Back to the J Frame

[petepeterson]

Well, to be frank, I've always thought that if I needed any rounds fired, I was in big trouble.

One of the late (and great) Stephen Camp's favorite phrases was- "You'll run out of time before you run out of ammo."

 

[Donn]

My homely, old Model 49 rides with me today, along with a couple speed loaders. I've got a new Shield 45 that will probably be my EDC as soon as I put some more rounds thru it, make sure I can depend on it. Till then, it's the old 49.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I've gone through a couple of J-frames in the past, a 3" nickle-plated Model 36 square butt and a 1⅞" nickle-plated Model 37 round butt. I now have a Model 642-2 that is my "always" gun. It's in my cargo pocket at work backing up my duty revolver (Yeah, I'm the dinosaur.), a 4" S&W Model 686-6. In soft clothes, it's in my pocket or on my ankle (And I HATE ankle holsters!) backing up my 3" S&W Model 13-3. Off duty, it backs up my 2" S&W Model 12-2. (I mentioned the dinosaur thing, right?)

 

[snowman.45]

The longer I'm retired, the more I appreciate my J-frames. Currently, I have my old M60 no-dash I originally bought back in the early 80's, my 640-1 and my 340 M&P. The M60 was sold to a partner in the mid-80's, and he carried it off-duty and into retirement until he decided he needed something a little flatter and with a few more rounds. I gladly traded him a Shield 9mm to get my M60 back. Although rarely carried, it holds a place of honor in my gun safe. I also like the 640 if I'm going to be carrying magnum rounds, like in the Sierras, the desert or on the road. However, for everyday carry, I really prefer my 340 M&P; so much so that I'm anticipating buying another.

The J-frame takes a bit more practice to maintain proficiency, but they are easy to conceal, mechanically reliable, and accurate with sufficient practice. I rarely feel the need to carry anything more.

 

[Navy1969]

Here is my Model 60 .357 converted to DAO on the left and My Model
642 on the right. I have tried various other stocks on both of them,
but always go back to the originals.
Next frame shows my Model 60 in TJ's gator pancake on a Culver
gator belt with a Boker knife. Far right is my 642 in a Black Hills
Shark holster on a Crescent shark belt with a Piranha knife.

You have a beautiful set up there my friend. Nice.

 

[shouldazagged]

An all-steel J-frame (dashless 640) has been by EDC for seventeen years. I haven't owned an autoloader for that long. Nothing against an automatic and I've owned lots of them, but there's less to go wrong with a revolver and the J-frames are a splendid mix of size, concealability, and power for their weight.

In retirement and old age, not getting out nearly as much as I used to, I don't feel ill-equipped at all with my little revolver.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

How does the 640 fire on the range. Recoil wise?

Very manageable with 38 and +ps. Depending on your tolerance the magnums. When I did my conceal carry class I had the high score with a 640 no dash and winchester white box 125 +p's I use the combat grip. There were recent combat vets with their Berettas as well as various self loaders. I always have my 642 in the car with pocket holster no matter what I am carrying. Slips in a pocket so effortlessly.

 

[Navy1969]

Smith & Wesson 642

Interesting to know about the recoil on the 642 where one doesn't get worn out by wearing backlash. I am curious about the combat grip you mentioned in your thread. Could you provide a link for the Combat Grip? I am going back and forth whether to buy the 442 or 642. Grip would really add to control of the J frame and the pleasure of shooting. Thanks again for your input.

 

[Spectragod]

Pocket carry (in a holster) my 360 scandium everyday, a handful to shoot with magnum loads, I don't feel out gunned if this is my "only" gun.

 

[12string]

Interesting to know about the recoil on the 642 where one doesn't get worn out by wearing backlash. I am curious about the combat grip you mentioned in your thread. Could you provide a link for the Combat Grip? I am going back and forth whether to buy the 442 or 642. Grip would really add to control of the J frame and the pleasure of shooting. Thanks again for your input.

Here is my M36 square butt with Pachmar combat grips:
What a sweet heart to shoot!

 

[Navy1969]

Thank you for sharing. Pat

 

[Lew Archer]

My agency no longer approves revolvers for duty or off duty use...the steel J frames were the last to go. Too bad, my model 49 was a handy gun to carry, either as a back up or off duty.

Retirement in the not too distant future may find me looking again to the J frame. Most likely a recent production no lock 442 that waits in my safe. I like that it's rated for plus P loads, unlike my 642, or 36, or 60.

The 442 is just handy. As has been observed, it, like most Js, are great guns to carry when you're so sure you won't need one that you're tempted to go unarmed.

As with all weapons, it has its strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. It fills its niche better than most other options. It's up to the user to understand those and practice enough to maximize the pros and minimize the cons.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[crazyphil]

You have a beautiful set up there my friend. Nice.

Thank you Navy1969, I know there are more beautiful stocks,
but I have never found anything that works better than the old
Spegel designed Uncle Mikes.

 

[Fastbolt]

My agency no longer approves revolvers for duty or off duty use...the steel J frames were the last to go. Too bad, my model 49 was a handy gun to carry, either as a back up or off duty.

Retirement in the not too distant future may find me looking again to the J frame. Most likely a recent production no lock 442 that waits in my safe. I like that it's rated for plus P loads, unlike my 642, or 36, or 60.

The 442 is just handy. As has been observed, it, like most Js, are great guns to carry when you're so sure you won't need one that you're tempted to go unarmed.

As with all weapons, it has its strengths, weaknesses, and limitations. It fills its niche better than most other options. It's up to the user to understand those and practice enough to maximize the pros and minimize the cons.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You're going to like retirement. A lot.

Yes, it's nice that the retirement ID card lists the exemption for carrying a concealed weapon as an honorably retired peace officer, but not the specific weapons (like CA CCW licenses).

 

[crazyphil]

Interesting to know about the recoil on the 642 where one doesn't get worn out by wearing backlash. I am curious about the combat grip you mentioned in your thread. Could you provide a link for the Combat Grip? I am going back and forth whether to buy the 442 or 642. Grip would really add to control of the J frame and the pleasure of shooting. Thanks again for your input.

Combat Grip is a generic term. If it provides a full hand grip
with finger grooves it can be called a combat grip, like the grips
shown on my Model 60 (left). Boot grip (right), for comparison,
leaves the pinky finger hanging in the breeze.
The combat is better for a lot of shooting, but the boot is better
for concealment. Seems like we always have choices to make.
Both of mine are Uncle Mike's Spegel designs. Not easy to find
these days, but they are inter-changeable.

 

[Navy1969]

Grips for J Frame

Thank you, crazyphil. That was very helpful breakdown of the grips and concealed carry. I am waiting for my CCW Permit which is quite long here in anti-gun CA. I am probably going with the 442 for carry and later buy the 638. Take care, Pat.

 

[blues7]

Thank you, crazyphil. That was very helpful breakdown of the grips and concealed carry. I am waiting for my CCW Permit which is quite long here in anti-gun CA. I am probably going with the 442 for carry and later buy the 638. Take care, Pat.

Ordered a 642 (no-lock) for myself today so my wife will stop bugging me about getting something to put under the tree.