Which weight do you prefer for carry?

Air Weight J frames (e.g. 642, 442, 638) -- weight about 15 oz.

Air Lite J frame (e.g. 340pd, 360pd) -- weight about 11 oz.

All steel J frame (e.g 60, 36, 649) -- weight about 20 oz.

Which do you carry most often?

I’ve had all three and can’t really tell a huge difference in any of them. Of course I could tell the 342 was lighter, but the 60 and 640 never really felt heavy. Even shooting it was not as drastic to me as I believe everyone makes it out to be.

Steel frame. I don't carry any, I prefer the Colt DS.

Carrying - Air Weight.
Shooting - Steel.

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Vegan by proxy.

640-1 All stainless steel J-Frame. The only J out of six in my carry rotation.
Hank M.

Steel , always steel.

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LEX ET ORDO

342 to carry, 3" 36 to shoot.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

I prefer either the 1 7/8" or 2.125" Model 36 for .38 +P or the 3" Model 60 for .357 Magnum.

I pocket carry my 49 quite a bit these days. I dont mind the “extra” weight because I have nothing else to compare it to.

It also shoots easy at the range. Steel all day for me!

Usually a 642 but sometimes a pinned 60 wearing a pair of Patrick Grasshorn's elk horn stocks if I feel like being fancy (like today). It's more about style than weight. At the range I'd much rather shoot the 60.

I go with the 340PD.

Hard to imagine a better everyday carry gun than a J-frame .38, but most people don't shoot them well unless they practice regularly. That's why so many think these are 5-10 yard guns at best. Whichever weight gun you choose, shoot it sufficiently using good shooting technique and you'll be quite surprised how well these guns shoot in capable hands.

I've never owned an 11 oz. J-frame, though it must have more recoil than a heavier gun. Everyone feels and evaluates recoil differently - there is no standard, sort of like the degree of crimp on a cartridge case.

I shoot steel J-frame .38s and an airweight regularly and find there is a difference in recoil using standard pressure loads. I seldom shoot any factory +P ammo and see no real need for it in these guns.

Make mine a Model 38 Airweight please, a 38-2 to be exact. If not, a tidy 337 works just fine for me.

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"You're messin' up my Zen"

While I have a 340PD, I prefer the 442-2 that I carried as a backup weapon.

For carry I prefer the 638. I didn't know they made a lighter one. If I could justify the cost (I can't) I would get one of those 11 ouncers. The older I get, the less pleasant the 638 is to shoot - but I do it regularly.
When I carry my 36 or my Taurus 605, those things feel like anvils.

Model 60 for the range & 340PD for EDC.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Carried a 637 for few years, but always used reduced loads at the range. Got a 60, can’t believe how much more I like shooting it. 11oz Taurus View, I actually sold it because I couldn’t shoot anything in it!

IWB or OWB or pocket/jeans I’d always pick steel. Pocket carry in light shorts, the airweight.

642-1 works for me. Best combination of price, performance and portability for my taste. (Gets daily carry around home and vicinity.)

I'm tempted by the M&P 340 but not by its price.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I always carry full power ammunition in my J-frames

So I prefer to carry and shoot the heaviest one I own in that caliber

When I carry concealed, I carry the heaviest J-frame that is appropriate to how I am dressed

So if it is T-shirt and shorts I carry a M&P340. If it is slacks ad a jacket,then I carry a 640 and o on

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"Acta non verba"

638 - 38sp

Air Weight J frame 442-1

I recently tried a 124 grain cast lead bullet and 5 grains of Unique out of my 638. I load these for my Rossi rifle. I couldn't believe how well they shot at 50 yards, single action, from the humpback 638. I loaded a bunch more for further testing. They shot so well I thought it must be a fluke.

I've been carrying my 640 Pro the past few months but it's just a matter of time before I go back to my 642 with titanium cylinder. Even for belt carry I much prefer the lighter weight.

Until recently, Airweight (NOT Airlite). Last few months, found my 642 and my 37 SB less pleasant than in the past, didn't even like my 60 (trigger hurt my finger a little). Now carrying one of my Model 40 revolvers in my pocket without a problem. Also OK in a Renegade on my ankle.

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Formerly Model520Fan

I only have 642s, a ND and a -1. As blues7 said, it balances features that make it a good carry gun. As far as weight, it's "just right."

With that said, a 640ND remains my "grail gun."

I don't have any real interest in the scandium guns.

I always have a 442 in my pocket. Most of the time a second is in my waist. The 442’s are my favorite but, I have a bobbed 37 I’ve been carrying a lot and a 3” 36 that gets some carry. Since all have rubber grips practice at the range is fun with all. I limit +P practice, not because of ware, I’m too cheap. I’m not a 25 yard shooter. I practice between 20 and 50 feet.

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Two Handguns every day

I carry my 637 and the 36. The 637 is a little lighter, but the 36 isn't very much heavier to me. I do like the nostalgia of carrying the 36, mine is a '71 model.

Started with a 36, then a 638, then a 642, then a 60. Finally ended up with a 640-1. I carry IWB so weight's not much of an issue, and I can shoot the 640-1 all day.

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SWCA #2817

A 638 suits me fine. I often carry a 60-15 Pro .357 in a Lobo holster.

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SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

LCR 38- 13.5 oz

442 in a cargo pocket as my BUG everyday at work. Greatest compromise between weight and shoot ability.

I have 2 642 airweights for carry. The steel guns are easier to shoot tho.

I have everything from solid steel to ultralight scandium / titanium but lean toward middle weight alloy J Frames, 442, 642, 37, 38, etc. it’s a good compromise.

Today it’s a 1983 nickel Model 37 in TT Gunleather KX Lightweight holster.





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I do, at times, carry an Air-Lite J frame that only weights 11.4 oz empty. When I load all 6 rounds, it brings the carry weight up to 13.8 ounces.

Six rounds in a J frame you ask? It is a model 332Ti chambered in 32 magnum. Sufficient power for a serious social encounter but with manageable recoil. The extra round is a bonus!

I have fired a M360 with full power 357 loads. I will not willingly ever do it again.

If I’m carrying a j frame, it’s a M38, sometimes a M49.

I have no interest in the more recent j frames: they’re on a larger frame than the M38 or M49. I find the larger frames clunky by comparison, even in light weight versions.

All steel 49 for me... I like the extra weight.

My everything day carry, at least during the summer is a 640-1 in a Mika pocket holster or on my belt in a Simply Rugged pancake. I prefer the steel j's for carry and the Airweights for a backup gun.

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I own an Airweight J frame and a steel I frame. I carry the J daily and haven't carried the I (a .32 HE) for about 10 years.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

If you're man enough to shoot an 11 oz, you're man enough to carry a 20 oz.

Steel always wins

442, my favorite daily carry snubby for now.

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Keep on Chooglin'

All steel, hammerless is preferred.

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otis

I like the steel versions. This 36 was "Armoloyed" in 1981, and has primarily served as a secondary since then. I have tried lighter versions but always come back to a 36 or 60.

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Steel, only because it's what I have, Model 36 and 49. If I carry one, it's the 49. Like it and shoot it better.

Air Lite 351C in .22 magnum.

I carry a 340PD when I’m feeling J frame-ish . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Fantastic question by the OP.
I own a 1955ish blued steel flat latch Chiefs Special and also the 638. Honestly, I do carry the 638 more often, by far. But the chiefs special is better at the range.

J frames are great for carry, but they suck at the range regardless of weight, let’s face it. IMO.

Model 337. Light and handy

Me too. Although the M60 gets carried some too.

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Pass it on.
Mark

I like the airweights

I own 5 all steel J-frames - 2 x 36, 2 x 60 and 1 x 60-15 - mostly carried IWB in a Milt Sparks VMII built for the 60-15.

Anxiously awaiting to take delivery of a new custom Snubbyfan OWB holster for my 2” J’s.