[BoneDigger]

I'm looking for a good pocket gun for summer months. I am also considering a KelTec but am worried about reliability issues.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/50_494/products_id/31866

The above thread is what I am looking at. Ideas? How about the size and weight? How are Taurus "lightweight" revolvers (titanium, etc.)?

Todd

 

[NativeTexan]

I'd not carry .357 in a lightweight titanium gun. Too much for me. I'd load it with .38 +P and be happy. I have a M85UL, excellent little gun. The little 5 shot Taurus revolvers have a really slick DA trigger, too. Nice little guns.

I can't knock Kel Tec, though, carry a P11 9mm probably 70 percent of the time. It's an accurate little powerhouse with lots of firepower and it's been 100 percent reliable for me. I am a revolver guy, but the little compact 9s are pretty awesome for the CCW carrier. 9mm +P is as hot out of one of these little guns as any .357 magnum load out of a 2" revolver and 9mm is much easier on the hands and ears and eyes. I get 410 ft lbs, 1265 fps out of my KT shooting a 115 grain JHP. Taurus offers the similar little PT111 and Kahr has a couple of little pocket sized 9s.

Get right down to it, though, .38 +P is plenty of gun for CCW carry. I just think the little 9s have a lot to offer the CCW carrier. I like the firepower and ease of carry, also ease of carrying reloads for the gun. Speedloaders are a pain.

This is my revolver....

 

[eprn]

I have a Taurus 85 (it has an exposed hammer). First, the steel snubbie Tauruses (Tauri?) are excellent. I prefer shooting it over my beloved 638, and that's saying something. However, I think these can be difficult to pocket carry. It can be done in a pair of jeans, but it's tough in pants with lighter fabric. If I'm going to pocket carry, my 638 gets the nod.

Taurus steel snubbies are also great if you use a lot of hot .38 specials--as I do. I wouldn't want to run a steady diet of .38 special +P through the 638. If you want to use a lot of hot rounds, and want a J-frame-sixed revolver, a steel Taurus is the way to go. I think they're the last (reputable) manufacturer of steel J-frame-sized snubs.

As for .357, the smallest I'll go with is the good 'ol SP101. You need a bit of extra heft for a .357. Also, remember that this round is pretty rough on a small frame. You can use them occasionally, but repeated magnum use might damage it. The SP is pretty solid and will withstand a constant pounding of the magnum stuff.

 

[frostyeyes]

I have a blue 85 and a SS 605CH I love both of them i carry 38+P in the 85 and Speer GD short barrel 357 in the 605 they are my BUG's to a Springer Micro Compact 45acp, but I wouldn't hesitate to make them my primary at any time. Thers pics in the gallery of them both and the 605 wears Crimson Trace grips

 

[treg]

Not just good. Awsome!
Get some snap caps and practise, practise, practise.

 

[chewybaca]

Yep, it's quite good for warm weathercarry for me so far. although I haven't carried it much or far since the weather has warmed up. But the 650 CIA is great for quick ISWB carry when you need something to be on you while out and about. I keep it with 38 Spec. 125 +p Gold Dots but recently shot a couple of cylinders full of 158 Rem (old School) Soft point H.P.s over some 2400 powder (357 Mag load) and it actually wasn;t that bad at all. 125 grain mag loads are an entirely different story however.

 

[mrglock]

The 650 CIA is a really nice shooting gun; house 357's are not a problem in it. It is easily concealed in a pocket and although it's not as light as the titaniums it's not overly heavy either.

 

[fltrucker73]

i have a kel tel 380 and during the beaking in i had a few problems but after breaking it in it fires every time i wolud buy again for a backup anyway .....nice an small.....alomost forget its in my pocket....

 

[98redorangeta]

I just got a 651 it seems very easy to carry even with out being an ultra light. It fits easily into the pockets of 95% of the pants I own.

 

[Rotorflyr]

I have a 651, and while I have put it in my pocket, I prefer it in my UBG Canute IWB. I'll stick with my P3AT (used as a bug, or when nothing else will work) for full time pocket carry

 

[tumbleweed]

i have the 650 and its not much more noticable than my .32 guardian in the front pocket

 

[texas shooter]

I agree the .38 Taurus lite 2" I got my Ms. I keep it loaded with the factory speer gold dots, and I don't care about the .40, .45 etc. opinions etc. I would in know way want her to shoot at me with gun, I have seen it punch head holes at 25 yrds. Taurus makes some good guns.

 

[JimL]

I just got a 651 it seems very easy to carry even with out being an ultra light. It fits easily into the pockets of 95% of the pants I own.

It strikes me it would be pretty nice to have the option of SA with a 651. Is that why you got it?

Thanks a million

JimL

 

[98redorangeta]

It strikes me it would be pretty nice to have the option of SA with a 651. Is that why you got it?

Thanks a million

JimL

Yep I was set on some thing that was SA/DA but didnt want to have a hammer that could catch on some thing. Most situations where a gun would be drawn wont alow for time to use SA but if there was a chance to do so it would be nice to have the option. Its fun to do both at the range as well.

 

[Rotorflyr]

Most situations where a gun would be drawn wont alow for time to use SA but if there was a chance to do so it would be nice to have the option. Its fun to do both at the range as well.

That's not exactly true, as you can cock the hammer back as you draw it to give a first shot in SA........You are right in that it is fun to shot it both way's at the range though.

 

[Timbokhan]

Having shot a scandium S&W revolver (don't know the model) in .357, I can tell you that I will not do so again. I am typically not recoil sensitive, but that little bastard hurt my hand like you can't believe. I don't have a 650, but a 605 is my daily carry gun, and I really like it. Whatever I give up in weight, I make up for in a gun that is pleasant to shoot, reliable and easy to care for. Besides, it's not like I am carrying a brick around. It's just my opinion, but those scandium/titanium guns are for the birds.

 

[98redorangeta]

That's not exactly true, as you can cock the hammer back as you draw it to give a first shot in SA........You are right in that it is fun to shot it both way's at the range though.

I should have said wont allow time for SA to be used on every shot

 

[chaim]

I love Taurus snubs. However, that 650 is probably a bit heavy for pocket carry- IWB it is about perfect.

If you want a pocket revolver you will want to consider an ultralight. If you want one without a visible hammer and lightweight, you may want to consider S&W. When I was in the market I wanted something like the S&W 642 or 442, I wanted a Taurus, they didn't make such an animal (I needed an exposed hammer if I wanted aluminium, steel or titanium if I wanted some variation of a concealed hammer). I went with the S&W 442 and I like it (though to say it is enjoyable to shoot would not be accurate- I'd hate to try an ultralight .357mag ). Price was similar to Taurus at the time, I don't know how S&W is pricing them right now.

If I was to do it again, I don't think I'd worry as much about a concealed hammer for a pocket gun. Many good pocket holsters are made in a way to take the hammer into consideration (mine certainly does). Pocket carry is a relatively slow draw, but with the advantage that you can anticipate trouble and have your hand on your gun ready to go before the situation hits without brandishing. If you anticipate, you can learn to draw from the pocket with your thumb covering the hammer to keep it from snagging on anything. If you are willing to consider this, then the Taurus 85UL is a very hard to beat value.

 

[JohnCEa]

I love to use Taurus 650, its easy to use

 

[lee n. field]

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