Best Revolver for CCW - The Firearms Forum

Pistolenschutze · 02-10-2006, 12:03 PM

Overall, what is the best revolver for concealed carry in the opinion of the membership? Please note I'm not talking about caliber here, but rather the pistols themselves. I realize this is a very difficult question to answer definitively because no single weapon will fit all possible concealed carry circumstances, yet I think the question does have a degree of relevance nonetheless. Assume you are a new CCW holder, that you have a good deal of background experience with firearms, and that you have sufficient funds available to purchase pretty much whatever you want. What would you choose as the optimum carry revolver and why? I've set up some common choices in the poll above, but please don't feel limited by those. Also, please limit your responses to revolvers in this thread and note that I have set up a similar one for pistols for those of you who prefer those.

WhiteRhino · 02-14-2006, 04:18 PM

I like the 340PD. It isn't a particularly fun or comfortable range gun, but it works wonderfully in a pocket holster, SOB holster or ankle holster (for driving).

Familyguy · 03-11-2006, 09:43 PM

I voted K-frame 3" or longer .38 or 44.....I had a S&W 686 6" .357 stainless cut and crowned to 3" (keeps the longer ejector rod). Best damn carry gun next to my current one (H&K P7). One of the few guns I really regret selling.

22WRF · 03-12-2006, 02:32 PM

Smith 637 J Frame is worth a look.
I have run a number of rounds though a friends was was impressed with.

llama.45 · 03-12-2006, 07:37 PM

s&w model 19 or 66 in 4in,both are great

Smoky14 · 03-13-2006, 06:13 AM

SP101

mhammer3333 · 03-13-2006, 10:08 PM

I would say it depends on where you plan to carry it. If it's on your hip and your primary carry I would prefer to have a revolver with a rear sight so it's not just point and shoot. I've got a Colt 4" King Cobra that conceals nice. As a backup the J frame makes a lot of sense on the ankle.

southernshooter · 04-28-2006, 10:11 PM

I like the Smith and Wesson Mod. 10 Easy to carry and conceal

wolfgang2000 · 04-28-2006, 11:16 PM

If I had to choose 1 revolver it would be that Ruger GP100 stainless 3"bbl in 357mag.

I feel the GP100 sits lower in the hand than the S&W L frame. I have a full 6 shots. It can handle 38spl and 357 mag. It has enought heft to handle the 357, but it's not too heavy. The fixed sights don't snag on the draw. The hammer spur may catch on a coat, but a small piece of latex tubbing fixed that problem.

If you compare it to a stainless SP101 or a S&W J frame the size and weight differences or minimal. I gladly will trade the differences for more power and a extra shot.

Green · 04-30-2006, 10:52 AM

I like my Kel-Tec .380 P3AT. Light,very concealable, packs a punch and not expensive.

JohnK3 · 05-01-2006, 09:15 AM

That's not a revolver, Green.

Green · 05-01-2006, 10:16 AM

JohnK3, I stand corrected. Sorry,got ahead of myself.

navyvet · 06-20-2006, 02:04 AM

S&W model 36

Marlin · 06-20-2006, 08:57 AM

I carry in an ankle holster and sweat ruined the finish of a Model 36 in our hot humid summers.

Sold the gun after refinishing and bought a good used Model 60. No longer have the problem since it is stainless.....

Kentuckian · 06-22-2006, 02:35 AM

My Taurus 605 seems to work pretty well.

kikr · 06-23-2006, 05:39 PM

I prefer the SP101 in .357, I did see a S&W 686 with a 2" barrel that I liked though

IShootBack · 07-12-2006, 06:22 PM

I have never carried a revolver for CCW. Too heavy and hard to carry.
If I did, it would be one of those lightweight models in .357 or .44 special.

Pistolenschutze · 07-13-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IShootBack

I have never carried a revolver for CCW. Too heavy and hard to carry.
If I did, it would be one of those lightweight models in .357 or .44 special.

I agree that some revolvers are hard to carry, IShoot. When I carry one, which is pretty often, it's a J-frame in .38 special, usually a Smith 637.

IShootBack · 07-13-2006, 05:20 PM

I did keep a CCW Ruger Blackhawk .357 with a 6" barrel in my truck for a long time. I no longer do that because it's too easy to steal.

Ursus · 07-26-2006, 07:09 PM

A bodyguard SW.

IShootBack · 07-28-2006, 07:07 PM

I have only had one, a SW 629.
Much too large for CCW. But it made a great truck gun.

Always wanted a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special. Never got one though.

rondba · 09-08-2006, 08:38 PM

SP101, bobbed hammer,357.

358 winchester · 10-15-2006, 04:22 AM

S&W 625 with a 4 inch barrel works well in the winter time

summer time I like my S&W 686 with the two & half inch barrel

but my Favorite CCW is my LDA CCW P7 by Para Ordnance ( yes I know it isn't a revolver

)
Ron

polishshooter · 10-15-2006, 11:59 AM

Huh, no choice for the M95 Nagant?

Enzo_Guy · 10-15-2006, 01:28 PM

A snub-nose .357/.38 is probably best, short barrel and easily concealed, but also carries enough power to make a point AND a large hole. Taurus 605 anybody?

View Poll Results: Best Revolver for CCW
.38/.357 J-frame snubbies	103	80.47%
K-frame revolvers with 3" or longer barrels, .38 or .44	19	14.84%
Heavy N-frame revolvers like the Smith Mod. 29	4	3.13%
Very small revolvers in sub calibers like the .22	2	1.56%
Voters: 128. You may not vote on this poll

02-10-2006, 12:03 PM	#1
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Best Revolver for CCW Overall, what is the best revolver for concealed carry in the opinion of the membership? Please note I'm not talking about caliber here, but rather the pistols themselves. I realize this is a very difficult question to answer definitively because no single weapon will fit all possible concealed carry circumstances, yet I think the question does have a degree of relevance nonetheless. Assume you are a new CCW holder, that you have a good deal of background experience with firearms, and that you have sufficient funds available to purchase pretty much whatever you want. What would you choose as the optimum carry revolver and why? I've set up some common choices in the poll above, but please don't feel limited by those. Also, please limit your responses to revolvers in this thread and note that I have set up a similar one for pistols for those of you who prefer those. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter) -->

02-14-2006, 04:18 PM	#2
WhiteRhino Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I like the 340PD. It isn't a particularly fun or comfortable range gun, but it works wonderfully in a pocket holster, SOB holster or ankle holster (for driving).

03-11-2006, 09:43 PM	#3
Familyguy Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 40	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I voted K-frame 3" or longer .38 or 44.....I had a S&W 686 6" .357 stainless cut and crowned to 3" (keeps the longer ejector rod). Best damn carry gun next to my current one (H&K P7). One of the few guns I really regret selling.

03-12-2006, 02:32 PM	#4
22WRF Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pea Ridge, FL Contributor Posts: 4,270	Re: Best Revolver for CCW Smith 637 J Frame is worth a look. I have run a number of rounds though a friends was was impressed with. __________________ NRA GOA CCRKBA Happiness is a warm barrel

03-12-2006, 07:37 PM	#5
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: Best Revolver for CCW s&w model 19 or 66 in 4in,both are great __________________ chris

03-13-2006, 06:13 AM	#6
Smoky14 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Nowhere NM Posts: 656	Re: Best Revolver for CCW SP101

03-13-2006, 10:08 PM	#7
mhammer3333 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 14	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I would say it depends on where you plan to carry it. If it's on your hip and your primary carry I would prefer to have a revolver with a rear sight so it's not just point and shoot. I've got a Colt 4" King Cobra that conceals nice. As a backup the J frame makes a lot of sense on the ankle.

04-28-2006, 10:11 PM	#8
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I like the Smith and Wesson Mod. 10 Easy to carry and conceal Attached Images __________________ Only you can see this Last edited by southernshooter; 04-30-2006 at 11:26 PM..

04-28-2006, 11:16 PM	#9
wolfgang2000 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mountain Grove MO. Posts: 542	Re: Best Revolver for CCW If I had to choose 1 revolver it would be that Ruger GP100 stainless 3"bbl in 357mag. I feel the GP100 sits lower in the hand than the S&W L frame. I have a full 6 shots. It can handle 38spl and 357 mag. It has enought heft to handle the 357, but it's not too heavy. The fixed sights don't snag on the draw. The hammer spur may catch on a coat, but a small piece of latex tubbing fixed that problem. If you compare it to a stainless SP101 or a S&W J frame the size and weight differences or minimal. I gladly will trade the differences for more power and a extra shot. __________________ Guns are like Jello, there is always room for more!

04-30-2006, 10:52 AM	#10
Green V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The South Posts: 118	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I like my Kel-Tec .380 P3AT. Light,very concealable, packs a punch and not expensive.

05-01-2006, 09:15 AM	#11
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	Re: Best Revolver for CCW That's not a revolver, Green.

05-01-2006, 10:16 AM	#12
Green V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The South Posts: 118	Re: Best Revolver for CCW JohnK3, I stand corrected. Sorry,got ahead of myself.

06-20-2006, 02:04 AM	#13
navyvet V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nashville Tn. Posts: 61	Re: Best Revolver for CCW S&W model 36

06-20-2006, 08:57 AM	#14
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,854	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I carry in an ankle holster and sweat ruined the finish of a Model 36 in our hot humid summers. Sold the gun after refinishing and bought a good used Model 60. No longer have the problem since it is stainless..... __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

06-22-2006, 02:35 AM	#15
Kentuckian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 107	Re: Best Revolver for CCW My Taurus 605 seems to work pretty well.

06-23-2006, 05:39 PM	#16
kikr Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 14	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I prefer the SP101 in .357, I did see a S&W 686 with a 2" barrel that I liked though __________________ We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. George Orwell

07-12-2006, 06:22 PM	#17
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,309	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I have never carried a revolver for CCW. Too heavy and hard to carry. If I did, it would be one of those lightweight models in .357 or .44 special. __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3

07-13-2006, 05:20 PM	#19
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,309	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I did keep a CCW Ruger Blackhawk .357 with a 6" barrel in my truck for a long time. I no longer do that because it's too easy to steal. __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3

07-26-2006, 07:09 PM	#20
Ursus Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: El Salvador, Central America. Posts: 1,030	Re: Best Revolver for CCW A bodyguard SW.

07-28-2006, 07:07 PM	#21
IShootBack Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,309	Re: Best Revolver for CCW I have only had one, a SW 629. Much too large for CCW. But it made a great truck gun. Always wanted a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special. Never got one though. __________________ "The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is his name." Exodus15:3

09-08-2006, 08:38 PM	#22
rondba Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 33	Re: Best Revolver for CCW SP101, bobbed hammer,357.

10-15-2006, 04:22 AM	#23
358 winchester TFF Admin Staff Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pensacola Fl. area Posts: 7,335	Re: Best Revolver for CCW S&W 625 with a 4 inch barrel works well in the winter time summer time I like my S&W 686 with the two & half inch barrel but my Favorite CCW is my LDA CCW P7 by Para Ordnance ( yes I know it isn't a revolver ) Ron __________________ Administrator & Owner RangeDay.com Proud, White, Heterosexual, Gun Owning, Southern American, Christian. Any question about where I stand?

10-15-2006, 11:59 AM	#24
polishshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 7,879	Re: Best Revolver for CCW Huh, no choice for the M95 Nagant? __________________ The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living.

10-15-2006, 01:28 PM	#25
Enzo_Guy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Harwood, MD Posts: 160	Re: Best Revolver for CCW A snub-nose .357/.38 is probably best, short barrel and easily concealed, but also carries enough power to make a point AND a large hole. Taurus 605 anybody?