Miata Mike
Member
I was thinking my S&W Model 19 in 4", but the carry part and life time would lead me to vote for a purty stainless 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum.
revolver for a lifetime
- Thread starter Revolver Ocelot
- Start date
- Status
dprice3844444
member
s&w model 65 3 inch hb round butt.
Arizonagunrunner
member
For me, i would have to pick two weapons. My 1st would be my Ruger Speed Six. 2.75 SS weapon. Best gun out there to carry. My opinion. But it will bring the heat when and if needed. The other is my Taurus 431. 3in blued 44 spec.
It has great balance, super reliable, and throws the big lead. Hits like a freight train if you are on the recieving end. Either one will last a lifetime, and both are great for defense, and for the camp.
It has great balance, super reliable, and throws the big lead. Hits like a freight train if you are on the recieving end. Either one will last a lifetime, and both are great for defense, and for the camp.
Lucky Derby
Member
While there are others that I prefer for this or that, I would have to say a 3" .357 Magnum SP101 would be the best all around revolver for my uses.
oldbear
Member
First please understand I don’t believe there is one perfect or even best answer to your question. So here is my answer, today. If I had to pick only one revolver to meet your criteria it would be the Smith and Wesson M-19/66 4” fitted with “magna” not target style grips. The K frame is light enough to carry all day and there is little difference between a 2” and 4” barrel when it comes to concealing a weapon. Yet at 32 ounces the K frame is heavy enough to help absorbed recoil when shooting Magnum ammo. Last but FAR from least is the range of ammo the can be used in the .357 Magnum K frame.
frank c
Member
First choice my ruger speed six in 9mm great revolver,second choice S&W model 642 38 cal.Ruger Speed Six with a 2.75" barrel.
Too big for pocket carry, obviously, but carries easily with a good belt and holster. Light enough for carry, but heavy enough to handle .357 loads. Sturdier than a comparable K-frame.
TMann
Not mine, but a nice stainless Speed Six with original Ruger grips:
sixguns4fighting
Member
Consider the Dan Wesson pistol pack.
Go with the short barrel for CCW, then change to a long barrel for hunting season.
Go with the short barrel for CCW, then change to a long barrel for hunting season.
22-rimfire
Member
I would have to say a good old used 2.5" Colt Diamondback or Detective Special in 38spl.
Dirty Bob
Member
I have to add another vote for the 3" SP101 in .357 Mag. Mine's a pussycat with 38+P defensive loads, and very pleasant with standard pressure .38 loads. In a Kholster Crescent, it's comfortable and disappears under a t-shirt or Hawaiian shirt.
All my best,
Dirty Bob
All my best,
Dirty Bob
NMGonzo
Member
Sp101 in 3 inch.
My "most of the time carry and the gun I need"
Now ... WANT is a different story
My "most of the time carry and the gun I need"
Now ... WANT is a different story
leftymachinist
Member
So many great pics and choices, you folks got it together. A .357 is still hard to beat, especially with ammo useability. That is probably the direction I'd take with a 4 to 6 inch barrel.
S&W 696 from 1996. I carry it every day and have 100% confidence in it. It's a little heavy for some people but it is very potent for it's size. With a good belt and holster it's really not bad. (for those unfamiliar with the model it is a 5 shot .44 Spl. on the same frame as a 686.)
Dirty Bob
Member
A .357 with a 3- or 4-inch barrel can literally vanish under even a light shirt, if a proper belt and holster are used. I went with the SP101 because it's lighter than K-frames, but probably sturdier than S&W J-frames. If I'd run across a great deal on a K-frame before I found my Ruger, I would have grabbed it and not looked back. A Smith K-frame, in my experience, can have one of the best DA triggers available in a concealable handgun, and a round-butt K-frame just isn't real hard to carry concealed.
Of all the "service" handguns out there, the K-frames from Smith & Wesson -- as well as some of the similar offerings from Colt -- offer a very high degree of reliability, safety, and practical accuracy. They are outstanding firearms and should last most users a lifetime, at least.
Edited to add: How on Earth could I forget the Ruger -Six series? The Security Six, Service Six and Speed Six are all great choices, despite being out of production.
All my best,
Dirty Bob
Last edited:
Diamondback
Member
....any of the Ruger Six series or the S&W K frames would be my choice.
- regards
- regards
dprice3844444
member
smith model 65 3 inch heavy barrel round butt
Guillermo
member
Diamondback snub carries well and is easy to shoot well.
Hondo 60
Member
For carrying, my SP101 is too heavy.
I'd like a 3" S&W Model 66 (P&R of course)
I'd like a 3" S&W Model 66 (P&R of course)
WebHobbit
Member
My 2 remaining handguns:
Ruger SP101 2&1/4 snub
&
S&W 686 4 inch
I am considering adding a fixed site 3 inch GP100 to the battery in a couple of months.
Ruger SP101 2&1/4 snub
&
S&W 686 4 inch
I am considering adding a fixed site 3 inch GP100 to the battery in a couple of months.
Doug Add
Member
My lineup is very similar to WebHobbit's, and I would have a hard time choosing between them: 2.25" SP101 and 4" 586. If I outlive my father-in-law (no guarantee of that!), I will also have a 4" Police Service Six to complicate the decision.
I think if forced to choose one, I may go with the Police Service Six, because it carries a bit better than the 586. Even though it is the oldest of the three (1976, whereas the 586 is from 1985 and the SP101 from 1995) it has the lowest round count, not that I think I would ever wear any of them out.
I do not have a photo of my father-in-law's Ruger, but it looks just like this one caltx01 posted on the 1911 forum last summer. Below are the two .357s I currently own. The 586 just got back from a factory reblue by S&W:
I think if forced to choose one, I may go with the Police Service Six, because it carries a bit better than the 586. Even though it is the oldest of the three (1976, whereas the 586 is from 1985 and the SP101 from 1995) it has the lowest round count, not that I think I would ever wear any of them out.
I do not have a photo of my father-in-law's Ruger, but it looks just like this one caltx01 posted on the 1911 forum last summer. Below are the two .357s I currently own. The 586 just got back from a factory reblue by S&W:
Last edited:
PcolaDawg
Member
Well, this ain't exactly small, but since I actually HAVE conceal/carried this thing, this would be my choice - and it should last a lifetime, or two. A Smith 625 JM.
- Status
