A question for the lightweight aficionados

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I saw this question on another forum, some of the responses got a little testy, I like to think people here are more genteel and civil.
I have never gotten into the lightweight firearms thing, Fudd that I am (hey-I am a Life Member of SNM-Sons of Neanderthal Man) a firearm has to be all steel for me, otherwise it feels like either a child's toy or a zip gun I could make myself. I have owned one aluminum frame handgun-an S&W M59, it just didn't feel right, sold it after 2 years, then bought an M659, had it ever since. One of the Grail Guns of my youth was the Colt Cobra, fortunately got to try before buy, passed on that, the Detective Special-YESS!! I have seen a number of postings here from members who have spied cracks in the frames of their lightweight guns and I recall a posting from someone who saw a lightweight N frame fail in a shooting course after only 50 rounds or so. Ok, I have no CCW-VERY hard to get here in NJ, and at 5'10", 200+ more or less muscular pounds (not bad for 62) and I am not exactly a shrimp
so a few ounces really doesn't matter. BUT IMHO if I were carrying I would want my firearms to be rugged and reliable (the two go together IMHO) and I would practice with them regularly, and for those reasons Nothing Beats The Feel Of Steel.

 

[mc5aw]

Blackhawk ... Valid comments, and you will certainly get replies from the steel aficionados as well the Airweight/Airlite crowd. I enjoy both, and carry steel Js as much as liteweight Js. That said, every time I see a post about a cracked frame or other miscue, I ask myself how many other liteweight pistols out there function flawlessly without issue? I have never had a problem with any of my non-steel S&Ws. If I did, I'm confident in the Factory's warranty policy to make it right in quick time.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

When I first saw the title of your thread I wondered... cause I'm no where close to being a lightweight...

I have never gotten into the lightweight firearms thing... a firearm has to be all steel for me, otherwise it feels like either a child's toy or a zip gun I could make myself. ...at 5'10", 200+ more or less muscular pounds (not bad for 62) and I am not exactly a shrimp so a few ounces really doesn't matter. BUT IMHO if I were carrying I would want my firearms to be rugged and reliable (the two go together IMHO) and I would practice with them regularly, and for those reasons Nothing Beats The Feel Of Steel.

Are you a long lost twin?

FWIW... when I travel I carry a 4013TSW and a M60-7 as BUG. CCW is the M60-7 around town. Farm/hunting carry has been a 4006, with the M60-7 in my coat pocket during deer season. I'm definetely Old School when it comes to SD and shootin'.

Blessings,
Hog

 

[redlevel]

I carry steel most of the time, but I do own some aluminum frame S&Ws. I picked up a beat up M37 a year or so back, and my brother gave me a nearly perfect M12 for Christmas. I am growing fond of a Kimber Pro Carry (pre Series II) with alloy frame. I have been carrying it some and have shot it a good bit. I really, really like it and when I get several ultra reliable magazines tested in it, it might become my "town" carry piece.

 

[Bullet Bob]

My 642 has been great for about 20 years, I see no reason to change now.

In my state you can conceal carry, and those ounces matter to me. If they don't for someone else, that's cool with me.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I've owned both & still carry my Mod.638. It's comfortable. Also have a Colt Agent & a Ruger P-95. But for serious work, hunting that is, I carry my Mod.686. So I guess it's up to the guy using the gun that counts.

 

[OFT II]

The one I usually chose is a Colt Lightweight Commander. Weighs about two pounds loaded with eight rounds. It's not quite as comfortable as my model 60 but it is more comforting.

 

[sipowicz]

Both work for me...

 

[truckemup97]

So I guess it's up to the guy using the gun that counts.

That's probably the correct answer.

I've never owned or shot a lightweight J-frame. I have a Colt Cobra that I can't hit squat with, but Mom can, so she keeps it for me. I've been known to have a 640-1 with me when the chips are down. It shoots where I point it, every time, and stainless steel is fairly maintenance free even in the sweaty summertime. So, that's my choice, but as the kids say these days, YMMV.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I carry both, sometimes at the same time.......

 

[BaldEagle1313]

... I like to think people here are more genteel and civil...

Roger that...

I don't deny that shooting an all steel firearm can lead to less felt recoil. I don't want to think what recoil would feel like on full house rounds if my 1076 was suddenly a 1073. But I didn't get it to be a concealed carry gun. I just got it for fun.

But all the rest of my S&W semi-autos are alloy framed, and that make a difference for CCW. A 5906 (or 4566) is built like a tank, but fully loaded it weighs like one too. For me, a 39-2 (which gave way to a 908) in 9mm or a 457 in 45ACP are a more comfortable concealed carry gun when you are talking about having it on your belt for 12 hours. My bug is a Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight, just for lightness. I don't run excessive rounds through the alloy guns, nor do I use +P or +P+ ammo.

For a DUTY gun, I did like all steel. The duty rig distributed the weight, and to be honest, the full-size Mag-lite on the left hip weighed more than the Model 28 on the right hip.

 

[Bodabi]

I just bought a 329pd but untill I get a pachmyer grip, I won't fire magnum rounds in it.
And since I'm no expert, I would submit that some if not most frame cracking etc. may have to do with using +p magnums or something similar that is not meant to be used in these guns.
But I am probably wrong, I'm just guessing.
BTW...Truke.....what is YMMV?

 

[feralmerril]

I have owned many guns but never owned a light alloy gun. One reason is the blue never looked right to me, the guns always felt cheap compared to regular models in my hand etc. Maybe some day.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Sooooo, what's your question?

 

[truckemup97]

BTW...Truke.....what is YMMV?

Your Mileage May Vary

 

[vrd-vmd]

I enjoy shooting my S&W 28 and beautiful blue 29 but don't carry them . My carry is a 642 that I don't even notice is there. I practice with it but it is not especially fun to fire.

 

[doublesharp]

I carry every day in my right front pocket and weight matters to me. I own several S&Ws and can carry or shoot most anything but most often it's a 337ti scandium. It's not a target gun but I'm not scared to shoot it. If I'm plinking I'll use a 686, 28, 27, 19, 681, 66, K22 etc but I like the way the 337 feels in my pocket. The main thing is to always have one and I find the less weight the better. These are my main carry guns.

337 glamor shot

 

[captorquewrench]

Conceal carry, the point has been made, that lighter is preferred by many and for myself, that is also the case.

I am only 5'0" and while that doesn't matter much to some people, I find it very difficult to conceal anything larger than my BG .380. I do not care much for the recoil of this piece, but the weight is very comfortable and the size is very comfortable for me. I can get to it quickly, and draw it quickly while slipping off the safety. And in an attacker do-or-die situation this is what matters to me. For you, you might need and feel more comfortable with a completely different piece. I know that many on this forum do not particularly care for the model S&W that is my daily carrier. But if I tried to carry their piece all day I might not (probably wouldn't) be very comfortable; likewise, if I had to use it quickly in a life or death situation I might fumble the play.

If the need was the same for everyone, every gun store would have only one model and one caliber. Different strokes, folks, and all that.

 

[Out West]

I like lightweight frames: both aluminum alloy and polymer - especially for CCW. I still like all steel guns, but usually only take them out to the range or hunting.

I've never had a gun failure attributable to frame composition. And I have never worn out a gun from shooting it - no matter what type of frame.

Out
West

 

[Ltlbear]

Alloy Frame 1911 with a 3" barrel IWB is great for me. Recoil is not bad and the barrel length fits my torso. Trying a J frame IWB but the 1911 is thinner and easier to hide so the J frame may become my Cargo shorts pocket gun. Weight does matte to me, so alloy frame is the way to go.