Going for a .38 from a BG380

[Bourget117]

I’m thinking of simplifying my summer/light duty carry to purchasing a j-frame 38 instead of my current Bodyguard .380.
Has anyone done this or can give me any advice or recommendations?

 

[haywood]

I never was a 380 fan. Had one, way back in the day, AMT 380 Backup. When I saw it, I had to have it. I should have asked the owner to let me shoot it. It was accurate but when shooting at the Range it beat my fingers and hand too much to enjoy shooting. I’m sure others are fine. Back then the ammo was lacking. There again ammo is way better now. I have always loved the Snub Nosed Revolver. I’ve had a Ton of them a lot of different makes and sizes. For the past 20 or so years it’s been the S&W J-Frames. The Lightweights are my favorite and most carried. It took a lot of dry fire practice and Range time to get half way decent at shooting them. Definitely not a first timers gun to learn how to shoot. All that Bering said , I like my J-Frames. I carry at least one every day in my pocket, no matter what I stick in the waist. Some days just Two J-Frames.

 

[mikerjf]

Everyone should have a J frame.

Steel frames are easier to shoot (less recoil), airweights lighter to carry. If I were starting with one, I’d get a steel 36 or stainless 60 in 38 Special… it isn’t that much heavier. However, the 442/642 is very popular too.

 

[Old cop]

My most often carried J Frame is the no-lock 340PD in a pocket holster. I do have an LCP that’s carried when the 340PD, or 442 Pro, cannot be adequately concealed (some thin dress slacks or jeans w/shallow pockets) but my preference is a revolver.

 

[oldrookey617]

A 642 airweight is a good choice, or if you want the option of single and double action a 637, you can get low recoil 38 sp. ammo, or wadcutters work really well, the big trick is finding a holster that you like, I like a soft type IWB that sets low under a good leather belt, that will hold it secure in the right or left front, you can carry a ammo strip in your pocket..

 

[Marshal Tom]

So here's the deal. The light weight J frames are great for carry and if you are OK with only 5 rds. in the gun, that's kool as well. IMHO, they are not a novice gun due to short sight radius, short barrel along with the light weight which makes them harder to control. There are just so many better choices today than there were in the past. If you are willing to put in the time necessary to master shooting a J frame snub accurately and efficiently, then they are great for their intended purpose. Many would be better served by one of the modern mid sized or compact semi auto's with better triggers, more capacity and a longer sight radius. Things have changed in the CCW/HD world over the last several years with the advent of home invasions, car jackings, and road rage to name a few. In some cases there are now multiple assailants. You might and probably will miss and you may in fact have to reload. The statistics say that this is not the case but who wants to bet on it? I own and have carried a 5 shot J frame at times over the years but now a days, I carry something easier to shoot accurately and with more capacity. Many on this forum think that they will never actually need their firearm and if they do it will only be a get off me situation at extremely close range and that 5 shots will be more than enough. You have to decide what level of protection you are willing to live with for you and your's. the all steal fram J's are much easier to shoot than the light weights.

 

[JAREDSHS]

I carry 2 j-frames, one in each front jeans pocket, both are 637’s. Use Sticky brand pocket holsters.

 

[CajunBass]

I carry a 642-2 now. I've carried just about anything you can think of in the past from mini 9mm/380's to N-frames and full sized 1911's. As I've gotten older, and my back hurts more, I switched back to the lowly J-frame because they are so light. I carry it in a Don Hume J.I.T. (Just In Time) belt holster at about 3:00. I carry two HKS speedloaders in an Uncle Mikes nylon belt pouch, that I found in a "junk drawer" that was made to carry 22 rimfire ammo. The two speedloaders fit perfectly. Why two? I had them and they both fit in the pouch.

YES! With 158 grain Remington SWCHP P+ ammo, it kicks like a mule. I shoot that stuff (or a comparable reaload) enough to feel confident with it, but practice with wadcutters mostly. It's not bad with them at all, and to my surprise the little gun seems to have a decent trigger.

I've changed the grips shown about out for a Hogue grip that gives me a better purchase, and helps with the recoil.

 

[petepeterson]

A 442/642 is my preference. Great carry gun.

When the weather is hot and I need to pocket carry, it's either a 442 or a .380 Kel-Tec.
If possible, I take the revolver.

 

[oldrookey617]

A small Auto is usually thinner to carry, and most hold more than 5 rounds, but what are you going to do with a dud, or it jams ? if you have a dud with a revolver, Just pull the trigger again..and you have the empty casings with you still in the gun..

 

[Bourget117]

A small Auto is usually thinner to carry, and most hold more than 5 rounds, but what are you going to do with a dud, or it jams ? if you have a dud with a revolver, Just pull the trigger again..and you have the empty casings with you still in the gun..

Yes you’re right about being thinner and higher capacity. My bodyguard 380 holds 8 rounds with a Maguts +1.It also has re-strike capability. But it occasionally can jam with cheap range ammo. My concern is if it could ever happen with my defensive ammo.

 

[oldrookey617]

I had a couple Berreta's & a 30 round mag, but if it jams, I'm to old to out run a bullet or a bad guy, After a couple trips to the range with my S&W 637, I can hit my target, and can trust it to work every time.. Sold or traded my 10 nice auto's, I just have S&W Revolvers right now..

 

[chief38]

These days I'd be more inclined to look into one of the new Micro 9's. More than double the onboard capacity, less recoil, better accuracy for most shooters, easier to shoot, light weight, some have night-sights from the factory, way easier to carry a reload and to reload it, and the new 9mm ammo has better stats than the 38 spl's.

Specifically, I'd say look at the Sig P365, the Springfield Hellcat, The FN Reflex, and now there are some others ones t o consider too. Personally, I retired my J Frame M60 for the Sig P365 almost 5 years ago.

 

[JAREDSHS]

The influence to move towards an auto is well guided. However many of us have been blessed with issues……….which make an auto a poor choice anymore. I can
Personally attest to these issue and I no longer own any semis of any flavor, even tho I love them and carried them when I was younger and was involved in law enforcement.Now I have to face reality……I am 87 years young…..arthritis is destroying my body, a good stiff wind would propably put me on the ground….I cannot reliabally operate the slide of an semi in a stress scenario. I am hoping that my example of a J-frame in each pocket will offer some hope to others like me that a person can be lethally well armed in spite of growing old. My time spent in LE taught and trained being able to shoot with either hand, so picture the expression on the poor bad guy’s face if I were to draw ,and he is suddenly looking down the barrels of two J-frames loaded with Golden Sabers?

 

[haywood]

The influence to move towards an auto is well guided. However many of us have been blessed with issues……….which make an auto a poor choice anymore. I can
Personally attest to these issue and I no longer own any semis of any flavor, even tho I love them and carried them when I was younger and was involved in law enforcement.Now I have to face reality……I am 87 years young…..arthritis is destroying my body, a good stiff wind would propably put me on the ground….I cannot reliabally operate the slide of an semi in a stress scenario. I am hoping that my example of a J-frame in each pocket will offer some hope to others like me that a person can be lethally well armed in spite of growing old. My time spent in LE taught and trained being able to shoot with either hand, so picture the expression on the poor bad guy’s face if I were to draw ,and he is suddenly looking down the barrels of two J-frames loaded with Golden Sabers?

I often carry Two J-Frames. In all the forums I am a member, I have not read of anyone running out of ammo in a revolver during a confrontation. Maybe back in the day of Police officers but I’m no Police Officer and don’t run to trouble. Ten rounds of 38 spl. plus reload should work.

 

[Toxophilus]

I traded into a BG38 as the previous owner didn't like the smaller stocks & recoil; since I got it, I made it my own by replacing the stocks and installing an XS Big Dot front sight for my aging eyes.

Today I was chasing wadcutter loads that have around the same fps as my factory loads... I think I found them!

 

[JAREDSHS]

I traded into a BG38 as the previous owner didn't like the smaller stocks & recoil; since I got it, I made it my own by replacing the stocks and installing an XS Big Dot front sight for my aging eyes.

Today I was chasing wadcutter loads that have around the same fps as my factory loads... I think I found them!

Very nice……well done!