End of an Era (well sort of)

[326MOD10]

When I started in LE I purchased a Glock 26 to carry as a back up and off duty. I still have that Glock (I have a hard time parting with things I buy) but realized that carrying that thing around on my ankle was not the best option for me. Plus I liked the reliability of a J Frame revolver when things could be up close and personal.

So I opted for a 642 that I carried for several years and then transitioned over to a 442PC when that model was introduced.

I have purchased several small 9mm carry handguns since, 2 Shields, Glock 43 and a Sig P365. I have had custom work done on the Glock and both the Shields and like them both very much.

Despite all of this I keep coming back to the 442PC and the J Frame platform as my carry option.

I went to the range today and took the P365 and came to realize that it simply blows away the J Frame as a self defense carry handgun. It is so much easier to shoot, more accurate (in my hands) and work with the weak hand is simply easier. It has also been flawless in function since purchase in 2018.

Don't get me wrong I have put a lot of work into the J Frame over the years and was qualifying in the upper 90's to 100% with it when I retired on the duty gun qual course. But the reality is the P365 is just a more sound choice.

I have tried it from the pocket (have Mika holsters for it) and I have an excellent belt holster for it crafted by Ryan at R. Grizzle Leather. I am also pretty sure it will work with my Ken Null SMZ holster so I have all the options covered. Actually upon researching the SMZ is not recommended for striker fire handguns so I will need to maintain that J Frame for certain situations!

I am not sure why it took me this long to realize this but I guess I am not one that is easy to change the things I do. After all I had a flip phone until 2018 as well.

 

[waffles]

Good job OP. I was hardcore about J frames until I got my Glock 43. Even then I'd often carry my 340SC or a 36 or similar. Once I got my 365XL, that all changed. It conceals 95% as well as any J frame ever does (and the 365 standard is even smaller), holds more than double the ammo, shoots way better, and is price competitive. Gun tech marches on, and Sig knocked it out of the park.

 

[diyj98]

I bought a P365 to replace my j frames for pocket carry. I still haven't had time to give it a complete workout though, so I'm still packing the J for now.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I just don't like/shoot striker pistols well.
Must be old and like KISS.
J frame M30-1, M640, M638 is what I find better for me.
Just old and set in my ways it looks like.

 

[lihpster]

I just don't like/shoot striker pistols well.
Must be old and like KISS.
J frame M30-1, M640, M638 is what I find better for me.
Just old and set in my ways it looks like.

Whatever is best for YOU is the best choice. For me it's my 365. I think we're both covered pretty damn well.

 

[stansdds]

One size does not fit all and that is especially true of firearms. Carry what works best for you.

 

[SS336]

Your carry gun is a personal choice. Everyone has different ideas on what is best. If you practice with it, and become competent with it, your good to go, I think.
J frames are great but have some drawbacks. Sights, amount of ammunition available, etc. but are easily concealed and work ever time.
The new striker fired sub compact 9mm are very good, but are not for everyone.
I too have switched to a Sig 365XL and have been using it for six months.
It is hard to fault. Mine does have a safety, it is easy to sweep it off, similar to a 1911. It has great sights, holds 12+1 rounds, and the trigger is not to bad.
If your on the fence about the new sub-compacts and want to try one I think someone at your gun club, or a friend will let you try one.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Meh, nothing carries like my 342.

Super lightweight and comfortable to carry.

 

[Paper Clip]

Yes yes revolvers are outdated. Trade em off while you still can. Who wants to trade me their k6s for a p365? LOL

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'm not even a big fan of the J-Frame, but keep a few around here including one that I'm willing to tote as a back-up. I won't even own a P365 so it's not even in the running.

 

[Gman686]

We are all different. Out of all the single stack 9mms, the Walther PPS is my favorite.

My buddy on the other hand will never give up his 642, he's shot everything and just keeps coming back to that

 

[mikerjf]

I been doing some math around here. Got various spreadsheets comparing loads for muzzle energy, power factor, sectional density, recoil energy, etc. Just a "hobby"...

But you know what? When I start comparing 38 Special and 9mm, especially on guns and loads I shoot myself often enough to be familiar with, I notice that while the 9 seems to sometimes have the advantage in power, the 38 almost always excels at recoil. And comparing in actual range tests this holds up.

I realized that with the 38Sp/J frames against 9mm/whatever, I'm putting up with significantly more recoil in order to shoot less powerful ammo.

This is pushing me towards making the change.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I guess that P365 is far superior to a J-frame until Mr. Murphy finds a way to accuate that "great" striker tigger in the mall food court, or manages to unknowingly depress the mag release button in the hand-to-hand confrontation that immediately precedes you needing the gun for real.

 

[rock n roll kid]

to mod 10 ... original poster

you really struck a cord with me ! i too had a flip phone up to a bouit a year ago. the carry guns ..... toted a s&w snub for 20-25 years ( i am a civilian license carry ) started the change with a glock 43 , still have it & i like it a bunch . much easier to shoot than the snub & a few extra rounds as a bonus . i still carry it , with the spare mag reload , on most days in my little town . my p365 is about 2 years also and when going to the bigger , crime ridden cities , it goes in my pocket with the spare mag reload also . both are fantastic guns & serve their purpose well ! both shoot much easier than the 38 snub . it gets my goat that the experts usually recommend the 158 gr. load for snubbies . in my gun , when i had it , that darn 158 gr pill always was a kicker ! i usually used various 110 gr. jhp's in the snub . the g43 has digested many types of ammo , all fed perfect . the p365 ..... lots of negative press on the gun , but did not stop me from trying one . ( i prefer the sig over the hell cat & the mossberg offering ) when i bought my sig , i took it to the range a couple of times to wring it out . in those 1st days , i managed 14 mags , some mixed , of hp's , + ps's , fmc's , and + p + 's all from different ammo makers . not one problem . i TRUST both the 43 & the 365 . altho the snub is still a fine gun , one should not assume there are not way better choices out there !!