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Best Revolvers for Defensive carry?

cpgrad08

cpgrad08

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Decided to keep this Revolver thing going. Since I only carry and own Revolvers at this point. I was wondering what are some best overall Revolvers out on the market that I should keep my eye out for.

Right now for CC I use my SW 642 and my OC/sometimes CC is my SW 686+ 4in.
 
cpgrad08 said:
Decided to keep this Revolver thing going. Since I only carry and own Revolvers at this point. I was wondering what are some best overall Revolvers out on the market that I should keep my eye out for.

Right now for CC I use my SW 642 and my OC/sometimes CC is my SW 686+ 4in.
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Well, personally I gave in and started carrying autopistols over a decade ago for CC, and I don't OC so it's not an issue.

Son Numbah One is approaching the age for his CCW permit, and favors revolvers at this point... I may have to get up on current models to help him pick something appropriate, so I'm curious as to what's "da stuff" in modern CC wheelguns just the now...
 
Often for me a SW M&P Bodyguard 38 +P. It's light, reliable and accurate at close range. For a pocket gun it does what it is designed to do. I especially like it in the summer when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
 
cpgrad08 said:
Decided to keep this Revolver thing going. Since I only carry and own Revolvers at this point. I was wondering what are some best overall Revolvers out on the market that I should keep my eye out for.

Right now for CC I use my SW 642 and my OC/sometimes CC is my SW 686+ 4in.
Click to expand...

I am a big fan of SW revolvers for the same reason that almost every top PPC shooter (a dying art) and steel shooter uses them-the lock work is the best. The light 5 shot J frames are one of the best small carry pieces you can obtain.

For a bigger weapon the aluminum (called Scandia) framed 8 shot 327 jobs in 357 are fairly light and with moon clips, pack an impressive amount of firepower. However, while moon clips are faster, they are a bit fragile to carry, I prefer custom 8 shot speed loaders that are available for the 8 shot smiths

another great choice is a 3" barrel pro series 357 I have. Its much more easy to shoot accurately than the 1.75" barrel snubbies but almost as easy to conceal. plus its all steel but still not all that heavy.
 
TurtleDude said:
I am a big fan of SW revolvers for the same reason that almost every top PPC shooter (a dying art) and steel shooter uses them-the lock work is the best. The light 5 shot J frames are one of the best small carry pieces you can obtain.

For a bigger weapon the aluminum (called Scandia) framed 8 shot 327 jobs in 357 are fairly light and with moon clips, pack an impressive amount of firepower. However, while moon clips are faster, they are a bit fragile to carry, I prefer custom 8 shot speed loaders that are available for the 8 shot smiths

another great choice is a 3" barrel pro series 357 I have. Its much more easy to shoot accurately than the 1.75" barrel snubbies but almost as easy to conceal. plus its all steel but still not all that heavy.
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Both the 327 and R8 look good but a little on the pricey side, but for sure one day I will get the R8.
 
cpgrad08 said:
Both the 327 and R8 look good but a little on the pricey side, but for sure one day I will get the R8.
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at one point you could get police trade in revolvers for a good price. not much any more but pack when I first got really competitive in pistol shooting (1985 or so) you could pick up a well maintained Model 10 or 19 for a about a hundred bucks. 6 years ago I bought a model 10 for my son for use at a tactical training academy and it was over 600 dollars
 
I'm interested. I dont want to carry one but it seems like a good 'car' gun to me, since I knowI wouldnt keep up with regular maintenance.

I have shot a few of the smaller revolvers meant for carry...very snappy and unpleasant to shoot. I would only want one for very close up, God forbid that should happen (like defending yourself in/around your vehicle). It would require much **more training for accuracy at 30 feet (the self defense distance I train for) than with my semi-auto 9mm.

**in addition to what I do now.
 
TurtleDude said:
at one point you could get police trade in revolvers for a good price. not much any more but pack when I first got really competitive in pistol shooting (1985 or so) you could pick up a well maintained Model 10 or 19 for a about a hundred bucks. 6 years ago I bought a model 10 for my son for use at a tactical training academy and it was over 600 dollars
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I have been wanting to a get a model 10 for a long time since it is really the first MP gun SW made.
 
cpgrad08 said:
I have been wanting to a get a model 10 for a long time since it is really the first MP gun SW made.
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If you listed ten quintessential American firearms that define the industry the Model 10 would be almost everyone's list.

others would include the Colt 1911, the Ruger 10/22, the Winchester 94 and Model 70, the Remington 1100 and the 870
 
TurtleDude said:
at one point you could get police trade in revolvers for a good price. not much any more but pack when I first got really competitive in pistol shooting (1985 or so) you could pick up a well maintained Model 10 or 19 for a about a hundred bucks. 6 years ago I bought a model 10 for my son for use at a tactical training academy and it was over 600 dollars
Click to expand...

Buds sold a ****load of them(Model 10s) in 2014, for $269. 4" blued, square or round butt. Slight holster wear and well maintained. I bought 2 for me and one for each of my four kids. Of course, some of us realize that many cops rarely shoot their guns, so on some of them, the lock work is like new.
Took the tightest one out and shot a clay pigeon at 50 yards with the very first shot. Surprised the hell out of my friend, who wanted to try it out too.
For a used, fix sighted gun, I was really impressed.
Ya, back in the day, I could pick them up for $100 all day, every day, but most of us opted for the Model 19, for the obvious reasons.
Bought mine used and 2 years old, for $125. I used that in PPC competition until I could afford to buy my custom made bull barrel.
 
cpgrad08 said:
Decided to keep this Revolver thing going. Since I only carry and own Revolvers at this point. I was wondering what are some best overall Revolvers out on the market that I should keep my eye out for.

Right now for CC I use my SW 642 and my OC/sometimes CC is my SW 686+ 4in.
Click to expand...

S&W 586 is my favorite...

6 inch.

I have a S&W 66 in 2 1/2 inch but never had much attachment to it.
 
Fledermaus said:
S&W 586 is my favorite...

6 inch.

I have a S&W 66 in 2 1/2 inch but never had much attachment to it.
Click to expand...

I have been the 586 in a 4 in since it looks like the model 19.

I here with the combat magnums you either love them or hate them.
 
MickeyW said:
Buds sold a ****load of them(Model 10s) in 2014, for $269. 4" blued, square or round butt. Slight holster wear and well maintained. I bought 2 for me and one for each of my four kids. Of course, some of us realize that many cops rarely shoot their guns, so on some of them, the lock work is like new.
Took the tightest one out and shot a clay pigeon at 50 yards with the very first shot. Surprised the hell out of my friend, who wanted to try it out too.
For a used, fix sighted gun, I was really impressed.
Ya, back in the day, I could pick them up for $100 all day, every day, but most of us opted for the Model 19, for the obvious reasons.
Bought mine used and 2 years old, for $125. I used that in PPC competition until I could afford to buy my custom made bull barrel.
Click to expand...

Yeah My PPC revolver was built on a model 19 frame with the Aristocrat rib with the three position front sight. Still have it someplace-shot 60X with it. Built by bill Davis, I bought it used from CSM Robert Petersen who was a range officer at the range where I shot. He used to keep it tuned up for me.
 
TurtleDude said:
Yeah My PPC revolver was built on a model 19 frame with the Aristocrat rib with the three position front sight. Still have it someplace-shot 60X with it. Built by bill Davis, I bought it used from CSM Robert Petersen who was a range officer at the range where I shot. He used to keep it tuned up for me.
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I just took a look the model 10s for sale by buds, I laugh at the warning at the bottom, Not legal in California.

Used S&W Police Model 10 38sp Square Butt for Sale at Buds Gun Shop
 
Fledermaus said:
S&W 586 is my favorite...

6 inch.

I have a S&W 66 in 2 1/2 inch but never had much attachment to it.
Click to expand...

I bought mine new for $230, many years back....worth a lot more not...

cpgrad08 said:
I have been the 586 in a 4 in since it looks like the model 19.

I here with the combat magnums you either love them or hate them.
Click to expand...

I like almost all guns.....

cpgrad08 said:
I just took a look the model 10s for sale by buds, I laugh at the warning at the bottom, Not legal in California.

Used S&W Police Model 10 38sp Square Butt for Sale at Buds Gun Shop
Click to expand...
Ya...ain't that a hoot. If you have a family member in Calif., you can't just gift them the gun...it's illegal down there.
 
MickeyW said:
I bought mine new for $230, many years back....worth a lot more not...

I like almost all guns.....

Ya...ain't that a hoot. If you have a family member in Calif., you can't just gift them the gun...it's illegal down there.
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Mine was about $200 in Oakland. The local sporting goods chain was fed up with the paperwork and hassle related to firearms and were dumping their inventory. Many rifles and shot guns went for cost and lower.

The S&W 66 was bought from someone who's husband died and she was scared of a firearm in the house. She didn't want to deal with a consignment sale (my suggestion). She took $100 and not a dollar more from me. Threw in boxes of ammo as well. We were both in college and I happened to have some books she needed for next semester, so gifted them to her. Felt better about the sale at that point.

Still think of it as someone else's firearm.
 
cpgrad08 said:
Decided to keep this Revolver thing going. Since I only carry and own Revolvers at this point. I was wondering what are some best overall Revolvers out on the market that I should keep my eye out for.

Right now for CC I use my SW 642 and my OC/sometimes CC is my SW 686+ 4in.
Click to expand...

In my opinion the best would be a 38 snub nose, they are compact, have decent accuracy and stopping power, as well as manageable recoil. If you wanted to just have a revolver that scares people into submission, go full dirty harry with a 44mag.

Myself I do not have a ccw permit, and my main revolver is in my sig, a 44 cap and ball remington replica from the civil war. It is big enough every time I have had to pull it out, the other guy always ran in fear and I have not had to shoot anyone, ofcourse I also never lube the slide on my shotgun, just for the noise effect, they hear me move the slide and they run.
 
Lursa said:
I'm interested. I dont want to carry one but it seems like a good 'car' gun to me, since I knowI wouldnt keep up with regular maintenance.

I have shot a few of the smaller revolvers meant for carry...very snappy and unpleasant to shoot. I would only want one for very close up, God forbid that should happen (like defending yourself in/around your vehicle). It would require much **more training for accuracy at 30 feet (the self defense distance I train for) than with my semi-auto 9mm.

**in addition to what I do now.
Click to expand...

You could try a 38 cal or smaller, they are much more manageable. If you wanted a small revolver with low recoil a 22 magnum snub nose still has sufficient killing power, yet allows for quick follow up shots for someone not used to heavy recoil guns. 22 mag is the smallest I would go however.
 
One of mine is the S&W 38 "Airweight", 6" overall length by 4" in height. It is a five shooter and I load it with +P hollow points. Very small to stick in you front pocket and maybe the lightest gun on the market for it's size. The only drawback is firing fifty round through it at the range will result in one vey sore hand the next day My other carry is the Springfield Armory 40 cal. Great accuracy with 15 rounds. No jams and you can empty it as fast as you can pull the trigger.
 
Well one that shoots every time
 
rhinefire said:
One of mine is the S&W 38 "Airweight", 6" overall length by 4" in height. It is a five shooter and I load it with +P hollow points. Very small to stick in you front pocket and maybe the lightest gun on the market for it's size. The only drawback is firing fifty round through it at the range will result in one vey sore hand the next day My other carry is the Springfield Armory 40 cal. Great accuracy with 15 rounds. No jams and you can empty it as fast as you can pull the trigger.
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I just changed the the grips on it and now I can shoot 100's of round with my airweight with no sore hand.
 
Here is my Ruger SP101 .357 with 3" barrel.

It is a no frills piece, but built extremely rugged.

It's a bit heavy for a small frame revolver at 27 ounces, but the weight actually helps when sending 100-150 rounds down range with .38's ....... .357 magnums are another story ;)

I had the trigger pull lightened up.

I have played around with various grips, but I keep going back to the stock ones. They are smallish for my XL hand size, but very comfortable overall.

My defense rounds are Winchester .38 +P's

Holster is a Classic Old West which was made for a Ruger GP 100, but I had the leather tucked to hold the SP101

Ruger SP101.jpg
 
RetiredUSN said:
Here is my Ruger SP101 .357 with 3" barrel.

It is a no frills piece, but built extremely rugged.

It's a bit heavy for a small frame revolver at 27 ounces, but the weight actually helps when sending 100-150 rounds down range with .38's ....... .357 magnums are another story ;)

I had the trigger pull lightened up.

I have played around with various grips, but I keep going back to the stock ones. They are smallish for my XL hand size, but very comfortable overall.

My defense rounds are Winchester .38 +P's

View attachment 67196200
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the only Non SW revolver I have ever bought

great for the money
 
TurtleDude said:
the only Non SW revolver I have ever bought

great for the money
Click to expand...

I have never gotten the appeal the of Rugers, yes they can handle much hotter loads then a SW, but to me their handles, triggers, and sights just feel wrong to me.
 
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