SWIll
Member
Big fan. A 638-3 is my most carried gun. Goes in the pocket, on the belt, inside the belt. Many options for the J-frame!
The humble .38 Special Airweight J-frame.
- Thread starter Shorty 45 MK2
- Start date
TeaDub
Member
I love my 642. I've owned it and carried it for about a decade. The finish is showing a little wear, but it is still nice and tight. Just last Friday I broke down and turned it over to my local gunsmith to polish and lighten the trigger a bit. The pull measures about 11.75 pounds. He assured me that reliable, primer ignition is priority one. Taking the weight down just a bit will make it a perfect summer carry. I hope to pick it up this coming Friday.
Another Airweight is in my future. One just isn't enough.
Another Airweight is in my future. One just isn't enough.
HarrishMasher
Member
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2011
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I too like the Eagle SS Grips. And as light as they are, the Ahrends in Walnut, followed by Maple are actually lighter and thinner!
The Eagles weigh 1.0 oz. The Ahrends in Walnut weigh 0.7 ozs.
These are Ahrends in Cocobolo. They weigh 1.2ozs, but the Walnuts and Maple are considerable lighter.They also feel awesome and have ever so slightly improved my accuracy over the Eagles.
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Model 38 Airweight....I have his brother in blue as well...I like to be well balanced...one in each front pocket works for me!
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OP
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
Kevin in NH, that's the best reason I've heard to own multiple J's. 
Macinaw, you have a problem?
Oh...you mean the fact you don't have a Humpback, yes, you need to treat that. 
Macinaw, you have a problem?
Oh...you mean the fact you don't have a Humpback, yes, you need to treat that. 
As the long time owner of a Ruger SP101, I was certain the LCR would be my next purchase when I went looking for a lightweight revolver. In the end though, the Airweight J-frame just fit me better and I came home with a no lock 442.
While I love my 3913 semi-auto as my primary carry, I often find myself grabbing my 442 as my dog walking, going to get a gallon of milk, or need to be really discreet, gun.
I hope Ruger's new 9mm LCR sells like gangbusters though, as I think it would mean S&W would have to answer with a 9mm J.
While I love my 3913 semi-auto as my primary carry, I often find myself grabbing my 442 as my dog walking, going to get a gallon of milk, or need to be really discreet, gun.
I hope Ruger's new 9mm LCR sells like gangbusters though, as I think it would mean S&W would have to answer with a 9mm J.
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629shooter
Member
I hope Ruger's new 9mm LCR sells like gangbusters though, as I think it would mean S&W would have to answer with a 9mm J.
S&W did produce the 940 for a few years. Long before the LCR But, it would have to be a 9MM cambering in a M&P 340. So, the weight would be comparable to the LCR. Actually, the S&W would be a few ounces lighter than the LCR.
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M3Stuart
Member
642 pro for me! Never an issue except I occasionally short cycle it (cuz it's so much fun).
exdetsgt
Member
Harrishmasher: Do the Ahrends grips beat up the knuckle on your middle finger when shooting? They are lovely grips, however.
A few j frames around here but the 442 is the one in the pocket most with wad cutters. Great for short barrel. This weekend cooler weather with a coat on carried a newer 60 2 inch 357 j frame with a nice pocket holster. just fell right in that Carhart pocket.
629shooter
Member
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OIF2
Member
Love the 442.
Bob
Bob
I've been using my 442-2 going on a decade now, very happy with it.
I like my LCR .357 a buch as well....in fact I shoot it every bit as good as the 442, but speedloads are much easier with the Smith and triggers between the two are a wash as the Smiths is 2K rounds broken in.
I like my LCR .357 a buch as well....in fact I shoot it every bit as good as the 442, but speedloads are much easier with the Smith and triggers between the two are a wash as the Smiths is 2K rounds broken in.
shooter1911
Member
340PD Lock Removed
My EDC for the past eight years, when I'm not carrying one of my 1911s. Just got the Spegels. I started out with a Mod 36 with a dehorned hammer in the 70s. It's still with me, but lives in the safe.
My EDC for the past eight years, when I'm not carrying one of my 1911s. Just got the Spegels. I started out with a Mod 36 with a dehorned hammer in the 70s. It's still with me, but lives in the safe.
exdetsgt
Member
Beautiful. What grips are those? The stock rubber ones that came with the gun bang my middle finger knuckle. Yours seem a bit lower on the trigger guard, which is good.
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Great guns for what they do. I just ordered a 442 with moon clips, and invested in the moon clip tool and both .020 and .025 clips for various types of brass. It joins the older 642 model (with plug).
Glad this thread hasn't turned into a "is five rounds enough" debate. Each person has to figure that out. The point is, I take the J frame when I cannot take the M&P9.
And tonight I just produced my first hand loaded .38 round. This first round is in Fed brass, a 125 gr Hornady XTP, and 4.3 gr of HP-38. The goal is to build lower recoil practice ammo (a session will still end with a few rounds of +P carry ammo). Will do some more work with Trailboss shortly - again, going for low recoil w/reliability.
Glad this thread hasn't turned into a "is five rounds enough" debate. Each person has to figure that out. The point is, I take the J frame when I cannot take the M&P9.
And tonight I just produced my first hand loaded .38 round. This first round is in Fed brass, a 125 gr Hornady XTP, and 4.3 gr of HP-38. The goal is to build lower recoil practice ammo (a session will still end with a few rounds of +P carry ammo). Will do some more work with Trailboss shortly - again, going for low recoil w/reliability.
exdetsgt
Member
What is "Trailboss"? The local gunshop, owned by a Montana rancher is called "Trailboss, Guns & Gear." I assume they are not related.
Trail Boss is an IMR reloading powder.
