S&W 296 & 627 dimensions? Pocket carry? Snub .357 ballistics?

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I currently carry a Glock model 30 .45 acp for my primary weapon. My back up is a Kahr .380 which rides in my front support hand pocket. I prefer pocket carry for a back up. I cant pocket a Glock 26/27 because the entrie gun is fat. I can however pocket a Smith and Wesson model 60 Lady Smith.

There have been many dog attacks in my area. I jog often and this is a concern. A neighbor who was carrying a 40 caliber was bitten in his right hand. He couldnt get to his gun with his weak hand quick enough. I dont want to be this guy. I also have coyotes, raccons, and there is a nearby lower end zoo that sometimes see escapes of their wild life.

What are the dimensions of the S&W 296?Is the S&W 296 the smallest .44 special revolver out there? Is it smaller than the Charter Arms bull dog? How does the ballistics compare to a .40 caliber pistol and .357 mag? Figure this would also work better on two legged bad guys.

I am also looking at the 8 shot 627 snub. What are the dimensions? Is it larger than the 296?

Is the Model 60LS Lady Smith an L Frame? I can pocket one of these fine. Is it smaller than the 296? I have a friend who has one and tryed it out.
Product: Model 60LS

Would a J frame .38 sepcial give me better ballistics on an attacking dog/ animal than a .380? This is my last choice if the othe two are huge. I might try a J frame and if it works get a M&P 340 and load it with magnums.

Finally, how much better are ballistics from a 2 inch .357 mag such as ahte 340pd?

 

[XTrooper]

The 296 is not a current production revolver.

The 627 is larger in every dimension and significantly heavier than your G30. It is NOT, by any stretch of the imagination, a pocket gun.

Product: Model 627

You've been to the S&W web site. Just read the details of the model(s) you're interested in.

The Model 60 is a small (J-frame) revolver like it says on the page you linked to. Small = J-frame; Medium = K/L; Large = N-frame.

A .357 Magnum load will best a .38 Special +P load fired from a snubby by 200-400 fps depending on the actual load and barrel length used. If you handle the recoil, the magnum loads are worthwhile.

My 627 UDR. Yeah, it's big. I carry it nearly every day, but not in my pocket.

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum.

This photo should help with the relative sizes.
(L frame 296 top L, N frame 327 top R, J frames below)

N frame vs J frame

 

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Welcome to the forum.

This photo should help with the relative sizes.
(L frame 296 top L, N frame 327 top R, J frames below)

N frame vs J frame

I think im going to lean more towards the 296 and try and find an older one. How close is it in size to the model 60 LS? The 60LS was larger than the regular j frames. I would love a snub .44 special that I could pocket.

 

[WC145]

I think im going to lean more towards the 296 and try and find an older one. How close is it in size to the model 60 LS? The 60LS was larger than the regular j frames. I would love a snub .44 special that I could pocket.

All recent (since the mid-90's) J-frames are the same size except for variations in barrel length. The 296 is substantially larger than the 60, way to big for most pockets even though it is lightweight.
Also, the only 296s are "older" 296s as they were only made from 1999 to 2001.

The only really pocket size .44spl is the Charter Arms Bulldog.

 

[youngda9]

I see these questions come up often. Why isn't there a single page discription with the measurements of each frame size in a comparison chart?

THe ABCDEF... measurements can be shown in a single diagram. The frame sizes listed across the top, and fill in the chart with the dimensions.

I'm in management, so someone else will have to do the actual work

 

[Stainz]

Tired of aperiodic carry of my 296 in an OWL OWB pancake holster, I ordered a Robert Mika's pocket holster for my 296. The combo fit 3 of 4 pants' front pockets - 100% in my favored cargo pants. I also looked ahead - and ordered a similar one for a 642, which I finally bought four years ago - and that combo is a 100% 24/7 carry. Here are the two unholstered:

Here they are holstered:

The 296, if you can find a good one, isn't a bad carry at all - and the Speer 200gr Gold Dot .44 Special is perfect for personal defense, although I carry a 240gr LSWC as my first round when woods-stomping.

Now, one of my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's as a pocket carry - as nice as it would be - would require carbon fiber thread in the pockets - some revolvers are too heavy for pocket carry.

I bought my 296 new eight years ago. They were >$700 MSRP at the end of their run, but mine was a $349 'closeout' locally back then. I wouldn't part with mine for twice that. Good luck!

Stainz

PS For size calibration, I am 5'10" - and both volumetrically and gravitationally challenged... ie, I have big pockets!

 

[IkenI]

I had a 296 I bought new but it just didn't work for me so I sold it several years ago. .44 Special is a favorite cartridge (I have three) so I was always looking for something to replace it with. I ended up with a 396 Night Guard and found it works for me.

I still rarely pocket carry it as it is just too thick. I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs and it only fits one pair of pants I have. It does disappear IWB. Here it is in comparison to a J frame, which I routinely pocket carry.

The 396 is five ounces heavier than a 296 but has the advantage of a stainless cylinder instead of titanium. The 296 has the advantage of being a Centennial type. I shoot my 396 DA almost exclusively. I have been thinking of converting it to DAO. This is the .44 Special option that worked for me. The GDHP and DPX ammo are my two favorites.

 

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I think im going to try a 296 out. How much smaller or larger is a Charter arms bull dog?

 

[Stainz]

The 296/396/696 family has the same size cylinder as the CA - they use the same HKS #CA44 speedloader. The SS CA weighs 6+ oz more than the 296 - and even new is less than a used 296 in cost.

Stainz

 

[mtnbikerx]

I'm by no means an expert on handguns but faced with an attacking critter the size and speed of a dog or cougar I would think something carrying a few rounds of .410 would spread a wider barrier of protection and be more effective. This is said considering the dynamics of a critter attack.

 

[GF]

IkenI, your 396 NG modified with "the plug" a Tyler-T & RB magnas is a good looking revolver.
It's set up like it should of came from the factory.

Well done.

GF

 

[WC145]

I'm by no means an expert on handguns but faced with an attacking critter the size and speed of a dog or cougar I would think something carrying a few rounds of .410 would spread a wider barrier of protection and be more effective. This is said considering the dynamics of a critter attack.

I think facing a cougar or a good sized dog with .410 handgun pretty much guarantees you a trip to the ER to sewn up. That's assuming you survive pissing him off by shooting him.

 

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I think facing a cougar or a good sized dog with .410 handgun pretty much guarantees you a trip to the ER to sewn up. That's assuming you survive pissing him off by shooting him.

What about a bond arms darringer 410 loaded with 5 pellet 00 buckshot?

 

[mtnbikerx]

I think facing a cougar or a good sized dog with .410 handgun pretty much guarantees you a trip to the ER to sewn up. That's assuming you survive pissing him off by shooting him.

Sure would if you were shooting to discourage an attack. But most animal attacks are stalking events where you only know you are critter fodder when the fangs are in your neck. My comment refers to a "contact shot" when the threat is so close you can smell the scat and it's already shaking you and trying to crush your throat. The PDX .410 self defense loads ain't your fathers #6 shot.

 

[WC145]

Sure would if you were shooting to discourage an attack. But most animal attacks are stalking events where you only know you are critter fodder when the fangs are in your neck. My comment refers to a "contact shot" when the threat is so close you can smell the scat and it's already shaking you and trying to crush your throat. The PDX .410 self defense loads ain't your fathers #6 shot.

I've had .410's since I was a kid. The first gun my father gave me is in my safe, a Savage 24J .22lr over .410. I've got a nice Mossberg .410 pump in there as well. I had a Taurus 4410 3" as well, the Judge before it was the Judge. Don't fool yourself or believe the advertising hype, the .410 is no big game cartridge. It isn't to be trusted against a pissed off cougar or a dog of any appreciable size. Mix it up with a big cat or dog and the only scat you'll be smelling is your own.

 

[mtnbikerx]

Okay WC, I defer. Just surmising that the wider spray of slugs might make a bigger penetration path than a .44 fired in desperation.