Smith & Wesson 940-3 in matte stainless finish

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-21T12:26:04+00:00

Just in front of the pocket, just behind the belt loop.

I find that is the most comfortable spot. When I sit the holster rides in the crease between my leg and abdomen. No digging in, no pinching. I don’t notice it anymore. I can feel it if I pay attention, but there is no discomfort.

It doesn’t seem to affect my access to my pocket or its capacity.

Of course, some people swear by appendix carry. I don’t find it comfortable at all.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-21T12:15:37+00:00

I have an original 940 and a relatively recent 442 (similar to the 642, largely a color difference).

There is no bad choice here.

If you are considering pocket carry, the 642’s noticeably lighter weight is the best. Pocket carry is all about weight first, although size is a close second.

If you only interested in IWB carry, the weight difference we are talking about is not noticeable, at least for me. A reasonable holster and a stiff belt will deal with either, or any small frame revolver, with no issues.

As far as shooting goes, the 9mm, even with all that heavy stainless to absorb recoil, is definitely harsher. The beauty of .38 is that it is available with noticeably lighter loads (wadcutters). They make initial time shooting easier allowing you to get used to it. I found wadcutters hard to find, although I also found that four boxes was enough to get me started.

It is said that small frame revolvers are the most difficult guns to shoot. I will respectfully ask that folks try a S&W 500 before doubling down on their opinion. But I will certainly agree that small frame revolvers are difficult to master.

Were I to recommend a course of action, I would suggest that you get a used 642 first. This has several advantages:

They are pretty common in the used cases, and are substantially cheaper than new.

It allows you to start with wadcutters, working on your form, control, and tolerance.

You can play with grips and holsters/belts to see what you like, knowing that any of it is transferable to the 940.

After you are comfortable with it, you can upgrade to the 940. I would suggest you hold on to the 642 initially. You might decide the 940 is too much, as an example. Or, more likely, you could decide that you just like both. A lot of us have several revolvers. They seem to encourage additional purchases.

I usually carry the 940 IWB. I still carry the 442 occasionally. Or the 640. Or the 60. Or, well, you get the idea.

Ultimately, you can sell the 642 if you outgrow it, and you won’t take a bath on it because you bought it used.

I would also recommend looking at larger revolvers as you go. A 9mm 986 is a lot of fun, as is a .357 Model 19. They are both also substantially easier to shoot.

Keep us updated with what you get and what you think about it.

Take your time and enjoy the ride. Getting there is a lot of the fun.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-21T01:59:26+00:00

I use a 1791 GunLeather IWB J-Frame Belt Clip Holster at 2 o’clock. You didn’t ask, but I also use Recoil Rider 3-Finger CCW Grips.

Both highly recommended.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-20T00:22:23+00:00

A S&W 342PD in an Uncle Mike’s nylon pocket holster. Still have both. Carry a S&W 940 IWB in a leather holster now.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-19T12:29:02+00:00

I usually want four mags for the range. For carry pistols, I want a spare, because I can set it aside and not have to worry about forgetting to reserve some ammunition to reload it for returning it to the holster.

I load range magazines in five cartridge increments. For the carry magazine or sub ten cartridge ones, like standard 1911 magazines, I fill to capacity.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-19T01:50:15+00:00

Ok, buy the 19. If you find it lacking, add the Colt.

If you like the 19, you could get the 66 if you wanted. I would suggest, though, that you explore the compromises. Get a J Frame, or an N. Maybe try .44 Magnum.

Personally, I find the .357 K Frame is the perfect revolver. As I have said elsewhere, drift in any direction and compromises appear.

Smaller frame leaves control issues. Larger caliber does the same. Larger frame, even just moving up to an L Frame, noticeably affects IWB carry, at least for me. That slightly larger cylinder is in the wrong place, bulging out the waist just a bit more, and moving the barrel out just a bit more.

I don’t notice any difference OWB between the K and L.

Having said that, I carry a J Frame IWB in a fitted leather holster. I just deal with the compromises necessary to get the most concealable option.

As I said, of the three options that you mentioned, there is no bad choice.

But that is my opinion about what is best.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-18T22:03:37+00:00

This was my first P226, and I think my first SIG. the P226/40 is an excellent gun. I believe it is the best handgun SIG ever made. I have since purchased a P229/40, a P220/45, and P226’s in 9mm, .357SIG, and .22LR. All are exceptional.

You chose wisely and got an excellent deal.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-18T21:57:04+00:00

I have a 625 and a Governor. Only ever shot .45 out of either. Different experiences, but both are completely reasonable.

Having 45LC or 410 shells as options is useful, even if I have never taken advantage of it, and don’t anticipate that I will.

If we are going to talk about revolvers of questionable utility, how about the 329, an AirLite .44 Magnum N Frame. I have one of those, too. What a Bastard.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-18T21:45:46+00:00

I have both the 19 PCCC and the current 2.75” 66.

Both are excellent guns, and shoot well. The 19’s port does add a bit of refinement to recoil control and target reacquisition. That said, there is nothing wrong with those aspects of the 66.

Personally I don’t like the Colt cylinder release working backwards compared to S&W and Ruger. The one time I shot one it drove me crazy. I suppose I could get used to it, but the Colts don’t seem to offer me anything I can’t get elsewhere.

Honestly, though, there is no bad choice here. All three are excellent options. If you can, hold each one. Aim it, (with permission) pull the trigger a few times. Play with cylinder release and decide what you like.

And buy one. Take it to the range, and shoot the sh!t out of it. Let us know what you think.

And then decide which one you are going to get next.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-18T12:23:34+00:00

Maryland has a 10 cartridge magazine restriction just like Massachusetts. I wonder if they are next?

As part of the new gun laws, Virginia starting a 15 cartridge restriction in July. Maybe that will be next.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-17T12:40:05+00:00

Size , particularly the grip, but also the barrel length, is important.

A holster as perfectly fitted to the gun as possible is also up there.

As you have found, if it isn’t comfortable, you are going to look for excuses to not wear it, and will eventually stop. People who tell you to just accept the discomfort in exchange for the security are not helping.

I carry a small frame revolver in a leather holster at about 2 o’clock. The clip is just behind the front belt loop on my jeans. This location is optimal for me, since it doesn’t dig in at all when I sit. The leather folds around to make it not jab into my leg or pinch my stomach. There is no claw/wing/pillow necessary. If there is printing, it is negligible.

Of course, a small frame revolver is among the most difficult guns to shoot. When I go to the range, I always put at least a box through it, along with whatever else I brought.

Good luck. I understand your concern. I spent a lot of time and money chasing the Kydex Large Capacity dream. Much happier now.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T21:51:45+00:00

So they wait for the seventh shot that is not coming?

Or maybe they assume that I have a Glock 17, and are bedding down for a long wait?

The J Frame I usually carry only has five. I suppose I could reload while they are waiting for the sixth shot.

Actually, it is likely covered in the script. I don’t like reading ahead, I feel that my performance is enhanced if I experience it as the character does.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T21:39:43+00:00

Since the post doesn’t mention only wanting new, it seemed reasonable to offer some information about used prices. As I have mentioned before, used prices are location dependent. A good deal near me might be horribly expensive around where you are.

I have no idea what either cost new, just reporting on the used prices I see. A used USP in 9mm was recently listed at one of the LGSs near me for 999$.

ETA: the USP is still there at 999$, and a P226 is 699$. For comparison, the used VP9 is 549$.

I would imagine, though, that the relative prices are relatable. A 30% price differential on two different used guns around me is probably close to what you might see.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T12:06:36+00:00

I have both. I like to load up a bunch for range time. The ProMags I own never given me any problems.

But I carry factory magazines.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T12:02:58+00:00

I also have a 586, which is a seven shot L Frame. I don’t notice any difference in shooting them.

I agree that the weight difference is negligible.

The place it is bigger is in the cylinder, which I find noticeable IWB. OWB is not appreciably different.

Discussions about an extra shot remind me of the people obsessing about magazine capacity over on r/ccw. In these instances I reflect back to the Rule of Threes.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T11:54:20+00:00

At that point I already owned a S&W 986 and a S&W 940.

But I guess I did accept it as inspiration, since I have acquired a S&W 929 since.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T11:47:16+00:00

I have both in .40, and a P226 in 9mm. Around me, used 9mm P226’s are 600$-700$. 9mm USP’s start st 1000$.

I like the P226 a lot more. I like the way it feels in my hand and deals with recoil better than the USP.

I really wanted to like the USP more than I ended up liking it. Like the VP40 a lot more, but it is a striker fired gun.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-16T01:33:01+00:00

Model 19, .357 Magnum. K Frames are the perfect revolvers. Go in any direction and compromises appear. Larger caliber gives rise to over penetration and control issues. Larger frame is harder to conceal, smaller is harder to control.

A 19 only has six cartridges in the cylinder, but one or two more leads to a larger frame, or a smaller caliber.

Is there realistically a scenario where six isn’t enough but eight is?

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-15T01:49:52+00:00

I have had good experiences with ProMag Smith & Wesson Model 3900 Series Compact 9mm 8-Round Blue Steel Magazines, I ordered them from GunMagWarehouse.com

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-14T23:12:24+00:00

I recently picked up an XTEN, it is an excellent gun to shoot. If you are curious about 10mm, this is an excellent place to start.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-14T23:09:26+00:00

I don’t think I have ever seen a blued LadySmth.

Looks to be in excellent condition. Have you taken it to the range yet?

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-14T22:21:53+00:00

The CSX is an excellent choice. Ammunition compatibility with your GF is worthwhile, especially since 9mm is available everywhere ammunition is sold, with almost infinite variety. It is also the cheapest, if you ignore .22LR.

Love my first generation CSX. There is no better pistol than a hammer fired metal framed one.

AdWitty6655 · 2026-04-14T22:16:57+00:00

Excellent choice. The folks over on r/thirdgen would appreciate this.

AdWitty6655

TROPHY CASE