sw357nm
SWCA Member
What do you think of the 3-inch J-frame for concealed carry? It has better ballistics than the 2-inch models.
Thanks for your thoughts,
John
Thanks for your thoughts,
John
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J-Frame 3-inch for CCW?
- Thread starter sw357nm
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Dot_mdb
Member
I think if you are going to have only one J frame, the two inch is the one to get. If you are getting a second one the 3" is a good idea. The two inch will be slightly more comfortable in a SmartCarry holster and also for pocket carry. The two inch will also clear the holster slightly faster. For IWB carry the 3" can be nice because of the longer sight radius and the higher velocity but those advantages are not that great for the type of duty the gun performs.
Bill
Bill
anchors
US Veteran
My personal opinion is that it's as easy to conceal a 3" as a 2",I really don't know if the velocity difference is enough to worry about.
OP
sw357nm
SWCA Member
Energy comparisons
Using Buffalo Bore figures (www.buffalobore.com) there is about 20 percent increase in energy in going from a 2-inch to a 3-inch barrel for the 38 Special. The energy expended in the target is at the very least a significant factor in stopping power.
Buffalo Bores stiffest 38 Special load (20A 158gr.L.S.W.C.H.P.-GC) has 379 ft.lbs for the 2-inch barrel and 458 ft.lbs for the 3-inch barrel. I think that this could well be significant in a real life encounter.
I would be reluctant to fire many of these hot loads in a light-weight J-frame.
John
Using Buffalo Bore figures (www.buffalobore.com) there is about 20 percent increase in energy in going from a 2-inch to a 3-inch barrel for the 38 Special. The energy expended in the target is at the very least a significant factor in stopping power.
Buffalo Bores stiffest 38 Special load (20A 158gr.L.S.W.C.H.P.-GC) has 379 ft.lbs for the 2-inch barrel and 458 ft.lbs for the 3-inch barrel. I think that this could well be significant in a real life encounter.
I would be reluctant to fire many of these hot loads in a light-weight J-frame.
John
Hi:
Having used both barrel lengths I would chose the two inch length every time.
Jimmy
Having used both barrel lengths I would chose the two inch length every time.
Jimmy
Bacon
Member
I believe it depends on the range you plan to use it. It would be advantageous to have a 3" bbl outside the city. Inside the city, barrel length doesn't matter as much.
Being far-sighted, I can focus on the front sight of a 3" J-frame easier. So I am more comfortable with the longer barrel.
Being far-sighted, I can focus on the front sight of a 3" J-frame easier. So I am more comfortable with the longer barrel.
flop-shank
US Veteran
As others said, 3" is a better shooter, more powerful and would be great for appendix/IWB carry, but will work in very few pockets. If you have only one, a 2"ish barrel is the way to go.
308
Member
If you plan on pocket carry I would say the 3inch is out, at least in my pockets (blue jeans) about 98 percent of the time.
If you are going to carry it any other way I would say the 3 inch is all +++'s. You can even get the mdl 60 with adjustable sights.
One of the other replies is probably the best one, 1st Jframe= 2inch, 2nd Jframe =3inch
308
If you are going to carry it any other way I would say the 3 inch is all +++'s. You can even get the mdl 60 with adjustable sights.
One of the other replies is probably the best one, 1st Jframe= 2inch, 2nd Jframe =3inch
308
GatorFarmer
Member
I don't know. I have two 3" J frames. A 36-1 (.38 special) and a 31-1 (.32 SW Long), both square butt revolvers that long predate locks, MIM parts, etc. I honestly don't find either of them all that useful. I have an older Safety Speed OWB holster that does work great for either of them, but find that by simply untucking my shirt, I can just as easily carry a midsize Glock or even a full size 1911 with that mode of carry.
I generally do one of two things with my J frames - either stick them in a pocket or tuck them up under my left arm attached to the panel carrier of my vest. The 3" doesn't work terribly well for option one with some styles of pants. With those styles that it would work for - the kind with bulky pockets, well I could stuff most anything in that type pocket, so why bother with the J frame?
Where the J frame with a 3" might come in useful is if one wants a compact gun to go walking about with and shoot squirrels, snakes, rabbits and such. Also possibly a good choice for children, which is why I've thus far retained mine (particularly the .32).
I generally do one of two things with my J frames - either stick them in a pocket or tuck them up under my left arm attached to the panel carrier of my vest. The 3" doesn't work terribly well for option one with some styles of pants. With those styles that it would work for - the kind with bulky pockets, well I could stuff most anything in that type pocket, so why bother with the J frame?
Where the J frame with a 3" might come in useful is if one wants a compact gun to go walking about with and shoot squirrels, snakes, rabbits and such. Also possibly a good choice for children, which is why I've thus far retained mine (particularly the .32).
bronco45
Member
I have a coupla J frames. One is a 640 38+P+ 2". The other is a 60-4 3" with adjustable sights. I carry the 3" for casual concealment purposes. When the weapon really needs to be hidden I use the 640 Serial# Cen07XX. The 3" is carried in a Don Hume 3" SOOT holster IWB. And the2" in a Galco horsehide pocket holster.
Both are loaded with the Buffalo Bore rounds mentioned above.
Both are loaded with the Buffalo Bore rounds mentioned above.
Gutpile Charlie
US Veteran
I've carried a 1 7/8" J frame, (M36 & M60) everyday, 24/7, for five years now. I wouldn't think of getting a three inch. The two incher will ride in your pocket all day and you'll never notice it.
Now, If I were going to carry it some other way than in a pocket....well, the three inch would be fine.
If you are going to do that...why a J frame? Then you need a K frame .357.
The snubbie J frame five shot 38 is perfect for concealed pocket carry. If you want something bigger...go for a bigger gun.
Now, If I were going to carry it some other way than in a pocket....well, the three inch would be fine.
If you are going to do that...why a J frame? Then you need a K frame .357.
The snubbie J frame five shot 38 is perfect for concealed pocket carry. If you want something bigger...go for a bigger gun.
OP
sw357nm
SWCA Member
Thanks for comments
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and observations. I appreciate your views.
John
Thank you for your thoughtful comments and observations. I appreciate your views.
John
cowart
US Veteran
It has faster/more reliable ejection of the empty brass, due to the longer ejection rod. A 2" .357 J frame can have problems doing fast reloads due to the long brass.
depicts
US Veteran
I love my 3" Mod 36. That being said, I love its look, balance and the way it fits my hand. I never use it. I carry a 442 or a Mod 640-3, pocket carry.
Farmer17
Member
The 3" SB with Tyler adapter fits my hand much better than the round butt and I like the balance, handling, and sight picture much better than a 2". The snub is great for the pocket, but the 3'" is much better on a belt holster and I can hit distant targets easier and faster with it. The profile and cylinder is smaller than a K-frame and I think it makes a wonderful concealed carry gun. Any Smith with a 3" barrel is pretty desireable and pricey but there are still many 3" M-36's out there at very reasonable prices.
OP
sw357nm
SWCA Member
J-Frame 3-inch
Farmer17,
Thanks for the observations. I agree with you on the virtues of the 3-inch square butt package.
John
Farmer17,
Thanks for the observations. I agree with you on the virtues of the 3-inch square butt package.
John
Two totally different guns. I put small grips on my 2" guns and use them for pocket carry with .38 special ammo. For IWB carry, I fit my 3" guns (full lugged barrels with target sights) with hand filling grips and load the chambers with .357 ammo. Apples and oranges.
myanof
Member
John, I have a Mod 60-10 that I use for carrying in the field. I carry a 340PD on a daily basis in my pocket when I'm not carrying a 1911. As others have said it really depends on how you plan on carrying a 3in Jframe as to weather it is practicle. IWB or on the hip is fine, although OWB might be a little long to cover the barrel depending on how you dress. I personally love the gun and would carry it in a heart beat for SD, but I have to be honest and say I don't use this gun for that purpose. In stead I carry a SA LW Loaded Champion, because it doesn't weigh much more, is thinner, and holds eight or nine rounds of shere terror with less recoil, and goes IWB with ease.
With that said, it I wanted to stick with a wheel gun, and I might some day, I wouldn't hesitate to carry a 3in Jframe for SD. It will effectively shoot any 38 standard ammo all the way up to .357 fodder, and makes a very small concealable and reliable package.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
With that said, it I wanted to stick with a wheel gun, and I might some day, I wouldn't hesitate to carry a 3in Jframe for SD. It will effectively shoot any 38 standard ammo all the way up to .357 fodder, and makes a very small concealable and reliable package.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
The extra 1" of barrel length does indeed make for an entirely different gun. That extra 1" gives it a longer sight radius, a longer ejection rod for easier extraction and loading, and better balance. It also makes a "pocket gun" into a "holster gun."
After trying a variety of 2" J frames, 3" J frames, 2" K frames, 2.5" K frames, 3" K frames, 4" K frames, 4" N frames, and 5" N frames, I have settled on 2" J frames for "pocket carry"/deep concealment, 2" K frames (and sometimes 4" "pencil barreled" K frames) for "belt carry"/IWB, and 4"/5" N frames for "field carry."
Preferences obviously vary but I have found that:
-having a longer barrel on a J frame negates the advantages of the smaller frame.
-2" K frames and 4" "pencil barreled" K frames carry more easily, draw more quickly, and point more naturally than either smaller guns or "heavy barreled"/"full lug" guns.
-the N frame is the ideal platform for any cartridge bigger than .38 Special (of course, it is also a pretty darn good platform for .38 Special too).
After trying a variety of 2" J frames, 3" J frames, 2" K frames, 2.5" K frames, 3" K frames, 4" K frames, 4" N frames, and 5" N frames, I have settled on 2" J frames for "pocket carry"/deep concealment, 2" K frames (and sometimes 4" "pencil barreled" K frames) for "belt carry"/IWB, and 4"/5" N frames for "field carry."
Preferences obviously vary but I have found that:
-having a longer barrel on a J frame negates the advantages of the smaller frame.
-2" K frames and 4" "pencil barreled" K frames carry more easily, draw more quickly, and point more naturally than either smaller guns or "heavy barreled"/"full lug" guns.
-the N frame is the ideal platform for any cartridge bigger than .38 Special (of course, it is also a pretty darn good platform for .38 Special too).
PeterCartwright
Member
I have a Model 60-4 3" gun (.38 Spl. round butt with adjustable sights). I love the gun. It's a kind of compromise that provides 5 rounds in a smaller package with enough weight to shoot like a full size gun. I think the extended sight radius makes it a dandy field gun. I'd never try to carry it in a pocket (but then I don't even like to carry my 642 that way). The 3" 60 is considerably lighter on the belt than my 4" K frames.
One other place where I think the 3" J frame shines is for shooters with smaller hands (male or female).
PC
One other place where I think the 3" J frame shines is for shooters with smaller hands (male or female).
PC
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