J-Frames and 25yard qualifications

[LostintheOzone]

Buy a 3" model 36 or if you get desperate a 4" model 31 and shoot the 25 yd target like a pro.

I know, 32 isn't allowed in these discussions but cheat if you have to.

I own a 36 but to be honest I wouldn't carry it unless I had to. I much prefer a 10 rd semi-auto like a P-30 SK with a street trigger.

 

[kraynky]

Very nice combo!
Have you painted the front sight, or left it stock?
Same with the grips

How do you like how it shoots with wadcutters?
"Jumpy" but not painful?

I suppose if I was to have to shoot respectively at 25 yards I'd paint the front sight, but not for plinking and snakes. Wadcutters are not bad at all to me in the 638, but I load them that way.

 

[Der Verminator]

Sorry for the loss of one picture above.........some IMGUR glitch.

Here it is again.

Well, if you're restricted to pocket carry it's not a big problem........I've pocket carried and it has a lot of good points.

I suppose it could be done with a Three-inch, but I've never tried it.

You'd have to have a good big pocket.

The only other possibility is a belly band.

And the normal "wadcutter" ammo is target ammo and underpowered.

I'd find something better........maybe this:

.38 Special HoneyBadger+P™ | Black Hills Ammunition

 

[StrawHat]

I used a S&W Model 36-1 when I competed in PPC. 24 shots at 50 yards and if you dropped a couple of points, you were out of the awards. 50 yards. We saw many clean scores at that distance. Of course, we believe d in using a proper holster. I can not think of a single competitor who pocket carried, in competition, on duty, or off duty. It took too long to present your revolver from the pocket. Sure, it looked cool when Bogart or Cagney did it but not in real life, on the real streets.

Carrying a self defense arm is not a game nor is it cool. A fraction of a second can really mess up your day.

Kevin

 

[jcelect]

J or N

If you think 25yds is too far for a J frame what is your thoughts of an N frame 44 at 200yds. Do not suggest that a 200yd shot is impossible to a silhouette shooter. He practices, what's your excuse?
jcelect

 

[dubshooter]

I purchased many j frames with the seller selling them cheap because they “weren’t accurate” and warned me the gun wouldn’t hit the broad side of a barn.

Including my BUG at work, 442 pro series I got for $300 with the remaining 25 rounds of ammo from the box of 50 the guy had shot.

I have shot the AZPOST handgun qualification multiple times with it, lowest score is 240/250 (two misses on TQ-21). That includes 7 rounds shot at 24 yards. It is very doable. Just do some dry fire practice and live fire. You’ll be fine.

Am I am a fan of the centennial of bodyguard style (not the polymer ones).

 

[ken158]

Add a Sig 365 to your list and go out and find one to handle and maybe a rental gun range so you can shoot one.

 

[Old cop]

Recently I was able to make center chest hits @ 25 yards w/my 442 Pro Series. Get some practice to see where your gun hits and shoot single action if that’s allowed.

 

[326MOD10]

I would agree the 25 yard shots are doable with practice.

I carried a 642/442 for 19 of my 20 years and qualified with it each year. 10 of the 50 rounds were from 25 yards. 5 kneeling and 5 standing.

Was able to qualify perfect a few times but mostly tossed one or two.

With that said that was my ankle gun for backup that I wanted to go bang 5 times if needed no matter the circumstances.

I have ditched my revolver in favor of a Glock 43 first and now a Sig 365.

I pocket carry both with the Glock being lighter but Sig being more rounds and easier to shoot.

I second the suggestion to explore these options. So much more accurate and easy to shoot.

And I don't know your State but see if Hornady Critical Defense or Duty is considered a hollow point? I read that in NJ it is not because round is filled in but that was on the internet. Consult with your State Law Authorities for a legal definition and answer.

Good luck.

 

[Dutch87]

Buy a 3" model 36 or if you get desperate a 4" model 31 and shoot the 25 yd target like a pro.

I know, 32 isn't allowed in these discussions but cheat if you have to.

I own a 36 but to be honest I wouldn't carry it unless I had to. I much prefer a 10 rd semi-auto like a P-30 SK with a street trigger.

Add a Sig 365 to your list and go out and find one to handle and maybe a rental gun range so you can shoot one.

So here's the thing, I actually DO have a sig 365. I got one out of curiosity a year ago - VERY nice gun. Great trigger, 10rds in a package that small is awesome.
One day down the line when I have more experience carrying and concealing a pistol, I could absolutely see that gun going on the carry permit (rumor has it we're limited to 3 spots)

Size wise, it fits in the pocket. Weight wise loaded, with a mag empty, it's fine. With a loaded mag in the gun, she flops a little bit. My pockets are large enough.
A little slimmer would probably be best, which is why I plan on using a pistol purchase permit on a Glock 42. Similar footprint, lighter and a smidge thinner. I would be shocked if I couldn't shoot it well at 25.

I also believe that despite the listed thicknesses of these guns, that "J frames carry smaller than their measurements suggest. The cylinder is one measurement, the rest of the gun is small."

 

[nksmfamjp]

A 442 no lock looks like a good choice. I have been very happy with my 340 and it’s big dot sight.

 

[Dutch87]

I would agree the 25 yard shots are doable with practice.

I carried a 642/442 for 19 of my 20 years and qualified with it each year. 10 of the 50 rounds were from 25 yards. 5 kneeling and 5 standing.

Was able to qualify perfect a few times but mostly tossed one or two.

With that said that was my ankle gun for backup that I wanted to go bang 5 times if needed no matter the circumstances.

I have ditched my revolver in favor of a Glock 43 first and now a Sig 365.

I pocket carry both with the Glock being lighter but Sig being more rounds and easier to shoot.

I second the suggestion to explore these options. So much more accurate and easy to shoot.

And I don't know your State but see if Hornady Critical Defense or Duty is considered a hollow point? I read that in NJ it is not because round is filled in but that was on the internet. Consult with your State Law Authorities for a legal definition and answer.

Good luck.

Very cool - finding out how many of you guys can and do shoot the centennials well at 25 makes me think I should be considering them!

The hornady's are NOT considered hollowpoints in the state to my knowlege, State Police website's FAQ says "no."

 

[Dutch87]

A 442 no lock looks like a good choice. I have been very happy with my 340 and it’s big dot sight.

Hmmm.
M&P 340 no lock is interesting, I'd love a hammer but, I should consider the centennials I guess, now that I'm hearing about how they CAN be shot to qualify out to 25, without 10,000rds of practice spread over a decade LOL

- Big dot sight (I'm very okay with paying more, to get a J-frame with a very good front sight, factory)
- Looks like they are a smidge under 14oz empty
- Steel cylinder, so the worries about the coating on the titanium cylinder of the 360PD go out the window
- If I remember right, a few days ago I was reading a thread (an old one from here) saying that the airlite scandium frame guns are actually a little bit tougher than the airweight alloy guns.

Probably feels totally fine shooting wadcutters - though I would be tempted, at some point down the line, to fire a .357.
As a poster here put it, in another thread, I'd read the line about a dozen times,

"Shooting 357 out of a scandium gun, is a character defining experience"

 

[jimmyj]

Whoa whoa what happened??

1. Ankle Holster : Uniform with BUG in a Ankle Holster. Physical altercation with an arrested male. Both of us went to the ground with me on the bottom. pant leg had worked up exposing my BUG. Suspect reached and grabbed the BUG and got on His feet. Pointed the BUG at me still on the ground. I was able to draw my service pistol and fired two fast shots at him. This was at night and I was unable to see my front sight. Suspect ran away with me in pursuit. Suspect escaped but the next morning I located Him and got my BUG back.

2. Pocket Carry : plain clothes. Day shift. following a wanted felon via vehicles. Suspect suddenly stopped His vehicle, exited and started back toward my vehicle. I was seat belted in and attempted to reach my weapon in my front right pocket without success. The fast arrival of a marked unit and the appearance of an old street cop armed with a 12 gauge stopped the suspect.

This is just two "Incidents" in a 45 year career that helped turn my hair grey.

 

[Dutch87]

1. Ankle Holster : Uniform with BUG in a Ankle Holster. Physical altercation with an arrested male. Both of us went to the ground with me on the bottom. pant leg had worked up exposing my BUG. Suspect reached and grabbed the BUG and got on His feet. Pointed the BUG at me still on the ground. I was able to draw my service pistol and fired two fast shots at him. This was at night and I was unable to see my front sight. Suspect ran away with me in pursuit. Suspect escaped but the next morning I located Him and got my BUG back.

2. Pocket Carry : plain clothes. Day shift. following a wanted felon via vehicles. Suspect suddenly stopped His vehicle, exited and started back toward my vehicle. I was seat belted in and attempted to reach my weapon in my front right pocket without success. The fast arrival of a marked unit and the appearance of an old street cop armed with a 12 gauge stopped the suspect.

This is just two "Incidents" in a 45 year career that helped turn my hair grey.

WOW! Just wow.
To have had one of those things happen in your life time, that's pretty crazy.
2? Wow.
Having experienced more than one attempted gungrab (and one "successful" one) by suspects, my goodness.

If I had that happen to me, I'd probably only want to carry in a triple retention shoulder holster or something. Damn!

 

[Pef]

25 yds double action with a model 36 is not very hard to do. Providing you can see the sights. My eyes got to the point where J frame sights were a big blur to me

Agreed. For me the 60-7 or later with the wider front sight makes all the difference. But over the last 10 years age and old eyes are making the longer shots more difficult.

OP, make sure you can make the qualifying shots with the j frame of your choice.

 

[malph]

If it all possible go and shoot as many of the guns you are considering as possible. Maybe there is a range than rents guns in your area???

I mention this because the guns you think you like based on the specs may not be the guns you like once you shoot them.

If this is your first J-frame, a steel-framed gun has some merit. You are going to have to practice to be proficient.

A steel-framed gun is going to make those practice session at lot more tolerable.

If you enjoy your practice sessions, you are much more likely to do them.

 

[dogdoc]

What state has regulations like that? Can’t carry hollow points? God I love the south!

 

[FLJoe]

There's a ton of good advice on this thread from people with much more revolver experience than I, but, FWIW, here are a couple thoughts.

I have a pair of 642's I bought new about a year ago. They were my first handguns after a lifetime of long gun shooting. Both shoot basically identically, and I have found that 158 grain, standard pressure loads shoot basically point of aim out to beyond where I can clearly see the target. If other 642s are like mine, the gun is totally capable of consistent, accurate 25 yard shots.

Second, both have nice smooth, predictable triggers with a very slight "notch" right before the hammer drops. With this, I can stage the trigger for long, slow shots and it's basically like single action. You're not being timed, so this method could work for you.

Finally, my eyes are the limit at that distance, not my gun or even my ability to hold my sight picture through the trigger press. I'm nearsighted, but with my glasses on I have a hard time seeing the sights. It's not a problem outdoors in daylight, but my local indoor range has poor lighting at the far end and it makes it really hard for me. Hopefully you have better eyes, or a better lit range than I do.

I love shooting my little j frames. A lot of people complain about how they hurt and all, but I just don't get it. I shoot with them every chance I can get, and like the challenge of getting really good with them. It's funny, my wife got an M&P 380 autoloader not long ago. We took it to the range and I ran a few magazines through it. Having shot no handgun other than my J Frames over the past year, that thing felt like shooting a rifle it was so smooth and easy, and so easy to keep on target. It is, however, way too big for me to daily carry, and I love the simplicity and reliability of a revolver, so I'll keep on carrying and shooting my Js. Getting really good with a J will make you a better shot with any gun, for sure, but they're very good guns in their own right. I suppose it's why they've been around for over 70 years now, basically unchanged.

 

[FLJoe]

One more thing I like about any revolver- you can do pretty accurate feeling dry fire practice at home. With an autoloader you're limited to one "click" but with the revolver you can work on your trigger press all day for free if you want. Having been shooting semiautomatic triggers all my life, I had to do a lot of practice to learn to not short stroke the revolver on rapid fire exercises. I trained my muscle memory dry firing, which was good for me and the gun. I do some dry fire practice every day, just to keep my trigger habits in good shape.