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As the year draws to a close, we’re taking a look at the most-popular “I Carry” videos from 2025, as a “Year in Review” look back at the various kits that caught people’s attention. Clearly, revolvers were quite popular in 2025, with four of the five top slots going to wheelguns. Let’s take a look at these kits, starting with the fifth most-popular:
Number 5: Taurus 817 Revolver
Paired with a Falco carbon-fiber holster and a Normandy Knives automatic, out-the-front knife, the seven-shot Taurus 817 revolver in .38 Special claims the number five spot. Discussion centered on the decision from Taurus to re-introduce the 817 as well as the choice of the carbon-fiber holster.
Number 4: Smith & Wesson CSX-E Series Single-action 9 mm
Conversation on Smith & Wesson’s revised CSX series of single-action, double-stack 9 mm pistols centered on the improvements the company made mainly to the trigger, with near-mutual agreement that it is a major step forward for the model. The addition of a version with a slightly longer barrel was also greeted favorably.
Number 3: Ruger SP101 Revolver
Clearly, the .327 Federal Magnum chambering helped with the popularity of this video, as many debated its effectiveness—and cost—when compared to the .38 Special. Others praised the collaboration of Lipsey’s with various manufacturers in bringing unique firearms to market, while others lamented missing out on previous limited-run items in the past.
Number 2: Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver
Smith & Wesson released a number of classic revolver models with the much-maligned internal lock removed, and the concealed-carry-friendly Model 36 was the first model we featured in “I Carry.” The Smith & Wesson J-frame .38 Special revolver has been a mainstay for concealed carry for the better part of three-quarters of a century, and the new/retro model was clearly a hit.
And the Number 1 most-popular “I Carry” video of 2025: Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver
Our most-popular video, by far, was the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock .357 Magnum revolver. Paired with a Galco Masterbilt leather holster and a MicroTech automatic knife, the classic lines of this 4-inch barrel .357 Mag. clearly resonated with, well, everyone. While discussion centered on the “no-lock” aspect, discussion also centered on the chambering, the pairing with a leather holster and fond memories of personal Smith & Wesson revolvers.
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19 Comments
The Smith & Wesson CSX-E Series Single-action 9 mm pistol’s improvements are a major step forward, but I’m skeptical about the trigger, has anyone had any issues with it?
The pairing of the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver with a MicroTech automatic knife is an interesting choice, I’m not sure if it’s the best pairing, but it’s definitely a unique one.
The fact that the Taurus 817 Revolver came in at number five in the ‘I Carry’ videos from 2025 shows that it’s still a popular choice, I’m curious to know how it compares to other revolvers in the same category.
The discussion around the.327 Federal Magnum chambering of the Ruger SP101 Revolver is interesting, I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost, but it’s definitely a unique option, I’d like to know more about its effectiveness.
The fact that four of the five top slots in the ‘I Carry’ videos from 2025 went to revolvers is quite surprising, especially with the Taurus 817 Revolver coming in at number five, it shows a clear trend towards wheelguns.
I think this trend is due to the reliability and simplicity of revolvers, they are often easier to maintain and use.
I’m not sure if the Taurus 817 Revolver’s seven-shot capacity is a major selling point, but it’s definitely a unique feature, I’d like to know more about how it compares to other revolvers in the same category.
I’m excited to see what other classic revolver models will be re-released without the internal lock, the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver is a great start, but I’m hoping for more options in the future.
The fact that the Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver has been a mainstay for concealed carry for over three-quarters of a century is a testament to its reliability and effectiveness, I’m curious to know how it compares to other models in the same category.
The collaboration between Lipsey’s and various manufacturers is bringing some great unique firearms to market, I’m hoping to see more of these collaborations in the future, especially with the Ruger SP101 Revolver.
The Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver is a great choice for concealed carry, the removal of the internal lock is a plus, but I’m wondering if it’s worth the investment for someone who already owns a similar model.
The Smith & Wesson CSX-E Series Single-action 9 mm pistol’s slightly longer barrel option is a great addition, I’m wondering if it’s worth the upgrade for someone who already owns the standard model.
The fact that the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver was the most-popular video by far shows that people still have a strong interest in classic revolvers, I’m excited to see what other classic models will be re-released in the future.
The removal of the internal lock from the Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver is a major plus, but I’m concerned about the potential reliability issues, has anyone had any problems with the new model?
I’ve had the new model for a few months and haven’t had any issues, it’s been very reliable.
The Ruger SP101 Revolver’s.327 Federal Magnum chambering was a point of discussion, I’m not sure if it’s worth the cost when compared to the.38 Special, but it’s interesting to see the unique offerings from Lipsey’s.
The Smith & Wesson CSX-E Series Single-action 9 mm pistol’s improvements to the trigger have been a major step forward for the model, I’m curious to know how it compares to other pistols in the same category.
The Smith & Wesson Model 19 Classic No Internal Lock Revolver’s popularity is no surprise, the classic lines and.357 Magnum chambering make it a great choice, but I’m skeptical about the pairing with a Galco Masterbilt leather holster, is it the best option?
I think the leather holster is a great choice, it adds to the classic feel of the revolver.