J Frame Carry-What am I missing?

[Norton 750]

A lot of guys carry the J frame as their concealed carry sidearm. And for pocket carry in a pocket holster that makes perfect sense to me; been known to do it myself. But I fail to see the appeal of a J frame once you move to a holster. Inside the waistband it would be just as easy to hide a K frame, and they are much easier to shoot. Is it because you carry outside the waistband and the J has a smaller footprint that is easier to hide? I think any cover garment for a J Frame belt holster would also cover the K. What am I missing?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

You're not missing much, probably. I pocket carry a Model 649 virtually every day (I do switch to one of a couple of 9mms depending on the circumstances of where I'll be). Sometimes, when I know I'm driving and think I need easier access to that J frame, I pop it into an IWB and wear a shirt, vest, or jacket over it. I'm way too lazy to go dig out one of my snub-nosed K frames but I probably should.

 

[Dump1567]

Weight of the gun is another issue. Most are carry a lightweight J.

For a lot of people, it's not about what's easier to shoot. It's having a small lightweight handgun on them that's easy to conceal & to use to get away from the trouble.

 

[S-W4EVER]

Weight of the gun is another issue. Most are carry a lightweight J.

For a lot of people, it's not about what's easier to shoot. It's having a small lightweight handgun on them that's easy to conceal & to use to get away from the trouble.

Exactly. My Centennial Airweight (442-2) rides in a Tex Shoemaker pancake holster.

 

[Well Armed]

A lot of guys carry the J frame as their concealed carry sidearm. And for pocket carry in a pocket holster that makes perfect sense to me; been known to do it myself. But I fail to see the appeal of a J frame once you move to a holster. Inside the waistband it would be just as easy to hide a K frame, and they are much easier to shoot. Is it because you carry outside the waistband and the J has a smaller footprint that is easier to hide? I think any cover garment for a J Frame belt holster would also cover the K. What am I missing?

I prefer OWB concealed carry, and I can't do that with a K or L frame w/o a cover garment w/o printing. Than means I IWB carry my 686+ L-frame in the warmer months or even in the cooler months when I might have to take my jacket off. I will OWB carry other times with only a medium t-shirt on. I HATE pocket carry, and will only pocket carry a revolver if I'm walking around the house or running to the car or mailbox really quickly and do feel like putting on a belt and holster. As far as weight is concerned, I don't understand why that's even an issue with small J-frames as they all are light weight. I can understand size, but weight, not so much for an able bodied man or woman.

 

[robrossk]

Your first comment on pocket carry is my reason for the J frame. Most other occasions it is a 9mm or 40 SW semi-auto.

 

[somorris]

A J frame in a pocket holster is just so convenient. Much simpler to just drop it in a pocket and go rather than put on an IWB holster. Especially if you are in and out a lot.

 

[haywood]

I pocket carry a J-Frame and belt carry a 9mm every day. J-Frames we’re always my favorite. I used to carry a pair of them. After inheriting a couple 9mm’s I dropped a J-Frame and added a 9mm.

 

[Super Trucker]

I've pocked carried a 340 for the last 15 years and a 649 for a decade before that.
I see no point in a j-frame on a belt unless you live in Maybarry RFD. There are far too many semi's these days that conceal as easy with better ballistics and capacity.
My pocket guns are BUG's only, there is less than zero percent chance I'd leave home with only a j-frame as thugs have ran in packs here for well over a decade now.

 

[chief38]

Up until 4 1/2 years ago I carried a Model 60 for 40+ years. In the beginning for a year, I did carry a M10 2" RB but felt the weight, size and bulk was too much to justify the extra shot. The last 4 years it's been a Sig P365 and I carry it in the pocket about 60% of the time and OWB the other 40%. Since retiring and moving, my daily dress has changed.

Since I carried with 4 different methods (back when a J Frame was my EDC), I had to choose a gun that worked with all 4 methods. I carried in the pocket, on the ankle, IWB and OWB and the 2" J frame worked with all 4 methods. I never had to change guns because of dress, climate or temperature.

Even though a J Frame is perfectly fine and easy to carry OWB, there are times in warmer months and climate you just don't want to wear a cover garment or as they say, "dress around the gun". That's when you simply leave the belt holster in the drawer and use a pocket holster - easy! I also do not personally believe in carrying different guns or rotating what I carry on different days. Therefore, choosing the gun that fits the common denominator makes sense for all carry methods. Hope that answers your question at least from my point of view.

 

[reccpd101]

I recently moved from a 12-2 and a J Frame BUG in a pocket holster to a 360sc in a pancake holster because I shoot the 3" barrel much better and adding an old pair of packmyr compacts really helps. I still pocket carry a 2nd J 2" BUG.

 

[colt_saa]

A J-frame has been with me almost every day of my adult life since 1980

Originally a Chiefs Special or Chiefs Special Target in an ankle rig as my BUG while working

More recently a Centennial in my pocket as my personal protection firearm

If I am wearing an OWB holster, I am usually carrying a larger firearm.

However there have been occasions where I carry J-frames as a NY Reload

Should I need to, I can draw both simultaneously and hit with both as I do regularly shoot weak hand

That is not my reason.

This rig from Bell Charter Oak lets me draw strong side as I an standing or cross draw while sitting. . .Think of a driving holster.

If in a bad situation, the second gun is always the fastest reload.

Though in 40+ years of carrying a sidearm here in America, the most rounds I ever expended (without intentionally walking into a hornet's nest) was four rounds

 

[Old cop]

I’ve been pocket carrying a J Frame since my 1968 rookie year and continue to do so b/c they’re smaller & lighter. I still have the K Frame snub that was issued to me when I was a detective. Unless you’re prepared to belt carry (IWB or OWB), or wriggle into a shoulder holster, this model is rather limited in how it can be concealed. We’re going to a Xmas party today, I’ll have my 340PD in a pocket and I’ll be able to take my jacket off w/o revealing the gun.

 

[KalamazooKid]

J frames were made for pocket carry! [emoji4]

 

[Murdock]

Alessi ankle. This has worked very well for me for several years. Waistband carry with this little gun is silly, as something more capable is carried and conceled just as easily on the belt. Pocket carry in jeans -- which I wear most of the time -- is too tight and uncomfortable. I lke the Bianchi 9R shoulder holster, but the ankle holster is a bit more comfortable and easier on/off.

 

[Piwo]

I agree generally that if one is to carry a belt gun, one can just as easily hide something larger than a J frame. As always, there are exceptions. A lot of people own only one handgun as that is all they can afford or want. For many, that is a J frame 38 of one sort or another. Depending on circumstance, they may choose belt carry. I think of when I was young and hunting or working on the rural family property. For a time, the only suitable handgun I owned was a Charter Arms undercover 38. I carried it openly (No CCW allowed at the time) on the belt in a homemade leather holster. It was very comfortable and didn't interfere with chores. I didn't feel under gunned as I usually had a long gun with me, nearby. Also, later when I could afford one, I carried a S&W model 49 in the same role on occasion. I specifically chose that weapon because of the ability to cock it for a single action shot in the field. So I guess I'm the odd duck that carried a snub 38 that shouldn't need to be cocked on the belt in a holster that that didn't make sense. Of course, that all changed as the S&W revolver bug overtook me and I had to satisfy my addiction. But still, on rare occasions I may carry a J frame 38 on a belt holster out in the woods or family property because under the particular circumstances pocket carry isn't needed or wanted...and belt carry is more comfortable. Likewise if I'm hunting a friend's farm and carrying a shotgun. I know others that do the same.

 

[mikerjf]

I’d use a K but I don’t have one. So when I’m hiking (sweating) the airweight pocket stays home and a steel 357 J goes on the belt.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

You wonder about J frame carry in a holster? OK here's a story. Fifty years ago I was issued a S&W model 10. 34.6 Oz. 6 158 gr. rounds plus another 12 in loops on the holster. A heavy Sam Brown belt reinforced on the gun side. Then on the belt, steel handcuffs in a case, Cocobolo wood nightstick on belt loop, Motorola radio about 10x3x1.5 inches, mace and a 3 or 4 D cell aluminum flashlight. Plus a blackjack or sap in a slim rear pocket. Brass callbox key and your personal keys, wallet, watch, pens, knife etc.

That's what you carried walking a beat. Working a car you also had a briefcase filled with reports, forms, chalk, extra shotgun ammo etc.

Now just how many years of all that **** hanging on your belt do you think is fun? The best thing in police life is getting a promotion or Detective assignment and the chance to dump all that gear dragging your butt down. First thing I did was go to a model 36 full time. Next thing I did was dump the 36 and strap on a Airweight.

That was forty years ago. Today I still carry a 442 no lock in a holster because that's what I'm used to. That's what I train with and I've been shooting DAO since 1973.

I suspect that a lot of the post's from guys that favor J frames or G42's & 365's have had quite their fill of lugging big guns around. When you do it for a living it gets old, fast.

 

[nksmfamjp]

340 is small and light wherever I put it. In the waistband keeps pockets free!

 

[Dump1567]

I’m probably the exception to the rule. I’m packing all this right now. And forgot to add the 6 round speed strip in my pocket. But I’m also 6’4” and weigh 215.