S&W 642 VS S&W 686

[dsawi52695]

If I had to specifically have a revolver, I would go for a .357 and then practice with .38 specials. But that's just me.
It all depends on how you plan to carry (on your person or hidden on the wheelchair) and deploy the gun.
A good thing to do is try to find a range or individual that can let you test drive a varying selection if possible to get a better idea of what to do. A hundred people can give you a hundred different ideas and you could end up just as confused as when you started.

I would look at the Taurus 617. It is a small 7-shot .357 in stainless.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=260&category=Revolver


The 627 has a longer 4" barrel, but is ported and would have a heck of a blast.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=265&category=Revolver


The model 605 is a 5-shot .357.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=247&category=Revolver


If you have to have a .38, then there's this jewel...a 7-shot .38 rated for +P ammo, the model 817 Ultra Lite.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=287&category=Revolver

It's also hard to beat the standard Model 85...I had one and wish I'd never traded it...
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=319&category=Revolver


Taurus has 5 pages of CCW revolvers.....and it can get confusing......
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?page=1

Hi PegLeg45:

I was looking over you post again.  It looks to me that if you were in my situation, you would either go with the Taurus 617, the model 817 Ultra Lite, or the standard Model 85.  If you had to pick from the three, which one would you pick.  If you would please give you reasons why you would pick one over another.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,

David

[PegLeg45]

Hi PegLeg45:

I was looking over you post again.  It looks to me that if you were in my situation, you would either go with the Taurus 617, the model 817 Ultra Lite, or the standard Model 85.  If you had to pick from the three, which one would you pick.  If you would please give you reasons why you would pick one over another.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,

David

David,

Of the three you mentioned specifically above, it would still depend on the mode of carry. If using a belt holster (crossdraw) or gun-bag type holster, I would probably go for the 617 because of the seven rounds of .357 and the ability to practice with .38 specials.
But, the caveat is that it is a little thicker gun to conceal due to the extra round (but not too much thicker) and it's longer and heavier than the 817. Of course the extra weight will help somewhat with the recoil control.
The 817 is .38 only, but there are some great +P loads for self defense and you can practice with mild loads.
If weight of the gun is not an issue, then between the 617 and 817 I would still go with the 617 for the .357 advantage.
But that's just me....everyone's different.

If deep concealment (pocket) carry is the most likely method of carry it would be the 85. The model 85's are nice little guns, and I wish I had never traded mine. I carried a stainless model 85 for years in my front left pocket as a back-up. I never got around to bobbing the hammer and I was always conscious of the possibility of a snag if I had to draw.

One thing to think of, and you mentioned it in an earlier post, the CIA 850 would be a much better choice for pocket carry or deep concealment due to the shrouded hammer (snag resistant....I don't like the word 'proof').

For what it's worth, I hope that helps.

Peg

[dsawi52695]

Hi Everyone:

A while back, I was advised to maybe stay away from the Ruger SP101 chambered in .327 Federal, due to ammunition limitations.  Is that still the recommendation?  How would the Taurus 4410 "The Judge" work for me and my needs?       

Thank you again,

David 

[drummerboy]

david....I've carried concealed a long time....remember if you have a moment of truth,whatever your level of training you will lose 50% when it happens......you using a revolver could come face to face with someone with a semi-auto......how good are you at reloading under pressure......have you practiced drawing from concealment?....WHAT IF YOU HAVE A MALFUNCTION?
  talk to someone  who has  had  a moment of truth(cop or military)then get some training(FRONT SIGHT____GUNSITE___ETC

[tombogan03884]

david....I've carried concealed a long time....remember if you have a moment of truth,whatever your level of training you will lose 50% when it happens......you using a revolver could come face to face with someone with a semi-auto......how good are you at reloading under pressure......have you practiced drawing from concealment?....WHAT IF YOU HAVE A MALFUNCTION?
  talk to someone  who has  had  a moment of truth(cop or military)then get some training(FRONT SIGHT____GUNSITE___ETC

Drummerboy, did you read the rest of the thread ?
A couple of comments on your post, 1) revolvers are FAR less likely to malfunction than semi autos, 2) real world statistics show that nearly ALL self defense shootings are resolved with fewer than 5 rounds, most only 1 or 2, for this even a derringer is enough.
Dsawi, for your situation I would avoid the Judge, stick to a pistol dedicated to a real caliber. If you are concerned about concealing the to S&W's you listed do yoou want to try to conceal something with a cylinder almost as long as some of the snubbies suggested ?

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[PegLeg45]

I agree with what Tom said. I do agree with Drummer boy on one thing, and that's to seek information from intelligent professionals.

The Ruger gun is a solid, strong weapon that is hard to beat for strength and reliability.

As for the .327, my personal opinion (which combined with a buck fifty might buy you a cup of bad coffee) is that it may be a decent cartridge, but the .38/.357 is still more versatile as far as cartridge load combos.
The best thing you could do is look around at places that sell ammo and see what the selections are and compare what (if anything) is on the shelves. In my general area, 9mm and .38 special is easier to come by than many other calibers.
I'm just saying that you need to investigate the ammo availability and variations on loadings before buying something you can't readily get ammo for, because you'll need to shoot a lot of ammo to get familiar and comfortable with any new gun or load.

[dsawi52695]

Hi Everyone:

I still have not decided on a CCW gun/weapon.  I like the Taurus 617 because it holds seven(7) rounds and is chambered in .357.  On the other hand, I like the Taurus 850 because it is hammerless.  The only drawback is it is chambered in .38 only, as far as I know.  Does anyone know if Taurus has a hammerless version of the 617?

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,

David
 

[tombogan03884]

 I googled and could not find any. .38 is an OK round for self defense, a lot of people were killed with them over the years.

[ratcatcher55]

I agree with Tom.

A .357 is a handful to shoot in a small, light gun.  Your going to have to shoot enough to get comfortable with the recoil and muzzle blast and that's more expensive than the same amount of rounds in .38.

You can practice with .38 in a .357 but it defeats the point of the practice. I always shot .357 out of my Ruger Security Six and Dan Wesson.

I carry a S&W 642 as a BUG and I bought one for the wife with Crimson Trace Grips. Use top quality ammo, get some training and practice and your be in great shape. I'm not a huge Tauras fan but they, like Ruger, make a dependable revolver.

My $0.02 and not worth a penny more.

[seeker_two]

Hi Everyone:

I still have not decided on a CCW gun/weapon.  I like the Taurus 617 because it holds seven(7) rounds and is chambered in .357.  On the other hand, I like the Taurus 850 because it is hammerless.  The only drawback is it is chambered in .38 only, as far as I know.  Does anyone know if Taurus has a hammerless version of the 617?

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon,

David
 

Taurus does have a .357Mag version of the 850....