DAdams
Member
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_39_71/products_id/53526
Bud's has the 2.5 inch 8 round NG in stock. $801.
Bud's has the 2.5 inch 8 round NG in stock. $801.
Switching to a wheelgun for carry
- Thread starter Balog
- Start date
- Status
I don't want to rain on the revolver parade because I love them, but if weight is your concern, you are probably better off with a pistol. However you want to look at it, a revolver has to have a chamber and all the beefy steel around it for each round. Think of it as the world's heaviest magazine. With higher round count comes more weight and more bulk. Not to mention most don't utilize light weight materials like the current breeds of polymer automatics.
Something like a Keltec P-11 holds 10+1 9mm rounds at a LOADED weight of 21oz. It'll get you similar ballistics to a .38 at a fraction of the price of many of the fancy higher-than-6 round alloy revolvers, and it'll be more concealable than those high-cap revolvers too.
Before anyone gets excited, I think there are MANY reasons to recommend a revolver as a carry weapon, but for a man with an expressed interest in the weight of the weapon, a revolver simply isn't the best choice IMHO.
Something like a Keltec P-11 holds 10+1 9mm rounds at a LOADED weight of 21oz. It'll get you similar ballistics to a .38 at a fraction of the price of many of the fancy higher-than-6 round alloy revolvers, and it'll be more concealable than those high-cap revolvers too.
Before anyone gets excited, I think there are MANY reasons to recommend a revolver as a carry weapon, but for a man with an expressed interest in the weight of the weapon, a revolver simply isn't the best choice IMHO.
Cosmoline
Member
Did you not see the eight shot Scandium wheelgun posted above? In .357 Magnum? No nine can touch that, though I'm a fan of old school steel myself.
The small .38's are the most concealable of firearms this side of a micro derringer. My own Speed Six is a notch larger, but still easy to conceal and it packs a whallop that no semi this side of a 10mm can match.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Here is a 3" k frame on top of a 1911, so think about the size factor.
1911 on top
next to
1911 on top
next to
Scandium is more dense than aluminum and is about 2.5 times the density of the polymer used in the reference Keltec.
I like the small .38s, but the OP expressed concerns over going to just 5 rounds and has been mentioning the 7-shot and up models. Those are big guns with bulky cylinders. I also like the power of a magnum, but if you are trying to go for a lightweight revolver, it's almost counter-productive.
Like I said, I really like revolvers, but given some of the OP's expressed concerns with weight and capacity, I just don't know that a revolver's best attributes will shine through in this application.
Balog
Member
Wow, thanks for those pics Brian. That's very helpful.
I may need to rethink this, or settle for a 5 shot. Hmmm, I need to make a compare and contrast trip to ye olde gun shop...
I may need to rethink this, or settle for a 5 shot. Hmmm, I need to make a compare and contrast trip to ye olde gun shop...
I'm very partial to my 686+ with 2 1/2" barrel. Because of it's size and weight, it handles .357 Magnum well and .38 +P rounds are very comfortable to shoot. Mine has the lock on it, but the trigger is slick, just as good as the one on my old Model-66. I normally carry it in an Uncle Mike's IWB or just shove it in my front pocket. I tend to wear lots of Carhartt's trousers, so the gun hides pretty good if I wear a pull over or leave my Tee shirt over it in warm weather because the grip stands just a little proud of the pocket hem.
Balog
Member
I'm taking a hard look at the 640. 8 oz lighter unloaded than my XD, but not so featherlight it's destroy my hand to shoot moderate magnum loads in (I hope). Short barrel and 5 shots, but maybe that's ok...
Hawk
Member
It is odd, is it not, that we sometimes feel the urge to preemptively apologize for trying to be objective in our recommendations?
I have more revolvers than semis and enjoy them greatly (this is establishing one's "appreciation of revolvers" bona fides - similar to a preemptive apology) but you're correct.
Of all the reasons to prefer revolvers to semis, weight is not one of them. For that matter, neither is raw round count.
I have an earlier (.38+P) 640 and the extra weight does make it more pleasant with .38s - I would not relish notching it up to .357 magnum.
But, once again, if we're concerned about weight, capacity and bulk, you haven't done yourself any favors.
640 = 23 Oz., 5 rounds, 2-1/8" barrel, 6-5/8" OA.
without leaving the S&W web site we also find:
M&P357c = 22.2 Oz., 10 rounds, 3.5" barrel, 6.7" OA.
(one presumes "357 auto" is 357SIG outside S&W's realm)
Revolvers are cool but, IMHO, you have chosen the wrong criteria to rationalize the purchase. If you want a revolver by all means get one. However, it will be in spite of its comparative weight rather than because of it.
Cosmoline makes a good point with (real as opposed to SIG) 357 magnum - however, this wasn't even on the radar in your OP. Still one could build a rationalization on that foundation I suppose.
Given your original criteria, recommending a revolver of any stripe is a testimony to our willingness to try to ice skate uphill.
rd2007
Member
I like the idea of a revolver over a semi-auto for concealed carry because of my fear of the gun going off while I'm carrying. I know the chances of that happening with a SA are slim to none (depending on the make and model), but there is zero chance of it happening with a revolver. There's just no way your pants or a holster are going to pull the trigger while you are holding a revolver. I think it would be a lot easier with a SA, especially when you carry it with a round chambered and ready to go.
earlthegoat2
Member
I honestly think your only options are a Colt Agent/Cobra, or a Smith model 12.
doc540
Member
Doc540 what model and specs for your revolver in the picture? "Been through about six alternatives and ended up here"
Colt Cobra/Agent, six rounds of .38 (practice with standard .38, carry +P's)
17oz.
All Colt D frame revolvers are great shooters.
Colt Agent
Colt Cobra/Agent, six rounds of .38 (practice with standard .38, carry +P's)
17oz.
All Colt D frame revolvers are great shooters.
Colt Agent
Big Mike
Member
Balog, S&W has the L frame, scandium Night Guard series that is a 7 shot .357/.38, the 386:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=67973&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=67973&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=
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