J frame for pocket carry

[Laddy Smith]

+1

My carry revolver is a 442 that is currently in with the gunsmith to have an XS big dot sight installed. The 442 has an internal hammer, therefore, is double action only. If you want something with a little more punch, I would suggest the M&P 340, which is chambered for .357 and comes with an XS big dot already installed.

This is what I was looking to do with my 442 but found a slightly used M&P 340 with the XS sight already on. For the price of gunsmithing I was able to buy the used M&P 340 cheaper.

See if you can carry a lighter one then a heavier J frame for a day or so if you have a friend that'll let you.

I have collected a few great semi autos for carry guns. I rotate and carry them often. 80% of the time I carry 2 guns on me. However, the 442/ now 340 is always with me in a front pocket.

As someone else mentioned, you can have a grip on the J frame while it's in you pocket and no one is the wiser. I learned this from an old family friend that served with the State Police. He indicated that all the troopers at his post would have their left hand on their J frame as they approached a traffic stop or other "situation."

Lad

 

[Smithbrother]

Even at home I would suggest wearing it on your hip instead of in your pocket. The reason is the type of encounter your anticipating would likely result in extreme CQB, someone closer than arms length, on top of you, or pinning you to a wall or floor. At that distance having the weapon in a pocket is a disadvantage, as is having a weapon with an external hammer. Those hammers tend to get clogged with clothing, hair, or flesh, during a violent confrontation rendering the weapon inoperable. I would suggest a S&W 640 either in an IWB holster or on your strong side hip.

 

[palmetto99]

I've been carring a M60 with with a bobbed hammer off and on for about seven years. Even the steel & SS j-frames can be carried pretty easy.

 

[hotrod150]

...............Last year the guys living in the apartment within spitting distance of my apartment experienced a home invasion and we'd had plenty of home invasions in my area. The attackers are brazen, kicking in doors, day or night. ......not only was there a home invasion, which happened right under my nose by the way (my door was open and they walked right past me but I was not facing the door), there was also a shooting with a few guys shot on my block, also within the year. .....

Time to move maybe? I left the Los Angeles area in 1992, about 2 weeks after the (first) Rodney King riots, and moved to rural western Washington. Lots less career options & oportunities, but "quality of life" (which is both subjective and hard to quantify) went way way up. Looking back, it was probably one of the best choices I've ever made in my life. At least think about moving to a better part of town (if there is one).

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

My EDC is a 940. For work it is paired with a BHP. You can reload the 940 from a BHP magazine, although I carry moon clips in a custom made tube that fits my pocket just fine-holds 3 moon clips. I used to carry it my right hand pocket-in a holster, while off duty, and in a left hand pocket (same holster) on duty. Now I always carry it on my left side as I have trained enough for off hand shooting that there is no real difference. I have a small clutch of other J frames-all cut for moon clips so if it is my only weapon at the time I have some extra rounds on tap quickly. I am getting fond of my 351C, even though it needs a speed loader for serious consideration. But for work for about 35 years now it has been the BHP and the 940. I am of the opinion that if you are going to carry in the pocket you NEED a holster in the pocket, or I have had all my uniforms (and plainclothes) tailored with both side pants pockets made out of leather, and shaped to hold a J frame. If one is to pack, one should be serious about it. Yeah it may cost a little extra, but when you consider why you are packing, it becomes worth it.

 

[Donn]

Be sure to get some practice in with a J-frame snubbie. Not the easiest gun to shoot straight.

What Scruffy said. Like some others, I'd opt for front pocket carry rather than your self-described cavernous cargo pocket. In a stress situation, time's of the essence. You need to clear your pocket, get the weapon into action ASAP. You can't afford to be fumbling around with buttons or velcro closures on a pocket that goes down to your knees.

 

[hotrod150]

My EDC is a 940. For work it is paired with a BHP. You can reload the 940 from a BHP magazine, although I carry moon clips in a custom made tube that fits my pocket just fine-holds 3 moon clips......

"Is that some moon clips in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"

 

[eveled]

This is exactly what I carry 80% of the time. At least when it warm. The Mika holster works great.

Me too, 442 in Mika's pocket holster. Ed

 

[slabside2]

+1 for the 340PD

although I wish S&W would reissue the 332 as a .327 Federal...


Eddy's Shooting Sports
400 Moffett Blvd, Suite F
Mountain View,CA 94043
(650)969-GUNS

+2 for the 340pd. Love the little guy.

 

[Old cop]

Someone posted something about the .38 & the 1980 FBI shooting. To correct the record most of the Agents used 9mm which proved ineffective and in fact a K frame .38 ended the fight. There was a lot more to that than most know. As to the effectiveness of the .38, at +P levels it works. I saw that first hand during my LEO career and still carry the 158 Grain +P FBI load.

 

[LaVistaBill]

J-Frame for Pocket Carry

My summer off-duty "uniform" is a Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts and sandals. I pack either my Model 042 or 442 in a Mika Pocket Holster; the guns are stoked with Federal 125 gr. Nyclad HP's or Speer 135 gr. Gold Dot HP loads, with more in Quick Strips. Both guns also have CT Lasergrips; I think laser sights and snubbies are a perfect match. I perfer the Lasergrips as all I have to do is grip the revolver properly and they activate. The newer model has an on-off switch in case I decide not to use the laser.

 

[66Park]

As a former Federal Agent, I carried a bobbed hammer Model 60 for many years. When I was stationed in Reno, Nevada it was a cooler climate. During the cooler months, I carried the 60 in the "hand warmer" pockets of the jacket. Being cold, I almost always had my hand on the revolver. If need be, I could always get the first round off without having to come out of the pocket.

Later in my career, I transferred to Las Vegas. Being a much warmer climate, the jacket pocket carry didn't work so well. I carried the 60 inside the waist band with an untucked t-shirt covering it.

And thus is illustrated one of the many reasons J frames are so popular. If you can't hide them one way, you can hide them another. Pocket carry, waist carry, ankle carry, whatever...you can always find a way to have a J frame with you.

 

[66Park]

That story was everywhere I read it on multiple sites. I have never seen a confirmation of exactly where the bullets hit. Shoot 5 times in body and face (written by the media) could mean lots if things. A graze across the check? A graze across the shoulder? I see no reason to assume she would have done better with a 357 (or 44, 45, ect). In fact I believe it she very well could have done worse with a higher recoiling 357. 1 badly placed 357 is no better than 5 badly placed 38s.

Not only that, but what ammo was used? There is a lot of difference in effectiveness between a 130 grain round nose and a Buffalo Bore 150 grain wadcutter or +P hollow point.

 

[MikeyB]

I've pocket carried a M60 Chief Special with a bobbed hammer for years. A few years ago I acquired a M&P 360 to do the same.

Lost my Blackhawk pocket holster to the wife (she carries a 642) so I'll have to get a new one.

 

[halvenut]

A 642 airweight is just right for pocket carry or inside the waistband with Desantis clip grips installed. My everyday carry in warm weather.

 

[Alnamvet68]

For pocket carry, either a 642 or a 638.....

 

[M940]

J frame for pcoket carry

I have been keeping my 940 in the back of my short for many years now.

 

[getoff]

442-2 loaded with winchester pdx-1 130 gr +p. also have a speed strip or two. the 442 rides in a galco horse hide pocket holster. it is my garbage can gun, mail box gun, newspaper gun... you get the point. as mentioned before, the j frame is a tough gun to shoot. the light weight makes it snappy, and the short sight radius makes it hard to aim. that said, it is and will always be a "belly" gun. i practice point shoot with my j's almost only. though the 638 i have is way accurate at 25 yards in single action. the j's are very accurate. like any gun in the right hands, it WILL get the job done.

 

[phils]

I'm in the midwest. For pocket carry I use the DeSantis nylon pocket holster and a S&W model 638. I bought the 638 because I wanted the capability of single action. I "painted' the front sight red. It shoots great with +p.

 

[kimber70]

I vote s&w 649 (357) can't go wrong there .