Picking a big bore S&W for CCW

[Old Moss]

  Good afternoon Gents,  I also posted this on the Revolver page.
 
 Need your help.  I am trying to decide on a all around carry gun.  I have autos I have wheel-guns I have double & single actions.  I have no real need for another gun but as you all know that does not stop us from wanting that "perfect, but does not exist" next gun.  I have read all the previous posts on big bore carry guns and have at least narrowed it down.  But a few additional comments:
 
 I have a S&W 460 for fishing in bear country / have a Ruger sp 101 for in the pocket carry / have autos with 4" & 5" barrels
 357mag is a great round love it but is just not what I want right now.
 I want a classic wheel-gun to be my all around carry gun. 
 I hate the new S&W lock they put on there revolvers - but finding older S&Ws is getting harder and costly - can that lock be easily removed and plugged safely - are the new S&Ws as good as the older ones?
 
 My Choices:
 S&W - model 29 or 57 with 4" or 3" bbl blue/stainless
 S&W - model 58 I like the fixed sights (rugged), love the 41mag but don't like the possibility of sights not being regulated to point of aim (would consider the new classic model 22 or 21)
 Ruger Redhawk 4" 45LC - but  some say it is to heavy/bulky for ccw? Not a Smith & Wesson  What about the new S&W 625 JB 45acp
 
 Well Gents what do you think and why?  I really do value your opinions.  Thanks Old Moss

[anachronism]

You sound like a candidate for a S&W Mountain Revolver/Gun, or perhaps a Backpacker model. I have a 629-2 Mountain Revolver, the predecessor to the Mountain Gun, and your post pretty much mirrors my reasons for buying it. The early ones, like the 629-2 & 629-3 don't have the accursed lock. A 624, 44 Spl would also fit too, but they weight the same as the magnums, so I couldn't get excited about a caliber that my local gun stores hardly stock ammunition for. 41 mags are actually slightly heavier due to the smaller bore size.

[Graybeard]

Unless it just has to be a S&W and/or a DA gun I'd suggest you take a look at the Ruger flat top .44 Specials they are making these days. Mine is a 5.5" Bisley but they also make it with the shorter 4"+ barrel.

I got rid of my S&W Mtn. Gun cuz it just never carried well in the holster. That short barrel was over powered by the weight at the butt and just didn't hang right or feel comfortable to me. My 6" and 6.5" S&Ws carried better than it.

Years ago I'd never have blieved I'd be recommending a Ruger at all much less instead of a S&W but Ruger seems to have gotten their act together and these smaller framed flat top 44 special guns are really nice. they are light and carry easily.

[Old Moss]

    Thanks, this gives me somethings to think about.

Graybeard, that is an interesting idea - a Ruger blk-hwk 44 spl with say a 3 1/2" bbl for a more discreate carry profile.  a single action may just be the ticket.

What do you all think about the new S&Ws are they as well made and dependable?

I do like the mtn guns, wish they came with a round butt grip though.

Thanks Old Moss 

[Graybeard]

I think I've only got one S&W revolver made since their agreement with Klinton. It's a Model 638. All the rest of mine were made prior to the agreement.

Now I have handled some of the newer ones and they seem to be still well made but the prices stores are asking for them these days is just outrageous.

Most who know me very well know me as a person who has put down Ruger guns and talked bad about them for years cuz those I had in those days were always a problem.

But the last three I've bought have all been nicely made guns with proper dimensions and tolerances and they shoot well. Heck one of them even came to me from the factory with a proper trigger that needed no work at all. On one I took one leg of the spring off. On my Single Six I let Magnaport do an action job on it.

The flat top guns they are putting out now are really nice and are much lighter and better balanced than the N-frame short barrel S&W revolvers. Mine has the 5.5" barrel but carries nicely in the holster.

Here is a photo of my Bisley flat top 44 Special.

[ejpaul1]

dont take this the wrong way, but you either dont carry much in public or you wear a berka as your normal dress. I cant imagine carrying anything big on a regular basis. for my carry weapon I use a ruger LCP. I have to conduct business and work everyday and cant always wear a big baggy jacket, baggy pants or other carry specific clothing. The weight is another issue altogether but I wont get into that here. I'd get one of those LCR's or something light and small that spits .357's and call it good.

[irold]

I just fell outa my chair......G.B. actually suggesting a Ruger !!! 
 
I have revolvers from Smith and Ruger.  I recently aquired a 4" Model 66 Smith , really like that gun.  It rides nice in a holster , shoots better than I can and is small enough for occasional carry. But it doesn't fit your caliber criteria , being a .357.    I also have a 4" Redhawk. ( .44 ) It more fits your bill , but it is heavy.  I love mine , it was sent to " Ten Ring Perscision " for a trigger/action job.  Now I have the action of the Smith ( actually better) along with the strength of the Redhawk.  A 4" Redhawk in .45 may be just the ticket for what your looking for. With the strength , you can put some fire behind those 45 colts , if thats your "cup or tea".  As GB suggested , don't count out a S/A either.  Ruger makes some fine S/As that would fit your critera.  Good luck , it always fun looking for another gun.
 
regards  , irold
 
 

[Graybeard]

Tis strange indeed to be recommending a Ruger after my history with them but the three I have rat now are very nice revolvers and way more accurate than I am these days. I have no real complaints about them tho my BH 45 Colt could use an action job. I really see no need for an action job on the Bisley flat top 44 special tho as it came to me with a nice light pull that I just can't complain about.

Now that I've had an action job done on the single six me and it are getting together nicely. Last time out with it I fired 24 rounds (four cylinders full) into a group of 3.25" at 25 yards and 22 of those 24 shots were in a group of only 2.0".

I dunno if Ruger has gotten better or if my standards are just lower these days. Heck I'm likely to pick up another Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt to go with those I now have.

[StrawHat]

Since the 80s, I have been carrying a 4" barreled N frame chambered for the 45 ACP.  The only thing I would consider to replace it would be a simialr revolver cut for the long Colt.  I used to use magnums but have long ago decided I liked the 45 better.

[irold]

Strange you should mention that Strawhat ,  just today I was looking at a Model 22-4 Smith, believe it was a Thunder Ranch edition.   Real nice firearm.  I like the 45 acp also....But the price , sorry, I just can't justify that kind of money....least not for me.  A nice 44 spl. flattop is only about half the money , probably twice as strong...but I know , its not a Smith.  To each his own   
 
regards , irold

[Lloyd Smale]

find yourself a 696. there hard to find and not cheap when you do but there in my opinion the finest big bore carry gun smith ever made. Not only that but the one I had was a tack driver and did a fine job on deer and pigs. If ccw carry wasnt part of your consern id agree with greybeard. Single actions will get you by in a pinch for a ccw gun but theres no arguing that a da revover is a better choise for that work. Never saw to many cops carrying single actions after the turn of the century.

[saddlebum]

We have been here before on this forum. My thoughts then and now on the calibers and guns useful for such a task, was the same as yours. Except for the 45acp. If you can find one, S&W did make standard weight 4'' barrels on the M-25 in 45LC and a couple of 3 inchers. For your consideration and viewing pleasure, here are some M-25s in .45LC. including a couple of customs and a Lew Horton. I prefer 4" barrels myself and my M-57 fits the bill for me. But that 3" in the first pic is so neet, I can't hardly stand it!
(none of these are mine)

[saddlebum]

I guess since I'm passing out .45LC eye candy, I really should post Hamilton Bowen's version of the original Mtn. Gun. and a beautiful show piece. Just for fun..................

[Old Moss]

  SaddleBum, those guns are gorgeous!!!  They are exactly along the line of what I am interested in. 

  Well I took the leap; picked up a new S&W58 4" blued.  It has not arrived yet but have a set of great rosewood grips with shallow finger grooves waiting for it they fit my hand perfectly.  Picked up a Elpaso Saddlery belt rig and can't wait to get it to the range.  My plan is to get it hard chromed at some point.
  I will post pictures as soon as I can.  Gents thanks for all the info and great pictures!
  ejpaul1 I appreciate your opinion would never take it wrong, it's good advice.  I am just at a point in my life where I want to carry what I feel most comfortable with, I cannot carry concealed while at work and when not at work I have many years of experiance with my wardrobe so CCW is not an issue.  Gun weight for me is not an issue.  Thanks and keep your powder dry!  Old Moss
  P.S. Greybeard - now you got me thinking about a Ruger Blackhawk Bisely SS with a 3-4" bbl for general field carry that would be one sweet field gun in any caliber 

[saddlebum]

Nice choice Old Moss! I'm a 41mag fan myself. Looking forward to your pictures and what kind of holster you settled on. I remember seeing a M-58 years ago that was cut down to 3" and refinished. I've always wanted one ever since. I know you have made your choice but I think I'll put post more pics anyway. The top one was a limited run distributor special order of only 50 guns. M-25-5 snubby in 45LC. And a couple of pretty M-58s. The bottom one is the only one that is mine. Pinned and recessed M-57.

[williamlayton]

I have chosen the M28 with a 4" barrel for carry.
Blessings

[oldhunter]

I agree with Lloyd that a S&W 696 in .44 special is an excellent choice for everyday carry.  With a 3" barrel and adjustable sights, this is an ideal revolver.  I carry mine often with the exception of hot sunny days in the summer when a lack of outer wear leaves one with the necessity of using something smaller.
oldhunter