4” revolver for carry?

[fordtrucks]

I’ve been carrying my 4.2” pathfinder charter arms in my lcr sized desantis holster. I think I actually REALLY like the extra barrel length. It keeps it from digging into my hip.

Any similar size recommendations for carry?

About a j-frame or lcr size with 4” barrel feels really good. I think the extra barrel sight radius would be nice too. Probably 32 oz or less is ideal. But I’m iwb carrying so not too big a deal on weight.

I lean toward ruger sp101 match champion but don’t know much on negatives for carry regarding it.

Thanks.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I tried carrying my 686 in a shoulder holster for a year back in the day. I regret selling it. But it sure was a beast to carry. Heavy as all heck and the wheel dig into my side.

 

[fordtrucks]

I tried carrying my 686 in a shoulder holster for a year back in the day. I regret selling it. But it sure was a beast to carry. Heavy as all heck and the wheel dig into my side.

Yeah, sounds heavy. Leaning towards j-frame or sp101size, even with the 5 rounds. Thanks though. I’ll be going to the LGS later today and will check their 686’s too.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I have a 3” jframe 32 that I love. I do want a model 10 with a 4” barrel. I would consider carrying a pencil barrel all day.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I haven’t had an sp101 but want one.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Do they make a 4” Jframe?​

 

[fordtrucks]

Do they make a 4” Jframe?​

Not that I could find on Smith’s web site. But I’m still looking.

Also, I’m concerned about the locks Smith’s have. Not sure that’s a good thing to have on one.

 

[.308 Norma]

Also, I’m concerned about the locks Smith’s have. Not sure that’s a good thing to have on one.

Other than aesthetics, I don't think they hurt anything. I have a couple of Smiths with locks. I don't like the locks, nor the reasoning behind them. But if the locks were tested at the factory, that was the last time they were ever locked.

 

[Sistema1927]

Plenty of S&W Models 10 & 64 out there at good prices. I recently picked up a LNIB 64. My LGS had a bunch of them that came from some agency or entity, and I don't think that mine was fired outside the factory. It certainly wasn't carried much if any. Mine dates from 2014, and even though it has the "Hillary hole" that doesn't detract from it being a great revolver. It is pictured here with my older tapered barrel 64:

 

[cheygriz]

I've never had good luck with small frames. I much prefer the Ruger GP100 size or the S&W "K" frame with minimum 4 inch barrel.

For a good rugged "go anywhere, do anything" type of weapon, the S&W model 13 or the Ruger Security Six are hard to best.

 

[fordtrucks]

Plenty of S&W Models 10 & 64 out there at good prices. I recently picked up a LNIB 64. My LGS had a bunch of them that came from some agency or entity, and I don't think that mine was fired outside the factory. It certainly wasn't carried much if any. Mine dates from 2014, and even though it has the "Hillary hole" that doesn't detract from it being a great revolver. It is pictured here with my older tapered barrel 64:
View attachment 813034

What is a 64 or 10 considered? K frame? L frame? J frame? I'm new to Smith and Wesson stuff.

 

[fordtrucks]

I'm not too price concerned, but I see a model 64-3, 4" barrel for sale on arms list for $375. Looks good. Previous police use. Will Pachymar Compacs fit that?

 

[Sistema1927]

What is a 64 or 10 considered? K frame? L frame? J frame? I'm new to Smith and Wesson stuff.

K-frame.

 

[Sistema1927]

I'm not too price concerned, but I see a model 64-3, 4" barrel for sale on arms list for $375. Looks good. Previous police use. Will Pachymar Compacs fit that?

Yes, you will be able to find those grips for that K-frame. Just make sure that you know whether the revolver in question is a square butt or a round butt since both 64's and 10's were made in both configurations. For example, in the picture I posted the older tapered barrel 64 is a square butt while the newer 64-8 is a round butt (even though the grips on it make if look like a square butt).

 

[fordtrucks]

Does this tell you if it's square or round butt?

 

[sequins]

woops

 

[Sistema1927]

Does this tell you if it's square or round butt?
View attachment 813039

Nope. You would need to remove the grips to see what is under there. Hogue makes grips for both square and round that look that way once installed.

 

[Barry loyd]

I carry a 4.2 GP100 everyday. I carry OWB and don’t notice it’s there. I “obvious” carry which is cross between open and concealed. The best recommendation I can give is get a good belt!

 

[stonebuster]

I have a 3” jframe 32 that I love. I do want a model 10 with a 4” barrel. I would consider carrying a pencil barrel all day.

There's a lot of model 10 police trade ins for sale($300+/- ) if you don't mind holster wear and cosmetically challenged guns. My LGS did have some pencil barrels too. I picked up two of them recently but can't figure out how to carry one concealed yet. They can safely and comfortably shoot 38 +P. I'm working on a deal for a snub SP101 now for carry.

 

[Blkhrt13]

A canted pancake owb or a shoulder rig. Seems like the way.

 

[CajunBass]

A Smith and Wesson Model 10 with a 4" standard taper barrel is pretty hard to beat for that purpose. The turned down barrel takes away a lot of weight.

 

[Master Blaster]

Square or round picture here:


https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/smith-wesson/kframe?dir=asc&limit=5&mode=list&order=position&p=76

 

[Master Blaster]

Here is a good carry gun its a little shorter, a 3" model 60. Can shoot .357 magnum too.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/product/26277/s&w_m60_5rd_357mag38sp_+p_3

 

[jar]

I often carry a 4" barrel revolver. My 1919 Colt Army Special in 38 Special and my 1926 Colt Police Positive in 38 New Police (38 S&W) get the most WalkAbout time. The Police Positive conceals slightly easier and is slightly lighter, amazingly accurate and easy to shoot. The Smith 19 and Highway Patrolman also get WalkAbout time but nowhere near as often.

Holsters range from the Bucheimer PerfectFit (#4 for the Police Positive or #7 for the Army Special and 19) to ones from Hume, Azula, Tucker and Bianchi. The Smiths are also 38 Special/357 if I feel the threat level warrants it. My Webely Mark IV in 38/200 (38 S&W) should also be included in the list of what gets pretty regular carry duty.

​

 

[golden]

If I were going to carry a 4 inch revolver, it would be a S&W model 15 or a Ruger Security Six, either one with HOGUE rubber grips. I have carried this size gun in a scabbard type holster as well as a pancake and the @ 2 pound weight makes them very pleasant and controllable to shoot. I use +p .38 Specials most of the time, but I have also used .357 magnum 110 grain loads in the RUGER.

Jim