Family of three J frames ~ Is One Best ?

[Rock185]

digiroc, best, I can't say. But I'll share what several women in my extended family preferred. The S&W 642 38 Spcl. I wouldn't want it to get around, but I've been known to carry a 642 myself. I favor the Centennial line due to no external hammer to snag, and only one mode of operation. Doesn't get much simpler. I know it's not the, latest, sexiest, most devastating wonder bullet available, but factory wadcutter ammunition might be something to consider. Due to soft recoil and mild report, your wife might actually shoot it a bit. And within my humble experience, having a gun, knowing when to use it, and being able to use it effectively is what matters, not the most powerful caliber, or latest bullet.......ymmv

 

[digiroc]

My take on the Trio of J frames ...

Of the three the 640 Pro gets the nod as carry gun. With the excellent night sights and laser it offers the best chance of shots on target. The cushioning grips make it the only one to comfortably fire full house Magnums.

The Lady Smith is the most beautiful J frame and the excellent trigger makes it a viable carry gun, especially if you like to show it to friends (BBQ gun?).

The standard sights are difficult to get a quick sight picture unless shooting at paper. I have a Big Dot front sight coming which I ordered when buying the gun. Once it is on the LS it will be much more effective in a defensive role.

The AirLite is clearly the easiest to carry due to it's extreme low weight, also the hardest to deliver accurate fire and followup shots. The fiber optic front sight is great in daylight but not so good as the Sun goes down.

The AirLite is delegated as a backup gun, the only one that can be carried comfortably in my ankle holster, (not a preferred carry method). I'll be getting another CT laser for it mostly to get the air channel on the backstrap, but the laser is handy too.

Once the Lady Smith gets it's Big Dot I think it will be an excellent carry option. The small and slick wood stocks will cover nicely without snagging on my shirt or jacket.

The great trigger is a big plus, but it's beauty is it's most endearing feature, and the one the Wife likes best.

digiroc

Shoot Well My Friends

 

[ContinentalOp]

2. My apologies to fellow "J-hound" Continental OP: Do NOT use the 110gr mag loads in the PD. There will be dramatic cylinder erosion: wish I could locate the thread with the pix of the Ti cylinder literally eaten away by the "No less than 120 grain" ammo. The 110 Mag loads work well in the steel-cylinder M&P. CCI Blazer 158gr Magnum medium rounds are ok in both, but the 5th round may show crimp-jump.

No worries. Like I said, I recalled there being an incompatibility between lightweight bullets and scandium guns, but not the specifics. Thanks for providing the details.

 

[photoman]

I shot some of that 90 grain FTX "pink" ammo recently and was surprised at the blast and recoil. I didn't find it significantly different than the 110 grain standard pressure FTX. I would recommend trying 148 grain Federal Gold Match wadcutter ammo if recoil is a problem.

 

[cleans up]

Great info above, so much that I have little to add except to emphasize the importance of a different grip- the stock grips on many guns offer little to no recoil absorption. The houge mongrip work best for me and many like the pachmyer grips. The pachmyer are heavier and shift the balance of the gun to toward the hand which is quite nice.
Next up is of course a bit of range time as many seemingly good combinations don't end up being as good as hoped.

Wadcutters were thought of by many as a reasonable or even excellent self defense round, especially from a short barrel. Additionally they are often very low recoil and the same round can be used for practice and carry.

 

[sdb321]

Great Thread!!!

My wife bought her "ladysmith" because see said it was "pretty". She don't shoot it at all because of the recoil. But with this info on light ammo I may be able to change that!! THANKS!! sdb321

 

[digiroc]

My Lady Gets A Makeover ...

The Big Dots came in and are now installed on the Lady Smith. It changes the LS from a pretty gun to a pretty serious weapon.

Just settle the big white orb into the U channel and it provides excellent combat accuracy. The ammo pictured are the cooper jacketed wadcutters I got for reduced recoil as well as some 357's and 38 +P's the weapon is capable of firing.

digiroc

 

[DocB]

The transitional Lady Smith from the early 1990's may be the best J Frame ever made. . .only chambered in 38 Special but fully ready to move on with the upcoming 357 model. Like most on the forum, I have no use for a J in 357.

 

[digiroc]

... Like most on the forum, I have no use for a J in 357.

Nice LS Doc, you may have no use for a for a 357 in your J frame, but having a 357 rated J frame at least gives you the option.

Supposed stronger construction (are they really that differnt ?) may be a consideration, even if a +P 38 is all it will ever see.

digiroc