Ideal J frame?

[lihpster]

Almost unanimous about the Chiefs.

Yes it is. OK, so, now I have to find one. I have I,K,L and N and I'd like to fill out more of my Scrabble tiles. Not sure I want the high value tiles X and Z as those are more extreme purpose guns that don't interest me. An M would be awesome but price and availability may make that a someday project. But a J? Lots of them and it's criminal to not have one. I just wanted to start with the right one. So it's on the prowl for a 36 then. I almost bought a 34 snubby recently and was going back to take a second look at it but it was gone. But I was able to draw my N tile when they had a 5" 629. Might have to sell a K to get a J. Is that legal in Scrabble? Have to read the box top and find out.

 

[fish hunter]

I have a 640 no-, a 60-9 and a 60-10. If I could only have one of these it would be the 60-10. Personal preference of course.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

.... Might have to sell a K to get a J. Is that legal in Scrabble? Have to read the box top and find out.

Big Scrabble fan so I appreciate your juxtaposing the frame letters.

Yes, you may swap a K for a J, but you'll lose one turn to do so.

 

[rubiranch]

For me, the best J-Frame is my 642-1, my brothers BUG.




#2 is my 640-1. The first gun I ever bought.

 

[LPD256]

I like my 638 because the MPX won't fit in my pocket. And it's the first gun I bought when I got my CCW as a civilian.

 

[lrb1200]

Well, I only have one J frame.
Could have bought any one I wanted.

638, Lobo Leather, and "FBI Load"
just seemed to make perfect sense.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The Quintessential Representative J Frame is Chief Special , all steel , blue 2 inch ( 1 7/8) .

And coincidentally an excellent choice . My only personal mild dissent is for Square Butt , but they were also not unusual up thru the '70s .

 

[153]

Still seems impossible to me, a .357 Magnum …

 

[pasound]

A 50-50 tossup between my 36 and my 60, both no dash.

 

[Jerry in SC]

My favorite is my 60-7 with flash chromed hammer and trigger.

 

[Frank46]

I have a S&W model 36 that has about 28,000 miles on it. Bought it soon after Louisiana started issuing concealed carry permits. Sits in my right jeans pocket loaded with Speer short barrel 38 +P, And for practice I use a generic 132 grain load for practice. Came with the Uncle Mikes boot grips which I thought I'd replace shortly. Well years later the Uncle Mikes are still on that revolver. To me that is my ultimate defense gun. Frank

 

[629shooter]

If I had to pick one.... I would go with the 640-1. But, I think it's actually a tie between the M&P340.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[Doc TH]

J-frame

They are all good!
With apologies to CrazyPhil, the model 642 is not stainless steel. The frame is an aluminum alloy; only the barrel & cylinder are SS.

 

[Llance]

Since my wife was looking over my shoulder when this thread was being read she pinched me and said her Ladysmith was the best choice. Naturally I agreed without comment.

Dang, you really think we can pick just one. That's like trying to pick just one best actress as the most beautifull, ain't gonna happen chappie.

 

[lihpster]

Since my wife was looking over my shoulder when this thread was being read she pinched me and said her Ladysmith was the best choice. Naturally I agreed without comment.

Dang, you really think we can pick just one. That's like trying to pick just one best actress as the most beautifull, ain't gonna happen chappie.

Your wife is, of course, correct. However, being a man, I'm gonna screw it up anyway and go another route.

 

[rincar]

My favorites are the Model 60 no dash. The model 36's and my model 637. I also have a 640 a model 38 and a model 042 and a model 32 I enjoy them all.

 

[RubEric]

I really like three-inch J-Frames:

 

[rockquarry]

I've had a variety of 2" J-frame .38s in the last fifty+ years and still have a few. They're all basically the same. I used to think the alloy-framed guns were more difficult to shoot well, but not anymore. They're all difficult to shoot well. However, these guns will all turn in a good performance in the hands of an experienced shooter.

I'd be content with any J-frame snubnose .38. The weight saving aspect of the alloy-frame guns in comparison with the steel frame versions is more imagined than real once the guns are loaded.

 

[max503]

I would pick this one 36-1

Would love to have that, a 3" with adjustable sights, but it wouldn't fit in my pocket so good. And it's blue. One summer in my sweaty britches and it would look like a red-headed step child.