Switching to a wheelgun for carry

[Balog]

For a long time I've been considering changing up my carry gun. I have a Springfield XD .45 that I love, but it's just a pain to carry. It was ok (if a little awkward) at first, but I have some nerve damage in my spine that causes occasional severe back spasms. After an episode of those I just can't handle toting that load around. So I'm looking to get a lighter pistol, and rather than switch to a smaller autoshucker I'd like to go to a revolver.

Of course I considered a J frame snubbie, but I'm just reluctant to go from a full size 10+1 .45 to 5 rounds of .38 as primary carry. A j-snub is second on my list of purchases, but I'm thinking of something with a little lower learning curve for the transition.

What is available in a K frame size, aluminum (or titanium, scandium, unobtanium etc) .357 (I want to match it with a Marlin 1894 as a hunting/HD combo), 3-4 in barrel, with 6 (or 7 ideally) shot capacity? I'm open to Smith or Taurus, prefer pre-lock but don't insist on it, and need it to be relatively close to a Springy in price so I could either swing a trade, a trade + a little cash, or sell the XD outright to finance it. I've been out of the gun culture for a while, so I've lost touch with the latest and greatest.

 

[Arcticfox]

I don't know how much an XD is, but maybe you should look at a 586-L comp?

 

[Cosmoline]

Are you wedded to alloy? I've never cared for alloy revolvers as shooters. The Model 12 was an alloy six shot .38 Special. Don't see very many of those around. The performance center may have come up with an alloy K frame size magnum, but I can't remember for sure. If you go to five shot there's a bunch of stuff in .357 alloy/titanium, but I can't recommend any of them for shooting or as practical CCW firearms. They're too light for the round.

The best carrying .357 mag I've found is the Ruger Speed Six. I've been sticking with it for several years now without a hitch. It's a very sweet shooter too.

 

[Colt Smith]

Maybe a 2.5" M686+ Smith? 7 shots.

 

[David E]

Both the 586-L and Speed Six weigh similar to, or heavier than, the aforementioned XD-45.

First of all, it might be a holster/belt issue that's causing your problems. A new holster and/or belt is cheaper than a new gun.

That said, a scandium K or L frame is going to be a handful with magnums. An unpleasant handful.

I've often wondered what revolver I might carry routinely for defense and I've often thought about putting a 4" Model 12 in that role. Big enough to control, light enough to carry. It's "only" a .38, however.

If you opened up the options to include semi-autos, the various poly Kahrs would be among the top choices. Their P-9, for example, holds 7+1, and it an utter delight to carry. It'll spoil you.

 

[AStone]

Balog, many swear by the SW MP340 that eats .357 mag and .38 spl.

Handful? I can only imagine, but people do it.

I carry a SW 642 in .38 spl +p. Good enough for me and many, many others. I also put Hogue monogrips on it, a full three finger grip, because I don't pocket carry (OWB).

If I buy a 340, eventually, I'll put the monogrips on it too. I may mostly shoot .38 spl in it, but having a 2nd or 3rd rnd as .357 mag would work for those emergency double or triple tap SD shots.

 

[Balog]

I'm not wedded to alloy, but I do need less weight. I actually like the my holster and belt (both Tucker gunleather): when my back isn't acting up it's just a matter of the size being inconvenient. But it's purely a weight thing after I have an episode of spasms. I need something lighter.

As for the recoil on the light magnums, I'm going to practice with light 38's: heck, might even carry .38's in a good snub load. A 642 or similar with bigger grips OWB is an idea, but I just like the notion of being able to use .357's as well. And they still have heavier triggers and tiny sight radius, right?

 

[Cosmoline]

It really sounds like you're needing something in the 15-20 oz. range, give or take. With that weight range you're going to get a heck of a lot of recoil with the magnums making them impractical for use. So why not just go with a .38 Special? The J frames are great and if you want a sixth shot there's the Colt Detective Special and related D frames. Shooting 158 grain Remington SWCHP's you aren't giving up much in practical lethality to the magnums.

 

[jfh]

Have you looked at the S&W Night Guard series?

These are Scandium-framed, short-barreled revolvers. In a K/L frame, there is the 315 (6 rounds) and the 386 (7 rounds). Both weigh about 24 oz and come with 2.5" barrels.

If you're not up to speed about current alloy revolvers, you will probably want to google / read up on Scandium. I own three of these alloy types, and AFAICT, they have all the durability of the steel frames but at aluminum-frame weights (if not pricing). S&W markets its scandium-framed guns in niches and does try to charge premium pricing--but recently they've expanded those niches a bit.

I own the 386. Its weight (24 oz) is sufficient to carry various 357 factory loads, and the factory S&W grips are fine. The only downside for me is that the C&S rear sight doesn't work with my eyes--that deep U notch is a PITA.

I got mine nearly two years ago for $715.00+ST from my LGS; now that some of the panic buying is settling down, the pricing may come back down from near list price to realistic retail levels.

It's obviously no pocket gun--but that's what the M&P340 is for. Personally, I may get an underarm rig if I can find one in the upside-down mode, my preferred variant.

Here is the link to the entire product line listing.

Jim H.

 

[Iggy]

Although it is only a .38, the model 12 is a viable and very comfortable gun to carry.
It is an alloy K-frame 6 shot that is easy to shoot and control.

 

[Landric]

I know its not a S&W or Taurus, but have you considered a Ruger SP101? No lock, about the same weight as the larger Night Guard guns, ~ 24 oz, and will take any magnum load you can throw in it with ease. The front sight is easily replaced with a night sight, and there are a number of grip options. It also generally goes from around $375 (used in good shape) to $475 (most I would pay for new). There are various options, DA/SA, DAO, 2 1/4" or 3" barrel.

I carry a SP101 regularly as my primary (with a S&W 37-2 Airweight as a BUG), and I'm quite comfortable with 5 rounds of .357. Give it a look.

 

[doc540]

Been through about six alternatives and ended up here:


loaded w/6 rounds of either Speer Gold Dot .38+P designed for short-barrel revolvers or 6 rounds of Barnes Bullets in CorBon DPX.

Your hand size and carry methods may be different, but I'm offering my two cents.

It's probably worth about that.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Been through about six alternatives and ended up here:

...no better place for you to have stopped!

 

[Balog]

Cosmo: I've seriously considered going J (or D for Colts) frame, but here are my thoughts on why I want a K or L.

Barrel length: I want at least a 3, ideally a 4. Longer sight radius, more flexibility in reloading for (or so is my understanding), and a little more velocity and less flash n' blast.

Capacity: I want 7 shots, and even if I settle for 6 the Colts are out of production so parts are just going to keep getting scarcer and more spendy.

Ammo compatability: even if I rarely use it, the idea of a lever gun and revolver that share ammo is a big thing to me. I'm thinking lower pressure .357 for both, and a more limited number of really hot loads for the rifle to hunt with.

 

[middy]

I think the S&W 327PD most closely matches your specs. It will be about 29 oz loaded vs the 42.5 of your XD.

Model: 327PD
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Action: Single/Double Action
Barrel Length: 4"
Front Sight: Pinned Red HI-VIZ®
Rear Sight: Adjustable V-Notch
Overall Length: 9 1/2"
Weight Empty: 24.3 oz.
Grip: Wood - Rubber Grip Included
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame - Titanium Cylinder
Finish: Matte Black

 

[C-grunt]

Check out the Night Guard line from S&W that jfh linked in his post. Full size revolvers in a lightweight alloy and in several calibers. Heck they even have a six shot .45 ACP. The .357 is seven shots and is only like 25 oz.


EDIT... Totally forgot about the 327PD. I think middy found you what you're looking for.

 

[Cosmoline]

With that 7 shot parameter you're looking at one of the new fangled ones. But I think you're right to focus on THREE inch not four. That extra inch makes a significant difference in ease of carrying. I've tried to conceal 4" revolvers--even little ones--but that fourth inch always seems to want to poke out and cause troubles.

 

[middy]

I'm not aware of any 3" 7-shot lightweights. We've found a hole in the S&W / Taurus product lines.

Unfortunately, you'd probably need to sell 2 XDs to finance a 327PD...

 

[18DAI]

3" model 13 or 3" pre lock model 65 are sweet CCW revolvers. TJ

 

[Balog]

With that 7 shot parameter you're looking at one of the new fangled ones. But I think you're right to focus on THREE inch not four. That extra inch makes a significant difference in ease of carrying. I've tried to conceal 4" revolvers--even little ones--but that fourth inch always seems to want to poke out and cause troubles.

Interesting. I have a 5 in barrel on the XD and I've never noticed the length being an issue. I mainly had trouble with the gun poking me in the back depending on the type of chair I was sitting in.

That 327 is nice, what are they going for on the used market? Or are they not easy to find used?

 

[Cosmoline]

Well remember the barrel on the revolver starts at the cone not the chamber, so a 4" revolver barrel sticks out like a 6" pistol barrel--give or take. By all means try out a variety, I'm just saying that 3" seems to be a magic length for concealing wheelguns.

 

[Balog]

Well remember the barrel on the revolver starts at the cone not the chamber, so a 4" revolver barrel sticks out like a 6" pistol barrel--give or take. By all means try out a variety, I'm just saying that 3" seems to be a magic length for concealing wheelguns.

Ahhhh, true. I had forgotten about the difference in measuring methods.

 

[DAdams]

8 Rounds in a two inch. I would rather two inch than four for carry.
Probably 1K.

SKU: 170245
Model: 327
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 2"
Front Sight: Red Ramp Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Wood Grips
Trigger: Color Case with Overtravel Stop
Hammer: Color Case Tear Drop with Pinned Sear
Frame: Large
Finish: Blue / Black, Scandium Anodized Frame
Overall Length: 7"
Material: Alloy, Stainless Steel, Titanium
Weight Empty: 21 oz.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Colt Agent or Cobra is harder to find than a Smith but I think (IMHO) a better gun. 6 shots in a small frame, reasonable factory grip, made for shooting 158gr ammo.

If you go for a Smith, +P's can be really hard on your hands in their small frame guns.

 

[Hawk]

Here's something radical:

In checking the sundry weight listings on SA's and S&W's sites, I note that the full sized XD-45 and the 325TR both weigh 32 ounces. The XD compact and the 325 Night Guard are within an ounce of each other.

It would appear that a scandium frame / stainless PVD cylinder revolver isn't going to get you anywhere with respect to empty weight.

I'm betting you're loading up your XD with the full complement of 14 rather portly .45 ACP rounds. If you loaded 5 in the magazine with one chambered you'd be exactly where a scandium-framed revolver would get you, weight-wise. You've gained nothing.

In other words, your solution may have little to do with revolver vs. semi and much to do with chambering, capacity, holster comfort and the like. Polymer semis are already light and generally less rotund than their revolver equivalents.

I like the 325TR quite well but using weight as the alpha and omega, you've only accomplished a "lateral".

Short load the mag and you'll be in NightGuard territory.