Example - If you live on a farm, I would think a varmint gun would be helpful
Or if you live in Alaska, something huge to fend off larger critters.
Even for self defense there are a ton of choices.
So please tell me a little about your Revolver and why you chose that particular gun.
I only carry a revolver when at hunting camp during snake months. It is a S&W 638 .38sp loaded with snake shot. I bought the gun for concealed carry but have gone to semi's.
I don't CC, never felt the need but we do have bears and cougar out in the woods and when I'm up in the hills I have a Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt on my side.
When I lived/worked in the NYC Metro area it was a Smith Model 40 .38 - my BUG for two legged dangerous game. Retired and living in Alaska it's an early series Ruger Vaquero .45 Colt 4 5/8" - for a very unlikely encounter with four legged dangerous game. Sitka's brown bears can top the scales at half a ton, are agile as cats and just about as quiet when they want to be. I've already shooed a couple of young ones out of our veggie gardens.
On the ranch, a J frame S&W 640 loaded with snake shot.
CC, the same J frame S&W loaded with SWCs
For mule packing in the mountains, a Model 29 to take anything that's big enough to eat my mules.
For things that go bump in the night, the same Model 29 loaded with .44 Specials.
For when there's factory ammo shortages, a Pietta Model 1858 Remington New Army cap and ball.
Taurus 85 38 snubbie was first CCW, till gets carried at times, also use a NAA micro revolver when nothing else can be carried concealed. For open carry revolvers, whether at range or field it may be a Single-Six, S&W Model 17, one of several Blackhawks, Python, Redhawk, or one of the S&W N-frames.
I did not know the 686 was made in .357. My concealed carry revolver is a 686 in 44 Spl. Why? Because I like the revolver and the cartridge. For open carry.....who knows?!?!?!? Whatever strikes my fancy that day. Might be a Freedom Arms Mod. 97 in 45 Colt which I carried with bear loads when we lived in NW Wyoming and I was fly fishing the tall and uncut. Around here....maybe a 22, 32-20, 44 Spl. or 45 Colt.
Charter Arms .44 spl. Bull Dog, with crimson trace. Why, because I like big bullets. And it's good form where I stand, all the way out to 100 yards. It barks over here, and bites over there! Sometimes I carry a Charter Arms Off Duty as a bug. When mowing around the place I usually carry an old Taurus Mod 82 loaded with my own home brew snake shot. I just like revolvers. They seem to always work, and I don't have to chase my brass!
This ^^^
Although recently I've moved almost all to semis but still carry the 357 on the property at times. Hubby says things are getting worse and he wanted me to have more rounds at once, so that's why we switched out the truck gun and my edc.
I carry a S&W M60 in .357 Magnum stoked with 125 grain hollow points (my handloads). They're not loaded as hot as the factory ammo, but a little stiffer that a .38 Special +P. No large dangerous game around these parts, the biggest you're likely to find here are stray/wild dogs, crack heads, heroin addicts or a belligerent drunks.
i normally carry a small frame semi auto. However.. when I'm on my farm property, I often carry a Rossi 972 357 mag, 6" BBl. It's a little big.. but goes on a easy access side hoster for when I need it. I MAY be swapping to a Taurus 65 4" that I just recently picked up.
I have a S&W model 66 357mag 2.5" barrel; I carry it for Ohio varmints and such.
I load it with my hand-loads, 125gr 38specials at 1050fps, or 158gr 357mags at the same speed.
If it is deer season, I'll sometimes carry my Smith & Wesson 686 8" barrelled 357 magnum, using 180gr 357mags at 1050fps.
I carry several, depending on what I am doing -
EDC is a Charter Arms Pit Bull. I carry it as BU to my G17 CC because it uses the same ammo, and I have two magazines of it on my belt.
Ruger GP100 when working around here, OC, because it is big and shiny and lets everyone in sight know I am armed so they leave me alone.
Mowing and weeding in summer, Raging Judge for the same reason as the GP100, and also .410 #5 for snakes -
Chiappa White Rhino .357 OC sometimes because I just like the feel of it. With this one, Ruger lcp .380 w laser for BU.
I carry a Taurus Model 85 Ulta-Lite 5-shot revolver, here are the reasons why I carry it:
I've tried a number of semi-autos. But I don't have the best grip, it was never the same after surgery. As a result I've had a tendency to limp wrist at times. So confidence wise, a Semi-auto would not be suitable for me as a CCW.
One day I rented a Taurus model 85 .38 special revolver at the range. It fit the hand perfectly, and I shot it very well. Purchased the SS model 85 shortly thereafter. Since then I've also acquired a M85 ultra-lite and a 4" blued M85 for range fun.
Also own a 22LR Ruger LCR; pocket carry it around the property sometimes while doing yard work. But mainly it's a fun plinker and great for double action shooting practice.
I briefly tried carrying a medium frame revolver but that was a no-go because my hands are on the small side. So I don't get up tight about only having 5 shots. The five shot small frame revolver is what I can use confidently and competently. I live with my limitations and make the best of it.
Easy to do, I had to double check my memory before posting. It is a 686 just a different cylinder and barrel. I've never seen one in the flesh but looks to be the ultimate 44 special IMHO. Bet it would handle some pretty warm loads and be no worse for the wear. FYI because they are scarce they demand a premium price over the 686s. IF you can find one for sale.
I sure like mine and concur with your opinion. I was unaware how scarce they were until another friend pointed that out to me a couple years ago. I looked them up on the auction sites, or tried to, and as you said, IF you can find one they were a bit pricey.
When I first got mine I was in the tail end of my hotter load period. Some fairly warm loads were worked up but definitely NOT approaching some of Elmer Keith's old 44 Spl. loads. I don't remember if the grips are Hogue or Pachmyer but even with those excellent grips anything near 1000 fps had too much bite to suit me. 800-900 is plenty for me and more than adequate for my needs and purposes.
Wife and I both carry Charter Arms Undercover Lite snubbies in .38 Special. I tried a semi auto in 9mm for a couple of years but it never felt right to me. Wife had a little .22mag that she carried. We decided that we both wanted to carry the same ammo and since we both like revolvers better than semi auto, we agreed on the .38 Special. Just big enough for me to feel adequately protected and just small enough for her to shoot comfortably. I don't worry about only having 5 rounds. If you can't hit what you're aiming at with 5 rounds, you should probably spend more time at the range practicing. If you're in a situation where you NEED more than 5 rounds, you're probably in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Firearms Forum
2.2M posts
71K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to all firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!