3rd CCW gun...perhaps a Revolver

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by sealbeach

Yep, I shot 1Buba's, it is a totally different experience. It is as lightweight as they advertise, unreal. With that low mass, you take ALL the recoil in your hand and arm, wow! It is a painful experience, I would NOT want to shoot that gun in .357, no sir! For an easy to carry gun it would work, short range shooting only.

Good info. Thank you! I want a gun I can use CCWing and for shooting at the range. I will keep on looking

[BonoVox]

AMS,

just so you know none of these guns are going to be a range gun. Yes you want to stay proficent with them. Even my PM9 I am not dying to go for a range session with it. Especially with my larger hands. I had to tape my tirgger finger to keep from bleeding. "this was with 200 rounds downrange though"

I would recomend you shoot a S&W 642 and a PM9. Choose from there. "since we seem to have the same taste it seems to an extent in firearms I feel comfortable saying that"

The Colt Mustangs are great too and actually could be a range gun too. I felt no pain shooting one. My only reason not going there was trying to keep my ammo choices down. Trying to concentrate on 45ACP and then 9mm. "with the price of ammo getting higher and higher!"

BTW next time I see you I will have to break out my soon to be in hands Kimber Rimfire Target! It is the scaled down version of the other Kimber 22lr you have shot.

[hbliam]

Originally Posted by flyingm

I believe the main draw to the centennial style is that is it easier to conceal since it has less chance of snagging on clothing. It can also help to keep lint and dirt out of the hammer area. Of course it also makes it harder to cock the hammer if you are so inclined to do so.

Main draw is that there is no hammer to sang on clothing or your pocket. You can't "cock" it. It's DA only.

Great little gun. I have the 342PD. 10.8 ozs. 38/38+P only. I don't need to fire .357's out of this thing. The only one lighter is the 337PD with exposed hammer at 10.7ozs.

I think one of the main draws to revolver's is that you have a 99.99999999% chance that it's going to go boom when you need it to.

[CCWInstructor]

Ideally all your ccw guns should handle and work the same. You don't want to reach for the mag button on a revolver.

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

AMS,

just so you know none of these guns are going to be a range gun. Yes you want to stay proficent with them. Even my PM9 I am not dying to go for a range session with it. Especially with my larger hands. I had to tape my tirgger finger to keep from bleeding. "this was with 200 rounds downrange though"

I would recomend you shoot a S&W 642 and a PM9. Choose from there. "since we seem to have the same taste it seems to an extent in firearms I feel comfortable saying that"

The Colt Mustangs are great too and actually could be a range gun too. I felt no pain shooting one. My only reason not going there was trying to keep my ammo choices down. Trying to concentrate on 45ACP and then 9mm. "with the price of ammo getting higher and higher!"

BTW next time I see you I will have to break out my soon to be in hands Kimber Rimfire Target! It is the scaled down version of the other Kimber 22lr you have shot.

I understand what you are saying. For me, I want a gun i can use and shoot at the range and also carry. I don't want a gun that I don't like shooting at the range. FOR ME It's like having a car I don't drive, I don't see a point.

I will try your weapon's and Gimpers and whoever else has a suggestion. Yes we have similar likings. I know when I like something the minute i hold it and shoot it. I either love it or hate it.

I don't even know if I will like revolvers, but I want to try it.

So many guns out there.

I'm excited you got the .22LR Target. Thats the one I was looking at after i shot Greg's.

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

Ideally all your ccw guns should handle and work the same. You don't want to reach for the mag button on a revolver.

That makes sense. But i want to shoot a revolver to see if I even like it.

I am very very very happy with my CDP and I know i will feel the same about the Raptor. I really enjoyed shooting yours. Looking down the scales at the front sight. . .SEXY GUN!

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

Ideally all your ccw guns should handle and work the same. You don't want to reach for the mag button on a revolver.

Yep. AMS there is a huge difference between carry firearm and fun firearm. When you get down to the small third on your license the above statment is even more true, again this is a serious consideration.

Set up the three you trust your life to and then expand to the fun guns.

BTW that will not always be the first three you think are the best. Sooner or later you will fall into the perfect mix that works for YOU!

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by BonoVox

Yep. AMS there is a huge difference between carry firearm and fun firearm. When you get down to the small third on your license the above statment is even more true, again this is a serious consideration.

Set up the three you trust your life to and then expand to the fun guns.

BTW that will not always be the first three you think are the best. Sooner or later you will fall into the perfect mix that works for YOU!

Thanks for your input Bono. It makes sense.

I must feel confident with the gun at the Range in order for me to be confident knowing I can use the gun properly and natuarally in a self defense situation.

I will shoot plenty of guns I am sure over the next month or so and I will know what the 3rd gun is when i shoot it. I have time.

and I know right now I trust my CDP. I have 700 rounds and only a couple fail to feeds, which were my new 8-round mags. Now the mags have been used the followers have given me no issues.

Time will tell. Thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated!

is it Tuesday yet?

[hbliam]

I've fired my guns enough to use any of them when needed. Revolver or semi-auto. I've never reached for the mag release as I fire my revolver or tried to hit the cylinder release when I switch back. The triggers are kept in the same spot luckily enough. Small revolver is a great CCW gun. Very easy to carry in most any style. I have a milt sparks pocket holster, a DH IWB, and an ankle holster for the 342. Conceals the best over any of my firearms. Drawback is the size and quantity of ammo.

In other words..lots of pro and cons to consider with any firearm.

[Glock32]

I carry a lightweight S&W J frame from time to time. I carry it when dress code does not allow me to carry IWB.
Personally I would safe the extra money the Scandium stuff dictates and get a 442 or 642 if you like the stainless look. That does not mean I would not want a 340PD, I just don't see the advantage other than the CDI factor.
I have shot .357Mag out of a 340PD and for me it is borderline punishment. Fast follow up shots require a lot of practice with a small revolver even with std. pressure ammo. Add +P and you will fell a bit of a sharper kick to the webb of your shooting hand. The .357 stuff really hurts. Especially when you replace the tacky factory rubber grips with nice, boot style carry grips. (The rubber grips stick to your pocket and are not that great for that carry method. Your experience may be different, I can't stand them).
A nice older Model 37 with a bobbed or semi-bobbed hammer makes a very good choice, too. So does a M38 bodyguard.

[BonoVox]

BTW I carried my PM9 yesterday for the first time. Wearing gym sweat pants and Chargers sweater. "was being a bum around the house all day working"

Quick run down to the hardware store a mile away. This is a great tool to have. 3rd CCW firearm. Threw it in a "slightly for now oversized pocket holster" and run! Great stuff.

[THaves]

I think this is one of those never ending questions. It all depends on your shape, your training and the size of your hands. I used to carry a Tom cat as I back up on my ankle, it really was too much trouble to put on and take off and the gun was so small I could never get a good grip on it when deploying.

Do we really need a back up ? I would be interested to hear eveyones views on this.

I like that we have three opitions on our permits for now all of mine are primary carriers depending on my mood my dress and where I intend to go today.

[AMS MIKE]

Originally Posted by THaves

I think this is one of those never ending questions. It all depends on your shape, your training and the size of your hands. I used to carry a Tom cat as I back up on my ankle, it really was too much trouble to put on and take off and the gun was so small I could never get a good grip on it when deploying.

Do we really need a back up ? I would be interested to hear eveyones views on this.

I like that we have three opitions on our permits for now all of mine are primary carriers depending on my mood my dress and where I intend to go today.

Good point indeed. I will have 2 very similar firearms on my permit. CDP as my primary carry and I will switch off with my rapter. If one of the guns needs repairs or has issues and will be sent back to Kimber (like when my cdp went full auto), I will have a backup firearm to carry. Meaning its very important to have AT LEAST 2 on a permit.

I don't think carry 2 firearms at the same time is needed. Thats why I will carry spare 8 round magazines

Right now I am happy with the 2 I have chosen and when I come across a 3rd, I will know then.

As Bonovox says, Its important to carry what you trust your life with. perhaps some think they need 2 at a time.

Hygyliac tried to fit all 3 of his in one holster.

[BonoVox]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

Good point indeed. I will have 2 very similar firearms on my permit. CDP as my primary carry and I will switch off with my rapter. If one of the guns needs repairs or has issues and will be sent back to Kimber (like when my cdp went full auto), I will have a backup firearm to carry. Meaning its very important to have AT LEAST 2 on a permit.

I don't think carry 2 firearms at the same time is needed. Thats why I will carry spare 8 round magazines

Right now I am happy with the 2 I have chosen and when I come across a 3rd, I will know then.

As Bonovox says, Its important to carry what you trust your life with. perhaps some think they need 2 at a time.

Hygyliac tried to fit all 3 of his in one holster.

Another consideration IMO is having two of you CCWs that share magazines. AMS, sounds like you have that going for you with your Ultra Raptor and Ultra CDP. Not that is is mandatory but it is a consideration at least.

[Hoser]

+1 to everything Glock32 said.

S&W J-frames are available in three hammer styles – the "Chiefs Special" with exposed hammer, the "Centennial" frame with fully enclosed hammer and the "Bodyguard" frame shrouded hammer. The benefit to the Centennial is that you don’t have a hammer to get snagged on clothing when you draw. You don’t have an exposed hammer with the Bodyguard either (the “humpback” model) and if need be can cock the hammer to fire it single action. However, it’s unlikely you’ll need to fire a J-frame single action in a SD situation (no head shots with a snubby…)

Like G32 said, the Scandium models are light, too light in fact. I’ve read on other boards about people actually breaking their wrist firing .357. I fire 3+p in my 640; I find it controllable and 38+p is nothing to sneeze at. The 640 is an aluminum frame with a steel cylinder. At 15 oz. it’s still plenty light.

The 640/442 are great guns (the 640 is S&W’s best selling revolver.) I carry mine mostly in my pocket, sometimes appendix carry and sometimes on my ankle. When it’s in my pocket I can have my hand on it if I feel the need, such as when I feel some kinda threat. That’s hard to do with a holstered weapon. I’ve taken to using the ATM with my weak hand while keeping my right hand in my pocket on the gun’s grip. Some folks even talk about the ability to have the gun in a coat pocket, pointed at a BG ready to fire though the clothing if need be. Probably an unlikely scenario, but I would not want to try it with a hammed model since it would likely snag.

Here’s a couple of links from THR:

The 642 club - THR

642 Club Part Deux - THR

[OCRancher]

Originally Posted by 1buba

Understood!!! Don't want duplicates when you can get a wide range of differences!!! lol

Did you try Ocra's this am? I think he got the 360 like mine, but with different sites. I think he got the HIVIZ sights and mine has a plain red ramp front site.


The discription from S&W:


Specs:


12 oz is the lightest one i've found out there. Problem is I'm afraid it would be BRUTAL to shoot .357's out of. Ask SealBeach what he thought about it with just the .38's!!! LOL

I have the 640 PD. I have never shot 357 out of it. Only 38 Sp. +P. As far as accurate, I am pleasantly surprised at how accurate it is. The trigger is still a bit stiff, but I have heard with a lot of firing it gets better. So far I have shot about 300 rounds through it. The most in one range session was 50. The first few times, yes, it hurt the palm of my hand a bit. Now, I know what to expect and it actually is an enjoyable gun to shoot.

Is it a range gun? No, except for personal practice with that specific frame. Do I consider it a great back up or alternate carry gun? Yes, and so do many LEO I know who carry them.

AMS, I think over time, like I think Hoser or Bono said, you will end up with 15-20 guns, and out of that collection, you will find maybe 5-6 that work well with your lifestyle, body shape and wardrobe. You can rotate them on and off your permit by season or mood that way.

If all goes well, I should be there tomorrow night. I will bring the 640 with me. Ammo is on me.