Help me choose a revolver

[Will]

I am looking to pick up a revolver to carry on the farm with me everyday most likely in a pancake style belt holster.
I have narrowed it down to a 3" S&W 686, 3' S&W 629, and a S&W 60. I have pretty much decided on the 3" barrel length to get adjustable sights. I have a really hard time shooting fixed sights.

Whats makes the decision really hard is the weight. Trying to decide whats comfortable while still give me plenty of firepower.

If you don't care give me your opinion on the pros and cons of these revolvers. Hopefully some of you have carried these size revolvers alot and can tell of your experiences.

I have a 4" 686 I have carried some but the revolver was given to me by my papaw and I really dont want to beat it up with everyday farm use.

 

[Brad]

For that kind of carry I would consider a Ruger BH in 357 with the 4 5-8 inch barrel.
Built to last. Forever. In any conditions. I just prefer a single action for carry while hunting or just around.

A 357 will be better than the 629. Even a Blackhawk in 44 special would be a good choice. Anything but a 44 mag. That said, a Blackhawk in 45 Colt weighs less, bigger holes. A 255 SWC at 900 fps is an easy shooting load that hits hard.

 

[9.3X62AL]

Where the farm is located would influence my decision. If the farm is sited along the Mexican border, a 9mm or 40 S&W with double-stack magazine and 4"+ barrel would get my vote. Along our northern border, a 4" 629 might be nice for the big bears that reside with you. A Glock 20 with 4.5" barrel and 15 rounds on deck (10mm) would work well just about anywhere.

 

[Ian]

I know my opinion will be of no help to your quandry, but is my opinion nonetheless. If the farm is located along the Mexican border, I recommend an armored vehicle with fixed gun mounts, dedicated gunners, and for armament preferably something produced by Dillon. And thermal sights. No, I'm not kidding.

For everything else I totally agree with Brad that a single-action .45 Colt with standard-power loadings and barrel no longer than 5", in a cross-draw belt holster configuration (to allow easier carry while seated in a vehicle or on a machine like a skid-steer loader) will likely suffice. This is exactly what I do for 'backup' when hunting, that way I can carry a few snake shot rounds as well as some solid lead bullets.

Personally, I carry a 5.5 lb AR-15 carbine in .45 ACP when wandering my property or doing various tasks outside. When slung across my back diagonally, muzzle down (sling attached to side of handguard and side of buttstock), it is instantly in action by grabbing the handguard and bringing it up, yet I can still run and jump with it and stoop-walk under heavy brush without it slipping or banging around or being in the way. Recently I pruned one of my property lines with a chainsaw and lopping shears, working a lot over my head, with the carbine slung the whole time and it never got in the way, and my shoulder wasn't sore from the 1.25"-wide, light Nylon sling. The big drawback obviously is having to take it off and stow it when operating a vehicle or machine.

My issues with carrying only a revolver or other handgun for "homeland security) or farm use are 1.) All handguns of any useful caliber are absolutely deafening to shoot and IME are best reserved for those times when you have no choice but to use them if you want to survive the situation. If that's the only time you think you'll use your revolver, then go for it, but on my ranchette my carry gun gets used fairly frequently. 2.) Shots you may need to make, such as varmint control, might be well beyond your (or my) realistic range or inside a building ('possum in the rafters, snake under the feed bin) so again, something quieter than a big-bore handgun would be safer and more useful. 3.) Revolvers only have six rounds. How many do you think you'll need if you spook up a small herd of feral hogs or....?

 

[Bret4207]

Lets start at the beginning. What are your targets, how far away and what exactly do you mean by "firepower". When you say "carry on the farm" I envision me on my half section. Targets are coyote, porkies, feral cats or dogs chasing livestock, snapping turtles, truly huge and aggressive black snakes (we're talking 8-10 feet long- seriously, they're nasty), Cormorants, rats, skunks, anything looking mangy. Plus we have 2 legged varmints, but they tend to go the other way. I carried an L frame professionally for many years. Heavy, same or more for the N frame, Blackhawk, full size 1911. A J or even K frame is much lighter. And unless you're dealing with a lot of nasty bovines or bears a 38 Spec should handle anything on my list. It's just harder to hit way out there at .9-1K fps vs 1.4k fps. But with a 3-4" barrel you're shooting at the "big part" once you get out much past 50 yards anyway. Anything from 22lr/Mag to 32 Long to 44mag/45 Colt will work. A 38 Spec with rat shot is a lot quieter in a building than you'd think, and a 22 quieter yet. All I can say is my 22lr Kit Gun at 4" is relatively unnoticeable compared to my 45 BH 4 5/8, my M28, my 6" K frame 32 or 22 Mag or 1911. The 9 1/2" scope sighted Single Six 32 Mag isn't real heavy, but it's in the way all the time. It's pretty darn hard to beat a J frame sized revolver for ease of carry. Smith used to make an adjustable sighted 38 in 4" I think, might have been 3 or 3 1/2. That would be the ticket in my book in either 38 or 32. If they made it in 357, fine, but it isn't going to be fun to use.

 

[Will]

No hogs here unless you count the ones I'm raising.

I'm in northeastern Ky. I will mainly be carrying it for the random coyote that comes out when I'm mowing hay.

Also for defense against 2 legged predators. Seems everyone around here is on pills or meth now a days.

I really like revolvers but may need to look more at a glock 30. A long barreled gun is really uncomfortable on the tractor.

I like the suggestion about a ruger Blackhawk the price makes them very appealing. Problem is I hate the ruger grip angle. My Blackhawk Hunter has a Bisley grip which is really comfortable.

 

[Ben]

Will,

If you can live with a 5 round cylinder, this will offer you as much fire power vs. weight to carry in a holster on your belt as I think you'll find. A perfect ( in my opinion ) walking, working , firearm. Stainless steel, so if you get caught out in the rain, no problem. I also have a 686 , 2.5 inch, there is quite a difference in carrying the two !

My Ruger SP101 4.2 inch barrel.

With my new Hogue grips even better ( in my opinion ).

 

[Will]

Does the 686 feel that much bulkier Ben?

 

[KHornet]

Tend to agree with Brad on this one. Either Ruger 357 or 45 Colt in a single action w/about a 4" bbl would be fine for me. That said would be more than satisfied with Ben's Ruger as well.

 

[Lost Dog]

Will, I carried a sidearm every day of my life for close to 30 years in the military and later in a career as a lawman. In the manner or a pancake holster, a 3" vs a 4" is of little difference really when carrying it and mounting and dismounting a vehicle or horse for that matter. The added inch a 4" gives over a 3" may not seam much but it's like the difference of pointing your finger with a 4" and pointing your knuckle with a 3". Weight and carry comfort are really nill when in the field.

For a daily "peace of mind" carry sidearm on the farm a K frame size .357mag of the make of your choice that YOU feel comfortable with is, I believe, is the answer you seek. A 4" is no more difficult to holster and carry yet the difference shooting compared to a 3" is vast.

When working inside as a detective, I had a 2 1/2" M19 S&W, but later went to a 4" because it shot better and never noticed the difference when carrying it.

 

[Ben]

Does the 686 feel that much bulkier Ben?

You just have to put both of these in a holster on your side to see the difference.

Answer.......YES !
Although this revolver isn't a " Kit Gun", it is very close to the J Frame Kit Gun concept.
Put the SP101 into a lightweight nylon holster and you've got a lot of fire power in a small light weight package that is very accurate.

 

[Bret4207]

If the problem is mainly coyotes and you're going to be on equipment, then a short barreled rifle of at least 22 mag power will do all you want and handle 2 legged issues too. I have a 6.5x257 Arisaka, done up Mannlicher style with a recvr sight, weighs under 6 lbs IIRC. Perfect. If a handgun is preferred, and you'll mostly be on equipment, a 4" K frame would be my choice.

 

[RicinYakima]

Of your three choices, I would go with the Model 60-10 (adjustable sights and 3 inch). Being 5'8" and 200 pounds you can say I'm a little portly about the middle. And at one time farmed 92 acres of cherries, so spent some time on a tractor. Any of your choices will take care of the coyotes, if you can hit them. The meth maggots will required accurate center of CNS hits. If you have to buy a gun, the Rugers are much cheaper in the SP101's and easier to find. FWIW, Ric

 

[Ben]

Will,

A good point, the Ruger SP-101 and the Smith do carry different price tags
$$$$$ .

If the Smith in your opinion is the better revolver ( and you have the extra cash ) , go in that direction.

Ben

 

[Hawk]

I also support a 4" 686 or a model 66 (do they still make those). They'll give you an extra round over the SP101. You won't be happy with the power levels of the model 60.
I AM a big S&W fan.

Like you, the Ruger grip frames just don't point correctly in my hand. They're great guns, just don't point naturally for me.
I know with practice, I could get used to them, but the grip angle on the Smith's just feel great and point exactly correct for me.

A 44 mag will be much heavier (I have 60s, 66s, 686s and 629s), and you really don't need the extra power for what you'll be using it for.

If you hand load and cast, you really can't beat a good 160-180 grain boolit at 1200-1300 fps. Too many good molds to mention.

Bottom line is, you need to carry whatever point naturally and feels good in your hands.

I'm also a big fan of Glocks. I used to carry a model 66 on the deer lease, but now carry a Glock Model 27 in 40 S&W. With a + 2 mag grip, increases my capacity to 11+1.
They're much more accurate than they should be and with a little fine tuning of hand loads, can be as accurate as many revolvers. Pretty light weight with increased capacity. A Glock in 357 Sig would be pretty flat shooting.
I always use a Saftey-Bloc trigger block when I carry Glocks, just for added safety.

 

[freebullet]

Hard to beat a stainless ruger for your intended purpose. Blackhawk, gp100 or an sp101 if weight is a concern.

 

[telebasher]

Ruger flat top in 44 SPL , Lee 200gr RNFP - 7 gr Unique = 5 shots < 1 inch @ 25 yds with little, I mean very little recoil.

 

[James W. Miner]

Anything with comfort is great. Go with feel and how you like it.

 

[Pistolero]

1. 4" Ruger GP100 or S&W 586/686 also 4", IMO. Although, these are LOUD.

Ian is correct about the advantages of long guns. I remind people that
"Things that are a trick shot with a pistol are a 'gimme' with a rifle." A friend
carries an AR on his tractor in a scabbard for that reason. Coyotes beware.

A .30-30 levergun with a mild Unique load under HP cast would be pretty effective
on a lot of targets out to 100+ yds, and a gigantic amount quieter than a 4" .357
Mag pistol if you have to use it, plus far easier to hit with beyond 20-30 yds.

Bill

 

[Will]

Well thanks for all the suggestions. I am not sure if I am more confused now or not.

I guess I will just have to decide to make a compromise. I want a light easy to carry gun that is capable or also shooting good in a magnum caliber. I have tried the rifle on the tractor and its just always in the way.