Need some help picking a EDC revolver and caliber.

[smoore]

And it looks like I was talking out of my Butt. Kimber does make a DA/SA revolver.

Kimber America | K6s (DASA) (2") | Revolver | Handguns
they also have a 3"
Kimber America | K6s (DASA) (3") | Revolver | Handguns

 

[oneounceload]

And those Kimbers are being very well received by the buying public

 

[vegasgunhand]

As a law enforcement firearms instructor since 1980, I've carried a few revolvers in my day, and continue to do so. A revolver is a good choice for an EDC gun. Yes, it has limited capacity, and can be slower to reload than a semi-auto, BUT unless you are headed for Afghanistan, the chances of you needing more than the standard capacity revolver is very slim. Usually even if you encounter multiple subjects, when the first round is fired, they tend to run more than fight. (Of course I'm not discounting the fact you could be targeted for attack by two dozen ninjas.)

I tell my students to find a handgun that feels good to them and they can shoot accurately. If that's a .44 magnum, great. Reality wise, when it comes to handguns, bullet placement is everything. You can not make up for poor marksmanship with a bigger caliber. A smaller framed .357 Magnum in an actual shooting scenario, is likely to be less effective than the same gun loaded with .38 Spl short barreled ammunition. I say this because the recoil and muzzle flash will be much less than the .357 Magnum, which will make for quicker and more accurate follow-on shots if necessary.

You also need to remember the 50% rule. That is no matter how tight a group you shoot on the target range, in a real armed encounter, your group will be at least 50% larger. Unless you are someone who shoots and trains constantly, this is a reality. So plan accordingly.

So if you are looking for a new EDC revolver, I would suggest a S&W J frame revolver in .38 Spl., hammer or internal hammer your choice. I would also look at a Colt Cobra or Night Cobra, or even an older Detective Special. Ruger SP-101. IMHO all good choices.

 

[gwpercle]

AirLite J-Frame in 38 special . Learn to shoot it well .
Don't get all bogged down in the overthinking... it will consume you .

 

[bigwheelzip]

Howdy from South Carolina, and welcome to the forum.

First, let me suggest you put your location in your profile. You said MO in your thread, but narrowing it further might get an invitation from a nearby forum member to try something out.

Are you currently a concealed carrier?


Not that it will save you from a lot of trial and error anyway. I bought many type and sizes of handgun before I decided on a group of them I preferred. I even took private CC classes, in addition to the required CC permit class. The private class included a simulated attack (charging target trolley) that highlighted my tendency to short-stroke long-reset triggers (like DA revolver) in those situations. So I switched to DA/SA to solve that.

My EDC is a 14+1 Compact alloy semi-auto, but my woods walk choice is a 3" 686+, with 180gr Buffalo Bore .357. Loaded with ammo, they weigh almost the same, but that weight revolver is the lightest one that does not hurt to shoot those hunting loads. The slightly lighter 2 1/2" Performance Center with the lighter slab-side barrel starts to hurt with those loads.

I'm a senior female, and with my reduced level of activity, the heavier carry is OK.

My 3" 686 and DA/SA Compact Semi carries:

 

[hkcavalier]

S&W 442/642 . . .

Agree. Everyone wants to reinvent the wheel. No need.

If you want to hip carry outside your pants, sure, get an 8 shot 627 .357 snub. I don't have one, but I have a snub N frame (624), and it's quite literally twice the size and nearly 4 times as heavy.

If you're committed to learning how to shoot a .357 J frame quickly and accurately, great. But it's a steep curve. I would "settle" for a J frame with .38 Special +Ps.

 

[michpatriot]

Look up a 3" MP 360... Lightweight 357 magnum 3" barrel front night sight.

 

[ABMI]

PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 19 Carry Comp(R) | Smith & Wesson

It's a k frame but feels easy to carry & shoot. I have had many revolver's over the years and love them, that said I carry a 45 shield & a spare mag. 14, 230gr HST's gives me enough to defend myself and my family in most cases.

 

[ABPOS]

I have a Beretta M9 and have carried it a few times. It's not really something I like doing.

I carry a 442 but it wouldn't be my first choice. (bought it from my Mom when my step Dad passed away) But I do like it.

I didn't read everyone's response, but I read your whole first post. My recommendation is a 640 or a 360. They will give you the capability of shooting .357. My guess is you probably won't want to. If I had to make a percentage of people I hear actually shoot .357's in their snubbies, it's about less than 10% of the people on two forums I frequent. There are a few brave souls that do it though. And you might fit those requirements. So nothing wrong with having the capability.

Plus the frames are going to be more durable, even if you opt to shoot .38's of some flavor.

If you come to the conclusion that plus p's are good enough. Then your options open up even more. Any good J frame will do the trick though. You just have to pick your poison and if you think you want a hammer or not.

But I think the 640 is pretty much THE gun for serious J frame carry. With the airweights being second choice. 360/442/642/637/638.

The 360 and 640 get you better sights than the .38 guns and some people like that a lot. I don't mind my 442's sights. I painted the front white and it makes a big difference.

I shouldn't leave out the model 60 if you want a hammer. That would be the top choice if you want a hammer. IMHO.

I would like to have a steel framed J frame for carry. I think I'd go for the 60. But the 640 would be hard to beat.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Here is your problem...
Unless you are experienced with harder kicking guns , the
light weight guns will be harder to shoot.
The smaller ones also.
If you can stand the weight, An M-10,13 ,15,19 or 64,65, 66.686
In S&W or Speed six , Security six , or Gp100 in Ruger will work fine.
Just go with a 2in to 3in barrel [look hard at the 3in]
In what ever Cartridge you like.
Heaver loads start at 357 and go up.
For a smaller gun ,, look again at that SP101 9mm...
The 9mm gives good results from the shorter barrel than a 38spec..
It also loads from a moon clip[think a mag for a revolver]
And can be bulk ordered from Ranch products.

 

[oldsman70]

X2 For the Kimber K6s I have the 2 inch model my EDC ,It took the place of my 327 8 shot 2 inch N Frame Just cause its easier to carry.

 

[Ranger514]

Everybody has an opinion based on their personal experience. I'd suggest you go to a range where you can rent a variety of snubbies, and find out which one fits you best. When I started out in LE, I carried and shot a K frame .357 snubby for a number of years before we transitioned to Sig semiautos. Nowadays, .38 Special +P, or 9 mm +P loads deliver significant stopping power with managable recoil, whereas .357 magnum loads can be a handful for someone without snubby experience. Happy hunting.

 

[skipnsb]

First, decide the biggest/heaviest gun you are willing to carry every day, even in summer shorts. Then sort through the choices.

It may pay to have an alternate heavier winter gun.

My carry weapon is no fun at the range.

Oft repeated, a small gun in the hand beats a cannon in the bush.

 

[ABPOS]

I also went with a SW Model 60 3". Carries easily in a Garret Industries IWB Silent Thunder Revolver holster. Alot of grip options to chose from (one of the advantages of revolvers).

My other carry is a Beretta Px4 Storm Compact 9mm also in a Garrett Industries Silent Thunder. This also carries well but is a bit heavier.

That is really nice.

 

[hittman77]

Ruger LCR in 38 Special with factory red fiber optic front site.
Glock 43.

Those are the two in my CCW rotation.

Carry what fits your lifestyle and how you dress.
Carry what you shoot well and feel comfortable and confident with.

Edit to add: And invest in a GOOD QUALITY holster.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

My suggestion right off the bat would be a S&W 442/642. It can be easily concealed in nearly any clothing and fires a relatively effective cartridge.
Buy the gun , ten or more dummy rounds, and your choice of loading device(s) and practice dry fire and manipulations, reloading, etc. relentlessly. Set aside fifty rounds minimum a month for live fire practice at seven yards and closer. Strive for 100% hits on the black of a B8 target. Don't worry about speed at first - it will gradually come with practice.
Decide on your carry location and buy quality carry gear. Do not scrimp on the belt especially. An inexpensive holster with a good belt is always better than the opposite.
Good Luck and be safe and smart!

 

[smoore]

Ok lot more good info. Thanks for all of the help so far!
I will try to address a few post. and give a little more info. Then I will post the guns I have seen that have been recommended along with the number of times recommended. sorry in advance if I missed counting something.

I live in the St. Louis area. Saint Charles to be precise. I do currently carry my walther PPQ 4" but not very frequently. I do want to carry more often. I have taken a CCW class and loved it. I wish everyone, even those that don't carry would take one. so much good information. Anyway... I do have a belt I like. It is not a gun belt though. I think it should serve me as well as a gun belt. I might be wrong though. it is a 1.5" wide nylon with a super strong elastic. this allows me to snug it up and still give a little when I set down. I can also easily tighten or loosen it if needed. My gun doesn't move at all with it. it is actually easy to over tighten. sometimes after a while my legs start to hurt and go numb. then I loosen it a little and it is good. I am currently using Alien Gear holsters. I have been happy with them. I am open to a different brand for the revolver, but figured I would order another from them. I did in fact just order the newer shape shift for my PPQ. I heard it would make it easier to carry than the version I was using. I will see. My PPQ weighs in about 25 oz empty. which I don't carry it that way. the only time the weight has bothered me is when I tried to pocket carry in my pants, or a shirt with a hidden CCW pocket on the chest. The PPQ was too big for my pants pocket and felt odd since it didn't fit very well. and it was too heavy to carry in the shirt pocket. at least without something on the other side to counter the weight. Which I didn't try. But the PPQ is not a pocket gun anyway so no big surprise it didn't work well for that type of carry.

I have gotten quite a few suggestions for DAO revolvers. I do appreciate the helpful info on this because it is what I am asking for in helping to choose a revolver. That being said, I am 100% sure I want a SA/DA revolver not a DAO one.

Next the whole 357 mag/38 special or just a straight 38 special. I am not a set on this, but I would greatly prefer at this point to get a 357 mag/38 special over just the 38 special. I might change on this. one reason might be cost. If I find a good deal for a used 38, that would leave me with enough to buy a good used 41. mag or 44 mag, i might go that way. But if it is only a 1 gun purchase, then I probably won't. Though again price might get the better of me. If the 38 is enough cheaper and I get a good enough deal on it I might do it. I notice there wasn't many post mentioning the .41 mag and the .44 mag. I will assume for not it is because if it is painful to shoot a .357 mag from a sub, it is even more so to shoot a 44 mag from anything smaller than a 3" or 4" barrel. Please correct me if I am wrong. I do like that 629 and 69 44 mag. along with that backpacker 44 mag I mentioned. But I am guessing do to size and recoil these are not coming up as recommended. ok sorry again if I missed addressing anything. there have been so many helpful post it is hard to address them all.

now for the current gun recommendations I will put the model and then the number of times I have seen it recommended. sorry some of these could be the same gun just called out differently. I have not tracked down all of them yet to verify the models, but I figure you will know what I am talking about.

LCR(x) 2" 357 Magnum (2)
LCR(x) 3" 357 Magnum (2)
340 PD (2)
S&W 640 Pro (7)
Kimber K6S (4)
Colt Cobra (2)
360pd (1)
686+ in 2.5" (1)
686+ in 3" (3)
Model 19 K-Comp (3)
S&W M66 2.75" (1)
S&W Model 29 4" (1)
M629 3" (1)
MODEL 60(-10?) (6)
MODEL 60-15 (1)
Ruger SP101 (4)
S&W 442 (2)
S&W 642 (3)
k-frame model 10 3" (1)
k-frame model 13 3" (1)
k-frame model 64 3" (1)
k-frame model 65 3" (1)
Model 66 (1)
performance center 627 (2)
MP 360 3" (1)
Gp100 (1)

Ok I think that is it. Hopefully the formating comes out easy to read when posted. Now I have to look each of those up and find out if there are any I am sure I don't like for one reason or another. Then try to get my hands on as many as I can in stores. I will be hitting up all the stores like bass pro cabelas academy sports ect. just to see if they have any of these I can handle. I will also check more ranges in the area to see if I can rent any of them. And I will check the ranges that have stores, even if I can't rent it, maybe I can hold it. I might also hit up pawn shops and such, if I can't find these maybe they will have one I can hold.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[JohnnieBoy]

I give a nod for the Ruger LCRx. I had one in .38+p I carried for a bit. Nice, light and such a smooth trigger. Gave it to a gf that needed a property/woods carry in OR. I am tempted to buy it again in .357. Anyway, that would be my recommendation. I'm torn though, between the snub and the newly released 3". Snub is better for carry, obviously... but that 3" sure looks nice.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Well, smoore, your analytical mind has shown through even more.

Quite a list you've got.

I must say there's a reason the Model 60 (- whatever) and 640 Pro tied and topped the number count on this forum.

Please don't call the SPCA on me for beating a dead horse. If you find a shop that rents revolvers where you can shoot some, give one of S&W's Centennials (DAO) a try. My Centennials (.357, .38 Special and .22 LR) have got me shooting even the SA-capable guns in DA. I rarely "pull the trigger" in SA any more. It's made me a better shooter, and especially in a bad situation you won't have time to cock the hammer.

My two bits,

Bob

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Welcome. I carry and recommend the S&W Model 340 PD Airlite. The model without the hammer that could snag on drawing. It holds 5 rounds and is chambered for 357 which as you know can also fire 38 special rounds if you prefer. As you say it is a handful firing 357, but light and small enough to easily carry all day in my pocket. No one knows that I have it. Recoil for all guns is overcome with practice. It is very manageable with 38 special. If I were, God forbid, in a gunfight; I would like the battleship Missouri at my disposal, but I think am I best with something that is easy to carry, so I will have it when I need it. It is always good advice to rent guns at the range or shoot a friends gun to see if you like it. Good luck at getting what works for you.