if you had to pick one
what is the best-small carry gun
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Model 60 S&W. 0 -
Thats like asking how deep is the ocean. You are going to have to qualify your question, i.e. physical size, weight, caliber/caliber(s)?etc.
I just cut loose with a Belmore Johnson .38 derringer. Because it was only a little smaller and lighter, than my G 27 CCW. Almost no advantage, for pocket carry and concealment.0 -
I agree with Charlie, model 60 Smith.
W.D.0 -
Best revolver, would be a 357 magnum version of the Model 60 S&W. The best semi-auto pistol, would be an S&W M&P Shield, in either 9mm, or 40 S&W.
If you need to go lighter with the revolver, S&W makes a Scandium framed version, model 360.
Best0 -
Depends on how small you want to go. As noted an S&W 36/60 is my idea of "small", but I prefer a little more heft and would opt for a S&W 19/66 2 1/2"; at least until I could find a Detective Special in good condition. 0 -
I have a S&W 60, but my carry gun is a Kel-Tec 40 caliber in a pocket holster. 0 -
The best combination I have found for ME, not necessarily anyone else, is the Kahr PM9 with Speer Gold Dot 124 grain Short Barrel loads, their part number 23611. It gives me two more rounds than the "J" frame S&W and higher velocity and it is thinner and lighter. I carry it in the small of my back in a Don Hume IWB with a 7 shot spare mag next to my cell phone. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by range
what is the best-small carry gun
No such thing as "the" best, only what works best FOR YOU.
Carry guns are always a compromise between size, power, capacity, cost, and other factors. The "right" compromise depends on your anatomy, specific needs (EG are you carrying in a pocket or on your ankle, etc), budget, etc.
Small frame Smith and Wesson snubnose revolver (of which the model 60 is one example; there are many others) is certainly one of the "gold standards" for this, and has been for many decades.
Personally, I like the Smith 637 which is like the Smith 60, but uses a lighter aluminum alloy frame (instead of a stainless steel one). A lot of people swear by the 642, which is a hammerless "double action only" version of the same. Advantage of that is less snagging, and (presumably) safer action.
I've shot the Kel-Tec .40 cal (PM40), and its perhaps the singularly most unpleasant to shoot handgun I've ever shot. The combination of heavy DA-only trigger pull, boxy ergonomics with "sharp" checkering, and harsh recoil in a 15 ounce package just beat up the hand terribly. This pistol may work for some people (see above), but IMO it can't be classified as "the best".
For a small auto, a lot of people like the Kel Tec PF9, which is sort of like a single stack version of the above gun, with better sights, trigger, and generally improved ergonomics, in a more rational caliber (9mm luger) for a small light auto. Kel Tec P40 was discontinued years ago, but I'd look at a PF9 first.
Kel-Tec 3at, or one of the many similar small polymer .380s is a popular choice because of overall small package and really low weight with reasonable power.
Etc.
Edit:
FWIW, I have Smith 60s in 38 and 357 but for actual carry I still prefer the 38 637 for the lighter weight.
357 is a good cartridge, but the ballistics of it are significantly gimped from a short 2" barrel and aren't all that much better than a "normal" .38+P from the same platform (typically only an extra 75fps muzzle velocity or less).
What happens instead is that the extra powder that's "supposed" to give you enhanced 357 velocities instead gets burned OUTSIDE the barrel, creating a massive fireball from the muzzle. For this reason, IMO 357 doesn't offer enough ballistic advantage from a 2" bbl over .38+P to be worth the "cost" of more recoil, noise, significantly more muzzle flash, and ammo expense.
But again, preference is subjective. If you're able to carry on the BELT (instead of in a pocket) and can carry a 3" (or longer) barrel gun, then the 357 starts to really shine.0 -
quote:Originally posted by CapnMidnight
I agree with Charlie, model 60 Smith.
W.D.
As do I. Ours are 36s, but a 60 would be better.0 -
S&W 337 Ti 38 spl+P 0
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