S&W J frame input

[Erik_Pakieser]

Internal hammer for the reasons others have mentioned.

I strongly recommend carrying in some sort of pocket holster to protect the gun and to keep it from shifting around in the pocket. I like the DeSantis Nemesis.

If you are sold on the J-Frame, that's fine, but if you are not, you may want to look at the BodyGuard .380 and the KelTec PF9. If you like the M1911 you also might like the Sig P238.

[hornswaggle]

I had a 649 with shrouded hammer for a long time though never carried it. Personally, I too struggled with shrouded vs internal and ended up picking the 649 so that I could shoot SA at the range if I wanted but it also wouldn't hang up in a carry situation like a exposed hammer might. At the range, I never had any problems with pulling the hammer back or lowering it safely. It was a nice gun, fun and easy to shoot, and reasonably accurate for self defense. It's not a target gun and I think if I got another one I would go with internal but either way it boils down to personal preference.

[mrbadexample]

hmmm, you guys must have big, deep pockets to carry a revolver. My only revolver is a 686 with an 8-3/8" barrel (L frame), I could probably carry it in a backpack, I'm 5'8" and almost 125 pounds. I carry smaller semi-autos .25ACP to .380ACP when I do carry (it's illegal in the stupid state, IL, land of Obama). My favorite "carry" is the Kel-tec P-32.