How Many Have DUMPED their J-Frame for a NEW MINI Semi-Auto?
- Thread starter Nalapombu
- Start date
Probably some of those guns would have been attractive in my youth. But even after some companies started making guns that I considered safe to carry in a pocket (like Seecamps), I made a decision, perhaps a wrong one, that I wasn't going to carry a gun I couldn't shoot accurately with. That put J frames at the lower limit, although I did once have a Beretta .25 that I shot fairly well.
Anyway, between having Chiefs and such, and dressing a little differently, I found that I could carry a J without a jacket. Now, there is not much motivation to look for a flat gun that works all the time, since the J-frame guns do the job well enough.
More power to anyone who finds a reliable autoloader that shoots a decent cartridge accurately, but I don't need anything better than a J-frame .38 Special just yet.
Anyway, between having Chiefs and such, and dressing a little differently, I found that I could carry a J without a jacket. Now, there is not much motivation to look for a flat gun that works all the time, since the J-frame guns do the job well enough.
More power to anyone who finds a reliable autoloader that shoots a decent cartridge accurately, but I don't need anything better than a J-frame .38 Special just yet.
Brian41
Member
I carried one of my 3 J frames which are DAO in my pocket for the longest time and were happy to do so. I had my second back surgery last summer and started carrying a Beretta Tomcat as it seemed lighter and an easier carry. I'm still carrying it but will soon switch back to my J frames I think as they're all 38s and a better round than the .32acp in my thinking.
I also feel 5 shots are plenty and if I ever needed more I was doing something wrong or in the wrong place.
I also feel 5 shots are plenty and if I ever needed more I was doing something wrong or in the wrong place.
Arik
Member
Tried one of the small plastic .380's.
The magazine button on the side would let loose & then the thing was worthless.
M49 now is the main one I CC. KISS is better for me.
Still CC M10-5 3" or one of the .44 Spl.
The magazine button on the side would let loose & then the thing was worthless.
M49 now is the main one I CC. KISS is better for me.
Still CC M10-5 3" or one of the .44 Spl.
4330Inroute
Member
I went the opposite too. Dumped a Colt Gov't. .380 for a Chief's Special. I walk about 2 miles every evening and use the Chief as my walking partner. In an IWB holster it rides comfortably and out of sight. I have faith it will go bang the first time and everytime after that. Just couldn't get the Colt to work right so I sold it off and bought the Chief. Nope, no looking back on that one with regrets.
THE PILGRIM
Member
I do have a runt Kahr in 9. Have carried it some, it just don't give me that comforting home cooking feeling Like a 642 does.
I would never dump either of my J frames for anything else. I prefer having both. I am also old school and shoot my J frames so much better than the .380's or 9's I have.
I agree that there are good alternatives to a small revolver that carry more concealed.
I agree that there are good alternatives to a small revolver that carry more concealed.
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Just picked up a 442 Pro yesterday to supplement my G26. The J frame is reliable and conceals well. The perfect EDC for casual outings and light clothing. The G26 has been great and will get the nod when I am wearing a cover garment or out in the city.
I'm with Kenjen. It depends on clothing: 340PD or Kel-Tec 3AT (380)
JonF
Member
I have one or more 642/342's on me at all waking hours.
gwpercle
Member
My 637 airweight in 38 spcl. still comes out on top. I've tried semi-auto's but it seems there are just too many things that can, and do go wrong . And the smaller the gun the less reliable. Ammo has to be right, bullet nose, feed ramps, clips/magazines can mysteriously be fine one day and non-functioning the next. As a self-defense tool I need the reliability of the revolver. When I need it , my life will be in danger and I want the gun to go bang, no if's and's or but's
Gary
Gary
gmiller0737
Member
Love My Model 60-7 But I also have a LCP the LCP is easier to pocket carry so it is carried more often I do still carry the Model 60 in a IWB Holster & feel better armed with the M 60
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
PlaytheAces
Member
Yes and no.
I'd never ever ditch my J frames. I shoot them well and I'm quite confident in their ability to get 'er done. And compared to these little pocket .380s, the J frame is a rock solid stable shooting platform. Shoot one of these little bitty .380s and you'll know what I'm talking about.
But last summer a decent deal on a pocket .380 fell in my lap. I'd been thinking about picking one up for some time, so when the deal came up I took it.
The .380 is purely for those times when I'd normally leave the 36 at home anyway. Yeah, I know I should always pack heat but the truth is I don't.
The little .380 is smaller and lighter than the J frame. I slip it in a front pocket and forget it's there. It's a great shorts and tee shirt weapon.
So while a J frame is still my primary, I'm glad I picked up the pocket rocket. It gives me another option. And I find I'm carrying a lot more than I used to.
I'd never ever ditch my J frames. I shoot them well and I'm quite confident in their ability to get 'er done. And compared to these little pocket .380s, the J frame is a rock solid stable shooting platform. Shoot one of these little bitty .380s and you'll know what I'm talking about.
But last summer a decent deal on a pocket .380 fell in my lap. I'd been thinking about picking one up for some time, so when the deal came up I took it.
The .380 is purely for those times when I'd normally leave the 36 at home anyway. Yeah, I know I should always pack heat but the truth is I don't.
The little .380 is smaller and lighter than the J frame. I slip it in a front pocket and forget it's there. It's a great shorts and tee shirt weapon.
So while a J frame is still my primary, I'm glad I picked up the pocket rocket. It gives me another option. And I find I'm carrying a lot more than I used to.
J-frame. Repeat after me. J-frame.
Not that I don't have some small auto pistols, I do, but I'd never carry one in lieu of my J-frame. Daily carry is my 642 but if I were inclined to vary that it would still be a J-frame, maybe a M32 or my 649. Those are my present trio - that will grow to more down the road when I slow down on the K frame collection.
If I want to carry a large gun I can easily switch to belt carry for a K, N, or L frame or, maybe, an auto pistol, in which case I have many choices.
But stop carrying a J-frame for daily carry is probably never going to happen. I graduated from a pocket Beretta in .25 ACP to a SIG 238 (I think that's the right model number), the SIG was a lemon, seriously, so I dumped it, went to the 642 that I already had, and never looked back..
J-frame.
J-frame. Repeat after me. J-frame.
***GRJ***
Not that I don't have some small auto pistols, I do, but I'd never carry one in lieu of my J-frame. Daily carry is my 642 but if I were inclined to vary that it would still be a J-frame, maybe a M32 or my 649. Those are my present trio - that will grow to more down the road when I slow down on the K frame collection.
If I want to carry a large gun I can easily switch to belt carry for a K, N, or L frame or, maybe, an auto pistol, in which case I have many choices.
But stop carrying a J-frame for daily carry is probably never going to happen. I graduated from a pocket Beretta in .25 ACP to a SIG 238 (I think that's the right model number), the SIG was a lemon, seriously, so I dumped it, went to the 642 that I already had, and never looked back..
J-frame.
J-frame. Repeat after me. J-frame.
***GRJ***
