Advice on stainless steel J Frames and Airweight snubbies

[gr7070]

concealed carry is not an option

What do you think?

Personally use no other use for a J frame than ccw. I wouldn't even bother getting one. Thus i wouldn't get one with a traditional hammer. I seriously considered the 638, but there's just no point to a hammer on a ccw revolver.

I own a 642 and love it. I bike with it everyday in my pocket in hot Texas. I clean every year or two and never even wrote it down. There's not a speck of rust on it. The coating on the aluminum is worn in spots, but that's about it.

I don't fire it much. Acceptable stock trigger.

I've never had an issue with it and highly recommend one for ccw.

FWIW I've read that every ounce matters for pocket carry. Something to consider with regard to the steel ones or even the scandium (in the other direction).

 

[GCF]

Personally use no other use for a J frame than ccw. I wouldn't even bother getting one.

Besides EDC / CCW, my M640-1 (pictured above), & my M&P340, serve bedside, around the house, out in the shop, & office desk duties.

I've got other alternatives: 3" M65-3, 4" M686 no dash, Colt LWT Commander, & Colt Gov't Model, but the J frames point naturally, & are just so convenient, that they are always there.

As an extra added benefit, w/ .38spl power level, 158 grain, LSWC hand loads, they are also fun to shoot!

Just my added two cents. YMMV...

 

[dave1918a2]

I did not see one reference to a 432PD in 32 H&R. This happens to be a six shot snubbie with decent horsepower. Been shooting factory magnums for a couple of months to get the brass so I can reload. I carry it a lot. Have had 0 problems and it is light.
It is now wearing S&W rubber grips

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Personally use no other use for a J frame than ccw. I wouldn't even bother getting one. Thus i wouldn't get one with a traditional hammer. I seriously considered the 638, but there's just no point to a hammer on a ccw revolver.

I own a 642 and love it. I bike with it everyday in my pocket in hot Texas. I clean every year or two and never even wrote it down. There's not a speck of rust on it. The coating on the aluminum is worn in spots, but that's about it.

I don't fire it much. Acceptable stock trigger.

I've never had an issue with it and highly recommend one for ccw.

FWIW I've read that every ounce matters for pocket carry. Something to consider with regard to the steel ones or even the scandium (in the other direction).

While concealed carry is not an option for me, I don't think not being able to carry should invalidate making the purchase of a J Frame. Just the idea of having one makes me smile...so that's reason enough.

 

[ContinentalOp]

While concealed carry is not an option for me, I don't think not being able to carry should invalidate making the purchase of a J Frame. Just the idea of having one makes me smile...so that's reason enough.

If you don't carry concealed while out-and-about they're still handy to have in your pocket when someone knocks on your door at home.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I did not see one reference to a 432PD in 32 H&R. This happens to be a six shot snubbie with decent horsepower. Been shooting factory magnums for a couple of months to get the brass so I can reload. I carry it a lot. Have had 0 problems and it is light.
It is now wearing S&W rubber grips

Amazingly enough I had no idea there was even a class of .32 snubbie J Frames out there. I guess I had begun to erroneously assume the .32, like the .25 and the .41, were all calibers that had sort of fallen by the wayside.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

If you don't carry concealed while out-and-about they're still handy to have in your pocket when someone knocks on your door at home.

Just wanted to acknowledge the Hammett reference in your screen name.

Living in NYC, I believe the gun control people have fixed it so that your home defense weapon must now be kept unloaded and locked in a safe with a separate trigger lock attached or some such nonsense. How many people can even get into their home gun safe on the first try under normal circumstances much less in the dark and under duress? When I lived in a storefront in a sketchy neighborhood the door to my space opened up directly onto the street. I always kept a large fighting knife hanging in a sheath attached to the inside handle of the door. Once in a while it would fall out of the sheath and drop on my foot. Luckily, every time it landed point first I was wearing boots (I guess that's the bladed version of an accidental/negligent discharge). Anyway, the progressive movement in NYC government is working tirelessly to protect the safety and rights of criminals while some of us wish they'd bring back "stop and frisk" in a big way.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, I gave my first Model 36 away a long time ago, a pretty nickel job that a friend needed more than I did. Since then I acquired a 649, 642, and a 638. I've never had a failure of any kind with any of them.

I did get to the point of highly disliking shooting the two Airweights. I can't say that about the 649 because it's been years since I shot it but I'm sure that it's weight in stainless steel would make shooting it more pleasurable than the other two.

I still keep the 638 in my vehicles and on rare occasion I'll carry the 642 but my EDCs these days are snubbie K frames, mostly a customized M64 and/or a M10. One more round available, lots less recoil, way way way easier to shoot accurately and quickly. YMMV.

I get argued with around this campfire but not by everyone.

Sadly, K frame snubs are a thing of the past unless you have one built for you and a 2.5" M686 is probably too chunky for your purposes

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Sadly, K frame snubs are a thing of the past unless you have one built for you and a 2.5" M686 is probably too chunky for your purposes

I recently aquired a 686, but it is a 6 inch barrel range toy. I think part of the appeal of the 640 is that it is so different yet shares the same ammo with the 686.

 

[JohnSW]

What do you think?

Stainless steel is pretty.

 

[Mulebuk Sam]

I suppose the truth often is that the people who experience a problem are the most vocal while the rest of us quietly carry on unnoticed.

Not necessarily. Go on any gun forum that caters to a specific brand and you can read the same moan and groans almost verbatim. It's the nature of mankind to complain and we Americans have got it down to a science.

Most of us are looking for that do it all gun for carry and range fun, I certainly was. But very few put any effort into sorting out their real needs. I'm a one gun kind of person.

It's an expensive hobby for sure if you don't.
(ask me how I know this)

 

[wrangler5]

Amazingly enough I had no idea there was even a class of .32 snubbie J Frames out there. I guess I had begun to erroneously assume the .32, like the .25 and the .41, were all calibers that had sort of fallen by the wayside.

S&W hasn't made 'em in years, but there are still a few that show up NIB from time to time. (Bud's had a few early in the year.) My 432PD is a delight to shoot with 32 Long-level loads, while the +P Buffalo Bore 100g JHP load leaves the muzzle at 1100fps with 269 foot pounds of energy - actually a bit more energy than Remington's 158g +P FBI loads out of one of my 38 snubbies. And an extra round, compared to the 5-shot 38s.

 

[jimcox]

My favourite J-frame is the Model 49 (or 649 if your taste runs to stainless). I have old nickle-plated 49 that is a dream to shoot (and I've won a lot a bets with). Usually, I don't care for nickle-plated handguns, but for carry in hot, sweaty environments it does have its redeeming qualities.

 

[wxl]

No 940 lovers?

 

[SqurtCap17]

SW 640

The 640 (no dash) was my first concealed carry revolver.
With practice I was getting better results in combat trials than shooters with semi-autos, and it is in my opinion the best point and shoot small revolver on the market.
Fast pocket or holster draw and easy for follow up shots and especially good at the double chest, one head ,standard defense close range drill.
After many years of shooting this small weapon, it is still very precise and accurate, has held timing well and looks like it will go another Century. After all it is the Centennial and my favorite small revolver. Great purchase even at the higher prices asked for today. I found a 640-1 online a couple years ago for $450. Had a failure with it, as the small pin that holds in the firing pin was missing.
If you purchase used, have it checked by your local gunsmith or check it out yourself before defense carry.

 

[POWinCA]

First round stings, second round hurts, third round really hurts

The title of my reply is what Massad Ayoub said about these pistols many years ago when they came out.

I own a stainless steel 640-1 in 357 magnum. Using full power shells, this gun will leave you blind and deaf after the first shot. If you miss an intruder, it will probably give him a heart attack. Even with 38+P or 38s, the gun is a handful.

Like every snubbie, you are trading power, accuracy, capacity and control for compactness, light weight with utter reliability. It's up to you to decide which factors tilt the balance.

Like most snubs, the sights suck unless it has or you install the XS front sight. If you have the gun, this sight is essential in my opinion.

I did my own trigger job and it is smooth as silk, using an India stone, Wolff springs, and an extended firing pin to alleviate worries about a light primer strike.

The airweights are insanely light. Great for carry, not so great for felt recoil. If it comes with the small grips, it is compact but you have the metal backstrap against your palm. If you get the longer grips you gain a pinkie rest and a padded backstrap but lose some concealability.

The hammerlesss models are an awesome idea and I've never had a problem with it. You lose single action but gain snag free use which is great for an ankle holster or pocket. The ones with the shrouded hammer are a compromise on these competing features.

In summary these are very good guns for the purpose of reliable concealed carry. Note well that there are numerous autos with greater capacity and small size but none with 357 magnum power. These pistols are a fistful of dynamite that you will begin to appreciate on the first shot when your hand stings. Just remember that the poor sucker at the other end will be hurting worse, if you hit him. By the fifth round you'll probably be reluctant to pull the trigger. I usually load mine with 38s, or 38+p tops. Like all revolvers, it takes practice to aim and shoot well especially with a factory weight trigger.

If you are not permitted to carry concealed, consider a 686 plus or one of the new 8 round revolvers. I kept my TRR8 in my night stand and a 686 plus locked in my car for years until recently replacing them with autos. If money is a factor, consider buying a used one or a new Ruger GP 100 or SP 101. If you buy a used gun, it is imperative you do a good inspection for end shake, timing, hammer push off, and other wear and tear problems, especially the hand. There are good YouTube videos for revolver inspections and repairs. The good news is that you can buy parts on Brownells easily and put them in yourself. Remember though that revolvers are in a very delicate balance. Minor changes can upset that balance and they will fail in a huge way. Malfunctions rarely happen but when they do they are catastrophic. So consider a good gunsmith instead. I should also mention that S&W had or has a J frame kit gun that you build yourself. The best way to figure out a revolver is to take the darned thing apart and put them back together. Just be prepared to take a tray of parts to a gunsmith if you can't figure it out.

 

[Shielder]

Having read most of the above posts, so far I have not seen any mention of a problem I had with two 642's. So please excuse me if this was already covered.

I took two boxes of ammo to the range with the two guns just to shoot them--standard and not +P ammo. One was an older box of military ball, the other a box of white label Winchester.

Between the two guns, somewhere around 20% of the rounds did not ignite when the gun was fired. Examining the failed rounds, the firing pins dimpled the primers about the same depth as on the rounds that fired. While I could have blamed the ammo (one being older and perhaps having harder primers), since both types of ammo and both guns performed similarly, I decided to make some upgrades to the guns.

I ordered two Apex J-Frame Duty/Carry Kits, installed them, took the guns and the unfired ammo back to the range--and all that failed ammo performed as it should have to begin with. Not one round failed to fire. The longer firing pin apparently made the difference--the primers were dimpled more deeply on the newly fired cases. Not to mention a nicer trigger pull since I smoothed up critical parts while I had the guns apart.

Shielder

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I wrote this in another thread - I'll just paste it in here:

Well, I gave my first Model 36 away a long time ago, a pretty nickel job that a friend needed more than I did. Since then I acquired a 649, 642, and a 638. I've never had a failure of any kind with any of them.

I did get to the point of highly disliking shooting the two Airweights. I can't say that about the 649 because it's been years since I shot it but I'm sure that it's weight in stainless steel would make shooting it more pleasurable than the other two.

I still keep the 638 in my vehicles and on rare occasion I'll carry the 642 but my EDCs these days are snubbie K frames, mostly a customized M64 and/or a M10. One more round available, lots less recoil, way way way easier to shoot accurately and quickly. YMMV.

I get argued with around this campfire but not by everyone.

Sadly, K frame snubs are a thing of the past unless you have one built for you and a 2.5" M686 is probably too chunky for your purposes

 

[Ed333]

Hard to go wrong with a 640, I have owned two, one earlier model for .38 only, one which is rated for .357. They get smoother with increased use. Don't buy into the idea that they are not accurate; they are. It is the shooter which is the variable. Lots of practice. That means lots of rounds down range. A steel gun shooting 38s is going to be a lot easier on you and itself than an alloy piece, which is not made for high volume shooting. All the alloy snubs I ever owned are history. Single action option is over-rated IMHO, the double action pull is what makes these J frames safe to use. I have competed at falling plates and steel challenge matches successfully with my J frame snubs, and never used single action. And I second the notion that magnums are not a good idea in J frames, and are not necessary for effective personal protection. Again, just my opinions, and everyone has them...I say buy and try them all, get rid of the ones which do not suit, and what is left is what you want. In my case, a 640 and a m.60, neither of which is subjected to the abuse of .357 magnums. I have owned and sold all the rest, and I mean all of them.

 

[DepOne]

I'm a 1911 guy, through and through. I carried one for law enforcement for 27 years but, that being said, I LOVE J Frames. They are just so well made and handy to have around. I bought my first, a Model 36, on my 21st birthday, March 17, 1966. I can't count how many I have owned over the years but now I have settled on two. I have a 340PD and a Pro Series Model 60. The 340 has been Magna Ported, has a green fiber optic front sight and Crimson Trace laser stocks. (The MagnaPorting reduces felt recoil a little, but it doesn't reduce it completely) I don't often shoot Magnums, usually practicing with .38s and carrying Hornady Critical Defense Magnums. I know. Many of you don't care for Magnums in a J frame. Admittedly, I only recommend it for very experienced shooters and, take it from someone who's been there, if you ever have to use the gun for defensive purposes, you won't feel the recoil or even hear the report. All of your focus will go to the more serious matter at hand.

The Pro Series 60 is a real gem. It's beautifully made and fitted and in addition to the 3 inch barrel, it has stocks (no, NOT grips) that actually work. And, it handles magnums with no drama at all.

If you're new to snubbies, I'd suggest a steel frame with an external hammer. When you get very confident with it, then you can think about a lightweight frame with a concealed hammer. Try out the comfort of different types of stocks and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE if you're going to carry it for defense. (And it sure does make a great backup gun for a 1911 .45 ACP!)

Thank you Smith & Wesson, for a lot of good memories, effective protection and also fun shooting. And for taking such great care of us law enforcement guys in Hampden County.