Pocket gun... Revo vs Auto

Mitch Rapp · Jun 25, 2012

Trying to decide between a small revolver, or an auto for pocket carry. Due to my job my current pocket gun (LC-9) gets very dusty and filthy dirty. I drive a mower, and eat dust like its fun...

I worry about the auto, because even cleaning it all the time, the slide feels gritty, wich makes me worry. So, I guess I am asking myself the age question, 5 for sure or 7 maybe? as capacity and reloadability is the main "pro" to the LC-9. I don't have a lot of experience with Revo's but the LCR I had for a while was very nice. Are they as prone to problems with dust as the small auto could be, or would they be more reliable dry lubed than this might be?

Jefpainthorse · Jun 25, 2012

Kevin... the J birds and their Colt Taurus and Rossi cousins generally tolerate lint and dust pretty well. Revolvers don't have the one thing that makes a semi auto a semi auto... a lapped fit from slide to frame.

When I was doing similar tasks all the time... a Taurus 85 was a good pick... if I could find a "beater" SW 36 or similar I'd carry that in a pocket holster too.

Pstmstr · Jun 25, 2012

I'd say a snub revolver too but I've found my gets just as dirty and actually has more moving parts. I've had the cylinder bind up more than I've had malfunctions with a PM9. Generally, the snub is the go to gun.

DurningDefenseCustomsLLC · Jun 26, 2012

In a pocket gun it is hard to beat a revolver, I have a LCR in .357 that is pretty nice little pistol, lightweight and packs a punch with the .357 mag round.

While I am a die in the wool 1911 man, the smaller autos are just not right.

Adam Striegel · Jun 26, 2012

Get a Glock 26 and have 10 for sure, dirty or not.

Pstmstr · Jun 26, 2012

Is that a Glock in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Adam Striegel · Jun 26, 2012

Wouldn't you like to know? :girlwacko:

Jefpainthorse · Jun 26, 2012

Stuff I learned about pocket carry

A j frame and standard grips will fit in a pair of Wranglers.... I'm not huge but I am big bones.
The Glock 26 won't fit the same pocket
That in a simple Uncle Mikes #3
A glock 26 will fit in trousers or BDUs but the wider pocket tops gather more dirt than jeans
Drawing seated is impossible in either case....for me Ymmv

Burk Cornelius · Jun 26, 2012

Jeff said:
Stuff I learned about pocket carry

A j frame and standard grips will fit in a pair of Wranglers.... I'm not huge but I am big bones.
The Glock 26 won't fit the same pocket
That in a simple Uncle Mikes #3
A glock 26 will fit in trousers or BDUs but the wider pocket tops gather more dirt than jeans
Drawing seated is impossible in either case....for me Ymmv

You must wear different wranglers than me. A j-frame ain't fitting in mine.

Mitch Rapp · Jun 26, 2012

Traded my LC-9 straight across for a 642 that had been shot ten times. Anyone wanna gimme a tip on carry ammo? Picked up Speer 135+p for starters...

Also, anything a new wheel gunner should know?

DurningDefenseCustomsLLC · Jun 26, 2012

put some grease on the ratchets and a few drops of oil down the hammer, with it cocked, cycle the hammer (dry fire) about 10 times, lets the oil work in the action. Other than that, not much for a wheel gun.

shameless plug, but the double action can always use a nice smoothing!, and I know just the guy....LOL.

Have fun man, I love my wheel guns!

Strokin04 · Jun 26, 2012

edited

Jefpainthorse · Jun 26, 2012

Burk Cornelius said:
You must wear different wranglers than me. A j-frame ain't fitting in mine.

The full sized Wranglers have big pockets, BC.... Lol

Scott Hearn · Jun 27, 2012

Kevin S. said:
Traded my LC-9 straight across for a 642 that had been shot ten times. Anyone wanna gimme a tip on carry ammo? Picked up Speer 135+p for starters...

Also, anything a new wheel gunner should know?

FYI, that Speer GD short barrel ammo you picked is about as good as it gets for a .38 snub. And out of my particular model 442 it chrono'd within 5 FPS of what Speer claims. About the only other load that might beat it would be from Buffalo Bore, they have some almost magical loads.

Get a can of Ballistol for cleaning and lube, it's great for corrosion protection and is good for leather too. Eezox is a good second choice. I'd never use grease on a revo, especially one that gets pocket carried like mine does. Autos are a whole 'nother matter, but no grease on or in a revo for me.

Mitch Rapp · Jul 13, 2012

Ok, to update the thread. Been mowing in some crazy dusty conditions lately. Bad enough that when take a shower after work it's like mud coming off me for about the first minute. The 642 rides in the same pocket that the LC-9 had been in. I have looked for stuff to clean off of the revo, but its not there. On the LC-9 the back of the gun had the opening for the hammer, as well as the area where the slide meets the frame, and junk got in there like crazy. The grips of the 642 get dirty, but the important parts of this gun are somewhat protected by the pocket holster. I have found very little dust in or around the cylinder and crane of the gun. With a non concealed hammer revo I think you would have some similar problems to the LC-9 though they still might not be as critical. I am curious to take the side plate off of the 642 and look inside, but unless I start to feel a grittiness in the action I think I will wait until after the end of the mowing season to inspect that.

So, my final conclusion is that while the LC-9 was a great pistol and I would still recommend it, this J frame is really nice, fun to shoot and seems to be better suited to my needs. In dirty conditions it seems to me that it is much less prone to getting fouled up by the dirt and dust than some other guns might be. Thanks for your suggestions.

Jefpainthorse · Jul 13, 2012

Kevin... I found over the time I've had pocket revolvers.... a good wipe general wipe down a couple of time a week... paying attention to the area under the ejection star is enough to keep things running.

About once a year- I like to pull the side plate... get the crane and cylinder apart... pull the hammer out... and give the gun a nook and crannie cleaning and lubrication.

This guns rode in coat pockets and ankle holsters more hours than you can count... glad your happy with it

DurningDefenseCustomsLLC · Jul 15, 2012

if you do choose to pull the side plate, do it as follows;

remove the grips and screws, then using a mallet, rubber or even the soft end of a screw driver, tap the handle of frame lightly a few times and the slide plate will pop off, do not stick a screw driver under it and force it out, bad juw-juw

Jefpainthorse · Jul 17, 2012

and if you have a early gun... pay attention to where the screws came from. the front screw retains the yoke in the frame- it's shaped with a pointed tip to clear the retention groove... put a blunt screw in there it will bind the crane from swinging freely.

Dux-R-Us · Jul 21, 2012

Kevin S. said:
Picked up Speer 135+p for starters...

I have been looking for the speer .38 snubby ammo . Where did you find it?

I currently have Remington Golden Sabre 125 gr +P in my snubby.

Any comments on how the two loads compare?

thanks, K