Adding a J-frame. Am I on the right track?

[Morton Henderson]

Thanks to the input I received from many of you here, I now have a S&W 351C which I've been carrying in-pocket. To me, it's impressive in that it's as light as my Seecamp .32 but much easier to locate and get control of quickly. And, the .22 Magnum round is very easy to control from such a lightweight firearm. I would still like to have a more potent caliber for those times when I am able to belt carry something a little heavier though, so I was actually considering a Model 66-8, but reasoned that in reality, it would be carried very little if at all. Instead, I'm thinking of a 640 or 640 Pro to fill that spot. Since it's a steel gun that I would probably carry with 38+P, the shoot-ability would still be pretty good. I also like that my 351C and the 640 are so similar that things like attaining fast control of the gun, trigger location, and sight acquisition would be more intuitive and come more naturally as I rotate from one to the other as dress allows. I have looked at other options such as the Ruger SP101 and Kimber K6S. However, the thing that keeps drawing be back to the 640 is the commonality of the platform with my 351C as well as the ability to easily share things like grips and holsters. In the end, I'm looking for versatility, ease of use and familiarity regardless of the one I happen to be carrying. I'm open to thoughts. Many thanks.

 

[MetalMan]

My current EDC is a 640-1 Pro carried IWB in a Milt Sparks VMII.

IMHO, everything you need and nothing you don’t.

 

[Alk8944]

Based on many years of concealed carry, over 60, I have developed a definite idea of what works for me, and why. I don't want to muddy the water, but I have quite a few guns I will carry ranging from 2" Model 12 to Astra 75L 9mm, a Shorty-Forty and others depending on my mood. For the past year+ I usually carry a Bersa Thunder .380D) But my favorite if I were to carry it regularly is a 640-1 that wears Ergo Delta grips. Yes, they look funny but they work very well!

I bought the 640-1 as soon as they were released by S&W in 1995, shortly after retiring from my police agency where I obviously carried full time. The 640-1 is everything I ever wanted for concealed carry so I jumped on it! The Ergo grips do make pocket carry impractical, but I prefer OWB or IWB anyway.

The reasons for the 640-1 as opposed to other J-Frame models was I always have liked the Centennial style. It has a slightly longer barrel, and it gives the option of .357 Magnum. Either IWB or OWB carry allow a 2-4" barrel with no compromise in conceal-ability. The longer barrel gives a slight improvement in performance over the typical 1 7/8" J frame snubby. Naturally the Ergo grip would be different from your other J frame, but it is an option you should try, forget how it looks, how it feels and works is what is important.

On the Ergo Delta grip. I had been contemplating making a set of stocks just like them for quite a few years but just never got around to it. When Ergo released the Delta grip it was just what I had wanted for years!

Finally, my 640-1, believe it or not, is possibly my most accurate revolver! When I first got it a friend and I used to go out to a quarry and shoot very frequently. Other than paper I like to shoot shotgun clay targets because you have instant feedback from breaking them. We could place them on the walls of the quarry and shoot from 100 yards! I could break the clays with the 640-1 30-50% of the time! I couldn't do as well with any of my target revolvers even single-action. My eyes were a lot better 25 years ago!

Hope this is helpful, PM me if you have questions.

 

[Birdhunter6]

The 640 Pro & Ergo Delta grip is the answer for me also. Tritium sights, DAO. It's my primary EDC. I pocket carry in a Desantis Nemesis. I carry a Safariland Comp1 speed loader in the watch pocket of my jeans.

I usually wear carpenter jeans or cargo pants with roomy pockets and have no problem. If I'm wearing pants with tighter pockets the same holster fits my G42 nicely.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I like a hammer on mine. 36 , 60, 32 will do me. I have a .38 S&W load that shoots right with a +P .38 Special load so the m32 gets carried a lot.

 

[Alk8944]

The 640 Pro & Ergo Delta grip is the answer for me also. Tritium sights, DAO. It's my primary EDC. I pocket carry in a Desantis Nemesis. I carry a Safariland Comp1 speed loader in the watch pocket of my jeans.

I usually wear carpenter jeans or cargo pants with roomy pockets and have no problem. If I'm wearing pants with tighter pockets the same holster fits my G42 nicely.

I was going to say "Damn but you must have big pockets", but then you answered that.

 

[rwsmith]

I just think that you can't go wrong.....

Everybody should have a J frame.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I pocket carry this 649 almost every day and I often belt carry it in a Galco Summer Comfort - that's the black one in the bottom right in the picture below. Model SUM1588 I think - it's hard to read.

It's important to note that the Summer Comfort in brown pictured in the upper left, is a different model and is wrong for the M649. The gun drops in too deeply and is exceedingly difficult to pull out while drawing from the black holster is easy but retention is excellent.

I never load +P, I don't see the need for it, .38 Special, 158 grain, jacketed semiwadcutters live in that gun.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I'm open to thoughts. Many thanks.

I think most people get wrapped up in "tool selection" but forget Professional Training. Because training and regular practice, indoor range and outdoor range goes a long way.

 

[alwslate]

I carried a dehorned S&W model 37 for years. Lightweight and handy but I got tired of the constant pressure of the cyl against my leg in a pocket. Now I keep it handy at home but carry a much easier gun for concealment, my Glock 42 .380 usually. If I think I might need a bit more for some reason I switch to my Glock 43 or 26 in 9mm.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Adding a J-frame. Am I on the right track?

In my opinion, yes. I agree with your thinking.

 

[NCBeagle]

I regularly carry a J Frame. Have a lot of them and rotate every few days, with the occasional Colt D Frame, Smith Third Generation pistol, or Glock.

It's been a Model 37 for the past few days. If I could only keep one, it would be a 442 or 642. Those are my favorite models from a practical standpoint.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Nice holster.

 

[kraynky]

I carry a 638 (no lock) pretty regularly when I'm just running to the grocery or something. (148 gr. Wadcutters) My 351 PD gets to ride around a good bit too, especially doing yard work. I put a couple of 22 WMR shot shells up first when in the yard and the Speer GDHP SB when not in the yard.

However, a 640 Pro has been on my mind for some time now. I think I deserve one. My brain just won't let go of the idea that I need one. I think I've almost brainwashed myself.........

 

[JH1951]

I pocket carry this 649 almost every day................

Good choice in my opinion as well.
I pockrt carry mine in a Mika. It's a great combination with easy presentation, and the 649 affords the opiton of SA/DA without snagging in my pocket.

 

[pasound]

I have a nickel MDL 38, with a fun DiSantis clip grip. It has many layers of Ren Wax since I bought it, and gets wiped and waxed after any no-holster belt carry.

 

[Bill In Texas]

My daily carry is, and has been a 640 for a number of years. I like the stainless j frames and the -3 I carry is my second 640. S&W sent me this one after they couldn't fix my 640-1 when it broke.

It came with a great trigger that has just gotten better with use. I think about moving to one of the other of my revolvers or semi autos, but I always come back to the Centennial. Go figure!

 

[Shibadog]

Check out a 340 M&P. It’ll feel very similar to your 351c, packs .38+P power ( or .357 if you want serious power). It’s a bit heavier than the 340PD but retains the nice big dot sight. Same holsters and carry methods.

 

[crazyphil]

Just like American Express, don't leave home without your J Frame.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I had an M&P340 for years and carried it in my jacket pocket during the winter when working in LE. It was light, but it also was not pleasant to shoot even with +P .38's and was pretty brutal with .357's. I recently sold it and obtained a 649-0 in very nice condition as a replacement. It is much easier to shoot well since it is all steel. I also have the option to cock it if needed for some reason.