Wheelgun Wednesday: Lightweight Versus Full-Weight Revolvers
Welcome back to another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday. This week, I want to look at the world of lightweight revolvers that are on the market and how they drastically differ from their full-metal variants. I recently bought the new Smith & Wesson Nightguard and although I'm not ready to release my full review yet, I have a standard 686+ that is almost identical except for weight. Shooting them side by side has been interesting to see the differences. When you look at other options like the airweights, there are two very different guns that you have the ability to choose from. Let's take a closer look at lightweight versus full-weight revolvers.
Lightweight Options
With the advancements in metallurgy and machining technology, revolvers are becoming modernized with the latest alloys and innovations, allowing for wheelguns that are significantly lighter than their traditional counterparts. The new L Frame Nightguard from Smith & Wesson is a great example of what can be done when modern machining and metallurgy create a revolver that's considerably lighter than the standard L Frames on the market, while still offering the 7-round capacity that the standard L Frame comes with.
Another example of having an extremely lightweight option is the Smith & Wesson 340 PD. This tiny J Frame is one of the most aggressive handguns I have ever fired. The 340 PD is also one of the most capable revolvers on the market because it weighs next to nothing but still has the ability to carry 5 rounds of full-power .357 Magnum. It will feel like someone is hitting your hand with a sledgehammer when it goes off, but having that much of a hot rod cartridge out of a short-barreled lightweight handgun really does give you peace of mind when you're carrying in a pocket or even an ankle holster.
The name of the game with these lightweight models isn't long range sessions but the ability to easily carry them without feeling the weight, as you would with a traditional full-metal framed revolver. Both the new Nightguard and 340 PD are some of the easiest handguns to carry, but they are a handful if you need to fire them in self-defense, so it's important to be mindful of that. Both of these models are purpose-driven and they do an exceptionally good job.
Carrying Full-Weight Revolvers
When it comes to carrying a full-weight revolver, it can be an exciting experience where you feel like a modern-day cowboy just living your life with your big iron on your hip. For events like a southern BBQ, where you know people will be carrying, having a stainless revolver can be incredibly good as a conversation piece. It isn't a super regular sight to see someone carrying a stainless or fully blued revolver rather than something like a polymer semi-auto or wonder nine that's become so popular today. I wrote about this last week in my cool versus capable concealed carry article, where carrying a cool stainless full metal revolver is just flat out rewarding at times because it feels like an experience. Shooting a full-weight revolver is exponentially nicer than a lightweight option because the extra weight absorbs the recoil from magnum rounds and isn't nearly as punishing as something like a lightweight 340 PD.
One of my personal favorites right now is the Smith & Wesson 686+ Deluxe with the unfluted cylinder. This is one of the heavier revolvers I own for its size, but as a result, it's a dream to shoot and with a good leather belt-mounted holster and a sturdy belt, it's incredibly easy to carry. Having the extra weight in the revolver does present more challenges, but that does not mean it's impossible to carry it in a comfortable way.Â
What's Best?
At the end of the day, the old term right tool for the right job applies here. If you want something that you can easily carry every day with no worries of fatiguing throughout the day, then the lightweight models are certainly worth taking a look at. People with smaller frames will also have an easier time carrying a lightweight model over something larger and full weight. Since I have a bigger frame, I don't mind the full metal handguns and being able to carry the extra weight allows me to carry the full metal revolvers with no issue. For people who want to carry a revolver but can’t comfortably carry a full metal revolver, the lightweight options are a fantastic way to have a better carry option, but still have the revolver aesthetic.
Overall Thoughts
Between the two options, I prefer the full-weight revolvers, but I can absolutely see the place for lightweight revolver options. Everyone has different needs, and I think it's always interesting to look at the various new handguns to see what role they fill. Do you guys prefer full-weight revolvers or lightweight options? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have questions about revolvers or firearms in general, feel free to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there and we will see you next week for another edition of Wheelgun Wednesday.
I'm an avid shooter and love educating whether it's at my job or in the shooting community. I'm an average joe that really loves talking with other people about firearms and other passions.I'm active on Instagram on @fridgeoperator.
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I don't do a lot of revolver shooting, but I know guys who do and their experience mirrors my own, that I'd much rather shoot a super light semiauto than a super light revolver. Li'l barsterds hurt like heck and are just plain no fun to shoot.
...That said, they hurt a lot less than getting shot, and are a lot better in the no fun department than recovering from surgery or getting a Y-Incision, so if a gnat-weight revolver is what you can carry and use comfortably, by all means do so.
There's an old saying from the 38 vs. 45 debate that it's better to hit once than miss twice. This concept applies even more when talking about full-weight vs. lightweight magnum handguns. If you prefer to carry a small lightweight handgun, then pick a caliber and load that doesn't increase flinching. Some good candidates include the 32 H&R Magnum, 38 Special, 32 ACP, 380, and even the 44 Special and 45 Colt for those fearing bear attacks. There are effective loads for each of them that don't require +P pressures.