They're fine with the correct ammo choice. No need for a holster and you can carry multiple guns instead of reloading in the middle of the fight. Empty one, drop it, grab another, rinse and repeat.
@RS1 Yikes! That can happen if you short stroke your trigger release or have a cheap gun that strikes between the cylinders. What kind of luck have you had with LCRS or J frames? Personally Im thinking of getting a Tomcat or Seacamp 32 for CC. Any advice?
@@marksummers463 The Seecamp is vast superior to the Tomcat. Yes, it is heavier, costs more, and has a DAO trigger with a heavier pull. But the Tomcat is more prone to jamming and having the slide pop off the frame when shooting (No, I am not kidding); this doesn't break it, but imagine having it happen in a fight! However, keep in mind the Seecamp can ONLY shoot hollow point rounds. It was designed that way. It was actually designed around the .32 Winchester Silvertip. That all being said, it is an excellent small gun for very close range defense, and perfect for deep concealment. It takes a little getting used to the trigger pull, but the gun is extremely reliable and very durable - all steel.
I was an investigator for a state public defender's office for about four years. I was not allowed to carry and would have been fired if I had been discovered to be doing so. It was however legal for me to carry. My job involved a lot of interaction with known criminals (I never had a problem with one of them actually) and going to a lot of different, dangerous neighborhoods to find witnesses, conduct interviews, serve subpoenas, etc. Luckily the dress code outside of court was casual, untucked shirts and jeans were acceptable. I carried a Ruger LCP Custom in a pocket holster all the time both inside and out of the office. It only got locked up in my car when I had to go into court or into a jail or prison. I kept a larger handgun and holster in my car for those times I went to a particularly bad area of a city (I worked in a major Midwest Metro area) that I could keep concealed but be better armed than I was with just the LCP. Luckily I never needed either. I've since changed jobs, now I'm not only expected but required to carry.
@Chris Baker Thank you for your great content. This particular subject addresses the issues that I wrestle with each day in whether or choosing what to carry. I like that you covered accessibility comparisons between the two types - bravo! My only major divergence was at 2:50 re: shootability. For me, shootability comes right after reliability and compliance, especially for these difficult to shoot, jumpy little guns. Keep up the good work! You’ve finally earned LuckyG my carry ammo purchase loyalty!
Carry a Mak. Put your finger on that slide by accident and the gun will say: "Get out of her pal with that S***!" (To heck with the weight though,...lol)
I'm betting a ruger lcp2 or lcp max will give you better shot placement than a j frame. Without having shot my J Frame 642 in a while I doubt it's very accurate past ten yards. I'll take my chances with a Smith Body Guard or Ruger LCP .380 to hit a target that's on the other side of a room.
After well over 100 years of development, you would think that automatic pistols would no longer produce feed or extraction failures except from foreign contamination. High tolerances in manufacture in both pistol and ammunition are totally routine. Automatic pistol operation is completely stereotyped and should not vary by a hundredth of a millimeter from shot to shot. Why don't they work EVERY SINGLE TIME? What are the problems?
I worked, pre-covid, in a building that banned guns on the premises, but they had their own security force so I didn't care too much. Not like I'm gonna get mugged on the way to the copier. XD
I carry a revolver with me every day. I lost most of the use of my primary (left) hand in a factory accident. I have trained myself to shoot with my off (right) hand, and I can shoot pretty well. One thing I can’t do is rack the slide on an auto loader. I know they carry more rounds. I know they can be a thinner profile. I know. However, if I can’t clear a jam, or ready it after reloading, it is a paperweight. My revolver is reliable. It shoots where I want it to, and I can reload it with little difficulty. Plus, I just really like revolvers. All of the comparisons in the world are great, but sometimes physical challenges make all of the difference.
@@seoulkidd1 Yeah... Maybe. I haven't seen too many pocket autos that have sights which would permit that, even if you could do it, which might not be too easy in a stressful situation. Better to carry a revolver (or two!) Point and click. A reliable pocket auto, and a revolver as a New York Reload is another option. Just my opinion, and you know what those are worth.
@seoulkidd1: If your shoe has a heel that will work (many do not), if your body is adequately limber and your balance is sufficient to do so with ease (consider those who may be 55+, or have limited agility due to physical ailments, or simply lack to coordination to do so), and if you want to invest the time and effort to perfect this skill. Further, how vulnerable will you be while standing/sitting still, possibly on one leg, attempting to rack the slide with other leg’s shoe-heel?
George Bernard Shaw famously wrote: “YOUTH IS WASTED ON THE YOUNG.” People - of all ages - suffer serious injuries and illnesses that impair their strength and other physical abilities. When I was a kid, Polio was an annual horror and many very young people were somewhat handicapped for life. Now I frequently meet younger “brothers and sisters veterans” in the Commissary, in the Exchange, at our local American Legion, and other venues, who clearly are impaired by combat wounds suffered in the last two decades. Many of these heroes will live for 60+ more years, we all pray they will be happy and productive, AND they have the RIGHT to protect themselves, their families, and other innocents. It seems to me to be quite arrogant for any individual to believe he’ll forever be immune to the vagaries of aging - specifically including physical challenges that just might force someone to use a revolver instead of the latest, super duper, striker-fired, polymer-frame, autoloader. And, incidentally, a good revolver certainly remains a very formidable defensive weapon. In fact, the probability of requiring all those rounds (perhaps 13+1, 15+1, or even more) in modern, full-sized semiautomatic for citizen-defense is truly minuscule . . . unless, of course, the shooter is so ill-trained that he is likely to miss a LOT.
L J I pissed off a guy on a comment thread just the other day cause he was saying how his 1911 and three spare mags ccw rig was the only Proper way to Cary
@@Wyttt95 It's funny how so many people think they are going to be using their gun in some kind of combat situation where they will need 30+ rounds to save themselves. The overwhelming odds are that they will never have to use their gun, and in the rare occasion they do, they probably won't even have to fire it. In the extremely rare instance where they do have to actually shoot someone, one magazine or less will be used.
I have found that revolvers are a far better option for concealed carry. It ultimately comes down to the grip. The fact that the grip of a semiauto serves a dual purpose seems to be a distinct disadvantage. Whereas, for a revolver the grip can excel at is only job, of that of a grip.
I'm currently in Orlando.gov . ☹. From 2012-2017, I lived approx 1mi from Pulse Night Club 🏳️🌈. The Pulse Terror attack & the 2018 MSD Parkland HS shooting ruined most open carry, pro 2A gun laws in Florida. Mylicensesite.com .
Good video all around. I’m retired now but I often carry my .38 special. It saved my butt once in Chicago. I’m a large man so it doesn’t print on my frame. Good presentation. 🍀
@@nathanielpatterson6963 as unlikely as it is that you will be in a lethal force self defence scenario, it is that unlikely again, unlikely squared, that it will take more than 5-6 rounds. But more importantly, speed loaders exist.
This channel inspired me to get my first carry gun, (a .327 LCR) with content like this. I grew up with revolvers and am extremely comfortable with their triggers and sights, and I can actually shoot my LCR better than any of my mid-size/smaller semiautos. It’s neat to see people talk about their merits now and then, in spite of their deficiencies.
Still keeping my eyes open for a 327 LCR. My first EDC was a LCRx in 9mm. Got it 4 years ago and traded it in 2 months ago for a SP101 357 which is my trail gun. I would gladly carry a LCR 327 EDC. In the mean time I go back and forth between a 32 Tomcat and a 380 Bersa.
I took a very realistic somewhat brutal survival/self defense course The revolver is easier to get out enough to use if you find yourself dealing with someone who is using MMA wrestling holds on you from behind . The snub nose allows you to get the muzzle in position to do damage and can be shot again with out the slide needing to have enough room to cycle in fact all of the shots can be made without the muzzle losing contact with the attacker . In this situation we are trained to empty the revolver into the attacker so he has nothing to shoot you with if he is still able to get the gun away from you.
I firmly believe that every gun owner should have at least one Revolver in their collection. I know there are young new shooters out there who have never owned or shot a Revolver and I strongly recommend adding one to you're collection. I love semi auto guns and my favorite are the Glocks but I learned to shoot and appreciate the value of that old fashion wheel gun, with that double action trigger pull and the all around reliability. I also trained with and carried a S&W 38 spl as my Duty Weapon for many years before switching to a Glock 19. I have no doubt that my early experience with the Revolver has made me a much better shooter and I will always have one!
I work at a gas station. We have been robbed twice in the last year. Employer has a no gun policy. But Damn right I’m carrying my m&p shield with me idgaf about this job that’s my life 😂
I use an LCR 357 bc I work in SF (yes you can actually get a ccw permit in CA) and I ride the BART out of town, and everyone is anti-gun. Just imagine someone seeing a gun on the train, nightmare.
@@pamusso1466 Small world, man. I used to live in Dublin. To say that area is generally anti-gun (other than the military people on base) is an understatement. So glad to be out of that state.
@@WALTERBROADDUS there is ignorant people everywhere, thick skin I guess. I have the pleasure of dealing with them in my line of work. They will never get it.
For me, the edge goes to the revolver. If we're talking pocket guns, a lot of the advantages that automatics have (e..g capacity, ease of use) are mitigated by their form factor, whereas the advantages of a revolver (e.g. ergonomics, strong advantage at contact distance) remain undiminished. A lot of people trash revolvers as being obsolete, but they still have their place, especially in pocket/back-up carry, and as a quality sidearm for the outdoors. They're also just rad af.
@imnotusingmyrealname4566 If your attacker is on you, sticking an auto pistol into them pushes the slide back a little - taking it out of battery and it won't fire. A revolver will fire in that situation.
I also like Matt from Self Defense Education, John from Warrior Poets Society, Aaron from Sage Dynamics, TN Outdoors 9. Lucky Gunner has good production values 🎬📹💻📀🗣
Be careful with high-pressure rounds. They'll deafen you. I just switched to a .44 Special. A large low-pressure round. It probably won't expand but, it already goes in at .43 caliber.
@Aniquin I have seen a couple guys fall over in pain from muzzle blast. If you shoot in enclosed quarters YOU will go down in pain. It's like being punched in the ears by Mike Tyson. Better to have a non magnum round and just shoot one more into the guy if needed.
@@219garry lol imagine being in a high stress situation, protecting your family, and doubling over from noise.. I understand you may get dizzy and such, but don't think that would impact my ability to shoot back.
I agree with this video as usual. It’s great to see videos that make sense for normal gun people. I’m a combat vet. I’m a cop. I have been an armed professional for almost 20 years. I’m not some tactical guru, commando wannabe; just a slightly overweight, almost 40 dude with a wife, kids and some life experience. I don’t need or want a full size .45 with 4 extra magazines. I’m not expecting a roadside ambush. I’m not kicking in a door on a violent felony warrant. While I own these things, I have no interest in carrying them. I’m going to the store to by a gallon of milk or taking my family out for dinner. I carry a S&W 642 or Shield 9 almost exclusively. In the summer I almost always go with the snub nose, the rest of the year it’s the Shield.
I don't feel comfortable carrying a cocked striker or cocked hammer fired pistol in a pocket holster. I do feel comfortable carrying a revolver or a DAO or DA/SA pistol in a pocket holster because of the heavier trigger pull. My priorities are: #1 to carry a gun, and #2 not to have an accidental discharge. Reasonable people may disagree. Thanks for the excellent presentation.
They are fairly uncomfortable too. I'm a .32 caliber revolver guy and I love the .327 in my SP101, but in the LCR it's pretty awful and comparable to those J-Frame .357's out there. Not quite as unpleasant but bad enough that it's not going to be my first choice. If loaded with .32 H&R or even .32 S&W Long wadcutters, I'd consider it but to me it defeats the point of being able to use .327 if you're never going to use it. While ordinarily I'd not be concerned about comfort in a life or death situation, if that discomfort can cause malfunctions or accuracy issues when you're rounds limited it might make the difference. Plus, I actually practice with the guns Im trusting my life with and if it's uncomfortable to shoot then subsequently I get little practice in and that's just counter productive.
@@Predalien195 Thanks for the reply. Definitely a good point that you make about recoil of the 327. Recoil management is a very personal thing. My 327 sp101 doesn't hurt me to shoot. I've shot quite a few rounds through my dad's 327 LRC and don't recall thinking I'd have an issue controlling it in a defensive situation either, despite it being much lighter than the sp101. But I also have a 2" sp101 chambered in 357 ..... so that's just me I guess. My personally feeling is that in a SD situation, adrenaline is going to be high and recoil is not going to affect usage so much that you drop the gun or manage to cause a malfunction in a revolver. Point, squeeze trigger, repeat. So long as you manage the gun well enough that shots connect with target, the goal is accomplished. But as you pointed out, you have the option of shooting 32H&R in the LCR chambered for 327. For someone who might prefer the simplicity and reliability of a revolver, I'd argue that this is still a very decent choice. It still has ballistics on par or better than 380 acp and gets you an extra shot over a 38 spl. I had some Hornady Critical Defense sitting on my shelf in both 32H&R and 380acp so I checked numbers on the box. Hornady doesn't specify what barrel length was used in generating these numbers, but they are: 32H&R - 80 gr FTX @ 1150fps; 380acp 90gr FTX @ 1000fps. With all of that being said..... I don't personally choose too CC a revolver. If I'm dressing to be able to carry IWB, I'll typically have either a double-stack 9mm, my Shield 45, or sometimes my G29 (talk about recoil). If I'm going directly to pocket I typically choose one of my 380's or maybe even my P32 if I really want it to not show up. It's only 32acp but I subscribe to the "it's 1000% better than the larger gun that I left at home" doctrine. I also have a Sig 938 that I will occasionally pocket carry condition 1. But I wouldn't recommend carrying a SA gun with safety to someone who doesn't shoot it regularly enough to make the working of the action and safety 2nd nature. What's best for one person will not be best for another. And what's best for someone in one situation won't be what's most ideal in another. Having multiple CC options is nice but not everyone will want to have multiple guns or may not spend enough time at the range to be proficient with them. The best advice I could give anyone is that if you're trying to decide what to buy for yourself, talk to lots of people, get lots of opinions, and most importantly, go down to your gun store that offers gun rental with a range and try out as many types of guns as you can before making your decision. Cheers!
I shoot 327 mag out of my LCR and it has almost the same blast at the muzzle as my sis n laws LCR in 357, but there is alittle less felt recoil in mine with the 327. 👍🏻
But can you find kydex holsters for it? They need a different mold than 357 due to the different spaced cylinder notches. And what about ammo? Lucky Gunner has 357 gel tests so you know what performance can be expected. They don't have anything for 327. I don't want to under penetrate and fail to stop a threat, but I don't want to over penetrate and endanger an innocent either. Most of the 327 ammo seems to be for hunting, so who knows how it performs on people out of a snub.
@@DWalter.27 .327 Federal was DESIGNED for CCW. Not for hunting. It was originally intended for the 3 inch SP101 and the 2 inch SP101 in .327 Federal. Those came before ANY other firearms in the chambering. The results of testing in 3 inch barreled models showed 100gr and 115gr Gold Dot, Hydra Shok, and XTP loads to be attaining velocities in the 1,300+ range, with energy levels in the 350 ft lb area or greater. Which is directly on par with +P and +P+ 9x19 ballistics in full size guns like G19's or G17's. The 2 inch doesnt lose much more performance and still delivers 1,200 fps or greater on average when using the 100gr to 115gr bullets which are most common for defensive loadings. 85gr's exist as do 130grs but 85gr's compared to the 100gr loads in the 2 and 3 inch barrels suffer. In 4 inch or longer barrels they come out ok. Finding kydex holsters for an LCR in .327 isnt a chore either. Plenty of companies make holsters for the SP101 that will fit both the .327 and .357 models respectively. So one can still expect excellent performance in a short 2 inch barrel with .327 Federal, however the lightweight LCR is quite uncomfortable using the caliber as I've experienced personally. If you're a glutton for pain or you just have an off switch for it, I suppose that's fine. It does produce about 20% less felt recoil than a typical .357 does though. So it's a little more comparable to a super hot .38 Special that's pushing .357 levels of power, but still not quite as rough as the .357 as a whole.
@Chris - THANK YOU, I believe this has been the most valuable video in the entire “pocket pistol” series. While others may not agree, I’d respectfully suggest there’s another advantage to small revolvers (I favor the 2.25 inch SP-101, even with its somewhat greater weight): SIMPLICITY. Even more than a home defense weapon, a “pocket pistol” is likely to be needed with essentially zero warning time. Under that sort of confusion and emotional pressure, otherwise simple and critical tasks (such as disengaging a thumb-safety or clearing a jam) - notwithstanding considerable training and practice - may not be accomplished flawlessly, quickly or easily. When every millisecond counts, the famous military KISS principle just might make a lot of sense.
I tried all the semi auto pocket pistols, none of them made the cut. It's a little more difficult to carry, but the 38 Special snubnose cannot be matched for reliability.
Great video; thanks! I'm really more of a revolver gal, but I don't ever carry off-body and I don't wear belts. I like pocket carry although I have a couple of Remora holsters, too. Jackets and vests are not really a problem for my snubbies (better at contact distance which is what always comes to my mind), but women's pants pockets are either nonexistent, microscopic, or very small. My Bodyguard 380 is the only gun I own that is small enough to pocket carry in most of my jeans and pants. So...
The best conceal gun ive owned was a sig p238.. a compact revolver is good too but makes more of a buldge. Regardless, my only gun at the moment is a 2” medium frame 38/357 revolver weighing almost 30oz and its still doable, especially with a jacket
Not sure if the company hired you to do these RU-vid vids or not, but you have an amazing talent for presentations of this format. You are well spoken, with tons of knowledge. I never skip your videos. Ever. I stopped carrying micro .380's, because of the reliability issues with them. I don't even own one anymore. I think my next purchase will be the high capacity S&W .22mag revolver. I think it's a 7 shot. I wish Taurus still made the model 904 8 shot. .22mag is just as capable as .380, in my opinion. I had a Ruger LCR .22mag, but it had major light strike issues, because they tried to get "cute" with the trigger, which caused the hammer drop to be too weak. I've had lots of problems with Rugers lately. I won't buy EVER buy another one. Period. They've had their head in their ass, for the last couple of years. Meanwhile, Taurus keeps getting better, and better.
I have quit carrying my LCP and now carry my 327 LCR. Love that gun.it can shoot 32 short, 32 cap, 32 long, 32 H&R magnum and of course 327 magnum. Love the gold dot 327 magnum in it.
Loading a revolver feels more bad ass rather than inserting a magazine. I carry both but loading a revolver makes you feel like your about to handle business. 😎
Be cautious about guns with “great triggers” for pocket carry (yes in a holster). The Sig P365 comes to mind... For me, double-action triggers are best, but require more practice for precision.
Charter Arms is worth a look as well; I have the Undercover (.38) Mag Pug (.357) and Bulldog (.44 Spl). Not surprisingly I shoot the .357 the worst (but acceptably) however I find I shoot the .44 the best of the 3. I do like Taurus also having a 709, 740 & 145. I can usualy find one of these 6 to fit my clothing and conceal decently! If not... well a Phoenix .25 fits just about anywhere ;)
Rock island 38 is around $220. Real customer service! Lifetime warranty. Nice gun, shoots well. I won't buy taurus anymore. 2 revolvers had cylinder lock up issues. 1 took 4 months to get back, other was 6 months. $900 for 454 raging bull was junk out of box. Waiting 4 months to shoot new gun sucks. Never again taurus.
I carry a taurus 85 front pocket all the time and it's a great way to carry a firearm. Yeah it prints, but it doesn't look like a gun in my pocket unlike most autos.
This has been a great series. This analysis is spot on and very realistic. This kind of content is great for me to share with friends that I am trying to get into self defense.
I carry a Kahr myself but I agree with your bigger point: If the person is unsure of themselves or doesn’t invest in the training and care for a semi auto pistol, then the revolver will be the more reliable choice. Not necessarily from a mechanical perspective but from the human aspect.
I love my bodygaurd 380 for deep concealment. I have to wear scrubs where I work, and I never have a problem concealing it in my pocket. I like the idea of a snub nose 38, but I dont think I'd be able to conceal it with my work attire.
I hate it when some people say that Revolvers are "obsolete" when many people still carry or keep batons, canes/sticks, knives, baseball bats and many other non-guns as defensive weapons. Revolvers are firearms and firearms that can't be knocked out of battery in a close quarters fight for life and death.
I have carried a 9mm M and P shield in the front pocket of blue jeans and no one has ever noticed. People probably assume it's a large cell phone or wallet. Most "non gun people "are not looking for a gun on you and most "gun people " wouldn't care.
I've got plenty of great carry guns, yet I almost always carry my lcp or j frame. I feel completely confident that either will accomplish the task of breaking contact.
Hell, I’ve been carrying for 20+ years and have had the cops called a few times, but usually I’ve done what I needed to do and am long gone by the time the cops have shown up...I think? Cause I’m no longer there. Once a cop asked me If I was carrying I said “yes I have a permit would you like to see it?” He said no and I was on my way.......and yes I’m black
Dirk Steel I’ve had my share of Glocks as well, good shooters. Love my XDS but in all honesty it’s the J frame 90% of the time now. Hold center brother
@Keanu Read up on Sgt. Tim Gramins of the Skokie, IL PD. He got into a shootout with a bank robber and hit him with 16 rounds of .45, six of those rounds in supposed "kill zones." The perp didn't go down until he stopped to reload and Gramins got a carefully aimed headshot. The perp still lived to get to the ER, where he finally died.
S&W 638 for me. I like the shrouded hammer, I like having the option of shooting single action while enjoying the snag free practicality of DA, I like the reliability, I like the weight, and I like the trigger. Hard to beat the DA trigger pull of a S&W. J frames are good little guns.
CZ 82 is the best pistol in 9×18 and the Makarov PM is the second best. Not pocket pistols, I know, but the polish P64, the smallest pistol in this cartridge to my knowledge, while reliable, is bigger than any of these pocket guns, is heavy being all steel, has crap sights, and something like a 25 lb double action trigger pull. Watch some reviews on it. I also want to see lucky gunner make a makarov vid because I love milsurp guns, but pocket pistols they are not, they're compact pistols chambered in a cartridge less powerful than 9x19.
@@JohnW-yv6yp The P-64 can be tuned for a less pound trigger pull with a switch of the trigger spring, and the heavy trigger pull is a back up safety feature. The presenter previously said that they would do a video on the 9 x 18 Makarov cartridge.
My P64 stings the fuck out of my hand when I shoot it. But it's still one of my favorite Com Bloc handguns. The Tokarev is my favorite that I own, but the #1 slot would belong to a CZ 52 if I owned one.
Hey guys. I saw this post taking about the 9x18 Mak. I am mostly a new gun buyer. I have been watching some vids on the older milagro guns and my interest is caught! Any recommendations on something that I could buy in that 9x18 Mak or even other guns that are old and fun to shoot. I bought my first gun two years ago and have caught the bug so I’m looking to buy some older guns. I’ve bought 10 in the last two years and I’m gonna be buying a LOT more. Thanks for any advice!
Jose Reyes wow 10 guns in 2yrs. That sounds exactly like me before the great job I had got outsourced to Mexico. I've been shooting since I was 4yrs old. I grew up with guns that I could use but weren't really my own. I was 12yrs when I got my OWN gun. I cut grass for an entire summer and made enough to buy a Yugoslavian SKS from J&G Sales. I'd seen it in Shotgun News for $100+$20 shipping. Of course at 12 u can't own any guns so I gave my dad the $ and he bought it for me. He was the keeper of all my guns until I was old enough to put them in my name. But anyways my must have firearms are a rifle(AR-15, AK-47, etc), pistol( Beretta 92, Ruger P89, Tokarev), shotgun(Remington 870, Mossberg 500), and a .22cal(either pistol or rifle). There are SO MANY choices of firearms today it's staggering.
I have both and since the post is about "pocket pistols" meaning carried "in a pocket", there is one big advantage to the J-Frame. It can be fired from inside the pocket if necessary very effectively but the auto may or may not due to limited area for the slide and ejection to take place. What you wear has everything to do with what you should carry.
I couldn’t agree more. There have been times when I’ve had to walk a couple of blocks from a parking garage to my favorite restaurant in not the best part of town. When I do, I have my hands in the pocket of my windbreaker holding my Ruger LCR. No one is alerted to the fact that I am ready to shoot through the jacket if I am suddenly attacked. No hammer or slide issues that could get caught on clothing.
Its funny because I've ALWAYS been a semi-auto guy. But bought a j frame 357 because I didnt have a revolver. I shoot that thing so well it surprises me EVERY time I shoot it. I cant miss with it! I'll give you one guess what I carry now.
I bought a Smith 642 took it out a call times couldn't hit crap lol instead of giving it time and practicing I traded it for an lcp2 and although I do shoot it better I'm still mad at myself for not giving it more time to practice with it! It was the mat stainless nice gun now I gotta tell my wife I want to buy the gun I just traded lmbo!!
@@brianbuchert1966 Yeah the double action does take getting used to. But if you take your time at first. You can stage the trigger right before it breaks. You should try one of the Taurus snubbies. They have a better double action pull than the Smiths do. Way lighter and smoother.
Wore a semi for 15 years. I bought a smith 66 just for fun and learned how to shoot double action. These days it's a smith 640 or 442 on the waist. Love em!
I am surprised you didn't mention Charter Arms or Taurus aluminum frame snubbies in .38 Special. When you add them to the mix then price is exactly the same as most pocket pistols such as Keltecs or Diamondback Arms.
I don't conceal carry nor would I try in in my gun hostile state. I think your comments make a lot of sense to me and validated my past choices. I have autos and snub nose revolvers for home defense. For years I have relied on the snub nose guns as my choice in an emergency. I never wanted to deal with the extra concerns an auto could present, as you covered when split-second really counts. With a snub nose, all that has to work is the trigger.
@@willl4219 Well, where I live near some of the highest crime centers in the USA, CCWs are denied 99.9875% to residents only police, state, & federal get CCW rights, and regular folks can get a VRC victims recognition certificate.
Very nicely done. I would love to see your concealment placement for the revolver versus the semi automatic. Perhaps this would be great video to present on which places are best to conceal and how to best draw a revolver vs a semi-automatic considering the type of clothing that you are wearing at the time.
60 years ago, the Glock 19 would have been classified as a pocket pistol. It's a completely arbitrary distinction and I have arbitrarily chosen to draw the line at 9mm just to have a clearly defined boundary for what we're talking about. There are a few 9mm pistols that are smaller than the Glock 42, so I guess you could include them if you want. They have the same problems as other pocket pistols, though (reliability, difficult to shoot well, etc) so that doesn't really change much.
@@LuckyGunner thank you for the response. That makes perfect sense; you have to draw the line somewhere, so it might as well be where most pocketable pistols end. Thanks!
@@LuckyGunner So true! Imho, even the G42 is stretching it to be called a pocket pistol. Most pockets, and almost all women's pockets, aren't very roomy.
@@evanzotstein1046 The other day, I was ia situation that required a tucked shirt.. So the LCP II went into a Velcro ankle holster.. Totally forgot about I. Great gun.
That's great to hear. I'm planning to get one and I just want to pocket it and forget it's there until I need it (which is hopefully never). Hopefully I don't accidentally throw that thing into the washing machine along with the pants!
Great job Chris. You clearly and articulately laid out the pros and cons for these two platforms. Any newbie to the concealed carry world should watch this, and even those who think they've got t all figured out should watch with an open mind. Your channel and Paul Harrell's are my two favorite gun channels. Keep up the great work.
Also note that revolvers stand up to neglect better, semi autos handle abuse better. So if you are going to leave it in your bedside safe all the time vs shooting it, a revolver may be better.
One point of consideration is the time and effort needed to "weapon up" as in putting on a holster, etc. Some people do not gear up just to go down to the local market for example for some take out due to the hassle. With a pocket pistol, the effort becomes no more than carrying around a wallet. It is much easier to carry 24/7 if that is what you wanted to do. Of course, if you could achieve that same level with a snubnose, that would be ideal. Good video BTW.
Point, pull, bang. A properly designed, manufactured and maintained snub nose is far ahead in reliability verses the same in semi-auto. I love all kinds of firearms and own semi-autos but I'm not so stupid as to not have a 38 snubby in my arsenal. Mine happens to be a stainless Taurus 85 ultra lite. Great little snubby that I got my hands on a few years back for $249 shipped. Put a snubby and some +P critical defense rounds in your arsenal fellow patriots.
You get a like for defining your terms if nothing else. Too many people use special or restricted definitions or ones poorly understood by the general public without any clarification, so thank you. (the actual discussion was solid as well)
. . . And here’s another reason why a revolver - or an all steel semiautomatic - just might make sense: - For years, I carried a Glock 36 as my primary concealed weapon; I believe 6+1 of .45 ACP, fired from a 3.8 inch barrel (therefore, somewhat increased velocity to ensure expansion), would be more than sufficient for virtually any lawfully armed citizen defensive encounter (and, of course, reloads were very fast and very easy). - On the range, the foregoing premises were unfailingly demonstrated to be correct, HOWEVER . . . - When practiced single handed use of my G36, I experienced jams; this was my fault - inadequate left hand only gripping (limp wristing) with a polymer framed autoloader that sometimes led to failures to go into battery - not the Glock’s, but I decided that under the extreme pressure of a life-threatening situation, it might happen when it was most critical. - Accordingly, I now often carry either a Ruger 2.25 inch SP-101 (loaded with top-rated .38 Special +Ps) or a Kahr 3.5 inch K-4044 (loaded with 7+1 180 grain .40 S&Ws). Both of these weapons are entirely stainless steel and that precludes any left hand only, limp wristing, malfunctions. - A key final point is I’m 73 and my left hand has slight arthritis; thus, I needed to alter my concealed carry practices to accommodate this physical limitation. Hopefully, you’ll never have a similar issue, but age is unforgiving and people still must be able to defend themselves and other innocents.
Kel tec makes really good guns for the price. Im a ruger and smith n wesson fan myself. I just baught a ruger PC 9mm carbine. It takes ruger and glock magazines
I have been carrying concealed every day since 1973. As an off-duty police officer and now as a retired, licensed citizen. My first off duty gun was my duty gun, in a shoulder holster. Not too concealable. Then I bought a S&W M19 2.5", which is an awesome gun, but still a little too big and heavy for EDC. In 1974 I sought out and bought one of the just discontinued S&W Model 40 Centennial revolvers and have more or less been carrying a "hammerless" J frame ever since. I added a Model 640 in the 90s and, recently, a Model 642. I have never felt I needed "more". I also currently use a S&W Bodyguard .380 for my deep concealment pistol. It's DAO mechanism is familiar to me and I feel safe with a pocket gun that is "never cocked" until you pull the trigger. DAO only, revolver or auto, makes for a terrible trigger pull, so I do not use them for target competition. 😎 I also find they are not very pleasant for plinking. But for close range self defense they are completely adequate and acceptable. I have many many other suitable CC handguns to choose from, but the J frame .38 has been my favorite for 45 years.
If your snubnose revolver has a hammer place your thumb on the hammer spur as you draw. Your thumb will act as a guard to keep the revolver from snagging.
This is the best firearms channel out there and I like a lot of them. LGA videos are well made, objective, and considering their lab coat approach to whatever subject they're tackling, refreshingly free from monotony.
"Ignorant"? LMAO Why, because two 9mm pistols you like were not included? You do you, and LG will do him. Not every pocket pistol in every pocketable caliber (32, 38, 380, 9mm for example) will be included. Have a touch more maturity. It goes a long way.
After your last video I sold my LCP 2. I have no idea what will replace it. Thinking S&W Bodyguard 380, maybe the original LCP? Really prefer DAO triggers for CC. It's gotta be pocket carry.
@@scotteger6271 Not necessarily opposed to DA/SA. Sold the LCP2 because I've found that I prefer the DA trigger when it's CC. That little bit of extra effort needed to pull the trigger adds peace of mind. LCP2's light "striker fired" style, combined with its lack of a firing pin, swayed me to find a different option. Asked about that on LG's last video and he replied saying the lack of a firing pin was one of many reasons he wouldn't choose it for himself. That solidified my own concerns. Solid gun, I enjoyed shooting it as much as one can enjoy shooting a pocket 380, but for pocket carry, it's not for me and probably shouldn't be recommended for people like me who only get to the range once a month and have little to no high level training.
@@JoshForet thanks for responding...the reason I asked was because I used to have a LCP2 and like you I sold mine. My decision was more based on the terrible sights, but the trigger was definitely an area of concern for me as well. I have a Glock 42 now and would definitely recommend checking it out. I realize its striker fired but trust me the trigger is not the 5.5 lbs Glock advertises... it's more like 7 lbs. That being said I still shoot it far more accurately than I ever did the LCP2. If you do end up seeking one out, make sure it's one of the newer updated models and shouldn't have any reliability issues...mine has been flawless for nearly 1000 rounds. One thing to note...mine does not always like to feed the first hollow point...I always carry with one in the chamber in an IWB kydex holster so not really an issue, just something to be aware of. That being said I haven't spent the time/money to find the perfect hollow point for mine and likely won't...as I'm happy with the performance of my current carry ammo.
You are definitely a revolver enthusiast! ... and you also make some great points about the advantages of a snub nose. A very fair and even review. liked and subscribed!
Ignoring capacity is half the debate... five shots is not the same as 6+1 or 7+1. This doesnt remotely consider how fast the average person can reload a revolver vs a magazine, nor does it factor how large something like a Bodyguard magazine is vs how large a speed strip or moon clip is... talk about a handicap for debate.
Armed citizens almost never lose fights due to lack of ammo. I know we tend to put a lot of emphasis on having enough ammo, but that kind of thing is just extremely rare outside of the law enforcement context. Reloading in a gunfight is so uncommon that I'm only aware of one instance of it happening in a non-LE/military encounter. I'm sure it's happened a few times more than that, but suffice it to say, it's a rare event. The other stuff I mentioned -- guns malfunctioning, not deployed fast enough, or not having the gun when you need it -- those are frequent problems, so that's what I chose to focus on.
@maxout214226: IMHO, all of your points have legitimacy. HOWEVER, you neglected to mention two points that may favor the five or six round snub-nosed revolver: 1. Every study and article I’ve read indicates that the vast majority of lawful-citizen involved armed encounters are resolved with less than five rounds fired (many with zero rounds fired). Furthermore, the probability of being confronted with such a dire, life threatening situation is very small. Therefore, the likelihood of requiring more than five rounds (conditional probability) is exceedingly rare (of course, it’s not impossible, but neither is winning the Irish Sweepstakes). 2. Simplicity is especially important in such grave situations. Revolvers certainly have their shortcomings, but they are simple. For example, there’s no safety to disengage (obviously, many autoloaders have manual safeties) and no tapping and racking to clear a jam or a misfire (just pull the trigger again). I’m not anti-semiautomatic (most of my carry weapons are autoloaders), but I never feel underarmed when circumstances dictate that a snubby is preferable.
@@LuckyGunner I have question regarding reliability for the snubbies. As you know, for the semi autos, basic remedial action is tap and rack, which solves the majority of malfunctions. Are there any equivalent actions that can be used for a revolver should there be a failure to fire whether it be ammo related or not?
Thanks for this video. I use an LCP Max for a couple reasons. I work at one of the major banks in the US that is extremely progressive and would freak if they knew I was carrying. I'm also on the spectrum of autism and have serious sensory issues. My Glock 43x digs into my skin when I carry it with a holster. Therefore I wouldn't carry it. The LCP Max is comfortable for me.
This is a great presentation of the issue. I generally go P365 or G43 as the smallest auto, which isn't really a pocket pistol. Smaller than that, Ruger LCR .38. 5 shots 100% beats 5-8 shots with
My favorite pocket gun is a .357 Ruger LCR loaded with good .38+p loads. The little extra weight isn't much of a hindrance for me personally but the gun is pretty easy to shoot for a small gun. I've only put a few rounds through a Glock 42 but was impressed with how nice of a shooter it was. I've been trying out a 43 but that gun makes you work for it, but it's not as bad as my Ruger LCP. I picked up a 9mm Ruger LCR a little while ago. The recoil is closer to the .357 but the moon clips are a little more difficult and less convient to carry which kinda defeats the purpose for me of carrying a pocket gun. Might try a .327 LCR some time but it's rare that I do the drop-in-a-pocket thing so it's pretty low on the list of things to do.
