes the blackhawk. One step at a time, thanks again. chuck
rromeo
Member
I'm not an expert, but I think you're making a good choice. I recently picked up a 4" model 10 for just about the same purpose. I called it my snake gun at first, but I've been carrying it regularly around town.
As far as trading your Blackhawk, I think you should be receiving more than just a gun to keep values equal.
JohnnieB
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting your CCW so quickly and hassle free.
Nice to hear Iowa recognized your military training as a firearms safety course in addition to recently becoming a "Shall-Issue" state.
Sounds like your wants and needs are closer to open carry than concealed, so a 4" barrel will probably suit your purposes well - for the moment.
I carry either a J-frame airweight or a mousegun (or both) depending on the weather and what I'm wearing, but they are not much fun to shoot, so I only shoot them enough to stay proficient. All my shooters are 4" except for a couple .22rf and a couple all steel snubbies.
Since you've been shooting for years, you probably know snubbies have about the same intrinsic accuracy out to about 25 yards as the longer barreled versions, but the shorter sight radius precludes most of us from aiming them well enough and consistantly enough to hit anything smaller than paper plates beyond 7 yards or so. On a very good day, from sandbags and an all steel snubbie, I can shoot less than 6" groups at 25 yards, but it is more like work than fun and being retired, I prefer having fun to anything that even remotely resembles work, so I stick to the longer barrels and plinking most of the time.
The M10 sounds interesting. Being a fixed sight model, it's most likely regulated for 158gr LRN, standard velocity, factory ammo, but being a used gun, somebody might have played with it's POA/POI a bit. Ask the current owner what it likes best.
A word of caution about S&W revelovers though. They are addictive.
John
Nice to hear Iowa recognized your military training as a firearms safety course in addition to recently becoming a "Shall-Issue" state.
Sounds like your wants and needs are closer to open carry than concealed, so a 4" barrel will probably suit your purposes well - for the moment.
I carry either a J-frame airweight or a mousegun (or both) depending on the weather and what I'm wearing, but they are not much fun to shoot, so I only shoot them enough to stay proficient. All my shooters are 4" except for a couple .22rf and a couple all steel snubbies.
Since you've been shooting for years, you probably know snubbies have about the same intrinsic accuracy out to about 25 yards as the longer barreled versions, but the shorter sight radius precludes most of us from aiming them well enough and consistantly enough to hit anything smaller than paper plates beyond 7 yards or so. On a very good day, from sandbags and an all steel snubbie, I can shoot less than 6" groups at 25 yards, but it is more like work than fun and being retired, I prefer having fun to anything that even remotely resembles work, so I stick to the longer barrels and plinking most of the time.
The M10 sounds interesting. Being a fixed sight model, it's most likely regulated for 158gr LRN, standard velocity, factory ammo, but being a used gun, somebody might have played with it's POA/POI a bit. Ask the current owner what it likes best.
A word of caution about S&W revelovers though. They are addictive.
John
oberon
Member
Now that's what I'm talkin' about.
That 4" model 10 would be an excellent choice. And feel free to be an armed citizen now that you're legal. Make it a habit. There are hundreds of options to carry concealed, and as long as you are comfortable and the weapon is absolutely reliable, you are good to go. In any case look around and see what others are doing.
And don't let that model 10 slip away.
txchl33
Member
Chuck I've been around guns all my life too. I bought my first S&W at Cabela's recently. It was a used model 67-1 (I think it's called a model 15 also). It is a SS, 4" barrel, six shot K frame 38 special. I'm 6'1" so I can hide my SA 1911-A1-GI or the K frame.
I teach CHL here in Texas and needed an accurate revolver to take my instructor proficiency tests. My daughter got my taurus model 85 while I wasn't lookin', dangit! My peekers are going south on me and was having a hard time hitting the target at 15 yards.
Anyway carry what you are comfortable with and a weapon you can survive with, if it ever comes to that, God forbid. Remember dee-dee out of the AO, if you can. If you can't shoot straight.
I teach CHL here in Texas and needed an accurate revolver to take my instructor proficiency tests. My daughter got my taurus model 85 while I wasn't lookin', dangit! My peekers are going south on me and was having a hard time hitting the target at 15 yards.
Anyway carry what you are comfortable with and a weapon you can survive with, if it ever comes to that, God forbid. Remember dee-dee out of the AO, if you can. If you can't shoot straight.
I found 4 inch K frames hard to conceal. I've tried Jframes, Glocks, Kel Tecs, and more J frames. It's a personal choice, but each choice some time.
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Life is one long, cruel joke and then you die (Ceasar Romero aka... The Joker)
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Life is one long, cruel joke and then you die (Ceasar Romero aka... The Joker)
stantheman86
US Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2010
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For when you don't want to use a holster, the Barami Hip Grip works great. I also have one on my Model 60.
I only carry IWB for maximum concealment, I have carried guns as big as my 6" M27-2 in an IWB holster.
I like the Bianchi leather clip holster, for IWB. I have one sized for medium frame 4" revolvers, works great for my 10's,64's, and Ruger Speed Six.
I won't use the cheap gun show nylon holsters, they add too much bulk. Leather is tougher and thinner. With IWB carry the last thing you want is a huge holster shaped bulge under your shirt.
