Wich revolver for EDC? Differences?

[Macinaw]

Looks like your yelling at everyone with the uppercase.

I think he does this because he is visually challenged. It is easy for him to see the letters while typing.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

We don't all have a choice...

On duty (45-60/hrs wk) my EDC is a 4 inch S&W Model 686-6 in an old Gall's (Gould & Goodrich) Cruiser holster on a duty belt along with 2 double speedloader cases, handcuffs w/case, Motorola radio, ASP collapsible baton, and an X26 Taser. In my left cargo pocket is a 2 inch S&W Model 12-2, and in my right cargo pocket is a 1⅞ inch S&W Model 642-2. A Spyderco folder and a 320 lumen flashlight ride in other pockets. We don't even need to discuss the Level II body Armor with 7X10 inch composite trauma plates.

Off duty, I used to carry a 3 inch S&W Model 13-3 round butt. Since I'm getting older, I find myself carrying the Model 12-2 on my belt with a double drop pouch (speedstrips) and the Model 642-2 in my pocket more often.

I am the last of the revolver toters in my detail, but last qualification (Remington 125 grain SJHP .357 Magnum duty ammo) I shot two 100% runs back to back. The youngsters with their Glock 22s haven't outshot me yet.

 

[Tanners Owner]

For me it's a M64, 2". Comfortable to carry and shoot.

Alternatives I have are my LCR and Glock 43. But it's the M64 that I reach for most of the time.

 

[smoothshooter]

5-shot J frame Smith, or Ruger LCR, etc., in some configuration that suits you, preferably one that weighs less than 25-26 ounces empty.
Anything heavier or bigger than that, and it is very likely you will not carry it much after the " new " wears off.
Something that is small enough to fit in a front pants pocket in a pocket holster is even better. Shop around and buy pants that have larger, deeper, and more heavily-constructed pocket drill material in them.

If you can buy two carry guns, get a larger one and a smaller one like I recommend.
After 6 months, see which one you carry the most.

With me, for concealed carry, if it won't fit in my pocket, I ain't carryin' it.

 

[smoothshooter]

5-shot J frame Smith, or Ruger LCR, Taurus Model 85 UL, etc., in some configuration that suits you, preferably one that weighs less than 25-26 ounces empty.
Anything heavier or bigger than that, and it is very likely you will not corry it much after the " new " wears off.
Something that is small enough to fit in a front pants pocket in a pocket holster is even better.

If you can buy two carry guns, get a larger one and a smaller one like I recommend.
After 6 months, see which one you carry the most.

With me, for concealed carry, if it won't fit in my pocket, I ain't carryin' it.
I currently carry a Bodyguard .380. The thinness, light weight, and accuracy in mine can't be beaten.

 

[crazyphil]

Muley:

I sometimes carry this Agent:



I have a pre shroud version as well, but it is nearly mint, and I shoot it, but don't usually carry it.

Best Regards, Les

Hi Les,
My Agent is parkerized. I thought all Agents were parkerized,
but I see yours has a nice blue finish. Was it re-finished?

P. S. This is the kind of "shroud" that I like.

 

[smoothshooter]

5-shot J frame Smith, or Ruger LCR, etc., in some configuration that suits you, preferably one that weighs less than 25-26 ounces empty.
Anything heavier or bigger than that, and it is very likely you will not corry it much after the " new " wears off.
Something that is small enough to fit in a front pants pocket in a pocket holster is even better.

If you can buy two carry guns, get a larger one and a smaller one like I recommend.
After 6 months, see which one you carry the most.

With me, for concealed carry, if it won't fit in my pocket, I ain't carryin' it.
I currently carry a Bodyguard .380. The thinness, light weight, and accuracy in mine can't be beaten.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I recommend [in 357] a M-60 3in.[ Mine is M60-15 PRO]
A 3 in will get the 357 up to speed.
The 5 shot J frame is thin and light[but not too light]
Sights can be fixed or adj depending.
Just make sure you get a grip that fits.
I use a set of Pachmayr Decelerator grips [the thin ones]

 

[smoothshooter]

I believe the Ruger LCR's are the best CC revolvers on the market.

I have always been a S & W guy and have several.
But in the last 8 months i have bought and kept 4 LCR's, and plan to buy at least 2 more.

 

[Cal44]

How about either an LCR in 357 mag, or if you want 6 shots, an LCR 327 magnum.

Both weigh 17 oz and are great pocket guns.

 

[MCorps0311]

I say 686 3",i have a 686-6, 4"myself.I love my Ruger SP 101 .357 Magnum 3".

 

[Andre Couceiro]

Snubby revolver 5 shot

I prefer a 2" barrel in 38 Special, like my TAURUS model 85s

 

[les.b]

Hi Les,
My Agent is parkerized. I thought all Agents were parkerized,
but I see yours has a nice blue finish. Was it re-finished?

P. S. This is the kind of "shroud" that I like.

Phil:

No, most Agents are not parkerized. The original Agents were marked "Agent" on the barrel, but they were identical to the Cobra except for the length of the grips, which were shorter. By the time the agent was introduced, the Detective Special, Cobra and other D frames, such as the Diamondback and Police Positive Special had all gone to the shortened grip frame, so grips could be interchanged among all of these guns. At that time, as the Agent was first introduced, all of these models had the shiny blue (and on the alloy frames, anodized) finish or nickle. These were the models with the exposed ejector rods, shown here are my three, from top to bottom, Detective Special, Cobra and Agent (please excuse this old photo, I'll have to get them out and re shoot some day):



Next, as the ejector rod shrouds were introduced, the finishes remained shiny, either blued, anodized, or nickle. The photo that I am posting below (same one I posted earlier) shows one of these newer, shrouded Agents, which kept the earlier small grips, as well as the original finish:



I imagine that your parkerized version is probably the scarcest, as it had, I believe, the shortest production run.

One source says Agent production started in 1955 with an advertised weight of 14 ounces, and production continued until a revised version of the Agent was released in 1973 with a shrouded barrel with an increased weight of 16 ounces. Production of this version ended in 1979. In 1984, the Agent was revived by Colt, (I believe that this is your version), this time with a parkerized finish; production continued until 1986.

Best Regards, Les

 

[rwsmith]

Just in my opinion......

Even if I liked comp guns I wouldn't carry one.


But with the 686 I wouldn't argue.

 

[KalamazooKid]

These two - a 640 Pro and a 340 PD. Both ride in Mika pocket holsters. While I practice with both, I shoot the 23 oz 640 a lot more. But the 340 gets most of the pocket time. These are two awesome little J frames!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ABPOS]

My first thought would be that is way too heavy to carry every day. But everyone is different. I will ask you this OP, do you normally carry something that big and heavy every day or is this a new proposition for you. If it's the latter, I would recommend against it. It can be done, and you might be fine with it. And maybe you need to try it for yourself to see.

I have not carried for as long as some, but I know that I feel better armed with bigger guns, but when I carry them, I'm always looking for something lighter and smaller. Having said that, maybe I should be the one changing to carrying something bigger.

I feel like my 442 is "good enough". I put it on in the morning and take it off at night. And I rarely don't have it on. (showering, etc). But when I've got a bigger gun on, it doesn't do that. It comes off quicker and I end up with the little gun on anyways...

Most of the places I am, I don't feel like I need service sized weapon. However, if rounds started flying, I'd rather have an M9, but I'm just not going to carry that.

You will find what works for you. But if you are new to carrying, you may want to try something a smaller. Or not. My hats are off to you if you carry something that big. IMHO, if I'm going to go that big or heavy, it would be my HiPower or an auto. Although that doesn't mean a bigger revolver is a bad choice. No easy answer and anything is better than nothing.

 

[smoothshooter]

For me it's this DAO guy for daily concealed carry:

Why do you have only 5 cartridges in the Speed Strips?
Was curious because it seems like a lot of people do that.
I personally load them with all 6 because i don't mind having an extra round left over if I do a full reload on a 5-shooter, and on a partial reload it's nice too. Might need it sometime.

 

[dwhite]

Why do you have only 5 cartridges in the Speed Strips?
Was curious because it seems like a lot of people do that.
I personally load them with all 6 because i don't mind having an extra round left over if I do a full reload on a 5-shooter, and on a partial reload it's nice too. Might need it sometime.

For me, 2 reasons:

1. It's much easier to handle the strip when the "handle" is a little longer by not loading 1 round.

2. If I'm doing it for real, I don't want my mind to be thinking about putting that strip back in my pocket for the one remaining round. Load it and drop it QUICK.

For the same reason I use 8-round strips only loaded with 6 rounds for my K and L frames.

 

[Lostaro]

EDC is a 442 or 36.....carry 5rnds in a 6rnd speed strip also.
Really does help me when fumbling a reload in a hurry and I agree you don't want to worry about putting that extra round in your pocket.
Bud of mine carries 4 in a strip, 2 space 2....would argue with him but he's scary fast to get an empty j-frame back up shooting.

 

[ABPOS]

EDC is a 442 or 36.....carry 5rnds in a 6rnd speed strip also.
Really does help me when fumbling a reload in a hurry and I agree you don't want to worry about putting that extra round in your pocket.
Bud of mine carries 4 in a strip, 2 space 2....would argue with him but he's scary fast to get an empty j-frame back up shooting.

I do believe that's how Michael De Bettencourt teaches how to do it. I was doing 4, but not spaced apart for a while. But I went back to 5. I think anything you do you need to practice, but I'm sure some ways are better than others. I kind of wish I had a little pouch for a speedloader. I have one of the safariland ones and it's kind of fast. But lately it's been all speed strips for me.