Which of these revolvers for carry?

Elliottsdad · January 30, 2018, 12:58 PM

Moved some inventory recently, and with the funds I'm somewhat considering adding a wheelgun to the carry rotation. It's been awhile since I've had a double action, but I'm not a complete revolver noob, and I have a few developed opinions. With that being said:
These are what I'm considering for OWB carry/protection/range fun (but mostly carry). Which would you go for? Why?
Thanks for the input and take care!

mk70ss · January 30, 2018, 01:08 PM

Ruger SP101 2 1/2 inch barrel .357 5 shot

Rothdel · January 30, 2018, 01:22 PM

Ruger LCR .327 6 shot

Cheapshooter · January 30, 2018, 01:36 PM

Just wait until Ruger offers a LCRx 327 Federal Magnum with a 3" barrel.

HighValleyRanch · January 30, 2018, 01:37 PM

^^^^^^
I heard that they are coming out with the .357 version of the 3" first before the .327!

boatbum101 · January 30, 2018, 03:29 PM

S&W 13 or 65 3" K frame round butt . 357 mag with either the Rem 125 GS or Buffalo Bore 20A 38 special 158GCLHP .

Model12Win · January 30, 2018, 03:57 PM

S&W Model 627, the "Blood Work Gun", 8-shot .357 snub cut for moon clips.

lamarw · January 30, 2018, 06:00 PM

I sometimes carry on my person S&W J or K frames. Whereas I love my Model 686 4" barrel it is a little heavy for my personal carry.

I do at times have heavier firearms for concealed carry but are reserved for glove box carry.

UncleEd · January 30, 2018, 06:25 PM

All of those listed and probably a dozen more.

Whatever you can tie onto your waist, under your
armpit, at your ankle or along your thigh.

Knew a police detective who carried a 6-inch
S&W .44 Mag just like Dirty Harry.

BigJimP · January 30, 2018, 07:24 PM

S&W 627, N frame, 8 shot , .357 Mag....2 5/8" barrel is a better option than the guns on your list...in fact I would say the same gun in a 5" is a good option as well....

Kreyzhorse · January 30, 2018, 07:25 PM

Out of those listed, I opted for the Ruger. 357.

That said, I'd pick up a snub nose Ruger SP .357 or a snub nose S&W Airweight in .38.

**4V50 Gary** · January 30, 2018, 07:43 PM

SP101 in .357 magnum. First, I am in bear and cat country. Second, I don't want something heavyweight like a full size revolver (GP100).

2damnold4this · January 30, 2018, 07:49 PM

If I carry a revolver concealed, it's almost always a S&W 342 in .38 Special. If it's gonna be a heavier revolver, it's a K6s in .357.

wnycollector · January 30, 2018, 08:01 PM

For everyday carry, I would pick up a 4" S&W Model 12. It's a full sized K frame that carries like an airweight...because it is

Eddietruett · January 30, 2018, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatbum101

S&W 13 or 65 3" K frame round butt . 357 mag with either the Rem 125 GS or Buffalo Bore 20A 38 special 158GCLHP .

Could not agree more with boatbum101. My 65 with 3” Barrel is my go to gun.

BluRidgDav · January 30, 2018, 08:35 PM

I voted for the S&W 60 3" .357 for two reasons:
(1) I sometimes carry one under the conditions described by the OP.
(2) It is the lightest revolver listed, that can fire .357 ammo comfortably.
When you carry a gun on a regular basis, weight is always a factor.

Model12Win · January 30, 2018, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJimP

S&W 627, N frame, 8 shot , .357 Mag....2 5/8" barrel is a better option than the guns on your list...in fact I would say the same gun in a 5" is a good option as well....

+1

Blood Work Gun.

lee n. field · January 30, 2018, 09:30 PM

New model S&W Model 66, the 2.?? inch barrel version.

.45 Vet · January 30, 2018, 10:36 PM

Look for a used 3" or 4" Ruger Service Six.

Model12Win · January 30, 2018, 10:48 PM

Or a Speed Six.

ThomasT · January 30, 2018, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Or a Speed Six.

Probably the best suggestion so far. I had one but didn't realize what I had and sold it many years ago. Just a good, basic no nonsense gun.

If it is belt carry then you can carry a pretty big gun comfortably. Its all about the belt and the holster. It looks like from your selections you are wanting a 357. But if a 38 would work a 2.5" model 10 or even just the Plain Jane 4" model 10 with a tapered barrel. I have a model 65 S&W 357 with 4" barrel that was a police turn in that would also work. And its in 357 mag.

I spent some time last winter checking my buds cows and running fences and wore a 4" GP-100 while doing so. I had a good belt on and never noticed the gun on my hip. I expected to be tired of it but it never bothered me at all.

PatientWolf · January 31, 2018, 06:00 AM

For outside the waistband, I'd go for the GP-100 or 686 with a 4-5" barrel. Since in your poll, you listed the GP-100 with that length, there went my vote. If you want a slightly lighter option, the SP-101 would get my vote.

I'd prefer the .357 myself just because ammo is probably more readily available on the shelf anywhere.

If you were to change to IWB, I'd vote differently, of course.

Scoits · January 31, 2018, 07:13 AM

Have to imput IMO. I would vote for a 327 pd if owb is the carry method.not a 357 but reduced loads can be used.

Grant D · January 31, 2018, 08:23 AM

I carry the Smith and Wesson j frame model 66 on my belt.And sometimes a k frame model 10

Real Gun · January 31, 2018, 08:32 AM

I avoided the "Other" because I thought the S&W Model 60 a pretty good choice, although small .357s are reloader's guns in my opinion, else they are 38 Specials pretending to be manly magnums. That gun is way lighter than other choices, or the SP101 options have barrels longer than I would pick. I have a 4" SP101 in 327, but wouldn't carry 327 Federal without reloading subsonic ammo. I choose not to use 32 H&R but some might choose that option too.

My 3 inch SP101 is a half pound lighter than my 3" GP100, each loaded. The GP puts me in the area of needing suspenders, and the SW686 would be about the same.

View Poll Results: Which of these for OWB carry
Ruger SP101 .357 mag (5 shot) 4.2" bbl	15	12.93%
Ruger SP101 .327 Fed mag (6 shot) 4.2" bbl	8	6.90%
Ruger GP100 .357 mag (7 shot) 4.2" bbl	11	9.48%
S&W 686+ .357 mag (7 shot) 3" bbl	20	17.24%
S&W 60 .357 mag (5 shot) 3" bbl	31	26.72%
Other (please specify)	31	26.72%
Voters: 116. You may not vote on this poll

January 30, 2018, 12:58 PM	#1
Elliottsdad Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Location: Glenwood, Iowa Posts: 238	Which of these revolvers for carry? Moved some inventory recently, and with the funds I'm somewhat considering adding a wheelgun to the carry rotation. It's been awhile since I've had a double action, but I'm not a complete revolver noob, and I have a few developed opinions. With that being said: These are what I'm considering for OWB carry/protection/range fun (but mostly carry). Which would you go for? Why? Thanks for the input and take care!

January 30, 2018, 01:08 PM	#2
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Ruger SP101 2 1/2 inch barrel .357 5 shot __________________ Say when.....

January 30, 2018, 01:36 PM	#4
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Just wait until Ruger offers a LCRx 327 Federal Magnum with a 3" barrel. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 30, 2018, 01:37 PM	#5
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,066	^^^^^^ I heard that they are coming out with the .357 version of the 3" first before the .327! __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

January 30, 2018, 01:22 PM	#3
Rothdel Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2015 Posts: 190	Ruger LCR .327 6 shot

January 30, 2018, 03:29 PM	#6
boatbum101 Junior Member Join Date: January 25, 2018 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 14	S&W 13 or 65 3" K frame round butt . 357 mag with either the Rem 125 GS or Buffalo Bore 20A 38 special 158GCLHP .

January 30, 2018, 03:57 PM	#7
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	S&W Model 627, the "Blood Work Gun", 8-shot .357 snub cut for moon clips.

January 30, 2018, 06:00 PM	#8
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I sometimes carry on my person S&W J or K frames. Whereas I love my Model 686 4" barrel it is a little heavy for my personal carry. I do at times have heavier firearms for concealed carry but are reserved for glove box carry.

January 30, 2018, 06:25 PM	#9
UncleEd Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2013 Location: N. Georgia Posts: 1,150	All of those listed and probably a dozen more. Whatever you can tie onto your waist, under your armpit, at your ankle or along your thigh. Knew a police detective who carried a 6-inch S&W .44 Mag just like Dirty Harry.

January 30, 2018, 07:24 PM	#10
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	S&W 627, N frame, 8 shot , .357 Mag....2 5/8" barrel is a better option than the guns on your list...in fact I would say the same gun in a 5" is a good option as well....

January 30, 2018, 07:25 PM	#11
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Out of those listed, I opted for the Ruger. 357. That said, I'd pick up a snub nose Ruger SP .357 or a snub nose S&W Airweight in .38. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 30, 2018, 07:43 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	SP101 in .357 magnum. First, I am in bear and cat country. Second, I don't want something heavyweight like a full size revolver (GP100). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

January 30, 2018, 07:49 PM	#13
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	If I carry a revolver concealed, it's almost always a S&W 342 in .38 Special. If it's gonna be a heavier revolver, it's a K6s in .357.

January 30, 2018, 08:01 PM	#14
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	For everyday carry, I would pick up a 4" S&W Model 12. It's a full sized K frame that carries like an airweight...because it is __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

January 30, 2018, 08:35 PM	#16
BluRidgDav Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 314	I voted for the S&W 60 3" .357 for two reasons: (1) I sometimes carry one under the conditions described by the OP. (2) It is the lightest revolver listed, that can fire .357 ammo comfortably. When you carry a gun on a regular basis, weight is always a factor. __________________ Watch your top-knot.

January 30, 2018, 09:30 PM	#18
lee n. field Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: The same state as Mordor. Posts: 5,569	New model S&W Model 66, the 2.?? inch barrel version. __________________ "As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

January 30, 2018, 10:36 PM	#19
.45 Vet Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Location: Western Penn. Posts: 387	Look for a used 3" or 4" Ruger Service Six. __________________ For those who've never fought for it, the price of freedom shall never be known...

January 30, 2018, 10:48 PM	#20
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	Or a Speed Six.

January 31, 2018, 06:00 AM	#22
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 947	For outside the waistband, I'd go for the GP-100 or 686 with a 4-5" barrel. Since in your poll, you listed the GP-100 with that length, there went my vote. If you want a slightly lighter option, the SP-101 would get my vote. I'd prefer the .357 myself just because ammo is probably more readily available on the shelf anywhere. If you were to change to IWB, I'd vote differently, of course.

January 31, 2018, 07:13 AM	#23
Scoits Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2017 Posts: 178	Have to imput IMO. I would vote for a 327 pd if owb is the carry method.not a 357 but reduced loads can be used.

January 31, 2018, 08:23 AM	#24
Grant D Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Location: Brazos County, Texas Posts: 1,038	I carry the Smith and Wesson j frame model 66 on my belt.And sometimes a k frame model 10

January 31, 2018, 08:32 AM	#25
Real Gun Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2004 Location: SC Posts: 2,743	I avoided the "Other" because I thought the S&W Model 60 a pretty good choice, although small .357s are reloader's guns in my opinion, else they are 38 Specials pretending to be manly magnums. That gun is way lighter than other choices, or the SP101 options have barrels longer than I would pick. I have a 4" SP101 in 327, but wouldn't carry 327 Federal without reloading subsonic ammo. I choose not to use 32 H&R but some might choose that option too. My 3 inch SP101 is a half pound lighter than my 3" GP100, each loaded. The GP puts me in the area of needing suspenders, and the SW686 would be about the same. __________________ Not an expert, just a reporter.