I was looking at Smith & Wesson J-Frame pistols the other day. There are a -lot- of these little 5-shot revolvers around in .38 Special or .357 Magnum. I’ve owned and shot a Ruger LCR many years ago.
Many years ago, we also produced holsters for revolvers. They were quite good. It got me wondering.
Is there any place for a revolver in today’s concealed carry? If so, what revolver would be most popular, and what carry position? Would there be a need for revolver concealment gear? Let me know in comments below!
15 Comments
I love options and carry my airweight when I’m in basketball style shorts or sweatpants. No way my regular edc pistol would hold up here in the Nevada heat on days like that. Washing my truck in the driveway, going to get the mail or walking the dogs…. 38+P is a viable choice and definitely better than nothing or a sharp stick.
Two specific roles for me: as a pocket or second gun, either in my house/the garage/errands on summer days, a hammerless j-frame will clear a jeans/shorts/trousers pocket far easier than any semi-auto design (and I’ve tried);
As a walk in the brush & woods handgun where there are bigger critters.
I do conceal carry a 4″ S&W 686+ at this time. My county requires registration of every pistol that will be used for CCW and we can’t carry anything that is not registered. I am planning to switch to semi-automatic options in the near future. The reason for a switch are: easier to have more rounds and reloads, the semi-automatic pistol is easier to conceal. With that said, I feel comfortable with either option (revolver or semi-automatic) and shoot well with either.
I have my dad’s S&W model 36 which I sometimes carry in a leather aiwb holster. Carried a Ruger LCR .357 as my back up on duty. My current hiking/outdoor work sidearm is a Colt King Cobra .357 with 3” barrel, especially in black bear country.
I carry a Ruger lcr in 327mag almost every day at work, in an ankle holster.
Having a well made revolver is like having a well made vehicle that was made before computers started controlling the vehicle. Sometimes it is simply better to be prepared to do more with less. I have and enjoy various pistols and revolvers, but for me, I am more at home with a revolver over any of my semi-auto pistols, but that’s just me, and ol’gunslinger.
Thanks and Blessings Brother Shan!
I carry a 38 plus P with Hornady critical defense S&M J frame every day with a bladtec IWB holster it’s like it ain’t even there compared to my G19M I have a few holsters but there a bit uncomfortable so I go to my S&W 38 big different between 15+2 and 5 shots but I also Cary two 5 shot clips of 38 So far. I haven’t had any reason to use it, but as they say better to have it and not need it since I need it and not have it.
Of course there is still a place in the concealed carry world for revolvers, and finding kydex holsters that function well is not an easy task.
I pocket carry a revolver periodically throughout the year and for various reasons.
Mostly the ruger lcr but others as well.
I’m getting older now and packing a full size fighting pistol along with extra magazines is no feasible in every occasion.
It would be great to see you guys produce a holster for the lcr, and for the j frame smiths and the taurus 856 sized revolver.
I’m currently getting used to the taurus 327.
Absolutely!!! S&W 640 .357 AIBW all the time. LCR .38 when I don’t need to carry a gun! lol
I can draw a revolver faster and get solid hits on target better than my Glock 26. The grips simply allow a better/faster purchase. They always go bang when the trigger is pulled. They have their limits but I feel very comfortable with them
I do carry a Kimber k6s in a leather owb holster. I would love to have an iwb holster but there a not a lot of options.
I have a S&W 638-3 that I will carry from time to time. It’s a convenient and safe carry option that is easier to carry than it is to shoot for sure. If y’all did make a run of holsters again for these I would definitely pick one up!
I still have my S&W model 19 K frame I bought used in 1983, been tuned up by a certified SW tech smooth action.
Just bought my wife a Taurus 357 /3″ changed out trigger pull to 6lbs.” I have 9s-45s22s etc. but I still prefer my wheel guns:) always reilable no matter what ammo I use.
My wife has become interested in shooting and has claimed my Ruger LCRx as her favorite. Many of the holsters out there for it are poor quality or design.
I believe that revolvers are still relevant. I have been carrying a S&W J-frame as a backup both on and off duty for three decades. I believe there are clear defined roles for the compact wheel guns. In those roles they shine. If they weren’t relevant any longer, manufacturer’s sales wouldn’t have slumped. The biggest issue is that in the age of weapon mounted lights and pistol mounted optics, revolvers aren’t “sexy” but they are still in use.
Check out http://www.americanfightingrevolver.com
Forgot to add, that what we really need are better carry options for the snub nose revolvers.
Please consider making an option for S&W J-frames. I’d be in line to buy a Werkz holster for my 640.