I normally carry a 1911 all the time, either a 3" or 4" model Kimber. I am looking to start carrying a revolver over the summer for deeper concealment in shorts and a T shirt. I was wondering if there are any nuances or differences in carrying a revolver (aside from the obvious trigger and external safety differences). Looking to figure a few of these potential issues ahead of time. I plan to carry strictly OWB or IWB, NOT pocket carry. Thanks all.
Help with revolver carry
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Well, I'll tell you what...you can find S&W model 10 revolvers all day, and they are still reasonable, and you cannot do any better than those. They were made and produced when gunfighters were actually fighting and not talking about it....or trying to cash in on it.
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8,303 Posts
Revolver? Smith & Wesson? Oooh, two of my favorites...
1) Practice point shooting at 5 - 7 yards.
2) Get a set of grips that works best for you. Any will do with practice, but you may find that some allow you to "point" more naturally. I have found that there is more variety to grips with revolvers than with semi's.
2A) Your 640, if new, will come with the nice tactical rubber grip that covers the backstrap and extends beyond the frame to give your pinky real estate. Because you are not going to pocket carry, you may just want to go with that. It's a good stock grip.
2B) I have found I "point" better with boot grips - the backstrap is exposed and the grip comes down only to the bottom of the frame. Boot grips are slightly better for cc, but not really a big difference if you have a good OWB or IWB holster.
2C) You may want to go with wood grips becasue they tend to not grab you clothing as much.
3) Learn the trigger pull. I know you said this was obvious, but I'm a lousy listener. The j-frames have stout triggers due to their size and springs. I think they come with an 18 pound rebound spring (the spring that resets the trigger) and a 8.5 pound mainspring. Dry fire it a lot to smooth out the burrs. If, after about 500 rounds and 1000 dry fires, you want a smoother pull, you can install wolf springs. If you do that, get an arkansas stone and polish the internals. It's surprisingly easy - just stay away from the sear. Most of my smiths have smooth triggers but one of my 640's was rough due to the front of the trigger that engages the cylinder stop having a burr. I stoned it away and it smoothed out a lot. EDIT - TEST the gun if you replace the main spring - put the mainspring back in if you are wary of ignition
4) Buy The S&W Revolver A Shop Manual: by Jerry Kuhnhausen - A great book that will help you understand the in's and out's of your revolver.
5) Start using antiquated terms and phrases, like "fella," "dame," and "That's the Bee's Knees."
1) Practice point shooting at 5 - 7 yards.
2) Get a set of grips that works best for you. Any will do with practice, but you may find that some allow you to "point" more naturally. I have found that there is more variety to grips with revolvers than with semi's.
2A) Your 640, if new, will come with the nice tactical rubber grip that covers the backstrap and extends beyond the frame to give your pinky real estate. Because you are not going to pocket carry, you may just want to go with that. It's a good stock grip.
2B) I have found I "point" better with boot grips - the backstrap is exposed and the grip comes down only to the bottom of the frame. Boot grips are slightly better for cc, but not really a big difference if you have a good OWB or IWB holster.
2C) You may want to go with wood grips becasue they tend to not grab you clothing as much.
3) Learn the trigger pull. I know you said this was obvious, but I'm a lousy listener. The j-frames have stout triggers due to their size and springs. I think they come with an 18 pound rebound spring (the spring that resets the trigger) and a 8.5 pound mainspring. Dry fire it a lot to smooth out the burrs. If, after about 500 rounds and 1000 dry fires, you want a smoother pull, you can install wolf springs. If you do that, get an arkansas stone and polish the internals. It's surprisingly easy - just stay away from the sear. Most of my smiths have smooth triggers but one of my 640's was rough due to the front of the trigger that engages the cylinder stop having a burr. I stoned it away and it smoothed out a lot. EDIT - TEST the gun if you replace the main spring - put the mainspring back in if you are wary of ignition
4) Buy The S&W Revolver A Shop Manual: by Jerry Kuhnhausen - A great book that will help you understand the in's and out's of your revolver.
5) Start using antiquated terms and phrases, like "fella," "dame," and "That's the Bee's Knees."
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178 Posts
S&W 642 AIWB in a Tagua leather holster which I modified the belt clip on so it wasn't right over the cylinder thus making it "thinner".
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Or same gun in my homemade hybrid kydex/leather IWB.
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As others have said, get used to the trigger and smooth the internals. Mine is smooth and I love shooting it. Nothing simpler than a good little revolver!
Or same gun in my homemade hybrid kydex/leather IWB.
As others have said, get used to the trigger and smooth the internals. Mine is smooth and I love shooting it. Nothing simpler than a good little revolver!
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3,063 Posts
I would agree with pretty much everything that everyone has said thus far except I would recommend a Ruger LCR as opposed to a Smith & Wesson unless you can find an older pre lock model. If you decide to go with a new S&W PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get and all steel model, NOT one of the newer aluminium 640 series.
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412 Posts
If you find a S&W you like, but it has the lock; just ignore it.
Pay attention to the stocks (grips) you choose to mount on your revolver; rubbery will add comfort in shooting but will create friction on your cover garment. Although I do suggest Uncle Mikes boot grips for a J-frame (closeout item on S&W website), smaller will conceal better. A good holster, from a maker who actually appreciates revolvers, will go a long way in comfort and concealment. Lobo Leather, R.Grizzle, Milt Sparks, etc.. Read what holster makers have on their websites regarding the models they offer, the construction and positioning of the gun relative to the belt.
Pay attention to the stocks (grips) you choose to mount on your revolver; rubbery will add comfort in shooting but will create friction on your cover garment. Although I do suggest Uncle Mikes boot grips for a J-frame (closeout item on S&W website), smaller will conceal better. A good holster, from a maker who actually appreciates revolvers, will go a long way in comfort and concealment. Lobo Leather, R.Grizzle, Milt Sparks, etc.. Read what holster makers have on their websites regarding the models they offer, the construction and positioning of the gun relative to the belt.
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4,239 Posts
I find that I don't need the cant when carry a revolver that I do when carrying a 1911.
This has become my favorite holster for my S&W Mod 60.
FIST, INC.
This has become my favorite holster for my S&W Mod 60.
FIST, INC.
I carry a revolver everyday, I really like the Milt Sparks summer special holds grip in tight to body for owb I use this Kent Hayes
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I carry a SP101 2.4" or a S&W Mod 60 Ported I also use a remora when going on a trip or any time driving any distance can position it cross draw while in car than move to strong side upon arrival. One tip is any time your at the range always reload fron a speed strip or speed loader this way it will become second nature to you. I never feel under gunned with a revolver the pointability of it in mho is better than anything out there after you get comfortable with it drawing an firing you will see what I mean.
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Don't worry Rollo, I plan to stick with a steel revolver. I have no interest in shooting an airweight.
PEF- Thanks for the suggestion on the book, Ill be sure to look into it.
As for the trigger pull, I am planning on having a smith either swap out the springs, or just file them down a bit to have a lighter, smoother trigger. As it is now it is a 12 lb trigger pull, after several hundred dry fires. I was thinking I might have it reduced to around 7-8 lbs. Any suggestions as if that is a reasonable trigger pull, or reasons to not have the trigger worked on by a smith?
PEF- Thanks for the suggestion on the book, Ill be sure to look into it.
As for the trigger pull, I am planning on having a smith either swap out the springs, or just file them down a bit to have a lighter, smoother trigger. As it is now it is a 12 lb trigger pull, after several hundred dry fires. I was thinking I might have it reduced to around 7-8 lbs. Any suggestions as if that is a reasonable trigger pull, or reasons to not have the trigger worked on by a smith?
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6,892 Posts
I often carry my S&W. It has a "shrouded" hammer. It has DA/SA and no claw to get in the way.Product: Model 638
they have other models
they have other models
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8,303 Posts
He went with the 640, which is all steel. The 642 is the airweight, which I am packing up to send back to SW right now....
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8,303 Posts
You can certainly have a gunsmith do a trigger job, but I don't know if you will get it down to 7 - 8 pounds. Even with the wolf kit and stoning, mine are 9+. That's just the moments and forces at work given the geometry of the small innards of a j-frame.
I recommend you buy a wolf kit for the install and leave the factory originals alone and not trim them. If you decided you do not like revolvers, you can always put the originals back in so the new buyer won't have any "spring" concerns. The wolf kits are only 9 bucks or so.
Test out the trigger first. Most of my j-frames have been smooth to start - only one had a rough trigger that some stoning took care of (learn the difference between polishing and filing, too, if you don't already know).
If you are adventurous, and marginally mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself. Stripping a SW j frame down to the bones is surprising easy - and this tool makes it much easier: Gunsmither Smithmaster Rebound Tool S&W Revolvers
You can google the website and find a video that shows you how to remove the rebound slide. Google: yoda g airweight trigger job and you'll find a video that decribes the basics. Will you get a target trigger as tuned by a professional? No. But if you have a rough trigger you can smooth it out a great deal. If you do reduce the main spring, test the gun thoroughly for ignition. I've yet to have ignition problems with the 8 pound mainspring, but some say it is a possibility.
By the way, the springs will only lighten the trigger - if the trigger is rough, and dry firing doesn't fix it, then some stoning is required.
But shoot the heck out of it first and you may be satisfied with it as is. I'm a middle aged lawyer and I have whimpy hands now, so I decided to go with a reduced power spring set. There are HE-MEN on this forum that can probably claim a P-64 Makarov has a soft trigger, but I'm not that guy....
I am not particularly mechanically inclined, but I could always give it a shot. Springs are cheap and easy to replace. As for a p-64, it is a wonder that anyone fires those. Last one I looked at broke the trigger gauge I was using to try and measure it. Thanks for the help with the yoda video
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1,232 Posts
I often carry a S&W 442 IWB or in a pocket holster while wearing t-shirt and shorts in the beach or for a quick errand around town. Here's my advice:
1) Concealed Carry. The gun is very easy to conceal under a t-shirt, but make sure to get a good IWB/OWB holster that distributes the weight of the gun around your belt. The perfect attire I recommend is shorts, a tucked in t-shirt or tank top and an unbuttoned and untucked shirt (Hawaiian, Habanera or Tommy Bahama for summer wear). This will allow you to have a thin layer of protection between the gun and your skin/sweat and the unbuttoned shirt will help you conceal the firearm better (especially with OWB). Plus you will look great! :wink:
2) Speed loaders. I initially bought the HKS speedloaders and they are surely the fastest, but they are also very uncomfortable to carry due to their round shape. I find that speed strips are a bit slower for reloading, but it is definitely much easier to carry 1 - 2 reloads in your pants' or shirt's pocket as they are flat. I recommend the Bianchi speed strips.
3) Practice. The recoil on a snub nose revolver is considerable in comparison to a 1911, so make sure you get lots of practice. This is more of a short distance defensive weapon, but you can get very accurate at larger distances with practice or with the aid of a crimson trace laser grip.
4) Grips. Mine came with a rubber Hogue grip and I immediately replaced it with a set of Cocobolo grips by Esmeralda, since the Hogue grip stuck to my clothes' when drawing from the pocket. I find that the best grips are made by Altamont and Esmeralda.
Finally, I just wanted to command you on your excellent choice for a summer carry! You will start loving your snub nose revolver more every day and more often than not, you will find yourself carrying it as your primary weapon due to how easily it conceals. Plus, it is fun as hell to shoot!
1) Concealed Carry. The gun is very easy to conceal under a t-shirt, but make sure to get a good IWB/OWB holster that distributes the weight of the gun around your belt. The perfect attire I recommend is shorts, a tucked in t-shirt or tank top and an unbuttoned and untucked shirt (Hawaiian, Habanera or Tommy Bahama for summer wear). This will allow you to have a thin layer of protection between the gun and your skin/sweat and the unbuttoned shirt will help you conceal the firearm better (especially with OWB). Plus you will look great! :wink:
2) Speed loaders. I initially bought the HKS speedloaders and they are surely the fastest, but they are also very uncomfortable to carry due to their round shape. I find that speed strips are a bit slower for reloading, but it is definitely much easier to carry 1 - 2 reloads in your pants' or shirt's pocket as they are flat. I recommend the Bianchi speed strips.
3) Practice. The recoil on a snub nose revolver is considerable in comparison to a 1911, so make sure you get lots of practice. This is more of a short distance defensive weapon, but you can get very accurate at larger distances with practice or with the aid of a crimson trace laser grip.
4) Grips. Mine came with a rubber Hogue grip and I immediately replaced it with a set of Cocobolo grips by Esmeralda, since the Hogue grip stuck to my clothes' when drawing from the pocket. I find that the best grips are made by Altamont and Esmeralda.
Finally, I just wanted to command you on your excellent choice for a summer carry! You will start loving your snub nose revolver more every day and more often than not, you will find yourself carrying it as your primary weapon due to how easily it conceals. Plus, it is fun as hell to shoot!
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