Steel or Aluminum J frame

C

Cal44

Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2013
Messages
3,600
Reaction score
6,465
Location
Northern California
Which is your most frequent J frame carry:

1. Steel frame

2. Aluminum frame (non-Scandium)

3. Scandium frame.

Why?
 
Register to hide this ad
I've had steel and aluminum, a 49 and a 442.

The 49 shot extremely well but really really weighted down my pocket.

The 442 on the other hand is much easier to carry but I have a hard time staying center at 10 yards. Just my .02
 
Last edited:
Carbon steel because I do not own an aluminum J frame and there are more light conditions in which stainless steel fixed sights are harder to see.
 
I used to have a 642 and a 438, but I got rid of them because they were too unpleasant to shoot much. I have skinny wrists that can only take so much punishment. My summer carry is now a 640, which I can actually shoot .357 with-- it's light .357 (Golden Sabers), but it's still .357.

I have a 325, which is a scandium/titanium .45ACP, which doesn't hurt me near as much as the .38 Airweights did. That's probably due to the Monogrip and porting. I could have put bigger grips on the Airweights, but that would have made them less concealable.

If you have manly wrists and meaty forearms, the Airweights might be just fine for you. I don't.
 
There is no way to escape the physics.....

The extra weight of the steel frames will help to absorb some of the forces and be more pleasant to shoot more frequently.

The Airweights will definitely be easier to carry but give up the number of rounds one may comfortably shoot during a session at the range.

As J-frames are designed basically for self defense, you will need to achieve a certain level of proficiency which means putting rounds down range, so the choice is strictly yours.
 
Last edited:
SuperMan said:
Always preferred stainless...favorite is the 649 Bodyguard...Old Humpy...
Click to expand...
This is where I have landed as well. I like the heavier weight for two reasons:
1.Reminds me I'm carrying
2.Much more pleasant to shoot

I like humpbacks as they represent the best of both worlds to me.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
I'm another who went from Airweight, a Model 442, to stainless models, a 60 and 640. The aluminum guns carry well but as with everything, there are trade-offs. Steel is much nicer to actually shoot.
 
MetalMan said:
There is no way to escape the physics.....

The extra weight of the steel frames will help to absorb some of the forces and be more pleasant to shoot more frequently.

The Airweights will definitely be easier to carry but give up the number of rounds one may comfortably shoot during a session at the range.

As J-frames are designed basically for self defense, you will need to achieve a certain level of proficiency which means putting rounds down range, so the choice is strictly yours.
Click to expand...

+1 Everything he said.

I own a number of "J-frames" from the Scandium monster (recoil is not to be believed!!), through the airweight 642 version right up to a bunch of model 60s and 36s.

First, define your purpose for the handgun; personal defense carry for many hours of the day? Then, pick one which you can actually comfortably carry!

I happen to like my 642 for general carry, although I do tote my Scandium one around from time to time. Both in good pocket holsters (I use either my Alabama holster or a DeSantis Nemesis).

You'll do fine with whatever you opt for. Do keep in mind that the 342 or Scandium models are so brutal in their recoil that practicing with them is virtually impossible.

Rich
 
Ok I will weigh in a little differently . I have a 638-3 w Crimson Trace laser grips .+P rated ,easy to carry ,accurate reliable, I generaly carry either a Kframe or an N frame around the farm for working guns but for going somewhere when CC is a better option it has become my ,stick it in your pocket with a couple of comp 1 speed loaders gives me 15 rounds of 38+p I will either be to my truck gun a center fire rifle or running before I run out of that .
 
J-Frame in aluminum is easier on the wallet and the back.

For outings in which another family member might need to be responsible for the gun the Steel J-Frame gets use because it absorbs recoil better and is more familiar to them.
 
640 PRO

I prefer stainless steel. With the right grips the 640 is easier to shoot. A good gun belt & a leather pancake holster, I'm ready to go!!!!!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20171126_111249926.jpg
    IMG_20171126_111249926.jpg
    127.4 KB · Views: 85
Steel J-frame guns are difficult for most people to shoot well but can be mastered with practice, something few really take serious interest in doing. Airweight J-frame guns are more difficult to shoot well than steel-framed versions, but, again with adequate practice, it can be done.
 
Only steel for me. My 649 J frame magnum is one of my front pocket guns, as is my Colt Defender 45 auto.

I've seen too many cracked frames under the forcing cone of the alluminum J-frames, that I just don't want to risk that as a rare but possible malfunction.
 
I have carried different J frames since I first entered LE in 1976 and have shot countless rounds through them, all were steel versions and have never had a cracked frame nor seen a cracked frame on a steel frame.

Have seen quite a few non steel Js with cracked frames.
 
Last edited:
I realize there are some who claim to have fired many rounds including +P through their alloy J-frame guns without mishap, but my like new nickel Model 38 suffered a cracked frame after fewer than about a hundred rounds of factory equivalent standard pressure handloads. Something to consider if you like to shoot a lot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
J Frame aluminum grips?
Replies
2
Views
141
McClean
M
flundertaker
J Frame Grips
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
ltgem612
L
kiki
SW J frame rebound spring
Replies
15
Views
916
hardluk1
H
M
Who made these synthetic J-Frame stocks?
Replies
5
Views
536
M1Garandy
M
H
AFT prefix on J-frame model 36-1
Replies
4
Views
277
biku324
biku324

Latest posts

Back
Top