never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Posted: 7/12/2026 5:47:10 PM EDT
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Maybe a dumb question but hear me out. I’ve been carrying a 351pd for like a year and really like how light and convenient it is. Spent last week on the beaches of Florida and got to thinking about if a revolver would make a good carry gun for living in a wet/salty/sandy environment, assuming I’m doing regular dad things like shore fishing and wandering around. Relatively low risk/crime areas and more worried about the need to update my AED training based on the people around. I was thinking scandium revolvers would be good because the don’t rust and should wipe off easy enough. But was worried about how sand/crap could get in the action with the wind and whatnot. I know Glock is generally the rough weather go to but this area is shorts and flaps with no belt kinda place. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Maybe a dumb question but hear me out. I've been carrying a 351pd for like a year and really like how light and convenient it is. Spent last week on the beaches of Florida and got to thinking about if a revolver would make a good carry gun for living in a wet/salty/sandy environment, assuming I'm doing regular dad things like shore fishing and wandering around. Relatively low risk/crime areas and more worried about the need to update my AED training based on the people around. I was thinking scandium revolvers would be good because the don't rust and should wipe off easy enough. But was worried about how sand/crap could get in the action with the wind and whatnot. I know Glock is generally the rough weather go to but this area is shorts and flaps with no belt kinda place. As a Floridian, my beach gun is a GLOCK. |
| I’ve swam in the ocean with a 686 before but I still cleaned it thoroughly. Sand can lock them up. I had a friend with Galveston County Sheriff’s years ago who had sand get in the action after a scuffle on the beach. He went to clean it and the cylinder wouldn’t open. A gunsmith had to take it apart to get all the sand out. |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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| I’d never plan on swimming with it, but do know that can happen. I know steel is too heavy for me to carry comfortably so that’s out. Price isn’t a concern since I’d likely be downsizing to move there and would have capital. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
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Harbor Patrol use to issue stainless guns. And I believe in the early days, the SEALs used the 66 & 686's prior to the Sig 226. For lightweight 5 shot J, I'd look at any of the enclosed hammer centennial no-lock models. This 342 is only 11 oz. but discontinued. But there is other "3" series available now like the 340 & 340 PD (both .357 mag). Attached File |
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Maybe a dumb question but hear me out. I’ve been carrying a 351pd for like a year and really like how light and convenient it is. Carry whatever you want in a thin, cheap, slightly oversized Ziplock type bag (without the slider). Make sure that the bag is loose enough that you can shoot the gun without taking it out of the bag. You might want to practice shooting it at the range this way to make sure that you are comfortable and proficient with this approach before you carry it like this. Almost any type of gun should work, but hammerless revolvers would probably shoot best out of a sealed bag. I've gone swimming while carrying like this, and never had an issue. |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By dump1567: Harbor Patrol use to issue stainless guns. And I believe in the early days, the SEALs used the 66 & 686's prior to the Sig 226. For lightweight 5 shot J, I'd look at any of the enclosed hammer centennial no-lock models. This 342 is only 11 oz. but discontinued. But there is other "3" series available now like the 340 & 340 PD (both .357 mag). https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/19737/IMG_0630_jpg-3794217.JPG Honestly I’m thinking a 340 for light/easy pocket or IWb carry and a 386 for bedside or when I feel the need to venture a little off the beaten path. Not sure what I’d need a handgun to do that those won’t. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By Bubba_Blue: Carry whatever you want in a thin, cheap, slightly oversized Ziplock type bag (without the slider). Make sure that the bag is loose enough that you can shoot the gun without taking it out of the bag. You might want to practice shooting it at the range this way to make sure that you are comfortable and proficient with this approach before you carry it like this. Almost any type of gun should work, but hammerless revolvers would probably shoot best out of a sealed bag. I've gone swimming while carrying like this, and never had an issue. Originally Posted By Bubba_Blue: Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Maybe a dumb question but hear me out. I’ve been carrying a 351pd for like a year and really like how light and convenient it is. Carry whatever you want in a thin, cheap, slightly oversized Ziplock type bag (without the slider). Make sure that the bag is loose enough that you can shoot the gun without taking it out of the bag. You might want to practice shooting it at the range this way to make sure that you are comfortable and proficient with this approach before you carry it like this. Almost any type of gun should work, but hammerless revolvers would probably shoot best out of a sealed bag. I've gone swimming while carrying like this, and never had an issue. Another fan of Ziplocs, I use them for all sorts of outdoor stuff including guns when I'm around water. I've used them for carrying a couple of different guns but the 642 has remained my main choice for most outdoor stuff including fishing, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, etc. No brown bear or moose and I can put a CCI shotshell as the first round in the swamps and such so I'm comfortable with .38spl in outdoors. No issues with it and like my 686, it's been underwater in fresh and salt water and never had a problem. I just empty it, rinse with fresh water and hose it out with WD-40 then shake it out well. When I'd get home I'd spray it out with whatever gun cleaner I had then lube it properly. I've never had a problem with any of my guns that have gotten wet, and that's a fair number of them, as long as I cleaned and oiled them. I know the 442 finish is supposed to be more durable but everyone is amazed that my 642 is as old as it is and has been carried as much as it has and still looks darn good. The worst spots are some concrete rash on the cylinder where I dropped it on the driveway unloading the truck (IIRC, I'd taken the deck bag off the kayak, tossed it behind the seat and didn't realize I'd left it unzipped- doh!). Before the 642, when I was in college and didn't have a ton of money or another small handgun, I had a blued Rossi .38 that I would have carried if SC had CWPs at the time.  I sold that gun after I bought the 642 but I wish I still had it, nostalgia if nothing else since it had been on so many trips with me.
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Attached File Attached File They work just fine |
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never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Attached File Guess I get to find out how it carries and shoots |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
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You sure are pimping that thing out.  Looks great, glad you found one you like!ETA- Those grips looks great but for I found the ones with the backstrap cushioning really help on the ultralights; I've still got the original Uncle Mike's boot grips on my 642. They're still my favorite boot grips although I've sen where folks slightly mod the Taurus version with the backstrap cushioning and seeing as they're inexpensive I may grab a set to try. Sacrilege I know. 
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Carried a Speed Six 2&3/4" on every fishing trip while wading the (clear water) rivers smallmouth bass fishing in WV. It would sometimes get submerged for a few minutes to a little longer. Maybe a few times during the day. I'd come home, unload it, completely tear it down (it's a Ruger and easy to do) and put it on a pizza pan in the oven at 200 F while I showered and shaved for work (evening shift). Then I'd pull it out, let it cool down, put it back together, lube it up, load it up and slip it into my pants pocket for the walk down the hill to the office to start my shift. In the summer it stayed in my longer till my shift was over. In the winter it went into my right hand duty coat pocket as my back up. Zero issues in the three or four years I carried it and used it like that. |
How you live your life is important. Just be sure the memory of how you died doesn't overshadow the tales of how you lived your life.
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: Maybe a dumb question but hear me out. I’ve been carrying a 351pd for like a year and really like how light and convenient it is. Spent last week on the beaches of Florida and got to thinking about if a revolver would make a good carry gun for living in a wet/salty/sandy environment, assuming I’m doing regular dad things like shore fishing and wandering around. Relatively low risk/crime areas and more worried about the need to update my AED training based on the people around. I was thinking scandium revolvers would be good because the don’t rust and should wipe off easy enough. But was worried about how sand/crap could get in the action with the wind and whatnot. I know Glock is generally the rough weather go to but this area is shorts and flaps with no belt kinda place. @steviesterno16 I think a lot of sand/mud wouldn't be good for either revolver or auto but I'm right there with your thinking. For me, it's mostly water activities, yes on/near sandy beaches or muddy mangroves but I'm not necessarily low-crawling through sand and mud. Part of my consideration and current plans to pack my S&W M&P 340 in my "vacation contingency kit" is exactly your reasoning. I have a nice AIWB Kydex holster for my 340 now, but considering just a minimalist trigger guard IWB that I could tie off to swim short waist strings when drawing. An HLR clip would be pretty good for beltless retention and I would have less concerns with a revolver than a semi-auto for those types of activities. Regardless, I'm going to update my vacation kit with the 340 addition. I do have other J-frames, but having both .357 and .38 capabilities just makes it more versatile. I mostly shoot .38SPL in my 340...those hot .357 mags hurt like a sonofabitch!  BTW, are you considering move to FL? My wife has already started boxing shit up. We will be moving in the next year to year and half (north of Panama City). ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Originally Posted By ROCK6: @steviesterno16 I think a lot of sand/mud wouldn't be good for either revolver or auto but I'm right there with your thinking. For me, it's mostly water activities, yes on/near sandy beaches or muddy mangroves but I'm not necessarily low-crawling through sand and mud. Part of my consideration and current plans to pack my S&W M&P 340 in my "vacation contingency kit" is exactly your reasoning. I have a nice AIWB Kydex holster for my 340 now, but considering just a minimalist trigger guard IWB that I could tie off to swim short waist strings when drawing. An HLR clip would be pretty good for beltless retention and I would have less concerns with a revolver than a semi-auto for those types of activities. Regardless, I'm going to update my vacation kit with the 340 addition. I do have other J-frames, but having both .357 and .38 capabilities just makes it more versatile. I mostly shoot .38SPL in my 340...those hot .357 mags hurt like a sonofabitch! BTW, are you considering move to FL? My wife has already started boxing shit up. We will be moving in the next year to year and half (north of Panama City). ROCK6 @ROCK6 you nailed my use case. Like I'm going to be right by the water, where it's sandy and hot and windy and humid and salty, but unless we catch something so big I have to jump in to land it, I don't plan on swimming with my carry gun Have you considered an Ulticlip for your holster instead of one you tie? I've found the slips are strong enough you can secure them to shorts with no drawstring and the holster stays put when you draw. I'm probably going to get a clipdraw for mine since I'm really not worried about a DAO revolver getting the trigger pulled when it's covered in shorts or behind my belt. I'm not against moving to Fl, have lived there before, and my parents are moving to Palm Coast. My wife is against the idea, so no I don't think I'll be moving there quite yet. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By steviesterno16: @ROCK6 you nailed my use case. Like I'm going to be right by the water, where it's sandy and hot and windy and humid and salty, but unless we catch something so big I have to jump in to land it, I don't plan on swimming with my carry gun Have you considered an Ulticlip for your holster instead of one you tie? I've found the slips are strong enough you can secure them to shorts with no drawstring and the holster stays put when you draw. I'm probably going to get a clipdraw for mine since I'm really not worried about a DAO revolver getting the trigger pulled when it's covered in shorts or behind my belt. I'm not against moving to Fl, have lived there before, and my parents are moving to Palm Coast. My wife is against the idea, so no I don't think I'll be moving there quite yet. That's it, not sure why I said the other, but the Utiliclip would be excellent on beltless or just those mini web strap shorts. While not fully contained, the enclosed hammer would help some to keep larger debris out of the action. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
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I live in the Panhandle of NW FL. Regularly fish from the shore, surf fishing. Also work LE, and the area includes a lot of beach area. At work, I’ve carried Glocks and Sigs, no issue. Though after an afternoon thunderstorm I may get slight surface rust on the rear sight if I don’t clean the gun well enough after getting wet. I use Renaissance wax on my guns to include work and carry guns. No rust issues. Sand can be a problem after a beach scuffle, it gets everywhere and in everything. I’ve had to break the guns down, unload and strip spare mags, and wash out holsters. I used to keep a J frame with me when I’d go to the beach to fish, but after awhile just kept my 365 that i daily carry with me. I keep it in a backpack when I’m fishing because I’ll wade out to cast sometimes. As long as you don’t drop it in sand or have to fight someone in the sand causing the gun to get caked in sand, just about any gun will do. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: Firing from inside a zip-lock bag, now another use case for a revolver. This, goes in a pocket or in a vest pocket fishing. I've even tested a G43, no issues either. Just make sure your finger is strong enough to poke through or "stretch" the bag enough to pull the trigger. Take a few bags to the range! |
never underestimate the stupidity of other people
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Attached File I like titanium. |
"every exercise is a low back exercise if you do it wrong enough"
@MacManus
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Originally Posted By aplaceinspace: Allegedly the British contract Triple Lock S&Ws in .455 Eley couldn't handle the trench mud. Supposedly why the ejector shroud was dropped from the second model. Dirt getting in there wouldn’t allow the cylinder to close. Don’t know if that is actually true, just what I have seen in print. Haven’t heard anything negative regarding the 1917s, Colt or S&W. |