A lot of guys carry the J frame as their concealed carry sidearm. And for pocket carry in a pocket holster that makes perfect sense to me; been known to do it myself. But I fail to see the appeal of a J frame once you move to a holster. Inside the waistband it would be just as easy to hide a K frame, and they are much easier to shoot. Is it because you carry outside the waistband and the J has a smaller footprint that is easier to hide? I think any cover garment for a J Frame belt holster would also cover the K. What am I missing?

You're not missing much, probably. I pocket carry a Model 649 virtually every day (I do switch to one of a couple of 9mms depending on the circumstances of where I'll be). Sometimes, when I know I'm driving and think I need easier access to that J frame, I pop it into an IWB and wear a shirt, vest, or jacket over it. I'm way too lazy to go dig out one of my snub-nosed K frames but I probably should.

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Come and take it!!

Weight of the gun is another issue. Most are carry a lightweight J.

For a lot of people, it's not about what's easier to shoot. It's having a small lightweight handgun on them that's easy to conceal & to use to get away from the trouble.

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Watch & Pray

Exactly. My Centennial Airweight (442-2) rides in a Tex Shoemaker pancake holster.

I prefer OWB concealed carry, and I can't do that with a K or L frame w/o a cover garment w/o printing. Than means I IWB carry my 686+ L-frame in the warmer months or even in the cooler months when I might have to take my jacket off. I will OWB carry other times with only a medium t-shirt on. I HATE pocket carry, and will only pocket carry a revolver if I'm walking around the house or running to the car or mailbox really quickly and do feel like putting on a belt and holster. As far as weight is concerned, I don't understand why that's even an issue with small J-frames as they all are light weight. I can understand size, but weight, not so much for an able bodied man or woman.

Your first comment on pocket carry is my reason for the J frame. Most other occasions it is a 9mm or 40 SW semi-auto.

A J frame in a pocket holster is just so convenient. Much simpler to just drop it in a pocket and go rather than put on an IWB holster. Especially if you are in and out a lot.

I pocket carry a J-Frame and belt carry a 9mm every day. J-Frames we’re always my favorite. I used to carry a pair of them. After inheriting a couple 9mm’s I dropped a J-Frame and added a 9mm.

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Two Handguns every day

I've pocked carried a 340 for the last 15 years and a 649 for a decade before that.
I see no point in a j-frame on a belt unless you live in Maybarry RFD. There are far too many semi's these days that conceal as easy with better ballistics and capacity.
My pocket guns are BUG's only, there is less than zero percent chance I'd leave home with only a j-frame as thugs have ran in packs here for well over a decade now.

Up until 4 1/2 years ago I carried a Model 60 for 40+ years. In the beginning for a year, I did carry a M10 2" RB but felt the weight, size and bulk was too much to justify the extra shot. The last 4 years it's been a Sig P365 and I carry it in the pocket about 60% of the time and OWB the other 40%. Since retiring and moving, my daily dress has changed.

Since I carried with 4 different methods (back when a J Frame was my EDC), I had to choose a gun that worked with all 4 methods. I carried in the pocket, on the ankle, IWB and OWB and the 2" J frame worked with all 4 methods. I never had to change guns because of dress, climate or temperature.

Even though a J Frame is perfectly fine and easy to carry OWB, there are times in warmer months and climate you just don't want to wear a cover garment or as they say, "dress around the gun". That's when you simply leave the belt holster in the drawer and use a pocket holster - easy! I also do not personally believe in carrying different guns or rotating what I carry on different days. Therefore, choosing the gun that fits the common denominator makes sense for all carry methods. Hope that answers your question at least from my point of view.

I recently moved from a 12-2 and a J Frame BUG in a pocket holster to a 360sc in a pancake holster because I shoot the 3" barrel much better and adding an old pair of packmyr compacts really helps. I still pocket carry a 2nd J 2" BUG.

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SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

A J-frame has been with me almost every day of my adult life since 1980

Originally a Chiefs Special or Chiefs Special Target in an ankle rig as my BUG while working

More recently a Centennial in my pocket as my personal protection firearm

If I am wearing an OWB holster, I am usually carrying a larger firearm.

However there have been occasions where I carry J-frames as a NY Reload

Should I need to, I can draw both simultaneously and hit with both as I do regularly shoot weak hand

That is not my reason.

This rig from Bell Charter Oak lets me draw strong side as I an standing or cross draw while sitting. . .Think of a driving holster.

If in a bad situation, the second gun is always the fastest reload.

Though in 40+ years of carrying a sidearm here in America, the most rounds I ever expended (without intentionally walking into a hornet's nest) was four rounds

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"Acta non verba"

I’ve been pocket carrying a J Frame since my 1968 rookie year and continue to do so b/c they’re smaller & lighter. I still have the K Frame snub that was issued to me when I was a detective. Unless you’re prepared to belt carry (IWB or OWB), or wriggle into a shoulder holster, this model is rather limited in how it can be concealed. We’re going to a Xmas party today, I’ll have my 340PD in a pocket and I’ll be able to take my jacket off w/o revealing the gun.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

J frames were made for pocket carry!

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Pass it on.
Mark

Alessi ankle. This has worked very well for me for several years. Waistband carry with this little gun is silly, as something more capable is carried and conceled just as easily on the belt. Pocket carry in jeans -- which I wear most of the time -- is too tight and uncomfortable. I lke the Bianchi 9R shoulder holster, but the ankle holster is a bit more comfortable and easier on/off.

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I agree generally that if one is to carry a belt gun, one can just as easily hide something larger than a J frame. As always, there are exceptions. A lot of people own only one handgun as that is all they can afford or want. For many, that is a J frame 38 of one sort or another. Depending on circumstance, they may choose belt carry. I think of when I was young and hunting or working on the rural family property. For a time, the only suitable handgun I owned was a Charter Arms undercover 38. I carried it openly (No CCW allowed at the time) on the belt in a homemade leather holster. It was very comfortable and didn't interfere with chores. I didn't feel under gunned as I usually had a long gun with me, nearby. Also, later when I could afford one, I carried a S&W model 49 in the same role on occasion. I specifically chose that weapon because of the ability to cock it for a single action shot in the field. So I guess I'm the odd duck that carried a snub 38 that shouldn't need to be cocked on the belt in a holster that that didn't make sense. Of course, that all changed as the S&W revolver bug overtook me and I had to satisfy my addiction. But still, on rare occasions I may carry a J frame 38 on a belt holster out in the woods or family property because under the particular circumstances pocket carry isn't needed or wanted...and belt carry is more comfortable. Likewise if I'm hunting a friend's farm and carrying a shotgun. I know others that do the same.

I’d use a K but I don’t have one. So when I’m hiking (sweating) the airweight pocket stays home and a steel 357 J goes on the belt.

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

You wonder about J frame carry in a holster? OK here's a story. Fifty years ago I was issued a S&W model 10. 34.6 Oz. 6 158 gr. rounds plus another 12 in loops on the holster. A heavy Sam Brown belt reinforced on the gun side. Then on the belt, steel handcuffs in a case, Cocobolo wood nightstick on belt loop, Motorola radio about 10x3x1.5 inches, mace and a 3 or 4 D cell aluminum flashlight. Plus a blackjack or sap in a slim rear pocket. Brass callbox key and your personal keys, wallet, watch, pens, knife etc.

That's what you carried walking a beat. Working a car you also had a briefcase filled with reports, forms, chalk, extra shotgun ammo etc.

Now just how many years of all that **** hanging on your belt do you think is fun? The best thing in police life is getting a promotion or Detective assignment and the chance to dump all that gear dragging your butt down. First thing I did was go to a model 36 full time. Next thing I did was dump the 36 and strap on a Airweight.

That was forty years ago. Today I still carry a 442 no lock in a holster because that's what I'm used to. That's what I train with and I've been shooting DAO since 1973.

I suspect that a lot of the post's from guys that favor J frames or G42's & 365's have had quite their fill of lugging big guns around. When you do it for a living it gets old, fast.

340 is small and light wherever I put it. In the waistband keeps pockets free!

I’m probably the exception to the rule. I’m packing all this right now. And forgot to add the 6 round speed strip in my pocket. But I’m also 6’4” and weigh 215.

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Watch & Pray

Ain’t that the truth!

This reminds me of my younger days, working in the gun shops, carrying three guns or more. I had to take to wearing cargo jeans just to fit everything I carried.

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Two Handguns every day

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"Acta non verba"

Even carrying a heavy gun working part time in a gun shop/range gets old quick.

Since I enjoy carrying a revolver while working I’ll carry a steel K frame or Colt maybe one day a week, then it’s back to Night Guards or P365.

colt saa, I'm too mellow to be bothered calling B/S on carrying a glamed up G19 plus oversize mag, two J frames, two knives, flashlight, pepper spray, keys, speed strip and whatever else. But since you started...

What many miss is that concealment is not the only consideration. I count myself among those who thought that way about J frames. I carried my 686, tried every which way to make it comfortable to carry. Now I am waiting on my S&W 43c to come in because carrying a 686 all day is uncomfortable no matter what holster you use. Weight to me, is equally important to concealment, especially since I carry it everywhere, including in the house. If someone else wants to carry a bigger, heavier gun, due to capacity, firepower or some other reason they are welcome to it. I just know for me, I want my carry gun to be as small and light as possible while still retaining the ability to get a full grip. A J Frame does all of that well, and will continue to do so.

John Bianchi!

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Stay Safe...
jd SWCA #3276

What B/S are you talking about Sargent?

Are you too you young to recognize those photos of John Bianchi from Shooting Times magazine

OK

Some background for you . . . John Bianchi was an Army General, a police officer, avid marksman, author and then Founder/owner of Bianchi Leather . . . at least until his divorce

Later in life he was Frontier Gunleather

One of the Crown Jewels of competitive shooting is the NRA Bianchi Cup

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"Acta non verba"

In all my years I've never tried an ankle holster, kinda always wanted too though...maybe one day before they throw dirt on me

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Life Member GOA and NRA

Stop it. There’s no way you carry all that daily. Or do you ?

Yup, my 30 yrs began in ‘68 & I could not have said it better myself. Shedding all that heavy gear when I made detective around ‘72 was a relief. Made sergeant in ‘78 and went back in uniform carrying all that gear until ‘82 when I was promoted to lieutenant. As a “white shirt” we were issued a Model 10 snub on our garrison belt along w/cuffs & six extra rounds. Retired as a captain w/the Glock 23, two spare mags & cuffs. In retirement it’s a light J Frame in a pocket holster, or LCP as needs dictate. Agree, lugging around a heavy, bulky gun for a living does get old fast.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I think of J frames as pocket revolvers, not belt guns.

Sure, you can hang a J frame in a holster on your belt. Now you’re carrying a gun that’s much more difficult to shoot than a K frame, and has all the issues of a K frame in terms of printing and concealment.

I have three ways to carry

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I think what you’re missing lies within your assumption that what is “just as easy” for you is true for everyone else.

Please don’t take this as a personal criticism; this is something we *all* do to some extent. Furthermore, you asked your question in a very considerate manner. Too often the question is phrased along the lines of, “Why do stupid people do this stupid thing?”

For *me* the difference beteeen a K frame and a J frame is significant. While I have several of the former, I never carry them. As others have stated, the added hassle for one extra round just isn’t worth it. I also don’t find the K frame *that* much easier to shoot. Perhaps this is because I “grew up” on J-frames. Or maybe I’m just weird.

And speaking of weird, I’m also one of those people who simply can’t carry IWB behind the hip. It drives me crazy to the point where I’d rather go unarmed than carry that way.

Weight and deep concealment. My air weight disappears and I can carry in basketball shorts and board shorts and no belt with my steel clip. Not so much with my 2.5" 19 ( I appendix carry)


Rule #1 have a gun. Chances of needed said gun are small and using my brain for common sense and situational awareness are more important than size and capacity to me.


Your mileage may differ and it's all good to me. You do you.

OK I guess my comment went over your head. I was referring to all the carry gear of Dump.

BTW, I still use a Bianchi pancake holster. But in '73 or 74 I found that the Bianchi upside down shoulder rig didn't work on the street in a foot chase when jumping off of walls chasing a burglar. Nice holster for the movies, not so much in real life.

At 74 I would say I am old enough to know Bianchi.

I usually carry something similar. I'm a gun guy and like to carry different things. And always have 2 guns on me these days.

This particular load out is what I had on for the past two days on a road trip. Everything is pretty light weight, so it didn't bother me at all. But I've been carrying medium to full size guns since 1990.

And all day really isn't all day for me, as I'm retired (except the past 2 days road trip). I'll gear-up and go out for a few hours. When I get home, all that stuff comes off and it's back to the house gun I always have with me.

Obviously, this doesn't work for everyone. But I've never had a problem with it. Nor do I care if someone just has a J frame with them. Everyone has to decide what carry level they're comfortable with. 2 guns, a knife, light, pepper spray, etc. works for me.

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Watch & Pray

Nothing went over MY Head

Why in the World would you call B/S on me if you were actually referring to Dump's post?

And then end with the line What did I start?

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"Acta non verba"

J-frames are meant as pocket guns. The barrels on the popular snub noses are so short for that very reason.

I too will never understand those that want to carry them on the belt.

I think some people find pocket carry uncomfortable. When I worked I was used to having tools, keys, whatever stuffed in my pockets. When it came to carrying a light weight snub, I found that easy. When I buy pants or short pants I put my J-Frame and pocket holster in the pocket when I try them on. If someone is not used to having anything in their pocket or do not ware pants that are roomy with ample pocket space, adding a 1lb gun could be a pain.

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Two Handguns every day

I never pocket carry. I just don't find it comfortable. I much prefer everything I carry on a belt.

But just like the bins of holsters most gun guys own, you have to find what works best for you. One size never fits all. And I'm a big fan of "buy & try".

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Watch & Pray

Pocket carry draw is inconsistent. Jeans pockets versus casual pants versus the pockets on suit trousers, all have different pocket shapes, access angles, depths, etc.. Reholstering back into a pocket holster one-handed? Maybe it will work, good luck. And having a gun in one pocket, speed strips in another, leaves you needing somewhere else to store your phone, change, and keys.

The use-a-holster argument for a j-frame is one of consistency - same placement, same angle, each and every time. I think this is valuable for both drawing and reholstering. If carrying on a belt, for me it's IWB with a Milt Sparks VMII whether it's a j-frame, Kahr, G19, or 1911, in the same spot, at the same angle. I see a value in that. Your mileage may differ.

My daily carry is a 2” model 10-5 (Pocket Carry) but when on the motorcycle I carry a Ruger WCII GP100 3” 7 shot in a Simply Rugged holster in a cross draw position. I don’t even know either gun is there even with the Ruger after a 2600 mile motorcycle trip. I carry the model 10 with 5 rounds hammer on the empty cylinder but the Ruger has 7 at all times

You’re not missing anything. A J Frame belongs in a pocket. Once you go to a belt holster, a K Frame is the logical choice.

Yeah, if I'm going to belt-carry a revolver its going to be a 3" barrel 7-shot 357mag or 5-shot 44spl.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Today we went to a New Year’s party in the community. The last time I tried to slip a J Frame into the pocket of dress slacks the grip poked out when I sat down using a pocket holster, or not using one. My LCP is what’s carried when I wear dress slacks now.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

J-frames were invented in and for a simpler time..... while their time seems to have passed..... they still work!..........

....................and way better than a sharp stick!

My 337PD titanium weights in at a mere 11oz..... no not a lot of time at the range but in my pocket if a 3" 66 or 3913 is too much gun to conceal.

I daily carry a Model 10-5 (the gun on top) sometimes i pocket carry the little Model 40 (gun at the bottom) the two middle guns are Model 10-7’s

A Sc J-frame with Ti cylinder is half the weight of an all steel J-frame.

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Waiting for the break of day

Weight matters. Cutting a few ounces matters, to me.
I know I'll get flamed for this, but that 12 pound trigger pull makes my j frame safe to pocket carry without a holster. And I have my reasons for doing so.