Which revolver should I purchase for CCW? I’m stuck. Advice/Experience/Opinions?

[shawn mccarver]

If you are limited to a snubbie, then get the 642 No Lock. Load it with the FBI load, the GDSB, or if you need deep penetration, the BB Outdoorsman, which is the same as the old 38/44.

 

[SeamasterSig]

If it doesn't have to be suitable for pocket carry, you might also consider a model 60 with a 3" barrel. There's no other j-frame better-suited for 357 magnum loads. Plus you get adjustable sights and a longer sight radius. Yes, it's noticeably heavier than an Airweight, but that should not be an issue in a good IWB/OWB holster, or maybe in a shoulder holster. A j-frame of this size and heft can also serve as a trail gun, loaded with hard-hitting heavy-for-caliber WFN bullets. The 3rd inch of barrel length will enable higher velocity and allow your magnum loads to be more than just flame throwers.

And since one gun is never enough, pair the m60 with an m642 or m638 or any of the other Airweight snubnose j-frames loaded with 38 Spl +p for pocket carry or times when maximum discretion is more important than greater muzzle energy.

 

[Protected One]

Based on the criteria you posted my recommendation would be the Ruger SP101. It gives you a powerful, durable, reliable and concealable handgun that (bonus) cost less than most of the smiths mentioned here.

You said you want the most powerful, which means .357...Not .38 spl.
You said you want to be proficient, which means lots of practice, and a 642 is a punishing range gun....which discourages practicing.
The extra weight of the SP101 makes practicing with .38 spl a treat, and you still have the option of carrying .357 if you want to.

 

[Hook686]

I went with the M&P 340. I carry .38+P with a .357 magnum in the 5th chamber (I will know when it is empty). 2 oz. might not seem a lot, but it might make a difference if you carry all day, every day. The big thing from my point of view is the stronger frame. The .38+P ammunition I practice with has not weakened the gun, nor am I concerned about such. I occasionally load a low end .357 magnum 158 grain load and shoot a few cylinders worth, just to keep me aware of the feel of the magnums in the light weight revolver. If you want to shoot magnums, you might look at the 640. Heavier, as it is steel, but you then lose the light weight of the 340. I chose the 340 because I carry lot more time wise than I shoot. The light weight was the bell ringer. I reload and I have a load I developed that I like. If I want to shoot softer and not reload I can get 158 grain LSWC .38 Specials. If I want factory carry ammunition I can go with Speer Short Barrel 135 grain .38+P. There is .357 magnum low recoil commercial loads out there. I went with the M&P 340 because of the light weight and the numerous options cover all the bases that were important to me. I have a 640 and enjoy practice with it more, but I do not like the extra weight as a carry choice. While I can pretty much keep my shots on an 8-1/2 X 11 paper target at 25 yards with the J-Frame, it is not a 25 yard shooting iron. These like weight revolvers are really intended for easy carry and bad breath shooting distances. I might point out I am not concerned with wearing out this Titanium/Scandium J-frame.

Good luck with your quest. It is fun to look and research.

 

[haywood]

I carry a 442 in my pocket and SP101 in the waist band. Problems, zero.

 

[Jim1392]

If you are going to pocket carry the 642 works well. As long as you can put up with the finish problems. I retired mine to the safe and replaced it with a 640 Pro. A good IWB or OWB holster and you are good to go. I carried the Pro with Speer Short Barrel 135 grain .38+P's. For me it's too heavy to pocket carry.

 

[Cpo1944]

Sir, you say you have eliminated the Ruger LCR, but I suggest you revisit it , because in my humble opinion and 50 plus years carrying experience It is the perfect pocket pistol. The .357 is the one to get.

Thanks for your response, DocB.

I didn't include pistols in my post, because I already decided I'd rather go with a revolver. Initially, I didn't even consider revolvers because I was sold on the higher capacity (etc., etc.) pistols.

I handled the following guns and gave each one serious consideration, but, at the end of the day, I eliminated these for a lot of reasons (mostly personal preference) I won't go into.

Glock 43
Glock 26
Ruger LC9S Pro
Ruger LCP
Ruger LCR
Kimber Solo Carry
Kimber Micro Carry

The Glock 43, especially, is still on my radar, but I dislike the way it feels in my hand. So far, the most comfortable handguns I've tried have been the ones I mentioned in my original post. There's no doubt Glocks are great weapons, and I will probably end up getting one at some point, but I'm not sure they fit the bill for me. Pure personal preference here.

 

[joeintexas]

As others have mentioned I bet you wind up switching back and forth between different models as time goes by. Some days I carry a K-frame 13-1 with .38+p ammo and I don't feel underarmed. Other days the old 3rd gen 9mm works just fine. I have found my clothing for that day sometimes dictates what to carry or how to carry. Mine is mostly iwb or pocket. Good luck with your choice. The fun part is looking for the perfect one.

 

[rwsmith]

Revolver?

Revolver? J frame. Your choice. I'd get the .357 and and shoot .38 +Ps out of it. If you are buying for CC you don't need a hammer. You will have to shoot it enough to be proficient so don't get anything TOO painful to shoot.

 

[I Like Round Butts]

442 no lock

2 speed strips


Dummy rounds
Sticky pocket holster

1000 rounds

Lotsa TV time dry fire and loading practice and become a speed strip reloading demon

 

[slodraw]

Welcome to the forum. Plan on buying several, they become an addiction. I have a 649, 642, 642 w no lock moon clips, 60 ls , bobbed hammer, mp 340, 640, and a 617. I like all of them but find myself carrying the 642 in a nemesis most of the time. I put3000 rounds through them in a normal year. Shoot the 642,640 and 340 the most. I have a selection of pistols but a j frame just seems to work for me most of the time. I have ibw and obw holsters along with pocket. I will carry the 642 and 340 a lot of the time, one in pocket ,one ibw. Good luck and be safe

 

[Geo. T.]

My 2 Cents!

I was a CHL instructor here in Texas for several years. The class room work and talking to many students finally that if you go to the trouble to get a carry permit you need to do so. I have several semi autos Colt and Sig but I found that often I would leave them in the truck or at home to dress more comfortably. I was lucky that I never had a reason to regret leaving my pistols behind. I decided not to press my luck and started to look for an every day gun.

After a lot of looking I got the 442 38 special and although the finish is a little worse for wear it is a good shooter and it goes bang every time. It shoots as well as I can as long as the ranges are kept reasonable. Here in Texas we qualify at 3 , 7 and 15 yards. At 3 yards I can group in a poker chip size but at 7 yards I can shoot a grape fruit sized group in the center of a CHL target. At 15 yards I have to slow down and will do pretty well within reason. I used to tell my classes that we shoot at 15 yards to show that it's not easy and that proving deadly force was necessary will not be easy!

I carry it around the house and on local trips with two 38 +P silvertips and three CCI snake loads. When traveling the silver tips are in all chambers. They are a handful but shoot really well. My guess is that in a two inch barrel most of the gain in a 357 is in muzzle blast and recoil. A crony would test the validity of this statement.

One very important thing to remember is that because it is light and sits in my pocket holster without causing a problem in jeans shorts or slacks. I have it with me if I have clothes on period. That is the key issue. Decide on what you can and will carry. Oh yeah I have three Semi Autos five revolvers but this one goes everywhere that it's legal with me!

And that's my 2 Cents!

 

[snowman]

I'll begin with the obvious: we're all different -in physical size and strength, hand size and strength, recoil tolerance, perception of what is 'comfortable' & 'convenient', and so on. Our differing physical size will even dictate somewhat what is 'concealable'. For this reason I don't believe anyone can tell you unequivocally what will be best for YOU or what YOU will experience, even though that is what you requested we do. The best we can do is share our own experience, or observations based on experience teaching or shooting with others. So that is what I will do.

I have been carrying and shooting an SP101 DAO for 11 years, using nothing but .357, 125gr. JHPs. My experience contradicts much of what has been said here about both gun and load, as follows:

-I've pocket-carried it ALL the time, and it is not impractical or too heavy for me.

-In this gun, in my experience, hot .357s are not unpleasant to shoot. My practice sessions average between 60 & 70 rounds, and I never develop a flinch or go away with a sore hand, bloody knuckles, etc. It would be no different if I fired 170 or 270 rounds.

-My hand strength, combined with the size & shape of the SP's grip, make my follow-up shots nearly as rapid as a .38. The additional recoil does slow it down some, but not enough, in my view, to endanger me in a SD situation. Practice of course is essential here.

-The .357 load I use chronographs at around 1230fps out of the 2-1/4" barrel on the SP101. Therefore I wouldn't characterize the difference here as being mere 'flash and bang'.


Closing thoughts:
-I know nothing about the other guns you're considering, and so will say nothing about them.

-If you want power, the .357 125 JHP has it. I tested its expansion and penetration early on, and was astounded at the results.

-If you choose the above round, regular practice is essential, in order to get used to, and stay used to, the additional noise and recoil generated by its high pressures.

-I am in no way disparaging the .38 Special as a defensive round, nor the lightweight guns that others prefer. I'm sure that they are effective alternatives.


That's all; best wishes in your choice. I like the way you think things through before jumping in. Of course one can analyze too much as has been stated; but I would rather err in that direction than the other way.

Regards,
Andy

 

[shutupdata113]

I would get the sp101 for 357
I would get the 442 for a lightweight 38
Forget the 642...the finish will flake off after like a week
Forget the scandium j frame...way too much money for what you get...

 

[Elliot45]

Does your CCW have to be a revolver?

I used to be more of a revolver type guy but now I've crossed over to the dark side after purchasing a S&W 9mm Shield. I own one without an external thumb safety so far all practical purposes, it's like having a revolver. Except instead of 5 or 6 shots, I have 8-9 and that gives me a much more comfortable feeing knowing that I have extra capacity. It is also thinner and easier to conceal. At one time my argument for a revolver would have been reliability but after 1,000 rounds, I've never had a misfire or jam so that argument goes out the window. I know someone else mentioned the Glock 43 but the Shield fits my hand better and for me has been just as reliable. I also find it easier to shoot the 9mm than a .357. As someone mentioned, the .357 in a small gun is a handfull. I have a 686+Pro and Model 27 and enjoy shooting the .357 in them but I don't shoot them in my friends 640 and he doesn't even practice with them. Recoil is one problem but if you where shooting at night, muzzle flash in a small revolver with .357 would be another negative factor. I know that once you have something in mind it's hard to take off the blinders and consider other options but in today's world I think semi-autos are the way to go and they're a lot less expensive. Amd 9mm is much less expensive to shoot and that's important to me as I shoot a lot. Regards, Elliot45

 

[Mister X]

I used to be more of a revolver type guy but now I've crossed over to the dark side after purchasing a S&W 9mm Shield. I own one without an external thumb safety so far all practical purposes, it's like having a revolver.

And I guess a Glock is like a revolver "for all practical purposes". Sorry, but they are worlds apart in function, user operation and tactical application.

 

[BigBill]

Check your local laws. Here if we use it for self defense we lose it. Carry something easy to replace. That's affordable too.

Charter Arms?
Taurus?
Glock a 40cal?
Cz75. 9mm luger?
Cz82 9mm mak? Both czs have a double action.

Lately a ccw a cz82 in 9mm mak. It's double is in the safe already just incase. These are between $200/$250.

I can't see ccw a expensive gun I may or may not be able to replace.

I hope and pray I never have to use it to defend my family.

 

[gwpercle]

Don't get a lightweight, J-frame in 357 magnum.......just way too much of a good thing. Shooting it encourages flinching, and lousy shooting.
It's just not practical.
Rent or borrow one and shoot a box of magnums in it , if you like it it and can shoot it fast and accurate....then buy it.
Gary

 

[diyj98]

For pocket carry go with the 642 or 442. For non pocket carry, the sp101 would be my vote. Super strong and you can shoot 38's or 357 with no issues.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

442 No lock. No reason to overthink this. There's a reason they sell tons of the 642/442 - it's a great size/weight/caliber combo for carry. You can get hot .38 Special ammo that approaches .357 power if you want more pop.

 

[Muss Muggins]

If I was starting over, and wanted one revolver for CCW, I'd go with the hammerless stuff . . . 38, 40, 42, 332, 340, 342, 442, 640, 642, etc. Shorter learning curve. Pull the trigger, it goes bang. I'd also consider the Ruger LCR . . .

 

[one eye joe]

IMHO, THE 642-1 (NO LOCK) WITH THE CRIMSON TRACE LG-405 GRIPS JUST CAN'T BE BEAT. THE GRIPS GIGE A GREAT PURCHASE, AND CUSHION RECOIL WITH A BUILT IN AIR POCKET ON THE COVERED BACKSTRAP...

 

[walkin' trails]

Just out of curiosity, what is your level of experience with a small revolver? I think that the J-frames are about the best all-round handguns to carry if you want something light and concealable and just have to have a revolver. The down side is they take a lot of work to master. All of them come with a trigger that has a heavier pull (double action) than a S&W Shield or Glock 42/43. Coupled with enhanced recoil because of the light weight, and generally lousy sights make shooting them problematic under stress. The only way to compensate for the disadvantages is to train on a daily basis (primarily dry firing and practicing reloading with dummy rounds).

For the revolvers you mentioned, I would lean toward the 442/642 no-lock. Speer Gold Dots and Hornaday Critical Duty .38 Special loads seem to be the better performers in that caliber today. Don't neglect a reload. Have speed loaders AND speed strips. Speed loaders are faster, but speed strips are easier to carry. Either way, train with them.

 

[CTI1USNRET]

I love it when a poster asks for REVOLVER recommendations and a glock snob says to forget it and get a glock. Especially when EVERYONE knows that revolvers are superior. Bait set.

Every revolver the OP listed is fine. Only buying one and using it for a while will give him answers. There's no way around that. Eventually, he'll buy another and learn even more about his preferences.

Buy lots of revolvers. It's good for you.

My CCW is a 3" S&W Model 24-6 44 Spl.

I've carried light and heavy - revolvers and autos. I've decided on heavy revolvers.

One more thing; a few times when a friend or a newby was so confused with the choices that he/she couldn't decide, I gave him/her a used S&W Model 10 as a gift with several sets of grips.

 

[Thermopylae]

. . . The only 640 I know of that's available is the Pro Series. But, doesn't that have the internal lock? If I could find an all stainless steel 640 standard without the internal lock, I'd be very interested in one. . . .

The 640 Pro Series does not have the internal lock.

I went through a similar decision process and bought one. I put on an Altamont oversized grip. It adds about 1/4 inch to the trigger reach and eliminates my trigger finger brushing against the trigger guard too much. It came with rubber boot grips.

I like that the cylinder is already set up for moonclips and has been chamfered. The trigger has a smooth radius, too. And I wanted night sights.

The break is 11# 9oz (DAO) so I will be sending it to the Performance Center for a J-frame action job. I was told they can adjust it to 8#. My semi autos are 3.75 to 6.75# so I am thinking something close to 12# is too high for me.

 

[Protected One]

One more thing; a few times when a friend or a newby was so confused with the choices that he/she couldn't decide, I gave him/her a used S&W Model 10 as a gift with several sets of grips.

Need any more friends?

 

[alexrex20]

These were my thoughts, as well.



Thanks for the article--a good read!



I imagine you're correct.

Have you narrowed down your choices any further, or did we just make it harder for you to pick?

My 24/7 killing machine is a 340PD that I tuck in my waistband Mexican style with a Barami "hip grip." To me, a J frame is a BUG (backup gun) but is sometimes my primary when I'm running to the store in gym shorts. It can be easily pocket carried without pulling your shorts down.

The 642 is only four ounces heavier than a 340. That doesn't sound like much, but that's 25% weight difference. I can certainly tell the difference when I pocket or Mexican carry.

The price is a bit ridiculous but if you can swing it, why not? The 340 is a fun gun to bring to the range to troll your friends with full-house Magnum loads.

I recommend the 340 but I am biased. You can't go wrong with a 442/642. I do not recommend the 640 if you plan to pocket carry. I also don't recommend it for belt carry because at that point I would just carry a 686+.

 

[ibewbull]

Of all the guns in my safe the 640 642 and 36 are used more than all the rest combined.
J frame ALL THE WAY and you won't regret it.

 

[11B Lifer]

Can't go wrong

Can't go wrong with any of the ones you have listed....my M36 does my pocket carry work. Fit in the hand, availability, and cost will help you narrow your choice.

Randy

Same here-an old M36-and I have many carry guns-but the 36, or M 12-2, or Colt Detective are my current carry guns-

 

[getoff]

442 here. mostly pocket an LCP, but on some days, 442 in front pocket.