Revolver For EDC/Concealed Carry

[markiver54]

A big thank you to all for your very valuable input. There are a lot of great suggestions here. I intend to do my research and price some of the options mentioned.
Unfortunately, my choice would largely be price driven due to some recent financial setbacks. I hope I'm able to do it at all.

There is never a good time for these kinds of injuries, but the timing of this one has proven to be particularly bad. Much of the work that needs to be done up at the cottage has been put on hold. I feel like a caged animal...BUMMER!

BTW, if anybody is wondering how the accident happened; I was preparing to grill out next door at Carol's house and slipped on the wet concrete steps of her porch. They are painted sooo, add water and they become dangerous. My left hand took all of my weight. I guess it could have been worse though. Stupid me for not being more careful. Oh, I was carrying a Smokey Joe grill at the time to go empty it before making a new fire. Needless to say, it got emptied very quickly. Just not where I intended.

Again, thank you to all. I will follow up IF and when I make a decision.

[Hatchdog]

Hope your hand heals up and you can use it like normal Mark. I carry a Ruger LCRX in 38 special. It was one of the first ones to come out. I put a fiber optic front sight on mine. It has a good double action trigger pull on it. I carry it in my front pocket. They are lightweight and I carry a strip in my pocket that holds 5 extra rounds. They make it in 22 mag and 327 also and with those calibers you get 6 rounds. Like my 38 alot

+1 on on the LCR. I have had both S&W Airweights and a couple of these LCR’s and much prefer the Ruger. Better trigger for sure. Mine is in the 327 Fed Mag and as Al said it has a six round capacity. With the Bianchi speed strip I carry that’s 12 rounds available. Mine is the X model with the external hammer. My thought is if I ever needed to take an aimed controlled shot at a greater distance the single action trigger would help.

Another consideration would be the S&W Shield 9mm with the EZE feature. I understand this model has a nice easy slide. But, I have never handled one so no personnel experience to share.

[BrokenolMarine]

I broke my left wrist attempting to break my fall, when unloading the rr ties to build my range. The range project was delayed over a year. I feel your pain brother.

[North Country Gal]

Mark, given your financial situation, I think an obvious solution is to shop used. Just let us know if you have questions when and if you see something that might work for you.

A big shout out to Gunnygene for his help on that slide racker. I think it's well worth a try.

[daytime dave]

Mark, sorry to hear of your misfortune. A family friend of mine has a Smith and Wesson EZ semi auto pistol in .380. Apparently it is very easy to rack, hence the name. You may want to go to a shop and examine all the potential specimens before your purchase.
My friend has been shooting a while and she really likes how "easy" that S&W is for her. You may also want to wear a stiff belt and try racking the action with your good hand by placing the rear sight on the top of the belt. It works for others. You might need to practice with snap caps for a while for it to get easier.

[markiver54]

Mark, given your financial situation, I think an obvious solution is to shop used. Just let us know if you have questions when and if you see something that might work for you.

A big shout out to Gunnygene for his help on that slide racker. I think it's well worth a try.

Thank you, Joanie, we are heading back up to the cottage this weekend and my favorite gun store is up there. He has lots of used handguns. You are right. I may have to go the used route. And yes! a BIG shout out to Gunnygene. A PM is on the way.

[GunnyGene]

Another consideration would be the S&W Shield 9mm with the EZE feature. I understand this model has a nice easy slide. But, I have never handled one so no personnel experience to share.

I have one of S&W EZ's in 9mm. Don't much care for it. Tends to pinch my finger on the reset. Loaded chamber pop up indicator. Has manual thumb safety as well as a grip safety like a 1911, but unless you grip it just right it won't fire. Field stripping is ok, but the spring guide rod is oval shaped and the flats have to be exactly vertical to get the slide back on. As for racking the slide it's not a whole lot easier than any other 9mm. Has about a 9lb spring. My late wife had trouble racking it(arthritis). Sights are typical white dot. Comes with a 8rnd single stack easy load mag. Shoots ok is about all I can say about it. Around $500.

A little bigger and about 2oz heavier than my Sig P365 when both are fully loaded.

[markiver54]

I've been doing a bit of research prior to going up to the cottage and looking at what my favorite gun store has to offer used.

If I were to purchase new which is still questionable in terms of affordability, it looks like the Taurus 605 357 defender, or their 856 in 38 MIGHT be within reach. Maybe I could even find one of those used. From what I'm seeing, new is in the $400.00 range so maybe used could be about half that.
I have not been one to buy junk in the past and not suggesting that these Taurus revolvers are. The ones I already own are S&W and Ruger but YouTube videos I've seen, (for what they're worth), say they are pretty good quality...any thoughts? After all, it would primarily be an EDC and not for target shooting.
BrokenolMarine mentioned the 856 I believe.

[BrokenolMarine]

Miss Tina's 856 shoots well, even before the trigger job, but easier afterward. She has been carrying it a lot, and likes it. I carry that Smith 340 357 but, I do call it the Beast for a reason, and the scandium guns are pricey. ($750 - $1,000+) I also carry the Smith 642 Airweight 5 Shot hammerless. It's snappy with +p ammo being so light, and if you can find them they are pretty pricey as well. We were seeing $550 - $650 for basic models when they had them, and no chance of a deal, because they SELL.

[Hatchdog]

I bought a Taurus for my wife to have as a nightstand gun but the trigger was so stiff that she could not fire it. I ended up selling it and getting her a Ruger LCR. I liked the feature of having a six shot cylinder. Really, if this revolver is for you the trigger on the 856 will not be an issue. Not a match gun but that’s not its intention. Maybe look at the stiff trigger as an additional safety feature???? If you have any type of firearms selling web site nearby that is a great place to shop. Just this week on our local site a Smith Airweight that was a bit rough cosmetically but functioned fine sold for $350.