If You Were Going to Buy Your Very 1st J-Frame What Would You Pick?

[reppans]

A humpback 638 or 649 for me. No snag shroud and SA option for a precision shot. Tough call between the 2 though - you can forget the Airweight is there, but the heavy looks and shoots nicer, not to mention the .357 option.

 

[cjtraining]

You can't go wrong with a M649, M640, or M60.

 

[Octavian1978]

In regards to the 442 pc, if you can get it for that price, do it! I absolutely luv mine. Smoother trigger compared to my mp340 nl, but still heavy enough for ccw. If the 50$ difference doesn't bother you then why not get a performance center over regular production. Plus the polished flutes and pinto look are very attractive and it's only 50$ for the pc extras. I do wish it was cut for moonclips like the 642 talo. Btw, I luv my 340 with 38-357. It's definitely not a range gun though it's accurate enough to be one. I shoot my 640-1 mostly at the range, but carry my 340 or 442 or both at all times

 

[TAC]

My understanding was that the regular 442 was carbon steel, which can rust, whereas the stainless steel of the 442 PC, will not.

It's certainly splitting hairs, but I believe they are different materials from standard to PC as opposed to just some coloring.

Mine is stainless, however, I just checked their website, and it appears they went back to carbon steel on the regular model. They've switched back and forth apparently. Now they offer the 442 with moon clips, in stainless.

Product: Model 442 Moon Clip

I see they also offer it w/o the lock, but back to carbon steel again.
Product: Model 442 Revolver - No Internal Lock

"They're like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!"

 

[Frank V]

Mine is stainless, however, I just checked their website, and it appears they went back to carbon steel on the regular model. They've switched back and forth apparently. Now they offer the 442 with moon clips, in stainless.

Product: Model 442 Moon Clip

I see they also offer it w/o the lock, but back to carbon steel again.
Product: Model 442 Revolver - No Internal Lock

"They're like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get!"

I could go for the 442 with no lock.

 

[barristerr]

Box of chocolates indeed. About half the time the description alone leaves you wondering what will be in the box when you open it. 442 PC is no lock though, so that basically put it over for me.

That and the typically helpful folks here who responded to some of my PMs, where the general feeling was if $50 isn't an issue to you, it's worth taking a shot on it being exponentially better.

Besides, if I got the moon clip version, what would I get for the next one??? Thanks for all the help gang, this one was months in the making and the time was finally right...

 

[Newburydave]

It looks prettier

But I finally put new shoes on it and like it better now.

------------
I get the wood grip look, nice. I've been considering saving up to get a pair for my 638. Since you've taken the plunge maybe you could clue me in on a couple of things.

How does it affect your grip on the gun and recoil recovery?

Also, the pic makes the wood handle look longer than the factory composite handle. I like to pocket carry, does the wood handle conceal as well in a pocket or IWB?

One guy opined that wood was superior because in IWB it doesn't snag cover garments like the rubber grips do. What's your experience with this?

Thanks
dave

 

[Frank V]

Newburydave, I tried rubber stocks & they do grab clothing. They are miserable for pocket carry they really grab. If you carry OWB & bend over they will cling to your jacket/vest & when you straighten up often your gun is exposed, this is a no no when CCW. I've gone to wood first choice & smooth plastic second choice.

 

[caryg]

637 for me.

Would have to be a 637, for me. Light and easy to conceal.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I'm kind of grappling with much the same issue as the OP. I'm kind of torn between whether or not to consider the Airweights or limit my choice to stainless steel J Frame models. Based on what I read on some of these threads the 442 and 642 seem to end up going back to S&W early on for parts failure more than some other models and that is becoming a big red flag for me.

 

[darxeid]

my first (and only) j frame is the model 60 (no dash). got it in a trade and fell in love with it. tossed the pachmayr grips that were on it and put some nice wood ones on. i keep it in an IWB holster for the most part. never leaves my side.

 

[haywood]

The 442 is my favorite.

 

[Newburydave]

I checked out a 442 Performance Center at the gun store (my wife is looking for a house gun). The action is really smooth and the pull weight of the trigger is reduced from the standard 14 lbs for DA.

Apparently, they really polished the action up and redid the springs for the extra money. If you've got the bucks then IMHO it would be a good choice.

 

[Newburydave]

I asked around and using the right ammunition (38 spcl.) and keeping it clean, especially around the forcing cone, the indexing hand and the cylinder pivot/ejector assembly will keep an Airweight going for a long time.

My 638-3 is rated for +P rounds, but I can't control the additional recoil (yet) so I don't know first hand; however the consensus I've seen on this board is that the latest generation (-3) will handle +P. The older Airweights will not stand up to +P though.

 

[Newburydave]

Thanks, I guess I'll start saving my quarters toward some rosewood grips. I think they look classy.