I DON"T CARE FOR J FRAMES

[shawn mccarver]

I know a bunch of you folks do but for a range gun i like it heavier and easier to hang onto. I have 3 J frames and they are the least favorite of the bunch.
Blessings

Well, this may come as a surprise for you, but I have been shooting 40+ years now, and I know of exactly NO ONE who likes shooting J frames. We do it only as often as necessary to make sure we can use it for its intended purpose. We ALL use K or bigger, or duty size semi-autos for most range use.

I agree with Jaymo - put on the right grips and J frames are much more pleasant - especially the all steel ones, but of course, that takes away the primary advantage of a J frame - concealability.

Best to have a matched pair - One with big Hogue, Pachmayr, or S&W "banana" grips for shooting, and one with smaller factory with adapter or boot grips for carry.

 

[Kensterfly]

Kensterfly, your wife would love a model 37, light, light, light, and packs a wallop. 38 is much better than a 22. Give Her time, she will come arround.

That's what I'm counting on, Cary. Putting pressure on her isn't going to work. I learned that lesson over and over during our 40 years together.

 

[Fredo Batali]

I really like my "J" frames but, my usual carry gun is a model 66-3 2.5 inch, Springfield 1911 A1 in stainless, or a Glock 23 (yes, I train regularly with all of them) depends on where I'm going and the company I expect to be in. With that said, I usually have a Model 649 or a Model 60 as a BUG (semi-autos do malfunction). I plan to go home at the end of day.

De Oppresso Liber

 

[Jaymo]

My little 36 goes everywhere with me.
I love shooting my little 31-1.
It's the perfect J frame for extended range sessions.

I had to go to the doctor yesterday.
When it came time for me to step on the scale, I told the nurse
to hold on while I removed some weight that was not part of me.
I took off my jacket, wallet, and phone.
Then, I told her not to freak out, because I had one more item I needed to remove.
I then took my 36 and pocket holster out and put them on the table.
She chuckled and asked me "Is that a .38?"
"Yes, it is. It's an early 1970s Smith & Wesson Chief's Special", I replied.
She then said "Cool, I have one EXACTLY like that."

If I wasn't already married, I would have proposed to her.
I love good ole girls.

I fell asleep after I got home from the doctor.
Didn't even take off my shirt or jeans.
Forgot to take the 36 out of my pocket.
Never even noticed it.
And that's why it's my constant companion.
It's easy to carry. It's unobtrusive. It's handy.

I love J frames.
.38 J frames aren't fun for extended range trips, but practice is the only way to maintain proficiency.
The 31-1 gets shot more, since it's just a lighter recoiling version of the same gun.
Same trigger pull and handling.
Everyone needs a .32 J frame for BUG practice.
I shoot the 36 enough to remember how it handles, but the 31-1 is how I stay familiar with the DA pull of the J frame.

While I strongly prefer to shoot a lot of ammo from my Ks and my L, I'd never get rid of my Js.
Well, if the J wasn't such a perfect pocket revolver I might sell it.
Trouble is, S&W perfected the pocket SD gun with the J frame.


About the banana grips: I've had a couple of Taurus 85 CH .38 snubs with their copy of the banana grip.
It's a perfect compromise between shooting comfort and concealability.
I always shot better with bananas than with boots. More to hang on to.

I think I need a BK grip adapter for my 36.
Also think I need a couple of their K frame adapters.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Everyone needs a .32 J frame for BUG practice. I shoot the 36 enough to remember how it handles, but the 31-1 is how I stay familiar with the DA pull of the J frame.

I agree with this. Another great little understudy for the J frame is the Model 63 in 2 inch, 22 LR. They did not make them very long, but you can find them, and 22 LR is cheaper than centerfire ammo, except for the fact that 22 LR is hard to find these days.

 

[hotrod150]

... But a 37 would make a great carry piece at 10 ounces unloaded - about half my M10 snubby. M10s for the range, M37 for carry is what I'm thinking........

Per S&W, an airweight Chief model 37 comes in at 14 ounces empty, the modern airweight Centennials (M442/642) at about 15, and the model 36 standard Chief model 36 at 19.

 

[Kensterfly]

Per S&W, an airweight Chief model 37 comes in at 14 ounces empty, the modern airweight Centennials (M442/642) at about 15, and the model 36 standard Chief model 36 at 19.

Yep, you're right on the M37. My mistake. That's still about half the weight of my Model 10 snub.

 

[BC38]

Well now--some of you boys are out to convince---I don't know who but I suspect yourownself---I have not budged an inch.
Some of the comments were rude--intentionally but, you didn't convinct me of anything except that ya'll are insecure...
...This thread is going on three years and all ya'll have convinced me of is that there are abunch of guys here that collect but rarely pull a trigger or have pulled a trigger in desperation. But that is another story I will not discuss.
As I said in the OP---you do it your way.
Blessings

Well Will, I guess I must have myself pretty well deluded then.
'Cause I just bought myself J-frame #3 today.
This one is a blued 3" square butt.

 

[bbqbob51]

I like 'em all! The 38spl centerfire J frames are great for conceal carry; IWB, belt and pocket carry. The .22lr/.22mag J frames make outstanding kit guns and pocket guns.
The K, L and N frame revolvers are the best choice for target practice, hunting and home defense. My 6" bbl K frame 617 is unbeatable as a target gun and my 686+ is a great self defense revolver for the house. When loaded with 38spl rounds it is soft shooting enough for anyone in the household. I want several of each, in various barrel lengths and calibers!

 

[MikeyB]

I don't care much for shooting J-Frames but I do like carrying them. My favorite carry is the M&P 360 .357 Magnum. My wife's is the 642.

 

[DRYHEAT]

In .38 Special I "enjoy" shooting the all steel versions better than the Airweights...

but I'd rather conceal carry the AW models. Obviously.

 

[Mister X]

For a pure CIVILIAN(defensive/reactive compared to proactive/intentional engagment like Police or the Military) self-defense gun, there is probably no better choice than a enclosed hammer snub for most situations. The reason being that a snub revolver is the hardest handgun to disarm from it's right owner and the enclosed will allow it operate even during a grappling encounter, entangled in clothing and even function if fired from a pocket compared to a larger revolver with an exposed hammer etc.

If your only interested in recreational shooting at cans and paper targets, then I can see why a J-frame may not be someones cup of tea. However, if personal defense is your main concern, it's a great choice due to fact being the vast majority of civilian self-defense encounters erupt suddenly at close quarters. If the grip is too small, then simply change them out for full size combat grips like I did which will improve weapon retention capabilities even more.

 

[malph]

The fun in shooting j-frames comes from the fact they are so challenging to shoot (at least for me). They may not be what I choose to shoot when I'm serious about shooting out the x-ring at 25 yards, but for their intended purpose they are great. Plenty of challenges there. Try dumping five quick shots into a desert plate sized group at 3 to 7 yards. When you get that down, try it strong hand only. When that is no longer a challenge do it weak hand only. Work on quick reloads and shooting on the move, ...

J-frames are challenging but rewarding. While I might be a "better" shooter with my 952s, K-frames and N-frames than my J-frames, I came to the conclusion that if I ever need a gun unexpectedly, the J-frame is probably the gun I'll have with me. The fun comes in trying to get as competent as possible with the gun in scenarios for which the gun was designed.

To each their own, but for me, j-frames are challenging and fun -- just don't expect them to compete with a tuned model 41 in a bullseye contest.

 

[Donn]

I don't like chick peas.

^^+1^^ Me neither, but I like my J frame.

 

[WCCPHD]

I carried a Model 342ti as a back up for several years in the field and as a primary when I worked as an administrator. Great carry gun. I used to tell people that it was 364 days of pleasure and one day of pain (day/night annual qualification). I moved on to small semi auto's until retirement and now primarily carry a Kahr P380 daily. That said, I still have a warm place in my heart for a J frame S&W.

 

[jrs70]

I like J frames. My 38's and 9mm are not fun to shoot but are nice to carry.

 

[Cruiser RN]

I guess it is a matter of what you like.I believe in the adage"Shoot what you carry and carry what you shoot." I carry a J frame Model 36 or one of my Detective Specials so that is what is used at the range for practice.If you want to carry a heavier gun then go for it

 

[AZretired]

I love my J frames and I do enjoy shooting them. All of mine are .38s. the one I shot that was a .357 I did not enjoy shooting.

 

[pete950]

love all my j frames carry one every day off duty and as a back up.
But then again I like all snubs 2 to 3 inches.

 

[USBP SW]

Granted, if you're just going to the range, perhaps the j frame isn't the best choice. However, the k and n frames may not be the best choice for carry either. Whether for business or for fun, it does you no good if you don't have it with you.

Steve