all around carry gun?

[boomer92266]

i have a friend here in kentucky that got his conceal license and is looking for an all around carry gun. he is on a fixed income and has been saving and has $650 right now, he wants a gun he can carry concealed but also a gun he can use open carry in the woods hiking and camping. i knew most everyone on here would know more than me on a handgun, i have over 35 years on long guns but only about 8 years with handguns. he also only wants revolvers, thanks for any help.

 

[Valmet]

Since he wants to stick to revolvers I'd say a 4" .357 of some kind, like a Ruger or S&W. .38 target loads for plinking and fun, .38 +P or .357 for SD. A 4" is large enough to be a solid belt gun and just small enough IMO to be concealable, while easier to shoot that a .357 pocket rocket.

 

[GunnyGene]

I think a .38spc/357 with 2"-3" barrel would suit him. My wife has a S&W 60-10 (pre safety) that is easily carried and has enough punch for woods duty. Only 5 rds tho. If he wants 6 or more the game changes. A lightly used similar gun would be well within his budget. he may need separate holsters depending on how he plans to carry concealed, so that can be a additional expense.

 

[RoninPA]

Of course I'm going to say this :shock:

4" Stainless steel Security Six (or Police Service Six or Speed Six for fixed sights) in .357 Mag. For slightly smaller, 3" SP101 in .357 Mag (you give up 1 round - 5 vs 6).

Revolvers are harder to conceal but with the right holster it can be done.

 

[GunnyGene]

I'd also recommend getting a couple speed loaders/strips to go with it.

 

[hittman]

38 Special LCR for me and a few guys I know locally.

Mine has the red fiber optic front site too which is a big help.

 

[bogus bill]

I also vote a DA 3" or 4" .357 or .38 special. I carry a S&W 3" model 36 a lot with a snubbed hammer and also have a 3" S&W model 66-3 357. Another revolver I carry trail riding is a old plain jane 4" s&w m&p. Same as the newer model 10`s.
In short I believe any 3" or 4" .38 or 357 in a smith, colt or ruger is just fine for the requirements given.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Ruger SP-101 - 2", 3", or 4" barrel. A real little tank of a gun.
The 2" barrel is the most concealable, the 4" with sights is a good woods gun and the 3" is in between.
Don't be scared off by the retail price. They can be bought new, including tax and fees, for less than $600 almost anywhere.

http://ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html

 

[COR]

That Smith M69 seems like a solid choice and will carry well with that 2.75" tube. The 4" K or L frame would work nicely too.

 

[s4s4u]

The LCRx with 3" barrel would fit the bill.

 

[Rumrunner]

The LCRx with 3" barrel would fit the bill.

+1 for the LCRx with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. I have it in 22 and in 38. Lightweight for easy carry and the sights help with point of impact for his desired load.

I carry mine in a Simply Rugged holster.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Of course I'm going to say this :shock:

4" Stainless steel Security Six (or Police Service Six or Speed Six for fixed sights) in .357 Mag. For slightly smaller, 3" SP101 in .357 Mag (you give up 1 round - 5 vs 6).

Revolvers are harder to conceal but with the right holster it can be done.

Ron, made some good recommendations and I use those as well. I would also include the 4" SP101 with the adjustable sights (also a 5 shot) and a Ruger LCRx 3" 38 special.
The Mod 60 Gunny suggested is nice as well. Does he have a favorite caliber or one he is familiar with. The Charter Arms Bulldog 44 special is pretty handy as well.
There are a lot of good revolvers that can handle the job. As someone said add a Simply Rugged holster to it and he's good to go.

 

[phonejack]

A 4" SP101, ( I have one )

 

[dpayne]

I really like my 2 1/4" SP 101 in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake holster as a carry gun. I shoot it way better than the S&W 642 I used to own and the Simply Rugged holster holds it close to my body. Having a solid wheel gun at my side just feels good.

 

[Groo]

Groo here
The smaller revolver is NOT harder to CCW once you realize that you don't try to "hide" the gun
as much as you make it look like something else.
The barrel and grip are/can be thinner/smoother than an auto [they have sharp/square edges]
It is only the cylinder that is thicker and it is rounded[like your body]
The 5 shot revolver[like an SP101 or M-60 3in] is so thin you can iwb one without trouble.
The best holsters are the pancake [smooth and tapered] or a holster that puts the cylinder above or below the belt.

 

[sixshot]

I would want at least a 3" barrel if it was going to double as a field gun. The 357 caliber would be just fine in any of the double action American made guns. 38 specials for practice & Gold Dots when I was serious.

Dick

 

[boomer92266]

ok, he has narrowed it down because of price so he can buy ammo and holsters and possible reloading stuff. he said the ruger lcr either 3 inch in 38 or the shorter barrel in 9mm or 357, or the charter arms in 38 or 357? he has checked all the local stores with the recommended guns and came down to these, he doesn't want a new taurus and there were no used ones. so from these what would you recommend?, i've already gave him my advice but he wants to see what others say too. thanks

 

[hittman]

With a 9mm you gotta carry extras to make the gun work. Real inconvenient for some.

With a 357 you're likely to shoot 38's through it most of the time anyway.

The 38 Special is lighter than the 357 .... an advantage to concealed carry.

I carry my 38 with +P rounds. 38 LCR is my choice.

Barrel length? Personal preference I suppose. If an additional inch on the end of the barrel makes no difference for his concealed carry style, go for it.

 

[GunnyGene]

ok, he has narrowed it down because of price so he can buy ammo and holsters and possible reloading stuff. he said the ruger lcr either 3 inch in 38 or the shorter barrel in 9mm or 357, or the charter arms in 38 or 357? he has checked all the local stores with the recommended guns and came down to these, he doesn't want a new taurus and there were no used ones. so from these what would you recommend?, i've already gave him my advice but he wants to see what others say too. thanks

Has he fired any of those? If not, I'd recommend he find a range, or a gunshop with a range that rents guns, and put a few rounds downrange. Usually can rent a gun on site for $10 or less plus ammo. He needs to know how it fits him recoil wise, etc.

 

[jimd441]

+2 for the LCRx with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. It only weighs 15.7 oz. which is really nice for carry.

Jim

 

[gramps]

+2 for the LCRx with 3" barrel and adjustable sights. It only weighs 15.7 oz. which is really nice for carry.

Jim

A couple of years ago I fondled an LCRx with the 3 inch barrel, but I am on a fixed income, and didn't buy ( I was also out of town). If it had been in .357 mag it would have been home in a heart beat. As it is, I should probably have bought it. Good luck with your quest. I have not heard anything bad about the LCRx.
gramps

 

[Rumrunner]

If only for CCW the shorter LCR is great, and that's what I use for EDC. But since he mentioned also walking in the woods, I would go with the 3" LCRx. Oh wait, I did.

 

[MG-70]

Perhaps the best suggestion has been to try one, whatever it is, even if he doesn't shoot it, just holding it and seeing if it fits his hand and is concealable enough for him is important. The short answer is that there is no one gun that will conceal easily and be a good field piece, especially if you're dealing with large predators.

Is he set on a revolver, or does he feel comfortable using a pistol? As a woods guns, what's his main concern, two-legged or four-legged threats? If four-legged, of what variety?

There's no easy answer. Without knowing some of the answers to the questions above, I'd say a 3" GP100 with adjustable sights (or the Novak driftable sight), or a 3" SP101 with similar sights. If there are large predators involved, then maybe a 4" .44, or a Glock 20 or 29 (which for me is a little tough to shoot).

The best advice is to try it, if possible.

 

[Armybrat]

Every one of those are great suggestions. Adding mine - one of these with a 3" or even a 4" barrel....

 

[MG-70]

Please don't let him buy a Taurus or, worse, Charter Arms. Maybe you can help him find a used Ruger GP100 or SP101, or S&W 686 online; maybe even on Gunbroker or one of the smaller auction sites. If he'll be dealing with black bears, cougars, and wild hogs, he'll need at least a .357.

 

[RSIno1]

I like my S&W 642 for easy all around carry. Not going to stop a bear but I'll be able to run faster since it's light.

 

[Joe in Fl]

I really like the S&W 60-4 3", depending on what else he plans on doing. The Ruger BH 45 Colt 4
5/8's would be a great all around good gun with the right holster. Been
toting my 60-4
for 15+ years.

 

[gramps]

Please don't let him buy a Taurus or, worse, Charter Arms. Maybe you can help him find a used Ruger GP100 or SP101, or S&W 686 online; maybe even on Gunbroker or one of the smaller auction sites. If he'll be dealing with black bears, cougars, and wild hogs, he'll need at least a .357.

I have never had a Taurus. I have had, and still have a Charter Arms. They were all good .38 spcl snubs x3, and .44 spcl snubs x2. I think the LCRx is probably better, but not by much.
gramps

 

[Joe in Fl]

I do have an older Taurus M85 that belonged to my mother, it has been 100% reliable since day one

 

[eveled]

I like my S&W 642 for easy all around carry. Not going to stop a bear but I'll be able to run faster since it's light.

With $650 as my ccw budget, I'd get two s&w 442's. Same as the 642 above but black. Of all my choices the 442 gets carried most and two of them are perfect in jacket pockets to balance each other.