Wheel Guns for Aging Gun Toters

[Jerry4gsd]

I'm fortunate to have collected some very nice semi-autos including my beloved Dan Wesson 1911. However, the other day I realized I was closing in on 70 pretty fast. And the more I zoom along in age the more I tend to lean toward my revolver collection. Wheel guns are simple to operate, safe and easy to clean. I have some ruger revolvers and some smiths but one of my favorites is an EAA Windicator 357 snubby. I recently bought a Smith 686 3" but its an L frame and that was just too much gun for me to carry day in and day out. I decided to become a wheel gun geezer full time so I went shopping and found a smith model 66 4" in stainless. I think that K frame will do the trick for an old guy like me who feels a little more comfortable with a full size revolver that I can wear instead of having to drag around. I ordered a nice pancake holster from simply rugged. com. That should make a nice home for the model 66. Remember fellow old guys, simpler is better for us and those around us. Take care all.

 

[medic15al]

I can relate. I'm closing on to 45 years old and after a career in EMS and a few in LE I'm forced to medically retire and I feel the tug back to revolvers, esp my SAA clones in 45 Colt. Early in my EMS adventures from about 1991 thru about 1996 I worked armed security on my off days and the S&W Model 19 loaded with the Federal 125 grain 357 load was my constant partner.

 

[Normandy]

Great choice, the 66 S&W. I have great affection for mine. I don't think of it as a "carry" gun, but it's a blast at the range. The 67 (.38 Sp) is equally fun to shoot.

 

[Twiki357]

At 72, I gave up on semi-autos a few years back. Not because of the guns, but because it was getting to uncomfortable chasing the brass. The 66 is a great gun, but I prefer the three inch barreled 36 or 37.

 

[Waveski]

The 36 has popped up 3 times this morning. Hail to the Chief!!!

 

[bannockburn]

The Model 66 is a great choice! Haven't reached that point yet where I favor either my revolvers or my semi-autos; both will always have a welcome place in my collection.

 

[StrawHat]

In the last 5 or 6 years, I have gained about 20 unwanted pounds. Because of this, I have begun to resemble my revolvers, (thicker in the middle than the ends), this makes it harder for me to carry my 45 ACP "N" frame. So I am going the other way and trying to learn to appreciate the 1911. Pretty sure it will be easier to lose the weight than learn the 1911.

Kevin

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Remember fellow old guys, simpler is better for us and those around us.

That's true for all ages! I conceal a small semi-auto, but for open carry, I frequently turn to my wheel guns. There's something about carrying around a revolver that just gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. I'm still pretty young too!

 

[RustyShackelford]

Simple, 3" barrel .38spl ....

If I had problems carrying or shooting a full size or compact semi-auto pistol & wanted a DA/DA only wheel gun, Id buy either a Ruger Wiley Clapp series GP .357magnum 6 round, a S&W 686 Plus 7rd 3" barrel or a new Ruger LCR 3" .38spl +P 5 shot.
The new Ruger LCR seems right for many older shooters or people with issues carrying pistols. The LCR 3" barrel .38spl is light, easy to clean, won't rust or wear like carbon steel, and it is well made.
The Ruger LCR line has been around for many years now. My friend got a NIB .38spl +P LCR in 2013. He also has a Davidson's Lifetime Warranty & a red laser Lasermax sight. He uses Corbon DPX .38spl rounds for home defense.

For regular CCW or vehicle security, Id use either the DPX, the Hornady Critical Defense, the Winchester PDX1 load, or the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP. The Buffalo Bore 158gr lead SWC HP +P could work very well too.
If vision or marksmanship were big problems for a older CCW holder, the S&W or LCRs could take a Crimson Trace lasergrip, www.Crimsontrace.com .

Rusty

 

[longknife12]

I still have my ol M19 and M28, left over from my carry days. Used but not abused 4". Range trips on occasion, CC is a Sig.
Dan

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I'm with you, not sure if it's because they are easier to operate, or if nostalgia plays a part, but bore often than not I carry a 4" model 10.would rather have a 3", but haven't seen one around here in a long time. A 3" model 36 would be even better, but when they come up for sale around here, guys want as much for a used one as I could buy new, call me cheap, I don't want one that bad.

 

[hoitai]

I have 3 inch model 13 rb S&W with a cute little bobbed hammer and Hogue Pau Ferro smooth grips. I call her "Mae". I won't leave home without her, she's a great comfort in my old age.

 

[rhinoh]

I used to have absolutely no desire for a revolver.
Somewhere in my mid-to late 50's I picked up a couple.
Now in my early 60's I love them!
Go figure.

 

[CajunBass]

I've always been a "revolver guy." I flirted with a couple of semi's but it was nothing serious.

My usual EDC is a Smith & Wesson Model 12-2, airweight with a 2" barrel. Every once in a while I'll switch to a 4" Model 10 with the tapered barrel, but the airweight is so nice, I always go back in a day or two.

 

[Devonai]

CajunBass, I am not a huge revolver guy, but I recently picked up a 2" Model 12-3 and it's been getting a lot of carry time lately.

 

[Iggy]

I'm 71, I started out with a .22 revolver 65 years ago. Packed .41 magnum in LE for 13 years. A revolver hung beside me in my pickup on the ranch for the next 20 years.

Retired from ranching and moved back to town. I started out packing a Model 36 I had used as a backup gun in the LE years. Since then I have gone the other way and now carry
a 100 year old N frame 45 cal S&W belly gun.


Because of all the big "holes" in it, it is pretty light and easy to carry.
Less noise and recoil than the magnums and still hits like a sledge hammer.

 

[tomrkba]

At 72, I gave up on semi-autos a few years back. Not because of the guns, but because it was getting to uncomfortable chasing the brass. The 66 is a great gun, but I prefer the three inch barreled 36 or 37.

I'm young and find this to be useful:



Brass goes everywhere when I train with revolvers. I don't try to catch it or control where it goes. I perform the reloads as fast as I can.

 

[huntsman]

chasing brass as a deciding factor in gun choice? I usually just leave the brass laying in the backyard.

Can't rack a slide because of weakness in the hands? then a revolver would be a sensible trade off, other than that I don't see myself choosing a revolver as an EDC but then I'm a young man of 55.

 

[RainDodger]

Funny... I'm doing a similar thing. My revolver collection is growing too! For many years I carried (for my job) either my 2.5" Model 66 or my 2" Model 60. Now, I rarely ever shoot the 66. If I carry a revolver, it's either a 2" 36 or 60. They're just way smaller than the big 66.

I do love revolvers at the range though. Somehow, I just don't lose as much brass!

 

[Bullet Bob]

I'm with Iggy. That semi-auto thing is just a fad.

 

[IWAC]

Yeah...semi-autos are going the way of the buggy whip!

My vote would be for a 3" 66 (think hen's teeth) but, the 4" isn't that much harder to conceal, or an older (pre-lock) 3" 60.
The new 66 has a 4 1/4" barrel...something to do with Canadian laws...and it do have de lock!

The newer Rugers will probably be good and reliable, but they look...utilitarian!

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

The OP has me by 20 years give or take, but I really like my 4" 66. Carry it lots and it's the sweetest shooting handgun I've ever had the pleasure to fire.

 

[TimSr]

I'm 53, and though I shoot both quite frequently, when it comes to personal protection I want something I can whip out and pull the trigger without ever having to ask myself "did I remember to put one in the chamber this morning?" or "whoever invented the thumb safety?".

Knowing that it would suffer the wear and tear of daily carry, I did not want something pretty and expensive to carry, just reliable. I'be got enough rounds through this baby to have total confidence for daily carry.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

i'm with iggy. That semi-auto thing is just a fad.

lol!

 

[km101]

I have to agree with the going back to the revolver, for all the reasons that the OP gave. But I have a Model 19, 66 and 686. All are 4" and I don't find the weight or size difference to be a problem for holster carry.

But my favorite for pocket carry is my Model 60. Fits nicely in my pocket, fairly lightweight, but enough heft to make it comfortable to shoot. For pocket carry it's the best of both worlds in my opinion.

I do carry a 1911 Springfield Armory 3" .45acp in a IWB occasionally, but the gun/holster combination is just too bulky for me for EDC.