2” K Frame for Carry

[Well Armed]

My observation may be entirely incorrect, but it seems that the popularity of a 2" revolver for carry is largely limited to the J Frame. K Frame carry favors the 3" or 4" barrel over a 2". The 2" K models, 10, 15, and 64, have much to offer as 2" carry pieces. One more shot than the J, more weight to mitigate recoil, larger grip surface for control and quicker repeat shots and not too much more difficult to conceal than the J. You may have noticed that the 2.5" Model 66 is not on the list. Kind of trying to compare 38 Spl in both frame sizes.

Are there folks here who utilize the snub K Frame routinely? Why or why not?

I say go for it for all the reasons you mentioned. I had the same quandary a few years back between a 6 round K-frame or 7 round L-frame snubby. The weight and size was negotiable, so I went with the L-frame. Between the J and K frames, the main difference will be the slightly larger cylinder size; however, the cylinder has never been an issue for me with printing or concealment. If IWB, the cylinder will be a below the waistline non-issue. OWN concealed, I also never had printing issue, and it's not going to give anyone the appearance or thought of a firearm if it did print. It's typically the grip that is the issue. I'm not a tall man, I have a small frame, and I wear medium off the rack t-shirts. I'm able to easily conceal an L-frame 357 days a years even IWB with shorts and a M t-shirt in the summer with a spilt-six speedloader pouch on my weak side.

 

[Ingramite]

IF I'M WEARING A BELT......

Then I'm going to carry a revolver that I'm most effective with.

The support of a good belt will carry the weight and size of a full sized revolver. If comfort and concealment are attainable then why wouldn't the logical choice be a 4" K or L frame?

I have a 2.5 inch Model 19-3 but the only reason why I would choose it over a Model 67 would be a magnum loading. Whatever that reason might be. If I had forewarning sufficient enough to "Super-Size" up to a magnum cartridge from a .38spl then a more prudent course of action might just be staying in bed and pulling the covers up over my head that day. The .38spl is as deadly today as it has ever been because of modern bullet designs.

This Model 67 has proven to be a very fine combination that's served me faithfully over decades of defensive carry. Sporting very small wooden stocks. A first year model with stainless sights.

 

[Baxter6551]

I'm a late comer to the the 2 inch k frame game having picked up my first a model 10-5 square butt just this year. Very accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Found a home for a pair of Eagle secret service grips I had.

 

[Ingramite]

BUT IF I'M NOT WEARING A BELT......

Maybe as relaxed as a bathrobe pocket or casual as an elastic waistband of a pair of sweatpants. It'll be a 2" or less lightweight J frame.

My Model 442 has a DeSantis Clip Grip stocks on it. Yeah, I'm "that guy" who remembers when a lot of people carried revolvers without a holster.....and still do it today......But you do you and me will do me.

Anyway, wearing a belt or not.
That's how I decide.

 

[chief38]

My very first carry gun back in 1979 WAS A 2" M10 RB. I carried it for about a year or so and decided it was too big, too bulky and too heavy for EDC - especially during the Summer months. The extra shot was simply not worth the annoyance of the plusses - to me.

I suppose wether or not a K frame can be carried comfortably depends on dress, climate, body build and how you carry it. I personally do pocket carry at least 50% - 60% of the time and a K frame is out of the question for that. Even for belt carry, I can still make the argument that it's a bit too heavy and bulky as compared to a J frame.

4+ years ago I retired my M60-7 in exchange for a Sig P365. It weighs 5 ounces less than a J Frame, is smaller, flatter, has better sights, holds more than twice as much ammo, and the 9mm ballistics out of a Sig P365 are even better than +P 38 special out of a 2" J Frame - while at the same time being easier to shoot with less recoil and more accuracy.

While I used to feel perfectly well armed with a 5 shot J Frame or 6 shot K Frame, I no longer do in today's world of crime. A 2" K Frame is just too big with too little to offer for EDC, at least in my book. I'm sure here on the S&W forum having many retired guys who grew up on revolvers, there will be many who disagree, but I am just stating what works for me.

Oh - and BTW, I LOVE K Frames and still buy them if the deal is right - just don't cary 'em anymore.

 

[kbm6893]

Timely thread. I have a DAO model 64 4" that I'm thinking about swapping barrel to a 2". I think most members here would argue that the barrel is the easiest part of a gun to conceal so why not increase performance with the 3". They are not wrong. I just like a 2".

If that DAO 64 is an NYPD one stamped NY1, I'd leave alone. One just sold at auction for about $800.

 

[smoothshooter]

My observation may be entirely incorrect, but it seems that the popularity of a 2" revolver for carry is largely limited to the J Frame. K Frame carry favors the 3" or 4" barrel over a 2". The 2" K models, 10, 15, and 64, have much to offer as 2" carry pieces. One more shot than the J, more weight to mitigate recoil, larger grip surface for control and quicker repeat shots and not too much more difficult to conceal than the J. You may have noticed that the 2.5" Model 66 is not on the list. Kind of trying to compare 38 Spl in both frame sizes.

Are there folks here who utilize the snub K Frame routinely? Why or why not?

Is it blessed with the longer ejector rod as well?

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I like shooting k frames #10, #19 in 4" But even a 2" is to heavy for this retired geezer to carry. My dream would be a 3" model 340 PD.

 

[mk70ss]

M y EDC is a vintage Model 15 square butt 2 inch. So much easier to shoot well over a J frame.

 

[SquarePizza]

I just recently switched from my 649 to 2" M10. Having a toddler has slashed my shooting to almost nothing and I lost a lot more proficiency with the J frame than any other gun that I own. I still carry a semi more often, but I have been trying to move over to the M10 at work.

It does tend to feel "top heavy" when I carry it, but I am hopeful that a dual belt clip JM custom holster will cute that feeling.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

S&W probably doesn't want to erode its J-frame sales by introducing any alloy medium frame revolvers. I think the Model 12 would sell well today...it's only a few oz heavier than the 642. A DAO alloy K-frame would be interesting, too.
S&W is resisting this idea, but the compact 6-round offerings by Taurus, Colt and Kimber are going to force S&W to bring its own pocket-able 6-shooters to market, IMO.

 

[local_dirt]

Yep. Not 2 inchers, but I regularly carry 2.5 and 3 inchers.

I was just going to say, what about a 2.5" 66 or 19?

 

[sheepdawg]

I carry a RB 12-2 pretty much every day. It's loaded with the old Speer 125 gr. standard vel. Nyclads. It ain't beautiful so finish wear doesn't bother me.

 

[The_Truth]

If that DAO 64 is an NYPD one stamped NY1, I'd leave alone. One just sold at auction for about $800.

Where'd you see a 2" 64 NY1 go for 800?

 

[DWalt]

I go with a Colt DS 2" now and again. It fits my hand much better than the J-frame and holds one more round. It is also slightly small than the Smith K frame. I have a pair of 2" K frames but I find the 3" RB configuration "points" better for me than the 2".

I prefer the 2" DS over any other snubby. Have several other snubbies, S&W and Charter, but the Dick Special checks all the boxes for me.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I have a 10 and a pre 10 from 1948 and don't carry them because they're in beautiful condition and don't want to wear the blue and prefer carrying a stainless gun anyway. So I have a Colt Cobra 2" stainless that I carry occasionally. It a little smaller than the K frame but close enough to know I wouldn't hesitate to carry a K frame.

From time to time I'll also carry a 3" King Cobra and also have a 3" Python but it's too large and have a 2.5" M66-2 but never carried it. I figure if I'm going to carry a 2.5" the 3" Colt is just as easy to carry and the extra .5" barrel is a plus.

 

[David Sinko]

I pocket carry a round butt 2" Model 64 to and from work every day. I cut the stitching on a Nemesis pocket holster that had been made for a J Frame and re-stitched it to accommodate the 64. It was my first attempt at holster modification and while I'm somewhat embarrassed by my low grade workmanship I still use it because it works so well. I have learned that the greatest advantage of the 2" barrel is how quickly it clears the holster on the draw. I haven't carried a 4" revolver of any frame size for many years now.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Parallel followup:

J Frame Carry-What am I missing?