Your thoughts

[Major 2]

I'm full circle now, and pocket CCw my Mod 36 again.
I had little Beretta in my pocket for a while but traded it off.
I had set it aside for a SIG 365 but two broken FP's had cooled me so, when it returned from SIG I sold it....

This question is for pocket carry only (I OWB an EMP with light jacket)

I have decided to get a J-Frame (a lighter one than my Mod. 36)
either a 642 , 442, or ? (I don't think I want the Titanium version)

So, in my parameters, light weight (mid-Florida) clothes
Pocket carry only, simple goes bang every time revolver.

anyone pocket carrying a J-frame?

[K Harris]

Hard to beat a j frame. Look at the 637 & 638 as well. I like an exposed hammer. More out of habit than anything else I suppose. My thumb is on the hammer when drawn and when returned to the holster. Gives me a lot of peace of mind.

[VictorLouis]

Thumb on the hammer works if you have the right 'loose' pocket to get your whole hand in there. For just the typical 4-finger grip, it's hard to top the internal hammer models. Ditto thoese that are bobbed hammer models, regardless of make. A pocket .38 snub of some flavor is my most-often BUG.

[Major 2]

Thanks, my 36 has a Hammer and that the way I draw it too...
I wear loose Chinos, so the pocket is large.

I'm leaning on the 642, but the black 442 is more stealth as a possible view into the pocket from behind?

[armorer951]

S&W has had some issues with the integrity of the clear coat finish on the 642 (frame) in the past few years. Might be a consideration in terms of your warm and humid environment down in the Sunshine state.


Carter

[Ivan the Butcher]

Another light weight and weatherproof revolver is the S&W Bodyguard or Rugar LCR (Tauras even makes one). The Rugar is available in 22LR, 22 Mag, 32 something , 38 or 357. There may even be a 9mm in there (or not).

My EDC is a 49 no dash (all steel) and my bicycling gun is a LCR 38 (both pocket carry) It could be thought of as a Polymer 439. Same ammo, same speed loaders, and same DeSantis Nemesis.

Ivan

[S-W4EVER]

Model 442 No-Lock. Everything you need, nothing you don’t need.

[maxfam]

Try to find one of these. Made by Pachmayr back in the 80’s I believe. Shown with a model 60.

[Birdhunter6]

My EDC is a 640 Pro: DAO & tritium sights.

[Bald1]

2”’model 36 RB front right pocket. A couple speed strips in left pocket if I’m feeling frisky. But usually not.

[gunbarrel]

I carry my Model 49 Bodyguard on a hip grip here in Florida, but I used to carry a Glock 43 in a pocket holster.

Hamre Forge Hammer Hook Hip Grips

[gunbarrel]

Found a picture of it...

[JH1951]

Over the decades I have carried an interesting assortment of handguns, both large and small. My EDC for the last decade is neither the largest nor smallest of the bunch. I carry a 649 in a Mika pocket holster with full wad cutter .38 Special. This combination provides me with what I consider to be as close to perfection as I am going to get. There are many things to factor in to make a good decision, some of which have been mentioned above. At my age I am not planning street counter assaults, but I am well focused on getting my rear end out of an unexpected bind.

[AlHunt]

Model 38 (humpback shrouded hammer) in an Uncle Mikes rides in most of my trousers. Tried a leather pocket holster but it had a little more bulk.

[Breakaway500]

642 pocket carry. Works just fine.

[stansdds]

When I pocket carry, it's my 640-1 in a DeSantis pocket holster.

[Major 2]

Indeed DeSantis, that's what I use.
I did try a High Noon leather pocket holster early on and briefly
some heavier and it rotated forward in my pocket.
It now resides in my failed holster depository.

As for spare rounds I use this. I like it.

I have looked at Ruger's LCR and a Lightweight Tauras.
even the Rock Island snubby.

The LCR my dealer has consigned is too pricy.
the other two well, I just know me and if it isn't a Smith...
sooner or later, I'd get a Smith anyway.
So, thats the route I'll go.
Pretty well decided on the 642.

[photoman]

Darker guns (442) conceal better. Lighter guns (642) have easier to see sights in low light.

Might want to hold out for one of the new Ultra Carry Centennials that are about to hit the market as they have a really good front sight (more important that you might think at close range).

While I have pocket carried a 637 on occasion, I don't consider the exposed hammer models to be the ideal solution for that style of carry.

[Hawg Rider]

I lean towards the 642-2...I can simply grab it out of the nightstand in its pocket holster (either a Malabar Gun Leather bullhide or Sticky Holster) and shove it into the pocket of my cargo shorts. I also toss in a Tuff Strip with extra rounds. It's so light that I forget I'm carrying it!

[wproct]

Model 60 all the way, pre-lock preferably. They aren't really that heavy.

[toad67]

I prefer the steel J framed guns, since they tame the recoil a bit. With larger hands, those lighter J's aren't much fun to shoot, especially with stouter loads. There's just not enough room for my fingers.

[tlawler]

Originally Posted by Birdhunter6

My EDC is a 640 Pro: DAO & tritium sights.

I had one of those. I gave my oldest daughter her choice of my 640 Pro or my 342Ti. I still have the 342

I do carry the 342 in a Mika pocket holster around the house quite a bit, but opt for something with a little more firepower when I venture out. Man, I really miss that 640 Pro!

[Piwo]

I don't usually pocket carry, but when I do it is always a J frame 38 of the shrouded or concealed hammer type. When I do, it is usually in cargo shorts or something similar of relaxed fit, such that I can get my entire hand on the gun in my pocket. There are many excellent pocket holsters but I use the Desantis Nemesis because when it gets funky from sweat over time I just wash it with my jeans and let drip dry. Even in extremely humid summers here in Cleveland I prefer to carry IWB. I have been in a few situations where I had to draw my gun at a dead run or while taking other evasive actions. A pocket holster draw under such conditions is difficult if not impossible. In lower threat environments, though, it "don't git no more gooder" than a J frame S&W of any type carried in a comfortable pocket holster.

[haywood]

Four Months every Winter in Florida. My 442 is normally in a pocket holster and in my off hand pocket. I check it often. I wipe it down once a week or so. No problems. I have a few other guns with me that I carry in the waist. Lately it’s a 638. Waist bands require attention on sweaty days. I check them and wipe off as needed. This one is 14 years old and has been carried the most of all my pocket J-Frames

[haywood]

Originally Posted by toad67

I prefer the steel J framed guns, since they tame the recoil a bit. With larger hands, those lighter J's aren't much fun to shoot, especially with stouter loads. There's just not enough room for my fingers.

I need soft grips to practice at the Range. I’d rather the Uncle Mikes Boot Grips but, it’s Pachmayr Compacts or Hogue Tamers for shooting and pocket carry for my old hands.

[haywood]

Originally Posted by photoman

Darker guns (442) conceal better. Lighter guns (642) have easier to see sights in low light.

Might want to hold out for one of the new Ultra Carry Centennials that are about to hit the market as they have a really good front sight (more important that you might think at close range).

While I have pocket carried a 637 on occasion, I don't consider the exposed hammer models to be the ideal solution for that style of carry.

I paint my sights. Easier to see.

[moonsterman]

638 or the new 632UL hands down!

[ISCS Yoda]

EDC/pocket carry a J frame virtually every single day of the year except and unless I am going somewhere that I think is too attractive to "Tangos" and similar perpetrators and then I go to a higher capacity pistol.

My J frame is a M649. I don't see any difference pocket carrying a steel revolver versus a featherweight so I got rid of all of the featherweights. The difference in recoil level was the deciding factor. By a very large margin.

[Magnum_PI]

The 442/642 are good to go. They can be had without the lock.

I owned a 642 in the past. Worked fine. No issues. I have heard of the finish having some trouble. I never did with mine.

I currently have a 640 Pro. Awesome gun. Steel though, like your 36. Good stuff. Heavier, yes, but easier to shoot. I am thinking of picking up a lightweight again for times I'm wearing certain clothes that aren't up to the task of toting my 640 in a pocket. Yes, I pocket it.

I have had a 357 LCR. Not bad, just didn't care for it.

I had gotten a S&W Bodyguard at one point from a client (in lieu of a cash payment, new, fired one cylinder) and I'll be honest, I absolutely HATED IT. Recoil I felt was terrible, meh trigger, cylinder release was weird. Sold it for what I was owed and then some. The LCR was nicer, IMO, than the Bodyguard.

So, either stick to reliable steel guns or 442/642 and you'll be good.

Nothing beats a good pocket carry, in my opinion and experience. Especially in a warm/hot state.

[MajorD]

Originally Posted by Magnum_PI

The 442/642 are good to go. They can be had without the lock.

I owned a 642 in the past. Worked fine. No issues. I have heard of the finish having some trouble. I never did with mine.

I currently have a 640 Pro. Awesome gun. Steel though, like your 36. Good stuff. Heavier, yes, but easier to shoot. I am thinking of picking up a lightweight again for times I'm wearing certain clothes that aren't up to the task of toting my 640 in a pocket. Yes, I pocket it.

I have had a 357 LCR. Not bad, just didn't care for it.

I had gotten a S&W Bodyguard at one point from a client (in lieu of a cash payment, new, fired one cylinder) and I'll be honest, I absolutely HATED IT. Recoil I felt was terrible, meh trigger, cylinder release was weird. Sold it for what I was owed and then some. The LCR was nicer, IMO, than the Bodyguard.

So, either stick to reliable steel guns or 442/642 and you'll be good.

Nothing beats a good pocket carry, in my opinion and experience. Especially in a warm/hot state.

Agree living in Arizona, pocket carry is really the best method for my circumstances. A 442 does the trick

[Grimjaws]

I have a 637-2 that I did some customizing on. Replaced the hammer with a 642 hammer, grabbed some old j frame grips out of the parts bin and slapped on a grip adapter. Left the lock alone as it has never bothered me. So far has not missed a beat and does pretty good up to 10 yards - I need to practice more at farther distances.
Carry in a Nemesis pocket holster.

Due to some wrist issues I am back carrying my 36 for the extra weight as it doesn’t sting so much at the range. Love the j frames.

[Old cop]

I carry a 340PD in a Blue Force Gear pocket holster and it’s small, light enough to be an always-gun. I’ve had the gun almost 10 yrs and never a problem of any kind.

[Mike, SC Hunter]

Originally Posted by armorer951

S&W has had some issues with the integrity of the clear coat finish on the 642 (frame) in the past few years. Might be a consideration in terms of your warm and humid environment down in the Sunshine state.


Carter

Been pocket carrying my 642 since 1999. It does have some shiny aluminum spots in places. Does not effect usefulness. Any gun that gets a lot of use will show wear areas. No matter what the finish is.

[Major 2]

I truly appreciate all the impute.
I've made my mind up, the 642 will be the choice..... and I so ordered at my friendly LGS.

I wear casual fit pleated front Chino Pants, almost exclusively to go out.
These have ample and sufficiently deep front pockets.
I'm um... well some portly, there is a bit too much me already inside the waistband for comfortable carry.
OWB is hard to conceal in tropic clothes.
That leaves the Pocket, and the go too for all these years.

In my activities, chances of a multi-round street fight are low, and simple go bang every time revolver suits my needs for self-defense.