Small Carry revolver

[specops]

2 other options you may want to consider.
1 a Kel-Tek P3AT extremely light and surprisingly easy to shoot
2 a Glock 36 conceals better that a stubby and packs a lot more punch for less weight. It weights 4 ozs. less that my Tarsus 605 stubby or a S&W 60/36.

 

[Guillermo]

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

I didn't say it was scary. The muzzle break blows garbage all over, the concussion sucks and it is hard to control as you can only get two fingers on the grip.

Understand that I am not recoil averse. I enjoy shooting .357 revolvers and my XD45. When I get the chance I shoot my buddy’s Model 57. The Taurus, however, sucks.

Not really interested in selling it but would consider trading it. After all, if I sell it I will have less guns. Trades mean guns without paper. The way the Founders intended.

 

[shooter429]

There are a lot of variables in the what caliber should I use question

Personally, I prefer to carry the .357 snubs. In fact, in Grizzly country, I carry .44 snubbies.

But the .38+p is a good caliber for those who are a bit recoil sensitive or for ultra lightweight guns.

I really like the .32 mag. and think the 327 shows promise

Any of these will outperform a Seecamp or KT or similar.

Shooter429

 

[Quoheleth]

FWIW, maybe look at a Ruger Sp101 in .357 with the 3" barrel. It's heavier than the S&Ws or Taurus snubbies and probably not suitable for pocket carry most of the time. I wouldn't want to drop it into my suit pants pocket, but maybe my Levis for a quick beer it would be OK.

But, because it is heavier, if you want it as a range gun it'll be more pleasant to shoot. And, if you go full-house .357 loads, it's more managable; which means you will be able to practice more with it.

You a revolver guy or semiauto guy? That's the question you need to ask, and the answer will guide you with what to buy. By the way, bobo's pocket auto comparison chart is supposed to have a update (soon) that will again show a j-frame compared to these pocket autos. http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

Q

 

[Vern Humphrey]

When I carry a concealed revolver, I carry a Colt Detective Special (.38 Special, naturally) with one reload.

 

[Fat Boy]

By all means, try to shoot the gun you are considering before buying it- see if you can rent one at a range. I have been interested in a lightweight .38 spec s&w, so today I stopped at the local range and rented a 642 s&w. I fired 50 rounds of 148 grain wadcutter reloads (required by the range that I shoot their bullets). My hand may never recover...I'm not saying someone shouldn't get a 642, I'm saying I'm not comfortable with the recoil, and if I had bought one before shooting it, I would be looking to trade it, or put it in the drawer...

 

[doc540]

Buy and carry a Colt Detective.

You don't even need to shoot it first.

 

[Safety First]

When I carry a concealed revolver, I carry a Colt Detective Special (.38 Special, naturally) with one reload.

Does colt still make the detective ? I went to their web site and did not see it.

 

[Texas Colt]

The Colt Cobra is my favorite concealed carry revolver. Heck, I don't even own a Smith.

Sadly, the Colt Detective Special is no longer made. There are plenty of them out there though.

 

[doc540]

No, they don't make it anymore.

But a good one can be purchased for between $350-$500 any day of the week online or in local shops carry used guns.

Mine arrived today and I'm more than impressed. It immediately replaced my purty'lil Smith 36.

 

[colt1903]

I prefer the Scandium 340 (on the right) for pocket carry. But due to the light weight it is probably not a good starter handgun. The revolver on the left is the Smith & Wesson model 640. It gives you the extra weight of stainless steel, is hammerless, and carries very easily inside the waistband with the Clip Draw attachment. It is also a .357 so you can shoot all the .38 specials you desire and then, one day, if you decide you want the extra power of the .357 Magnum, you're already set. Find a gun store with a good selection of after market grips that will let you try them on your revolver to allow you to select the one that feels the best in your grip and gives you the best balance (these are Hogue Monogrips).

 

[Border]

I mostly carry the 342PD in scandium but I will carry soley the Seecamp for even deeper concealment situations-with a wallet holster nothing conceals better. .32 caliber is enough given the statistical odds against ever having to draw the gun let alone fire it. The .32 will work quite well with good shot placement. It is a short range weapon but so aren't the majority of encounters that the non-LEO will encounter. These "never walk around the house without 3 high caliber guns on me" guys should spend their money on a fantasy camp in my opinion.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Does colt still make the detective ? I went to their web site and did not see it.

Unfortunately, Colt really doesn't make any revolvers these days. Mine was made in the '60s. If you keep your eyes open, you can find them for sale used.

One nice thing about revolvers like this, they probably weren't shot very much. Mine had a lot of holster wear, but internally was almost new.

 

[DAdams]

For your Reference

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

Thanks to PBP for the ghost image shot.

 

[FranklyTodd]

It's a very expensive ".38" but you could go with Scandium .357 and use .38s (as most do). Last I checked the lightest .357 is like 20% lighter than the lightest .38 - go figure...

FT
M&P340 w/CT

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Which is why Uncle Herbivore says, "Never shoot a gun that weights less than the bullet."

 

[Guillermo]

Good one Vern!!!

 

[DAdams]

Colt

1903/AJ.

Nice to see you around.

Keeping it cryptic.

 

[jhco]

38spl is a very capable roundeven better in the +P variant
id go for a 642 or its other equivalent that s&w offers

 

[Cosmoline]

I've had best luck with traditional steel .38 specials such as the M36, bodyguard and Detective Special. They are a few oz heavier than the ultralights, but you need that weight for fast and accurate shooting. 19-22 oz is ideal. The best rounds are 158 Grain LSWCHP from Remington. My current pocket revolver is a DS from the 50's. Very accurate, extremely stable and carrys fine in a pocket holster.

 

[Guillermo]

Firearm lightness is an attribute only to a certain point. Beyond the point where controllability and durability begin to suffer, lightness becomes a liability.

 

[raveneap]

38 spl should be adequate for what you're looking for. This is my S&W Model 637. 38spl +P+ - with hammer. it's the airweight and is easy to carry. Perceived recoil is a little more than the regular weight but certainly not bad. As has been said already, whatever you get, practice, practice, practice. And IMO, S&W is the way to go.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Beyond the point where controllability and durability begin to suffer, lightness becomes a liability.

It's an obvious trade-off of carry ease vs. shooting ease. Where one comes out on the trade-off is a personal decision. Certainly if you don't shoot a gun well because it's too light.... maybe get a heavier one?

I pocket carry Speer Gold Dot Short-Barrel .357s in an M&P340 (13.3oz). I'm SO not saying that's the "ideal" setup for everybody, but I like it very much.

Carried an all steel j-frame .38 before, and the reduced weight is WAY worth the trade-off to me. I shoot and control the 340 just as well. It's admittedly not as comfortable to shoot, but I say "so what?" I don't know if I'd notice the slightly heavier weight of the modern 38s (carrying or shooting).

Having said that, if $$$ are even a small consideration, a 15oz Airweight with +Ps is a much, much better value. I have close to $900 in my snub ($605 gun + 260 S&W CT grips + tax). It hurts to even type that!!

Nothing like spending 1911 money on a snub-nosed revolver!

[EDIT] Ok, re-read original post. Sorry for my off-topic BS above. Here's my answer given price and weight goals: Smith 442, street price around $380. I would opt for hammerless. In my dumb text above, the steel j had a hammer, and yes, you had to be very careful not to snag it drawing out of a pocket, but it can be done with practice. The 340 is hammerless, and presents very, very quickly.

 

[Guillermo]

Ouch
Could have bought a rohrbaugh for that

 

[FranklyTodd]

Followup: It's the revolver forum, but you said you were considering Seecamp so....

Just got my Ruger LCP. Very small, light, soft-shooting .380. $299.

[edit] next poster makes an excellent point - I can't imagine a scandium .357 for a first gun. Assuming you are average sized male, you don't need to start at a 22lr, however... .380 is very controllable, even in a small gun. I usually pocket carry. If you are willing to carry on your belt, the whole world opens up, and I'd go along with a heavier revolver, or a 9mm with some heft to it - maybe a Glock 26. [/edit]

G - certainly wouldn't trade my 340 for a Rohrbaugh...