What revolver do you recommend for concealed carry?
I’ve been looking at the Smith-Wesson Airweight (or any J-frame really) for concealed carry.
A few questions regarding this:
What are other good brand/models to look at in comparison?
How do you feel about a hammer exposed vs. shrouded? (I’m not really interested in the fully enclosed ones)
When buying ammo, has it been easy/difficult for you to find .38SW or .38 Special ammo? (I ask this b/c I find stockpiles of 40SW for my Springfield, yet my brother-in-law can’t find a damn box of 45ACP for his we’re in S.Fl.)
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6 Answers
About the only comparable models to the S&W are Rugers and the older Colts. The old Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special is an excellent piece also.
If you intend to carry it in your pocket, unholstered, the shrouded hammer is a good idea. Otherwise it makes little difference, as SA vs. DA firing within a snubbies effective range is about the same, accuracy-wise. Cocking a shrouded-hammer pistol is clumsy and, with some older models, hazardous (if the firing pin is on the hammer, your thumb slipping could cause an accidental discharge).
The .38 S&W round is an antique with little power, continued in production only because of cheap imported revolvers that will only chamber it. The .38 SPL round should be easy to find, as many people still use police and military surplus revolvers.
I personally wouldn’t carry a small revolver for personal protection. There are so many excellent subcompact 9mm (and larger) semi-autos available; better stopping power and faster reloads.
The .38 SPL round is about the bare minimum power level for self defense. My wife only carried a .380 Walther PPKS because it was the most powerful round she could control rapid-fire with such a short barrel (she weighed less than 100 lbs), Cor-bon ammo made up for some of the .380s weakness. She was also trained to fire 3 round strings and aim for the head (7 yd range and less).
.45 ACP ammo should be easy to find anywhere. Has your BIL been looking in gun shops or just the Wal Mart?
Well the other day we did check Wal-mart and they were barren, but I believe what lead him to go there was that the range didn’t have anything other than re-loads.
Incredible info. Thanks!
Smith & Wesson 442 or 642 Airweights. 38spl +p. No trouble at all getting ammo.
It’s not a revolver but I like the Ruger LCP. .380. It is thinner than my cell phone and fits into a wallet holster by Cutts Custom Leather. Very easy to conceal for CCW.
Probably 200 rounds through it with no misfeeds or jams.
Duh. I just read your details and see you looked at the airweight already. We are both of the same mind.
Smith and Wesson J-frames are a classic design and great guns.
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