Perfect carry revolver?
- Thread starter Alan
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duane_wade
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- Jun 29, 2025
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My favorite wheel gun to carry is a Smith& Wesson 360 Airweight in 357 Magnum. The little five shot revolver is quite accurate and is not too bad with recoil with hogue monogrips and shooting 125 grain bullets around 1200 fps.
What used to be my everyday wheel gun was my Dan Wesson 15-2. With back problems it became too heavy to carry everyday
What used to be my everyday wheel gun was my Dan Wesson 15-2. With back problems it became too heavy to carry everyday
"…and what makes it your top choice?"
I guess I skipped that part. Let me correct that, but it's gonna take a lot more words.
First, I'll state that my choice of the Model 65 is based on anything except pocket and ankle carry. In that case, the 65 is too big. Other than pocket or ankle, if I can carry a small J-frame, I can carry a medium frame and have an easier to shoot gun.
So, why the 65?
1) It's a K-frame (medium) Smith and Wesson.
1a) The S&W K frame is that not too big, not too small size; big enough for six rounds of 38/357 and little more.
1b) K frames have excellent triggers unless you happen to get the odd exception.
1c) One plus to a revolver is grip choice. You can find a grip to suit almost everyone. The K frame has been in production for over 125 years, The L-frame shares the same grip size. I would guess grip choices are more plentiful for K frame S&Ws than anything out there except maybe 1911s.
1d) It's similar with finding soeedloaders, holsters, and other accessories. Being the top choice for police for 80+ years means there is plenty of support gear out there.
2) It's chambered in .357 Magnum, the closest to a universal revolver chambering. It can also use .38 Special. Between those two, you have a wealth of ammo choices. Truth be told, when I carry a 65, I almost always load it with .38 Spl +P ammo, but it is nice to have the .357 option.
If you will never shoot or load .357 Magnum, the S&W model 64 is the .38 Special option to the 65 (more or less).
3) It's made from stainless steel. More resistance to sweat corrosion when carried close to the body.
If you don't want or don't care about stainless, the S&W model 13 is the same gun in blued steel to double your choices.
4) Fixed sights. Some may argue with that being a plus, but they are much more rugged than adjustable sights and are snag-free.
Notes, exceptions, substitutions, etc:
If you don't plan on carrying anything more than standard pressure .38 Spl, or only shooting a minimum of .38 +P, here's another option:
The S&W Model 12.
The 12 is one many people don't even know about. It is a K frame .38 Spl with an aluminum alloy frame, weighing around 19.5oz with a 2" barrel or 21oz with a 4". Only 5 ounces more than the little J frame, it is a much easier to shoot gun.
I love the Model 12.
If you need smaller than a K frame and have to go with the J frames, I like the 442/642.
This is the Airweight (aluminum alloy frame) .38 Spl with an enclosed hammer. All shots are fired double action.
I guess I skipped that part. Let me correct that, but it's gonna take a lot more words.
First, I'll state that my choice of the Model 65 is based on anything except pocket and ankle carry. In that case, the 65 is too big. Other than pocket or ankle, if I can carry a small J-frame, I can carry a medium frame and have an easier to shoot gun.
So, why the 65?
1) It's a K-frame (medium) Smith and Wesson.
1a) The S&W K frame is that not too big, not too small size; big enough for six rounds of 38/357 and little more.
1b) K frames have excellent triggers unless you happen to get the odd exception.
1c) One plus to a revolver is grip choice. You can find a grip to suit almost everyone. The K frame has been in production for over 125 years, The L-frame shares the same grip size. I would guess grip choices are more plentiful for K frame S&Ws than anything out there except maybe 1911s.
1d) It's similar with finding soeedloaders, holsters, and other accessories. Being the top choice for police for 80+ years means there is plenty of support gear out there.
2) It's chambered in .357 Magnum, the closest to a universal revolver chambering. It can also use .38 Special. Between those two, you have a wealth of ammo choices. Truth be told, when I carry a 65, I almost always load it with .38 Spl +P ammo, but it is nice to have the .357 option.
If you will never shoot or load .357 Magnum, the S&W model 64 is the .38 Special option to the 65 (more or less).
3) It's made from stainless steel. More resistance to sweat corrosion when carried close to the body.
If you don't want or don't care about stainless, the S&W model 13 is the same gun in blued steel to double your choices.
4) Fixed sights. Some may argue with that being a plus, but they are much more rugged than adjustable sights and are snag-free.
Notes, exceptions, substitutions, etc:
If you don't plan on carrying anything more than standard pressure .38 Spl, or only shooting a minimum of .38 +P, here's another option:
The S&W Model 12.
The 12 is one many people don't even know about. It is a K frame .38 Spl with an aluminum alloy frame, weighing around 19.5oz with a 2" barrel or 21oz with a 4". Only 5 ounces more than the little J frame, it is a much easier to shoot gun.
I love the Model 12.
If you need smaller than a K frame and have to go with the J frames, I like the 442/642.
This is the Airweight (aluminum alloy frame) .38 Spl with an enclosed hammer. All shots are fired double action.
Hard to beat the "new" king Cobra. Checks all the box's for me.
Frontiersman
Well-known member
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- Jul 6, 2025
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- 58
I like a 3” model 60 myself.
dekeshooter
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- Jul 12, 2025
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For summertime pocket carry, it’s either a vintage Colt Cobra or a S&W Model 36. In cooler weather it’s either going to be a 3” Smith & Wesson M65 Lady Smith or a 4” Model 13 round butt carried OWB in a pancake holster. If I’m feeling like something bigger I will put my S&W 24-3 or 28-2 in a shoulder holster.
INS&WGuy722
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- Jul 23, 2025
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I love my S&W 686-3 2.5" .357 mag mfg. around 1989. It is so heavy you'd think it was made of tungsten or rare earth magnets but somehow it is perfectly balanced and not too bad on recoil even with full house mags (with FBI load 158 gr 38s it's a nail driver). In an Azula leather IWB or Sticky holster it is pretty comfortable to carry. I also pocket carry my S&W M38 (no dash) bodyguard nickel air weight circa 1983. It is my go-to summer pocket carry/b.u.g.
Attachments
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- Jul 15, 2025
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I have two and it depends on dress and were I'm going. S&W 37 and SA 911
Billybob44
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- Sep 13, 2025
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- 39
This time of the year=S&W 442 No Lock for ease and comfort.
When jacket weather, S&W Model 66 4",
Although, with jacket, probably a Glock of some sort?? HA.HA..Bill
When jacket weather, S&W Model 66 4",
Although, with jacket, probably a Glock of some sort?? HA.HA..Bill
David Hartman
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- Sep 8, 2025
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- 1
View attachment 1000013691.jpg
S&W 686+ 3" Talo 3-5-7 Edition.
S&W 686+ 3" Talo 3-5-7 Edition.
I really want one of those (I'd shoot .32 Mag in it) but they sure do get a few dollars.
Once I got over the LCR's looks and got one (9mm), I had to get another (.22). Getting past the looks, I really appreciate them. Great triggers, good sights.
Much like the Kimber K6s, I wish they also made a larger, K-frame, version.
Billybob44
Active member
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- Sep 13, 2025
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- 39
For the most part, S&W pretty much has the market on revolvers=Carry or range use.
For the DIY people like me, we can source parts easy on the S&W's also.
I have over the years got a lot of springs, hammers, triggers, and the like from Flea-Bay and other places.
NOT so much for Ruger...Ever try to buy a hammer or trigger for a SP-101 or GP-100??==Next to impossible!!
No listings that I could find for Ruger, and if you go to Ruger Mfg., they want you to send in the gun for them to fit in the parts.
Edit: I did find the Site-Everygunparts.com==You can buy complete revolvers-cheap, with the frames cut up..
I once had had a hammerless SP-101, in .357 that I tried to locate a spur hammer for==Never did find a full size hammer for that one, and ended up trading it off...Bill
For the DIY people like me, we can source parts easy on the S&W's also.
I have over the years got a lot of springs, hammers, triggers, and the like from Flea-Bay and other places.
NOT so much for Ruger...Ever try to buy a hammer or trigger for a SP-101 or GP-100??==Next to impossible!!
No listings that I could find for Ruger, and if you go to Ruger Mfg., they want you to send in the gun for them to fit in the parts.
Edit: I did find the Site-Everygunparts.com==You can buy complete revolvers-cheap, with the frames cut up..
I once had had a hammerless SP-101, in .357 that I tried to locate a spur hammer for==Never did find a full size hammer for that one, and ended up trading it off...Bill
Billybob44
Active member
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- Sep 13, 2025
- Messages
- 39
The only problem with those short barrels is the lack of complete "Burn" of the powders.
You just cannot get the speed out of the projectiles..Bill.
Edit: This is the reason that most States require 4" or more barrel lengths on handguns for Deer hunting.
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