Back to the J Frame

[Backlighting]

Switched from semi-auto to a J frame about a yr ago.

 

[Navy1969]

I have bought a lot of guns the past couple of years. All of them "Full Size" thinking that I have to have a big gun with lots of capacity. Recently I bought a 640 Pro and have to say, this a real Jewel! IWB is how I will carry it. I think the J frame is an excellent gun no matter which flavor J you decide on.

Thank you, GTBl. I have a gun addiction and don't let my wife know

 

[dirty & hairy]

Love the J's . My EDC is either a 642 in my pocket or a 60 on my hip. Both have proven to be dependable and discreet.

 

[otasan56]

Sounds familiar

Love the J's . My EDC is either a 642 in my pocket or a 60 on my hip. Both have proven to be dependable and discreet.

I am somewhat dirty and hairy here in VT.

 

[chief38]

There are plenty of guns that hold more rounds and plenty that fire a more potent cartridge. HOWEVER....... The 2" J Frame simply can't be beat when it comes to size, weight, concealability, cartridge performance with the right ammo and most of all, sheer reliability. That's why in today's world of semi auto's the 2" J still flourishes.

Remember: what is the best gun to have? The ONE you will always have with you! That would be a J IMHO.

 

[Navy1969]

There are plenty of guns that hold more rounds and plenty that fire a more potent cartridge. HOWEVER....... The 2" J Frame simply can't be beat when it comes to size, weight, concealability, cartridge performance with the right ammo and most of all, sheer reliability. That's why in today's world of semi auto's the 2" J still flourishes.

Remember: what is the best gun to have? The ONE you will always have with you! That would be a J IMHO.

Thank you for your opinion, sir.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Seems I'm like most of you guys.
Had to always have the big one's, but what is always with me now is my M 49 flat latch or M 638.
Only other one is a PPK clone 380, a little flatter.
Like most, if I need more then 5 rounds, I'm in big trouble...

 

[Fastbolt]

Well, to be frank, I've always thought that if I needed any rounds fired, I was in big trouble.

 

[Jessie]

It's hard to beat a 442 or 642.
Either one is the cats meow for a concealed carry gun.

 

[crazyphil]

Here is my Model 60 .357 converted to DAO on the left and My Model
642 on the right. I have tried various other stocks on both of them,
but always go back to the originals.
Next frame shows my Model 60 in TJ's gator pancake on a Culver
gator belt with a Boker knife. Far right is my 642 in a Black Hills
Shark holster on a Crescent shark belt with a Piranha knife.

 

[petepeterson]

Well, to be frank, I've always thought that if I needed any rounds fired, I was in big trouble.

One of the late (and great) Stephen Camp's favorite phrases was- "You'll run out of time before you run out of ammo."

 

[Donn]

My homely, old Model 49 rides with me today, along with a couple speed loaders. I've got a new Shield 45 that will probably be my EDC as soon as I put some more rounds thru it, make sure I can depend on it. Till then, it's the old 49.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I've gone through a couple of J-frames in the past, a 3" nickle-plated Model 36 square butt and a 1⅞" nickle-plated Model 37 round butt. I now have a Model 642-2 that is my "always" gun. It's in my cargo pocket at work backing up my duty revolver (Yeah, I'm the dinosaur.), a 4" S&W Model 686-6. In soft clothes, it's in my pocket or on my ankle (And I HATE ankle holsters!) backing up my 3" S&W Model 13-3. Off duty, it backs up my 2" S&W Model 12-2. (I mentioned the dinosaur thing, right?)

 

[snowman.45]

The longer I'm retired, the more I appreciate my J-frames. Currently, I have my old M60 no-dash I originally bought back in the early 80's, my 640-1 and my 340 M&P. The M60 was sold to a partner in the mid-80's, and he carried it off-duty and into retirement until he decided he needed something a little flatter and with a few more rounds. I gladly traded him a Shield 9mm to get my M60 back. Although rarely carried, it holds a place of honor in my gun safe. I also like the 640 if I'm going to be carrying magnum rounds, like in the Sierras, the desert or on the road. However, for everyday carry, I really prefer my 340 M&P; so much so that I'm anticipating buying another.

The J-frame takes a bit more practice to maintain proficiency, but they are easy to conceal, mechanically reliable, and accurate with sufficient practice. I rarely feel the need to carry anything more.

 

[Navy1969]

Here is my Model 60 .357 converted to DAO on the left and My Model
642 on the right. I have tried various other stocks on both of them,
but always go back to the originals.
Next frame shows my Model 60 in TJ's gator pancake on a Culver
gator belt with a Boker knife. Far right is my 642 in a Black Hills
Shark holster on a Crescent shark belt with a Piranha knife.

You have a beautiful set up there my friend. Nice.

 

[shouldazagged]

An all-steel J-frame (dashless 640) has been by EDC for seventeen years. I haven't owned an autoloader for that long. Nothing against an automatic and I've owned lots of them, but there's less to go wrong with a revolver and the J-frames are a splendid mix of size, concealability, and power for their weight.

In retirement and old age, not getting out nearly as much as I used to, I don't feel ill-equipped at all with my little revolver.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

How does the 640 fire on the range. Recoil wise?

Very manageable with 38 and +ps. Depending on your tolerance the magnums. When I did my conceal carry class I had the high score with a 640 no dash and winchester white box 125 +p's I use the combat grip. There were recent combat vets with their Berettas as well as various self loaders. I always have my 642 in the car with pocket holster no matter what I am carrying. Slips in a pocket so effortlessly.

 

[Navy1969]

Smith & Wesson 642

Interesting to know about the recoil on the 642 where one doesn't get worn out by wearing backlash. I am curious about the combat grip you mentioned in your thread. Could you provide a link for the Combat Grip? I am going back and forth whether to buy the 442 or 642. Grip would really add to control of the J frame and the pleasure of shooting. Thanks again for your input.

 

[Spectragod]

Pocket carry (in a holster) my 360 scandium everyday, a handful to shoot with magnum loads, I don't feel out gunned if this is my "only" gun.

 

[12string]

Interesting to know about the recoil on the 642 where one doesn't get worn out by wearing backlash. I am curious about the combat grip you mentioned in your thread. Could you provide a link for the Combat Grip? I am going back and forth whether to buy the 442 or 642. Grip would really add to control of the J frame and the pleasure of shooting. Thanks again for your input.

Here is my M36 square butt with Pachmar combat grips:
What a sweet heart to shoot!