mg357
Absent Comrade
My two favorite J-frame revolvers are the model 36 and the model 60 with the 3 inch barrel.
Best J Frame
- Thread starter Pete99004
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There was an article written in the late 70's or early 80's by Skeeter Skelton (a well known and well thought of gun writer for a few magazines at the time) who did a torture test on the model 36 (no dash). I don't recall exactly how many thousands and thousands of +P's he shot in that little gun, but after the testing he could find absolutely no ill effects from the ammo. Not that I would necessarily recommend that, but it's certainly nice to know that the little buggers can take a lickin' and keep on ticken'!!
Texas Star:
Yes you are correct in the fact that the SCSW book does have a slight amount of errors (but VERY FEW) and I know for a fact that the Factory has made their share of errors in the past as well; hey we are all human!
Again, for field use in the woods, the 3" is a better J Frame, but for CCW I'd go with the 2" if for nothing else..... concealability.
Chief38
Texas Star:
Yes you are correct in the fact that the SCSW book does have a slight amount of errors (but VERY FEW) and I know for a fact that the Factory has made their share of errors in the past as well; hey we are all human!
Again, for field use in the woods, the 3" is a better J Frame, but for CCW I'd go with the 2" if for nothing else..... concealability.
Chief38
The basic mod 36 and/or 60 are nearly identical guns, just one is blued carbon steel and one is stainless steel. If you plan to carry the gun and/or use it a lot, stainless is easier to clean and shows wear less. If it is for 2-3 times a month range use and home protection, the 36 will do as well at a lower cost. Forget the ".357" option, if your wife intends to use it. She definitely won't like using any 357 in that light a gun, the recoil, noise, and blast is brutal. If want to please your wife, get a 3" barrel in whichever one you choose, as they are easier to hit the target with, and have less felt recoil.
Do yourself a favorl, and find a range where you can rent a couple guns to shoot and try them wit your wife. She will tell you which ones not to buy.
Do yourself a favorl, and find a range where you can rent a couple guns to shoot and try them wit your wife. She will tell you which ones not to buy.
Lobster Picnic
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Another vote for the 3" Model 60. The extra 1" and heavy underlug barrel make it as gentle to shoot as my 4" K-frame, and just as accurate. It's one J-frame you'll enjoy taking to the range. Also useful for home defense, concealed carry, and the trail.
sps282
Member
I have model 60 3" with adjustable sights, model 638, model 642 and a model 640 all of them are very good revolvers in my view. All of them are more accurate than I am. All are decent ccw guns with the right holster. I can shoot the model 60 more accurately due to the longer barrel and better sights but I carry the 642 most of the time.
bootsdeal
Member
I've got a 45 year old model 36, like new, and a 2 year old model 642. Both are excellent guns and I carry one or both all of the time. No way you can beat a j-frame!
I wouldn't mind owning a 649-3, 357 Bodyguard.
My blued Model 37 is the best J-Frame out there because it's not yoursand lying in the driveway as I type
. But really, look at how well MY blued 37 has maintained it's pristine NIB appearance after being dragged behind my truck on a dirt road and carried every day for a long time
Just joking,
Peace,
gordon
But I do love that little gun and it is truly an airweight weapon. Around here a person can pick one of these up a lot cheaper than some of the other guns mentioned, and it works great.
I can see that your blued 37 has seen a lot of love!! By that I mean you use your gun - that's the way it should be. You get a gun you love - it goes with you all the time and gets some love wearing in. All my guns are shooters - I go out of my way to purchase shooters when I can cause I don't want to put the very first ding in one - I prefer someone else did that so I don't feel so bad when I do an idiot move and the next ding shows up!
From the looks of all the posts, the stainless is getting more plugs than the blued - even though I think the blued guns are better looking, stainless does make good "long term sense".
Pete
I agree the .357 option is a non issue - especially with my wife. She has a LCR in .357 and has only fired 5 rounds of .357 thru it - you know when you do. Everything I read and feedback I get points to +p in a short barrel is so close in velocity that .357 is mute with no advantage.
She is happy with the Ruger, but it's not a Smith and she constantly brings that fact up to me. Usually something like this "how come your guns are Smiths and when you finally buy one for me it's a Ruger?" Getting so I'm tired of answering that question - so I'm thinking I'll pick up a J frame for a nice gift - I can always sell the LCR - but it's a fine piece as well.
Sure do appreciate the feedback guys. Thanks
Pete
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Vermilion85
Member
My favorite is the M&P 340 with CT 405's. Mine has been in my pocket everyday all day for a couple years. Finish is worn on all the front edges but I think it gives it character. The cylinder release is the color of rust from sweat, it's really hard to keep rust off the cyl release for me. It's got pocket lint all over and in it but it's never let me down. Probably shot over 300 rounds of medium loaded 357 and twice that of 38. I've tried carrying other pistols from single stack 380, 9mm, and 45 to Glock 19 and 26. They all end up in the safe and the 340 always ends up in my pocket. I thought about buying another one instead of carrying a reload. Would be nice to have two at once haha.
ldp4570
US Veteran
ogilvyspecial
Member
I don't know what the best J-Frame is of the those we have but do know that my 36-2 is by far my favorite.
When I picked this one up it was "Like New in the Box" but I'm slowly working on that by applying some, good, honest holster wear.
This 36 has been worked by Pistolsmith, Teddy Jacobson, Actions by "T" and is as good a gun as I could ask for.
It's as smooth & accurate as the day is long........
When I picked this one up it was "Like New in the Box" but I'm slowly working on that by applying some, good, honest holster wear.
This 36 has been worked by Pistolsmith, Teddy Jacobson, Actions by "T" and is as good a gun as I could ask for.
It's as smooth & accurate as the day is long........
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No question, the very best j-frame ever is......
My 340 M&P no/lock! (no, I am not biased
)
I would love to get the new 640 Pro....
All stainless with some great sights, and that cool looking grooves machined into the barrel!
I love all the j-frame models, and appreciate the many classic models that guys on this forum show off!
My 340 M&P no/lock!
(no, I am not biased)I would love to get the new 640 Pro....
All stainless with some great sights, and that cool looking grooves machined into the barrel!
I love all the j-frame models, and appreciate the many classic models that guys on this forum show off!
labworm
US Veteran
The best answer, whatever one you have in your holster.
royal barnes
Member
I have an M&P340 that I carry a lot but I am beginning to lean back toward one of my Model 60 no dashes. There's something about that little all steel flamethrower.
airman
WW II Vet
I traded a S&W 642 snubby for a S&W 60-4 3-inch just to lighten the recoil. Boy, was I blessed. It's smooth and accurate and has become my bedside piece.
Hearsedriver
Member
I really love my pre-36 and 36-1 J frames. I dont think you could do much better : )
