These are the best hammerless revolvers on the market today.
Hammerless revolvers are the ideal carry guns. Unlike the name suggests, these guns do have a hammer. But it's more accurate to say the hammer is concealed within the gun's frame. This gives these firearms an advantage in a small frame that makes them more concealable and less prone to snagging on clothing or your holster.
A hammerless wheel gun is the ideal handgun for someone new to self-defense because they're extremely light and simple to operate.
Here are five of the most popular hammerless concealed carry revolvers on the market right now.
Smith & Wesson J-Frame
The J-Frame double-action revolver (PC Model 60 Pro Series) comes chambered in either .38 Special, .357 Magnum or chambered for both. Many of these guns, including the "Airweight" models are chambered for .38 Special +P, giving a little more power for personal defense. These guns do have extremely short barrel lengths.
Most are only 1.88 inches. This means this gun is made for extremely close range. The weight advantage of hammerless guns over semi-autos is obvious with the J-Frame. These aluminum alloy guns only weigh around 15 ounces.
The J-Frame gets great reviews for being a user-friendly firearm perfect for those who have never handled a gun before. There is a J-Frame for any budget. The MSRP ranges from $380 to $700.
Kimber K6
While Kimber is better known for their high-end semi-automatic pistols, they also have a line of hammerless revolvers that gets much less press. Unsurprisingly, these are also some of the best-looking snub nose guns on the market today. The Kimber K6s come chambered in .357 Magnum and have a 2-inch barrel.
They feature either a satin or stainless steel frame. They are available with either rubber, walnut or rosewood grips. It's worth noting many .357 revolvers on the market today only have a capacity of five. With the K6, you get six shots for a little extra piece of mind. The downside is that these revolvers are one of the heavier options on the market at around 23 ounces.
They're also the most expensive. The Kimber K6 Deluxe Carry Revolver (DCR) starts at $1,000. But this gun gets high marks from users for its smooth operation and reliability. You can stake your life on one of these. They'll also hold their value. It's a Kimber after all.
Ruger LCR
This little handgun has quickly become one of the most popular snubbie arms on the market today thanks to its low weight and affordable price point. The LCR also offers a decent amount of ammo options. You can get one in .22 long rife, 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum and even .327 Federal Magnum!
This is a polymer grip frame firearm, which means it's extremely light. The .38 Special model comes in at just 13.5 ounces! This makes these guns a popular option for women looking for a purse or handbag conceal carry option. The LCR models also get great reviews for their trigger pull, ease of use and their extremely low recoil. These double-action revolvers generally go for around $500-600 brand new.
Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard
It can be tough to justify the purchase of a new firearm for personal protection when you're on a budget. But the Bodyguard line of revolvers are much more affordable than most. No frills versions of this firearm start around the $380 mark, meaning you get the reputation of a brand like Smith and Wesson at a great price.
The Bodyguard is chambered in .38 Special and has a cylinder rated for +P rounds for a little extra kick. A polymer grip frame and aluminum cylinder mean this firearm is extremely light and offers excellent concealability.
The gun comes with fixed rear and front sights, but S&W also offers this gun with an integrated Crimson Trace laser. They even offer an "everyday carry" package that comes with a folding knife and flashlight included for extra value.
Ruger SP101
While most of Ruger's SP101 line features an external hammer, the 5720 model features an internal hammer design for anyone looking for a slick, concealable package. Chambered in .357 Magnum.
Most people who own a SP101 love them. The barrel length is 2.25 inches on the hammerless model. The black rubber grips are praised as being quite comfortable. It is a bit on the heavy side at 25 ounces and it only holds five rounds. But you do get a lot of reliability and safety here with the internal hammer design.
The MSRP on these ranges between $600 and $700.
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