New alternate duty revolver suggestions

[panamajack310]

Good evening everyone! It has been some time since I have posted on the forum. I want everyone's help and suggestions on what to buy. Sounds dumb but I don't have much experience with the new S&W model revolvers; all my revolvers are pre lock and pre mim. I have decided to buy a current production S&W revolver because all my older stuff has now become safe queens for obvious reasons.

So I have been in law enforcement for 28 years now and in the beginning of my career I began with a S&W 66-2 as my first service weapon. Since then I have carried all kinds of semi autos and I am just bored with them. So plain and simple I have decided to go old school on carrying off duty and alternate duty.

(Alternate duty weapon is a gun you carry in plain clothes for like going to class, Friday dress down days, and other plain clothes duty stuff)

For my current off duty CCW I am carrying a S&W 642 pro...I love that little gun. I am looking for a K frame or L frame .357 mag with a barrel length no longer than 4" it will have an internal lock but that will be removed and replaced with a slug...I will be shooting 125gr Jhp and will carry open carry and ccw. I have been looking and would like something that stands out but is not just a plain Jane 686.

So I have a list of guns what is your suggestion, experience, and opinion?

19 comp carry
66-8 (maybe) not sure about the 2 piece barrel
586-8
686 SSR
686 2.5" performance center slab side barrel
686 3" deluxe or Talo 357

 

[lihpster]

Good evening everyone! It has been some time since I have posted on the forum. I want everyone's help and suggestions on what to buy. Sounds dumb but I don't have much experience with the new S&W model revolvers; all my revolvers are pre lock and pre mim. I have decided to buy a current production S&W revolver because all my older stuff has now become safe queens for obvious reasons.

So I have been in law enforcement for 28 years now and in the beginning of my career I began with a S&W 66-2 as my first service weapon. Since then I have carried all kinds of semi autos and I am just bored with them. So plain and simple I have decided to go old school on carrying off duty and alternate duty.

(Alternate duty weapon is a gun you carry in plain clothes for like going to class, Friday dress down days, and other plain clothes duty stuff)

For my current off duty CCW I am carrying a S&W 642 pro...I love that little gun. I am looking for a K frame or L frame .357 mag with a barrel length no longer than 4" it will have an internal lock but that will be removed and replaced with a slug...I will be shooting 125gr Jhp and will carry open carry and ccw. I have been looking and would like something that stands out but is not just a plain Jane 686.

So I have a list of guns what is your suggestion, experience, and opinion?

19 comp carry
66-8 (maybe) not sure about the 2 piece barrel
586-8
686 SSR
686 2.5" performance center slab side barrel
686 3" deluxe or Talo 357

I went with the 3" with Ken's stags and a BK adapter.

 

[Fishinfool]

They all look like decent choices. Personally, I would look for an 8 shot N frame, possibly one of the aluminum / scandium versions if weight is a real issue. If looking at something smaller, I would choose one of the 7 shot L frames. For LE purposes, the extra shot or two is always welcome.

Larry

 

[UncleEd]

"Older stuff....safe queens?"

What are yu saving them for? So
some other guy can use and enjoy
them?

Pick one and enjoy what you have.

But if you must, nowadays I'd think
also Colt such as the 3-inch Python
2022 or just seek out a 2.75-inch
new S&W 66.

 

[panamajack310]

"Older stuff....safe queens?"

What are yu saving them for? So
some other guy can use and enjoy
them?

Pick one and enjoy what you have.

But if you must, nowadays I'd think
also Colt such as the 3-inch Python
2022 or just seek out a 2.75-inch
new S&W 66.

I have several model 19's and 66's...I don't want to shoot magnum loads in them as barrels are getting hard to find for them. As far as colt pythons go, you can have them I don't like the cylinder release on the colts I shot competition for years with a 625 and I prefer the S&W cylinder release.

 

[mikerjf]

I forget the number, but the 8-shot scandium N frame with the attachable rails? I'm usually old school but thought that one was really interesting.

 

[ImDrRich]

Another vote for the 686+ with either the 2 1/2 or 3" barrel. Stay safe.

 

[ken158]

Several thoughts… going from a 642 to a L frame is going to be a heavy shock to your body either open carry or concealed. I know that when I reached the last 10 years of my 30 years of "on the job", back, leg and hip pains from the weight of equipment was not fun. Additionally, considering where you apparently live - I would change up my idea and go with a Shield or a Sig 365 with extra mags.

 

[jimmyj]

Find a older Smith Model 19 2.5" P&R Revolver that has seen some use and is a shooter and not a "Safe Queen".

 

[hyena]

My shooting buddy has a Performance Center 2.5" 686+ that had an action job done by TK Customs. Of all the guns he owns, that's the one I covet. Just not quite enough to buy one.

My LGS recently had one of the new three inch Pythons in stock for MSRP. That is one sweet looking gun.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I think my 3" 686+ is the cat's pyjamas, but wish it came with the full Performance Center treatment that my 2 1/2" 686+ has. Having the choice, I always choose to carry the 3".
That being the case, and with your criteria, I'd look at the only 3" "L" frame from the Performance Center, the 586 L-Comp.


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[two-bit cowboy]

... will carry open carry and ccw. I have been looking and would like something that stands out but is not just a plain Jane 686.

Here's my Sunday-go-to-breakfast rig: 627 Performance Center.
Certainly not plain Jane.

Herrett's Stocks, Simply Rugged leather. It rides comfortably at
2 o'clock on a color-matching Milt Sparks 1¾" belt.

Have a bit of fun with your choice.

 

[old bear]

Here's my Sunday-go-to-breakfast rig: 627 Performance Center.
Certainly not plain Jane.

Herrett's Stocks, Simply Rugged leather. It rides comfortably at
2 o'clock on a color-matching Milt Sparks 1¾" belt.

Have a bit of fun with your choice.

Bob, I've given this some thought and have to admit your setup is just, wait for it, Just Downtown

 

[Rodan]

I'm going to offer a contrary opinion, which may not be all that popular on this particular forum, but I think it should be addressed.

Just so you know where I'm coming from, I've been on the job about the same amount of time, and have been an active firearms and use of force instructor for over 20 years of my career.

First off, I have a number of Smith revolvers from pre-war Hand Ejectors up to current production PC revolvers. I love them dearly and shoot most of them pretty regularly. But I would never choose any of them for a primary duty carry.

Duty carry is no place for nostalgia or emotion, it's about the most capable tool for the job at hand, which is winning a gunfight. And as a peace officer in today's environment, there are just too many potential scenarios where a revolver is not sufficient as a primary sidearm. Our policy eliminated revolvers as a primary duty option about 10 years ago, and for good reason.

A civilian has a lot of discretion to avoid a bad tactical situation. When you're wearing a badge, you may have to suck it up and wade into trouble at any time. What you're going to be armed with when the moment comes is a decision that should be based on the cold, hard truth of what's the best, most capable tool to win the day.

I look forward to retirement, when I can wear some of my beautiful wheelguns in custom leather with pride, but that time is still about a year away...

 

[panamajack310]

First off, I have a number of Smith revolvers from pre-war Hand Ejectors up to current production PC revolvers. I love them dearly and shoot most of them pretty regularly. But I would never choose any of them for a primary duty carry.

Duty carry is no place for nostalgia or emotion, it's about the most capable tool for the job at hand, which is winning a gunfight. And as a peace officer in today's environment, there are just too many potential scenarios where a revolver is not sufficient as a primary sidearm. Our policy eliminated revolvers as a primary duty option about 10 years ago, and for good reason....

To give you a response to this. I am not using it for primary duty carry. I carry a Glock 22 as my duty weapon. I carry a S&W 642 as a back up ankle gun. I can tell you with certainty even with how policing is going today a revolver is still a very viable weapon for police work. The average gunfight takes place within 20 feet and is usually one assailant per FBI statistical data. The average officer in the 1980's-1990's used an average of 2 rounds per gun fight. Today the average is like 7....so either revolver shooters are better shots or cops just got worse at shooting. Either way I have never felt out gunned carrying a revolver even when I carried one as a detective for several years.

 

[jcs266]

My most-carried handgun by far is the 3" 686+. It's just a fantastic balance between compact and full-size and it handles like a dream. The full-length ejector rod is a big plus for me. The 2.5" bbl has a stubbier ejector rod that could prevent full ejection of empties at times.

I began my career in 1985 with a 4" 686 and I've always been a huge fan of this model.

 

[Bald1]

Another vote for 686+ in barrel of your choice…….. but my first choice would be an old shooter grade 3" model 13. No worry of ruining a safe queen

 

[Marshal Tom]

I certainly respect your opinion but I must side with Rodan on this issue. I carried a 4" 66 for about the first 9years from 71-79 but I was in a very nice peaceful place with low crime. I then moved to CO. and switched to a 1911 for the rest of my time with a Browning HP and a Glock 19 as a substitute every once and a while. I own and carry a bunch of S&W wheel guns at times now, depending on where I am going and what the expected threat might be but I would not ever consider carrying one as my primary for any LE purpose today. There are just too many better options available with more firepower.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Rodan has taken to heart defending his employer's policies .

 

[StrawHat]

…I shot competition for years with a 625 and I prefer the S&W cylinder release...

M J Hanna,

If I were going to wear a badge again, this is the revolver I would want on my hip.

A S&W Model 22-4, 4", tapered barrel, fixed sights and chambered for the 45 ACP. My old speed loader case would hold two full moon clips in each cup. Not a bad carry. The one pictured is my edc revolver.

Kevin