Shield v Jframe

[barking_dog]

I went to the range today to rent a Jframe to compare it with my Shield and see if I thought I could reduce the size of my EDC. I had never shot a Jframe before. I have shot other revolvers, big, heavy steel revolvers before. The big revolvers were not a problem to shoot.

I really do not know how anyone shoots a Jframe as well as some people do. For me, I wanted to quit after the first 25 rounds. It was simply uncomfortable. On top of that, I had no trigger control. My target looked like I was trying to pattern a shotgun at 75 yards.

I wanted to like it and wanted to like it well enough to buy one. I must assume that it is my issue. There cannot be as many fans out there if it works as bad for everyone as it did for me.

Guess if I want an EDC that is smaller than my Shield, I will carry it with the flush magazine.

 

[petepeterson]

It takes a lot of practice to shoot a j-frame well.

Additionally, in my opinion, unless you're trying to pocket carry, a j-frame is not more concealable than a Shield, due to the thickness of the cylinder.

 

[Dave49]

The reason that I went to the Shield is that the LCR 38+p I own is bulky to conceal carry.

 

[kmanick]

I have both , a 642 and a Shield. I find the 642 difficult to shoot accurately at anything more than 10 feet away. the shield is much more controllable (for me anyway). I like to carry my 642 in the summer in a smart carry but my shield has really become my EDC. I think it conceals pretty much as well as Jframe.

 

[BigDog48]

I have a also have a 642 and a Shield. I've owned and shot more than 25 handguns. The 642 is the least fun and the hardest to shoot. It has an awful trigger, lousy sights, bad recoil even with standard 38 special. I can't imagine it with +P, which it is rated for. On top of all that, it is thicker than the Shield and only holds 5 rounds, and a speed reload would be a miracle, because you can't eject the spent rounds quickly with the ejector rod, since it is so short. You decide.

 

[barking_dog]

Thanks for the replies. The Shield is easy to shot and conceal. I just read so much about others liking their j-frames so much, I wanted to try one. It is just not something I think I could get use to.

 

[petepeterson]

Thanks for the replies. The Shield is easy to shot and conceal. I just read so much about others liking their j-frames so much, I wanted to try one. It is just not something I think I could get use to.

Don't discount the utility of a small revolver, though. Simple operation, reliability, and the ability to shoot from inside a pocket or purse are all positives. It isn't necessarily the best choice for someone that isn't going to put in the time to improve with it.

 

[barking_dog]

Don't discount the utility of a small revolver, though. Simple operation, reliability, and the ability to shoot from inside a pocket or purse are all positives. It isn't necessarily the best choice for someone that isn't going to put in the time to improve with it.

I am sure they are great guns. Everything I have heard talking to people that have them and reading the reviews say they are perfectly reliable and accurate. I really wanted one but know that sense I did not like the recoil or trigger, I would not practice enough to feel comfortable carrying it as my EDC. It is my issue. I am just disappointed that I did not like it.

 

[oldylocks]

I own a 638 Airweight. I am not as accurate as when I shoot my 66-2. However, here are a few positives:

I can shoot a variety of different 38 loads, including 38 shot (just in case I run into a rattler while fly-fishing in Eastern Oregon)

I can practice without heading out to a range. I have been using wax bullets loaded with a primer (no powder) and it cycles all 5 shots (can't do that with an auto). The noise is low, so I can practice at home (in the garage, or basement - with ventilation). Also, the short barrel is much easier to clean (cleaning out the wax and soot).

Oh yeah, that fishing thing... it is light, and resistant to moisture (just in case I slip on a rock while wading an Oregon trout stream).

Light, concealable, and can be fun, especially when I use my 105 GR hand loads with a light charge of powder, and recoil is minimal (at the range - not in the basement).

Can conceal it in a variety of ways, including the pocket.

I guess if I gave it more thought, I could think of other positives...

 

[Pef]

They aren't for everyone, and one really needs to shoot them a lot to become proficient. But once you do become proficient with a small j-frame, it's much easier to handle most semi-auto triggers out of the box.

J-frames are best for a shooter that really wants....a j-frame.

But there's nothing wrong with trying it out and not liking it.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I am lucky enough to have an all steel J frame M49 that weighs in at 21 oz. empty.
It is day and night from shooting the 15 oz. air weight revolvers in the recoil department but it is still there.

A good grip that fits, a little trigger work or at least a stone job and a lot of practice is needed to get the short barrel revolver to tighten up it's groups. It is one of the hardest weapons to tame..........

My new 9mm 3.5" C9 pistol weighing in around 29 oz. with a fair trigger, is a walk in the park in the learning process compared to the 38 specials. No fine tuning as yet.......

If a shotgun or handgun fits a shooter, the scores will be way higher in the end product. You are a heck of a shooter if you do well just grabbing a strange weapon you never shot and get them all on paper. It takes time to get use to a weapon and do well.
Don't feel so sad on that outing............... but yes, it does kick a bit for the first time out. Quite the eye opener.

 

[307-Niner]

My EDC is a M&P 340. I have a 43C (22lr) that is fun too, and really helps me practice trigger control. And that's really the name of the game with a DOA J frame, trigger control.

Once you master that, I guarantee you will be a better shooter with ANY gun you pick up. If you can shoot a J frame well, you can most likely shoot anything well.

My wife likes shooting my full size revolvers. She can shoot my J frames okay, but does not like them. She chose (and carries) a Shield 40. And I'm happy with her choice.

 

[barking_dog]

The range only has one air weight. The grip is stock. They do have some all steel ones with larger grips. I wear xxl gloves so the stock grip was very small for me. Maybe I should try the all steel with the larger grips.

 

[TeaDub]

The Shield is an excellent CC choice for many people.

I cut my teeth on Smith revolvers and I'm comfortable with a double action wheel gun trigger. A J-frame offers a few advantages over a semi auto (pocket use, etc) but the obstacles are higher for those new to them.

As Nevada Ed stated, a steel J-frame would be my advice to locate and try for anyone wanting to learn the smaller Smiths. Another option for those that already own an airweight would be to handload lighter loads for practice. Non handloaders could find "cowboy" loads such as GA Arms sells to make the gun a pleasure to shoot. These options may not help the OP as many ranges won't allow outside ammo in rentals.

I still love my J-frames. While I still carry them, the new generation of slim, small 9mm guns are an excellent option that I have used more frequently. The two choices don't have to be exclusive.

 

[Motorsporting]

If you start going "all steal" with "large grips", you are definitely going to loose some of that concealability you are seeking. I have a LCR .357, and the trigger is really nice, but I have to shoot it so slow compared to my Shield to get the same level of precision (even with softer .38 rounds). But I'm also not a revolver guy. If I grew up and learned on revolvers, I'm sure I'd be typing the opposite. The LCR serves a purpose, but super concealability isn't one of them either. If you want super concealability, it sounds like you are headed towards a .380 ACP.

 

[Old cop]

We learned how to shoot these little guns back in the '60s when I started in law enforcement but they are an acquired & perishable skill. They recoil hard and leaving it in a pocket or drawer for years absent frequent range visits is a mistake. With the current selection of small and light semi autos there may be better options for the new shooter, if they're not willing to put in the range time to master this weapon. I recently changed my EDC from a J frame to the M&P .380 for a variety of reasons, but I can still shoot the J very well.

 

[Mister X]

My perspective is that context is key and the context I'm referencing is purely civilian self-defense.

A lightweight DAO enclosed hammer revolver is not a target or a shoot a lot of rounds at the range gun, but it is a fantastic carry and overall personal defense weapon as it does a few key things better than any other handgun does.

In ECQ/extreme close-quarters defense scenarios, it is an extremely formidable weapon since a snub revolver is the hardest gun to disarm from it's rightful owner. The gun will still function if the muzzle makes contact with the assailant, The "hammerless" models such as the 642/442 will fire from inside a jacket pocket, purse or if entangled in clothing. There is no hammer to snag or inadvertently get blocked in a close-quarter struggle. If you get a dud round, all you have to do is pull the trigger again. It's rounded contours make it easier and quicker out of a pocket as well as to pick up from a flat surface than an autoloader. Semi-auto reliability/function or limp-wristing can be a definite concern in a real world self-defense scenario since you very often won't have a perfect two handed grip or solid stance and contact with the muzzle can force the slide of an auto out of battery, plus the slide needs a certain amount of posterior space to complete it's rearward movement or it will cause a jam. None of these are an issue with the revolver.

Some people call these "experts guns" since they are difficult to master in certain shooting circumstances, but those circumstances don't really apply to the armed citizen concerned solely with personal protection. These guns are safe, simple and reliable and you have to look at the pros and cons and decide which are most favorable to the task of self-defense. If you look over the stats, you'll see civilian self-defense involving firearms are almost always extremely close distance(contact out to a few yards), low round count(average of two or three) and short duration affairs(resolved in seconds), therefore the so-called disadvantages of the j-frame aren't really disadvantages at all since it's shortcomings really only negatively affect range and target shooting

 

[Ofc.JL]

Yep. The dirty little secret about lightweight 5 shot small revolvers. THEY KICK! Yes they are easy to carry. Yes, the have sufficient power to do the job(for the most part). Yes they are simple to use. But in no way are the barking little brutes comfortable to shot for more than a few shots. Newtons 3rd law of motion hard at work here.
Don't get me wrong, I own and carry a S&W 638 quite often, but a 9mm Shield is much more comfortable to shoot.
Another problem around lightweight .38's is most Gun shop salesmen tend to steer women towards these ferocious little beasts as a females best bet for concealed carry. WRONG! One particular Firearm Co. really pushes it's lightweight 5 shot .38's just for women. You know the Company, they tend to go crazy w/ all sorts of paint schemes and colors trying to sell to women. Bothers me a little, but they can do as they see fit, how they market their product is not up to me.
And micro .380's aren't much better in the recoil dept, either.
Oh well. Sorry, rant off.

 

[Mister X]

Don't get me wrong, I own and carry a S&W 638 quite often, but a 9mm Shield is much more comfortable to shoot.
Another problem around lightweight .38's is most Gun shop salesmen tend to steer women towards these ferocious little beasts as a females best bet for concealed carry. WRONG!

Simply because something is more comfortable to shoot doesn't mean it's the better choice. From Massad Ayoob... The Real Ladies Gun -- Handguns

 

[Ofc.JL]

I agree, Mister X. But you know how most big retailers are. And with that I mean places such as Gander Mountain, or Cabela's where the Gun counter salesmen are just grabbing what THEY think is best. You and I know it is up to what the person can handle and is comfortable with.