Which weight J frame carry guns do you prefer?

Cal44 · Dec 25, 2020

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?

Loyaljeeper · Dec 25, 2020

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.

robertrwalsh · Dec 25, 2020

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

Ziggy2525 · Dec 25, 2020

Carrying - Air Weight.
Shooting - Steel.

Hang-Fire Hank · Dec 25, 2020

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

lawandorder · Dec 25, 2020

Steel , always steel.

Old_Cop · Dec 25, 2020

342 to carry, 3" 36 to shoot.

BB57 · Dec 25, 2020

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

Justin T · Dec 25, 2020

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!

dirty & hairy · Dec 25, 2020

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.

Lonestar57 · Dec 25, 2020

I go with the 340PD.

rockquarry · Dec 25, 2020

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.

mod34 · Dec 25, 2020

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

S-W4EVER · Dec 25, 2020

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

max503 · Dec 25, 2020

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.

Old cop · Dec 25, 2020

Model 60 for the range & 340PD for EDC.

mikerjf · Dec 25, 2020

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.

blues7 · Dec 25, 2020

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.

colt_saa · Dec 25, 2020

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

rickflst · Dec 25, 2020

638 - 38sp

Which weight J frame carry guns do you prefer?

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