Lookin' to buy a J frame to carry, What do y'all like and why?

[myanof]

340PD/Disabled IL

Sorry to be so late. 11.6 oz of terror loaded with Speer 135gr SB 357s.

 

[photoman]

Sorry to be so late. 11.6 oz of terror loaded with Speer 135gr SB 357s.

Yowza! I don't think I could hit anything with that but it just might scare them to death.

 

[myanof]

Yowza! I don't think I could hit anything with that but it just might scare them to death.

If you can handle a +P you will do fine with the short barrel Speer 357s. The same load in +P runs 860fps where as the .357 runs 1000fps, and the recoil is not substantially different to me. The good news about using the .357 is if you miss the bad guy he is instantly identifiable by the police because he will be the guy running down the street with his clothes on fire.

 

[photoman]

The good news about using the .357 is if you miss the bad guy he is instantly identifiable by the police because he will be the guy running down the street with his clothes on fire.

I can believe that!

 

[OIF2]

The 642/442 is an excellent carry revolver. It also works well as a back-up/undercover gun. I "bought and sold" a lot of dope in Los Angeles while working narcotics. The 442 was always in the front pocket of my jeans while working. No other gun was as well suited for this kind of work. As far as shooting 200 rounds in a practice session, probably not a good idea. There are other guns better suited for that type of practice. Marksmanship skills ARE transferable from one gun to another. I felt very well-armed carrying my 442, but hey,what do I know?
Bob

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I pocket carry either a Model 642 or Model 60 both in .38 Special. My load of choice is the .38 Special Plus P Speer 130gr. Hollow-point for SB (short barrel), but I have also loaded with the 148gr. HBWC (hollow base wadcutter).

Best of luck,

Dave

 

[TSQUARED]

I carry a S&W m&p .40 c but it is to heavy to carry in summer time. So I am looking at a j frame s&w preferably in .357 but am not apposed to a .38 I would really appreciate everyone's opinion to help further my research... I probably wouldn't want to spend more than $800 .. Thanks for your help.

I use a S&W 642 in a pocket holster. Lightweight with alloy frame and stainless steel cylinder and barrel, no hammer to snag and 5 rounds of 38 Special +P.

 

[Engine 21]

My choice

A model 60 with 38+ is my personal favorite. It gives me peace of mind should the situation arise.

 

[confederate]

I carry a model 637 in 38 sp+p. It weighs in at 15 oz. Paid 449.00 for mine.

 

[ldp4570]

I only one S&W J frame a pre 36 5 screw and it serves me well for summer carry when I'm wearing shorts and tee shirt out.

I-frame transitional, very cool gun!!!!

 

[snowman.45]

J Frames

I have a 340 M&P and a 940. I really like them both, and prefer the Centennial configuration in the event that I want to pocket carry. The 340 M&P is loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr. lead hollow-points at about 1000 fps. and the 940 is loaded with 124 +p GDHP.

 

[Murcielago]

340 M&P is loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 gr. lead hollow-points at about 1000 fps.

Ouch. Out of my 340, I find the Buffalo Bore +P's hurt as much as some .357's.

 

[coltgun]

re j frame

Hi, I have and carry a Smith&Wesson 337Ti,titanium, 38+p, revolver i like it as it is lighter then the 640 or 642, weighs only 11.4oz, i carry ther little fellow in a Mika pocket holster....

 

[snub56]

I carry a model 642 and here's why

1. Easy to carry and conceal
2. Dual action only
3. Heavy trigger pull
4. Accurate for me out to 25 yards with .38 spl and +P

 

[Cold_DeadHands]

If I'd buy a J-Frame today I'd go with the Model 360 M&P.

 

[Cavaliere]

With me it's an "either/or" choice: either my model 60, or my model 40. Both are loaded with factory mid-range wadcutters.

 

[vinnyFL]

I recommend against .357 loadings in lightweight short-barreled revolvers. The increase in actual ballistic performance of .357 vs. .38 Special is very small in the 2" tubes, but the increases in recoil, muzzle blast, and muzzle flash are huge.

I stick with standard velocity .38 Special loads in my J-frames, especially the Model 37 Airweight. Much easier to stay on target with, controllable recoil without bruises or abrasions to the hand, reduced muzzle blast and flash allow accurate follow-up shots.

For pocket carry the shrouded hammer models like the 642, 649, etc. do very well. The exposed hammer models benefit from a good holster.

Much is made of the muzzle blast but I never notice it enough to cause a problem. These days low flash powder is being used in many brands of ammo for short barreled guns. I have been shooting .357 for about 40 years out of small and large revolvers and muzzle flash has never been an issue. Sure on video it looks fierce but it is of such short duration that I personally do not even notice it even when shooting in low light. Shotguns also have a lot of muzzle flash as do other guns and it will not destroy your night vision unless for some reason you are shooting at people in total darkness in which case you started off not being able to see in the first place.

As far as shooting +P or .357 out of a lightweight snub nose, each person needs to try for themselves with various brands and weights of ammo to see what works for them. For me the Golden Sabers in .357 are very controllable and do not hurt my hand. They shoot true to point of aim for me and are not difficult to bring back on target quickly. Maybe not as quickly as a regular .38 but on par with a +P. I actually find the Gold Dot 135 gr. +P rounds worse than the .357 Sabers as far as recoil and controllability. The increase with a .357 is not great but not insignificant either. My way of thinking is that any increase in velocity from a short barreled gun is welcome even if just 100-130 fps, if you can handle it. After all isn't that why we use +P, for more velocity? It can make the difference between a bullet stopping right before the spine or actually severing it.

 

[18DAI]

Only J-frame I own is a 640-1. I carry it for BUG and as a deep concealment handgun.

Heavy enough to practice with regularly, not too heavy to carry everyday.

Durable enough to shoot alot. Everything from wild to mild. I don't see needing another J-frame........unless I wear this 640-1 out.......then I'll buy another 640-1. Regards 18DAI

 

[dogsoldier]

My wife's current CCW weapon is an S&W 351PD. She likes the weight, the sights and the fact that she has 7 rounds at her disposal instead of 5. With modern ammunition, there's not much difference between the .38SPL and the .22Magnum.

 

[wfparys]

3" MODEL 60