[JedInUtah]

Smith & Wesson NEW model 642 or 442 Powerport revolver- .38+p no external hammer holds 5 rounds VS. Kahr CW9 9mm single stack 8 round capacity. :dunno: Either gun will be used for concealed carry, but just would like some opinions especially from those who have owned both semi-auto and revolvers.

What are the pros? the cons? of each and any user insight that you can add........Thanks. 8)

 

[doconix]

Are you going to carry with one in the pipe? If not, you'll have to leave the firing position + next position empty in the revolver. That puts you down to 3 bullets. The autoloader can have a full mag without one in the pipe.

I know most people on this thread carry fully loaded, but if you do not, it's something to consider.

 

[MarshallDodge]

We have a Colt Detective Special in 38 special and a Kahr E9 so that's as close as I come to your comparison. Neither gun is being made anymore. The E9 has pretty much been replaced by the CW9. I prefer the Kahr over the Colt for carrying because it is slimmer and the ergonomics fit me better. I have shot a couple friend's CW9's and one of them had a rubber slip on grip that really improved the feel of the gun.

Assuming that the 642 is DAO(double-action-only), the Kahr would have the better trigger pull.

Revolvers have the edge in cimplicity, reliability, and accuracy in some situations but I would still go with the Kahr.

 

[xmirage2kx]

Revolvers are great.. the only real downside is your lack of ammo. I would go with the S&W before the Kahr. While overall a good gun the CW9 just does not carry the reliability of a good revolver. Either choice is a good one, and you can't go wrong.

 

[GeneticsDave]

If you feel confident with firearms I would recommend the Kahr over the revolver everyday of the week. It's slimmer, gives you more round capacity and if carried fully loaded is arguably safer (unless you get a hammerless revolver). Semi-autos like the Kahr will be easier to carry and conceal due to the slim design (Kahr designs their pistols for concealed carry). And, if I were to buy a revolver, I would buy one chambered in .357 Magnum such as to expand the possibilities of the firearm. Regardless of whether you carry .38 Special or .357 Magnum as your defense round, the .357 chambered revolver arguably gives you more options and a better resale value.

 

[JedInUtah]

Thanks for the input guys. Yes I am familiar and comfortable with guns. The S&W is a hammerless DAO. Yes, either weapon would have one in the pipe and be carried hot as the are both DAO guns.

I am actually posting this in regards to a friend. He just got his license back and money in hand ready to buy a gun.......he was leaning towards the S&W revolver but I was trying to get him to consider a semi-auto. I am just trying to explore both sides with an open mind and get some more experienced users opinions as well.

One point that he brought up was that in the instance (which I consider almost a mute point but could be convinced otherwise) that he had to shoot from his pocket ever.........that he worries about the slide getting caught or weapon not being able to fire, as opposed to the revolver. Thoughts????

 

[Cinhil]

Are you going to carry with one in the pipe? If not, you'll have to leave the firing position + next position empty in the revolver. That puts you down to 3 bullets. The autoloader can have a full mag without one in the pipe.

I know most people on this thread carry fully loaded, but if you do not, it's something to consider.

If you have a CCW license you do not have to follow this rule and may keep a round in the pipe/under the hammer as you would be exempt from this restriction on non-ccw open carriers.

 

[tapehoser]

If you want a purely "aesthetic" opinion, I HATE the look of hammerless revolvers. They. Are. Ugly.

Like a dog that's missing his tail and one leg and got in a fight with an ugly stick.

 

[Hockeyman]

Are you going to carry with one in the pipe? If not, you'll have to leave the firing position + next position empty in the revolver. That puts you down to 3 bullets. The autoloader can have a full mag without one in the pipe.

I know most people on this thread carry fully loaded, but if you do not, it's something to consider.

With a CFP does the "Utah unloaded" apply to someone who carries a revolver but doesn't feel comfortable enough to have one in the firing position? Or can they just leave the cylinder in the firing position empty?

 

[xmirage2kx]

I would buy one chambered in .357 Magnum such as to expand the possibilities of the firearm. Regardless of whether you carry .38 Special or .357 Magnum as your defense round, the .357 chambered revolver arguably gives you more options and a better resale value.

for an extra $50-100 you can get the same revolver in .357 and can still shoot .38. IMHO this is the way to go.

Its all about getting the best 'Bang' for the buck

 

[Tarzan1888]

I would buy one chambered in .357 Magnum such as to expand the possibilities of the firearm. Regardless of whether you carry .38 Special or .357 Magnum as your defense round, the .357 chambered revolver arguably gives you more options and a better resale value.

for an extra $50-100 you can get the same revolver in .357 and can still shoot .38. IMHO this is the way to go.

Its all about getting the best 'Bang' for the buck

I would second that.

Tarzan

 

[GeneticsDave]

One point that he brought up was that in the instance (which I consider almost a mute point but could be convinced otherwise) that he had to shoot from his pocket ever.........that he worries about the slide getting caught or weapon not being able to fire, as opposed to the revolver. Thoughts????

I agree, this is a moot point. Who does this? Honestly. The hammerless revolver was made for this reason (kinda stupid IMO), but also works to prevent the hammer from being accidentally partially pulled (caught on something) and released. With a normal revolver you could possibly catch some fabric or something on the hammer which may prevent the hammer's firing pin from striking the primer so you wouldn't get a shot off when needed. With a shrouded hammer (hammerless) you will be able to fire your shot. With a pistol that has a internal firing mechanism (like the Kahrs) you will get a shot off as well, it just MIGHT not cycle and load a second round. Unless he plans on pocket carry (not what I would recommend for a .357 or 9mm), the point is moot.

Tell him to get a good IWB holster for his new Kahr.

 

[reid36]

Tell him to get the Kahr. Small enough for Smartcarry, good in IWB too. I would take the greater capacity of +p 9mm loads over the limited capacity of the .38 anyday, not to mention the faster reloads ( I know revolvers can be reloaded fast but nobody here is a Jerry Miculek so please dont post the youtube link)

I have the CW45 and cant say enough good things about it.

 

[xmirage2kx]

Tell him to get the Kahr. Small enough for Smartcarry, good in IWB too. I would take the greater capacity of +p 9mm loads over the limited capacity of the .38 anyday, not to mention the faster reloads ( I know revolvers can be reloaded fast but nobody here is a Jerry Miculek so please dont post the youtube link)

I have the CW45 and cant say enough good things about it.

Are you Sure about that?

sorry, just had too :crown:

 

[GeneticsDave]

Oh no he didn't!!! (sassy female African American voice)

You just couldn't leave it could you?

Seems like asking someone not to post something just ensures that they will. See my XD Lovers Only thread for examples. :lolbang:

 

[Tarzan1888]

Tell him to get the Kahr. Small enough for Smartcarry, good in IWB too. I would take the greater capacity of +p 9mm loads over the limited capacity of the .38 anyday, not to mention the faster reloads ( I know revolvers can be reloaded fast but nobody here is a Jerry Miculek so please dont post the youtube link)

I have the CW45 and cant say enough good things about it.

Are you Sure about that?

sorry, just had too :crown:

Personally I would do what I did. I was carrying a SA 1911 A1 GI.

To give me the option of going small without loosing firepower, I bought and carry about 50% of the time a Taurus 617.

It is a 7 shot .357 Magnum Snubby.

With 7 shots I don't have to be Jerry Miculek.

Tarzan

 

[xmirage2kx]

Oh no he didn't!!! (sassy female African American voice)

You just couldn't leave it could you?

Seems like asking someone not to post something just ensures that they will. See my XD Lovers Only thread for examples. :lolbang:

What can I say :dunno: , its a slow work day.

 

[GeneticsDave]

What can I say :dunno: , its a slow work day.

Evidently :lol2:

 

[Jeff Johnson]

With a CFP does the "Utah unloaded" apply to someone who carries a revolver but doesn't feel comfortable enough to have one in the firing position? Or can they just leave the cylinder in the firing position empty?

No Utah-Unloaded rule applies if you have a CFP. The only reason people have historically carried without a round under the hammer in a revolver was back in the days of single-action revolvers that didn't have any kind of block safety. This was to prevent them from firing if dropped and the hammer got hit. This is not an issue in modern revolvers. If he has a CFP, just carry a revolver fully loaded.

 

[rdoggsilva]

I went with a Rossi 462. It has 6 shots and will fire 357, 38spl +P. I did look at small semi-autos but did not like the fell.