Opinion's on the Best Defensive Revolver round today.

[tj3006]

And I mean Defense against people, Not talking Grizzly bears here. And in what gun .
  On some sights this topic might get really Ugly, But I think guy's here all know there stuff and all have valid opinions. And I will not say any of you are wrong.
My Currant Carry revolver is a 3 inch ported model 66-4. I carry it with plus p's in the gun and magnum's in 2 speed loaders, in my pocket, and if I use a Shoulder Holster, 2 more Speed loaders on the off side.
  This set up is excellent. And any variation, from it would not in my opinion be worth the expense. Any gain would be minimal for the purpose.
  But If I were to Buy a defensive revolver today, I think a 10mm Would be the best choice. I would opt for a Custom GP100. Cut for Moon Clips. A 3 inch, With adjustable sights, or maybe a Novack rear. A Tritium front sight , A slicked up Action, with double and single action retained, And at least two holsters for different clothing option's.
  If I was going to a Crowded restaurant, I would put 40, SnWs in the gun and have 10mms in Clips in my Pocket. 
  The 40 is a better stopper than the 38s in my 66, and the 10,mm's I could switch too real quick, Give you real power to shoot through a barrier, or a car door. We get quite a few drive by's here,  What would you guy's pick ? I will not be Surprised if you change my mind ! ...tj

   
  

[jeffh]

Not to sound too cliche', but whatever a fella can HIT with and conceal.

MY preference is a 3" 357, with 180 grain WFNS at 850 - 950 fps.

For many years, it was any one of a number of 3" 44 Spl Bulldogs, 240 - 250 grain SWCs at about 800 fps.

I am no expert and have no data to back my choice, but these are guns I'm most comfortable and confident with and can conceal easily.

[tj3006]

Jefeth, I cant argue with your choice at all.
  I have Carried a Model 69 Smith with 44 specials in it a few times. Not sure I would choose a 180 grain wfn, because it might go through 3 people and still be going strong.
I like Hollow points , in the city !...tj

[seminolewind]

Maybe not the "Best" choice but I've really enjoyed carrying a S&W Model 69 4" for the past four months, and I have no doubt a .44 caliber 240 gr HP cast bullet at 950 fps will get any job done. The shorter barreled model would probably carry better, but the 4" gun is comfortable in a Simply Rugged IWB holster and hides under an untucked shirt when I go to town. A speed strip in my back pocket and feel prepared for anything from the finishing shot on a deer to armed trespassers on atvs.

[azshaun]

I have been carrying a 4” Smith model 57 for about a year or two now. I carry it in a Simply Rugged pancake holster with the inside waistband straps. It can get heavy, so a good gun belt is required or yer gonna have to get used to pulling up your pants every 2 minutes. That being said, I normally carry it with a speed strip in my pocket, with the occasional speedloader. Speed strip is a lot less bulky and hides better.

I carry it with Speer 210 grain deep curls or my semi wadcutter bullets that I cast myself at around 1100fps. That’s my normal load for the gun, except when I want to hunt something.... recoil is really manageable.... a few months ago, my kids were taking shooting lessons from a Cop we know. One session, one of the kids got sick, so I got to sub in... normally, since I don’t want to be a bother, I do the lessons with a 1911, but on this occasion, I asked if I could do the double tap drills with my 41. He said sure, my times and shooting were on par with my 1911 times and scores, so, really helped me understand my 41 isn’t such a bad choice. Further, outside of the slower reloading, I’m just as comfortable with it. But, that’s my choice.


Oh, and I live in AZ, so, warm weather clothes most of the year, with an untucked shirt, is what I do... only time I can’t really take the big gun, is if I need to tuck in my shirt.

[bradshaw]

Dec 24, 2022 14:49:51 GMT -5 bradshaw said:

Dec 24, 2022 13:18:46 GMT -5 tj3006 said:

And I mean Defense against people, Not talking Grizzly bears here. And in what gun .
  On some sights this topic might get really Ugly, But I think guy's here all know there stuff and all have valid opinions. And I will not say any of you are wrong.
My Currant Carry revolver is a 3 inch ported model 66-4. I carry it with plus p's in the gun and magnum's in 2 speed loaders, in my pocket, and if I use a Shoulder Holster, 2 more Speed loaders on the off side.
  This set up is excellent. And any variation, from it would not in my opinion be worth the expense. Any gain would be minimal for the purpose.
  But If I were to Buy a defensive revolver today, I think a 10mm Would be the best choice. I would opt for a Custom GP100. Cut for Moon Clips. A 3 inch, With adjustable sights, or maybe a Novack rear. A Tritium front sight , A slicked up Action, with double and single action retained, And at least two holsters for different clothing option's.
  If I was going to a Crowded restaurant, I would put 40, SnWs in the gun and have 10mms in Clips in my Pocket. 
  The 40 is a better stopper than the 38s in my 66, and the 10,mm's I could switch too real quick, Give you real power to shoot through a barrier, or a car door. We get quite a few drive by's here,  What would you guy's pick ? I will not be Surprised if you change my mind ! ...tj

   
  

*****

Were I armed with your M-66....
To go by water jug tests with the J-frame S&W M-640 Centennial (2-1/8” bbl), the Speer 145 JHP factory load in truly impressive. Consistent, reliable expansion and weight retention, with exceptional penetration for a mushrooming .357. I suspect it’ll handle winter clothing much better than many of the so-called defensive rounds.

There are numerous commercial .38 Special rounds which offer consistent expansion, often at the expense of penetration. Years ago I shot a bunch of livestock meat with Federal, Remington, Winchester, and Speer .38 Special, and saw little difference between regular and +P. Situation may be different now. I liked the old soft lead 158 HP .38 Special, the Federal Hydra-Shok 129 JHP, and Winchester 137 JHP.

Simply because of its great trigger and superior accuracy, an S&W M-66 enters tactical capability----in good hands. Just because a handgun is small does not absolve the shooter of marksmanship.

Thus, ammo must compliment. Since a desperate or mean person tends to be immune to normal shock, with their usual adrenal strength shielded by booze and/or dangerous drugs, a bullet which penetrates without punch, or a bullet which punches without penetration might take too long to register.
David Bradshaw

[JSutter]

I still use the 38/357. Even factory ammo comes in a big variety of power levels, for whatever rounds allow us to hit the target. Works for anyone responsible & fit enough to use the revolver for defense.



One advantage of the 38/357 over bigger bores, is they don’t make big bore j frames. If you like J frames…

In .32, the Js become six shooters.

[ezekiel38]

Stay with the 66 3", K frame Smiths are the quintessential self defense carry piece. As a peace officer I carried Winchester Silver Tips with 145grain JHPs. Today I carry one of two 357s. (Been retired from LE 20 years) a 3" Ruger WC 3" or a Colt King Cobra 3" 357. I pack the Buffalo Bore 38+P 158 grain and it does around 1060fps. It is easy to shoot load with fast follow up, wouldn't try this with a J frame though.

My advise, keep the great 66 you have and practice reload drills with dummy rounds until your range friends start using the name: Jerry Miculek when they watch your reloads.

[dobegrant]

4” 686 .38/.357

[bigbrowndog]

.35, .40, .44, .45,…….2”, 2.5”, 3”, barrel,……..prefer 8” accurate or better to 50yds offhand,……..800-1100fps,……….J,K,L,N, 1917, or anything that size including a SA,……..that’s my thoughts.

Trapr

[flyfisher66048]

I don’t think there is much room for improvement on your current selection.

[tj3006]

The load I have been carrying in my 66, is from a company called Ammo inc. The bullet looks like an XTP, I am almost certain it is one and weighs 125 grains.
David I often think about getting a load to push through winter clothing. I would think an XTP at plus p Velocities should hold together well enough.
In My Speed Loaders is a Factory Hornady load with a 135 grain Flex lock bullet, Box says 1250 FPS.
The Magnaports work well enough, that the Magnums feel like Specials.
The only Draw back Is that after about 3 shots the paint on my front sight is gone.
I am not Surprised at how many of you guys use the Simply Rugged pancake. Thats what I use Mostly too. Some times I use a Leather shoulder holster.
I have a few of the pancakes. I could really make some noise with my 66 on one hip and my 69 on the other...tj
     ...tj

[jack]

My mostly EDC has been a 2.75" M69 for a while now. I carry a 235 large HP of very soft alloy that seems to be a reliable expander at some 850ish FPS on 44 Special cases (Same load is dandy in my CA Bulldog) I carry a spare reload of these and 2 spares of a substantially heavier 44 mag load featuring the 250 SWC cast of fairly hard alloy. This gun and the two loads cover my day to day needs which can range from fairly public and occasionally crowded environs where humans are most likely to be the threat, to remote environs where critters of assorted size and temperment can join the human element as potentially problematic. This weapon and loads suit my current day to day needs. And I shoot this set up very well. This has varied MUCH over the years! The grand old M29 4" and Keith loads served yeoman duty for a long time. The 2.5" M66 was THE THING for a period. A M36 and upside down HB wadcutters were important to my day to day routine for a time. I have every confidence demands will change with time - but for now and the immediate future the M69 is the thing for me!

[sixgun100]

Well, looks like I’m in good company! My current carry is a 3 inch King Cobra with BB 158 grain LSWCHP in a Simply Rugged Holster. Think your 3 inch Model 66 is a great carry gun! Merry Christmas Everyone.

[Encore64]

As much as any forum member, I understand the desire to carry really nice guns for defense use. But, I won't carry them!!!

I want reliable, but don't want to loose a nice gun if I have to use it.

LEOs don't like it said out loud. But, if these really nice guns get used, you're never seeing them again.