The Taurus and Charter Arms are the two brands I am looking at. I can't decide if I want the hammerless or not. I definitely want .357 in matte or stainless. This will be for CCW.

Check out Ruger SP101s. Might just change your mind about Taurus and Charter.

Barring that, I'd go for the Taurus. Hammer/hammerless doesn't really matter to me for CCW; I'd buy whatever I could find cheaper. Stainless is definitely better than blued for CCW, unless it's bright/shiny stainless.

hth

http://www.policelink.com/products/products/475-taurus-605-357-mag-revolver

post #7
pellethead, Mon, 10 Sep 2007 08:38:53 UTC.
I used to carry this gun as a back up I loved it because it was easily concealable. The only negative is that it was a replacement for my first one, which literally blew up in my hand. I know that was just a fluke, but it took a year for Taurus to replace it, they kept giving me the run around.

SP101 :flipoff2:

I read those comments, and love how they give no background information on the malfunctions.

Cylinder locked up? What ammo were they using? Was the gun lubed before firing?

Gun blew up? What ammo was the guy shooting? Was there a bore obstruction?

"The retaining screw for the cylinder fell out (common on all snub nose revolvers)"
Horseshit.

etc etc

Basically, take any of those comments with a big damn grain of salt.

I would go Smith or Ruger if I were you and stay away from those, especially Taurus. Hammerless is the only way to go in a snubby for CCW.

None of my snubs are hammerless. I've never had them snag on a draw, nor had a problem with dirt/debris entering the mechanism. I really don't think it's that big of a deal, and the ability to take single action shots is nice.

I voted hamerless, but I'm a bit torn on the decision. You can always cut the hammer spur off, but gluing one on is a little trickier. Also, try shopping for some used stuff. I saw a S&W 360PD for 500 a while back. I think they retail close to a G.

I have the Smith 340PD and it is perfect in every way. It is dead reliable and built very well. I really like the hanmmerless part. You never need a hammer on this type of gun. It really serves no purpose. I think the snubby is to carry in your pocket and go bang when you pull the trigger. Why on earth do you need a hammer? A hammer is nice on a full sized revolver that has the accuracy that would benifit from cocking the hammer, but a short barrel really wont shot any more accurate with a light trigger. I have never shot any of your guns in the poll. Just adding my two cents.

Why on earth do you need a hammer? A hammer is nice on a full sized revolver that has the accuracy that would benifit from cocking the hammer, but a short barrel really wont shot any more accurate with a light trigger.

To take single action shots.

Aaaaaand bullshit. People who think that short barreled weapons are inaccurate due to the short barrel just don't shoot them often enough. Yes, a longer sight radius will help you, the shooter, shoot better, but the weapon itself is plenty accurate. You just need to learn how to use the sights.

Are you going to need to take a single action shot in a self defense scenario? Unless you have a 1911 (:p), almost certainly not. Is it nice to have a single action option for playing at the range? Yep. Does having an exposed hammer really hurt anything? Only if you're shooting from inside your pocket. Ask yourself how often that happens, and how often you train for that.

I have the Smith 340PD and it is perfect in every way. It is dead reliable and built very well. I really like the hanmmerless part. You never need a hammer on this type of gun. It really serves no purpose. I think the snubby is to carry in your pocket and go bang when you pull the trigger. Why on earth do you need a hammer? A hammer is nice on a full sized revolver that has the accuracy that would benifit from cocking the hammer, but a short barrel really wont shot any more accurate with a light trigger. I have never shot any of your guns in the poll. Just adding my two cents.

No, it won't shoot more accurately, but it is a lot easier to shoot accurately in single action.

I tried to find the video of Bob Munden shooting balloons at 200 yards with a snub, but couldn't so here's a little discussion on the matter over at THR

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=402014

buy my Taurus M44c snubnose 44 magnum.

i've tried quite a few times to get my charter arms .357 mag pug to malfunction and have failed every time. it's not as smooth as some higher end revolvers, but i like it. i painted the front sight white to help me with quicker aquisition since i'm not a great "point" shooter lol

I have a Charter Arms bulldog pug (.44spl) that's stainless and hammerless. I advocate hammerless snubbies for a CCW, I don't care what brand or model. If you want something that's easier to shoot accurately at a range, buy a gun for that. If you have time to cock a hammer, or threaten, you are likely not in iminent danger and would spend some time in court trying to defend your actions.
Google Massad Ayoob. He's arguably the countries leading autority on concealed carry and justifiable shootings. He's been the director of the Lethal Force Institue since the early 80's, and has a pretty impressive resume. He would be a better source for advice that here.

My vote is for the Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull. It's the only wheel gun I will own, and it will go on my CCW(in CA you can only have 3 guns on your CCW). You never know when a bear is going to sneek up on you in a dark alley.

I have owned (2) Taurus 605's and had no problem with them. I only sold them because I got bored with them, and they are heavy compared to my S&W 642. I had an old Charter .44spl that shot decent enough for what it was.

I would by a S&W if you can afford it....I really like my S&W 638.

The 638 has a shrouded hammer which I like. I probably won't ever use it in single action mod, but I like to have the option.

I would go hammerless and you can't go wrong with a S&W wheel gun. I carry a S&W hammerless 340pd. Its super fun to shoot also.:D

I would go hammerless and you can't go wrong with a S&W wheel gun. I carry a S&W hammerless 340pd. Its super fun to shoot also.:D

Agreed, that Smith 340PD is light years ahead of anything else out there in that type of gun. Scandium- Titanium, light as a feather and built so well. It is my favorite carry gun.

Neither. Ruger SP101

For CCW, get a hammerless, or a shrouded hammer.

I also wouldn't carry a Taurus, or a Charter. Spend just a little more, and get a Smith & Wesson.

My carry gun is a S&W model 360 airlight with the Scandium frame. It's no fun at all to shoot recreationally, but it is very light and comfortable to carry. I do regret that it isn't a hammerless model, but it was a deal that was tough to say no to. If I did it again, I'd wait for the hammerless or shrouded hammer.

My carry gun is a S&W model 360 airlight with the Scandium frame. It's no fun at all to shoot recreationally, but it is very light and comfortable to carry.

Even though it's no fun to shoot recreationally, do you suck it up and shoot it anyway?

Even though it's no fun to shoot recreationally, do you suck it up and shoot it anyway?

Nope. Not for recreation. I've have plenty of other guns to shoot for recreation that are tons of fun.

I do regularly put a couple of rounds through it, when I'm out shooting. But that's to maintain proficiency and ensure functionality, not for recreation.

I have a 605 and it works fine. Its main diet consists of a 125 JHP over 11 grains of HS-6, load needs a pretty heavy crimp but the gun doesn't have a problem with them.

Nope. Not for recreation. I've have plenty of other guns to shoot for recreation that are tons of fun.

I do regularly put a couple of rounds through it, when I'm out shooting. But that's to maintain proficiency and ensure functionality, not for recreation.

Good deal. It seems there are a lot of people who buy one of the super light snubbies and never shoot or clean them and depend on the damn things to save their lives. Glad to see that there are people who are smarter than that, too.

I put 5 rounds down the 340pd everytime I go to the range. I love giving it to a buddy with 38's in it with one 357 in there.

Probably tired of hearing it but... SP101.

340pd if you want something to drop in a pocket. Sp101 if your going to holster it.

The wife and I both carry 650's. It drops in jean pockets in a pockek holster no problem, even with my scrawny 32" waist.

Good bang for the buck guns, I have less than $600 in the pair. I bought mine used and have put 1000+ rounds through it. Hers was new and has a couple hundred through it. Both have been problem free good shooters. Recoil is mild enought with WWB .38's to shoot a couple hundred rounds without killing the fun.

Thanks ORV. I'm planning on getting one for myself and my wife also.