J-frame: Enough?
- Thread starter JayFramer
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AZretired
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For 30 years I carried a full size pistol or revolver daily and a steel J-frame off duty. When I retired 12 years ago a started carrying a 642 daily. My needs are to protect me and mine. I don't get involved in other people arguments, not my problem.
In addition, I am just no longer willing to try an lug around my Glock 19 or 26 anymore. I do train at least monthly with my 642 in addition to my 26 and a M64 snubby.
In addition, I am just no longer willing to try an lug around my Glock 19 or 26 anymore. I do train at least monthly with my 642 in addition to my 26 and a M64 snubby.
J-Frame Enough?
For the past 27 years, carried a Sig-P220 and a S&W 442 backup on duty. Off duty either the Sig or a G19 and the J except for the 4 months out of the year where the weather is extreme and then J became primary for off duty. One month prior I would tune up with the J. Now retired I still follow the same routine, done several classes with the J and while its not a full size 1911 it's a tool and will work if I do MY PART! Recently my 442 suffered a cracked frame from 27 years of hard use, May, summer starting and I seriously missed the J. Had to put a lot more thought into clothing and printing then I wanted to in these summer months. Missed it so badly that I bought a S&W 940 while waiting for Smith to replace the 442 (which they did but not quickly). Never appreciated the J till I had to do without, told myself I would never be without one again. Modification in daily routine, training and mindset and the J fit the bill, retired, not responsible for family members. Love it! Train, train, and train some more, decent ammo, step up your situational awareness. Oh, and I voted yes!
For the past 27 years, carried a Sig-P220 and a S&W 442 backup on duty. Off duty either the Sig or a G19 and the J except for the 4 months out of the year where the weather is extreme and then J became primary for off duty. One month prior I would tune up with the J. Now retired I still follow the same routine, done several classes with the J and while its not a full size 1911 it's a tool and will work if I do MY PART! Recently my 442 suffered a cracked frame from 27 years of hard use, May, summer starting and I seriously missed the J. Had to put a lot more thought into clothing and printing then I wanted to in these summer months. Missed it so badly that I bought a S&W 940 while waiting for Smith to replace the 442 (which they did but not quickly). Never appreciated the J till I had to do without, told myself I would never be without one again. Modification in daily routine, training and mindset and the J fit the bill, retired, not responsible for family members. Love it! Train, train, and train some more, decent ammo, step up your situational awareness. Oh, and I voted yes!
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Pepi4
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Well I might be in "big trouble" because I had to send my 642 back to S&W.
That's a bummer
My 638 was a *** when it was new until I took her down and cleaned all the aluminium shaving out of it and added a small amount of lube. Work flawless now 
Cocked & Locked
Member
I've got some Colt and S&W .38 snubs but I'd rather carry this if I'm doing the small revolver thing.
smithman 10
US Veteran
There is simply more skills to learn and practice with a semi-auto compared with a revolver and it is beneficial for instructors to convince you that you need to get a high capacity autoloader and then take their classes to learn the "necessary" skills.
I would not be at all surprised to learn a great number of the same instructors who promote the advantages of semi-autos actually carry a light-weight snub most of the time.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5os1df5K0[/ame]
I would not be at all surprised to learn a great number of the same instructors who promote the advantages of semi-autos actually carry a light-weight snub most of the time.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5os1df5K0[/ame]
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ABPOS
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Cocked & Locked
Member
At times this is in my pocket but then I feel like I could do better...perhaps.
Or I could do worse for sure.
Or I could do worse for sure.
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white cloud
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This is great. I took a defensive pistol course here. Both instructors were wearing Glocks. I asked what they carried on the street. One carried a Ruger SP101 and the other a 642. One wonders.
This is the best thing I've read all year, and your post and Mister X's post ought to be the mic drop at the end of every "pistol or revolver/is five enough" thread.
This is a bit bigger, close to K frame size, but 5 rounds of 45 Colt in a full titanium build and is not any heavier than my model 60.
EMP3
Member
Personally, I'd go with this: PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) SW1911 PRO SERIES(R) 9mm | Smith & Wesson
EMP3
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white cloud
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This is the best thing I've read all year, and your post and Mister X's post ought to be the mic drop at the end of every "pistol or revolver/is five enough" thread.
I am all in favor of pistol practice. Go to any indoor range and take a look. People need to practice. But do you ever wonder how much of this "defensive training" is simply churn? "Oh no, your five shot J Frame is totally worthless. You are endangering your family....blah blah". Or my favorite: "The 12 gauge shotgun is a crappy home defense gun". Really? I have hunted with a 12 gauge most of my life. I have a grasp of what a load of 00 will do at 5 yards. I wonder if some of these people have even fired a 12 gauge. Rant over. My apologies in advance.
SuperMan
Member
In looking at the posts by oink and X something occurred to me...defensive vs. offensive use of the self-defense handgun...
In the Hendrix case I cited above, a civilian armed with a snubby just to protect himself would have been well armed...he was at the back to the store when the hostiles broke out and as eb07 said...just run out the back door. When Hendrix decided he had to intervene he went from the defensive use of the handgun to the offensive...and that is where he ended up not having enough gun.
So maybe it is just going to depend on ones mindset... If you plan on only using the gun as a last ditch defensive weapon the snubby is probably enough. If on the other hand you think like oink and can't walk away if someone else is in trouble, probably better to bring a little more to the fight....
Bob
In the Hendrix case I cited above, a civilian armed with a snubby just to protect himself would have been well armed...he was at the back to the store when the hostiles broke out and as eb07 said...just run out the back door. When Hendrix decided he had to intervene he went from the defensive use of the handgun to the offensive...and that is where he ended up not having enough gun.
So maybe it is just going to depend on ones mindset... If you plan on only using the gun as a last ditch defensive weapon the snubby is probably enough. If on the other hand you think like oink and can't walk away if someone else is in trouble, probably better to bring a little more to the fight....
Bob
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^^^ really well said, and a point not often brought into this type of conversation. It's something I personally need to think about more carefully from time to time: "what am I willing to use this tool for, and is it enough tool for that purpose." Much more individualized than "how many bullets is enough?"
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