J Frame: carry and HD?

[surfdog76]

Moving from CA to GA... and re-evaluating my meager gun collection. Basically, I've decided to keep (and grow) the S&W's and jettison the semi-autos...

I have an (unfired) 638-2 Airweight Bodyguard that I plan to carry, once I receive my GA permit. I just ordered a set of Crimson Trace 405's for it. It's bone stock and I plan to keep it that way. With the laser, I'm now thinking this would also be my HD gun.

A 686 is next on my list, but I'd like to 'tune' it for IDPA. A Glock is our HD gun now, but I'd like to sell it prior to the move.

I'm new to Snubbys and I was listening to this podcast, which is an open-group discussion, including a couple of women. The women strongly advise against a snubby for other women (it hurts!).

That's got me concerned with using the J-frame for HD, because I want my wife to be proficient with it. She's basically afraid of guns, but she'll fire my Glock at the range every couple of months, when I insist.

What do you think about the J as your primary HD gun? Any tips about training the wife with it?

The podcast recommends Federal's (re-released) 125 grain Nyclad's as the softest shooting, most effective round for the Airweights. Is there a softer-shooting, 'bunny fart' commercial round to get her started with? Any other tips?

Thanks!

http://proarms.podbean.com/200...y%e2%80%9d-revolver/

 

[RV4driver]

I bought a 637 lightweight (aluminum, not the REALLY light Airweight) and she hated it. Even with only .38 spcl loads. By all means, have her try a few at a range and let HER decide.

Jeff

 

[Match10]

My wife and I both carry Js. 642s and a 36. I consider the 642 my primary, and have used as a defense. I don't have tupperware, and my wife and daughters have a hard time using a semi with pulling the slide. The Js are right for me.

 

[surfdog76]

Thanks Guys... The podcast also mentions the Model 317 Air Light .22LR as a (same-sized) revolver to 'practice' with... Of course, with much lighter recoil.

You know, the more I think about that idea, the more I like it.

If I can justify a 317 as a training tool for the 638 Bodyguard for myself and the wife, I'd get a fun little trail gun plinker out of the deal too! Too bad they don't make the 317 in .22MAG. LOL!

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, no way in "hail" would I inflict a lightweight J-frame on a non-enthusiast. If your wife has to use it, her preferences trump yours. Check out www.corneredcat.com, particularly the part about a man choosing a gun for the woman in his life.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[FennRx]

i bought a 642 as my first gun for home defense....i wanted a semi, but the wife wanted something as simple and reliable to use as possible should she need it when i am not home. in that regard,a j-frame is a decent choice...easy to carry/conceal, no slide or safety to operate- just point and pull the trigger. but as others have noted, a snub, especially with +p HPs is not exactly the most pleasant gun to fire.

as it turns out, my wife is a much better shot with it than i am...so the 642 stays in her nightstand and the 9mm or .45 stays in mine.

 

[Sportsterguy]

Like you I'm going back to packing my revolvers.
Started my wife on a K frame, then gave her my model 36. She can shoot the J well but not nearly as well as the 66.

I'll take the weight of a heavy steel gun over the LW's. No problem to carry with the right holster. Hornady makes a 140 gr HP that is quite manageable in the 36 and that's what it's loaded with.

As far as home defence I'd give her a .12 gauge pump with 00 over the revolver. Her chance of connecting with it go up about 95% and the results are much more substantial. If you're worried about recoil with the .12 gauge buy a Knoxx collapsable stock which can be adjusted for her length of pull and tames recoil dramatically.

JMO and good luck

 

[Robert B]

I have been using my J frame for CCW for a while now. Just recently I decided to go to it over my Beretta 92fs for HD because my J frame has night sights. For the wife, however, she will go for the 9mm because of recoil.

 

[DC7]

Surfdog: The Crimson Trace 405's you ordered are great concealed-carry grips (I have them on all my carry J-frames) but they are definitely NOT the most comfortable grip for range use or recoil reduction. What makes them good for concealment--the short, thin profile--will make shooting your Airweight Bodyguard more difficult and painful for a novice shooter. A larger, softer, hand-filling grip like the Uncle Mike's Combat grip pictured below would really help if you're worried that recoil will be an issue for your wife.

Here's the UM Combat grip on a J-frame Centennial. Definitely not the most attractive grip, but it's a lot more comfortable than the CT 405. It's reasonably lightweight, has a fully-covered backstrap for recoil reduction, and room to get all fingers on the grip for better control.

If you'd rather stick with lasergrips, you might also consider the LG-305 for your wife. I haven't tried that model myself, but I believe it's both larger and softer than the LG-405, making it easier to shoot while still providing the advantages of a built-in laser.

Regarding ammo: My preferred carry ammo is the 125gr standard-pressure Nyclad you mentioned. It performs well from a 2" snub, and it's the softest-shooting defensive ammo I've ever used. You could also have your wife try 148gr target wadcutters--many recoil-sensitive people use them for personal defense.

 

[RightWinger]

When I worked at a gun store I came accross many men who were eager to buy their wife a gun, and I always commended them for wanting to keep the little lady safe, but I usually asked them if they buy dress shoes for their wife and they would all look at me and say noway....and then I would ask them why and the response I would get would be something like, "well, thats something they need to try on themselves" or "I wouldn't know if it would be what they liked or be comfortable for them".....Well, the same goes for a gun. Its very considerate for a husband to purchase the gun but let the wife pick it out. The J frames are very simple to operate however as many have said the recoil is a tad stout. I've heard a lot of people say that a women will never care about recoil when she has to use the gun, but on that same token how often do you think she'll practice with it either? My wife hates the recoil of J frames, doesn't like the weight of K/L frames....Finally she fell in love with a few of my glocks, and eventually the Wilson Combat 1911. She can load a 1911 mag easier than a glock mag, and the recoil of the .45 doesn't bother her as much. I guess the point I'm trying to make is let her try out as many guns as possible and whatever she chooses just be happy she is willing to learn how to use a gun, a lot of women won't!

 

[photoman]

DC7 is on target. The Airweight with UM Combat grips and either Nyclad's or wadcutters is a real easy gun to shoot, even for the novice. If it's going to be a house gun only, then a steel J frame with UM Combats would be even easier to shoot.

Consider a quality trigger job and, maybe, paint the front sight.

p.s. Ammunition To Go has the Nyclads in stock.

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Originally posted by surfdog76:
Too bad they don't make the 317 in .22MAG.

351PD
http://www.smith-wesson.com/we...&parent_category_rn=

 

[safearm]

My wife definitely does not like my J frames, however, a K frame w/4 inch barrel is her favorite. We kind of compromised when she took my Colt Detective Special; it's almost as big as a K frame, it's all steel, and carries six rounds.

 

[JohnK]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the Crimson Trace 405's have a built in "recoil" pocket, on the back strap, that is a tremendous improvement with most J frame grips in recoil perception.

You may be thinking about the hard polymer 105's (which I have) that hurt a lot in recoil. Uncovered back strap here.

Also, in a home defense gun, there is absolutely NO reason, to subject your wife (or you for that matter) to the intense recoil of an airweight gun. She is not carrying it concealed, so light weight is a negative, not a positive.

A K-frame, with suitable grips, with it's increased weight, makes a MUCH more user friendly handgun to use.

My house guns, which include a laser sighted Glock 19, also include a 3" barrel, laser sighted Model 66 Smith. +P .38 SWCHP loads are a pussycat in that revolver.

 

[sar4937]

Whatever you settle on make sure you find an ammo that shoots point of aim at whatever distance you intend to use it at, make sure it is a low flash load or you will only get one shot before being blinded.Shoot your gun at night somewhere to verify this. I really hope not to have to shoot a home intruder at 4 or 5 feet, and my short J-frames are not all that accurate at longer distances. I would recommend something with tritium sights rather than a laser, because under stress it will be all over the place from nerves. I have a Glock 26 with night sights, holds 10 rounds of 9mm, and not much recoil. I shoot it in IDPA, it's accurate at 25,30 feet. In some homes it could be left loaded, and the night sights also make it easy to locate in the dark.

 

[surfdog76]

Great advice... Thanks!

I think I'd better seek her input on this one. I've never had to twist her arm to shoot my K Frame 617. And, no arguement, the K would make a better HD platform.

 

[DC7]

Originally posted by JohnK:
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but the Crimson Trace 405's have a built in "recoil" pocket, on the back strap, that is a tremendous improvement with most J frame grips in recoil perception.

The 405's do have an air pocket on the upper backstrap, but it's not a tremendous improvement in recoil reduction--just a tiny bit of extra cushioning on a very small and thin grip. Half the backstrap is still uncovered, which combined with the thin profile makes it less comfortable to shoot than many other boot or combat grips.

I love the 405 lasergrips, but they're definitely made for concealment rather than comfort. For pure comfort and recoil reduction, it's hard to beat a larger grip like the Uncle Mike's Combat grip pictured earlier. The Pachmayr Compac is another great choice--it's larger and heavier than any lasergrip or boot grip, but extremely comfortable even when shooting the most powerful .38 Special loads.