J-frame 22LR snub recommendation!

B

Big Dog Dad

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2000
Messages
74
Reaction score
15
Location
S.W. PA
I carry a 640 and would like to get a J-frame in 22LR just to practice with. I really want the 43C, but it doesn't seem that it is going to actually appear in my life. Are there any other J-frames with a 2" barrel and round butt that are actually reasonable and more importantly readily available? Your recommendations PLEASE!

-=BDD=-
 
Register to hide this ad
I have the Model 63 but w/a 5" barrel & adjustable sights. Hardly a snub (like you could not find one) but great to practice with. S&W makes two other alloy frame 2" guns but good luck finding one.
 
There are 2 inch 34's and 2 inch 63's, But you said reasonable and readily available. You will find them, but I doubt they will meet that criteria. I have one of each, and wouldnt part with them.
JMHO,
TJ
 
I have a new Model 63-5, it has a 3" barrel... not quite reasonable ($650) but should be available from a dealer. It is a good gun for plinking and teaching new shooters how to target shoot.
 
Hi Rangerpat,
I'm in a similar situation as BDD and have been thinking about a 3" Model 63 but I haven't actually had my hands on one.
Being a steel round butt J frame I'm assuming it handles like my 640.
If I put similar grips on it, is that true?
Thanks,
paulw
 
BDD,

I picked up a nice used 2" 34 a year and a half ago, for $350. Sounds like just the thing for you.

A previous owner had Metalifed it, but I wanted a shooter not a collectable.

They are around, you just have to look a bit, I found mine in a little country GS.


PS - Keeping mine!
 
Last edited:
My old 63 Snubby is neither readily available nor reasonably priced but it is the sweetest J-fame in my collection.

I mean, look at that little cuty. Fits my fat fingers perfectly, balances in my hand, adjustable sights, almost no recoil, low noise, fits in a pocket, accurate....

I think I'm in love.

22Snub.jpg
 
The little 2" barrel 34-1 is a sweet shooter. Very accurate for a .22 snubby. I paid $300 for this one five years ago. I don't know what the price of 34's are today.

SW34-1.jpg
 
I have eleven Model 34s and 63s, all with four inch barrels.
I bought them for my grandchildren. Each one, gets one.

I would recommend a four inch barrel, I have a 317 Airlite with a two inch barrel and its ok to shoot, but the four inch barrels reach out futher with better accuracy when plinking for me..

Rule 303
 
I recently bought a 2" Model 63 for the very purpose you describe, and I *really* (REALLY) like it, but it cost me $800. That's more than I wanted to pay, but the last two I've seen sell on Gunbroker went for $1K.

It will be much easier to find a Model 34. Square butt versions are more common than round, but the latter are out there. Most I've seen are in the $500-600 range.

While I really like the idea of the 43C and may even get one if and when they come out, I don't know if this extremely light, all-aluminum revolver would be an ideal training tool for an all-steel J-frame. I really wish S&W would make an Airweight (w/ steel cylinder) .22.
 
Last edited:
The prices of 63s and 34s have sure gone up. The last one I purchased at an Odessa, Tx gun show was a Nickle 34, unfired in the box for $300.00. Glad I bought a few extras as I didn't know home many grandkids I would end up with. Everybody has been fixed now, so I don't have to worry about buying any more.

At them prices, thank goodness.

Rule 303
 
paulw said:
Hi Rangerpat,
I'm in a similar situation as BDD and have been thinking about a 3" Model 63 but I haven't actually had my hands on one.
Being a steel round butt J frame I'm assuming it handles like my 640.
If I put similar grips on it, is that true?
Thanks,
paulw
Click to expand...

Hello paulw,
Yes, that is true, the two guns are very similar, I have a Model 340 and I can swap the grips between each gun.
 
I have a new 3 inch 63 that I got earlier this year. It works perfect as an understudy. It works best for 1st shot from the draw practice and weak hand practice. It was pricey, but shooting .22LR is a whole lot cheaper.
braindoc
 
Well, I put one of those 3" 63's on order at my local pusher a year ago when they were announced. It finally arrived before Thanksgiving - and I ordered a set of '60 Pro' grips - great combo. In fact, I liked it so much, I started the year off right - with a new 60 Pro to match! Here they are with their respective speedloaders:

IMG_4582.jpg


The pair were both big bucks - but they are nice. Great fit/feel in my medium+ hands, so gripped. Triggers were fairly good - the new 3" 63, oddly enough, was quite decent, better than my 5" 63 is now - and I have put lighter springs in it! The 60 Pro is quite good, right out of the box. Sure - my larger framed revolvers are a bit more fun to blast away with - but these little J-frames are nice. One nice attribute of a recent 63 - or 317 liteweight - they are a smaller size - and 'cute'. I highly reccomend the new 3" 63.

Stainz
 
Last edited:
Big Dog Dad said:
I carry a 640 and would like to get a J-frame in 22LR just to practice with. I really want the 43C, but it doesn't seem that it is going to actually appear in my life. Are there any other J-frames with a 2" barrel and round butt that are actually reasonable and more importantly readily available? Your recommendations PLEASE!

-=BDD=-
Click to expand...
If you carry your 640 for protection, training with a .22 won't give you the recoil anywhere near what your defensive loads will give, and unless they started making them, nor will you be able to practice using a speedloader (which I think is a worthwhile idea with five shooters.) All you'd be practicing would be drawing, trigger pull and marksmanship and a 3 or 4 " barrel on a J frame it isn't going to be all that much different.

It sounds like you just want an excuse to add another 2" pistol to your stable!;)
 
Hey folks, don't throw me off the forum for suggesting this.........but Taurus still makes an affordable .22LR J-frame snubby, their model 94.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

martyd
  • Locked
SOLD Crimson Trace Green Laser Grip for J-Frame Round Butt
Replies
2
Views
360
KEN L
KEN L
T
2" steel .22lr j frame
Replies
9
Views
4K
VAdoublegunner
VAdoublegunner
skyraider
K frame round butt question
2
Replies
32
Views
7K
skyraider
skyraider
colt3374
Model 36 Chief
Replies
12
Views
2K
colt3374
colt3374
S
My J Frame Addiction
Replies
18
Views
6K
skipper49
S

Latest posts

Back
Top