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Jhamblen86

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I'm coming you to all looking for advice. I don't have a j frame yet. With concealed carry coming to illinois, I'm going to want one. But, my issue is, which one? I've fired the body guard 38 spl and I liked it. The one thing I didn't care for was the grip size. Need a little more to fit my big paws. Any ideas gentlemen?
 
I would go with the 642 with Hogue grips. Lightweight and corrosion resistant. I use a 125 grain standard pressure load from Buffalo Bore for carry. Provides manageable recoil and does not induce flinch when practicing.
 
All my J-frames ended up with the rubber Uncle Mike's Boot Grips installed. Not produced any more but still available with some looking.

Pachmayr makes grips that are a bit larger. I like the ones I've
tried but prefer the boot grips for concealed carry.
 
J

You could also look into Crimson Trace grips for a bit longer & fuller grip. There are a couple of CT grip models for the J Frames.

I had a 442 that went with me everywhere. Only replaced it with an M&P 340 as it's a bit lighter and has a better stock sight.

Lad
 
For what it's worth I've been carrying some sort of small .38 for over 40 yrs. My current EDC is the 442 w/wood boot grips (forgot the brand) and I too have big hands. The 442 or 642 are a better value than the new model .38 Bodyguard and there are more after market grips for them as well. Whatever you choose be sure to practice as often as possible. These little guns can be mastered but it will take lots of range time.
 
Thank you all for the input. What's this T grip attachment I've seen/heard about? What does it do for the shooter?

Yes, I plan to put as much lead down it as possible. I have been told, no matter the purpose of the trip to the range. If you go, you shoot your EDC.

If I go with a 642, should I order the "no lock" model. Or should I have it disabled? Which would be better legally if I had to use the firearm for SD?
 
Jhamblen86 said:
Thank you all for the input. What's this T grip attachment I've seen/heard about? What does it do for the shooter?

Yes, I plan to put as much lead down it as possible. I have been told, no matter the purpose of the trip to the range. If you go, you shoot your EDC.

If I go with a 642, should I order the "no lock" model. Or should I have it disabled? Which would be better legally if I had to use the firearm for SD?
Click to expand...

The T grip fits in front I the magna style stocks to make them a little larger and easier to hold onto. Makes it feel more like the boot grips you see everywhere. On my 642 I went from the rubber stock ones, to a 2 finger wood boot, to a 3 finger wood, and finally settled on the good old magnas. They work just fine for me and are very small. I don't have a t grip, so I can't comment on how it actually feels.

If you have a choice of lock or no lock, go no lock. Nothing to disable and there is never going to be a question to as whether you are doing anything to modify a "safety" device.
 

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This is a 581 with the Tyler T grip adapter. BK also makes a great grip adapter!





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Jhamblen86 said:
Thank you all for the input. What's this T grip attachment I've seen/heard about? What does it do for the shooter?

Yes, I plan to put as much lead down it as possible. I have been told, no matter the purpose of the trip to the range. If you go, you shoot your EDC.

If I go with a 642, should I order the "no lock" model. Or should I have it disabled? Which would be better legally if I had to use the firearm for SD?
Click to expand...
 

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442 Moon Clip if you're on a budget. 640 Pro if you're splurging.
 
I have both a 442 and a 642. Both have the stock grips on them. I do like some of the larger aftermarket grips for shooting, but they make the gun more difficult to conceal.Keep the stock grips and learn to shoot the gun with them.
I NEVER leave home without one of these guns on me, and most times I will carry both.
 
I carry a 442 all day everyday either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade leather holsters.

I replaced the grip with a Pachmayr Compact that I trimmed for speedloaders. It fits my big hands better and it's still concealable.
 
What advantage does the 442 moon clip give you over a standard 642? I've never owned/shot a moon clip revolver. Heard of them but that's it.
 
You might want to consider an older J, such as a 36-7 or 60-7, which are all steel j-frames in .38 Spcl, not .357. These two are my favorite J's, and and are a few ounces heavier than the 642.

However, if you plan on frequently pocket carrying in a pocket holster, then a 642 is hard to beat.
 
I'm honestly not sure what way to carry yet. I live in Illinois and will be taking my classes in January. So I've got some time thankfully.
 
A gun like the 642 which is light weight with a concealed hammer can cover all of the bases for you. It will carry in a pocket, inside the waistband, on the ankle, and in a SmartCarry holster. (Inside the front of your pants). There are enough different grips made for the gun that you will be able to find one that works for you. The only possible downside is the light weight which is an advantage and a disadvantage.

Bill
 
Grab what you may in a J frame style, and then add the Badgercustomgrips.com combat full size for J frame. I have giant paws too! And it's the best feeling, looking, fitting, and shooting grips I've ever had.
 
Everybody has been voting for the Centennials, and I agree. Those are the ones with the totally enclosed hammer. I.E. the Models 40,42,340,342,442,640 and 642.
For a .38 Special I would recommend the M642. It is less likely to rust.
I bought a M640-1 .357 Magnum and a M642-1 .38 Special on the same day about 17 years ago. Never really carried the M642-1 very much but carried the M640-1 a great deal. I swapped out the rubber factory grips for a set of Eagle Secret Service wood stocks. They don't help with the recoil in a 23 ounce .357 Magnum as much as the rubber ones, but they don't catch on my covering garment like rubber does.
I have pretty much retired both of these since I got a M340PD a few years ago. It's an 11 ounce .357 Magnum Centennial, and it lives constantly in my left side pants pocket. (I'm right-handed). I put the wood Eagle stocks on it. It is actually painful to shoot with full power Magnums, which is what I always have in it. These are "shoot seldom, carry often" guns. I shoot them enough so I am totally familiar with them, but it ain't no fun!:cool:
The .38 Specials are pretty easy to shoot, even with +Ps and wood stocks. That is my recommendation.
Jim
 
While you could get a j magnum, they aren't the most comfortable for some to shoot with 357 and a lot end up carrying +p in them anyway. So it's up to you if you want to spend the extra $$ for one. Completely depends on what you want.
 
Jhamblen86 said:
So, would it be smarter to get a 357 j frame so I put magnums, +p, and standard specials through it?
Click to expand...

Trust me, it's no fun shooting .357's in a J-frame. I put 10 rounds of .357 through my M&P 360 and I was done. I carry .357's in the cylinder but only shoot .38's. And I have the Pachmayr Compact grips.

Also found it more difficult to use .357's in speed loaders so my speed loaders have .38 +P for quicker reloads.
 
Jhamblen86 said:
So, would it be smarter to get a 357 j frame so I put magnums, +p, and standard specials through it?
Click to expand...
That's a question I had concerning my carry gun.
Do I pay extra for the scandium J's or the extra weight of the all steel J's for the capability of shooting .357 magnum?
After shooting magnum loads in a 4" K frame, I decided that .38 special +P would be plenty out of a J frame snubby. In fact my preferred carry load for my 442 is Federal Hydra-shok 110 grain low recoil. Less muzzle flip for a quicker, more accurate follow up shot.
It was my theory that with a 5 shot J frame, bullet placement is paramount and getting back on target is very important.
 
Jhamblen86 said:
Have any of you had issues with bullets jumping the crimp in the scandium frames?
Click to expand...

No, I haven't.
I always carry Federal 125 grain hollowpoints in it. Maybe other brands might have that problem.
Jim
 
I've been carrying J frames as a part of my work since the 1970s. For a daily working gun it's hard to beat the older Model 60s and the Model 649. I really like the pre-lock guns and the all steel SS construction is a real performer and is more forgiving than the blued models.

I've also got a Model 36-1 with a round butt, 3 inch heavy barrel (sweet). The longer heavier barrel really is a plus for range work and quick follow up shots.

Changing the factory grips for custom is also a big plus.
 
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