Need some help picking a EDC revolver and caliber.
- Thread starter smoore
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I’ve become a fan of suspenders in the last year. I wear them over a t-shirt and then an untucked outer shirt over that. Can carry the heavier guns very comfortably.
Best regards
Just as we've mentioned about "good" leather, good suspenders are equally important. I started with the only pair I could find locally (made in Ch***). Within a week I ordered a pair of Contractor Series from the Hold Up Suspender Company (Made in U.S.A.). I wear them everyday. Fantastic.
[emoji17] some bad news. First the minor. Store is closed today so I can’t go get that 637 today. On another on related note my 11 year old son hurt his knee a week ago at wrestling practice. He had an MRI done Friday and we got the results back. He definitely has a tear and will need surgery. I guess that is a Monday for you though can’t expect much else.
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I carry a Glock 43X daily with 11 rounds of 9mm in a Kydex or Remora holster....Sometimes I forget I'm carrying.... you'll never say that about carrying a S&W steel revolver, you'll always know its there, but my model 65-5 3" or my 66-2 3" revolver is always nearby, the 2.5" is an excellent choice too....any of these are a great investment and much more fun to shoot than the alloy frame models.
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Thanks.... I've owned many pre lock 66's.... never lost a dime on one...they keep climbing in $$$$
I've had an alloy frame S&W crack. I can't say I enjoyed shooting a 340PD... I tried one at my local range... it made my steel 2.5" 66 a pleasure to shoot with any defensive load....
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stonebuster
Member
falling britches
Concerning the gun pulling your britches down, an IWB holster helps take some of the weight off your belt as your body helps hold the gun up. I realized this when I tried a simple Bianchi IWB /appendix carry with belt clip for my SP 101 2.25" which weighs 26 oz. My gun belt is stiff enough to keep the snubby from rolling over the belt when sitting or bending over. It's the most comfortable way I've found for my SP. One I opened the bottom a little to allow the SP to sit lower. Something similar might work for you
Concerning the gun pulling your britches down, an IWB holster helps take some of the weight off your belt as your body helps hold the gun up. I realized this when I tried a simple Bianchi IWB /appendix carry with belt clip for my SP 101 2.25" which weighs 26 oz. My gun belt is stiff enough to keep the snubby from rolling over the belt when sitting or bending over. It's the most comfortable way I've found for my SP. One I opened the bottom a little to allow the SP to sit lower. Something similar might work for you
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ABPOS
Member
Speer Gold dot 135 grain +p is supposed to be one of the "best". A lot of guys also like the 158 SWC +p they call the FBI load. Remington and a few others make it.
I personally don't like shooting +p's in an airweight so I just carry whatever goes boom. It's not likely to expand so I just want it to penetrate. I need to pick up some more wadcutters but basically my go to load is Hornady American Handgunner 125 grain. That also is not likely to expand but it is clean and accurate and reliable. And seems a bit hotter than most loads. Although really I'd rather just shoot the lightest load as long as it penetrates. Hence some people suggest wadcutters because they do a good job in that regard. I wouldn't try to reload wadcutters, but some people do.
I personally don't like shooting +p's in an airweight so I just carry whatever goes boom. It's not likely to expand so I just want it to penetrate. I need to pick up some more wadcutters but basically my go to load is Hornady American Handgunner 125 grain. That also is not likely to expand but it is clean and accurate and reliable. And seems a bit hotter than most loads. Although really I'd rather just shoot the lightest load as long as it penetrates. Hence some people suggest wadcutters because they do a good job in that regard. I wouldn't try to reload wadcutters, but some people do.
ABPOS
Member
When I meant reload, I meant performing a reload into the cylinder because there's no taper and would be harder to do.
Congratulations! You just cannot go wrong with an Airweight j-frame in .38 Special!
ABPOS
Member
Wooohooooo!! Welcome to the club. If you feel led, we need a range report after you go. 
If all goes right, I might be going tomorrow myself. We're supposed to get snow though. We'll see how the roads are.
changed cuz I already posted that one:
If all goes right, I might be going tomorrow myself. We're supposed to get snow though. We'll see how the roads are.
changed cuz I already posted that one:
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The J frame 640-1 with boot grip was my first CCW and has been my default pocket revolver since 1995. The K frame 3" Model 13 carries 6 rounds and can still hide in a jacket pocket or IWB holster. My conceal carry autos are the HK USP 9mm Compact, HK USP .45 Compact and Kriss Sphinx Alpha SDP 9mm.
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Back to basics
I don’t edc, not allowed in my country, so I am not in,fluenced by personal preference. My thoughts are that before deciding what to carry you need to work out a few other things first.
Number 1, as quoted above, get yourself a good belt. I picked up a couple of DeSantis E25 belts from Midway, just a short drive from St Charles, for under $25 each when I passed through last year, and while I don’t carry a pistol I use them daily on both my uniform and casual dress trousers. Even if you choose not to belt carry the belt will be worth it as you will need to carry ammo etc and the belt/pockets are the logical place to carry.
Number 2, how will you carry. Belt? Pocket? IWB? OWB? Shoulder? I visited St Louis in the first week of November and it was cold, wet and windy, but at other times of the year I understand it gets hot and muggy. Pocket or IWB seem to me to be the places to start. That lead to:
Number 3, choose the size of the revolver that you know you can carry concealed according to your location. J frame? K Frame? Larger? Other manufacturers equivalent?
Then and only then, would I start to look at gun options.
And get a decent holster too. Even if you are pocket carrying (especially if pocket carrying and you have a handkerchief, keys etc in the same pocket.
As far as caliber goes, many years ago I read the following, the best .38 Special round will be equal to an average 9mm in stoping power. The best 9mm equal to a lower level .357 magnum.
Finally practice regularly (at least monthly) with some decent g enrich “budget” ammunition and fire off the 6 rounds you have carried since you’re last practice session. Reload with the rounds you have acarfied as spare and replace them out of the box.
Personally, given the OP I would be looking at that Ruger 9mm SP 101. Six rounds of top line defense 9mm with another six on my belt or in my pocket and I’d feel just as secure as when Ihave my G17 on the belt at work.
I don’t edc, not allowed in my country, so I am not in,fluenced by personal preference. My thoughts are that before deciding what to carry you need to work out a few other things first.
Number 1, as quoted above, get yourself a good belt. I picked up a couple of DeSantis E25 belts from Midway, just a short drive from St Charles, for under $25 each when I passed through last year, and while I don’t carry a pistol I use them daily on both my uniform and casual dress trousers. Even if you choose not to belt carry the belt will be worth it as you will need to carry ammo etc and the belt/pockets are the logical place to carry.
Number 2, how will you carry. Belt? Pocket? IWB? OWB? Shoulder? I visited St Louis in the first week of November and it was cold, wet and windy, but at other times of the year I understand it gets hot and muggy. Pocket or IWB seem to me to be the places to start. That lead to:
Number 3, choose the size of the revolver that you know you can carry concealed according to your location. J frame? K Frame? Larger? Other manufacturers equivalent?
Then and only then, would I start to look at gun options.
And get a decent holster too. Even if you are pocket carrying (especially if pocket carrying and you have a handkerchief, keys etc in the same pocket.
As far as caliber goes, many years ago I read the following, the best .38 Special round will be equal to an average 9mm in stoping power. The best 9mm equal to a lower level .357 magnum.
Finally practice regularly (at least monthly) with some decent g enrich “budget” ammunition and fire off the 6 rounds you have carried since you’re last practice session. Reload with the rounds you have acarfied as spare and replace them out of the box.
Personally, given the OP I would be looking at that Ruger 9mm SP 101. Six rounds of top line defense 9mm with another six on my belt or in my pocket and I’d feel just as secure as when Ihave my G17 on the belt at work.
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