Shot my first j-frame today...actually my first revolver. I took my dad's Model 36 no dash and my recently acquired Model 19-1 to the range today. I haven't shot the k-frame yet and only brought the little guy along as an afterthought since I only had it to clean for my pops. HOLY MOLY, that little thing has bark AND bite, shooting 125gr .38 spcl +p through it. Couldn't find any .357 so I only had the .38s for the 19 as well... Also a joy to shoot. Just wanted to share my fun experience as it is my first time at a shooting range! I saved all my brass to to do reloading but I'll save that for a different thread

Sounds like you had a good time, but then range time is always a good time in my book. I see you just joined the Forum. Welcome and congratulations on acquiring a Mod. 19. Looks like a 4-inch from the pic next to your member name. That's a good shooter.

A nickle model 19-3 started my addiction. Enjoy

And so another S&W junkie is born...welcome to the club!
Fun ain't it?
Had this monkey on my back for quite awhile. Warning! This can be an expensive habit
Cemoto

Congrats and welcome to the revolver club. Yes, J frames can be snappy and if you weren't turned off, you will love the model 19. Starting shooting revolvers with a J frame reminds me of a line from the movie "Dodegeball". "If you can dodge a wrench; you can dodge a ball."

Welcome to the Fraternity

Yeah that. Glad you're here and good shooting!

I wasn't turned off by the Jframe and in fact found it more fun to shoot. Is that unusual? I cant imagine a .357 out of it but the .38+p was just enough rough to enjoy, although my accuracy was way better with the 19. Im on the weekend shift at the yard and can't wait to be off so I can get back to the range....the thing is I agreed to work some OT mon and tue to fund my own m36! What a dilemma For some reason I feel drawn to the pinned and recessed guns (no real rational behind it, just a inclination). I also got a book called "Smith and Wesson Hand Guns" off Amazon. What a wonderful fascination I have found as it is a great antidote to the cabin fever of "I was a bachelor once but now I have a wife and baby". Most everyone on here seems genuine and has provided much fodder for entertainment in the wee hours over the last month or so. I hope to be able to offer advice and answers to people in the future.

One last thing...I know this isn't the right place to discuss it but can anyone link to any info on making your own snap caps from brass? While they may not be necessary, I would just feel better... plus, I like making things. Thanks Guys!

I would like to recommend against making snap caps from actual shell casings.

I know the appeal of saving a few dollars is strong in these tough times.

I have always felt that training dummies, snap caps etc. should visually be significantly different looking than real ammunition. This reduces the chance of mistaking a live round for a home made snap cap.

Now I do deal with novice shooters who have less experience than you or our other Forum members but you can never be too careful.

My wife and I both agree with you that J-frames are a hoot to shoot.

For thoughts on snap cap construction, try this thread: Home Made Snap Caps

You might try 38 Special 125 grain standard pressure hollow points. Recoil is very manageable. Good round for practice, you will not develop a flinch. The Buffalo Bore version of the standard pressure load develops close to 900 FPS making it a good choice for personal defense. You don't need a flame-breathing load that breaks your wrist to shoot effectively.

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

My first revolver was my M36 - just like your dad's. Does it have factory wood grips? I tried mine with the original magnas, and yeah, have to agree with your description - both a sharp bark and bite.

However, replace the factory wood with a nice set of hard rubber boot grips and that pretty well takes care of the bite part of the problem.

I just picked up a little bobbed hammer, 5-shot, small framed Taurus in .357 at the gun show today. It came with a nice set of rubbery boot grips that cover the backstrap. I'm looking forward to seeing how it is for recoil. Probably going to be my EDC since I don't want to beat up my M36.

Congrats on becoming a revolver man!

IMHO 2" J frames perform their best with 158 grain lead bullets as that's what they were originally designed to shoot. They are actually "sighted in' with the 158 grainers and seem to like them much better than the light jacketed fodder.

Standard velocity 158's (lead) for plinking & target and Buffalo Bore, Remington 158 grain FBI load or similar +P's would be my recommendations for SD - with the exception being the Speer Short Barrel 135 grain +P in a lighter bullet and jacketed SD round which is also a fine SD round.

Great advice! I still may end up making some out of brass for the time being and I will do something to greatly distinguish them live rounds (I read a sharpie on the back works well)

Yea it has the original grips (pics Here)
The guy at the counter at the range suggested some rubber grips. When I get my own m36 I may consider it although I enjoyed the experience with the magnas. And let me know about the .357, Im curious how that will go

Im kinda short on ammo choices. Academy only seems to have small boxes of stuff Im not willing to pay for and Wal-mart has 100 round boxes of Winchester White Box 158 gr (which i didn't mention I also had at the range) and the Remington 125 gr +p. I figure I'll go through a few thousand rounds of those 2, save my brass and get into reloading, getting supplies online.

Thanks for the responses guys!