5,6 or 7 shot handgun

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357smallbore

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What would you fellow gunners carry as your every day ccw if you had to choose from only one of the three. And you had one magazine or one speed strip for a reload.

1. S&W Shield 9mm (3in barrel) 7 shot
2. Rossi 720 in 44 Special (3in barrel) 5 shot
3. Ruger Speed Six 357 Mag (2 3/4 in barrel) 6 shot
 
As a longtime revolver and pistol shooter, and someone who carries a retirement weapon as a retired cop ...

If for general purpose CCW, and most easily carried for a wide range of daily activities and using a wide manner of dress/concealment ... the Shield.

If carried in the backwoods where the potential threats might include feral animals of medium size ... the Speed-Six.

There once was a time when I owned a pair of original Charter Arms Bulldog 3" snubs (stainless & carbon steel), and I really enjoyed shooting .44SPL (from my handloading and Ruger Blackhawk days). However, problems with both of the CA Bulldogs (the last one still had the same problem after it's 3rd trip back from the factory), and the lack (back then) of decent modern defensive JHP's that were suitable for those lightweight snubs, caused me to get rid of them.

Now, if this question were asked of me in one of the classes I used to teach, or the qual/training sessions I used to work as an instructor, I'd ask the person asking me this question ... Which of the 3 guns he/she were able to run the best - meaning the most controllably, and allowing them the best consistent accuracy, under demanding drill conditions? If they're staking their lives on it (or the lives of loved ones), then they get to make their best informed choice and deal with any consequences.

Sure, I might offer my observations of what I'd observed while watching them being run through assorted courses-of-fire and drills, as I might see things they didn't realize were happening, or see things differently than they might have believed were occurring.

I remember one night during a class when a woman (CCW licensee) was qualifying with a medium frame S&W .38SPL and a compact pistol (I forget the make model). She was able to qualify with both, but then she asked another instructor and myself what we thought she should carry, between the two guns. Both of us looked at each other, and then at her, and pretty much simultaneously (without speaking to each other beforehand) said ... the revolver.

From their expressions, I could tell a couple of the other nearby shooters had expected us to say the double stack compact pistol she had with her. She, on the other hand, seemed relieved to hear our opinions about the revolver. We pointed out the results of both of her targets, which showed better results with the revolver, as well as her demonstrated apparent ease in handling and shooting the revolver (in DA). She said she felt better shooting the revolver, and had more confidence in using it. The targets justified her feeling. She said a close friend had recommended she buy the pistol for its better capacity, but she didn't like shooting it as much as the revolver.

Hits matter. Shooting means hitting. To the best of my knowledge, although she had both of the guns listed on her CCW, she planned to carry that S&W revolver.

Your guns. Your call. Your burden to choose. ;)
 
Pretty tough to beat a reliable auto loader for everyday carry. Generally easier to conceal, higher capacity, and much quicker to reload. Definitely easier to reload if you’re a lefty, as I am.

I was very happy going from a 5 shot Chief to a 10+1 Glock 26 on my job.
 
I have a Speed Six, a Charter Bulldog and had a Ruger LC9s so pretty close.
The only one I ever carried on a regular basis was the LC9.
 
I would go with the RUGER Speed Six. I have shot them and with the original wood grips, they are ok for up to .38 Special +P, but nothing heavier as it was too hard on my hand.
I put PACKMAYR grips on mine and it shoots fine with 110 grain .357 magnum.

If you had listed a larger 9m.m. like the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XD9 Sub Compact, that would have been my first choice. I have used the "micro 9's' and found all of them too punishing. I can shoot a 50 round box of ammo, but 100 or more rounds in a single session is out of the question for me.

If you do not have this problem, then the SHIELD might be the best choice. You get the advantage of lighter weight, much quicker reload and the ability to carry more spare magazines without bulking up.
I like the .44 Special round, but getting a round as effective as the FEDERAL HST in either .38 Special +P or 9 m.m., much less a .357 magnum, is not likely and never going to be cheap in my experience.

Jim
 
It really does seem to me that the gun you are most happy to carry, within reason, is the gun to choose. It is all well and good to decide that your full size 1911 or Model 29 is the one that is going to win for you, but if you end up leaving it at home because it is just too much trouble (I am sure as hell guilty of that!) then it really is not very helpful.

I would not suggest a Freedom Arms .22, or any sort of Derringer, but of the guns mentioned in the OP I would simply recommend whichever the fellow shoots best and is most likely to tote with him.
 
When I first read this I thought it would be easy, but it isn't. First I was inclined to say the Shield over the Ruger, but I have finally settled on I would take the Ruger, then the Shield, then I would sell the Rossi to buy something else.
 
I was torn between the Shield and the Speed-Six.

1. The extra shot, between 6 and 7, isn't as big a factor as the difference between 5 and 6.
2. Most folks can reload with a magazine faster than they can with a speedloader
3. The grip of the Shield barely as room for a 2-finger hold, the Speed-Six has a enough room for all your fingers...and there are a lot of aftermarket oprions
4. The Shield is lighter and flatter, making it easier for CCW

The most important factor in SD is to put multiple accurate shots onto target quickly. For me, that would be the Ruger Spped-Six...mostly because the Speed-Six has long (35 years) been my idea of the ideal mid-sized .357Mag carry gun.
 
The Shield would. be my choice. Almost bought one, but the Walther PPS M2 turned out to be my preference. I carry 7 +1 Underwood Extreme Defender with a spare mag.
 
Shield, I do better with bottom feeders.

But the Ruger is awful tempting, always had a soft spot for them after shooting one many years back, never have managed to find one for myself yet.
 
What would you fellow gunners carry as your every day ccw if you had to choose from only one of the three. And you had one magazine or one speed strip for a reload.

1. S&W Shield 9mm (3in barrel) 7 shot
2. Rossi 720 in 44 Special (3in barrel) 5 shot
3. Ruger Speed Six 357 Mag (2 3/4 in barrel) 6 shot

The Shield isn't a 7 shot pistol, it's a 7+1 shot pistol with 8+1 as an included option.

Out of those three, I'd pick the Shield for every day concealed carry. Lighter, flatter, better "speed loader", and more capacity than the others.
 
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"I would sell the Rossi to buy something else."

Rossi 720's are somewhat rare and have a following. My adjustable sight model is one of my most accurate handguns. They aren't your run-of-the-mill Rossis.
 
Tallball said:
Rossi 720's are somewhat rare and have a following. My adjustable sight model is one of my most accurate handguns. They aren't your run-of-the-mill Rossis.
TRUE DAT!!!!!
 
I've got a Speed Six, SP101 2.25" and Shield 9. The Shield is easier to carry/conceal and 8 +1 vs 6 makes it a better choice for carry for most. The Shield weighs @19 oz vs 32. Right now I shoot the Six considerably better. My goal is to improve my skills with the Shield. The problem is I've got to force myself to practice with the Shield. The revolvers are much more fun at the range(IMO).
 
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