Which revolver to buy.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which revolver to buy.

Posted: 8/2/2004 5:25:05 PM EDT

Thinking about getting a small revolver for concealed carry. Mainly something to carry in an ankle holster. I used to have an issued S&W model-36, but since I left the police agency I worked for, I had to return it. Thinking about going back to the 36 (or 60), but I went to a recent gun show and was intrigued by the new Taurus line of snub nose guns. I also like the the Ruger SP101.

I was just wondering what other thought of these guns. I will ada poll to make it easier, but please post any comment ya'll might have.

Thanks in advanced.

Posted: 8/3/2004 12:27:57 AM EDT

[#1]

S&W does make some other ultra light models more suited for an ankle carry, rust resistant and/or hammerless.
Pricey, yes, but you only were issued one life.

Posted: 8/3/2004 12:44:59 AM EDT

[#2]

I love my S&W 642 Airweight Centenial. It does all I could want from a snubby BUG. Lightweight, yet no so light that I cry like a girl after a couple of cylinders. Shoots minute-of-face at the ranges Im likely to use it at and goes bang 5 by 5 everytime.

Posted: 8/3/2004 12:45:38 AM EDT

[#3]

A nice Smith is awfully had to beat.

Posted: 8/3/2004 3:42:05 PM EDT

[#4]

I've tried the SP-101 on the ankle...... You'll need a second one to walk straight.

Posted: 8/3/2004 5:49:05 PM EDT

[#5]

I own a mod 36 and a 340PD and love them both and will never sell either. I carry both in a small of the back holster and the Scan. Ti. gun I almost forget is there. With that said the alloy gun is a bear to shoot even with .38's. The old 36 is accurate as all hell and I love shooting it. So I practice mostly with the steel gun but carry the alloy gun. Does that help? I don't know, my 2 cents.

Posted: 8/4/2004 9:15:19 PM EDT

[#6]

So far S&W is winning. It was my first choice. Now just to figure out which one. I like the Model-60 and the 640. Stainless is also an easy metal to maintain. I can seee this is gonna be a coin toss.

Thanks for the input folks.

Posted: 8/5/2004 10:22:45 AM EDT

[#7]

I really enjoy the older (pre-S&W sellout) version of the 640...

Still light enough to carry all day.
No hammer to snag.
The trigger pull on mine was smoothed out.
And the accuracy was excellent.
Stainless incase you dare break a sweat.

It is a win win situation.

MT

Posted: 8/5/2004 10:34:25 AM EDT

[#8]

SP101 is an awesome little pistol...but IMHO, too heavy for an ankle carry.

Posted: 8/6/2004 8:00:19 AM EDT

[#9]

I would have to go with a J frame Smith.

Posted: 8/6/2004 8:06:35 AM EDT

[#10]

My S & W 640 Centennial was chambered for +p and (I sold it years ago, idiot) I don't think you could go wrong with it. Like Lumpy said, fires 5 of 5 every time and with plus p's, you are carrying the stopping power of roughly a .357 mag, in a small, internal hammered, stainless piece that won't fail ya.

As soon as my Black Rifle fever goes down a bit, I am gonna have to replace my 640.

edited for typo

Posted: 8/6/2004 8:07:34 AM EDT

[#11]

My wife has a S&W J frame Model 36, 2", .38spl in her car. (It was my back up gun when I used to be a LEO in the 70's)

I have a Taurus Model 651 Protector .357, 2", in my vehicle. I paid $239.00 plus tax. If it ever gets stolen I'm not out much.

I carry a 1911-A1 .45acp though.

Posted: 8/10/2004 7:27:02 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
My wife has a S&W J frame Model 36, 2", .38spl in her car. (It was my back up gun when I used to be a LEO in the 70's)

I have one of those, and man is it tiny. Fun to shoot though.

Posted: 8/14/2004 9:04:13 AM EDT

[#13]

I carry a model 36, looks like you got your answer. I prefer a revolver for CCW, you don't have to retrieve brass

Posted: 8/23/2004 11:10:23 AM EDT

[#14]

Personally, I would go with a S&W J-frame. Since you are already familiar with it. Me? I would select the 442, aluminum frame with a blued carbon steel cylinder. Or a 642, SS frame & cyl for a bit more money. I like S&Ws because after a few years you can easily sell it for the same money that you paid for it orginally if necessary. I always consider my guns an investment. The Rugers, Taurus' are good guns, just that it would be a tad harder to sell.

Posted: 8/25/2004 7:25:55 AM EDT

[#15]

For your purposes, the S&W...

Posted: 8/25/2004 8:17:14 AM EDT

[#16]

I like snubbies!

To me they are a point and shoot excellent carry gun. I don't see them as a nail the bull at 50 yards nor were they intended to be. Nor do I see them as a shoot 10,000 rounds range gun.

Honestly, I found most of the brand names out there to be entirely reliable and will even add one to your list the Charter Arms Off Duty.

With all this in mind, my advice is to buy what makes you happy. To me anyway, opinions on this will vary by who owns what.

Tj

Posted: 9/1/2004 6:19:33 PM EDT

[#17]

Colt. If you can find one and if you can afford it. Six shots. All steel (the Dec Special anyway). And the cool factor. Don't forget the cool factor.

Posted: 9/6/2004 5:32:58 PM EDT

[#18]

I recently got a 442 S&W Airweight. Real easy to pocket carry. DA only does take some practice, I do miss a hammer somewhat for SA follow up shots, but the internal hammer and low profile sights make it less likely to snag when you need it.

Shoots accurate enough at 25 yards, but a hammer and SA make accurate shooting alot easier on any gun.

Posted: 9/6/2004 6:00:21 PM EDT

[#19]

When I carry a snubbie it's usually this one:

It's a custom S&W 625 chabered in 45 LC that can also shoot 45 ACP, so I carry it loaded with 6 265gr hot 45 LC loads and a moonclip of 230gr HydraShoks in 45 ACP as a reload. It's a little heavy for most folks.

I have one of these arriving tomorrow:

S&W 325PD - Scandium framed (21.5 ounce) 45 ACP snubbie. Details can be found at www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=301459&item=865230&sw_activeTab=1 if you are interested.

Posted: 9/16/2004 7:03:12 PM EDT

[#20]

I got this last week, I love it but the DA only takes getting used to. My first revolver.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v320/visigoth/642.jpg

Posted: 9/29/2004 1:11:00 PM EDT

[#21]

Don't have any experience with an SP101, but I have a Ruger GP100(big brother to SP101) . It's a great gun: easy to disassemble and very accurate.

Posted: 10/1/2004 5:09:50 PM EDT

[#22]

S&W 38spl +P 342PD Centennial, anodized black aluminum frame with greyed titanium cylinder 12oz empty. The problem is that it doesn't have a hammer, so you'll have to pick your holster carefully.

Posted: 10/1/2004 5:30:32 PM EDT

[#23]

Fixed sights and a bobed hammer would make a lot more sense.

And while we're on this track -- Hey S&W where's my 310 ??

Posted: 10/1/2004 8:15:37 PM EDT

[#24]

j frame airweight! I like mine a lot.

Posted: 10/1/2004 8:18:09 PM EDT

[#25]

S&W for snubby wheel guns. comparing a Ruger wheel gun to a S&W is like comparing a porche to Ryder truck

Posted: 10/6/2004 2:09:01 PM EDT

[#26]

My next revolver is a Smith 640 like the one shown above. Since I do all my qualification and practice DA, lack of a hammer is not a problem, it's a good thing, especially for snag-free draws!

Papajohn

Posted: 10/8/2004 10:17:08 AM EDT

[#27]

I've carried an SP for many, many rears now. Great little gun, reliable, fairly accurate and trememdously
strong. It will shoot full power .357 magnums all day. Very conceable too. Much heavier than the though.

I typically carry a XD IWB. At work (no GUNS allowed) I carry the SP in a smartcarry. As much as I love my SP I would not carry it in an ankle holster. The
scandiums are the way to go it you must absolutely carry in an ankle holster. I have never liked them.
In the winter I usually carry the SP in a coat pocket with one of my nines on the hip. Good luck with your
choice.

Posted: 10/14/2004 3:02:47 AM EDT

[#28]

Well, I bought a S&W model 60 in .38. It has the Uncle Mikes rubber combat grips, gonna carry it in a Renegade model 500 ankle holster, which very comfy, loaded it with Speer Gold Dot 125 grain +P ammo.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which revolver to buy.

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