I'm torn ...

I'm looking for a "J" frame for carry and to have my wife shoot something that fits her had better than my Model 686.

I LOVE my 686 and want to clone it! only smaller. I'm concerned about the 637 being an alloy frame, I thinking it's going to be too light and there will be more recoil that I want. Is the Model 60 what I'm looking for?

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~ToeRag.

I'm torn ...

I'm looking for a "J" frame for carry and to have my wife shoot something that fits her had better than my Model 686.

I LOVE my 686 and want to clone it! only smaller. I'm concerned about the 637 being an alloy frame, I thinking it's going to be too light and there will be more recoil that I want. Is the Model 60 what I'm looking for?

__________________
~ToeRag.

Yes

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Semper FI

If you're worried about recoil then you will want to buy a heavier Stainless revolver instead of a 15 oz Airweight.

You aren't limited to the Model 60 though. The M60 is the Chief's Special frame. The M640 is the Centennial frame (like the M642) and the M649 has the Bodyguard frame. (like the M638) All 3 weight 23 oz. and will reduce the felt recoil. (and all 3 current are models are .357 Magnums instead of .38 Specials)

Also, if you want a .38 Special instead of a .357 Magnum there is the M36.(20.4 oz) There is the M40 which has a grip lock like a 1911 and it weighs 21 oz. As you see you have many choices to choose from if you're looking for a S&W J frame.

Don't forget Ruger has their SP-101 which weighs between 25 oz and 28 oz depending upon which variant you choose. The SP101 is a little larger than any of the S&W J frames.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

M60, .38 S&W SPL, or .38 SPL+P. Forever.

Well;

I got the 637 -- I LOVE it .. but I have NOT shot it yet! The trigger is sweet. SA very light, DA just right.

I hope to get to a range over the weekend. Still curious about the recoil with .38 / .38 +P's it just a small light gun.

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~ToeRag.

+p's will be a little snappy. My wife has the 637 on her nitestand. It's loaded with +p's. It also has the lazer grips too. Funny thing. I was sleeping the other nite and I thought there was a little red lite hovering around my face and head. I woke up, but she told me I was dreaming, go back to sleep. . My 60 also has +p's as a carry round. If it's what the cops carry, it's good enough for me. Besides, it makes sense, lawsuit wise, to show I didn't carry the most powerful round I could showing I'm more of a lover than a fighter. If that don't stop them, the next 5 are 158 grn .357. If that don't stop them, they can eat me.
kid

I have a 637, a model 60 and an SP101. All great revolvers. 637 is not difficult to shoot due to recoil Sp101 is very heavy, built like a tank, so will be a little heavier to carry. I like the 637 and the 60.

I switched my EDC to a S&W 637 from a KelTec P3AT. I have a couple model 60's but find them too heavy for pocket carry in a pair of shorts though OK for a coat or jacket in colder climates. The 15 oz 637 is not noticeable when carried in the front pocket any more than the P3AT was.

Before buying the pistol I rented one at the local indoor range to try out and see how much recoil the lightweight pistol had. I found it quite manageable with both standard and +P loads.

The small standard boot grips the 637 comes with work well with a 2 finger grip and the small finger coiled under the butt. This keeps the pistol from slipping up in the hand under recoil and the grip conceals well in a Desantis pocket holster.

My current self defense loads are Remington +p 125gr Golden Sabers selected because they do well on YouTube tests from snub nose revolvers. I keep 2 Safariland speed loaders for additional ammo. The HKs speed loaders get hung up on the boot grip but work for my other model 60's with Pachmayers.

Avoid the air weights. Recoil and cracked frames at the forcing cone. I have a beautiful hardly used 38 that is only good for parts.

Jack

A Model 60 with a three inch barrel might be a good option. If you put Pachmayr rubber grips on it that will help with grip and recoil. My ex-wife was deadly with her Model 60.

If you want a baby 686, get a model 60 with 3" full lug barrel and adjustable sights. I have a 60-10 with these features and its a great shooter.

Sorry I can't post a picture, but photobucket sucks.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

A wise man lets his wife pick her own gun. My wife chose my 4 inch Model 681 with Crimson Trace grips. We keep it loaded with .38 +P ammo.

Instead of going all the way down to a J-frame, you might have her try out different K-frames, especially the 2.75 inch Model 66.

Sent from my QTAQZ3 using Tapatalk

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

Here's my 60-10. The fact that it so closely resembles a miniature 686 is the reason I was drawn to it.

Hard to say without more information but I would hazard a guess that the Model 60 would work out better for her.

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Centennial Every Day

A 637 might be kind of harsh with recoil. I don't like shooting plus P's through my 442 at all.

How do get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. My point being either gun is a fine starter gun. The merits of either are listed in previous posts. When I met my future wife she had an off brand low rent revolver in 32S&W Long. I took her to the range to see how she and the gun would do. Frankly, while I believe she could have effectively defended herself, the two index fingers on the trigger pull kinda freaked me out. Not that she was a wimp, she could wrangle 90# bales of alfalfa as well as any man. In a round about way, I eventually got her a 442. She liked it. I knew she might be sensitive to recoil, so we practised with wadcutters eventually graduating to std velocity ammo. Now she can do an occasional cylinder full of +p, but complains alot. I did notice her preferred choice of ammo for carry is +p.

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NRA Benefactor