DFrame
Member
Can't get a grip on the J's tiny grip frame. Almost impossible for me to handle one with my huge hands. I'll stick to K's and N's. Never owned a J.
I DON"T CARE FOR J FRAMES
- Thread starter williamlayton
- Start date
Interesting thread...My very first, and only one for many years, gun was a M36 SB I inherited when my father died. It was what I learned to shoot with and had no comparison for years....put another way, I didn't know any better and learned to be proficient with it. Sure, I like target shooting with my M14, but have always felt that 90% of the general population is well served by a J Frame. I have carried the full sized service weapons in uniform and they are appropriate for that purpose, but always felt a little higher degree of comfort with that 342PD on the ankle as well.
Now, the daily carry varies a bit depending on destination and season, but that 342 is often dropped in Mika holster with a speed strip on the way out the door. Ideal carry? Many would say "no", BUT it's there, God-forbid I should need it. 50 rounds per range session is enough to remind me of two things: (1.) Yes, I can hit what I need to hit and (2.) 50 rounds in an "AirLite" IS enough for my wrist. So, while there are bigger, better, heavier, higher capacity and more intrinsically accurate choices, the J Frame is likely to be the one I DO carry because of ease of concealment, weight and the areas I am likely to travel into and around. There are always trade-offs.
Now, the daily carry varies a bit depending on destination and season, but that 342 is often dropped in Mika holster with a speed strip on the way out the door. Ideal carry? Many would say "no", BUT it's there, God-forbid I should need it. 50 rounds per range session is enough to remind me of two things: (1.) Yes, I can hit what I need to hit and (2.) 50 rounds in an "AirLite" IS enough for my wrist. So, while there are bigger, better, heavier, higher capacity and more intrinsically accurate choices, the J Frame is likely to be the one I DO carry because of ease of concealment, weight and the areas I am likely to travel into and around. There are always trade-offs.
tcc
Member
Dave in N GA
Member
I bought my first J frame some thirty years ago. I hated it so much I have bought another seven or eight since. I would still like to find one with a four inch barrel in 22 magnum.
one eye joe
US Veteran
SO WOULD I, DAVE........
oberon
Member
I'm not particularly fond of the J frames either. There are sturdier revolvers in the same class that won't twist themselves up with the first 5 rounds. Pretty? Yes. Useful? Only in a pinch.
tom turner
US Veteran
I like 'em all . . . from the "J" through the "N." All shoot exceptionally well in competition, at the range and in the deer woods.
Don't plan to shoot the "X" frames because they all have the Hillary hole on the left side and I decided I'd never shoot a Hillary hole Smith back in 2002 . . . and still haven't! No desire to ever.
That being said, the odds are huge that the gun you'll have one ya, if surprised, will be that humble "J" in your pocket, so you'd better get used to it and learn to shoot it instinctively well! I find little difference in the feel of any of the Smith frame sizes in my hands . . . all feel "right" . . . large or small.
Hitting gallon milk jugs @ 100 yards isn't that hard . . . once you learn the hold over to correct for the "rainbow" trajectory. After all, 1" groups @ 10 yards = 10" groups at 100. No mystery there.
In my safe? Lots of stuff.
In my POCKET right now? A humble "J" that might just save my life one day! Anything bigger doesn't always get carried and I'm very confident with my J's.
To each his own though . . . but I've found the J frames to be an acquired taste.
T.
1" group @ ten yards, standing/unsupported. My first target after buying this little '64 era J a few years ago. These guns will do the trick if one does their job.
Don't plan to shoot the "X" frames because they all have the Hillary hole on the left side and I decided I'd never shoot a Hillary hole Smith back in 2002 . . . and still haven't! No desire to ever.
That being said, the odds are huge that the gun you'll have one ya, if surprised, will be that humble "J" in your pocket, so you'd better get used to it and learn to shoot it instinctively well! I find little difference in the feel of any of the Smith frame sizes in my hands . . . all feel "right" . . . large or small.
Hitting gallon milk jugs @ 100 yards isn't that hard . . . once you learn the hold over to correct for the "rainbow" trajectory. After all, 1" groups @ 10 yards = 10" groups at 100. No mystery there.
In my safe? Lots of stuff.
In my POCKET right now? A humble "J" that might just save my life one day! Anything bigger doesn't always get carried and I'm very confident with my J's.
To each his own though . . . but I've found the J frames to be an acquired taste.
T.
1" group @ ten yards, standing/unsupported. My first target after buying this little '64 era J a few years ago. These guns will do the trick if one does their job.
Dave T
Member
I'm with the OP and a few others. Despite owning a few of them in the past there hasn't been a J-frame around here for a good many years. My hand is just big enough that my trigger finger contacts the frame/back of the trigger guard before the hammer drops. Takes a shift of grip just to get one to go off. People told me to use bigger grips that cover the back strap and move my hand away from the trigger. Some solution! Now the little "J" is at big as a K-frame.
Also, in running a firearms training business for 10 years I never saw anyone who was good with a J-frame. Lots said they were, and if you gave them enough time or were close enough to the target they could hit it, but no one in any class I every taught was really competent with the little 5-shooters.
If you like them that's your business but in my mind they are too much of a compromise. YMMV!
Dave
Also, in running a firearms training business for 10 years I never saw anyone who was good with a J-frame. Lots said they were, and if you gave them enough time or were close enough to the target they could hit it, but no one in any class I every taught was really competent with the little 5-shooters.
If you like them that's your business but in my mind they are too much of a compromise. YMMV!
Dave
I've carried a j frame a lot before I realized they don't make a lot of sense. A K frame RB or D frame Colt isn't that much harder to carry and holds one more round and is much easier to shoot well. Of course we also have some very good semi-auto options to be considered unless you just don't want a semi.
I'm not sure what range most folks plan to need their ccw from. But I can handle my 642 just fine for self defense purposes so I don't ever feel like I'm compromising when I carry it.
As far as a range gun - I enjoy it for what it is. I don't try to shoot it 50 feet and expect to make the 10 ring disappear.
As far as a range gun - I enjoy it for what it is. I don't try to shoot it 50 feet and expect to make the 10 ring disappear.
Lobster Picnic
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Seems like the steel J-frames are regarded a bit more fondly than the alloy models. With a 3" barrel they are like a 3/4 size L-frame.
shep854
Member
I've had steel and alloy J-frames, and I didn't notice much difference. I swapped the A/W Centennial for my steel Bodyguard to get the SA capability with a no-snag hammer.
It's been 2 years since this post last came around. So I thought I would revive it just to be cruel.
I have many J frames..most are collectors examples. A few are for CCW. There is nothing "Fun" about shooting one though. When I go to the range I shoot my J frame CCW 1st to get the practice out of the way. Then back into the holster it goes and I enjoy the rest of the session with K,L N, X or semi- autos.
I have many J frames..most are collectors examples. A few are for CCW. There is nothing "Fun" about shooting one though. When I go to the range I shoot my J frame CCW 1st to get the practice out of the way. Then back into the holster it goes and I enjoy the rest of the session with K,L N, X or semi- autos.
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While I do own many J Frames I can not say that they are my favorite guns to Target Shoot with. My Range Gun frames of choice are K's, but there is no denying J's make a dandy carry package.
The most comfortable and easiest J to shoot (at least IMHO) is my 3" Bull barrel, square butt Chief's Special from the 60's. For someone who uses a OWB holster on a daily basis, that might be THE ONE to consider for CCW. It's just a tad heavier than a 2" a bit longer in the barrel, but the SB grip makes it a pleasure to shoot and felt recoil is greatly reduced.
The most comfortable and easiest J to shoot (at least IMHO) is my 3" Bull barrel, square butt Chief's Special from the 60's. For someone who uses a OWB holster on a daily basis, that might be THE ONE to consider for CCW. It's just a tad heavier than a 2" a bit longer in the barrel, but the SB grip makes it a pleasure to shoot and felt recoil is greatly reduced.
usnrigger
Member
Well, ive owned one a 1950's model 37 and it was a very sleek little pistol. I agree the grip was a bit off even with my medium size hands. I tried putting some larger boot grips on it and it did help but made it bulky.
I will say they are great little pistols and have a place. if I needed a ankle gun it would be a J-frame or a deep cover pistol again a J frame. of course my wife loves the J-frames and need to hunt down a nice older 40 that still is reliable for every day use for here. I see your point but its kinda like saying a N is to big, they all have their place
USNRigger
I will say they are great little pistols and have a place. if I needed a ankle gun it would be a J-frame or a deep cover pistol again a J frame. of course my wife loves the J-frames and need to hunt down a nice older 40 that still is reliable for every day use for here. I see your point but its kinda like saying a N is to big, they all have their place
USNRigger
Kensterfly
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I was really hoping my buddy would sell me his Model 12 snubby but his wife decided to keep it. So, I've widened my horizons to include a M36 or M37 in my search. I recently bought a Model 10-5 snubby to complement my 10-5 four incher. Now those are some solid shooting guns. I will probably carry the M10 snub when my CHL comes in a month or two.
But I still want a smaller, lighter one for carry. Just can't decide if I want a 36 or 37 the most. I assume the 36 will be a little more solid shooting but as a pocket gun, the 36 will beat even the Model 12.
Stay tuned.
But I still want a smaller, lighter one for carry. Just can't decide if I want a 36 or 37 the most. I assume the 36 will be a little more solid shooting but as a pocket gun, the 36 will beat even the Model 12.
Stay tuned.
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For a range gun
For the range I like a gun that is heavier and easy to hang on to. I find my 686 fills this need well.
For a carry gun I'd rather have something smaller and lighter, kind of like a 'J' frame.
For the range I like a gun that is heavier and easy to hang on to. I find my 686 fills this need well.
For a carry gun I'd rather have something smaller and lighter, kind of like a 'J' frame.
I don't care for the bloody things either
I had a chance to get this one away from my wife for quick photo, Model 49 no dash. She says the stocks match her pearls...
De Oppresso Liber
I had a chance to get this one away from my wife for quick photo, Model 49 no dash. She says the stocks match her pearls...De Oppresso Liber
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^^THIS^^
Good grips are everything in a J. For my money having rubber on the backstrap is where its at for shooting hotter loads. I have two true J's - a 36 and a 60. Hated them so much that when I saw a (gasp) Taurus copy in 357 - their Model 605 - at the gun show last weekend I had to have it too.
One thing about the Taurus, it came with what I see as about the perfect grips. They cover the front of the grip frame with finger grooves shaped just like a set of Uncle Mike's boot grips BUT they also cover the back strap like a set of Pachmayr Compacs. On top of that they are made out of a semi-soft rubber like a set of Hogues. Basically their stock boot grips combine the best features of all 3.
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SOMEBODY really really REALLY likes Pachy Compacs!
