M E Morrison
Member
many times small autos lack reliability & are picky about lubrication and dirt, and I'm not too sure about their effectiveness with that short barrel.
Would You Ever Swap Out your "J" for One of the Small Autos?
- Thread starter Nalapombu
- Start date
many times small autos lack reliability & are picky about lubrication and dirt, and I'm not too sure about their effectiveness with that short barrel.
kthom
Member
FWIW, I have owned an LCP for over three years. I have also owned several other small .380 semi autos. The LCP is the only one that has never had a problem. It eats anything I've tried in it, and that includes several brands, including two or three that are not the usual trusted brands. Also FWIW, I cleaned all of these prior to shooting them and lubed them well before firing. I also followed my usual practice for any semi auto of locking the slide back and leaving it in that condition for at least 48 hours, as well as filling the magazine(s) to max capacity and allowing them to sit that way for the same time period. Doing so allows the springs to begin to take their initial set, and it reduces the likelihood of feeding and functioning problems.
I have complete trust in my LCP ... the other brands I tried, not so much! I seldom carry this little gun, but there are times .... ! I prefer my J Frames for EDC, but my concerns with the LCP do not include functioning problems if and when I might need it. Yours may indeed have an issue that needs attention. Any new gun can have these. I feel certain if you cannot resolve them on your own, Ruger will be happy to take a look at it. That's a bummer, but it happens with all brands sooner or later. Don't give up on it. If you need a gun of it's type, my experience says it's as good as any and better than most.
I have complete trust in my LCP ... the other brands I tried, not so much! I seldom carry this little gun, but there are times .... ! I prefer my J Frames for EDC, but my concerns with the LCP do not include functioning problems if and when I might need it. Yours may indeed have an issue that needs attention. Any new gun can have these. I feel certain if you cannot resolve them on your own, Ruger will be happy to take a look at it. That's a bummer, but it happens with all brands sooner or later. Don't give up on it. If you need a gun of it's type, my experience says it's as good as any and better than most.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
In a word, no. I might buy a small autoloader for certain very specific situations (if I did it would be a 9mm), but I am not parting with the J-frame I've carried every day for over sixteen years.
beanbird05
Member
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Sold p238. Bought j frame. Bought 2nd j frame. Buying 3rd and 4th j frames.... Is there room in the safe for 10 more?
lookin4deer
Member
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I bought a LCR with a CT for my EDC then I had a chance to trade my Kahr CM9 for a 642 and I jumped on that deal. So now I have basically 2 j frames. If I feel I need extra round I carry my second j frame.
Frank V
Member
Wow three pages, lots of folks still like the J frames don't they?
Staying tuned there are some pretty nice 5-guns shown here.
I'm thinking the Js aren't going away anytime soon!
Thanks everyone.
Staying tuned there are some pretty nice 5-guns shown here.
I'm thinking the Js aren't going away anytime soon!
Thanks everyone.
Best of both worlds
I carry an M&P40C IWB very comfortably and a 638 in a Mike in front pocket, also very comfortably.
Started looking for something smaller than a J-frame and inexpensive thinking to put it in the center console for quick deployment. (sometimes hard to get into your pocket or under your shirt while sitting down)
Began with 9mm, but soon discovered size was generally not much different than J-frames, and I ran into dependability questions in various reviews. (remember I said inexpensive - Kel SCCY Cobra etc, and sorry if I'm stepping on toes here. But when I read repeated statements like "yeah I had that problem too" well ...)
Went to .380 and reliability reviews were even worse generally, (a .380 has to cycle that slide) and price went up to get something one would be comfortable in depending upon. (actually only one that I liked was the bodyguard) And we are talking .380 firepower, if that is not an oxymoron :>)
Bottom line - might consider a 357 J frame for the pocket, and put my 638 in the console. Or just save my $$ and buy more ammo instead.
I carry an M&P40C IWB very comfortably and a 638 in a Mike in front pocket, also very comfortably.
Started looking for something smaller than a J-frame and inexpensive thinking to put it in the center console for quick deployment. (sometimes hard to get into your pocket or under your shirt while sitting down)
Began with 9mm, but soon discovered size was generally not much different than J-frames, and I ran into dependability questions in various reviews. (remember I said inexpensive - Kel SCCY Cobra etc, and sorry if I'm stepping on toes here. But when I read repeated statements like "yeah I had that problem too" well ...)
Went to .380 and reliability reviews were even worse generally, (a .380 has to cycle that slide) and price went up to get something one would be comfortable in depending upon. (actually only one that I liked was the bodyguard) And we are talking .380 firepower, if that is not an oxymoron :>)
Bottom line - might consider a 357 J frame for the pocket, and put my 638 in the console. Or just save my $$ and buy more ammo instead.
Watchdog
Member
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Being completely honest, that's a choice I've never had to make. Simply because I have J-Frames and subcompact semi-autos. The only real choice I have to make is which one to carry on any given day.
But if forced to make a decision, I'd keep one of my vintage Js before letting it go in favor of a small semi-auto.
Not to steal this post but I'll soon be making a choice between a small auto and a j-frame for my wife's first CC. She's taking a basic marksmanship class next week, then her CHL
on June 6th. I want her to make the final decision but I need to gently lead her to what's right for her. The upside is that
she'll get to shoot several of both types before making
a final decision. Hoping she finds the j frame comfortable and easier to shoot accurately, but I'm biased.
on June 6th. I want her to make the final decision but I need to gently lead her to what's right for her. The upside is that
she'll get to shoot several of both types before making
a final decision. Hoping she finds the j frame comfortable and easier to shoot accurately, but I'm biased.
OLDSTER
Member
swap J-frame
They each have their place, depending on the "carry" situation. For a deep in-the-pocket I carry the .32. For holstered concealed carry nothing equals the J
They each have their place, depending on the "carry" situation. For a deep in-the-pocket I carry the .32. For holstered concealed carry nothing equals the J
Freischütz
Member
I might swap if the semi-auto was a Mauser 1914 or a CZ83. That's about as "small" as I care to go in semi-autos.
Shooter6br
Member
I take it you don't like the 638?
To each his own - I never knock another man's choice. But I will tell you why I chose the 638.
1) wanted SA/DA option (put a CT on it and in SA it was very easy to zero in - has a really good SA trigger)
2) wanted no problem coming out of my front pocket (that hump may not be pretty, but it don't snag)
3) always enjoy cleaning the pocket dust bunnies out of the hammer groove
1) wanted SA/DA option (put a CT on it and in SA it was very easy to zero in - has a really good SA trigger)
2) wanted no problem coming out of my front pocket (that hump may not be pretty, but it don't snag)
3) always enjoy cleaning the pocket dust bunnies out of the hammer groove
Officerblue
Member
My main CCW is a Ruger Alaskan 454... But when a pocket pal is needed, I throw in the little J frame 642... Before that I carried a Walther PPK 380 that I trusted with my life. I just feel more comfortable carrying a revolver. At work I have to carry a .40 semi-auto but if I had it my way I would carry a 357 magnum or 44 Magnum. I rather have 5 or 6 rounds I can count on when my family or my life is on the line. With a JFrame gun make those five rounds count practice, practice, practice. Good luck and enjoy.
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M3Stuart
Member
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
I purchased a Kimber Solo about a year ago with the same idea that many had about power of 9X19 and cartridge or two more for carry. On my first trip to the range, that Solo experienced complete failure, to include grip screws twisting out of the frame, which rendered the frame useless (as determined by Kimber). Fortunately, my local range is also an authorized S&W dealer, and I purchased a 640 on the way out the door. On my next visit, I fired about 200 rounds through my new 640 of different varieties and brands of ammunition from .38 spl LRN to full house .357 158gr loads. I found it superior to the Solo in every way; seven round capacities don't add much when you experience a failure every one to two rounds fired. Everytime I squeeze the trigger on that 640, it fires, and accurately. So, in essence, I am the reverse of the OPs question; I swapped my compact auto for a J, and have never looked back. That J goes with me everywhere now.
at_liberty
Member
I have some nice J-frames but find I rarely carry them except in my go bag. I have some nice semis, large and small, nothing under 40 S&W except a big Kimber Aegis 9mm, and haven't carried one in maybe three years. I am hooked on revolvers and am more comfortable carrying larger, mostly subsonic artillery, given my situation and ability to conceal them. My recent addition of hidden suspenders has been a real improvement in my carry experience. I will likely carry a 3" SP101 in 327 Federal Magnum, a 44 S&W Special 5 shot, or one of a number of 38 Specials in 3-4" barrels. The one I really have my hopes for is a 41 Special conversion currently in the works based upon a 3" GP100 with adj sights. That will afford me 6 rounds, subsonic, big bore in a relatively compact gun, but one I will remain aware of due to weight and size.
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