Best Concealed Carry Revolvers [Hands-On Tested]

You may have grown up watching cop and cowboy movies.

And if you're anything like me, these films gave you an appreciation for revolvers.

Classic lines and reliability have made revolvers a solid self-defense option throughout the years, and modern revolvers remain viable options for protection.

If you are unsure of whether a revolver is right for you, we have a whole article on revolvers vs. semi-autos. But if you are already keen on the idea of carrying a wheelgun, keep reading to check out some of our favorites.

Concealed Carry Revolvers Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Concealed Carry Revolvers

Most of the Pew Pew Tactical staff loves their revolvers, and we have shot, carried, and reviewed our fair share of them as a result. So, we all had a hand in choosing the best concealed carry revolvers for this list.

We have complete hands-on reviews of at least one variant of every gun we included on this list and have trigger time behind many of the other variants as well. Each revolver was evaluated based on performance, features, concealability, availability, and cost.

For handguns we've reviewed, we've provided a link to that article so you can read more. Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards.

There are a ton of excellent options out there, but the following represent current production models that we feel are some of the best CCW revolvers on the market.

Meet the Experts

This article builds on the original work of former Pew Pew Tactical freelance writer Kat Ainsworth Stevens.

This round-up was edited by Pew Pew Tactical Editor Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales under his belt. He owns over 200 firearms, over 20 of which are revolvers. Wyatt uses his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns for Pew Pew Tactical. You can see some of his revolver knowledge in action in his Colt Python review!

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers

1. Editor's Pick - Smith & Wesson 642 Ultimate Carry

Editor's Pick

Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry J-Frame

$689

at Battlehawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$689 at Battlehawk Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .32 H&R Mag, .38 SPL +P
• Action: Hammerless DAO
• Capacity: 5 rounds (.38 SPL), 6 rounds (.32 H&R Mag)
• Weight: 16.3 oz.
• Barrel Length: 1.88"
• Overall Length: 6.31"
• Height: 4.3"
• Width: 1.3"

Some guns are simply iconic --- the AR-15, the Remington 700, the Glock 17. Smith & Wesson's J-Frame line is exactly that when it comes to CCW and backup revolvers.

They were a home run as soon as it was released in 1952. While there are a ton of options in the J-Frame lineup, their newer Ultimate Carry revolvers are by far our favorite.

These revolvers are offered in 5-shot .38 Special (442UC, 642UC) versions and the ultra-neat 6-shot .32 H&R Magnum (432UC, 632UC).

Everything about these revolvers is designed to be perfect for concealed carry or as a backup to your main firearm.

Coming in at a feathery 16.3 ounces, with a short 1.88-inch barrel, this gun disappears no matter how you choose to carry it.

We like the Ultimate Carry version because it offers some notable upgrades over standard J-Frames.

The tritium front sight and drift adjustable rear is a huge upgrade. Titanium pins and optimized internals result in a more durable gun with an improved trigger pull. Chamfered charge holes make loading easy, and the internal hammer design keeps everything snag-free.

G10 grips "high horn" style grips allow for a higher grip that helps reduce felt recoil. They are also beveled on the right side to allow for the use of speedloaders.

Like all J-Frames, these are small and very reliable guns. Holster options are innumerable, and upgrades are widely available.

Various members of the Pew Pew Tactical team own and carry J-frame revolvers on occasion; they are just tough to beat. A few of us have already added the .32 H&R Magnum versions to our carry rotation.

I could go on, but if you want the whole story --- take a look at our complete review of the S&W 432UC!

2. Best Overall CCW Revolver - Ruger LCR

Best Overall CCW Revolver

Ruger LCR

$415

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$415 at GrabAGun

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .22 LR, .22 WMR, .327 Federal, .38 SPL +P, .357 Mag, 9mm
• Action: Hammerless DAO or DA/SA
• Capacity: 5 rounds (.38 SPL, .357, 9mm), 6 rounds (.22 WMR, .327 Federal), 8 rounds (.22 LR)
• Weight: 13.5 oz. - 21.3 oz.
• Barrel Length: 1.87", 3"
• Overall Length: 6.5" - 7.5"
• Height: 4.5" - 5.8"
• Width: 1.28"

Some guns are just popular because they don’t cost that much; others have rock-solid performance. Unsurprisingly, the Ruger LCR is on most concealed carry gun lists because it is the latter.

The LCR is a lightweight aerospace aluminum and polymer-framed revolver. It has an ultra-smooth double-action trigger pull that helps make it easier to keep your sights on target.

Ruger offers the LCR in both hammerless and hammered (LCRx) versions. Caliber options are .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .327 Federal Magnum, 9mm, and .22 LR.

This gun also has a grip peg that allows you to easily remove the grip and swap it out for a different style. You can stick with the short boot grip for concealment or opt for the longer options that allow for a fuller grip.

The .38 Special +P hammerless model is by far the most common and popular for concealed carry. However, those looking to squeeze in an extra round of capacity would be well served by the .327 Federal model.

Be sure to check out our full review of the 9mm LCR!

What do you think of the Ruger LCR? Rate it below!

3. Best DAO 6-shot Revolver - Colt King Cobra Carry

Best DAO 6-shot Revolver

Colt King Cobra Carry DAO

$925

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$925 at GrabAGun

Kygunco (see price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Mag
• Action: DAO
• Capacity: 6
• Weight: 25 oz.
• Barrel Length: 2"
• Overall Length: 7.2"
• Height: 4.9"
• Width: 1.4"

It wouldn’t be a revolver list without a Colt. I was cautiously optimistic when Colt announced the King Cobra a few years back, but when I finally fired the gun, I fell in love.

This reincarnation of a past revolver is a six-shot chambered in .357 Magnum --- and it’s very robust. Thanks to its stainless steel barrel and frame with a brushed finish, this gun is well-suited to daily use. It ships with Hogue Overmolded grips and has a brass bead front sight.

The Colt King Cobra Carry features a two-inch barrel and is available with or without a hammer. I like the hammerless DAO version for its extra concealability and snag-free design. The trigger is pretty good --- no heavy or rough double-action pull here.

As I mentioned before, it’s chambered in .357 Magnum, which means it can also use .38 Special. While .357 Magnum has quite a bit of recoil and flash from a short barrel, sometimes it is good to have options.

The King Cobra Carry weighs in at 26 ounces, empty, and with the right holster, it practically disappears against your body. Plus, it’s accurate, reliable, and durable. I call that a win.

We have a complete review of the slightly larger 3-inch King Cobra, and it's awesome!

4. Most Durable - Ruger SP101

Most Durable

Ruger SP101

$669

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$669 at GrabAGun

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .327 Federal, .38 SPL +P, .357 Mag, 9mm
• Action: Hammerless DAO or DA/SA
• Capacity: 5 rounds (.38 SPL, .357, 9mm), 6 rounds (.327 Federal)
• Weight: 25 oz. - 27 oz.
• Barrel Length: 2.25", 3"
• Overall Length: 7.2" - 8"
• Height: 4.5"
• Width: 1.35"

Ruger has firmly entrenched themselves in the revolver world by producing guns that are known for being extremely durable and relatively affordable.

Their small-frame SP101 is no exception. It has proven to be a consistent performer since its release in the late 1980s.

There are multiple variants of the SP101, but the best carry models are their standard 2.25-inch and 3-inch barreled versions. Caliber options are .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm, and .327 Federal.

These are all 5-shot models, with the exception of the .327 Federal, which holds six rounds. Typical models feature stainless steel construction, ramped black blade front sight, and integral rear sights.

Once again, hammered and hammerless versions are available, but the Pew Pew Tactical team prefers the exposed hammer version on this gun. The Ruger SP101 also features a transfer bar mechanism for added drop safety.

It’s accurate, too, partly due to its triple-locking cylinder. When a cylinder locks into the frame at its front, rear, and base, cylinder-to-barrel alignment improves, and you are rewarded with greater accuracy and reliability.

Want to learn more? Check out our video on hammerless SP101 below or read up on our SP101 review!

5. Highest Capacity - Smith & Wesson 686 Plus

Highest Capacity

Smith & Wesson 686 Plus

$869

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$869 at Brownells

GrabAGun (see price)

Midway USA (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Mag
• Action: DA/SA
• Capacity: 7
• Weight: 35.8 oz.
• Barrel Length: 3"
• Overall Length: 8.18"
• Height: 6"
• Width: 1.55"

Let's address the elephant in the room right away. Yes, the 686 is a large revolver, and yes, this is a carry revolver article.

So why the 686 Plus? Well, because not everyone is stuffing their gun into a pocket, a purse, or the inside of their pants.

For me, throwing on a baggier shirt to conceal a somewhat larger revolver is far preferable to wearing some cute little shirt and a mouse gun or no gun at all. What’s more important, your fashion or your life?

The Smith and Wesson 686 Plus is a 7-shot .357 Magnum built on Smith and Wesson's L-frame revolver for durability. While various barrel lengths are made, we really like the 3-inch model.

Short barrels can greatly hinder the performance of full-power .357 magnum. But moving up to a 3-inch barrel over a 2-inch can help reduce muzzle flash while getting some of that velocity back.

Its 3-inch stainless steel barrel bumps its overall length to 8.2 inches and a heftier empty weight of 36.8 ounces.

The gun ships with black synthetic grips with finger grooves (I actually like these factory grips) and a red ramp front sight with an adjustable white outline rear sight. It’s ridiculously precise and comfortable for me to carry. Get yourself a decent pancake-style leather holster and you are good to go.

The 3-inch model is among my favorite revolvers, and for good reason. I can be hard on my guns --- and the 686 Plus can take the punishment while offering increased capacity.

If you want to learn more about this gun in general can check out our full review of the 4-inch 686 Plus.

6. Slimmest .357 Magnum - Kimber K6s

Slimmest 6-shot .357 Magnum

Kimber K6s

$799

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$799 at GrabAGun

Midway USA (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .357 Mag
• Action: Hammerless DAO or DA/SA
• Capacity: 6
• Weight: 23 oz. - 25.1 oz.
• Barrel Length: 2", 3"
• Overall Length: 6.62" - 7.62"
• Height: 4.46"
• Width: 1.39"

Surprised to see Kimber on this list? I was amazed that I like this gun as much as I do.

Featuring a 6-shot .357 magnum cylinder, Kimber set out to make a lightweight revolver with improved features specifically for carry.

For starters, the K6s uses flattened cylinder sides, making it easier to conceal. Kimber claims it is the smallest-diameter 6-shot cylinder.

Low-profile black three-dot sights grace the top of the gun. The rear sight is also drift adjustable --- a nice touch. It also has a match-grade trigger, rubber grips or wood grips, depending on the model, and a textured push-button cylinder release.

As far as carry models go, you have a choice of either a 2 or 3-inch barrel. Kimber offers these guns in both DAO and DA/SA, so you can pick your poison here.

The frame and barrel are stainless steel, making this a very durable gun that is capable of handling full-power loads. As soon as you handle one of these guns, the build quality and craftsmanship are evident. They just feel nice.

For up-close use, this is an excellent little revolver. For deep concealment, the 2-inch barrel model is great, but we definitely fell in love with the DASA 3-inch model for all-purpose carry.

Kimber did release an aluminum-framed variant, the K6xs, which is much lighter than its original counterpart. However, the Pew Pew team still prefers the balance and shootability of the steel frame model.

If you aren’t a fan of Kimber, it might be time to reconsider that for this revolver’s sake. 

We have a hands-on review of the K6s as well, so check it out!

Final Thoughts

Despite their aging status, revolvers are still favored by some shooters and definitely have their place in the modern shooting world. We love our revolvers here at Pew Pew Tactical, and we hope you do too.

Remember, this is not the end-all, be-all list. It’s just a roundup of a few nice options for a solid concealed-carry revolver.

What do you think about carrying a revolver for your CCW? See something on this list that's caught your eye? Want more revolvers? Check out our Best .357 Magnum Revolvers article.

Latest Updates

• January 2025: Replaced S&W 642 with S&W Ultimate Carry J-Frame.
• May 2024: Removed S&W Bodyguard. Added data detailing how we chose the guns on this list and how to choose a carry revolver. Added supplemental data to each product with more information, changed photos to better reflect specific models, and changed the organization of this article.