OT selecting a new handgun...

Runs With Scissors

Runs With Scissors

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Dec 3, 2000
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Well, I didn't think I had the money for one, but...'lo and behold I was able to bribe the wife into letting me buy one. (it was in exchange for me giving her the okay on a bedroom set as expensive as a freakin' new Harley, so she definitely got the better deal!) ;)

Now that I have the okay, I can't decide what to get!

I've already dismissed all the large bore Dirty Harry handcannons, I'll save one of those for the next purchase.

What I NEED to buy is a CCW type gun, a nice little .38 snubbie or something. It really bums me out too. by going out and getting a concealed carry gun for EDC I'm having to admit the town has changed since I was a kid here, before I guess I was kinda like an ostrich content to have it's head in the sand.

what I WANT to buy is a fun little .22 revolver, one of the S&W K frames with a six inch tube would be awesome, but...not responsible. (model 617)

I'm debating a compromise and getting one of the S&W titanium J-frames with three inch tube, 8 rd. cylinder and adjustable sights. (Model 317)

But, a .22 for SD? obviously NOT recommended, except for the fact I could afford to shoot the hell out of it and thusly practice enough to make every one of those suckers count.

Then there's the .38 aluminum and titanium revolvers, which is a good way to go, except that I'd like to be able to shoot .357's, which usually requires a steel frame, which goes from about 14 oz to 24 oz and becomes a little heavy for day in and day out.

I do like the hammerless models for concealed carry, less dust bunnies, smoother draw, and no chance of accidentally cocking the gun. Not fun for boondockin' though, or playing with.

I've finally got a little money! I want a toy! I want something fun! something I'll enjoy and get to shoot alot!

But...I need to be responsible, and get serious about protection.....and the two are just plain freakin' hard to mix! ahhh!!!!!

As you can tell, I'm rather pre-disposed towards revolvers, not a fan of most autos. Absolutely detest DA/SA autos, and I'm not a fan of plastic guns. I tend to dislike SA autos too for concealed carry.

I'm thinking about splitting the difference with a S&W 360 Kit gun. titanium J frame .357 w/ adjustable sights and a three inch tube, weighs in at 12 ounces. Something I can shoot very light wadcutters and stuff through for fun and some practice, then load up as the situation demands. I can go up into all of the wrist breaking nasochistic loads that can fit in a .357 if I want, but still take a Spruce Hen with .38s without mutilating them too badly. Basically a concealed carry gun that I can enjoy, and take boondockin'. Maybe I could have the hammer shortened and rounded some?

http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=294736&item=831386

http://firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293479&sw_activeTab=1 (you can still get 'em with 3 inch tube and adjustable sights)

What are y'alls thoughts and suggestions on the matter?
 
I learned recently that most manufacturer's plus P 38 Special loads are not plus P at all, but pee. I'm trying to remember who has an honest to God plus P 38 special load- and I think it's Buffalo Bore.

Thought you might want to know that.


munk
 
Find something pricey that you like, a $6-700 msrp shouldn't be too hard to find,sell her on it, then back off and get two reasonably priced pistols for the same amount. You should be able to find a decent .357 snubby for $400 or less, and get a bare bones .22 as a companion. Maybe a used Ruger .22 single action?
 
I don't know how well the Taurus holds up- and that's still a question in some circles, but the Tracker models are smaller framed five shot big bores- like 45 acp, 45 Colt, 41 mag, and I believe 357. I've seen these guns up close and they look like they'd carry well.


munk
 
Glock if you are willing to invest the time to master it

1911 the same.

More concealable than that? I'd get a 357 and a keltec .32

Most of the time I carry a Glock 23 and a Kel-tec .32.

I shoot a 1911 or a browning better, but the 23 and 32 are easier to conceal.
 
munk said:
I don't know how well the Taurus holds up- and that's still a question in some circles, but the Tracker models are smaller framed five shot big bores- like 45 acp, 45 Colt, 41 mag, and I believe 357. I've seen these guns up close and they look like they'd carry well.


munk
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Sadly enough (and I hate to say it, cause I'm a huge S&W fan) the Tauruses (tauri?) are damn good, most are even smoother than the Smiths. Inside they're virtually identical since Smith has replaced the leaf spring in favor of a coil spring.

I've got a Taurus 605 built on the Tracker frame, very nice light gun, but a bit bulky for daily carry. (BTW, forgot to mention, it's roughly equivalent to an L- frame Smith- ie: 686, 586.)

I've lost interest in 1911's some years ago, lost interest in Glocks even longer ago. (even though I still recommend both to other people, including family)
Still like Browning Hi-Powers, but they're a bit large for daily carry as well.

P-32 (or P-3AT) are both within the remote realm of consideration for concealed carry only, though not much fun.

I'm only allowed one gun in this purchase, so I need to make it count... :D
 
put a few thousand rounds through it without a hitch. Good gun, I still miss it. Another I still miss is the Sig 230. That thing was built like a Swiss watch. Oh well.

Frank
 
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy a S&W model 60, 3 inch barrel with adjustable sights. It's all stainless steel so it should hold up well and be fun to shoot with .38 specials but managable with magnums if you so choose. Check out the product of the year section of this month's American Rifleman for a new .38 special load for snubbies.

From experience, I can tell you, buy what you want, and buy quality, or you will be unhappy with it almost before you can get it home.
 
Having owned a lot of handguns, these are my recommendations. For a 38/357 for CCW look at the older S&W Mod 13 with the 3" barrel. This is the FBI gun from a few years ago. K frame, light, accurate and easy to carry. For a 22 look at the S&W Mod 18. Its 22lr, comes in 4 and 6" barrel with adj sights and is the perfect companion for any other K frame. Both are available on the used market at extremely good prices. The 2 1/2 barreled S&W Mod 19 with adj sights is also an excellent handgun. For a DA/SA semi auto I would look at the Makarov 9x18. Its a superb little pistol and costs less than $200.

Best of luck.

Ice
 
RonS said:
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy a S&W model 60, 3 inch barrel with adjustable sights. It's all stainless steel so it should hold up well and be fun to shoot with .38 specials but managable with magnums if you so choose. Check out the product of the year section of this month's American Rifleman for a new .38 special load for snubbies.

From experience, I can tell you, buy what you want, and buy quality, or you will be unhappy with it almost before you can get it home.
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That's the basic one I'm really leaning towards, except I'm looking at the Scandium model .357. If I can't find a way to swing the price of it though, I'm debating whether or not I'd be satisfied with an alloy or titanium .38 Special.

conversely, the reason I'm so insistent on revolvers is that I find them much easier to live with on a day to day basis- no ammo finickiness, no mag springs to weaken, safeties to engage-disengage-remain engaged at a very bad time-or get bumped off accidentally. They're also more forgiving in handling than a decent SA auto, granted neglect and stupidity are unacceptable no matter what, but that being said in the real world, where even smart people sometimes do stupid things, the revolver is more forgiving. I've seen a few Negligent Discharges from people who knew better. (I'm perfect though :rolleyes: )

I HATE HATE HATE DA/SA autos. Absolutely cannot get past the DA/SA crunchenticker syndrome, no matter how many times I've tried. When it comes to double taps or FTS drills, I've never done well with a DA/SA. With a standard SA auto I'm just a little better than I am shooting DA with a revolver.
I know there's alot of people out there that handle them, and handle them well, I just aint one of them. I'm sure I could learn, but that would take many thousands of rounds, and then probably throw off the rhythm I've learned with revolvers and SA autos.

As far as not liking 1911's or Glocks...

I actually like the 1911 just fine, but I'm not a fan of day to to cocked and locked carry while being concealed, tossed on the night stand, concealed, left in the truck while I go into a school or day care, concealed, taken out when I come back through the door of my own home, etc. It's a hellaciously good handgun, but best reserved for those hardcore enough to keep up with them, maintenance, regular training, etc.

The Glock- it's a killing tool, and a damn fine one at that. It goes bang consistently, shoots accurately, good ergonomics, good trigger, etc. But the fact is I'm looking to buy something I LIKE and I don't like the Glock. I guess somewhere in my mind I'm stuck in some kind of a jingoistic old fashioned world of when my father was a cop and the only "real" guns out there thate were used by "real men" were revolvers, 1911's, and P-35s. (nevermind my interest in scandium and ti :D ) I frequently recommend the Glocks to people who ask me about a SD only gun, so I've certainly got nuthin' against them, I just don't like them on an emotional level I guess.

Does any of this make sense? I didn't think so either..... :p
 
IMO the only problem with the Titanium and Scandium revolvers is that they are so light that the recoil is horrible. You won't want to practice with them much and thats exactly what you need.

Ice
 
Most of the time I carry a Glock 23 and a Kel-tec .32.
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Sigh. Used to be me. I reckon I'll get a 23 again one day, though.

For a revolver guy, the Smith 625PD is not cheap, but pretty neat.

Nothin' wrong with a 360. I sold my Mod 65 3" to raise funds a year ago... :(

John, don't feel bad, I still have more guns than sense
 
Runs With Scissors said:
Sadly enough (and I hate to say it, cause I'm a huge S&W fan) the Tauruses (tauri?) are damn good, most are even smoother than the Smiths. Inside they're virtually identical since Smith has replaced the leaf spring in favor of a coil spring.

I've got a Taurus 605 built on the Tracker frame, very nice light gun, but a bit bulky for daily carry. (BTW, forgot to mention, it's roughly equivalent to an L- frame Smith- ie: 686, 586.)
Click to expand...

About three years ago I bought a Titanium Taurus ported snubbie in .45 Colt. While only a five shot gun, it fits the same holsters as my S&W 2 1/2 inch Model 19, and is a damn sight lighter. The only problem is that I need to use ammuntion with a good crimp, since the bullets tend to walk out of the cases and bind the cylinder. I get good results with PMC, Remington, and stuff like Talons. Winchesters tend to "walk" on me.

This is a really fun gun to shoot, though muzzel flash can be bad at dawn or dusk. I shoot a lot of single actions (Italian Peacemakers), so the ammunition is always around for practice -- again heavy crimp! :cool:
 
I think you're going to have a hard time getting a dedicated SD gun that is fun to shoot. A short barrel 357 loaded with light 38s are still gonna have a fairly sharp recoil and a loud report.

Good luck in your search and let us know what you get.
 
Some - perhaps a lot- of people don't think it's enough for SD, but if I had a 3" .22 Magnum, I'd test a few different ammo brands for expansion and penetration, and think I'd be perfectly comfortable carrying one of them.

Should be easy to carry and fun to shoot- except for the noise!

J
 
The S&W 649 is a GREAT little CCW revolver. it's 1/8" longer than the J-frame 38, and much more versatile. Single or double action. This one even laces comfortably into the top of my Danner Rainforest boot.

I bought this one five years ago for $369, I don't know what it retails for today.

attachment.php
 
For a .38 Spec launcher, I chose a Colt Detective Special.

6 shot, light weight, fun to shoot.

I don't have a .357 2"-3" yet.

Leftside.jpg


Brian
 
Glock 26 9mm in a pocket holster. Tempted to get a 40 cal, but am used to the 9mm.

Sometime I carry a Kel-Tec .380. Same size as a KT .32, but a bit more stopping power. I like Cor-Bons.

A light .357 revolver would be good also. You can practice all day with .38 loads and switch to .357 loads for carry.

Though the recoil from the heavy 357 loads is substantial, you won't notice it if you gotta stop someone or something ugly, and if you practise with the lighter loads, it shouldn't make much difference in an actual "situation."

Personally I like the flatter shape of a Glock as compared to a revolver.
 
If you want pocket carry, then a 2" steel frame SMith is the way to go. It is not too heavey or large to sit in a good pocket holster, and you will forget it is there.
I would not consider anything lighter or smaller. You won't be able to shoot a lighter (titanium) revolver too well, and that is what is important. I would never buy one of the guns that are meant to look at but not shoot.
If you are going to carry on the belt or in a car, then a Ruger 3" sp101 or a larger 2 1/2 or 3" barrel Smith revolver is the way to go. I have a Ruger, but would be just as happy with a 3" Smith in a small revolver. A Ruger will last forever.
If it is a car gun, then storage space is the only limitation, and a full sized gun is always preferable.
 
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