I know a bunch of you folks do but for a range gun i like it heavier and easier to hang onto. I have 3 J frames and they are the least favorite of the bunch.
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

For general fun shooting I like the K's myself.

Yes, naturally, K-Frames are better shooters, but everything is a compromise in life. The K-Frames don't carry near as well, and with practice, the J-Frame can be shot well. Not as well, but well enough.

I recently helped a lady shoot a handgun for the first time. With my M10, all her head and body shots were on target at ~5yd. With my M49, she was pulling (pushing?) shots left (she shot RH), which is normal for new J-frame shooters.

__________________
Registration? NEVER!

Hey WL, how do you feel about improved I frames? It's never going to win any matches but load this puppy up with .32 S&W's and it's fun to shoot. Even with .32 S&W Long it's still fun.
[IMG][/IMG]

CW

__________________
μολὼν λαβέ

Whatever floats your boat. What you like or dislike has little effect on the rest of us.

__________________
S&W Accumulator

So be it. To each his own. If you don't like them, sell them.

__________________
Dick

For range work, you are correct.

Try dropping a snub N-frame in your pocket, or strapping an N-frame to your ankle.

Sooooo, for range work the N-frames are my favorite and for carry the J-frames are unbeatable.


And the K's? Somewhere in the middle, house and holster guns?

__________________
A real sucker for the J-frames

I freakin' hate 'em too.

I buy 'em up so nobody else hasta' worry about havin' them.



GF

I'd hate to see what happens if you really liked them !!!

Not worlds of fun to shoot with the OEM stocks.
However, the banana grips like the 3rd from left are much more comfortable for shooting.
Wish I could get some banana grips made for a SB J frame.

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

That's why I can't figure out what seems to be the short barrel/big gun obsession some folks have.

Someone was bemoaning prices on 2.5" 686s. I guess I'm missing something. An L-frame doesn't strike me as very concealable. That 1.5" of barrel removed from a 4" is expensive in terms of shoot-ability and performance.

Skeeter Skelton used to say the 2.5" M-19 added nothing to conceal-ability vs the 4", because the thickness of a medium-frame revolver was the real challenge .

Did he just wear longer jackets than we do now?

They were never intended to be "range guns".
They were, and are intended to be carried a lot and fired a little.
I carry one every day as a back up gun. I only shoot 2 or 3 hundred rounds thru it in a years time.
My primary weapon is a 1911 (.45 ACP) that is carried most days. I shoot about 500 rounds per month thru it.

Well WL, I must agree that the J frame does NOT make a very good range gun. That is NOT it's intended purpose, however. What it IS, is arguably THE FINEST CCW revolver ever built. For THAT purpose, it is my favorite.....

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Au contraire, my friend - a model 60-18 with the 5" barrel is indeed an excellent range gun.

I agree that others are more fun, but if you carry and are serious about your responsibilities while carrying, my humble opinion is that you should practice w/your carry gun.

Just my two cents worth after 30 yrs as a LEO.

Best,
Old Cop

The J's are working guns, period. For simply converting powder (and money) into noise, there are indeed better choices. If you're looking for a challenge though, those tiny snubs are hard to beat.

J-frames are cool. You're missing out.

Oh, my...I would almost be afraid to touch a gun that pretty, let alone shoot it.

im in love...that thing is BEAUTIFUL

FWIW These are my favorite carry and range guns. I have many others but I always shoot these when I go to the range. I would rather shoot these than any other gun. I loves 'em.

36-1? I have one. Love it.

When I built my cabin up north, I only brought my Model 60 with me on each trip. I didn't want the other guns around. Too busy and too much chance of damage or just getting in the way.

So, every day after work, I'd put a few cylinders through the ol J-frame. Often shooting at bit ends of 2x4's. "Splittin' wood, I called it. Funny how the point of impact gradually fell into line over the course of the summer.

"Beware of the man with only one gun... he likely knows how to shoot it!" While a Model 60 would probably not be my first choice of my "one gun," I would certainly not feel unarmed or even under-armed in most situations with a J-framed 38 Spl, and if it were my 3" under lug barreled Model 60-4...

Froggie

My dad just gave me a Chief's Special 2 1/2 inch barrel, I carry it with me every time I go on a walk, I love that gun, and when I do need to carry concealed that's the only one I use

If I want something fun and accurate I go K or N.
I didn't care for the underlug 681 L frame I had before my 66.
But if I want a plenty potent pocket gun, I reach for the 638-3 with Buffalo Bore Heavy 38's

__________________
27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

J-Frames are a challenge to shoot well at a range but are a very satisfying gun to master.

well ok then.

__________________
Endeavor to persevere. <><

An airweight Centennial will absolutely disappear into a jeans pocket. It isn't easy to shoot well but it is sure is comforting to have. I carry one almost every day (except on those days when I am out in the field and can open carry a N frame that is)

I remember when it was thought that J-frames weren't accurate beyond bad-breath distance. Then Bob Munden shot that myth full of holes by popping gallon milk jugs at 100 yards with a Chief's Special!

There's a guy on Youtube who shoots handguns at long-ish ranges. In one video he shoots an S&W snubbie at over 100 yards and hits some steel silhouettes. Maybe that's the same guy, dunno.

The trouble is, the 642 I have seems to shoot kind of left, so at any distance, I'd be missing way left. I'm still evaluating whether the issue is the gun or me. The thing is a handful with 158s.

left/ low left is anticipation of recoil. easy fix. you know exactly when it is going to go bang. be ready for it and squeze it off.

The small size of the gun, with its attendant short length of [trigger] pull, also makes it very easy to 'push' the gun to one side (the left if you're right-handed, opposite for lefties), even when you're trying to pull the trigger straight back. As you (getoff) note, recoil doesn't help. Careful practice is the only cure.

Or Hickok45 maybe?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

__________________
Ad Unum Omnes

This one is quite pleasant (and accurate!) at the range.

Its a .357, but I mostly just load it to "hot .38" levels.

__________________
WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

I have no ambiguity about the carry or effectiveness.
I have them so I shoot them--when I do---like today---I come away wondering why I have them.
Course, one rides the matress and I am not above sticking one in my pants---but I just don't like to shoot em.
I keep saying I am going to sell but I know that is a lie.
Just venting folks.
Have a Merry Christmas &
Blessings

__________________
TEXAS, by GOD

Yes the K fits most of us better. But I have noticed my boys will pick up my 36 when we get out to the range. I have not come across a Smith I did not like to shoot.

I hate mine...threatened to sell it hundreds of times........It's small, convenient, and potent. Really can't stand it.......

__________________
Go big or stay home

I've never had any interest in them either for some reason. Nice guns and all that, but I have a need/want for one gun that size, and I have a Charter Arms Undercover 38 for that.

__________________
John 3:16 .

For the most part as a few have already stated, the J-Frames are designed to be concealable, light weight, self defense carry weapons. I don't think the average person would choose one for informal target practice, plinking or for a fun day at the range. Other than my monthly practice sessions with my carry weapon (M60-7 and variants), I don't shoot any of the dozen or so that I own just for fun. For the purpose of which they were designed, I don't see anything better! Since they seem to be the "tail that wags the dog" for S&W these days, I would venture to say there are plenty of others who agree.

Regards,
Chief38

I kind of like em. Cant beat a snub 36, 60 or 40 for the pocket.

To be completely honest, my M49 isn't a lot of 'fun' to shoot. It stings my hand and is hard to aim accurately. It's my carry, though, so I try to run a few cylinders-full of ammo at each session*, then move to something else.
That said, there is considerable satisfaction when I shoot a good group with it--especially since I might bet my life on it one day.

*I usually shoot it first, so I'm shooting 'cold' as it would be if it were 'for real'.

I carried this model 60 from about 1970 to 2003 until it was stolen along with my truck. I did as shep564, shot it everytime I went out with other guns, every outing. I got to where I could bounce cans without fail. I had the hammer bobbed (a extra 36 hammer), that was checked and flat on top so I could also shoot it single action. I simply carried it in my pants pocket forever.
I belive they are the most sensible guns ever made to just put in your pocket. I never was big on wearing a holster except when I wore a uniform.

I too am not a fan of J frames, even though I have owned one for years. Most are excellent revolvers and serve a purpose well, but I just don't feel well armed with one.

I've found as I've gotten older I prefer large handguns, perhaps this is some form of compensating.

__________________
Always Stay Strong!

I enjoy owning 'em but can't say they are a favorite for trips to the range.

i love mine. wouldnt trade a one of them. if your looking to lighten your j-frame load, let me know what you have and i'll make you an offer.(low offer since you"hate" them)

I don't like chick peas.

But I like hummus with some melted garlic butter. I dip the flat bread stuff in it. Yum.

^^+1^^ Me neither, but I like my J frame.

I carried a Model 342ti as a back up for several years in the field and as a primary when I worked as an administrator. Great carry gun. I used to tell people that it was 364 days of pleasure and one day of pain (day/night annual qualification). I moved on to small semi auto's until retirement and now primarily carry a Kahr P380 daily. That said, I still have a warm place in my heart for a J frame S&W.