Need some help picking a EDC revolver and caliber.

[AveragEd]

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

 

[smoore]

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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[Macinaw]

327 PC.(might be an "Sc"?) A "J-Frame" on steroids!

 

[Lu..]

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)

 

[smoore]

327 PC.(might be an "Sc"?) A "J-Frame" on steroids!

Yeah I saw that one too. I thought it looked unique. Probably not the one for me but I would like to see one in person and I would love to try shooting one.


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[dr. mordo]

Since I also live in hot south Florida I'd like to know what holster are you using for that M29 ?

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.

 

[DevilDog72]

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.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

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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[smoore]

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"

 

[stonebuster]

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.

 

[smoore]

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.

Thanks I keep playing with the idea of getting the SP101. A local store has one for $570 and a no tax weekend coming up. Just not really what I want, and I am afraid it will just lead to the purchase of another gun down the road.

Just for clarification I didn't think the recoil was that bad or unmanageable with the 38 in the lcr. And if I had shot it before the sp101 I probably wouldn't have thought anything about it. I was mostly amazed how much more it was than the sp101, which was again drastically more than the GP100. It just amazes me the same round with an extra inch in barrel length, or a few extra ounces makes that big of a difference.

Oh and I paid $25 for that box of 50 at the range. I am pretty sure I have seen it for $12-$15 elsewhere.

Looks Like that $570 price wasn't very good. I know it was almost $100 cheaper than Bass Pro when I looked at it there. Buds has it for $100 less then I saw it locally though. I would have shipping and FFL fee, but that would still be less than the local place wants for it.

 

[Kadonny]

If you truly want to carry it everyday in all weather (hot, cold whatever) then really the best choice is a lightweight J frame. They are so damn easy to carry because the weight is so minimal. They are also easy to carry IWB because of the small frame and are super easy to conceal under any clothing, even shorts and a t-shirt.

That being said, I'd shy away from a .357 just because of the muzzle jump, muzzle flash and noise. A good .38 special defensive round will do just fine and it is easily controllable and tollerable with the lightweight small frame. I carry a 642 or M37 aluminum framed J IWB with Buffalo Bore 150gr hard cast wadcutters. These are special loaded for low flash, low noise and good velocity out of a snub nose revolver, a true defensive round. Look them up, they have great ballistics in the snub and have rave reviews.

 

[smoore]

If you truly want to carry it everyday in all weather (hot, cold whatever) then really the best choice is a lightweight J frame. They are so damn easy to carry because the weight is so minimal. They are also easy to carry IWB because of the small frame and are super easy to conceal under any clothing, even shorts and a t-shirt.

That being said, I'd shy away from a .357 just because of the muzzle jump, muzzle flash and noise. A good .38 special defensive round will do just fine and it is easily controllable and tollerable with the lightweight small frame. I carry a 642 or M37 aluminum framed J IWB with Buffalo Bore 150gr hard cast wadcutters. These are special loaded for low flash, low noise and good velocity out of a snub nose revolver, a true defensive round. Look them up, they have great ballistics in the snub and have rave reviews.

Good to know. I did look up that load. lots of good reviews. One thing I thought was very interesting was this.

➤ 890 fps (264 ft. lbs.) -- S&W mod. 66, 2.5-inch barrel
➤ 961 fps (308 ft. lbs.) -- Ruger SP101, 3-inch barrel

That extra 1/2 inch makes a pretty big difference in numbers. More than going from 3" to 4"

 

[smoore]

Ok I changed the cant and how low my IWB holster rides when I went home for lunch. I have to say I had forgotten I was wearing it setting at my desk until I shifted in my seat and felt it. So the new holster and position has helped a lot with my PPQ. Maybe the belt will too. I am still buying a revolver

 

[ABPOS]

You're kind of thinking apples to oranges when you're asking about 686's and 627's cuz you liked an SP101. They would be more like the GP100. None of them are really good choices for concealed carry. IMHO. Although there may be a brave few that do it. An SP101 weighs somewhere around 25 ounces. 686's and 627's you can pretty much add 15 ounces to that. Depending on barrel length and frame material. But they're both quite a bit bigger.

An SP101 would be a good choice. Your next move would be to try some K frames, and steel J frames. 640/649/36/60 that type. And then some 10's, 64's, 19, 66's, etc etc. I can give you all of the numbers of K frames in the type you that you want if you want me to. A 2" 15 might be a really good choice for you.

There are many. You might be interested in the new Model 19 K comp. It's a 3" barrel 19 with a compensator. Factory specs say it weighs 33 ounces. Any K frame with a shorter barrel will be a better choice for concealed carry than a 686, 627, GP100. But again, someone highly motivated COULD carry a version of those models if they wanted to. They do make 686's with shorter barrels for people that want to, and they do.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Another thought (sorry!)...

Regarding barrel length. Carry comfort can be a factor. For example, I found that a 3" K-frame is about the longest barrel I could comfortably carry, especially since I carry IWB. Anything longer would be likely to jam the grip into my ribcage whenever I sat down. The problem here is that this depends on a lot of variables, including your build, holster design/placement/cant/ride height, etc. It may not be an issue for you. You may be perfectly fine with carrying a 4" barrel revolver. That's going to be something you'll have to figure out for yourself, hopefully without spending too much time/money on it.

And if you haven't yet, you may as well go ahead and get yourself a holster box to put all your "experiments." We all have them.

 

[smoore]

Ok thanks guys. I am strongly thinking about just getting a small light weight .38 special. If I want a larger caliber the. It is not going to be an everyday carry. I have my 9mm if I want to carry a larger gun. I wanted something easier to carry than my 9mm but looks like all in a .357 will be about the same or larger. (At least the ones I will want to shoot) if it is any larger than the sp101 then I probably will end up not carrying it very often thus I will be in the same situation I am now. If I get a super small light .38, then at least I will always have it on me. I can always get another larger revolver later if I decide I want one.


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[rbmac52]

A j-frame in .38 special is the answer for me. Plenty of excellent choices of ammunition in standard and +P LE loads, and your choice of exposed hammer, shrouded hammer, or internal hammer firing mechanisms.

I recommend handling models 640, 642, and a 638, new and old. The older the better, as far as I am concerned (mine are all no-dash variants), but the brand new models have the advantage of the factory warranty.

You'll never regret your choice, if you are conscientious to carry at all times. You will always appreciate the ease of concealing a j-frame, in practically any kind of clothing choice.

 

[Lu..]

I'm pretty sure a majority who posted own semis and revolvers. I have a SA XDs 45, but prefer carrying my 442. It's just lighter and more confortable.

Be careful of those Airlites (340pd). You completely forget you are carrying, but the recoil, even with 38s is not pleasant. Hence why I think the 38 lcr, 642, 442, 639, 637) are so ideal....not too light and not too heavy.

 

[smoore]

Ok so I found 3 guns today I am interested in. Mostly in 2 of them but the tossing around the 3rd too. I will probably only buy one of them, and I did put money down on both for them to hold it. I will be able to transfer the full amount over to what ever one I end up with. I am frustrated that I somehow missed getting a pic of one of the guns. Here they are though. All 3 are used and at my local gun store.
First is a 637

Next is a Dan Wesson model 15 with a 2.5" pork chop barrel
No pic of the gun by itself, but here is the tag

I really liked the trigger on it and like the idea of being able to change the barrel and right now it has the shorter barrel which will make it easier to carry. The grips while feel good are too large for me for a concealed carry gun, so I would have to change them. Also the gun is heavier than my current one and close to the same size. It is not as easy to carry as the smaller 637, but maybe... plus if I put a larger barrel on it, I would have a better shooter.

Last was another Dan Wesson heavily used model 14.

You can see the bottom of the 15 above it. This one was ok too, but I would be starting off with a larger barrel. While I can a shorter barrel it doesn't already have it so I wouldn't be carrying it. Originally I didn't put anything down on it to have them hold it, but was thinking since it is $100 less I could maybe buy the 14 and the 637. And they may give me a little better price if I buy them both. They did say if I got one and shot it and then brought it back the next day because I just didn't like it, they would either give me cash back minus $30, or full paid price towards something else.

What do you think?


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[Kadonny]

What I think? Focus. Look for a 642 or 442 and be done with it. The 642 has the concealed hammer which the 637 doesn't have and you can get them at a really reasonable price. Don't cheap on the gun, you'll blow through the price difference with ammo the first range trip or so. And by cheap out I mean you are only saving $100.

Look , I love a good Dan Wesson, but you want a comfortable effective carry gun with light weight and a concealed hammer, get a 642 or 442 and you'll never look back.

 

[smoore]

Well I didn't mention the ones I looked at and didn't like as much. Again today I looked at the 642 and 442. I still didn't care much for them. They are ok just not the one for me, so please don't take offense to that. I also looked at and lcr and a lcrx I liked the x better than the dao version, but not as much as others I looked at. I also for the first time held the 649? I think that is it. It was the small 38 with the shielded hammer that can still be shot single action. It was also ok and I looked at it a few times, but I liked the 637 better. I also looked and dismissed a 38 body guard. I liked it too, but still want a sa/da revolver. Out of the 8 or so 38's I looked at today, I liked the 637 the best.
I also thought it was a good price. As far as the Dan Wesson revolvers, they are also in line with what I have been looking for from the start. They have the ability to be used with a longer barrel or the shorter 2.5" barrel like the one comes with already. Only issue is it is a little heavier and slightly larger then I was hoping for. Also the fact that I would either have to buy the short one and later buy a longer barrel, or buy the long one and either buy something like the 637, or find a short barrel means spending more money. I was not trying to be cheap, but if the combo of the model 14 and 637 would serve me better then either the 15, or 15/637 combo then I would do it. The $100 savings was just a bonus. I can change and use the money I put down to anything they have. I don't have to decide right now. I did really like the trigger on the Dan Wesson though. And while I hadn't considered one before I found myself saying wow I really like that. I did also like the 637. I have looked at a lot of guns I do feel like I am focused on what I want, as much as I can be without coming into this thread with one gun on my mind. I have read and reread every post here and looked into everything thing suggested so please don't think I am not listening.


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[smoore]

Oh I also forgot I brought my PPQ to the store with me so I could compare it size and weight to everything I looked at


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[ScottN]

The 637 is a fine choice and will fill the role you're trying to fill, very nicely I may might add.

 

[hyena]

I would jump on that 637 for $295 with both feet, since you don't like the 642. You will like carrying such a light weight gun and the airweights are still very shootable.

 

[smoore]

I would jump on that 637 for $295 with both feet, since you don't like the 642. You will like carrying such a light weight gun and the airweights are still very shootable.

I kind of did. I put a deposit down on it and the model 15. They won't sell them now, and I have 60 days to make a decision and pay. I don't have to have the gun paid off in 60 days, but I will need to decide if I want either, both, or something else. I put $100 down on each, so if I go with just the 637, then I only owe $95 plus tax


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[rwsmith]

Model 60

S&W Model 60 .357 magnum J Frame, except it only comes in 2 1/8" barrel. Which I think stinks. Special Order???

Model 66 is an excellent choice but 4" barrel.

Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp has a 3" barrel! I think i'll get one myself.

 

[ABPOS]

Yeah, I'd be all over either 637. The new or used. The used one is probably just fine and you save a bit of money. Although that's not a bad price for a new one. I was just at my LGS the other day and they had one. They're selling them for 449 new.

Did you get to dry fire either one? I think I'd choose the one with the better trigger. My guess is it will be the used one, but that's a BIG if. They are all different. Which is one of the cool and frustrating things about guns or any manufactured item. They're kind of like people. hehehehe You don't always know what you're gonna get by looking at it. You gotta start poking around to see what they're made of.

 

[smoore]

I do like the looks of those 3" PC 19's I wish I could hold one before ordering. There are quite a lot I might buy, if I could at least see one in person. I am hesitant to buy one sight unseen though. I did with my PPQ, but I knew I wanted it and had wanted one for a few years, and the P99 before it. So I was very happy to buy it without holding it. Though I think I did hold an M2 PPQ before I ordered mine, so maybe I didn't get it before holding one close to it.


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[photoman]

Get the 637-2 for sure. With a serial number like "CYA," how can you ~not~ get it?!