Hey guys, I have my carry permit and my Glock 17 is too big for when I work.. I am looking at 5 shot revolvers, 2 inch or so for my pocket in a holster.
Any suggestions/ Ammo Options? I would like it in 357 Mag, so I can shoot 38+P or 38+P+. but If I carry +P+ might as well carry 357
For practice, she likes reloads, for carry, we both prefer Federal Hydra-Shoks... She only carries .357, no .38spl...
Then again, carry what you're comfortable with.... A gun you're afraid to shoot due to recoil, is largely useless.... (She and I both had to work our way up to .357, it kicks quite a bit in that firearm...)
For practice, she likes reloads, for carry, we both prefer Federal Hydra-Shoks... She only carries .357, no .38spl...
Then again, carry what you're comfortable with.... A gun you're afraid to shoot due to recoil, is largely useless.... (She and I both had to work our way up to .357, it kicks quite a bit in that firearm...)
I carry a S&W Model 60 5-shot. I load my own ammo and carry 125 gr JHPs @ 1150 fps. I carry in a Hume 715 IWB, or sometimes a small modified camera bag along with two speed loaders.
Used to carry M85 Taurus way back - just with 38 spl - then later used a SP-101 with +P 110 Corbons - finding that even with that gun's weight the time needed for follow-ups using hot 357's was just too long.
Both those guns were steel and so probably too heavy for many folks. So a Smith Airweight category would seem the way to go. 642's are very popular it seems and we have had a thread on this -
I have a 638 I carry when my Commander is too much. Carries well in a kydex IWB with just a cotton tee shirt for cover. I use Speer Gold Dot +P 135gr JHP short barrel loads. The little beasts are a handful for some but I don't find them all that bad. My limit at the range is about 100 rounds of standard pressure practice ammo though. They will take a fair amount of practice to get used to. They are accurate if you'll put in the time to learn to shoot them. One trick shooter busts ballons at 140 yards with a snubbie! I also noticed that the trigger seemed to smooth out on mine after about 500 rounds, they are usually nothing to brag about out of the box. Overall I'm very pleased with the gun.
I started out carrying a S&W 642 in .38spl +P. I keep it loaded with Remington 125gr. +P Golden Sabers, it's got a respectable recoil with the +P loads but I like it. Speer developed their 135gr. Gold Dot specifically for snubbies so that might also be a consideration.
The next load I intend to try is 158gr. +P LSWCHP. I prefer the big, heavy bullets as a rule and this is a load preferred by Stephen Camp - that's a pretty good recommendation in my book.
If I were going to get a pocket sized .357 it'd be either a S&W 60, 649 or Ruger SP-101. For .357mag I like the steel frame guns that help absorb recoil.
Jack
In my unbiased opinion, you cannot go wrong with a chief's special, especially an older one. My model 36 was made in the early 1970s. I use 110 gr winchester silvertips standard pressure ammo. I can put all five shots on the target at 7 yards in less than 2 seconds, and I am not a particularly good shot by any means. The trigger is very good- a bit heavy but very smooth and no grit or creep. I have smallish hands so the little wooden grips are okay- not great, but usable. The gun weighs about 20 oz, and is all blued steel.
You really need to pick what you are comfortable with, of course, but you do not need a high tech solution.
God Bless
Check out the Taurus, as well as the the Rossi line. I have a nice little 2" .357mag, I shoot it with the .357mag a bit when I take it out ,but I do run .38spcl mostly when I'm just plinking.
S&W Model 342PD seems to be a pretty good five shot revolver. I still want to shoot one to get a better idea of just how much I like it. With that said, I've heard good things about the revolver for CCW.
If your gonna carry a revolver here is a suggestion. I carry a 3" Ruger SP-101 in a Tucker Leather Heritage IWB Holster. This is an extremely comfortable and a fine gun to shoot. Mine really likes the 145gr. Winchester Silvertips for accuracy. I also have the same gun with a 2" barrel that I can carry in an Uncle Mikes Pocket Holster.
Yep, Ruger SP 101 also, but I have the Hogue grips on it, and 158 grain .357's are fine shooting rounds. With an IWB holster, it is easy to forget it is there. Unless you need it.
And just to complicate things, take a look at Charter Arms' new Bulldog snubby in .44spl. Nothing like large bore to get your blood flowing. :wink:
Jack
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Defensive Carry
5.4M posts
117.5K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to defensive firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about everyday carry, optics, holsters, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!