Perfect carry revolver?
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
duane_wade
Member
- Joined
- 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.
