Retirement Gun
- Thread starter white cloud
- Start date
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
An ideal concealed carry gun, dedicated solely to that purpose, would have an aluminum frame. But the OP has so many requirements and constrains, his retirement gun does not have the luxury of being "ideal" in every detail.
Comprises are necessary. A steel frame gives range gun durability, and allows for a reasonable .357 capability. The weight of the steel is mitigated, to the extent possible, by selecting S&W's smallest frame -- the J-frame. An all steel J-frame, such as the Model 60 Pro Series.
Comprises are necessary. A steel frame gives range gun durability, and allows for a reasonable .357 capability. The weight of the steel is mitigated, to the extent possible, by selecting S&W's smallest frame -- the J-frame. An all steel J-frame, such as the Model 60 Pro Series.
Well I've been following this thread.......and if it's only one gun for pocket carry; 50 yds at the range and wild hogs in Georgia .....................I'm back to my original suggestion the micro 686....... 60-10; shotshells to .357s. I generally carry +P.38s except when it's along on a deer hunt.
(Note: when I'm just out for a walk in Penn's Woods I tend to favor a .22mag/.223 rifle and a 3" 66)
A compromise in every way it's become my "kit gun" in the Allegheny Mountains of Penn's Woods in a IWB kydex holster of unknown origin,,,,, it can go dawn to dark..... and even works for the occasional trip into town. Even have an old Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster (small) that works in winter)
Maybe what you need to address is you pants for pocket carry.....maybe someone like Duluth Trading makes a pant with the type of pocket you need for a 3"Jframe and will hold up to the farm work you've described.
(Note: when I'm just out for a walk in Penn's Woods I tend to favor a .22mag/.223 rifle and a 3" 66)
A compromise in every way it's become my "kit gun" in the Allegheny Mountains of Penn's Woods in a IWB kydex holster of unknown origin,,,,, it can go dawn to dark..... and even works for the occasional trip into town. Even have an old Bianchi X-15 shoulder holster (small) that works in winter)
Maybe what you need to address is you pants for pocket carry.....maybe someone like Duluth Trading makes a pant with the type of pocket you need for a 3"Jframe and will hold up to the farm work you've described.
The 50-yard requirement is tough, but a Model 64 or a Model 65 can do it, because they can do anything (except shoot 7 times without reloading).
I have a 2" 64 and will never sell it, and I want a 3" Model 65 to keep it company.
I have a 2" 64 and will never sell it, and I want a 3" Model 65 to keep it company.
OP
white cloud
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I really appreciate the numerous well thought out replies. I have concluded a number of things from this.
First and foremost, it seems one revolver can't do everything I want. I think some autoloaders would get closer. That said, I don't really like autoloaders all that much even though I own a number of them. I have never been able to draw an autoloader as fast as a revolver. I am not sure why but it has not been due a lack of effort. Also, I have never been able to shoot an autoloader as well either. Once again, not due to a lack of trying. I suspect we are headed for more gun control and finding magazines for an auto may become problematic. Also reloading ammunition for a revolver is easier for me to manage. I suspect that may become a very important point.
So I have a Model 60-10 without the lock but in .357. The comments on here got me thinking about this gun. Maybe this or a 686+ 3" or a Model 66 becomes my "country" revolver. When I get out of the truck and on the tractor to do anything but bush hog, I could carry the "country revolver". I am pretty sure any of these would reach out to 50 yards. The 686 will certainly handle any load I can.
That gets me back to my "city" gun. I have been spoiled by two 649 no dash revolvers. The sights aren't great but these things are easily carried, totally reliable and very fast on the draw especially from the pocket. I have a Lobo horse hide IWB holster for these and it makes concealment and a good fast draw real easy. The problem is the sights and that is where the 640 Pro steps up. Larger? Yes but not too much and I bet I could shoot a boatload of practice wadcutter ammo out it without issues.
So what about getting a 640 Pro and maybe a M66 or 686? I think those would be great retirement guns. Thoughts? Brick-Bats?
First and foremost, it seems one revolver can't do everything I want. I think some autoloaders would get closer. That said, I don't really like autoloaders all that much even though I own a number of them. I have never been able to draw an autoloader as fast as a revolver. I am not sure why but it has not been due a lack of effort. Also, I have never been able to shoot an autoloader as well either. Once again, not due to a lack of trying. I suspect we are headed for more gun control and finding magazines for an auto may become problematic. Also reloading ammunition for a revolver is easier for me to manage. I suspect that may become a very important point.
So I have a Model 60-10 without the lock but in .357. The comments on here got me thinking about this gun. Maybe this or a 686+ 3" or a Model 66 becomes my "country" revolver. When I get out of the truck and on the tractor to do anything but bush hog, I could carry the "country revolver". I am pretty sure any of these would reach out to 50 yards. The 686 will certainly handle any load I can.
That gets me back to my "city" gun. I have been spoiled by two 649 no dash revolvers. The sights aren't great but these things are easily carried, totally reliable and very fast on the draw especially from the pocket. I have a Lobo horse hide IWB holster for these and it makes concealment and a good fast draw real easy. The problem is the sights and that is where the 640 Pro steps up. Larger? Yes but not too much and I bet I could shoot a boatload of practice wadcutter ammo out it without issues.
So what about getting a 640 Pro and maybe a M66 or 686? I think those would be great retirement guns. Thoughts? Brick-Bats?
OP
white cloud
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SeamasterSIG, those R. Grizzle field holsters are fetching indeed. I have used Uncle Mikes for field holsters but that needs to change.
Well, I have almost all of the guns listed on here, well....just because I like guns, and have been collecting them for a long time.
And.... You owe it to yourself to go to a gun store and just heft a 649-1 Pro Series. You will be amazed at how much better the sights are than your 649. They are Novak sights, and are drift adjustable, but the sight picture is fantastic, and while they are black, when shooting against a dark background, the tritium vial outlines of white give you a three white dot sight picture, and of course in low or no light, the tritium give you a three green dot picture. I shot my departments qualification course this up year with both my Glock 23 and the 640-1 pro, and the 640-1 outshot the Glock. YMMV, but...I think it's ou should heft one in a store, or at a rental range and see for yourself.
If I get a chance, I'll try mine out at some longer distances and see how it does. Longest I've shot it was 25 yards, and it did just fine at that distance (during quals, and under time, at that)!!
I also have the 66 2 1/2", and carried it for many years, and it is a fine choice, but a little heavy for cargo shorts!! But just fine in a pancake style holster. I carried mine on duty in plainclothes and never had a complaint.
Best Regards, Les
And.... You owe it to yourself to go to a gun store and just heft a 649-1 Pro Series. You will be amazed at how much better the sights are than your 649. They are Novak sights, and are drift adjustable, but the sight picture is fantastic, and while they are black, when shooting against a dark background, the tritium vial outlines of white give you a three white dot sight picture, and of course in low or no light, the tritium give you a three green dot picture. I shot my departments qualification course this up year with both my Glock 23 and the 640-1 pro, and the 640-1 outshot the Glock. YMMV, but...I think it's ou should heft one in a store, or at a rental range and see for yourself.
If I get a chance, I'll try mine out at some longer distances and see how it does. Longest I've shot it was 25 yards, and it did just fine at that distance (during quals, and under time, at that)!!
I also have the 66 2 1/2", and carried it for many years, and it is a fine choice, but a little heavy for cargo shorts!! But just fine in a pancake style holster. I carried mine on duty in plainclothes and never had a complaint.
Best Regards, Les
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
You have 2 Model 649s? Put Crimson Trace grips on them, and you have solved the hard to see sight problem. My wife's Model 681 wears them.
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SeamasterSig
Member
Ryan Grizzle makes excellent holsters and belts. In addition, he offers a military discount and will expedite your order for flat fee. I took advantage of that once and received the holster in about 10 days. That's a rare feat among holster makers.
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