Concealed Carry Revolvers

A concealed carry revolver offers the simplest, most reliable manual of arms of any carry handgun — load it, holster it, pull the trigger when you need it. No safety to disengage, no slide to rack, no magazine to seat. Impact Guns carries carry-sized revolvers from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Kimber, Taurus, and Charter Arms in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and 9mm for pocket carry, IWB (inside the waistband), and ankle carry.

Read our full Concealed Carry Revolver Buying Guide ↓

Why Carry a Revolver Instead of a Semi-Auto?

Revolvers don’t jam from limp-wristing, don’t care about ammo brand or bullet profile, don’t require a firm grip to cycle, and don’t need magazine seating under stress. For shooters with limited hand strength, for deep concealment where a pocket gun needs to fire from inside a jacket, and for people who want the absolute simplest manual of arms available, a revolver is the right carry gun. The trade-off is capacity (5 rounds vs. 10+ in a micro 9mm) and slower reloads. For most civilian defensive encounters — which statistically involve 2–3 rounds fired at contact distance — 5 rounds of .38 Special +P is sufficient.

Most Popular Concealed Carry Revolvers

The Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers (Model 642, 442, 340PD, Bodyguard .38) are the most carried revolvers in America — lightweight, hammerless or shrouded-hammer, and sized for pocket carry. The Ruger LCR is the modern alternative with a polymer frame, excellent DA trigger, and weight under 14 ounces in .38 Special. The Kimber K6s is the premium choice with a match-grade trigger in a compact .357 package. The Taurus 856 and 605 offer budget .38 Special and .357 Magnum carry revolvers. The Charter Arms Undercover is another budget-friendly .38 Special snub.

Hammerless vs. Exposed Hammer

Hammerless (internal hammer or shrouded hammer) revolvers like the S&W 642 and Ruger LCR are DA-only — every shot is a long trigger pull, which serves as a safety mechanism. The key advantage for carry: no hammer to snag on clothing during the draw. Exposed-hammer revolvers like the S&W Model 60 and Ruger SP101 can be cocked for a light SA shot, which aids accuracy, but the exposed hammer can catch on fabric. For pocket carry, hammerless is the clear winner.

.38 Special vs. .357 Magnum for Carry

.38 Special +P from a snub-nose is the most common carry load — manageable recoil, adequate terminal performance with modern defensive ammunition (Federal HST, Hornady Critical Defense, Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel), and comfortable to practice with. .357 Magnum from a lightweight snub-nose produces sharp, punishing recoil and intense muzzle blast that most shooters find difficult to control in rapid fire. Most instructors recommend .38 Special +P in a .357 Magnum revolver — you get the option of .357 for home defense or woods carry, and .38 +P for everyday concealed carry.

Revolver Carry Methods

Pocket carry in a pocket holster is the most common method for J-Frame and LCR-sized revolvers — drop the holstered gun in a front pocket and it disappears. IWB (inside the waistband) carry works with slightly larger revolvers like the Kimber K6s and Ruger SP101. Ankle carry is viable with the lightest snub-noses (S&W 342PD, 340PD, Ruger LCR). All methods require a proper holster that covers the trigger guard — never pocket-carry a revolver without a holster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best concealed carry revolver?
The S&W 642 (hammerless .38 Special, pocket-sized) is the most popular. The Ruger LCR is the lightest. The Kimber K6s has the best trigger.

Is a 5-shot revolver enough for self-defense?
For most civilian defensive encounters (2–3 rounds, contact distance), yes. If capacity is a concern, a micro 9mm like the Sig P365 or Ruger LCP MAX offers 10+ rounds in a similar size.

Should I carry .357 Magnum or .38 Special?
.38 Special +P for everyday carry (manageable recoil, adequate performance). Load .357 Magnum for home defense or woods carry where you can handle the blast.

Revolver vs. semi-auto for concealed carry?
Revolvers are simpler and more forgiving of grip/ammo issues. Semi-autos offer higher capacity and faster reloads. It’s a personal preference — either works.

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