CCW Revolvers

Idaho Jarhead

Idaho Jarhead

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
1,415
I am looking for a light weight revolver to go with my Game Warden for concealed carry. Something like the Smith & Wesson Air Light. Can't seem to find too many around though. Anyone know a good online dealer with some in stock?
 
I have bought from Bud's gunshop before... They offer discounted prices to law enforcement. They are also an authorized Smith LE dealer so if you are a firefighter, LE, National Guard, Marine or anything of that sort you can get the Smith discount which is significant savings.
P.S.
I carry the 340PD hi-viz. I got it when they first came out. Very light and easy to carry but absolutely brutal to shoot with full-house .357's.
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That 340PD is about exactly what I am looking for. Bud's is out of all their airlight stock though; at least if you want hammer-less.

Thanks for the suggestions.
 
The 638 with lasergrips is the way to go. It's a great little gun. Trust me, you want to be able to shoot that little thing single-action. With the laser, you'll be surprised at how accurately it will shoot. Oh, and don't bother with any of the .357 J frames. Unless you enjoy the sensation of hitting your hand with a hammer.
 
Just bought a No-Lock 442 locally, nice gun. Gunbroker has a few Lite Smiths, I've never bought off the site though.

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I've got a 640PD. 12oz and 38+P. I've only shot about one cylinder of +P thru it. YEOWCH! (12oz gun!)

Another option later this year is the Ruger LCR. 13.5oz. Looks a bit more compact than a Smith, but it could just be deceiving in looks. (Yes, it's looks. It's 1/4" larger in height and length. Nevermind.)
 
I've always been partial to my Chief's Special. S&W Model 36



with standard velocity 158 gr .38s ;)

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I've got a mint-condition late-60's/early 70's Model 38. Not a scratch or rub on her. The bluing is almost translucent in places. Paid $200 or so for it several years ago. I could never break down and carry her. Just too fine a piece. (Sad, since it's not a COLLECTIBLE revolver, just a great old-school Smith&Wesson finish job.)
 
moonwilson said:
The 638 with lasergrips is the way to go. It's a great little gun. Trust me, you want to be able to shoot that little thing single-action. With the laser, you'll be surprised at how accurately it will shoot. Oh, and don't bother with any of the .357 J frames. Unless you enjoy the sensation of hitting your hand with a hammer.
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:D Hitting your hand with a hammer :D That sums it up. It ain't for the faint of heart but I can put 10 rounds in milk jug at 10 yards in 12 to 15 secs reloading with bianchi speed strips...not Jerry Miciluk but it makes a good "get away from me" gun. As to having the hammerless vs. hammer models. I also have a 442 .38 with a hammer...great shooting little gun but the 340 is easier to carry in the pocket or holster shirt due less snagging.
 
briarjumper12 said:
As to having the hammerless vs. hammer models. I also have a 442 .38 with a hammer...great shooting little gun but the 340 is easier to carry in the pocket or holster shirt due less snagging.
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"get away from me gun" - I like that! "Bam bam bam bam bam! Back the f*@k up, son!"

Yeah, the full-hammer guns are no good for carry, IMO. I like the bodyguard style- you can cock it if you want to, but the hammer won't snag on anything.
 
Hammerless or bobbed hammer is a must for pocket carry of a J frame. I prefer the steel or stainless to the aluminum frame revolvers, but many cary the light ones. Good grips are a must if you plan on controlling the things with anything short of powder puff target loads. 38 +P is a fairly effective load especially for a belly gun, but the .357 reduced recoil loads are not that much harder to shoot. Just practice with your chosen tool and you should have no problems hitting what you shoot at. I wish you luck and hope you never need to actually shoot the thing at anything other than paper.
 
My Wife uses a S&W model 640 with Crimson Trace as her EDC, she likes the Ace pocket holster.

She insisted on the hammerless because of how much easier it is to draw from a pocket.

The 23 Oz 640 is much easier on the hand then the 12 Oz 340.

She does well enough practicing with .357 Golden Knight ammo, she can chase a soda can around the yard pretty fast and easy with it.

After practicing with .38special reloads then changing to .357 to clear a little lead out she then thinks the .357 kicks pretty good.

I would say that at ten yards/30 feet that she can pick top of the ear or ear lobe if she should so chose, all double action all the time.

If you can, try one out before you buy.

While the 340 is lighter and a little easier to carry because of that, it is also much less pleasant to practice with.
 
340PD is hands-down, the best pocket gun, in my humble opinion at least. I sometimes have to literally fell my pocket to make sure I didn't forget it at home!! It shoots great although the recoil is a little noticable, but hey, my 120 pound wife can shoot it with no tears so i better too! :-)
 
This one stays with me a lot. Inside lies 5 Corbon 125 grn JHP @ 1125 FPS.

The beauty of a J frame is that it almost disappears under clothing, and its good for pocket carry. It rides very well on the ankle.;):)

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I am a lover of Smith's for target shooting and general plinking. But as far as a CCW revolver, lets look at reality. If a gun is used in a shoot out by a non law enforcement individual and even though the civilian has a CCW permit, what are the real chances that the civilian even in a justified shooting will get his weapon back? Even though everyone things you should, it just doesn't happen. so of instead of carrying a 500 to700 dollar Scandi or Titanium Smith & Wesson or an out of production Colt that might be worth even more, why not just invest in a Charter Arms or even a Taurus snub nose? You aren't using a snub nose for target shooting or typically in a shoot out FBI stats say no more than 21 feet. I have dealt a lot with carring under the arm, around the ankle and if you don't have a alloy or stainless frame the steel corrodes with perspiration. A Charter Arms or Taurus REVOLVER will work just as good as aexpensive Smith for a self defense situation. And typically you won't have more than $400 invested in it for our justice system to take away from you. Just my 2 cents
 
That is a good question... I do not know the answer. Hopefully, in Texas where we still have rights and the castle doctrine, the pistol would not be seized for very long before it was returned, assuming that the grand jury chooses not to "bill" the case.

But now that I think about it... I better go buy another one! :D

Seriously though... taurus or charter would perform fine I'm sure. I like my Smith because it is light and very well made. It doesn't have many rough edges to rub and irritate. I thought about upgrading to a scandium frame model, but would have gotten hosed on the trade and opted against it... bought another busse instead. :D
 
If I God forbid ever need to actually use my CW then having it taken as evidence would be the last thing on my mind. The only reason to use a weapon on another human is to kill them, and if I have been forced to take that decision and am morally justified it was him or me. In that case I want the tool that I am forced to use to be the most effective and reliable tool that I can reasonable get my hands on. Saving money a defense weapon is not the best idea, take a sack lunch to work if you need to save a few bucks, but buy good guns and appropriate factory ammo for carry. Take as many classes as you can from the best instructors you can find, then practice regularly. I spend more on reloading components and ammo than I do on guns and some might think I spend too much on guns. Sorry for the rant.
 
Some awesome points brought up gentlemen. I appreciate all the discussion.

This weapon is going to be used as a back-up and off duty weapon. I plan on carrying it in an ankle holster. The cost difference between the Taurus and S&W is negligible. Smith offers a LEO discount which brings the price into the same neighborhood as the Taurus. FWIW, I would trust my life to either company. In fact, my bear gun is a Taurus, so I guess I am already putting my life in their hands.

A mention of practicing with whatever tool you chose, while a wise statement, goes without saying. As far as a shooting situation is concerned, I fully believe that if you ever find yourself in a situation where you have attacked another human being, you just need to know that you will be getting sued. It doesn't matter if it is self-defense, if it is a part of your job, or if you are robbing a bank. YOU WILL GET SUED.
 
I like the 940. The 9mm case is short and ejects wonderfully and the moon clips load like greased lighting.
 
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