J-frame or 686 for truck gun

[Mr. Blenderson]

I've been thinking about getting another revolver to keep in my truck. Daily carry is a 642 and it's more or less inaccessible while I'm driving and I spend a few hours a day in my truck.

I have a 686+ 4" at home and I'm debating getting a 442 or a 2.5" 686+ for this purpose. Benefit of the 442 is that it could serve as a backup carry gun if I ever have a need for that (if the 642 need service or something). Other than that it seems like the 686 would be a better choice with more rounds, better shootability, and the option to load 357.

I'll probably get both eventually, but another factor is that a 442 can be had locally for about half the price of a 686.

 

[SAFireman]

A J frame in the console is handy to have when you have forgotten your main carry and need something to drop in a pocket.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

In Florida, the humidity will rust a truck gun pretty quick. Get a beater 686 or just get the aluminum special

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

In Florida, the humidity will rust a truck gun pretty quick. Get a beater 686 or just get the aluminum special

I hadn't considered humidity. Wouldn't the SS hold up better than aluminum though?

 

[rwsmith]

If you take care of it...

If you take care of the s.s. gun, keep a little oil sheen on it and clean and oil it regularly, there's no reason why it should corrode more than a steel gun. Look under the grips now and then, too, corrosion can start there.

 

[sw282]

Get a ''K'' frame... Best of the best ;-)

 

[sw282]

Model 19 or 66

 

[Rockets]

Model 66 2.5 [emoji481]


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[snowman.45]

My thought is if you've got a place to keep a full-size revolver, go with it. The 686 would be my choice. If you want a revolver to keep on your person, then settle for the j-frame.

 

[revolver686]

I shoot my my 2-1/2 inch 686 much better than any of my J-frames. If concealment and portability is not an issue, such as with a truck gun, it would always be my first choice.

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[Zoner]

If you need a truck gun i would use your 4" 686. Concealment is not an issue so there's no reason to compromise for size and weight. The problem with CCW comes when folks are overly concerned with their comfort to the point of carrying a gun that is difficult to shoot accurately. If you need to carry a gun it needs to be something that you can get into play and make a effective hit before your adversary does. I'm more of the dress around the gun that i can do that with kind of guy, using a quality holster and a good belt.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

sorry, a truck gun to me is something you toss into the glovebox or console and only think of it when you need it. Like the revolver your grandpa leaves in his tacklebox
Maintenance not being a priority.
If youre going to keep it pretty then the 686 or steel would be great

 

[BAM-BAM]

A J frame in the console is handy to have when you have forgotten your main carry and need something to drop in a pocket.

This makes sense......... where would you put a 4" L-frame?

IMHO.... "best answer".... is a 2 1/2inch 66 w/ a holster and 2 safariland speedloaders........................

 

[snubbyfan]

442 for daily carry. It has a blued barrel and cylinder and should be wiped down daily.
Take the 642 and use that either in you glove box or center console. With it's stainless barrel and cylinder, it can tolerate a day or two of neglect better.

 

[haywood]

Not being one to leave a gun in my vehicle I would use one of the Two J-Frames I carry daily and make sure it is at the ready incase needed. If I only carried one it would be ready at all times. Beside rust and theft I would worry about forgetting a designated gun was there and have an unotherized person finding it. Then who knows what could happen.

 

[Darkstar888]

If it's a truck gun go with. 686. Bigger and higher capacity always wins if concealability isn't a factor.

 

[S&W Rover]

I like the idea of a heavier gun in .357 Magnum in the car (but remember to keep earplugs with it, since .357 is awfully loud in an enclosed space) although the idea of having a J frame that you can slip in your pocket makes sense, too.

Maybe a 640 or 639 is the right compromise?

On a related note, having recently read that thieves are routinely ripping off cars for guns -- now that GPS's are not so common, guns see to be the primary target -- if makes sense to hide or secure the gun in the truck or car. (I read a recent article that said something like 750 guns a year are reported stolen from vehicles in Atlanta). I am working on figuring out how to mount a lock box of some type, in a way I can still get to it quickly.

 

[Mister X]

I would say a second 642 makes sense.

What is the perceived need/use?

If you're envisioning some scenario where you must fire from inside the vehicle(like a car-jacking or civil unrest type situation) where you simply can't drive away for some reason, then a maneuverable/quick into action lightweight hammerless snub revolver would be very practical and effective. The 686 wouldn't necessarily be a bad choice, but the 642 is much cheaper and the enclosed hammer could prove beneficial in the close confines of a vehicle. You would also have a back-up for your EDC. The 642 would also offer a little bit better weapon retention and have more out-of-view storage options as well.

 

[TAC]

In the house: 686 Plus 4"
In the truck: 686 Plus 2.5"
On me: 640 2-1/8"

All work the same, all use interchangeable .38SPL/.357Mag

 

[petepeterson]

I would choose the 642, or get a new 442 as use that one as the CCW, like Snubby offered.
I'm not a big fan of leaving a gun in the vehicle though, truth be told. Is it possible to just put your CCW in a more accessible location while you drive? This is where pocket carry shines.
If you do add a 2nd revolver, please consider taking it inside each night.

 

[F224]

I would go with the larger, easier to shoot revolver for the truck gun, assuming that concealment is not a factor.

 

[twodog max]

I have carried a truck gun every day for almost 40 years. These days it is either my Model 19 2 1/2 inch or my 686 SSR. Occasionally the Model 69 gets to ride if heading to the mountains. I carry lots of ammo for both calibers in the truck always so that base is covered. Out here in the sticks concealability is not the issue most days. I stick mine down between the seats with the grip ready to grab and if I have to get out I shove it out of sight and lock the truck. Unauthorized hands are not an issue as there are none.

 

[patrickd]

There's no more humidity in your truck than would be in a holster next to your body.so I really don't think it much matters. Even a blued gun would be OK. I stored a blued gun in my basement for years. I wiped it down about once a month or two with oil and it never developed any rust. Guns are meant to be taken care of. If neglected any gun regardless of material made of will rust. Stainless not so easily, but still will corrode if neglected. Not all the parts in a stainless gun are stainless either. The internals have a lot of carbon steel in them.

 

[Stopsign32v]

8 shot 357 S&W would get my vote.

 

[alexrex20]

If it's a truck gun then why does it need to be small (J)? I would choose a 3in 686+

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[alexrex20]

I would choose the 642, or get a new 442 as use that one as the CCW, like Snubby offered.
I'm not a big fan of leaving a gun in the vehicle though, truth be told. Is it possible to just put your CCW in a more accessible location while you drive? This is where pocket carry shines.
If you do add a 2nd revolver, please consider taking it inside each night.

Pocket carry is probably the least accessible method while driving

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[Amp]

Mr. Blenderson you sound a bit like me. So what I write here is not meant to offend you in any way.
You sound like you wanna get another wheelgun. Nothing wrong with that. And you have been given many very good replies.
Now IF you think you will conceal it at some point, Keep it small and lighter.
But IF you think it will resting in your truck or home, go bigger.
However, IF you can afford it, this is a great time to get what YOU really want.
I bought my M&P340 for just that reason. It replaces my 640 no dash which has become my "truck gun" so to speak.

 

[jban357]

I don't think I would bother with a truck gun. Too much risk of something going bad. You already carry, think about your carry option on what holster you are using. That way the gun is with you all the time

 

[Practical]

get polymer gun and a good locking box

 

[shouldazagged]

Pocket carry is probably the least accessible method while driving

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I've had my cars broken into three times over the years. I won't leave a gun in one. If I could afford a bolted-in punk-proof lockbox I might carry a K-frame of <gasp> a Glock in it, but I can't.

My J-frame EDC in its DeSantis pocket holster wedges firmly into a convenient little shelf in my dash. Instantly available, securely held, and ready to drop into my pocket when I leave the vehicle.

Truck guns are for you folks with better luck, I'm afraid.