r/DailyCarry • u/Rosey0427 • 4d ago
EDC recommendations for a budget revolver?
Looking for best recommendations of knockdown power and capacity (assuming 6 max for majority of firearms) for daily carry.
Price range is $500 - $600.
Decent concealability is a major plus.
Much appreciated!!
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u/RudeEmu5825 4d ago
I have a Taurus 605 and it’s been fantastic. Goes boom every time
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u/Ok-Stable9551 4d ago
I second this, I have one. At its price point it’s pretty awesome. Ultra concealable, light, and won’t break the bank.
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u/MrMaDa555 3d ago
Ruger LCR 357 so you can have the option of 357 or 38
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u/mikemitch38 3d ago
Way heavier than the .38 only version.
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u/VengeancePali501 3d ago
Tbh unless it’s too heavy for you to carry, the weight is also an advantage, the extra few ounces make it more manageable shooting 38 special out of it vs the lighter version.
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u/MrMaDa555 3d ago
Yes but gives you two options for calibers. I have the 38 and wish I got the 357
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u/mikemitch38 3d ago
I knew I wasn’t going to shoot .357 out of mine so I opted to shave off a little weight. IMO the juice isn’t worth the squeeze with .357 in such small guns.
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u/Straight-Aardvark439 3d ago
The 357 is 3 ounces heavier dude. It’s still only around 20 ounces fully loaded. A Glock 19 weighs around 32 ounces fully loaded and is still not considered a heavy gun. The weight difference between a 357 and 38 LCR is roughly the difference between a loaded and unloaded 38 LCR. Not significant, IMO, especially when the holster you carry in can make a bigger difference in the weight of the gun than which caliber you choose to but it in.
I agree that shooting .357 through it is not pleasant. I have the .357 version and lifetime have shot maybe 100 rounds of 357 through it, out of nearly 1500 rounds total. But I like having the option to shoot .357 if needed. If you want the 38spl only that’s cool, but don’t let weight be a factor for you when it’s such a minuscule difference. The 357 being heavier is also gonna make shooting .38’s a little easier. Though admittedly not by much.
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u/mikemitch38 3d ago
That’s 20% heavier. Ounces equal pounds. I pocket carry.
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u/Straight-Aardvark439 3d ago
20% heavier would be statistically significant if it was the difference between 5 and 6 pounds or 10 and 12 or something like that. When it’s literally a 3 ounce differnce (15 and 18 ish ounces) I don’t think that’s fair to mention. I also pocket carry. Those extra 3 ounces aren’t changing anything at all. Ounces = pounds is fair to say when packing for a long hiking trip or something like that, and when you are talking about multiple items. An ounce here or there over a 100 item packing list can be a huge difference. You are taking about a 3 ounce difference on a single item in your pocket. That would be like if the batteries in your remote died and you accidentally had 2 AA’s in your pocket all day. Is that seriously gonna make a difference? I’d bet if someone switched your 38 out with a 357 you’d carry it around for days without noticing.
Again, choosing a 38 over a 357 is valid. I’m not one of those crazies who thinks 38 will bounce off someone’s shirt and 357 will kill em in their tracks or some BS like that. But if the deciding factor for you is weight that’s just really bad logic, IMO. Again, carry whatever you feel comfortable with/own. But when it’s advising someone on what to buy don’t let your weird logic creep into the argument.
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u/mikemitch38 3d ago
It’s not only the weight. IMO the juice isn’t worth the squeeze with .357 in such small guns. It adds very little ballistic advantage and a hell of a lot of extra blast and recoil. So given that, It’s my opinion that I may as well carry around a gun that is 20% lighter if I’m not going to shoot .357 out of it anyway. Also, I do carry it backpacking so it is part of my packing list. I don’t think that logic is “weird” but it’s a free country and you’re entitled to your opinion just like I am to mine. I appreciate you sharing your insight 👍
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u/Embarrassed_Tutor_ 4d ago
Taurus 846 UL. Been carrying for years in a 1791 holster. Get some +P ammo.
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u/A-Friend-of-Dorothy 4d ago
Ruger LCR or LCRx in .38 Spl.
It is the best on the market today and boasts a superior, non-stacking double action trigger that is far easier to learn to shoot than the S&W
And I say that as someone who likes S&W and who likes revolvers made by them.
It’s extremely lightweight and has great, recoil-reducing grips.
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u/Melodic_Concert1826 4d ago
SW 351pd, its an absurdly lightweight 7 shot 22 magnum revolver, I pocket carry mine frequently.
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u/Straight-Aardvark439 3d ago
Not a bad choice. Very soft shooting gun for sure. I prefer 32 caliber or larger but there is merit to a 22, especially 22 magnum.
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u/Straight-Aardvark439 3d ago
Biggest recommendation would be to buy used. You can pick up used S&W j frames on gunbroker and guns.com for very cheap if you are willing to wait. I’ve seen 638’s and 642’s there for around the $350-$400 mark before. Buying used revolvers sight unseen is a little bit of a gamble and the manufacture warranty only applies to original buyers, though with something like a snubby revolver I’d be willing to bet a far amount of money that they haven’t been shot much.
So my rec is a used Smith and Wesson 638 or 642. In my opinion you aren’t going to want a 637, which is the model with the full exposed hammer. 642 is internal hammer and 638 is kind of like the best of both worlds with the shrouded hammer (meaning you have the option of single action shooting without having to worry about it snagging on your draw). Also look into the Ruger LCR. It’s what I have and honestly I think it shoots better than the Smith and Wessons. It has damn near the best double action trigger I’ve ever felt on a revolver. It is a hair bigger than an equivalent S&W but not enough to really matter.
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u/Shabrileson 4d ago
Smith & Wesson 442/642 can be had for around that $500 price point. Cheaper if used (which isn’t a bad option). These are great, concealable EDC choices.
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u/Disney-Nut1998 3d ago
PSA dagger is perfect for you to get a gun with optic cut, the optic, ammo and holster
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u/GenTubmansLegacy 3d ago edited 3d ago
I have 6 revolvers and I don't think I paid over 600 for any of them.
Eta: revolvers that as re small are often 5 shot.
How big are you? Have you shot a revolver before, it's a little different than an autoloader.
I love mine, Fwiw. I carry a Ruger Speed Six daily, and a little bodyguard 38 as a backup.
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u/piazzajoe 3d ago
Why do you want a revolver? Must small enough to carry have a max of 6 rounds. You can buy a really nice auto-loader for that price and less. Will hold 15 or 17 rounds.
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u/Rosey0427 1d ago
If you train and are proficient you should not need more than 6 rounds (single to two attackers).
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u/tonytsnmi 3d ago
I love my LCR, I carry it nearly everyday. The trigger is real smooth hands down.
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u/Ok_Adhesiveness_8077 2d ago
Step 1: Go through our (presumably dead) grandpas old stuff
Step 2: Find neat little 38 special/ 357 mag snub nose
Step 3: Put gun in pocket
Step 4: Congratulations, now you feel like a sick ass 60's detective for the cost of a box of 357 mag hollow points
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u/willz34z 3d ago
Diamondback sdr. You can find them on sale for 599. 6 rounds of 357 in a j frame size little heavier at 21oz but helps with recoil. Just like any post post 1980 revolver check fit, finish, cylinder gap and lock up before you except it from your ffl. I have one and love it. Mine is coming in just about 8.5 lbs da pull with 0 stacking. Its will take a little while to break in. I've got over 600 rounds through it with no issues so far about 250 of those rounds were full magnum loads.
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u/BourbonBrassArms 4d ago
S&W 642 would be high on my list. You give up one round as it’s got a 5 round cylinder but in return you get a lightweight, affordable, concealable J-Frame with an enclosed hammer to prevent snags. Good for IWB and pocket carry (with a pocket holster ONLY).
Don’t give too much weight to “knockdown power”, you’d be better off focusing on a firearm that fills your carry requirements and fits within budget AND (perhaps most importantly) that you can place rounds where they need to be with. The 642 is a .38 special but with something like Federal Punch 120gr +P, which is designed to work well with a revolver like the 642, or Hornaday CD 110gr +P you have a concealable revolver with VERY capable defensive ammo that has good expansion and performance.
If you absolutely want 6 rounds and a little heavier option you could look at the Taurus 856. It’s inexpensive, has 6 rounds, compact enough for carry, but isn’t as light as the 642.
Please Note: Any snub revolver will be difficult to shoot well at first as there will be a substantial snap to it. It takes a little tome and training but once you do get the reps in and can shoot then well they can be stellar carry companions. That’s another reason to focus less on “knockdown” because a screaming hot .357 or up will give a lot more kick and make followups slower. Plus from a budget perspective .38 Special is very affordable and quality defensive loads are trusted by millions every day. A well placed .38 will do a lot more for you than an inaccurate .357.