OK...first off this isn't for a deep concealment gun, I have a 642 for that...

I'd like a medium sized revolver for CCW. I can do either a .357 or a .38 (the .357 round is wasted on a short barrel anyways...). Here are my contenders...

Modern S&W 66 2 3/4 inch
Ruger GP100 3"
Kimber K6S 2"
Colt Night Cobra
Colt Cobra

I've tried trigger pulls on all of them. The trigger on the K6S was the best of the group, and the 66 would need a new spring from the get go... My only concern on the Colt's is the different mode of pulling on the cylinder release versus pushing the latch on the S&W's...

What I'm hoping for from the great brain trust is any experience with the above revolvers. Plus in CA these ones are the ones that I can get. I really like the Night Cobra, but don't know too much about them.

quote:

(the .357 round is wasted on a short barrel anyways...)

Sorry if this is a hijack, but hasn't that notion been widely disproven? The extra punch of a magnum load does manifest in higher velocities even out of a 2" barrel. That has definitely been my experience as well without question.

I use a Ruger LCRX in Federal.327 Federal Magnum.

I love the K6s. I don’t own one but it’s on my very short list.

That said, have you considered the 3” GP100 in 10mm? I do have one of those and it is outstanding. With some TK Custom moonclips you also have the option of .40 S&W.

I’d look at the 3” revolvers, S&W Mod 60 & similar.

Of your options, I would go GP 100.

This. And if you do, that eliminates the short barrel issues for the .357 Magnum.

Would a 3" 686+ be too big? Or a 586 Carry Comp?

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
I’d look at the 3” revolvers, S&W Mod 60 & similar.

I have a 4" GP100, a 3" SP101, and a 2.75" Speed 6. The GP100 is a big chunk of iron. The Speed 6 doesn't give up much to the SP101, and holds and extra round. I also prefer the ejector on the Speed 6 to the one on the SP101/GP100. They can be found cheap if you look around.

If you don't mind spending a chunk of change, I'd take a long, hard look at the K6S...especially the 3" DA/SA version. The one's I've handled have been very nice.

I have the Night Cobra and it is very nice. I really don't have any trouble adjusting from my 642 to the Night Cobra.

I have recently looked at all the revolvers you have mentioned except for the Colt Cobra, since I have the Night Cobra. I think I will be picking up a 66-8 shortly, and yes, the 66-8 will need a spring change or a trip to the Performance Center. I may go the Performance Center route.

Another one you may consider is the Colt King Cobra Carry with the 2" barrel and bobbed hammer.

Are you limiting yourself to new guns? The 2.75” or 3” Ruger Speed Six is a dandy medium frame carry gun.

I don’t like any newly made revolver nearly as much.

 
If you are condidering a GP-100 3", I would recommend the Wiley Clapp 10mm model, with a 3.5" bbl. I carry this easily. The recoil is not nearly as punishing as a .357 magnum, yet it delivers the same terminal energy. It uses moonclips for loading. The moonclip is easier to load in the cylinder than a .357/38 special moonclip, because of the shorter cases. But it not nearly as easy as a S&W 625 .45 moonclip, which you can literally throw at the cylinder, due to the short fat rounds.
 
The Garrett Industries Silent Thunder OWB holster makes a nice carry option for this gun. It is leather lined kydex, and their products a very well made, in TX, and they are nice people to do business with.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
This. And if you do, that eliminates the short barrel issues for the .357 Magnum.

Would a 3" 686+ be too big? Or a 586 Carry Comp?

quote:

Originally posted by sourdough44:
I’d look at the 3” revolvers, S&W Mod 60 & similar.

Perhaps the Colt King Cobra...I like the size of that pistol.

AS for the GP100 in 10mm I like the idea, but it is not on our state roster allowed for sale (stupid CA) and getting it as an LEO becomes a hassle. So I'm sticking to state legal models...

I have both the 2 inch K6s DCR and the 3 inch. They're great guns, I'd go with the 3 inch and get the smaller grips for it. They pack well in a holster made for the Chiappa Rhino, of all things.

On occasion I will carry my S&W 66-3 (2.5) IWB. First off, that gun is accurate as heck and easy to shoot. You will also notice for the size and weight it carries "small". Since all the weight is in the holster it sits snug and doesn't move a round at all.

I occasionally carry my S&W 19-6 2.5”

My dad has an old S&W Victory Model (Model 10 sized) in .38 Special with a 2" barrel. Still shoots like a dream. Serves his purposes just fine.

quote:

The 2.75” or 3” Ruger Speed Six is a dandy medium frame carry gun.

The Six series guns are my favorite 357's. Beefier than a K frame, but more svelte than a GP100 or L frame. The Speed Six is a grail gun for me.

If you are going for a K-frame Smith, I'd look for a 3" barrel variant. That gives you an ejector rod long enough for .357 length cases to completely clear the cylinder.

Here's my 65-5 by Mike LaRocca


Adios,

Pizza Bob

The 66-8, 2.75" Combat Magnum has an ejector rod that fully clears cases from the cylinder.

quote:

Originally posted by Pizza Bob:
If you are going for a K-frame Smith, I'd look for a 3" barrel variant. That gives you an ejector rod long enough for .357 length cases to completely clear the cylinder.

Here's my 65-5 by Mike LaRocca


Adios,

Pizza Bob

DROOLY. That's tasty, Bob. Better'n pizza.



I occasionally carry my 66-4 2.5" It carries much smaller in a slimmer fit shirt than my (LIGHTER WEIGHT) Glock 17.