Small Carry revolver

[jwalker497]

I am considering a new gun and am debating between a seecamp or maybe a small revolver. I have a few questions.

First, which would be the smallest defensive caliber I should go with? at first becuase of the revolver I thought about a 357 but after reading here, it seems that it would be too much for what I need. I do plan to do a little range shooting every now and then. As I read more and mroe, its seems 38 special is the caliber of choice.

Second, which gun? I would like to carry it so size and weight are very important. I want a small light easy to conceal. I looked at Taurus ultra-light, S&W airwiehgts, and charter arms. Are any of these guns solid enough or is there a brand I should steer clear of. Are there any brands other than these, that I am not aware of that would met my requirements.,

Third, the hammer issue. I like the look of a hammer. However if it is a real liability of getting it hung up, then I would go hammerless. But I have no experience so is the hang up a real possibility??

Lastly, I am looking to spend under $400 for this. Not looking for anything crazy just an introduction to revolvers that I can carry if I choose to.

Thanks.

 

[Starter52]

A .38 Special is plenty enough gun for your purpose. A sub-16 oz gun is ideal for fulltime carry. The old S&W model 37 is my favorite, but the new airweights are good.

Hammerless is only important (maybe) if you plan on pocket carry. I don't like hammerless revolvers. I have never felt handicapped with a hammer gun in a pocket.

Taurus makes a decent gun. I'd stay away from the new Charter Arms if I had the money for a Taurus or used Smith.

 

[Ala Dan]

Smallest defensive caliber should not be less than .380 or 9m/m~!

Weapon choice is subjective; but Seecamp makes great weapons.

 

[DaleCooper51]

I don't know if you have other revolvers or handguns, but snubbies can be a challenge to shoot well, especially the ultra light weight guns. I carry a smith model 36, a steel 5 shot .38 revolver and I shoot it every trip to the range. My opinion is that whatever you buy and decide to carry, you need to be proficient and that requires more than just casual range time. At a minimum shoot it regularly.

 

[MCgunner]

Some would say .32 H&R magnum and I can see their point, but I have a lot more faith in .38 special to penetrate and do the job. I'd pick it even up against the new .327 mag, frankly, until the .327 proves itself, if it ever gets off the ground, which remains to be seen. I have a personal minimum of .380 ACP and don't really like to rely on a caliber that weak with that light a bullet if I can carry bigger, but that's really my prejudice I guess. I just have a lot more confidence in 9x19 and .38 special. I know that I'll get the needed penetration from them AND expansion to go with it.

There are some mighty small, concealable, pocketable .38 revolvers and 9mm subcompacts on the market now days. There's really no need for anything smaller probably 90 percent of the time for me and my dress and needs. Others will want a P3AT or LCP sized .380 in their battery, some even use it as a primary most of the time. It's personal, has to do with dress requirements, climate, and such. I completely understand the need for "mouse guns" and now days those mouse guns can take down a pretty big mouse. There's even 12 ounce pocket sized .357s available if you're man enough to handle 'em. I ain't, but I'm just sayin'....

My personal favorite carries are a Kel Tec P11 and a Taurus M85SSUL. Both carry and shoot very well.

 

[Woody174]

The Seecamps are very nice little auto loaders, it hides very well in a pocket holster, it shoots a small .32ACP round but it's better then a stick and I wouldn't want to get hit by .32 Speer Golddots.. However my personal choice is a S&W 642 or 442 with 38+P's, it's lite and reliable. Try and rent either of the guns before you decide, you may also want to look at the Ruger LCP in .380

 

[Sistema1927]

6,
4,
2.


All that you need to know.

 

[HB]

If your price range is $400, I would get a used .38 and lots of ammo to practice. As said above, snubbies can be difficult to shoot unless you practice frequently. Your going to have a very hard time getting a seecamp for $400 anyway.

HB

 

[Guillermo]

Be careful of light guns. I have a Taurus Ultra Light and I hate shooting it. It is light and easy to carry but to touch it off would take desperation born of the thought of a slow and painful death. It sits in my office drawer and I never practice with it. I hate shooting it.

It would be much easier to carry a Seecamp. I say this because I carry an NAA Guardian daily. It is much easier to conceal than my Colt Detective Special or the evil Taurus.

Best of luck
Guillermo

 

[Ala Dan]

I didn't mention that I have owned a Seecamp LWS-32 for going on
three year's now. All I can say is, if Glock = perfection; the Seecamp
equals TOTAL PERFECTION, in the tiny auto class~!

 

[doc540]

my choice: Smith M36, .38 cal, semi-bobbed hammer


I carry it in deep cover, and it doesn't snag. The extra weight helps control the recoil when shooting +P's.

DO NOT buy a 642 without shooting one first, unless you get a great deal on one and, if necessary, can get your money back out of it.

I bought one to carry, and now it's in my nightstand.

 

[jwalker497]

I really like the look of stainless revolvers, nicely polished, like the one above. Would a stainless model be too heavy too carry??

 

[OMGWTFBBQ]

Would a stainless model be too heavy too carry??

There is no weight difference between stainless and carbon steel, but there is a pretty big difference between steel and alloy framed guns. Steel is the way to go in a j-frame sized gun, IMO. I like a little recoil, but with hot .38(not even +P) I found the alloy j-frames to be a bit much for my liking.

As for it being too heavy, that depends on your intended mode of carry. For everything but maybe pocket carry it'd be fine.

 

[jwalker497]

Anybody have any pictures that shows a seecamp next to a small j frame??

 

[mquaack]

Get a S&W 442 / 642 model .38 special with a Don Hume JIT slide and don't look back !

 

[rgs1975]

First, which would be the smallest defensive caliber I should go with?

In my opinion, .38 Special

Second, which gun?

My personal favorites would be S&W Model 40 or S&W Model 442. Both are small frame, 5 shot, .38 Specials. As for other brands I don't know. I'm a Smith guy. The Model 40 can be ordered in nickel which has a most excellent ability to resist wear on a heavily carried gun. Especially concealed where it will concievably be exposed to lots of rub and sweat. The Model 40 is a steel frame and cylinder weighing in at 21oz unloaded. Blue doesn't do nearly as a good of job when it comes to regular concealed carry and stainless has issues too. The Model 442 is an alloy frame and cylinder coated in a black finish with an unloaded weight of just 15oz. I've heard these finishes are pretty robust for heavy carry but I don't know how well they stand up against nickel plated steel.

Third, the hammer issue.

When it comes to concealed carry the only time you're pulling your gun is when your life depends on it. I'm not willing to take the chance of a hammer hanging up when the stakes are that high, are you? Plus, since the gun is going to be concealed most of the time the lack of asthetic appeal from no hammer isn't really relevant. Who's gonna see it has no hammer and isn't "pretty"? No one, if you carry it right. Neither the Model 40 or Model 442 have external hammers. The Model 40 does have a grip safety, kind of like a 1911.

Lastly, I am looking to spend under $400 for this.

You won't find a new production Model 40 in that price range. However, an older Model 40 is possible for your budget. Last month I saw a Model 40 made in the 60's in near perfect condition with the original box and papers for $500. Finding one that's actually been used should bring the price down into your range. Local dealers to me (California, means our prices are high) sell new Model 442's for $415 so I'm sure you could find a new one that works for your wallet.

S&W Model 442 + S&W Model 40

 

[rgs1975]

I really like the look of stainless revolvers, nicely polished...

Polished stainless looks just like nickel. Difference being nickel is more durable than polished stainless.

 

[doc540]

Again, shoot several models before you buy.

Then you'll know for sure and can give free advice like we're doing.

 

[Mr. Designer]

I have a model 360SC which is small but more importantly it's light which means I don't mind carrying it.

 

[MCgunner]

I find it hard to imagine that a tiny DAO .32 pocket pistol like the Seecamp could possibly be any easier to shoot well than a good DA snubby revolver. I've never fired a Seecamp, though. In fact, I don't think I've ever even seen one in the metal more than a couple of times under glass. They used to have a waiting list only Harley Davidson could envy.

Quote:
I really like the look of stainless revolvers, nicely polished...
Polished stainless looks just like nickel. Difference being nickel is more durable than polished stainless.

Possibly more rust resistant, not sure, heard that. But, stainless will certainly handle holster wear MUCH better than any nickel gun.

 

[rgs1975]

Quote:
Quote:
I really like the look of stainless revolvers, nicely polished...
Polished stainless looks just like nickel. Difference being nickel is more durable than polished stainless.

Possibly more rust resistant, not sure, heard that. But, stainless will certainly handle holster wear MUCH better than any nickel gun.

As long as the nickel doesn't get chipped, exposing the steel, it'll do great for avoiding rust and wear. Chip it and you've got a problem.

 

[kmrcstintn]

I went with S&W 642; yeah, it spends a good bit of time in the nightstand, but it's my go to piece when I decide to CCW; dad's got one also...I think he rushed his purchase though, he liked the way 'mine felt in his hand' when I brought it with me once on a visit...next thing I know he's asking about speedloaders and a holster for his...it's an 'under the mattress' security blanket for him; if I knew he wasn't serious about CCW, I would have guided him more toward a steel framed revolver like a Ruger SP101 or a used Smitty K frame to offset the recoil;

decide if you are going to carry & how you want to carry; I like my internal hammered airweight since it is not a range gun, delivers enough stopping power if ever called on, can be pocket carried, is small enough to hide virtually anywhere (pocket, ankle, IWB, glove compartment, overnight bag, etc), easy to operate, reliable, timeless, and is enough gun for the job without being a brick

 

[S&Wfan]

Find a good, used S&W in .38 special for the $400.

You'll end up with a gun that is excellent AND that will retain its value . . . and even appreciate through the years. Also, believe me, a .38 special is the MINIMAL power cartridge you should bet your life on!!!

Any of the steel S&W J-frame (five shot) designs will do well for you. I carry a slightly used '64 Model 36 (has a hammer) that I picked up in real nice shape last fall for $350.

It immediately replaced my Kel-Tec P32 as a BUG . . . and eventually also replaced my high dollar Kimber Ultra CDP .45ACP too for general CCW use. Its THAT good for concealment purposes, and THAT accurate. It is so easy to conceal in a pocket holster.

Accuracy? Well . . . here's the first target I shot with it. Distance . . . 10 yards, standing/unsupported. Target? A 1" black square. Here's the results. It is a gun I can surely bet my life on.

T.

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Hey, Guillermo! If that Taurus Ultra-Lite is so scary, how much do you want for it?

I carry mine almost all the time and enjoy shooting it a lot! I could use a spare or give it to my sister.

ECS

 

[ravencon]

My choice is a .38 snubby. The choice between steel or an Airweight would depend on how I planned to carry it. An Airweight make for better pocket carry but is even more difficult to master than a steel snubby. I prefer DAO in a snubby, but, again, that choice makes mastery more difficult. If your budget allows consider a Crimson Trace laser grip.

I used to own a Seecamp. Mine was reliable but I have more faith in a .38 snubby for stopping power and reliability. Also, for me the Seecamp's ergonomics weren't good. Also, it is especially annoying to clean.

Good luck!