A stupid question ... Wheelguns

[TBT]

Are they a safe CCW option? No safety ...

[klmhq]

A double action only pistol with an internal (or shrouded) hammer seems to me to be an excellent option for concealed carry. Besides which, they are very difficult to jam up or accidentally render non-functional.

My Taurus .38 snub is a pretty good gun and shoots accurately within its range... which isn't much though.

My mom has another nifty pistol. I think it's a Smith, but its a ceramic and titanium 8-shot 22. The double action is pretty bad, but cocking it for single action is easy and the trigger is very light. I can shoot 8 shots through it (cocking the hammer) almost as fast as I can empty my P-01 with some aiming.

I'd rather carry it that nothing. It must weigh almost 8 ounces loaded.

[TBT]

I’m a manual safety nut … not sure why. When I was shopping around for CCW about a year back I ended up ruling out models that didn’t have it. I really like the idea of a smaller revolver (maybe a .44 special) as a carry option for their reliability but I still have a hang up with the safety issue.

Here is a stupid question again … what about the hammer getting caught on something, being pulled back and BAM! You know … ? I’ve read in gun mags that some recommend leaving the first chamber empty for safety reasons but this sounds self defeating to me.

Can anyone tame my fears on this issue and open me up to revolvers as a carry option?

["DoubleAction"]

TBT; Most Double Action revolvers have an incorporated safety bar which prevents the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is activated to the rear. The idea of leaving one chamber empty derives from the original Single Action Army, 1873 Model P, and clones. The New Model Ruger Single Actions feature the safety bar system.
I agree fully with Klm on the internal hammer revolvers, they have no external hammer spur; I refer to their deployment as "NO Snag, No Drag". I once carried a snub nose S&W 640 .357 magnum in a spring loaded Bernes Martin Design Bianchi #9 inverted shoulder holster, the deployment was like greased lightning.
The double action only revolvers are probably the safest handguns to own because on the average it requires ten lbs to squeeze most Double Action factory triggers, which is considered to be a diliberate amount of force.

[Ricochet]

I agree that a revolver is generally safe as a ccw. You can get the "no hammer spur" or various low profile hammers that will provide no snags. I have not heard of any AD's drawing or holstering a revolver. You can drop modern revolvers right on the hammer and they will not fire. I see no need for an external safety on a revolver.

I would have no problem jamming a revolver in my belt. However, I would be wary of doing that with a Glock. ;D

[klmhq]

Two comments on the 'leave an empty chamber issue'.

1) A Double Action revolver spins the cylinder with every pull, so you don't have to manually put a live round under the hammer. So that's not an issue

2) On the other hand, snubbies usually only have 5 rounds anyway, why drop one? Especially with a modern revolver. You might as well get a derringer (sp?).

[TBT]

Some very good info guys. Thanks a bunch.

Can anyone make a recomendation on a revolver for carry? I'm open to all options here, I know very little about the ol' "wheelgun".

[klmhq]

I've got a Taurus M85 stainless. It's a nice gun. It fits very well in the small of my back.

Critical Note: The M85 is NOT rated for +P or .357 ammo. It's a .38 Special only. That said, I have +P for defensive purposes. I figure, if it has to be used, the cops will get it anyway, might as well use it up. For practice I use WWB or my dad's reloaded wadcutters.

It seems to be very similar to the S&W .38 snubs, but is much cheaper! I think we paid $230 for it... don't quote me on that.

Kevin

["DoubleAction"]

TBT said:

Some very good info guys. Thanks a bunch.

Can anyone make a recomendation on a revolver for carry? I'm open to all options here, I know very little about the ol' "wheelgun".

TBT; Depends on the caliber, how well you can conceal on your person, and how comfortable you will feel about shooting it. The S&W .357 magnum 640 Centennial is perfect for carry but it's small size in the .357 magnum takes time to get accustomed to when shooting. You can also chamber the 38 specials in the 640 until you master the magnums. This revolver will carry very good in a Galco Concealable or Speed Master. The option of boot grips reduces the grip printing, making the revolver extremely easy to conceal. That is my #1 choice for concealed carry revolvers.

[XavierBreath]

TBT said:

I’ve read in gun mags that some recommend leaving the first chamber empty for safety reasons but this sounds self defeating to me.

Can anyone tame my fears on this issue and open me up to revolvers as a carry option?

The empty chamber comes from SAA (Single Action Army) revolvers. To load them, you must be on the half cock notch. The proceedure is to load one, skip one, load 4 more. Then you pull back the hammer to full cock, and ease it down on the empty cylinder. This is to prevent a ND while loading. I'm not sure, but they may have also had the potential for the firing pin to strike the primer if dropped. Legend is that many old west gunfighters carried a rolled up twenty dollar bill in the empty cylinder for their burial.

At any rate, the ewmpty cylinder is pointless on a revolver with a swing out cylinder, and especially one that has a hammer block, such as any modern revolver. A J-frame makes an excellent CCW piece, I carry one myself. My favorite is an old M38, but I recommend the M60-9 so you get the .357 round. Here's mine.

[TBT]

I'll check those guns out boys ... thanks again!

[TMan]

Xavier, nothing personal, but if your gun was a girl, she sure wouldn't get many dates. ;D

[5ontarget]

She may be a little more experienced than some, but I bet she still gets her man. (besides some people like their guns and gals with a little experience, it means you know that they're good )