I cant believe I am considering a J frame...

[Evil One]

I am a confirmed big bore guy... I carry .44s and .45s.
If the cartridge doesnt start with at least a .4 or .5 I want nothing to do with it...
I am honestly considering a J frame.
*hangs head in shame*
My current pocket carry is a Taurus 445 .44 special, and I have never thought twice about its size or weight.
I dont wear tight pants, and generally wear work jeans.
I have yet to be made carrying it, as a matter of fact, my wife who knows I always have it with me looked and didnt notice it tonight.
I was at gander mountain browsing and decided... what the hell, lets look at the toy guns.
Looked at a taurus 85... wasnt much of an improvement over my 445.
1/2" shorter top to bottom, 1/4" shorter nose to tail, probably 1/5" narrower in the cylinder.
Then I looked at a 442.
It 100% disappeared in my pocket, and compared to the .44... well, made the .44 feel like I was carrying a brick.
And normally, I dont notice the .44.
Looked at the Ruger LCR, and didnt care much for it.
GREAT light trigger pull however.
So yea... I am honestly looking at a J for EDC.
More than likely a bodyguard or centennial, with a strong leaning towards the BG.
Never thought this would happen to me...


Jim

 

[Knightrider03m]

Don't be shamed by that. I have a Taurus 85 and LOVE IT! I got it for $298 new and it rides as a BUG to my FS Smith.

 

[Crazy K38]

I have the 638 bodyguard and I would shoot someone for asking me to sell it! jk of course, but for me I needed better grips the UM boots didn't cut it for me but the gun is amazing

 

[zercool]

I switched from a Bersa .380 to a 642 recently... couldn't be happier. Lighter, more concealable, more powerful, and of course, it's a S&W. Certainly don't feel under-gunned with it.

If I could find a compact .45 auto I liked I might consider that, too.

 

[Sprefix]

Welcome to S&W anonymus.....I'm Chad and I own a J-frame....

I bought one because I wanted to be able to carry discreetly. Now it is always with me other than work. I love my M&P 360 .357 Magnum(Napoleon)!! It wears so nice in this original ******* holster. You'll enjoy the original mini-gun.............Sprefix

 

[Norton 750]

If you are like many of us here, you lead a "low risk lifestyle". I know in my heart I will never need a gun. But, just like I carry a spare tire in my car I have carried a gun all my adult life. Get the Smith. It is plenty.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I'd argue that 5 rounds of good 38 +P is all the average civilian, with a 'mind your own business" lifestyle is EVER going to need to stop a threat on their life. ( The one time I needed a gun, just producing it ended the situation.)

I'd also feel safer with a good S&W J frame than any Taurus. Been There-Done That.

Get the bodygard and enjoy!

 

[pinkymingeo]

I carry a gun, but not because I think I need one. If I need a gun to go someplace, I'll stay home instead. Assuming you get some practice, it's hard to imagine a survivable self-defense scenario in which a J-frame won't suffice. I'm aware that some guys feel the need for 17 rounds of 9mm, but can't imagine what's going through their minds. The OK Corral, maybe? What's the army of assailants you're defending yourself from, doing while you're pulling the trigger and spraying bullets? Painting those silly silhouette targets on themselves? Grow up. I usually pocket carry my sub-12oz 340PD or 360PD, and don't feel at all vulnerable. I don't even carry a reload, figuring if I have that much time I'd spend it better running as fast as my feet will take me.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I carry a old model 36 S&W everyday. If I'm venturing out after dark I strap on my H&K P7 for the extra firepower with the 36 as my BUG.

It carries great and is invisable in it's HBE Pro TL. THE best holster I've ever packed it in and I've used 6 different holsters for carrying it over 29 years.

I packed my 1911 for 19 years and due to 3 herniated disks in my lumbar area went to the much lighter 36 as my EDC. You are well armed with the snubbie!

 

[Brian41]

Beware the J frame. Just as I was told I finally worked down in size to a Model 37 for pocket carry. It was one of the recent run of no lock and forged inards. Then I found a deal on a Model 36 with bobbed hammer I figured fine to leave in my sports car console. Of course a LNIB w/papers Model 49 couldn't be refused either.

I'm trying hard to over look them now and head straight for the K and N frames.

 

[1081]

My J Frame is a new 36-10 Classic with case hardening and rated .38 Special +P. I too like big bore revolvers along with the .357 and didn't care much for anything smaller until I was stationed in Fort Huachuca and rode my mountain bike up into those mountains regularly. I came across rattlesnakes frequently and although many leave them alone along a bike trail they are threats, especially when you come back down from the mountains should you find them going up!
I then bought an aluminum 6 shot Air Force civilian type of SW .38 Special that was a sort of rare model to own. It was the perfect gun to have on a bike trek into the mountains.

Later on I bought a few more 6 shot .38s and then recently I bought the 36-10. The case hardening is not an original design but I prefer its looks over plain blue. It is a light delight! The J Frame is very close to my Colt Cobra which I also like a lot. They are both harder to aim and group tightly compared to something with a longer barrel but they do indeed have a place.

 

[Evil One]

I have owned smaller bore pistols... .38 super, .357.
Just fell in love with the big bore thumpers.
I think this is honestly a matter of practicality.
Every now and then I really want a pistol that does NOT tip anyone off that I am carrying.
16 oz vs 28 oz unloaded... and the much smaller dimensions.
Also, the availability of non tacky wood grips would be nice.


Jim

 

[Black_Sheep]

You won't regret it, j-frames are fantastic carry guns. My primary carry gun is a model 642 although I occasionally tote a model 36 or model 60 depending on my mood. The compact size make j frames ideal for pocket carry and IWB, Airweight versions are so light that you barely notice the gun is there. Shooting a j frame snubbie well requires some discapline but if you are used to large caliber revolvers the transition won't require much effort. Good luck, you can't go wrong no matter which j frame you choose...

 

[Kanewpadle]

Another vote for the Smith j frame. Not Taurus. Sorry to beat a dead horse, but as I stated in another thread, I won't trust my life to a Taurus product. Two of the four Taurus products I had were model 85 38 spl. Neither worked correctly out of the box. They had significant problems in timing and lockwork.

I have two j frame 38's that are "on loan". Wife has one and my dad the other. I probably won't see them again. Now considering a M&P 340 PD 357. Same as the j frame. I won't like shooting it but the power factor is there.

The j frame really makes life easy. Drop it in a coat or pants pocket and it disappears. Drop a speedloader or speed strip in the other pocket and go to town. I sometimes carried two j frames in each front pants pocket during the summer.

The best description of the j frames usefullness is Ed Lovettes "The Snubby Revolver". Available at Paladin Press.

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

+1 to Ed Lovette's book, it's a great read and contains a lot of good info.
I originally picked up a 640 as a back-up gun, but found the j-frames so easy to carry that I'm virtually never without one (or two). They really grow on you once you become confident with shooting them.

 

[phils]

I am very happy with my M638 BG. i have the capability of single action.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Went to the range today and shot a 340PD scandium frame 357. Man what a handful. But I'm still going to buy one.

 

[BusMaster007]

I'm still waiting to find a no-lock 649/.357 Bodyguard.
I haven't tuned in here since I bought a 637 for my wife last year.
She's ready to go shooting now, and I'd love to have a BG to go along with her new toy, but I couldn't get by the 'lock' thing.
Now, I've found the 'plug' thread and may put away some $$$ for a companion piece.
Great to be back in the S&W Forum for some good pix and education!

Good luck on that new purchase. I like your choice!

 

[Allen-frame]

Big bores do rule. 41 ,44 ,45 , Magnum ,Special ,Colt.

But ,a serious Smith guy needs to own at least one special J frame.

My 640 , 3"

Regards , Allen Frame

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

A J frame snubby is the best all around carry weapon ever invented
Believe me on this..
Gary/Hk
940 & 642/942