Good revolvers to carry

[JayZuv]

Well, within the next week or two I should finally be receiving my Concealed Carry license (required to own handguns in NYS), and I am wondering if any of you carry revolvers, and if so, which ones do you suggest? I've been looking at the Kimber K6s, but I haven't shot a Kimber before and have found people to have mixed opinions on them. Thoughts/Suggestions?

[JEBar]

we like the Smith J-frames .... with or without an exposed hammer

[Mistered]

we like the Smith J-frames

Gotta like a 'J' frame.
I carry a 2" mod 60 for 'informal' neighborhood/local carry and a 4" Mod 66 for woods & other outdoor situations.
The Kimber seems to have good reviews but they are no better than a Smith and a lot more money.
Personally I am not a fan of 'hammerless' revolvers so for me the Kimber is not a consideration

[GunnyGene]

Another vote for a J-frame, if you're looking only at proven reliable wheel guns. I have a Model 60-10 (.357/.38).

Some advise: Get a decent belt & holster to go with it, not some el-cheapo rig. Also, wheel guns don't usually lend themselves to IWB holsters, so most folks will use a OWB.

Personally, I prefer DiamondD holsters&belts https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/ , but there are many other fine rigs. Just get something that fits you and your gun well and comfortably, and is easy to draw and reholster - don't compromise over a few dollars.

[Mistered]

Good grips are essential on a 'J' frame as well.
I have the Pachmyar Diamond Pro on mine and they turned it into a whole new gun.
I can shoot it very accurately and comfortably with them.

[BrokenolMarine]

I have the smith model M&P 340. This scandium framed five shot 357 is a wolf in sheeps clothing, and is my summer carry gun. It weighs nothing, about 11.5 ounces. It is an easy carry. I nicknamed it, "The Beast."

Yeah, it weighs nothing. Loaded with full power 357 magnum ammo, it is unpleasant to shoot, painful even. But getting shot, stabbed, or beaten would be more unpleasant. I practice with 38 special, and 38 +p ammo, which isn't a problem, actually very pleasant to shoot... If you wanted to carry this with a Federal LSWCHP +p+ you wouldn't be bad off and the gun is a featherweight.

At the end of the session I always shoot a cylinder of 357, (cause a real man does that, ) to make sure I know it's putting them center mass. That stings, a lot. (My hand and wrist file an OSHA complaint.) Yup, it's a Beast, but easy to carry, and powerful enough to do the job if needed. Fully loaded, you could forget it's there, until you need it. And remember, in the heat of the emergency, you won't even notice the recoil.

6 rapid 340.jpg

The other GOOD thing about this model is you can find them used with just five rounds or less fired. I bought mine that way... The original owner bought it, shot five rounds, traded it on a .380. My guy at the gun shop said the owner said it hurt too much to shoot, and if he was going shoot standard 38s, he may as well just buy an auto.

It comes with a big dot tritium front sight. (Nice.). I added Smith and Wesson Rosewood grips for a larger grip surface. Helped a good bit, and looks good. I like hammerless. Give it a look.
I carry the little gun and two Bianchi Speed Strips with 6 357 rounds in each in an old cell phone belt case. No one gives them a second glance.

new smith and wesson round butt boot grips.jpg

7 340 big dot.jpg

[wingnut]

Ruger LCR in 9mm:

https://ruger.com/products/lcr/specSheets/5456.html

Pros:
Very light
Can be equivalent to 38 Special +P
Can feed/eject individual rounds or use with 5 round moon clips (act as mini-speed loader/unloader)
Aftermarket larger grips

Cons:
Double action only
Not all metal
Poor rear sight

[North Country Gal]

I've owned and shot over a dozen Smith J frames over the years, vintage and new production alike, standard and PC versions, Airlight, Scandium and so forth. Always a solid choice, so not putting them down.

I've also owned several of the Kimbers and my opinion is that they are a better finished gun than the Smiths, externally and internally. That's a subjective call, of course, but I didn't go with the Kimbers for that reason. I spent the money on the Kimbers because of their excellent DA triggers. Have never handled one yet that didn't have an excellent trigger, but have handled some new production J frames with triggers that did not live up to the Smith rep.

Have yet to test a Kimber with a rough scratchy action, but have with some of the new Smiths.

More importantly, I spent the money on the Kimbers for their excellent fixed sights, sights that are large and very easy to see. These are a HUGE improvement over the traditional fixed gutter sights of the Smith J frames in terms of use. The Kimber rear sight is also drift adjustable for windage, unlike the simple gutter on the Smiths, and replaceable, as is the Kimber front sight. Since I carry a revolver in our dark woods, this is a very important feature. Standard fixed sight setups on the J frames and even their adjustable sight setups are all but worthless for my application.

K6s sights


As for being only available in DAO, not so. Last year Kimber added a DA/SA version, which I very much prefer for a woods carry gun for defense and protection against 4 legged predators. This is important enough to me that I traded my DAO Kimber for the new DA/SA version with the hammer. This version retains the same excellent DA pull, but now gives me an also excellent SA pull.


Also note you get 6 shots with the Kimber, not the 5 you get with the Smith J frames or Ruger SP


All the Kimbers I've shot (3) have been very accurate, both the 2" and 3" barrel versions. These were shot with my previous 3" barrel version, all in DA, of course, since that was a DAO version





Is it all gravy with the K6s? No, not when shooting full power 357 loads and, especially, not with those 180 grain bear loads. Recoil is stout, but 357 recoil will be stout in any similarly sized gun. An airlight or scandium J frame 357 will be worse, I promise you.

Not much available for aftermarket grips on the Kimber (especially for the new DA/SA version, because that version takes different grips than the DAO versions). If the Kimber fits your hand, well, like it does mine, no problem. If not, you might want to look at another gun.

Let me also add that the Kimber is a more modern design and a more robust design than the Smith J frame. No tiny frame screws to loose or break (have had it happen on a Smith J frame). In that respect, the Kimber has more in common with the Ruger SP, though it is still a lighter gun than the Ruger SP.

Lastly, yes, it's expensive, but it has features that make it the best choice for my use and that's why I carry it.

[Mistered]

Last year Kimber added a DA/SA version

I was unaware of this and a good idea on Kimber's part.

Another great gun is the Ruger SP-101. Essentially similar in size to a "J' frame Smith but with some nice variations.
The 4" version can be had with adjsutable sight that can be changed to suit your preferences.

I have always wanted a 3" SP-101 with adjustable sights but they are fixed only on the 3". I have passed on a couple 4" with adjsutable sights and wish I hadn't.

[Mags]

.
I think my step dad has the Ruger SP-101 in .38spl. He swears by it.

[Rifletom]

Mags, that would be my choice: Ruger SP 101 in .357/.38spl 2 or 4" barrel.

[BrokenolMarine]

The last piece of advice I will offer is this...

If you intend to ONLY carry when you THINK you might need something to carry... choose based on that. If you think you will carry all the time, choose based on that. With small guns, most folks carry a lot and shoot very little... unless you are a real shooter and shoot what you carry a lot. You might be surprised how many don't. As a long time firearms instructor... I, sadly, know.

Size and weight matters.

You'll think it is a minor consideration in the gun shop. Then, after a couple weeks ... you'll look at the rig on the dresser and think, I'm only running to the store, just a few minutes, and if the gun and/or rig isn't comfortable, weighs you down... You might find it easy to tell yourself, I don't really need to haul that out with me.

If you are going to have to make do with ONE gun year round.... as the Knight told Indy ... "Choose Wisely."

I carry the MP340 in the heat of the Summer (or a Glock 26) as the destination dictates.
In colder weather I might go with a Glock 23 for a larger slightly more accurate platform.
My favorite carry package, when the weather and clothing allows... is my venerable SIG P220 45 in the Miami Classic shoulder rig.
Heavy? Not too bad, but it's a full size duty 45. You can't take off the jacket or the flannel over shirt at least. It is accurate to 25 yards and packs a punch even at 25 yards.

[daytime dave]

Further down in this handguns category is a subject titled "My new EDC gun". It is my new Smith and Wesson 640 Pro Series. It's a J frame .357. It's a five shot. I have a Mika pocket holster for it. I use the full moon clips that the cylinder is bored for it. I carry it with Speer Gold dot 130 gr +P .38 rounds in it. I have a Bianchi speed strip of .357 158 gr soft tips in the other front pocket if I have to reload.
It isn't bad to shoot with magnums. The full size tritium night sights allow me to hit the inner diameter of a standard paper plate, double action at 25 yds with 38s, 38+Ps, or .357 magnums. (It has the internal hammer, so it is double action only) I did add a TK drop in spring kit and the action became much better. So VERY much better in fact.

[JayZuv]

Sounds like the J frame is the tried and true favorite! I suppose now Its between that and the K6s, and thanks NCG for the great review on it. I'm looking for something I can carry in the woods and just for edc, so the DA/SA model sounds great for that. I suppose my best bet is to find one of each nearby and handle them to compare. Of course, regardless of what I choose I'll soon find an excuse for needing another. I appreciate everyone's suggestions! I'm just a youngin and I learn a lot from everyone here

[Shakey Jake]

I have the smith model M&P 340. This scandium framed five shot 357 is a wolf in sheeps clothing, and is my summer carry gun. It weighs nothing, about 11.5 ounces. It is an easy carry. I nicknamed it, "The Beast."

Yeah, it weighs nothing. Loaded with full power 357 magnum ammo, it is unpleasant to shoot, painful even. But getting shot, stabbed, or beaten would be more unpleasant. I practice with 38 special, and 38 +p ammo, which isn't a problem, actually very pleasant to shoot... If you wanted to carry this with a Federal LSWCHP +p+ you wouldn't be bad off and the gun is a featherweight.

At the end of the session I always shoot a cylinder of 357, (cause a real man does that, ) to make sure I know it's putting them center mass. That stings, a lot. (My hand and wrist file an OSHA complaint.) Yup, it's a Beast, but easy to carry, and powerful enough to do the job if needed. Fully loaded, you could forget it's there, until you need it. And remember, in the heat of the emergency, you won't even notice the recoil.


6 rapid 340.jpg



The other GOOD thing about this model is you can find them used with just five rounds or less fired. I bought mine that way... The original owner bought it, shot five rounds, traded it on a .380. My guy at the gun shop said the owner said it hurt too much to shoot, and if he was going shoot standard 38s, he may as well just buy an auto.

It comes with a big dot tritium front sight. (Nice.). I added Smith and Wesson Rosewood grips for a larger grip surface. Helped a good bit, and looks good. I like hammerless. Give it a look.
I carry the little gun and two Bianchi Speed Strips with 6 357 rounds in each in an old cell phone belt case. No one gives them a second glance.


new smith and wesson round butt boot grips.jpg
7 340 big dot.jpg

I've got the same revolver with the CT laser grip. I carried it so much it looks like hell.

[Shakey Jake]

Here's a pic of my S&W 340. Lots of wear on it.

[North Country Gal]

You are very welcome, JayZuv. Lots of great choices in these posts. Let us know how it goes making yours.

[Mistered]

My M-60 no dash with the Diamond Pro grips.
These are literally the best revolver grips I have ever used and I wish they were made for a "K" frame as well.
As such they give a 'J' frame a 'K' frame 'feel'.

IMG_1736[1].JPG

[BrokenolMarine]

When Miss Tina and I first met, she had a model 60 tucked between her seats. I was pretty sure she was "the one.". Unfortunately , that gun was stolen during an interrupted break in when we came home early from an overnight trip to Quantico. The thief ran from the house as we drove up, leaving behind everything, but the one handgun. All the others we in the safe, but plenty of other stuff was prepped to go.

We had new security doors, new locks, and a comprehensive alarm system installed. Plus cameras. Never needed them before... But... Thieves take more than property. They steal your peace of mind.

No real problems since... Word got out.

[Ridgerunner665]

One of my carry guns is a 3 inch Ruger SP101 in 357 mag...I like it just fine, shoots straight... and can take all the hot 357 ammo I care to put through it.

But if I'm being honest....my wife's Smith model 60 is a better carry gun...its less bulky and just feels better in the hand.