TomkinsSP
Member
For thirtyfive years, my single favorite, Model 40, sometimes my only, other times as number two behind my 64, or my 36.
Which S&W Revolver Do You Carry Most?
- Thread starter HarrishMasher
- Start date
Midwestern IL weather dependent:
WC ULCC 4" .45acp IWB majority of the time.
-33oz loaded with Rem Golden Saber 185gr.
S&W 342PD .38+p for hot days and shorts pocket carry.
-13oz loaded with Winchester Ranger 130gr.
S&W 242ti .38+p for hiking and jacket pocket carry.
-23oz loaded with Winchester Ranger 130gr.
Milt Sparks leather for all!
WC ULCC 4" .45acp IWB majority of the time.
-33oz loaded with Rem Golden Saber 185gr.
S&W 342PD .38+p for hot days and shorts pocket carry.
-13oz loaded with Winchester Ranger 130gr.
S&W 242ti .38+p for hiking and jacket pocket carry.
-23oz loaded with Winchester Ranger 130gr.
Milt Sparks leather for all!
915
Member
I have a nickel plated Model 13-3 in .357 with burl wood grips that I very much enjoy carrying on occasion...mostly when the occasion calls for open carry...a beauty like this is meant to be seen and not hidden away! 
And boy is she sweet to shoot! This gun is on my list of ones that I'll be damned before I ever part with.
And boy is she sweet to shoot! This gun is on my list of ones that I'll be damned before I ever part with.
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Revolver Carry
I've been carrying a revolver a lot more lately than I used to. For now, I'm exclusively carrying my Model 638-2 in a Kramer Left Hand Pocket Holster, but am contemplating expanding to OWB with one of my K-Frames at a later date.
I've been carrying a revolver a lot more lately than I used to. For now, I'm exclusively carrying my Model 638-2 in a Kramer Left Hand Pocket Holster, but am contemplating expanding to OWB with one of my K-Frames at a later date.
Ray1970
Member
Used to carry a 642 quite a bit years ago but then I pretty much switched to carrying a semi-auto almost exclusively. Recently picked up this 442 and have started carrying it. Almost forgot how nice a light weight J-frame is to carry.
SCriswell
Member
I still have a few boxes of those Nyclads tucked away in an ammo can.
blues7
Member
When I carry a revolver, 99 out of 100 times it's my 642-1.
Blademan
Member
During the warmer months I mostly carry a Springfield XDS in .45 ACP, small auto 3.3 inch barrel less than 1 inch wide. I use a "Clip Draw" and a custom OWB leather holster for carry options. In colder months I switch to a Smith model 325 Night Guard in .45 ACP. Carry method is a custom leather OWB holster, or a Galco "Miami Classic" shoulder rig. In all months in addition to the above guns, I also wear a Smith model 60 , in . 38 on my ankle when I am working. The model 60 also gets carried in pocket holsters at times. Occasionally depending on the detail I will carry a Glock 23 because of the round capacity.
digiroc
Member
Size matters ...
While my J frames conceal easier and weigh considerably less, especially the 360PD AirLite, my 547 3" K frame in 9mm gets some carry duty.
It would be my weapon of choice to have in hand in most SHTF situations, backed up of course by an appropriate 9mm semi, my 915 comes to mind.
For my type of carry, weight is often a comforting feeling and the larger K frame carries well ISW Appendix. Comes out fast and points well, great instinctive aiming, but the laser grip I just added recently will enhance it's capabilities as a personal defense weapon.
digiroc
While my J frames conceal easier and weigh considerably less, especially the 360PD AirLite, my 547 3" K frame in 9mm gets some carry duty.
It would be my weapon of choice to have in hand in most SHTF situations, backed up of course by an appropriate 9mm semi, my 915 comes to mind.
For my type of carry, weight is often a comforting feeling and the larger K frame carries well ISW Appendix. Comes out fast and points well, great instinctive aiming, but the laser grip I just added recently will enhance it's capabilities as a personal defense weapon.
digiroc
Dogfish357
Member
J frame 100% of the time. I rotate between a 342 and a 637-1. For my body type/preferred carry location, J frames are the best for shorts/t-shirt weather.
Switched to a Shield 9
Shortly after my post last December about carrying J frames, and switching to 32 caliber, I had occasion to try some of the micro 9mm autoloaders that have become so popular of late - mainly to prove to myself that they would be so uncomfortable for my ageing hands and wrists that I could dismiss them from my thinking.
But I was shocked to find that virtually all the ones I tried (SIG 938, S&W Shield, Walther PPS and Glock 43) were MORE comfortable to shoot than any of the J frames I carried. I went through more than 100 rounds of 9mm range ammo in my testing session, with no discomfort from any of the guns. I have to have big cushy Pachmayr grips on a J frame to have fun shooting that many rounds of full power 38 or 32 defensive loads.
Given that and the opportunity to carry 8 or 9 in the gun plus 8 more in an instant reload device (as compared to 5 or 6 plus that many more in a speed strip) I made the decision to switch my daily carry gun pretty much on the spot. Ordered the S&W Shield 9, and have been shooting it, heavily, ever since. In the course of which I discovered that the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST 147g standard pressure defensive rounds give MORE energy out if the 3" barrel than 158g 38 Special +Ps or 100g 32 Magnum +Ps (Buffalo Bore) out of a 2" J frame. So I don't give up anything in performance.
As a final bonus, there is now an IDPA class for these little guns, so I can use one in organized competition like I used to do when I carried a Glock 26. But not available for J frames except in the rare (in my area) BUG gun match.
I miss the light(er) weight of an alloy J frame in 32, and the absolute certainty of revolver reliability. And I am re-learning how much I hate picking up 9mm brass after a range session. But the ability to practice comfortably, and the additional ammunition capacity and easier reloading (however statistically irrelevant those latter features may be in real world civilian defensive situations) won me over. And after the fact, the Shield has been 100% reliable for going on 1000 rounds.
Shortly after my post last December about carrying J frames, and switching to 32 caliber, I had occasion to try some of the micro 9mm autoloaders that have become so popular of late - mainly to prove to myself that they would be so uncomfortable for my ageing hands and wrists that I could dismiss them from my thinking.
But I was shocked to find that virtually all the ones I tried (SIG 938, S&W Shield, Walther PPS and Glock 43) were MORE comfortable to shoot than any of the J frames I carried. I went through more than 100 rounds of 9mm range ammo in my testing session, with no discomfort from any of the guns. I have to have big cushy Pachmayr grips on a J frame to have fun shooting that many rounds of full power 38 or 32 defensive loads.
Given that and the opportunity to carry 8 or 9 in the gun plus 8 more in an instant reload device (as compared to 5 or 6 plus that many more in a speed strip) I made the decision to switch my daily carry gun pretty much on the spot. Ordered the S&W Shield 9, and have been shooting it, heavily, ever since. In the course of which I discovered that the Speer Gold Dot and Federal HST 147g standard pressure defensive rounds give MORE energy out if the 3" barrel than 158g 38 Special +Ps or 100g 32 Magnum +Ps (Buffalo Bore) out of a 2" J frame. So I don't give up anything in performance.
As a final bonus, there is now an IDPA class for these little guns, so I can use one in organized competition like I used to do when I carried a Glock 26. But not available for J frames except in the rare (in my area) BUG gun match.
I miss the light(er) weight of an alloy J frame in 32, and the absolute certainty of revolver reliability. And I am re-learning how much I hate picking up 9mm brass after a range session. But the ability to practice comfortably, and the additional ammunition capacity and easier reloading (however statistically irrelevant those latter features may be in real world civilian defensive situations) won me over. And after the fact, the Shield has been 100% reliable for going on 1000 rounds.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
My usual carry is my 64-2 snubby. It's the perfect mix of size & power for me.
I also carry a glock 43 occasionally, but am just more comfortable w/ my 64, only because I'm more familiar with it having shot it in some local IDPA matches.
I also carry a glock 43 occasionally, but am just more comfortable w/ my 64, only because I'm more familiar with it having shot it in some local IDPA matches.
MCorps0311
US Veteran
My S&W 442-2 & 638-3,.38 SPL+P 5 shot revolvers!
Protected One
Member
My Model 60-0 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense.
snowman.45
Member
Since I retired three years ago, I've come to realize that I no longer need to carry a high capacity auto on my body everyday. I like my J-frames and have carried them for years, both off-duty and as a backup. Most of the time, I carry either my M&P 340 or my 640-1. I'll carry something with a bit more capacity if I'm traveling on the road or going into one of the metropolitan areas, but I still prefer the J-frame. Now that S&W has finally been able to get the Peoples' Republic of Kalifornia to certify the 66-8 2.75", I'm going to have to get one and qualify with it. That should make a great carry gun.
dubshooter
Member
I carry my 640 daily. Either bug at work or primary off duty. But I just picked up a 66-8 last week. Once the holster comes in it might quickly bump the 640 down to BUG.
Snowman, I think you will like it
Snowman, I think you will like it
elm_creek_smith
US Veteran
I carry S&W revolvers exclusively. My duty gun is a 4 inch Model 686-6 with my Model 642-2 in my pocket. Off duty my 3 inch Model 13-3 has pretty much been supplanted by my Model 12-2. The Model 642-2 stays in my pocket.
Sorry, no pictures of my Model 686-6.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sorry, no pictures of my Model 686-6.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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