Revolver suggestions

[borntoraisehogs]

I respectfully suggest you will be unhappy with a gun in the pocket for a long term carry situation . With the proper gun leather and carry equipment a 4" model 19 or 686 is very managable . You might ask some cops who carry everyday whether they feel like it or not if they use a pocket mode . For the warmest days this could be a solution . A Better Holster

 

[thumbs]

Thanks guys, I'm listening and thinkin about what everyone says.

Just for fun I took my PPK/s to the scale and weighed it. Loaded it weighs 25oz. I was kinda suprised it was that much. The SP 101 is about the same empty.

I don't mean to say I want to carry the revolver in my pocket all the time. The problem is in the summer it gets real hot around here. I normaly just wear a T shirt. I carry my PPK/s using an iwbh but it still can show. Putting it in my pocket is a lot better when I'm not wearing a shirt. With a vest or something else I would probably carry the revolver the same way iwb. For my needs I really don't want an owb, and I don't want to put on a shoulder holster either. I know I'm narrowing my choices but....... I want to keep it the same way I always do. No one, including my wife, ever knows if I am carrying or not. I like it that way.

I guess what I am saying is, weight wise, the SP101 isn't that far out of line. It's what I carry now. The bigger question is the increase of size. It may be a problem as you guys have said.

 

[flop-shank]

I'm sure someone will prove me wrong, but IMO the SP-101 will not work pocket carrying without a shirt. The shirt normally covers the grip near the top of the pocket and the grip near the top of the pocket prints kind of funny. Dead give away IMO.

 

[thumbs]

You have a point there. I did go out and took a look at one. I put it in my jeans front pocket and I can get it so the grip will not be seen but didn't check the grip print on the side of the pocket. Also he really didn't have a proper pocket holster but with the holster I think you can see the top of the grip. I think you would have to at least wear a T shirt to cover if using a holster, at least that one. Its darn close though. It would also depend on the depth of the pocket and the weight of the material. Don't know how depth of jeans pockets when compared with other pants I always wear jeans.

I think, and others please chime in, it is arguably close. I did notice though that there is less room in the pocket to get you hand in to get the revolver. It can be done, but there is less room.

Because I know not of what I speak the Ruger seems to be a much more substantial revolver. As they say built like a tank. Its just a bit larger and quite a bit heavier, but to me not to heavy, I carry close to that weight now. It is more versatile with 357 and 38 ammo. I would think it would shoot 38's pretty comfortably and it's about the same price. The big question is size. Man it's right on the edge of being just a tad to long.

It may sound like it but I really haven't made up my mind. I appreciate the importance of the questions brought up. The answers are tough.

 

[flop-shank]

My opinion is that the SP-101 is a great addition to a carry line up, but most people who don't have a pocket gun would be better served by an Airweight Smith, or a P3AT since they conceal and carry easier. In some situations the little Ruger may not quite work.

I don't want to toot my own horn, but I think this pretty much sums it up.

 

[thumbs]

What the heck toot away..your right

I may make the wrong choice but I'm leaning back to the Smith. If that Ruger was 1/2" shorter I'd jump on it. The Ruger leaves little room for error while the Smith fits pretty well. Considering I want to carry it in my pocket I think the 637 is the way to go.
I just gotta have a hammer. LOL Really the only reason for the 357 was a last resort for bear. I have run into them but only a few times. Maybe I'll just carry the 38 and make a lot of noise.

Hey I saw on one of the J frames it said cut for moon clips. I figured out what they were but if you go one cut for moon clips can you use it without them? Also what is the census on using moon clips. Should I try to get one cut for them or is it not a big deal?

 

[sheriffoconee]

I pocket carry either a Kahr PM9 or a Smith Bodyguard 49 every single day of my life....and I have for the past 17 years....
it is nice to be standing talking to someone with my hand in my pocket....it draws much faster than belly bands or ankle holsters....although I have both.....
I have a gun in my pocket regardless of shorts, khakis, uniforms, dress pants, or suits...
that's how I roll....
now, I may have other guns on me (belt, holster shirt) and sometimes I deep carry in my smartcarry holster...but I always have a gun in my pocket...

 

[snowman]

My situation is similar to yours in certain respects, and I don't claim to have found the best answer yet. Carrying presents some problems which demand trade-offs one way or another. But what I've used thus far is a 2-1/4" SP101 in a Mika pocket holster. I know that this is not an ideal set-up. For one thing, as has been touched upon, it's difficult to find trousers with sufficiently large pockets to fully conceal the gun. What I do is cant the holster so that the butt of the gun is further away from the opening in the pocket. A plus of this trick is that the fingers seem to have more room to get around the front of the grip when the gun needs to be grasped quickly. If, however, you have the model with the hammer spur(SA & DA), snagging the pocket material on the way out may be more likely.

The gun itself is pretty hard to beat in my view(but then I have no experience with the others, so you can take that statement with the proverbial grain of salt). I don't mind the weight, I just draw my belt in a notch to keep the trousers from sagging on that side. I use magnums, which, with practice, can be placed in a 3" circle at 21' with not too much difficulty(one has to keep practicing, though!). I regularly exercise with a spring-loaded device which strengthens the fingers, hands, wrists, and forearms; this helps in shooting magnums in a small gun. I've gotten to the point where I really don't notice the recoil that much.

I have a feeling that you would be disappointed with firing shotshells in one of these short-barrelled outfits. But then, again, I've no experience with them. It just seems to me that the shot would scatter so quickly that the snake would just feel a sting or two and get upset at you.

Well, it's getting late and I have to quit. I wish you well in the choices you make.

Andy

 

[cpallen]

I have a 3" S&W Model 65 which is a fine carry piece but heavy (about 35 oz or so loaded). I wanted something lighter and went through the same thing that you are going through now. I considered the smith models 60, 442, 637, and 642; and the Ruger SP101 and LCR. I found a range where they had both a LCR and 642 for rent. Tried them both and really liked the weight (13 oz empty) and trigger of the LCR. To be fair alot of people say the 642 trigger will smooth out after 1000 actuations or so. But the LCR had this really consistent stage where you could pull the trigger to the stage, finalize aim and drop the hammer. Sweet - but probably not that useful in a defense situation. But I shot it better. I also am old enough to remember how painfully Glock revolutionized the semi-auto market with it's polymer frame.

I'm telling you it was tough. I read all the reviews I could find. My heart really wanted to buy another smith but my head kept saying LCR. I ended up buying the LCR w/ CT grips for about $590 plus tax. I am telling you it feels funny, like a toy, but it shoots great and you don't even know it's there. I wear it in an OWB Mitch Rosen holster or just stick it in my coat pocket. I have a XS White Dot Tritum night sight on order because alas it's got a pinned front sight and I can change it out in a few minutes. Probably will never need it w/ the laser (which is a great dry fire training tool for trigger control and point shooting as well). I just love the little warning stickers that say basically if this light is shining in your eyes you are in deep ****!

I also prefer the matte black finish over the silver of the 642 - and read the fine print the 442 has a carbon steel, not stainless, cylinder and barrel. The LCR should be almost impervious to the elements and the salt of your sweat with the polymer grip and trigger frame, powder coated aluminum body frame and stainless cylinder and barrel.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. Having the K frame made it easier to focus on a lightweight snubby. I use the same 135gr GD +P loads in both!

 

[thumbs]

Where did you get the info on the barrel and cylinder? I just assumed it was stainless. I would like to take a look at that.

thanks

 

[flop-shank]

Considering I want to carry it in my pocket I think the 637 is the way to go.
I just gotta have a hammer.

Practice double action shooting long enough (don't waste your time with SA) and the hammer spur will be ready to get lost. There's nothing wrong with getting a gun with a hammer spur, you can always bob it later. After all, I did. Do that with which you are comfortable.

LOL Really the only reason for the 357 was a last resort for bear.

.357 is great. You can pick your power level. While full house .357s work for few from a snub, managed recoil loads do and they offer a nice, usable increase in power.

Hey I saw on one of the J frames it said cut for moon clips. I figured out what they were but if you go one cut for moon clips can you use it without them? Also what is the census on using moon clips. Should I try to get one cut for them or is it not a big deal?

I don't use moon clips. If the gun is empty, I draw another one. I have nothing against them, but I also have no experience with them.

 

[thumbs]

Thanks for the info again.

Yea another day another lean toward something else. LOL I really like the sp101. It may be a little big for some stuff but I still have the PPK/S for those times. It should make a pretty good ccw and a great trail gun. Jury is still out though.

Anyway after saying that I found a used 442. It looked pretty good with a real nice trigger and the cylinder had just a little movement pretty much the same as a new one. If I change my mind again. Whos kidin who. LOL What should I look for in a used Smith and Wesson J frame 442? How do you guess the condition for the revolver? It looked pretty good with minimal wear mostly the arc where the cylinder pin rubs the frame on the way to being locked. Looked like just normal wear. The shop wanted $310 for it. Good bad or indifferent?

Oh one lasts thing. I put a magnet against the cylinder of a 637 and it stuck like the devil.

 

[flop-shank]

LOL I really like the sp101. It may be a little big for some stuff but I still have the PPK/S for those times. It should make a pretty good ccw and a great trail gun. Jury is still out though.

If the 442 doesn't work out (the price sounds decent to me), you might want to save your money until your decision becomes clear in your mind. If the Walther always works, no matter what the pocket, a bigger gun might prove useful. If the Walther doesn't always work, a P3AT might be a good idea.

Oh, and about checking out used revolvers, I'm hoping someone on the forum can post a link to a good checklist (O.K., friends, help me out here). If not I'll post something in a day or two.

 

[thumbs]

Yeah a check list for a use revolver would be great.

 

[2hawk]

Here ya' go...

Revolver Checkout Procedure

 

[flop-shank]

Much appreciated!

Thanks 2hawk! You saved me some serious typing, and your link got more in depth than I ever would have.

 

[thumbs]

Yeah thanks. Thats a copy past deal. I put that in my files.

 

[ENGINE18]

Firearms are like cars, bikes, boats, etc; individual tastes vary. Try out as many as you can, find the one one you shoot the best, and practice, practice, practice!