Can't get a grip on the J's tiny grip frame. Almost impossible for me to handle one with my huge hands. I'll stick to K's and N's. Never owned a J.

Interesting thread...My very first, and only one for many years, gun was a M36 SB I inherited when my father died. It was what I learned to shoot with and had no comparison for years....put another way, I didn't know any better and learned to be proficient with it. Sure, I like target shooting with my M14, but have always felt that 90% of the general population is well served by a J Frame. I have carried the full sized service weapons in uniform and they are appropriate for that purpose, but always felt a little higher degree of comfort with that 342PD on the ankle as well.
Now, the daily carry varies a bit depending on destination and season, but that 342 is often dropped in Mika holster with a speed strip on the way out the door. Ideal carry? Many would say "no", BUT it's there, God-forbid I should need it. 50 rounds per range session is enough to remind me of two things: (1.) Yes, I can hit what I need to hit and (2.) 50 rounds in an "AirLite" IS enough for my wrist. So, while there are bigger, better, heavier, higher capacity and more intrinsically accurate choices, the J Frame is likely to be the one I DO carry because of ease of concealment, weight and the areas I am likely to travel into and around. There are always trade-offs.

I'm not crazy about J frames either. I figure once they Improved the "I" frame there was no need for the J !! And the .22 M 34 has no kick and is a great "range" gun.

T

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I bought my first J frame some thirty years ago. I hated it so much I have bought another seven or eight since. I would still like to find one with a four inch barrel in 22 magnum.

SO WOULD I, DAVE........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I'm not particularly fond of the J frames either. There are sturdier revolvers in the same class that won't twist themselves up with the first 5 rounds. Pretty? Yes. Useful? Only in a pinch.

I like 'em all . . . from the "J" through the "N." All shoot exceptionally well in competition, at the range and in the deer woods.

Don't plan to shoot the "X" frames because they all have the Hillary hole on the left side and I decided I'd never shoot a Hillary hole Smith back in 2002 . . . and still haven't! No desire to ever.

That being said, the odds are huge that the gun you'll have one ya, if surprised, will be that humble "J" in your pocket, so you'd better get used to it and learn to shoot it instinctively well! I find little difference in the feel of any of the Smith frame sizes in my hands . . . all feel "right" . . . large or small.

Hitting gallon milk jugs @ 100 yards isn't that hard . . . once you learn the hold over to correct for the "rainbow" trajectory. After all, 1" groups @ 10 yards = 10" groups at 100. No mystery there.

In my safe? Lots of stuff.

In my POCKET right now? A humble "J" that might just save my life one day! Anything bigger doesn't always get carried and I'm very confident with my J's.

To each his own though . . . but I've found the J frames to be an acquired taste.

T.

1" group @ ten yards, standing/unsupported. My first target after buying this little '64 era J a few years ago. These guns will do the trick if one does their job.

I'm with the OP and a few others. Despite owning a few of them in the past there hasn't been a J-frame around here for a good many years. My hand is just big enough that my trigger finger contacts the frame/back of the trigger guard before the hammer drops. Takes a shift of grip just to get one to go off. People told me to use bigger grips that cover the back strap and move my hand away from the trigger. Some solution! Now the little "J" is at big as a K-frame.

Also, in running a firearms training business for 10 years I never saw anyone who was good with a J-frame. Lots said they were, and if you gave them enough time or were close enough to the target they could hit it, but no one in any class I every taught was really competent with the little 5-shooters.

If you like them that's your business but in my mind they are too much of a compromise. YMMV!

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I've carried a j frame a lot before I realized they don't make a lot of sense. A K frame RB or D frame Colt isn't that much harder to carry and holds one more round and is much easier to shoot well. Of course we also have some very good semi-auto options to be considered unless you just don't want a semi.

I'm not sure what range most folks plan to need their ccw from. But I can handle my 642 just fine for self defense purposes so I don't ever feel like I'm compromising when I carry it.

As far as a range gun - I enjoy it for what it is. I don't try to shoot it 50 feet and expect to make the 10 ring disappear.

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Who is John Galt?

Seems like the steel J-frames are regarded a bit more fondly than the alloy models. With a 3" barrel they are like a 3/4 size L-frame.

I've had steel and alloy J-frames, and I didn't notice much difference. I swapped the A/W Centennial for my steel Bodyguard to get the SA capability with a no-snag hammer.

It's been 2 years since this post last came around. So I thought I would revive it just to be cruel.
I have many J frames..most are collectors examples. A few are for CCW. There is nothing "Fun" about shooting one though. When I go to the range I shoot my J frame CCW 1st to get the practice out of the way. Then back into the holster it goes and I enjoy the rest of the session with K,L N, X or semi- autos.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

While I do own many J Frames I can not say that they are my favorite guns to Target Shoot with. My Range Gun frames of choice are K's, but there is no denying J's make a dandy carry package.

The most comfortable and easiest J to shoot (at least IMHO) is my 3" Bull barrel, square butt Chief's Special from the 60's. For someone who uses a OWB holster on a daily basis, that might be THE ONE to consider for CCW. It's just a tad heavier than a 2" a bit longer in the barrel, but the SB grip makes it a pleasure to shoot and felt recoil is greatly reduced.

Well, ive owned one a 1950's model 37 and it was a very sleek little pistol. I agree the grip was a bit off even with my medium size hands. I tried putting some larger boot grips on it and it did help but made it bulky.

I will say they are great little pistols and have a place. if I needed a ankle gun it would be a J-frame or a deep cover pistol again a J frame. of course my wife loves the J-frames and need to hunt down a nice older 40 that still is reliable for every day use for here. I see your point but its kinda like saying a N is to big, they all have their place

USNRigger

I was really hoping my buddy would sell me his Model 12 snubby but his wife decided to keep it. So, I've widened my horizons to include a M36 or M37 in my search. I recently bought a Model 10-5 snubby to complement my 10-5 four incher. Now those are some solid shooting guns. I will probably carry the M10 snub when my CHL comes in a month or two.
But I still want a smaller, lighter one for carry. Just can't decide if I want a 36 or 37 the most. I assume the 36 will be a little more solid shooting but as a pocket gun, the 36 will beat even the Model 12.

Stay tuned.

For the range I like a gun that is heavier and easy to hang on to. I find my 686 fills this need well.

For a carry gun I'd rather have something smaller and lighter, kind of like a 'J' frame.

I don't care for the bloody things either I had a chance to get this one away from my wife for quick photo, Model 49 no dash. She says the stocks match her pearls...

De Oppresso Liber

^^THIS^^
Good grips are everything in a J. For my money having rubber on the backstrap is where its at for shooting hotter loads. I have two true J's - a 36 and a 60. Hated them so much that when I saw a (gasp) Taurus copy in 357 - their Model 605 - at the gun show last weekend I had to have it too.

One thing about the Taurus, it came with what I see as about the perfect grips. They cover the front of the grip frame with finger grooves shaped just like a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips BUT they also cover the back strap like a set of Pachmayr Compacs. On top of that they are made out of a semi-soft rubber like a set of Hogues. Basically their stock boot grips combine the best features of all 3.

SOMEBODY really really REALLY likes Pachy Compacs!

^^^^I don't like them...but I have three of them.^^^^

OK, got it!

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'Merica!

Wow, talk about reviving an old thread! This things older than some of my J frames :-)

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Dave

Well now--some of you boys are out to convince---I don't know who but I suspect yourownself---I have not budged an inch.
Some of the comments were rude--intentionally but, you didn't convinct me of anything except that ya'll are insecure.
I have rid myownself of that little Scadium .38/.357 a couple of years ago---and like a cheating wife---I have suffered no regrets.
Now I keep a little J framed .327 mag under the mattress.
I still am not sure why ya'll think that a carry gun has to be 1) in the pocket, that is the least desirable place to keep a gun that I know of & 2) Why in the world do you think it has to be small.
I carry---without a scabbard---A heavy Sig P220 and a heavy Norinco .45---not to mention full sized Colt , Semis & like models.
They are infinately more desireable for carry than a roller-in the waist.
I carry N frames in scabbards on a regular basis--easily concealed and in a shoulder rig when I can.
You guys carry what you want---I will stick with something I can shoot well.
Now, I have been about as plain and blunt as I can be and still keep it more civil that some of the reply's by folks who think I am a dorff.
This thread is going on three years and all ya'll have convinced me of is that there are abunch of guys here that collect but rarely pull a trigger or have pulled a trigger in desperation. But that is another story I will not discuss.
As I said in the OP---you do it your way.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

A similiar quote would be "I don't like my Boss Mustang for Elk hunting. I'd rather have a truck."

I respect your opinion about the J frame. I like all and any Smith wheel gun, but lately I have been finding my best deals on J frames. When I get a chance to get to the range, I'll take a couple of J, K, L, and N's. I do carry a 36 Nickel snub in my pocket quite often.

I'd love to find a 36 or 37 Nickel snub for a carry.

I have mixed feelings about the J-frames for CCW. I'm not a fan of the usual 2" models that many like to carry. The grip is just too small for me to shoot well. By the time I put a large enough set of grips on it to give me proper control and accuracy, I might as well be carrying a K-frame. Which BTW I can shoot much better.
For the record, my usual carry gun is a Colt Commander. So the whole idea of a carry gun needing to be small is a moot point to me.
I've also never been a fan of pocket carry. To me its uncomfortable, awkward and the slowest possable draw. I much prefer a good holster.
Yet I do admit to owning several of them. But then again, most aren't really the best for CCW due to caliber. I have a couple of .22s and several in .32 S&W Long. BTW: when the arthritis in my wife's hands got bad, she found her little 2" Model 30 to be just the thing.
Lemme see here, I own exactly three in .38 Special. One is a pre-36 Flat Latch which is mostly a safe queen. I have one older square butt Model 36 that spends most of its time in a drawer. Although I will admit to grabbing it occasionally for a quick trip to the store when I'm too lazy to put a real gun on.
And then there's the one J-frame .38 that I actually do like. In fact, its the only one that I actually consider to be one of my regular carry guns. The grips are big enough for me to handle well, the weight makes recoil in a .38 no problem and its plenty accurate out to reasonable ranges for its purpose. What I really like about it is that I can wear it in a good belt holster and pretty much ignore it. And it doesn't get in the way when doing strenuous physical activities.
This is my trail gun. We've walked/hiked many miles together and is probably the only .38 J-frame that I really do like.

I guess if you don't like J frames then you must hate Improved I frames. But I.........like em!

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Get off my lawn!

Interesting resurrection. Fact is, I do indeed LIKE my J-frame, and find it a lot of fun to shoot. With a Tyler T-Grip, it is quite comfortable in my average/large hands.

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Registration? NEVER!

Send all your early J frame's this way

There is one caveat... .357 J-frames are OUT!!

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Registration? NEVER!

Not worlds of fun to shoot with the OEM stocks.
However, the banana grips like the 3rd from left are much more comfortable for shooting.
Wish I could get some banana grips made for a SB J frame.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Tyler T-Grips make J's controllable with OEM grips.

Sent from my little slice of Heaven.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I have great fun shooting mine at the range, and it shoots quite well in my hands, though only at 50-100 rounds at a time (depending on the load). It goes to the range with me on every trip.

As several others have said, the J's were never designed to be range guns, per se. There are much better choices for high-volume target shooting, obviously....K's, L's, N's. But for their intended purpose of easy, concealable carry, the J's are hard to beat.

I have a 10-5 Nickel four inch, and a 10-5 Blue snubby,which I really like but I really have a hankering for a Nickel Model 36 or 37. I guess the 36 is less of a range gun than a M10 and a 37 is less pleasant to shoot than a 36. But a 37 would make a great carry piece at 10 ounces unloaded - about half my M10 snubby. M10s for the range, M37 for carry is what I'm thinking. Maybe I'll be able to find a nice one I can afford.

All I know is I used to carry a North American arms 22 in my pocket. After care full consideration I thought are you crazy or what.That's when I bought my model 37. Now I feel comfortable. They might not be what everyone wants but at least the 38 special over the lowly 22 makes sense to me. And I can still carry it in my pocket

Cary, my wife has agreed to carry my NAA Mini Magnum in her car and, as soon as her CHL arrives in the mail, as a carry piece. Not ideal but I can't quite convince her to carry anything larger at the moment. She wasn't gungho about getting her CHL with me but she did great in the class and on the range. Baby steps. For now it's the Mini or nothing. If I can find a nice Model 37 I'm hoping she'll agree to carry it.

I guess the forum members that don't like them make it easier for us that do!

Kensterfly, your wife would love a model 37, light, light, light, and packs a wallop. 38 is much better than a 22. Give Her time, she will come arround.

Well, this may come as a surprise for you, but I have been shooting 40+ years now, and I know of exactly NO ONE who likes shooting J frames. We do it only as often as necessary to make sure we can use it for its intended purpose. We ALL use K or bigger, or duty size semi-autos for most range use.

I agree with Jaymo - put on the right grips and J frames are much more pleasant - especially the all steel ones, but of course, that takes away the primary advantage of a J frame - concealability.

Best to have a matched pair - One with big Hogue, Pachmayr, or S&W "banana" grips for shooting, and one with smaller factory with adapter or boot grips for carry.

That's what I'm counting on, Cary. Putting pressure on her isn't going to work. I learned that lesson over and over during our 40 years together.

I really like my "J" frames but, my usual carry gun is a model 66-3 2.5 inch, Springfield 1911 A1 in stainless, or a Glock 23 (yes, I train regularly with all of them) depends on where I'm going and the company I expect to be in. With that said, I usually have a Model 649 or a Model 60 as a BUG (semi-autos do malfunction). I plan to go home at the end of day.

De Oppresso Liber

My little 36 goes everywhere with me.
I love shooting my little 31-1.
It's the perfect J frame for extended range sessions.

I had to go to the doctor yesterday.
When it came time for me to step on the scale, I told the nurse
to hold on while I removed some weight that was not part of me.
I took off my jacket, wallet, and phone.
Then, I told her not to freak out, because I had one more item I needed to remove.
I then took my 36 and pocket holster out and put them on the table.
She chuckled and asked me "Is that a .38?"
"Yes, it is. It's an early 1970s Smith & Wesson Chief's Special", I replied.
She then said "Cool, I have one EXACTLY like that."

If I wasn't already married, I would have proposed to her.
I love good ole girls.

I fell asleep after I got home from the doctor.
Didn't even take off my shirt or jeans.
Forgot to take the 36 out of my pocket.
Never even noticed it.
And that's why it's my constant companion.
It's easy to carry. It's unobtrusive. It's handy.

I love J frames.
.38 J frames aren't fun for extended range trips, but practice is the only way to maintain proficiency.
The 31-1 gets shot more, since it's just a lighter recoiling version of the same gun.
Same trigger pull and handling.
Everyone needs a .32 J frame for BUG practice.
I shoot the 36 enough to remember how it handles, but the 31-1 is how I stay familiar with the DA pull of the J frame.

While I strongly prefer to shoot a lot of ammo from my Ks and my L, I'd never get rid of my Js.
Well, if the J wasn't such a perfect pocket revolver I might sell it.
Trouble is, S&W perfected the pocket SD gun with the J frame.


About the banana grips: I've had a couple of Taurus 85 CH .38 snubs with their copy of the banana grip.
It's a perfect compromise between shooting comfort and concealability.
I always shot better with bananas than with boots. More to hang on to.

I think I need a BK grip adapter for my 36.
Also think I need a couple of their K frame adapters.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

I agree with this. Another great little understudy for the J frame is the Model 63 in 2 inch, 22 LR. They did not make them very long, but you can find them, and 22 LR is cheaper than centerfire ammo, except for the fact that 22 LR is hard to find these days.

Per S&W, an airweight Chief model 37 comes in at 14 ounces empty, the modern airweight Centennials (M442/642) at about 15, and the model 36 standard Chief model 36 at 19.

Yep, you're right on the M37. My mistake. That's still about half the weight of my Model 10 snub.

Well Will, I guess I must have myself pretty well deluded then.
'Cause I just bought myself J-frame #3 today.
This one is a blued 3" square butt.

I like 'em all! The 38spl centerfire J frames are great for conceal carry; IWB, belt and pocket carry. The .22lr/.22mag J frames make outstanding kit guns and pocket guns.
The K, L and N frame revolvers are the best choice for target practice, hunting and home defense. My 6" bbl K frame 617 is unbeatable as a target gun and my 686+ is a great self defense revolver for the house. When loaded with 38spl rounds it is soft shooting enough for anyone in the household. I want several of each, in various barrel lengths and calibers!

I don't care much for shooting J-Frames but I do like carrying them. My favorite carry is the M&P 360 .357 Magnum. My wife's is the 642.