Author Tred Law
Gun writer, Tred Law lists his picks of the five best concealed carry revolvers for everyday carry & self defense.
Manasquan, NJ –-(Ammoland.com)- I love revolvers as they are a tried and true design, simple to use and easy to maintain, with just enough capacity and caliber to get the job done.
As a firearms instructor I am asked all the time by my students, “What is the best concealed carry revolvers?”
My top five picks for the best concealed carry revolvers for reliable self defense include the five following wheelguns:
- Ruger SP101 357 Mag, 2.25″ Revolver
- Smith & Wesson 642 Handgun 38 Special Revolver
- Ruger LCR-LG 38 Spl+P Revolver with Crimson Trace Lasergrips
- S&W M&P 340 Revolver
- Taurus Judge Public Defender Polymer Revolver
Ruger SP101 357 Mag, 2.25″ Revolver:
The Ruger SP101 357 Mag, 2.25″ Revolver fitted with the Crimson Trace LG-111 Defender Series Lasergrips are designed to put the shooter on target quickly and accurately. The Ruger SP101 has a spurless hammer for a snag free carry and draw, features 2.25 inch barrel and fixed sights. These 5-shot stainless steel revolvers are chambered for .357 Magnum and can also fire .38 Special ammunition, including .38+P cartridges.
The Crimson Trace LG-111 Defender Series Lasergrips are constructed of hard durable polymer. The red beam laser is activated by a pressure switch located on the front of the grip, making it instinctively usable for right- or left-handed shooters. The laser is adjustable for windage and elevation using an Allen wrench (provided).You Can Never Be Too Prepared. The SP101 revolver boasts the strength to handle the powerful .357 Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum cartridges in a controllable, small-framed double-action revolver. Among the most powerful small-frame revolvers on the market, they are engineered for solid performance. Featuring a recoil-reducing grip, the SP101 is comfortable to shoot and perfect for personal defense or field use.Strong and reliable shot after shot, all SP101 revolvers boast solid steel sidewalls (no side-plates), making them rugged, reliable, and dependable.
Available in .327 Federal Magnum, .38 Special and .357 Magnum (which also accepts the less expensive .38 Special cartridges), you can count on the SP101 when you need it.
Smith & Wesson 642 Handgun 38 Special Revolver:
The Smith & Wesson 642 Handgun 38 Special Revolver is a lightweight alloy framed revolver with a steel cylinder. Smith and Wesson calls this an Airweight revolver. It comes in at 15 ounces unloaded. It is a 5 shot revolver and rated for .38 Special +P ammunition. The standard 642 comes with a 1 7/8 inch barrel and the Pro comes in at 2 1/8 inch barrel.
I am a large caliber bigot. I make no apologies for it. Before this gun, I only thought there were 4 common calibers worth buying a handgun in: .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, and .44 Magnum. I still think that way, but with one caveat. A .38 Special in +P can be had in ballistics close to a slow .357 Magnum. Make that two caveats, I don’t know who said it, but a [insert small caliber here] in the pocket is better than a [insert large caliber here] in the dresser. I think there are limits to the second caveat, but for 40 years the majority of police in this country carried .38 Specials and like I mentioned above, there are +P’s that push the .38 Special over 1000 f/s.
Ruger LCR Revolver .357 with Crimson Trace Lasergrips:
When Ruger designed the groundbreaking polymer-framed Ruger LCR Revolver in .357, it did so with the intention of Crimson Trace Lasergrips compatibility and availability right out of the gates. The addition of the Lasergrips greatly enhances the defensive capability of the lightweight LCR revolver with a seamless fit and quality engineering. It will hold zero continuously without fail. Ruger’s commitment to endorsing Crimson Trace laser sights is further validation that after the weapon itself, a laser is the best self defense investment you can make.
The S&W M&P 340 Revolver is a lightweight, five-shot, double-action-only revolver is perfect for concealment and comes with an internal hammer that’ll keep it from catching on the draw. It’s chambered in .38 Special +P and the heavier .357 Mag., providing shooters with some options when planning their personal defense.
Taurus Judge Public Defender Polymer Revolver:
Last but not least, on our list of the best concealed carry revolvers, check out the revolutionary new Taurus Judge Public Defender Polymer Revolver. This scaled-down model of everyone’s favorite combo gun, the Taurus Judge, still gives you the ability to fire your choice of ammunition —now in a size that fits in most pockets— also in a lighter, polymer body frame with new updates for improved handling and accuracy. Truly amazing! Just like its big brother, this little gun delivers amazing versatility and devastating firepower for self-protection. .45/.410 (2.5″ chamber)
Concealed Carry Revolvers Capacity / Price Comparison Chart:
| Revolver | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ruger SP101 357 Mag 2.25″ Revolver | 5 Shot | MSRP $719.00 |
| Smith & Wesson 642 Handgun 38 Special Revolver | 5 Shot | MSRP $469.00 |
| Ruger LCR Revolver .357 with Crimson Trace Lasergrips | 5 Shot | MSRP $649.99 |
| S&W M&P 340 Revolver | 5 Shot | MSRP $869.00 |
| Taurus Judge Public Defender Polymer Revolver | 5 Shot | MSRP $514.47 |
Short and sweet huh? These are my top five Go-to-Guns for concealed carry revolvers if you’re looking for ultra reliable, easily concealable wheelsguns with enough stopping power for that peace of mind. Others will always disagree so let me know in the comments below what your favorite self-defense revolver is and why you think it is the best?
Thinking you want a Semi-Auto for your concealed carry weapon? Read our related article of the Best Handgun For Concealed Carry .
AmmoLand Editor Comments:  This article was updated to reflect changes in product improvements / availability on 07/12/2017.
I respect the writer’s knowledge but before I go to using a 357 magnum in a house or on the street there are some drawbacks first being a 357 is over kill because if you miss the errant round is very likely going through a wall which may have a horrific out come on an innocent bystander possibly being a family member or friend. As for on the street I have personally seen a 357 round go a city block passing through 1 house & stopping by embedding the projectile in the refrigerator door of a 2nd house. I have… Read more »
I have a soft spot for the S & W Model 19 or 66, especially the new 66 that Smith came out with!
As to which firearms you should carry concealed, it’s a matter of your physique, preference and practice, practice, practice. If you’re a “Wee slip of a Lass”, Dirty Harry’s 6″ barreled S&W .44 Magnum Model 29 is most likely not an option. Likewise, if you’re a ham-fisted 350+ lb linebacker, a Raven in .25 ACP would be difficult, if not impossible to handle quickly and accurately in a stressful, life or death situation. Tailor your carry gear, clothing and mode(s) to suit your particulars, not someone else’s. Remember this too, as Robert Ruark famously noted: “Use Enough Gun”. Meaning one… Read more »
S&W 638. 38+P, 5 rounds, lightweight snubbie
Short stub of a hammer for when you have time to cock it for single action, flawless DA for when you’re in a hurry…
My first carry gun , originally suggested after a conversation with an S&W rep at a very large gun show. I vried a bunch of others but keep coming back.
Of course, tucked away elsewhere is an LCP with appropriate ammunition for stoppers.
I carry Charter Arms Bulldog Pug, .44 special. Titanium frame. Hollow points.
I have a .22 magnum SA/DA 8 shot snubby and a .38+p SA/DA 5 shot snubby. I have carried both with ease with OWB holster shirt covered both well ( no outline showing). I live in New Orleans and most encounters in my neighborhood involve 2 to 5 attackers. my question is more shots or more power?
Thanks
Well…
My Taurus revolver is a lil heavy for all day carry, but i try here at home on occasion and late at night it is a great go. But i carry a Keltec PF9 with ah 8+1 mag extention from keltech, ive No issues though some have with PF9s.
And on occasion my lil friend Ruger 380 LCP has been great..
Ive no issues trusting any weapon if need. Or if at home if i must i wouldnt hesitate using my 22LR squirrel rifle, or HR single shot 12
Many say 380 is “enough” except trained gun store employees, some compete & teach. Well so is a 22LR to temple if so could be arranged w/cooperation. Consider a heavy weight boxer’s punch over 500ft-lb energy doesn’t always knock his opponent out unless hitting “rich right” and how long those matches can go (or short … in exceptions). Those smarter than me indicate 500 is minimum for personal defense against humans and 800 min, for hunting or PD from wild animals while hiking/camping. Now consider the guns above such as LCR357 w/ideal Lucky Gunner Labs PD ammo = 440ft-lb muzzle… Read more »
I believe the Taurus Spectrum 380 is going to change the discussion very soon. I do not own one but it was tested by a variety of shooters. And you can hide it anywhere! 380 is plenty for defense,
The author mentions the .327 Federal Magnum a couple of times in the SP 101 portion of the article but, the article was written in 2012. I just LOVE the .327 Fed Mag as it’s bad%ss round. Ruger markets it in the LCR (6 rounds instead of 5) as well as the SP 101 (again 6 rounds). I’ve got both with the SP 101 being in the 3 in barrel model. Talk about a sweet shooter. And the versatility of either one in being able to feed not only .327 Fed Mag but .32 H&R Mag, .32 S&W Long, .32… Read more »