TexasCHLforum.com

Hi all. I am about to relocate from California to Texas, and am almost as excited about finally being able to carry and protect myself as I am for my exciting move. I've been reading through this forum for the last few days and have noticed that most everyone seems to carry a semi-automatic pistol. Personally, I've always been a revolver guy. I love and collect Smith & Wessons, but more than that, I've just always felt more comfortable with them - handling them, shooting them, carrying them around the house (about the only place I can legally carry in this god-forsaken state). Once I complete my Texas move and acquire my CHL, it's been my plan to qualify with a semi, but carry a revolver for defense (likely a J-frame).

I have a couple of (newbie) questions about revolver carry.

First and foremost: Should I stick to my plan to carry a revolver based on personal preference and comfort level or should I "man up" and grow accustomed to carrying a pistol? I assume there is a practical reason so many of you choose a semi over a six-shooter. As a fan of Jeff Cooper's writings, I've always been of the mindset that the extra ammo of a double-stacked semi is generally unneeded, as are the extra clips so many carry. Is the speed and ease of reloading a semi the primary reason they are the weapon of choice over the old-school revolver? Is there another reason I should prefer one to the other?

Second: How do you revolver guys generally carry? When I carry in my house, I usually toss a J-frame into a Mika pocket holster, but I also realize that the bulk and comfort of this set-up might not be good for daily use. On that same train of thought, would anyone recommend moving up to a K-frame or are they simply too bulky?

Finally, if any of you have any photos of your carry S&Ws, I'd love to see them. I'm a sucker for a pre-lock/post-war, American-made shooters from Springfield.

Here's my around-the-house Mika and Model 36 (sometimes I'll carry the less attractive 640 with concealed hammer).

Semi-Autos tend to be easier to conceal (due to Size, shape, and comfort) and shoot. As for capacity, thats what reloads are for and I know people that can reload a revolver faster than I can reload a semi-auto (it just takes practice and training). I usually carry a semi-Auto as my primary gun and a revolver as a backup although i have been known to do the opposite and carry a revolver for my primary and a small semi-auto as a bug. As for how I carry a revolver its all a matter of holster selection. I have carried a few IWB inside nice holsters like a crossbreed supertuck, or in decent pocket holsters for my j-frames and LCRs. I have even been known to use an ankle holster on long trips due to the ease of retrieving the gun.

If you're a follower of Jeff Cooper you already know that your caliber choices are limited to either .45 acp or .45acp.

I moved here from Pasadena, California in 2006. What city are you moving from?

There is nothing wrong with revolver carry. Although my primary carry guns a semi-autos, I do carry a .357 snubbie from time to time also. Make mine a M&P340 from S&W - PICS HERE. (I have a 640 too, but it is a tad too heavy for pocket carry, IMHO.)

The main thing for you to consider is this: When you take your CHL class, qualify with a semi-auto. Under Texas CHL law, if you qualify with a revolver, you may only carry a revolver. If you qualify with a semi-auto, you can carry either a semi-auto or a revolver. A lot of folks think that's kind of a dumb rule, but there it is nonetheless. There is no difference between the qualification methodology for either types, and the fees are all the same.

So qualify with the SA pistol, and then carry a revolver to your heart's desire. Just remember that, on the day you leave home thinking that the possibility of 5 rounds on tap with only 5 more a pretty slow reload away might not be enough, you will have the option to carry a higher capacity weapon in a more powerful caliber if you want to. If qualify with your revolver, you'll never have that option... ...at least not legally.

As to carry method, I pocket carry my revolvers, and (usually) belt carry my semi-autos. When I don't belt carry, then I'm using a shoulder holster or a "tactipurse." A K Frame would not be practical for pocket carry. If you do move up in size, you'll really want a belt holster of some kind.

BTW, with your love of pocket revolvers, you'll get along fine with our member "doc540," although I believe he is partial to Colts. Also, if you've ever read much online about snubbies, snubby tactics, snubby ammo choices, etc., you'll have run across the writings of Stephen A. Camp. He's a moderator on this board and writes an occasional review of related products in under the form heading "Camp's Corner."

Welcome to the forum eddieconcarne ..and soon to Texas

eddieconcarne wrote: Should I stick to my plan to carry a revolver based on personal preference and comfort level

Some of the best advice you'll ever receive here is..."Carry what you are proficient and comfortable with".
You'll find there are some of us that primarily only carry a J frame or something similar.

What area of Texas do you plan on settin roots?

P.S. I carry my snubby in my front pocket 24/7.

Beautiful gun!

I have two concealed carry guns (see below), S&W M&P340CT 357 mag carried in a pocket holster and Walter P99C AS 9mm carried in an IWB holster. Most of the time, I just carry the J-frame as it's so much more comfortable. I have thought about an LCP for even greater pocketability than the J-frame but that would mean going to a less powerful round.

Eddie, welcome to the forum. To which part of our great state are you re-locating?

Previous replies have covered most of your questions, but my $0.02 is also to carry whatever you are comfortable shooting and carrying, with only caveat being that it is a large enough caliber that YOU are comfortable with it. Just because others might say a .25 auto is "not big enough" doesn't mean it's not the perfect carry gun for you, as long as you are proficient and will carry it all day every day.

Personally, 5 rounds of .38-special +P (plus 10 extra rounds on speed strips) is plenty good enough to make ME feel comfortable in most situations - but I do carry semi-autos too when the situation allows.

As for revolver carry, I think the J-frame S&W snubbie is the best front pocket gun money can buy. The shape just works well in a front pocket, long curved grip is easier to grap than a small semi-auto. For pocket carry, I prefer snubbies over any semi-auto, including my Ruger LCP, Walther PPS, and "baby" Glock 27 (though I will occasionally pocket carry those as well). For belt carry, I prefer a semi-auto because I am more accurate with most of my semi-autos than with my J-frame, they ride better with my preferred IWB style of belt carry (don't have that big cylinder poking me), and they carry more rounds and are easier for me to reload. But if I only had the money to own a single handgun, it would likely be a S&W J-frame (but then I'd have to beg, borrow, and cheat at cards to earn enough to at least buy a $300 cop trade-in Glock too )

I also have a Mika holster for my J-frame and I think his is best. Also have a DeSantis Nemisis designed for a Kahr PM series that fits my J-frame very well.

But definitely qualify for your CHL with a semi-auto so that you could legally carry one later on down the road.

Thanks to all for the replies. I'll be moving to Austin in just a few weeks. I guess my plan is to stick with the J-frame for now. I've carried an L-frame in a high-rise Galco holster easily, but it's not very practical for the daily grind. I'm also partial to .38 special over .357 for reasons of recoil and report. I generally don't obsess over caliber and instead focus on accurate shooting and the ability to put follow-up shots on target if need be. Took me awhile to master the J-frame, but now I feel very confident with it.


I've never been a fan of the alloy or scandium guns, but then again I've never had the legal opportunity to carry daily. I'm sure a week with the Chief might change my mind. Thanks to all.

eddieconcarne wrote:

Oh now that's just nice.

And since you know you are relocating here you might go ahead and start the process for the CHL. Get to the DPS site and go ahead and get registered there and get your paperwork and schedule your class. Then when you get here you won't have long to wait before you can start your carrying. If you already have an address here, use that, but you can use the one in CA since you "intend to relocate" to TX.

eddieconcarne wrote:I'll be moving to Austin in just a few weeks.

Sent you a PM. I'm a Realtor in Austin area (in case you couldn't tell from my screen name ) and also will hopefully be certified to teach CHL by end of this month (taking instructor course July 19-23).

Let me know if I can help you with finding a home or getting your CHL.

austinrealtor wrote:

eddieconcarne wrote:I'll be moving to Austin in just a few weeks.

Sent you a PM. I'm a Realtor in Austin area (in case you couldn't tell from my screen name ) and also will hopefully be certified to teach CHL by end of this month (taking instructor course July 19-23).

Let me know if I can help you with finding a home or getting your CHL.

Nice offer austinrealtor. Wish I had that kind of help when we moved here.
Welcome to our new Texas resident, I am refugee from Kalifornia as well. You're gonna love it eddie!

slinco wrote:Welcome to our new Texas resident, I am refugee from Kalifornia as well. You're gonna love it eddie!

No kidding! I can't wait to go to a Texas gun show. Out here when you go to a California gun show, there's a booth of guns "on display", an ammo stand overcharging, and the rest is Sham-Wows, bumper stickers, and Chinese knives. Thank god there are still some states that know what freedom means.

eddieconcarne wrote:

slinco wrote:Welcome to our new Texas resident, I am refugee from Kalifornia as well. You're gonna love it eddie!

No kidding! I can't wait to go to a Texas gun show. Out here when you go to a California gun show, there's a booth of guns "on display", an ammo stand overcharging, and the rest is Sham-Wows, bumper stickers, and Chinese knives. Thank god there are still some states that know what freedom means.

ooohh, you are going to be disappointed.......although you do get to fondle the guns there are plenty of beanie babies and other junk on display.