Smallest CCW revolver?

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I think I may want to get a revolver for pocket carry. I am looking for something really small. Not a derringer, and it has to be in a real SD caliber. Does anyone know of a very small, but still practical SD revolver?

 

[rc135]

Small Revos

1. NAA will debut this year a .32 Magnum revolver. Should be interesting.

2. S&W has several small, light (Air-Lites) revos in .32 Magnum, the 431PD and 432PD that weigh in at less than 14 ounces. .32 Mag can fire a 80-100 grain bullet at 1100+ fps -- more if you reload. See the following chart


HANDGUNS UNDER 20 OUNCES

Manufacturer Model # / Barrel in "
Caliber
Cap
Type
Action
L
H
W
Weight

American Derringer 1/3-8"
22LR—45/70 2 Derringer SA 4.8 3.4 1.2 15.5
" 7/3"
22LR—45/70 2 Derringer SA 4.8 3.0 1.1 7.5
" 10+11/3" 22LR—45/70 2 Derringer SA 10
" 5/__" 32Mag 5 Semi-auto DAO 15.0
" 4/4.1" 45LC&410/45-70/44Mag/357Mag 2 Derringer SA 16.5
Beretta Bobcat/2.5"
22LR+25ACP 8+9 Semi-auto SA/DA 4.9 3.7 1.1 11.8+11.5
" Jetfire 950/2.5"
25ACP 9 Semi-auto SA 4.7 3.4 0.9 9.9
" Tomcat/2.4"
32ACP 8 Semi-auto SA/DA 4.9 3.7 1.1 14.5
Browning Baby/__"
25ACP 6 Semi-auto 4.4 11.25
Casull Arms CA 2000/__"
22LR 5 Revolver DAO 5
Charter 2000 Off Duty/2" 38Spl (Al) 5 Revolver DAO 6.3 12-16
Charter Arms Undercover/2" 38Spl (SS) 5 Revolver DAO 6.7 4.8 1.3 18
" " Southpaw/2" 38Spl+P (Al) 5 Revolver SA/DA 12
Cobra Derringer Big Bore/2.4" 22LR/22+32Mag/38Spl/9mm 2 Derringer SA 4.6 9.5-16
Colt (Mustang) Pocketlite/__" 380 7 Semi-auto 5.5 3.9 1.0 14
" (Gov’t) Pocketlite/__" 380 8 Semi-auto 6.1 4.3 1.0 15
CZ 45/2.5" 25ACP 6 Semi-auto DAO 5.0 15
" 92/2.5" 25ACP 7 Semi-auto DAO 4.9 3.7 1.0 11
Davis Derringer Derringer/2.4" 22LR/22Mag/25/32ACP 2 Derringer DA 9.5
Downsizer WSP/2.1"
38Spl/357Mag/45ACP 1 Derringer DAO 3.25 2.3 .9 11.0
FN 1906/2.1" 25ACP 6 Semi-auto DAO 4.5 12
Kahr PM9+PM40/3"
9mm+40S&W 8+7 Semi-auto DAO 5.3 4.0 .9 15.9+16.8
" CW9/3.5" 9mm 8 Semi-auto DAO 5.9 4.5 .9 17.7
Kel-Tec P-32/2.7"
32ACP 8 Semi-auto DAO 5.1 3.5 .8 6.6
" P-3AT/2.8"
380 7 Semi-auto DAO 5.2 3.5 .8 7.5-8.3
" P-11/3.1"
9mm 11 Semi-auto DAO 5.6 4.3 1.0 14.4
" P40/3.3"
40S&W 10 Semi-auto DA 6.0 4.3 1.0 16.0
NAA 22 Short/1.1"
22 Short 5 Revolver SA 3.6 2.4 .8 4.0
" 22LR/1.6"
22LR 5 Revolver SA 4.0 2.4 .8 4.5
" 22Mag/1.6"
22Mag 5 Revolver SA 5.3 2.9 .9 6.2
" Black Widow/2"
22Mag 5 Revolver SA 5.0 3.0 8.8
" MiniMaster/2+4" 22LR+22Mag 5 Revolver SA 8.8+10.7
" Guardian/2.2" 25NAA/32ACP 6 Semi-auto DAO 4.4 3.3 .8 13.6
" Guardian/2.5" 32NAA/380ACP 6 Semi-auto DAO 4.7 3.5 .9 18.8
Rohrbaugh R9/2.9" 9mm 7 Semi-auto DAO 5.2 3.7 .9 12.8
Seecamp LWS32/2.1"
32ACP 7 Semi-auto DAO 4.3 3.3 .9 11.5
" LWS380/2.1" 380 7 Semi-auto 11.5
S&W 317/1.9+3"
22LR (Al) 8 Revolver SA/DA 6.2/7.2 10.5+11.9
" 351PD/1.9" 22Mag (Al) 7 Revolver SA/DA 6.2 10
" 431PD/1⅞" 32Mag 6 Revolver DA 6.4 13.4
" 432PD/1⅞" 32Mag 6 Revolver DAO 6.4 13.5
" Sigma .380/__" 380 7 Semi-auto 5.8 4.0 .9 13
" 342PD/__"
38Spl+P 5 Revolver DAO 6.3 10.8
" 337PD/__"
38Spl+P 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.3 10.7
" 442/1.9" 38Spl+P (Al+Carbon Steel) 5 Revolver DAO 6.3 15
" 637/1.9" 38Spl+P (Al&SS) 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.3 4.3 1.3 15
" 638/1.9" 38Spl+P (Al&SS) 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.3 4.3 1.3 15
" 642+642LS/1.9" 38Spl+P (Al&SS) 5 Revolver DAO 6.3 15+14.5
" 649/2.1" 357Mag 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.4 4.3 1.3 __
" 340PD/1.9"
357Mag (Sc&Ti) 5 Revolver DAO 6.3 12.0
" 360+360PD/1.9"
357Mag (Sc&Ti) 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.3 12.0
Sig-Sauer P-232/3.6" 380 8 Semi-auto 16.2
Skyy CPX-1/3.1" 9mm 12 Semi-auto DAO 5.7 1.0 4.0 17
Stinger Pen Pistol/__"
22LR 1 Pen SA 5.6 .6 .6 5.0
Taurus PT-22/2.75" 22LR 9 Semi-auto DAO 5.2 4.2 1.1 12.3
" Ultra-Lite 9/2.1" 22LR 10 Revolver SA/DA 6.5 4.4 1.4 18.2
" PT-25/2.75" 25ACP 10 Semi-auto 12.3
" 731/2" 32Mag 6 Revolver SA/DA 17
" PT-111+138/3.3" 9mm+380 11 Semi-auto 18.8
" 85SHC/2" 38Spl 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.5 4.3 1.4 17
" 85Multi/2" 38Spl+P 5 Revolver SA/DA 6.5 4.3 1.4 13.5
" PT-140/3.3" 40S&W 11 Semi-auto 18.7
Walther P22/3.4" 22LR 11 Semi-auto DA/SA 6.2 4.9 1.2 16.6
" TPH/2.9" 22LR 7 Semi-auto DAO 5.4 14

 

[Alan Fud]

If I'm not mistaken, the model numbers are 331 and 332 -- at least my .32 model from S&W is a 332.

However, if you're going to get the 332, you might as well get the 340 in .38/.357 since they are the same size.

 

[carpediem]

The .32 H&R NAA Mini has been postponed indefinitely, IIRC.

 

[Alan Fud]

That is correct ...

February 2007
​

Update on the 32 H & R Magnum Mini-Revolver​

As promised last month, I'm writing to advise the NAA community of the status of the long-running 32H&R project.

At this point, we are suspending our efforts on the continuing development of this proposed new product. This does not necessarily mean that the project is dead, but only that it is no longer a priority. There is no schedule or anticipation it will be revived in the foreseeable future.

Notwithstanding the substantial time and effort which has already been invested, we have determined that it would take still a great amount of both in order to make this product "market-ready". In reaching this decision, we feel that we may have made a mistake in our analysis of the market and that further investment would not be time or money well spent. Pretty simple. We apologize for whatever disappointment any of you might feel and appreciate the encouragement and support that many of you offered in this pursuit.

... http://www.naaminis.com/sandy1.html​

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I suggest selecting the cartridge first -- I personally consider the .38 Special as the minimum I would carry for self defense. With that in mind, I prefer all-steel revolvers -- if a gun is painful to shoot, you either won't practice, or will develop bad habits while practicing.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

S&W's M442, M637, M638 and M642 are all 15 oz Airweight J frame revolvers which hold 5 rounds of .38 Special +P ammo. All list for $498 but can be bought new for $350. I own a M638 and it's a great pocket SD gun. Unlike the 12 oz Airlite Magnum J frames, these are not hard to shoot and are controllable.

 

[Haywood]

I agree with ArchAngel S&W 15oz. J frame,38spl.+P. If you can't dress around one or two of them you are doing somthing wrong. Practice with standard rounds till you can handle the gun then practice with +P. If +p hurts that much try a glove for practice or lighter wieght Bullet. For people with hand problems there are standard Self Defence Loads that are better than nothing. If you can conceal a little larger grip, there are many grips such as Pachmayr Compacts that distribute recoil well.

 

[Glockman17366]

Run down to your local gun shop and check out the Taurus 85 series revolvers.
For pocket carry, you want one of the light weight models. I have the Multi-Alloy 85 with a hammer. The weight is 13.5 oz. unloaded.
This gun is about 8 years old and is my most frequently carried gun (so light and so easy to pocket carry!).

I've considered trading this one in on one of the bobbed hammer SA/DA models (851 is the model designation I think) since the exposed hammer can slow a draw from a pocket. However, this little revolver has been extremely dependable...I just can't part with it. With a good holster, it's a great CCW. BTW, I normally carry in a Mikas pocket holster which does cover the hammer and allows for an easier quicker draw.

Anyway, go check out those little Taurus revolvers!

 

[DWARREN123]

Remember, smaller the gun and bigger/more powerful the round equals pain.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like I said above, the 15 oz Airweight isn't painful to fire even with +P ammo. The stock Uncle Mike's boot grips are a little hard to control with +P ammo but totally fine with standard .38 Sp ammo. Pachmayr Compac grips are great but will increase the size of the gun. I would suggest them for a light weight Magnum and I suggest the Pachmayr Compac Pro grips for the .38 Sp. The Pro grips add a little length for your third finger but leave the back strap exposed for a smaller profile.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I'm not so much concerned with weight as I am size. I would prefer something under 6 inches in total length, even under 5 if it exists.

 

[loplop]

I have zero problems concealing a 442 in a Kramer Pocket Holster. I'm not a big guy, 5'10 165 wet, and even in dress slacks it just looks like a wallet. I wouldn't be comfortable with a smaller caliber, and a smaller weapon just isn't needed IMO.

It's different (read: more difficult) to shoot, for me, since I'm so used to autoloaders... But I'm reasonably accurate with it, and practicing to feel "proficient." I have no problems tossing regular 38spl or the Gold Dot +P snubby load downrange. I have put as many as 50 rounds through it in a session, but I typically keep it to about 15. Quality of practice for me, not quantity

It does smart a little, especially with the +P loads.

I'm getting better with it every range trip. I have really enjoyed this, my first wheelgun. It's cheap, has a big following, and in khaki's I forget it's even there!