Rediscovering An Old J-Frame

[The Real Hawkeye]

I've lately really learned to like and appreciate the little, all steel, J-Frame S&W .38 Specials. For years I've refused to consider them as primary IWB belt carry guns for two reasons. Firstly, only five rounds, and secondly I had convinced myself that the recoil was too much (due to the lightness of these guns) for extensive practice. Sure, you can buy some neoprene grips for them that tame them down a lot, but I don't like neoprene for concealed carry for its tendency to 1) catch on cover garments and thus cause it to "print," and 2) it slows acquisition of a fast grip from the holster for quick drawing.

Recently, I gave a nicely designed set of wood stocks a try on one of my several J-Frames, a set made by Eagle Grips called their Secret Service grips. By golly if it doesn't feel just right in my hand with those grips on. Started carrying it IWB (Milt Sparks Versa Max II) and liked the way it carried. Did lots of dry fire practice with it over a couple of weeks (with snap caps, of course), and by golly if it doesn't come right into the hand and practically shoot itself every time like it grew out of my hand. Took it to the range, and fired fifty rounds with it, and although I must admit it's a bit stout, I can in no way call it uncomfortable to shoot, and it points so naturally with those stocks on that I had no trouble shooting fast-draw/rapid-fire, dead center, little groups from seven yards that I can cover with the palm of my hand. More than good enough. I was sold on the little guy, and think it's my new regular carry piece.

With a great modern loading like the 135 grain "Short Barrel" Gold Dot, I think five rounds should be sufficient for 99.99% of cases where one will need a concealed carry self-defense piece.



PS I've been shooting and carrying handguns since 1980, and took a 20 hour training course with an NRA instructor specifically for double action revolver defensive shooting as soon as I got my CCW license back in that year.

[Old TexMex]

My signature expresses my opinion on this matter.
I'm very confident with my M38 no dash.
Nice looking carry.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Old TexMex

My signature expresses my opinion on this matter.
I'm very confident with my M38 no dash.
Nice looking carry.

Thanks. So true. I also imagine folks in the old west didn't feel particularly undergunned with the five rounds loaded in their cap and ball revolvers.

[Mike-4]

There's been a lot of rediscovering the little j frames around here lately, myself included

Very nice write up and pic. Thanks for sharing.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Old TexMex

My signature expresses my opinion on this matter.
I'm very confident with my M38 no dash.
Nice looking carry.

By the way, I've got an old M38 Airweight, also. It's like new. I don't believe I've ever shot it. I think it's from the 1970s. Can't recall the dash on it, and I'd have to do some digging around in the safe to find it at the moment. I've been thinking that I'd switch to it when wearing shorts, loaded perhaps with a lighter load like, maybe, Buff Bore's full-meplat 150 grain, hard-cast lead wadcutter, standard pressure, designed for short barrels.

[The Real Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by Mike-4

There's been a lot of rediscovering the little j frames around here lately, myself included

Very nice write up and pic. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Mike.

[hotrod150]

For me, the 2" j-frame is about the perfect combination of concealability, shootability, and stopping power. I started out with a pocket-carried LCP, but that ain't very much gun to bet your life on! Nowadays it's generally a bobbed model 36 or 60 Chief carried A-IWB and loaded with 158 grain soft lead SWC-HP's-- about the same velocity as the 380's 95 grain ball, but 75% more bullet weight.

[S&W45Colt]

I always carry a 442, some days my 640 Pro is my primary and I never feel under gunned with it. Add, two speed loaders with the GD 135 SB's you mentioned and you have reloads for both guns and a light enough carry you forget they are there.

Nice Post.

[walkin' trails]

I carried a .357 Model 60 for a while as a BUG, but got tired of the hammer spur digging and poking if I appendix carried. I sold it when I got the bug to buy a Glock 27 cause everyone else had one (I at least should have got the 26 instead). Over the years of carrying a 27 in an ankle holster, I think it helped my lower back want to permanently dislocate. The 27 is mostly back in the safe and I've been carrying a 640 in .38 Special as a BUG. Five-shots aren't very popular at the place I work anymore, but they are so versatile to carry as a BUG.

For what its worth, I've got a 3-inch Model 60 in .38. It is a factory DAO with factory bobbed hammer. I bought it new in 1990, but never carried it much. I have finally decided that its going to be the basis for a little bit of custom work and a better set of sights from D&L Sports or Cylinder & Slide. I may then have the 640 worked on, and might consider finding someone who could re-barrel it with a custom 2.5 to take advantage of a longer ejector rod; and of course better sights. the J-frame I probably shoot most accurately is a 1987 vintage 36 2-inch. I have to admit that the blued 'knife blade' front sight is easier for me to see (over stainless steel), and allows me more precision when making longer shots.

[Ivan the Butcher]

When my Father-in-law walked my beloved down the isle , he had an original "Bodyguard" in the cummerbund of his Tux, (the chief of police was his principle and came to the wedding) I carry a 1966 or 67 model 49 nowdays. My daughter got married in NJ or I would have borrowed my F-I-L's Bodyguard for good luck; We've been married 35 years this month. I normally don't feel underguned with one of my J-frames, but when the "itch" hits I carry multiples, until the "itch" goes away. I love living in America! (at least the middle part of it Ivan

[coach22]

From a 640 (38)
to a 442
to a 340PD
and guess what...
Back to the 640.
Although there is a 351C wanting to join.
P.S. Corbon DPX 110 +P's in a Mika Pocket Holster.

[OIF2]

This one has been in mothballs since I started carrying a 442 several years back. I took it out of the safe and started carrying it again. Still a great revolver. It was my backup and off-duty revolver as a new probationary LAPD officer, won in the first PPC match I shot. An IWB holster worn in the appendix position was (and still is) my preferred carry.
Bob



Here it is with my Airweight 442. An awesome pair.

[Kanewpadle]

Picked this one about a month ago.

It goes well with this one.


I carry both at the same time along with a speed strip. I can't limit myself to 5 rounds.