John, much thanks for the info. If I get the 640 that front sight will have to go. I picked up a microbe in SE Asia between 69 and 72 which has affected my vision. I've had it my whole career. I'm just having more trouble now. Age doesn't help. I really like the idea of the 325 NG and moon clips. Short enough to pull that white dot in with a black rear. I even have a S&W holster left over from back in the day that it will work in, and the wife could operate it. I just can't find one.
How things have changed. N or J ?
- Thread starter zigstar
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John, much thanks for the info. If I get the 640 that front sight will have to go. I picked up a microbe in SE Asia between 69 and 72 which has affected my vision. I've had it my whole career. I'm just having more trouble now. Age doesn't help. I really like the idea of the 325 NG and moon clips. Short enough to pull that white dot in with a black rear. I even have a S&W holster left over from back in the day that it will work in, and the wife could operate it. I just can't find one.
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Lew Horton had nickle 3" N frames in 45ACP, 44 Special & Magnum maybe 10 years ? ago. Maybe a 4" 627Pro: eight shot 357 N frame, moonclip ready.
Davidsons Gallery of Guns has factory tuned J frames off & on; my 642-2 posted about the forum is one of these.
Maybe one of the 3" 686+'s: seven shooters and still supported by the factory.
The snub 66's can be found, but parts can be difficult. Same for the M65.
Just some suggestions for snub wheelguns.
Davidsons Gallery of Guns has factory tuned J frames off & on; my 642-2 posted about the forum is one of these.
Maybe one of the 3" 686+'s: seven shooters and still supported by the factory.
The snub 66's can be found, but parts can be difficult. Same for the M65.
Just some suggestions for snub wheelguns.
DAinTX
Member
In the end, it's pretty simple, isn't it? If you are going to carry all day, everyday, then one of the J frames makes the most sense, IMO. OTOH, if you'll only carry occasionally, or for relatively short durations, such that weight/size is never an issue, then just about any snub will work, from the Js to the short bbl. N frames. If you rust guns easily, then obviously you'd want to go with stainless or an alloy-stainless hybrid, regardless of frame size. There are quite a few choices out there and everyone will have their favorites, but no one will know what works best for you but you.
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hotrod150
Member
Contrary to several others here, I like the PC "Gunsmoke" 637....but the first thing I'd do is get some rattlecan silver and paint over the goofy logos. For less money, the very popular hammerless Centennial 442/642's are readily available both new & used. I had a 442-2 for a while, nice gun but I prefer my older bobbed-hammer Chief Specials. I just bought a pre-model 37 bobbed airweight Chief, I carry A-IWB but it would be awesome for pocket carry. I also have a couple older model 36's which may be a bit heavy for the pocket but otherwise are great little guns.
Pef
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Zigstar,
I have the 637, 640 and 642, and I carry the 637 most. If it were me, I would not spend the extra money on the 647 Gunsmoke. I would purchase a regular 637 and bob the hammer - in fact, this is what I did an it is my main pocket carry. I actually prefer the 637 bobbed over the 642 because it is a tad bit smaller due to the lack of the the distal hump that encloses the hammer in the 642. The 637 or 642 are great for pocket carry, both weighing about 15 ounces.
If you are going to carry with an OWB holster, or a good IWB, and not pocket carry, then the 640 may be the way to go. The extra six ounces of the all steel 640 over the 637/642 make it too heavy for pocket carry (for me, anyway).
If you decide on a 637, and want to bob the hammer, a smith should be able to do that for a reasonable price. Or, if you even marginally mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself, provided you have a vise to secure the hammer. Easier solution, of course, is just to purchase a 642.
As for sights, I never use them on these guns....I'm strictly a point shooter with the SD weapons....
Good luck.
I have the 637, 640 and 642, and I carry the 637 most. If it were me, I would not spend the extra money on the 647 Gunsmoke. I would purchase a regular 637 and bob the hammer - in fact, this is what I did an it is my main pocket carry. I actually prefer the 637 bobbed over the 642 because it is a tad bit smaller due to the lack of the the distal hump that encloses the hammer in the 642. The 637 or 642 are great for pocket carry, both weighing about 15 ounces.
If you are going to carry with an OWB holster, or a good IWB, and not pocket carry, then the 640 may be the way to go. The extra six ounces of the all steel 640 over the 637/642 make it too heavy for pocket carry (for me, anyway).
If you decide on a 637, and want to bob the hammer, a smith should be able to do that for a reasonable price. Or, if you even marginally mechanically inclined, you can do it yourself, provided you have a vise to secure the hammer. Easier solution, of course, is just to purchase a 642.
As for sights, I never use them on these guns....I'm strictly a point shooter with the SD weapons....
Good luck.
tweedman
Member
I pocket carry a 640 2" no dash 38spl with Crimson Trace laser grips. I can't see the sights either. The laser works great except in very bright sunlight and the weight of the stainless gun tames the recoil from FBI loads. Just my preferences. Good luck with your hunt.
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photoman
Member
Show me an instructor or class that actually welcomes the J frame or has a curriculum that is appropriate for the J frame!
It's a real shame that all (except for DeBethancourt) are VERY biased against the J frame as a primary carry weapon and design classes that reflect that. This is especially true since the Airweight J frame is by far, I think, the most popular carry gun on planet earth.
Whether the J frame is good or bad as a primary weapon is a subject for another debate so I'll skip that for now!
photoman
Member
153: Very nice! Pre-lock magnum 640 with checkered Spegels. Doesn't get any better than that!
hotrod150
Member
Regarding aging eyes and fuzzy front sights.... you might give a thought to laser sights. I'm pretty old school but decided to buy a set of Crimson Trace grips & give them a try. Pretty sweet...point shooting AND knowing where the gun is aimed. Not so effective in bright light maybe, but otherwise works well- esp at twilight or in the dark which is when the gremlins like to come out. I only have one gun fitted with them-- my other Chiefs still get either white (on blued) or orange (on stainless) paint on the front sight.
Hotrod, I'm also looking into that but the sight radius is hurting me too. If I held an auto where I could see the front sight it would be like some of the dramas on TV. When fired the slide would kiss me right between the eyes.
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AZretired
Member
The Gun smoke 637 looks like a waste of money to my. You're paying for a Logo no one will remember in 10 years and it's a 637. For less cash by a 638 or a 642. Both better for pocket carry and as for me as I get older the short barrels are easier for my eyes to focus on.
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I'd like a small XS dot on the front, but I don't know where I could get one installed. XS says it would need machining. Smith did make one with an XS dot at one time.
I'm not real hot on pocket carry although I have done it. It's hard to draw in a hurry. Behind my hip is where I've always carried no matter what it was. Well, with the exception of that boot carry.
No one have any say on this?
photoman
Member
Gadzooks! There's no way I would pay $1300 for a 3" Model 625. If you are considering one for carry, they are very heavy. It can be done, but I had to lug that much weight, I would opt for something with more rounds like a 4506 or Glock 21.
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