J frame pic thread

[Collin642]

We need a J frame pic thread. Here is my contribution.

[JH1951]

Originally Posted by Collin642

We need a J frame pic thread. Here is my contribution.

I cannot argue with that!

Here's an early version with a 1951 ship date, and SN 101.

IMG_1208.jpg



DSCF5516A.jpg


And a Centennial likely shipped in early 1955

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[two-bit cowboy]

Here are a couple of oddballs built on the J-Magnum frame and released after the Models 60-9 & 60-10 came out in .357 Magnum.

Both are chambered in .38 S&W Special.

This is the sole Model 60-11 I've seen. This Model 60-13 is one of three I've seen.

[Toyman]

A 3inch 640

[pbramlett]

I love J-Frames. Snubs are my primary addiction. Here are just a few of mine.

[demkofour]

I’m in, as the addiction has become almost unmanageable thanks to the likes of two-bit cowboy!
Here’s a few recent additions…

Model 460 PC Centennial
Model 640 Centennial
Model 342 PD Centennial (constant companion!)
Early Chiefs Special

[MSD2343]

Just a lowly 36-10 “Classic,” but I’ve owned it for about a decade now with many trouble-free rounds downrange.

[ISCS Yoda]

I had quite a few J and K frame snubs - this is the only J frame left - and it's my EDC:

[Vtgw938]

Just got this model 49 as a result of finding a set of Guy Hogue grips. Didn't have a J frame prior. Pretty nice rig for the pocket and the grips make it more than manageable.

[JH1951]

We may as well toss in a couple "Target Models" here, too.
Kind of odd to have a 2" target piece, but they exist, so I was compelled to get one (and then another). Actually they shoot pretty well!

Top is a Model 60-1, aka the "Ashland Target" model. Authorities claim that only about 660 of these were made (but there sure have been a lot of them up for sale). It is a 3-screw, round butt, that shipped about 1985

Bottom is a "Chiefs Special Target". It's a 3-screw, square butt, high polish blue, not model marked, so it preceded the Model 36 and Model 50. Shipped around 1961.

IMG_2903.jpg

[mikerjf]

My 637, a “Smolt of a different color”…

[eb07]

[MetalMan]

My small contribution…

[TJm15.38]

My model 638-3 and 31-1.

S&W 638.jpg
.32 S&W Long (2).jpg

[Baxter6551]

Ok I’m in….
Model 63 not pictured. Two of the model 36s I bought from the Armored Car company I worked for when they were getting rid of old weapons. Paid $125 each. The square butt is a flat latch. The one with Eagle grips needed a new hammer and barrel (someone filed down the front sight). My gunsmith took serrations out of the triggers and polished faces smooth.
The 442 is a factory replacement for an early 642 I sent back with a cracked frame (which I learned about on the forum and checked for).

[jrc1]

My small J collection


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[haywood]

J-Frames are my favorite. At least one is on me at all times.

[bdGreen]

Handy as a pocket on a sock.

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

[two-bit cowboy]

A couple of fun '70s oddities.

1971 contract for the New South Wales, Australia, Police Force and 1977 U.S. Navy contract.

[Rubone]

Another J fan...

[S&WshooterFIN]

S&W model 36 2" RB




S&W model 36-1 3" SB

[CajunBass]

Unlike most here, I'm not a BIG fan of the J-frame, but when my back started to hurt I wanted something light to carry and settled on this 642-2. It was light and reasonably inexpensive. Since then it's grown on me. I enjoy shooting it with 38 wadcutters. With 158 grain P+ HP's...not so much, so I've switched out the grips shown for a set of Hogues. Much better with the big boomer stuff.

Note to self. Take a better picture. With Hogues.



In it's Don Hume J.I.T. Holster.



And just for grins and giggles, is it OK if I add one of my "I" frame, 32 S&W? It's sort of a "baby" J-frame I guess. I actually thought it was a J-frame until a couple of people here corrected me. I've only shot it one time, but it's not bad at all.

[Frailer]

I would contend that the Centennial was the first “true” J-frame. Here’s a *very* early one.

[BKLooney]

[JH1951]

Here is a pair of 4-screw not model marked Chiefs Special models that show the first major changes to the J-frame, with the lengthened grip frame, elongated trigger guard, and loss of the first screw at the trigger guard. Some folks call these the "Model of 1953".
The top one with the blue ray box has an estimated shipping date of 1954 and has the factory satin blue finish.
The bottom example has a brownish box and an estimated shipping date of late 1955.
Note the early one is satin blue and the later one is high polish blue. There is also a subtle difference in the flat-latches.
The spread in serial numbers between them is a bit over 19,000.
It appears that 1953 ~ 1955 was a time when many changes were incorporated into the Chiefs Special leading us closer to the configuration of what later became the Model 36. J-frame evolution is an interesting study.

IMG_1180.jpg

[Kansasgunner]

I’m quite fond of the Centennial family.

[pasound]

My 4 j-frames. No single favorite. Each the same, grips are for different scenarios. 1972 mdl. 36, 1972 mdl. 38, 1993 mdl. 60, 2017 mdl. 637-2.

[stansdds]

My early production 640-1. I still use it when I need a "pocket pistol".

[arjay]

Early 80s model 60.My only j frame

[target tech]

Funny how these threads can make you think. I just counted, and I have 11 J frames. All of the calibers are represented, .22, .32L and H&R mag, .38 spl and .357 mag, even a 9mm. I have exposed hammers, concealed hammers and bobbed hammers, 2, 3 & 4 inch barrels. But, I have never owned a single 2” model 36 or 60, the most iconic and classic of all J frames. Gun show next weekend, may have to correct this discrepancy.
Don't have a group family picture, so just my first and favorite. Bought new in '90 or '91. Carried on my hip for years exploring canoeable waters in PA.

[ZGrand]

Only one for me -- M36 from 1966.

[jcelect]

An old pic posted before, but I like to see the Centennials altogether!


The three different sized J frame grips panels

Variations of the model 36

jcelect

[demkofour]

Lovely Family you have there, Pop ^^^^^^^^^^^

[raljr1]

I have a few. And a few more didn't make the post.

S&W Model 32-1 Terrier (15).jpg

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S&W Model 60 (2).jpg

S&W M-63 22 (1).jpg

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[JH1951]

Originally Posted by Frailer

I would contend that the Centennial was the first “true” J-frame. Here’s a *very* early one.

I am still learning about the J-frames, so I am interested to learn more about your contention about a "true" J-frame. Please expand.

[huntsman22]

[quikdraw67]

Dad's 36. I was with him when he bought it at Sugerman's in the early 80's.

[quikdraw67]

My brother's 640-1. This was his everyday CCW. The Ace grips are visually stunning but impractical IMHO.

I don't carry it anymore so I put the Ace grips back on in his memory.

[1911-10MM]

Here are a few not often seen









3" Model 60, un-fluted cyl.


I had to include this Pre-J frame, I frame from 1952


Forgot about these guys, 63 & 651, round & square butt's






651 Kit Gun with 22LR Cylinder

[press-1-for-english]

Here are my two.
60 & 63

[MTC(SS)Ret]

My one and only (for now)....36 no dash 3" RB circa 1959-60. Came with SN matching diamond magna's....wearing the generic target stocks for range time.

[pasound]

Nice! Not a common 36.

[Frailer]

Originally Posted by JH1951

I am still learning about the J-frames, so I am interested to learn more about your contention about a "true" J-frame. Please expand.

I should preface my response with the caveat that all Chiefs Specials are “J-frames,” and the model pre-dates the Centennial. My opinion wouldn’t stand up to legal scrutiny.

My opinion comes from the fact that the Centennial was a modern J-frame from its inception.

[jcelect]

Originally Posted by Frailer

I should preface my response with the caveat that all Chiefs Specials are “J-frames,” and the model pre-dates the Centennial. My opinion wouldn’t stand up to legal scrutiny.

My opinion comes from the fact that the Centennial was a modern J-frame from its inception.

The early "Chief's Specials" were not the same as the later Chief's! When this gun was introduced it was on the I frame with a larger cylinder and cylinder window, not a true I frame or true J frame! We collectors refer to these guns as the "Baby Chief's Special".

You are correct about the Centennials, along with a few other models in the J frame guns. A few that come to mind, along with their pre models, are the 37 - 38 - 43 - 49 - 51 - and their many stainless-steel cousins of more modern manufacture!
jcelect

[OutAtTheEdge]

A bobbed nickel no-dash 36 I picked up a few years back.

IMG_5112.jpgIMG_5113.jpg

Experimenting with my photographic skills. Man, these nickel guns do present some challenges!

[JH1951]

Originally Posted by Frailer

I should preface my response with the caveat that all Chiefs Specials are “J-frames,” and the model pre-dates the Centennial. My opinion wouldn’t stand up to legal scrutiny.

My opinion comes from the fact that the Centennial was a modern J-frame from its inception.

Thank you for the clarification.
I agree that all Chiefs Special models are J-frames.
Here is what I have garnered over the last few years:
The earlier ones (the Baby Chiefs) are a bit smaller than the ones that followed, but none-the-less, still J-frames. S&W took the I-frame and lengthened the cylinder and widened the cylinder window to accept the .38 S&W Special cartridge. With that 'stretch' of the I-frame cylinder window they created the J-frame. A few short years later modifications to the J-frame were implemented, including lengthening the grip frame, eliminating the screw at the trigger guard (now a four-screw), and enlarging the trigger guard to more of an egg shape. (Some call those changes "The Model of 1953.") The frame 'size' after those changes eventually, and after the loss of the top sideplate screw (making it a three-screw), became the Chiefs Special Model 36. That is the evolution of the carbon steel Chiefs Special as I have learned it (and a very short version as well). There are a few twists and turns when we add in the alloy frame Chiefs Special models, but they were all J-frames as well.

[Drm50]

A few that I had recently. There ain’t quite as many as there was awhile ago. I have traded most for S&Ws with longer barrels and adjustable sights. I live in boonies where there is much more air between shooter and targets.

[Jcon72]

One of my <several> "favorites", 60-4.

[ajgunner]

[pasound]

Nice collection ajgunner. Five Crimson Trace laser grips among the sets?