My new heavyweight pocket carry/woodsbummer

k_estela

k_estela

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I decided I wanted something compact yet capable for casual trips here and there (out to the store for a coffee, walk over to my sister's house around the block, etc.) when I might not want to throw a heavy belt on but instead just slip something into my jacket or cargo pants pocket. Here is my solution,

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She's a standard Smith and Wesson Model 60 .357 magnum with a 2 1/8" barrel. I've put a Hogue Bantam grip on her and slipped her in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. I have a larger Model 66 .357 and I can't deny the power of this cartridge. This is a niche revolver that will give me some peace of mind when I normally would leave my full size auto in the safe for my morning caffeine fix. Also, this .357 will be for trips/classes I lead when open carry of a pistol isn't possible. I'll have a case guard loaded with snake shot, hard casts and extra personal defense rounds just in case.
 
K estela, Very nice indeed:thumbup: I was just at Sportsmans Warehouse yesterday looking at an less expensive Tauraus for the same reason.

Again, very nice:D

Paul
 
Looks good.

I have a question, but you'll have to excuse my ignorance as I have very little experience with handguns. I was wondering what kind of accuracy a small pistol like that is capable of? Could you reliably hit a man size target at 10 yards? 20?

Cheers.
 
A revolver like this is capable of hitting a larger target at 10 yards or 20 yards with no trouble. The shooter is the weak link. It won't shoot a group as tight as a longer barreled pistol/revolver but it will certainly punch the paper.

I'm not concerned about hitting targets 20 yards away though. If I pulled a handgun on someone, that person wouldn't be 20 yards away. I'd be in a world of trouble if I shot someone "attacking" me from that distance away. That would be difficult to prove in a court room. For 7 yards and under, this is more than sufficiently accurate.
 
Good choice of caliber and size. I carry a J-frame model 649 S&W in .357 for concealed carry(5-shots). As for those curious of the accuracy of this type of weapon, during my CCW class I shot all 5 shots inside a slightly larger than golfball, slightly smaller than tennis ball area. Well within qualifying.
The barrel on the 649 is the same as Kevin's gun to the best of my knowledge. Loaded with the right round it's a sure show stopper and wrist turner, not to mention the added benefit of being able to target shoot with .38 special.


Gautier
 
I'm not concerned about hitting targets 20 yards away though. If I pulled a handgun on someone, that person wouldn't be 20 yards away. I'd be in a world of trouble if I shot someone "attacking" me from that distance away. That would be difficult to prove in a court room. For 7 yards and under, this is more than sufficiently accurate.
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OK, thanks for that.
 
if given proper training and good conditions i have seen one go out as far as 127 yrds and be accurrate on a pepper popper....(really..same guy took a kel tec 32 to the same distance and a ppk upside down same distance...WOW but after all he is the senior firearms instructor at the State Police Academy here...)

i can get my Tuarus model 85's out to 35 yds and have a good combat group...but if i have to engage at that disatance...i am getting out of there...no need to shoot...just SKY.....

i am very comfortable in combat distances of 3-5 feet with my 85's...all shots in vitals...
 
There is a big difference in accuracy and shoot ability. If you clamp a snub nose revolver in a rest it is capable of the same accuracy as the longer barrels. When it comes to shoot ability the short sight radius make a big difference. Also the ear shattering and muzzle blast is a factor in shoot ability as is recoil recovery time. These things may not be a factor in a defense situation but it can make practicing a bit unpleasant to say the least. Here is my city carry arsenal. Eight shot 380 Bersa.


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Can you compare the recoil to a 637 38special. How much of a difference does the steel construction make.
 
I've gone with a J-frame .38 for pocket carry. After years of carrying everything from Glocks to 1911s to just about everything else, I've settled on this for EDC. It allows me to have my shirt tucked in with no cover garment, and I can keep my hand on the gun and no one knows the difference. I lose capacity and muzzle energy relative to the bigger guns, but every selection entails a compromise and this is a good one for me. Plus, my back has been hurting for good while now, and I'd just as soon not have anything crammed IWB or hanging on my belt.

I have a M60 exactly like yours Mr. Estela, but have not considered it for front pocket carry. As you say, it may be better suited for jacket pocket or cargo pants. Maybe I'll give that a try, as I have full confidence in that cartridge.

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i agree with Jim....being comfortable with your weapon and knowing its abilities and properties will make it more useable and with lots of practice a very reliable tool...i personally like to push myself and my pistols...

i tried to shoot my glock 17 at 150 yds and hit a pepper popper...no go...i was only able to hit 127 yds 3/6 at the academy...but it is so confidence inspiring when you hear that ding that far out...the best i have ever gotten was 135 yds with my 17...2/6...i am hoping to do better...
 
jh205 said:
Looks good.

I have a question, but you'll have to excuse my ignorance as I have very little experience with handguns. I was wondering what kind of accuracy a small pistol like that is capable of? Could you reliably hit a man size target at 10 yards? 20?

Cheers.
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JH205, the only difference in a short barreled handgun and long barreled, is the difference of distance in the "sighting plane." As the rear and front sights are much closer together on a "snub nosed" revolver (or short barreled semi-auto), the chance for sighting error is magnified over the barrel on which the front and rear sights are farther apart. Same principle applies when comparing an iron sights rifle, to a long barrel handgun with the front and rear sights much closer together.

No matter what -- given quality firearms -- the shooter must concentrate on aligning the sights correctly.

So if a shooter is careful and aligns his sights correctly on a "snub nose" handgun, he can hit his target waaaaay out there. :thumbup:

That is why practice, practice, and more practice using the correct method of handgun shooting, is imperative with the handgun one carries for self defense.

FWIW.

L.W.
 
I'm sad. Our nanny liberal gubmint wont let us Canadians carry such beautiful tools.

Anyone in the USA want to adopt a Canadian who loves revolvers?
 
just gave my old model 60 stainless to my dad (it was 38 spl. only) , they are great guns !!!!
 
mblackfu said:
just gave my old model 60 stainless to my dad (it was 38 spl. only) , they are great guns !!!!
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You are 100% correct!

I have one in my pocket right now. I used to carry it as a backup to my Dept. issued Beretta 92FS, and before our "transition," as a backup to my Dept. issued S&W Combat Masterpiece Mdl. 15.

All steel frame, Plus P hollowpoints, and Ready-For-Freddy. ;)

L.W.
 
LW...good stuff....i think you have put a few down range yourself huh?


Is the line ready? the line is ready!
 
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