Need some help picking a EDC revolver and caliber.
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ABPOS
Member
Looking forward to hearing about your range trip and what models you tried. Sorry about the rough schedule.
Hmm. Well home from work, and my tracking number for my anson belt says it was delivered. I don’t have it though. I don’t know if it is a problem with the tracking number, or if the post office delivered it to the wrong address. They have been doing that lately with some other mail.
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I heard back From Anson, They got back to me quickly. They asked the normal questions. did I check with other people in my house, ect.. I had, and I emailed them that. I will contact my post office today and see if they can help find it. Of course I paid for express shipping because I didn't want to wait longer to get my package. That was a wash!
stonebuster
Member
I'm looking forward to your reviews from the range trip since I've recently had to decide on a EDC revolver. BTW, I do have a 4" blued GP100 .357 which is a very comfortable, accurate shooter but I don't think I could conceal it well or comfortably. Good luck and enjoy the ride!
AveragEd
Member
You've received a lot of good suggestions so far so mine won't be all that remarkable. Right up front, my choice wouldn't be a revolver and it certainly would not be a .357 Magnum due to the chance of overpenetration and possible resulting injury to innocent bystanders. A .357 if loaded loaded with .38 Special ammunition is a better option.
My choice would be a 1911 in .45ACP. Big, slow-moving slug with an abundance of knock-down power and not so much risk of passing through walls in a handgun proven to be ultra-reliable by over 100 years of use. But I do have a .357 revolver as a second carry option.
My 1911 is an S&W E-Series encased with a polymer Recover Tactical "jacket" with a rail for attaching a laser or light in that same company's polymer holster with safety retention button. My other choice is a 2-1/2" S&W Model 66-4 in a Lobo Gun Leather holster. The .45 is loaded with 185-grain JHP ammo; the revolver is loaded with .38 Special 125-grain JHPs. Both guns are pictured below and I apologize for the last one being inverted. I even tried inverting it in my PC's library but it still posts upside-down.
Whatever you choose, be sure to become VERY comfortable with it and its holster through lots of shooting and practicing drawing it in the dark while distracted. If you are going to take a gun to a gun fight. you want to better with your gun than your aggressor is with his.
Ed
My choice would be a 1911 in .45ACP. Big, slow-moving slug with an abundance of knock-down power and not so much risk of passing through walls in a handgun proven to be ultra-reliable by over 100 years of use. But I do have a .357 revolver as a second carry option.
My 1911 is an S&W E-Series encased with a polymer Recover Tactical "jacket" with a rail for attaching a laser or light in that same company's polymer holster with safety retention button. My other choice is a 2-1/2" S&W Model 66-4 in a Lobo Gun Leather holster. The .45 is loaded with 185-grain JHP ammo; the revolver is loaded with .38 Special 125-grain JHPs. Both guns are pictured below and I apologize for the last one being inverted. I even tried inverting it in my PC's library but it still posts upside-down.
Whatever you choose, be sure to become VERY comfortable with it and its holster through lots of shooting and practicing drawing it in the dark while distracted. If you are going to take a gun to a gun fight. you want to better with your gun than your aggressor is with his.
Ed
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just a quick update. I called the post office. they were not able to tell me anything. they don't know if it was delivered and to what address, or if it is still on the truck. Anson has been very helpful. they said if it didn't show up today let them know and they would ship out a replacement free of charge. A+ customer service so far with them. It is not their fault the post office lost it.
Ok I went to the range on my lunch break. It was a little disappointing. First I forgot my contacts. I have astigmatism and while I can shoot my guns pretty good without my contacts, it was really hard to find where to hold when I couldn't see clearly enough where I was hitting. That was one issue. Now for the rest. They only had 4 revolvers there one was a 8" 44 mag so I didn't bother to buy their ammo for it. I wasn't able to shoot any .357 ammo, because all they had was $30 for a box of 20 rds. Not gonna happen for target practice when I don't even own the gun. So I bought some 38 special american eagle 158 gr. it was over priced, but I figured it would be. Next I looked at the ones I might actually shoot. First was a taurus 605 DAO. I held it, didn't like it, didn't bother to shoot it. Next gun was a SP101 2.25" barrel. I shot 20 rds through this one. I liked it. I had a hard time finding where to hold it though. Almost no recoil with the 38 Special, or at least less than either of my 9mm. Next I shot a lcr with a 1.87" barrel I believe. It was DAO. I didn't really like the trigger, and I didn't really like the DAO, even though I shot that way most of the time with the others. This one was super light. I was also amazed at the recoil. not saying it was bad, but you could feel it. definitely more than my 9mm. I wouldn't want to shoot .357 out of it if I got one this light. I could do it but I would not enjoy it. the last one I shot was a GP100 with a 4" barrel. I liked shooting this one the most. I was able to shoot a lot better with it. the recoil with the 38 special was like shooting a .22, or a pellet gun. But the gun was bigger than what I think I want to carry IWB. SO that is what I have so far. Not what I was wanting, but better than nothing. From this I feel I could be happy with the SP101 even though it is down on my list of what I want. All of this did bring some more thoughts to the surface.
If I go with a gun the size of the LCR, I won't bother to even get the .357. I imagine the only time the .357 would go through it would be when I hand it to people and say here shoot this. The size and weight of something like an LCR (maybe a 437) would be a nice carry if I got it in a 38 special, or possible a .327 mag. I would probably stick with 38, just because ammo price and you can find it easier.
Next if I step up to the Sp101 weight, I would love to shoot a S&W 627. I really like the looks of the gun. also I would like to shoot some of the 686 or the model 60's I think I would be fine shooting the .357 though this size. I would still shoot a lot more 38 special, but I would shoot the .357 too. I don't have any real complaints with the SP101. It was an OK gun. nothing wrong with it or the quality, just not what I really want.
Finally the GP100 4" range. If I was going to get something like this it is definitely more of a shooter for me and not something I would carry much if ever.
I am torn between the sizes, because this was the most fun for me to shoot. it doesn't however fit my purpose right now of why I would be buying one. So torn between ez of carry or fun to shoot. I guess I have to go ez of carry for now. I already have guns I enjoy shooting but not carrying.
So biggest decision will be super light weight 38 that I would almost forget I had, or a slightly heavier 38/357 that I would probably mostly forget I had.
Also I really like those S&W 629 in a .44. I think I would shoot the 44 special through that easy enough. the price is higher though for ammo. and I am not sure If I would want to shoot 44 Mag though it. I do really like the 627 and 629 looks though. How much wider is the 627 compared to the SP101? Anyone have both, or shoot both?
If I go with a gun the size of the LCR, I won't bother to even get the .357. I imagine the only time the .357 would go through it would be when I hand it to people and say here shoot this. The size and weight of something like an LCR (maybe a 437) would be a nice carry if I got it in a 38 special, or possible a .327 mag. I would probably stick with 38, just because ammo price and you can find it easier.
Next if I step up to the Sp101 weight, I would love to shoot a S&W 627. I really like the looks of the gun. also I would like to shoot some of the 686 or the model 60's I think I would be fine shooting the .357 though this size. I would still shoot a lot more 38 special, but I would shoot the .357 too. I don't have any real complaints with the SP101. It was an OK gun. nothing wrong with it or the quality, just not what I really want.
Finally the GP100 4" range. If I was going to get something like this it is definitely more of a shooter for me and not something I would carry much if ever.
I am torn between the sizes, because this was the most fun for me to shoot. it doesn't however fit my purpose right now of why I would be buying one. So torn between ez of carry or fun to shoot. I guess I have to go ez of carry for now. I already have guns I enjoy shooting but not carrying.
So biggest decision will be super light weight 38 that I would almost forget I had, or a slightly heavier 38/357 that I would probably mostly forget I had.
Also I really like those S&W 629 in a .44. I think I would shoot the 44 special through that easy enough. the price is higher though for ammo. and I am not sure If I would want to shoot 44 Mag though it. I do really like the 627 and 629 looks though. How much wider is the 627 compared to the SP101? Anyone have both, or shoot both?
AveragEd
Member
Having read your posts and range report, I think you might be best served by a handgun of any design in .22LR. You obviously need trigger time and lots of it and there is no better instructional (and inexpensive to shoot) firearm than a .22LR. Spent a year or so frequently shooting until you improve to the point of good marksmanship and THEN move on to the more powerful handgun you desire.
Just a well-meant suggestion you will probably ignore...
Ed
Just a well-meant suggestion you will probably ignore...
Ed
Thanks and while I or anyone could benefit in more trigger time, I have no issues shooting my 9mm where I at least know where to hold. If you can’t see where you are hitting, then it is about like shooting blind folded. Which of course can be done pretty effectively with practice.
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Firing .357 in a snubby is challenging. The lighter the alloy, the more recoil you get.
IMHO, 357 is ideal in stainless steel frame with barrels of 4” + (gp100, 686)
A .38 is an excellent defense round in a snubby. Manageable with aluminum frames.
I think u need to define what is more important to what you are looking for in a revolver:
Concealment: airweight and .38 (lcr, 638, 637, 442, 642)
EDC IWB: stainless steel .357 (sp101, 649, model 60, 640, 649)
IMHO, 357 is ideal in stainless steel frame with barrels of 4” + (gp100, 686)
A .38 is an excellent defense round in a snubby. Manageable with aluminum frames.
I think u need to define what is more important to what you are looking for in a revolver:
Concealment: airweight and .38 (lcr, 638, 637, 442, 642)
EDC IWB: stainless steel .357 (sp101, 649, model 60, 640, 649)
A local holster maker made a leather IWB that I modified a bit to push the grip in for improved concealment when carried AIWB.
I wear cargo shorts that are just a bit loose and an untucked button shirt that fits about 360 days a year.
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DevilDog72
US Veteran
well you have a lot to choose from on all the comments. I have 3 j frames and 3 k frames. For me the 19/66 snub is the best choice. My EDC for the last … forever is a 19-4 snub. My now old silverback is hard to beat. I carry it in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake or a Silent Thunder Paddle holster on a Comtac kydex re-enforced gun belt.
oh welcome to the forum. There is a lot of wisdom here. These things are addictive.
oh welcome to the forum. There is a lot of wisdom here. These things are addictive.
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elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
These are my EDC revolvers. Top is a 2 inch barrel S&W Model 12-2 round butt, alloy frame .38 Special that weighs 22 ounces empty. Bottom is a 4 inch barrel S&W Model 65-1 square butt, stainless steel .357 Magnum that weighs 34 ounces empty. I can wear them OWB under untucked button-up shirts, a vest, or sport coats. I am 5 ft 8 in and weigh 190 lbs.
For reloads I carry .38 Special ammo in 2 speed strips and, if wearing the vest or sport coats, 2 speed loaders.
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For reloads I carry .38 Special ammo in 2 speed strips and, if wearing the vest or sport coats, 2 speed loaders.
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Ok Quick update. Anson is reshipping my belt today. And I am wearing my PPQ in my new holster. I do like this holster better, but I don't like the way the gun is while setting. I don't think the belt will fix that. I will play with the carry location a little today and see if adjusting it help. where it is now, is where I like it the most if I am up on my feet. Not so much for sitting though.
Also I have been reading more on the performance center 627. with the 2.625 barrel. Looks like a lot of people think it is too thick for IWB carry.
I don't think any of my shirts would be long enough to cover one OWB. I wear tall now, and normally wish I could get extra tall. I have a long torso. I am only 6'3" but my waste is about the same height as my wifes. she is only 5'7"
Also I have been reading more on the performance center 627. with the 2.625 barrel. Looks like a lot of people think it is too thick for IWB carry.
I don't think any of my shirts would be long enough to cover one OWB. I wear tall now, and normally wish I could get extra tall. I have a long torso. I am only 6'3" but my waste is about the same height as my wifes. she is only 5'7"
stonebuster
Member
The 4" 686 and the 4" GP100 are almost exactly the same weight although the 686 is slightly less bulky. If you're thinking about a "super light weight" 38 make sure to shoot some 38+P in one before buying since you mentioned you were amazed at the recoil of 38 spl in the LCR. BTW,I get Remington 125 grain 38 spl+P SJHP at Walmart for $34/100 rounds if you've got a WM near you. Shooting a lot of 357s through my SP 101 snub isn't all that pleasant either especially if you don't have rubber grips. I could shoot 38+P all day with the SP though. If you think the SP is just OK I wouldn't buy it. Take you're time and get a gun you really like and enjoy the hunt for it.
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