J Frame Questions from Beginner

[Pisgah]

I will say that the average novice shooter will find even standard .38 Specials to be more than a handful in a J-frame. .357 not only recoils a lot more, but a quantum leap more! There simply is no reasonable comparison between the two -- grip a firecracker in your fist and set it off, and you will have a close approximation of the level of .357 recoil in a J-frame. You really have to feel it to believe it. No doubt, for some shooters in some circumstances being able to shoot .357 can be an advantage -- but the main advantage of a .357 J frame is the capability of stepping down to .38.

After 50 years of handgun shooting, I have trained myself to shoot .357 in small-frame revolvers very well -- but I still do not enjoy it!

 

[wildenout]

Personally I feel that the stainless steel J frames tame the recoil a bit better, and are more manageable. I wouldn't rule them out, especially if you are mowing over shooting .357s at all cuz they are SPICY out of the little airweights. Check out the model 60 (what I've got coming) the 640, and 649. As concealment goes IWB isn't for everyone, but pocket carry isn't always a great option either. If you find you don't like either check out the Air Marshal holster from kangaroocarry.com it's a great option if you wear button up shirts a lot.

 

[loeman]

Model 649 and Model 49

I don't have any pocket or IWB carry experience with most of the models mentioned above but I do have a lot of pocket carry experience (15 years) with a model 649-3 in .357 and years ago a model 49 in .38. I love these guns for their steel construction, pocket-ability and snag free hammer shroud. I've gone from pocket carrying an hour or two to about 8 hours without issue. I often back pocket my 649 while fishing or doing some light hiking too. Both are very manageable in their respective calibers and both are surprisingly accurate for their small size. And of course they have the option of being used in double action. Ok, I know they aren't cheap. I've been watching them surge in price in recent years.

 

[Krell1]

I got a lot of advice on this forum and ended up with a Model 60 in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I've carried it all day at first to get used to the feel and I can say that it is quite comfortable. It draws easily and, with 38+P it's fine for a carry weapon.

 

[Edmo]

I am currently looking for a light revolver that I can pocket carry. I am a large guy and IWB is never comfortable; therefore, not an option. I hear J-frame's are the best for pocket carry.
What would be a good place for me to start? I know I want a revolver due to reliability and I have seen that the J-frame line is very light and as dependable as they come.
What kind of model should i be looking at? How much difference if the recoil between a .38 special or .357 is one of the Airweights?
I currently own a Shield, but may give that to my wife. I now need something to replace it and I think a revolver is the way to go.

Like others have said, the 642 "Airweight" is a good option.

The aluminum frame makes it light and easy to carry, the stainless barrel and cylinder are corrosion resistant, and the +P capability gives a bit more zip than standard 38 Special rounds.

Lightweight J frames aren't the easiest to master and I generally don't recommend them for wives or girlfriends who aren't into shooting. These little guns take dedication at the range to be accurate, but with both dry and live fire you will figure them out. Before you know it you will find yourself reaching for your snubbie every time you leave the house.

Below are my two 642-1 "post lock" snubbies. The bottom one has the standard grips while the other one has the S&W Crimson Trace grips.
Edmo

 

[kaaskop49]

General comments.../BDTeacher

Just to keep all my J-frame buddies awake, let's not forget about the 638 Bodyguard revolver, with its shrouded hammer. Also good for pocket carry.

To the OP BDTeacher: Your location says Chicago. You can get a CCW in Chicago!!??

To Pisgah: appreciate your 'likes' of my previous posts. One minor disagreement: The advantage of a J-frame Magnum is not that you can fire .38s, it's that you can fire Magnum rounds from it. But the steel frame Mags, Models 60, 649, 640 are much easier to fire than the Scandium jobs.

Happy holiday season to all J-hounds!

Kaaskop49
J-hound extraordinaire

P.S. We gotta get snubbyfan some new photos.

 

[75Vette]

I bought an older model 60 .38 spl yesterday and got a Blackhawk #3 pocket holster. I put it in my blue jeans pocket and the weight of the ss didn't bother me in the least. If you looked hard, you could see the backstrap at the pocket opening but when you're as ugly as I am, that's not an issue!

 

[flyrobb]

Ok Kaaskop49 here ya go!
638 can be had for $400 to 450 around here. I pocket carry mostly in the Uncle Mike #3. The Remora is a bit bigger but works good as well and can also be used IWB.

 

[snubbyfan]

P.S. We gotta get snubbyfan some new photos.

Aww, look it's a kitten with a 442 in a homemade leather pocket holster.
Isn't that just adorable?

 

[AZretired]

I'd go with either the 638 or 642 loaded with Speer 135 JHP+P. The 638 is my personal favorite.

 

[heeter3]

I have always been partial to the 442.I put herrett shooting stars on mine for a little more grip to hold on to. It pocket carries comfortably with the right pants and I can shoot .38 s easily with little to no bite.

 

[Oldshot]

Check out J frame advise in post featured in The Ambersand for more excellent info. If you want a used, little fired snubby the local pawn shops are a good bet. Many folks are not willing to put up with the recoil ( even 38spl)and work it takes to shoot 'em accurately. Don't be timid about offering on a gun. Pawn shops finance their inventory and the faster it sells the better for them.If you have large hands you may want to invest in a pair of custom grips. It will make a lot of difference in controlling the recovery after the first shot. Having the bbl ported will result in some loss of muzzle velocity and added expense but your 2 thru 5/6 shots will be right on and you can practice with full patch loads .357 mag or +p to your heart's content. I carry a 7 shot .357 2" Ported( came that way)Taurus M-617 (Heresy but no stones please). It's steel, so IWB not pocket but it works for me. Good luck.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The J frames are, in my opinion, only for experts. They have, due to their geometry, stiff little triggers so that ignition is reliable. That, combined with light weight, short sight radius and lots of felt recoil, make them exceedingly difficult to use at anything but very short range.

It seems to me that a small 9mm is a better choice, even for pocket carry. The Shield has a lighter trigger, less felt recoil due to the reciprocating slide and recoil spring, more ammo, the best 9mm ammo is better than the best 38 Special ammo, and the barrels are a little longer, with correspondingly longer sight radius, making the small self-loader easier to shoot.

A J frame is a classic, no doubt, but I think if you try one with stout loads side-by-side with a 9mm Shield or Glock 19 or something like that, the choice will be obvious.

Here is a comparison of a J frame with a Glock 19, just so you realize that they take up about the same real estate. And the Glock holds three times the number of rounds (15 versus 5).

If you really have to have a revolver, the 642 is the way to go.

 

[kozmic]

The 442/642 are basically snag proof and although I hate pocket carry would be a great choice.

I put the long Crimson Trace stocks on mine to get my pinky on the gun. It handles recoil very well. If you were going to pocket carry the smaller CT (about the same size as the originals) might work for you.

Also, I just bought a box of Hornady 90gr. Critical Defense with a claimed 30% lighter recoil for my wife. We haven't shot them yet but their stuff and claims are usually spot on. I found them on line at Cabelas.

 

[Kadonny]

The J frames are, in my opinion, only for experts. They have, due to their geometry, stiff little triggers so that ignition is reliable. That, combined with light weight, short sight radius and lots of felt recoil, make them exceedingly difficult to use at anything but very short range.

It seems to me that a small 9mm is a better choice, even for pocket carry. The Shield has a lighter trigger, less felt recoil due to the reciprocating slide and recoil spring, more ammo, the best 9mm ammo is better than the best 38 Special ammo, and the barrels are a little longer, with correspondingly longer sight radius, making the small self-loader easier to shoot.

A J frame is a classic, no doubt, but I think if you try one with stout loads side-by-side with a 9mm Shield or Glock 19 or something like that, the choice will be obvious.

Here is a comparison of a J frame with a Glock 19, just so you realize that they take up about the same real estate. And the Glock holds three times the number of rounds (15 versus 5).

If you really have to have a revolver, the 642 is the way to go.

In my opinion, the G19 is a much larger gun to pocket carry and not nearly the same as the J frame. And yes, I do own both. I know you showed the side by side, but even in the pic the 19 is clearly larger plus it's thicker and much, much heavier loaded with the 15 rounds than an Airweight J.

Is the J frame harder to master shooting it? Eh, maybe a little bit, but it's a very capable and reliable pocket gun. There have been a ton of j frames sold for a reason, and that reason surely isn't competition and target shooting.

 

[CatboatWilly]

Don't forget that you asked your question on The Smith & Wesson Forum.
But you are making a transition from an auto loader to a small frame revolver.
Why don't you buy yourself a less expensive copy of a 'J' frame - such as a Taurus or a Rossi - carry it for a while and see if you like the feel. If you do - then sell it off and invest in a J frame... I carry my 1969 Model 36 quite comfortably and have for years.

 

[Hendel]

See if you can save an old J frame from a pawn shop or sumsuch.

In the pocket, every single day.......

 

[BaaBaa]

The J frames are, in my opinion, only for experts. They have, due to their geometry, stiff little triggers so that ignition is reliable. That, combined with light weight, short sight radius and lots of felt recoil, make them exceedingly difficult to use at anything but very short range.

How do you define short range and long range?

Reason, is I'm regularly hitting the head and center mass of IDPA targets with my 640 at 50-60 feet. That's about the limit I can hit accurately right now but I keep practicing and I am getting better.

Then again I think the 640 is the perfect beginners gun, nice and heavy so low recoil even with .357, long hard trigger pull so you know for sure when you are firing, easy to carry in a variety of locations so very concealable and easy to practice with using inexpensive 38 spl ammo. Depends on your POV I think.

 

[OHIOUP]

I would emphasize the weight factor. I usually carry a Model 38 with stock boot grips in the front pocket and sometimes a 442 with large Crimson Trace grips. Both are comfortable all day long. I've tried front pocket carry with all steel 357 magnum revolvers but the extra half to three quarters of a pound makes it too uncomfortable for all day carry in my experience.

With the larger CT grips on the 442 I've find Buffalo Bore 158 gr +P recoil unpleasant but manageable. If their specs can be believed, my little 442 is delivering near 357magnum performance.

New prices for J frames in my area are in the $400 range.

 

[airman]

I carried a delightful 642 in an ankle rig for a while. Couldn't tell it was there.
But practice was painful so I traded for a 60-4. Not so easy to pack but fun at the range.