Short-Barrel K-Frames

[redlevel]

I just can't find a place for them. I love their looks (I think the 2.5" Model 19 is absolutely the sexiest looking handgun ever made) and I love how they feel in my hand, but I can't find a real use for them. I continue to buy them or trade for them because they are so purty, but I always end up selling them or trading them away.

If I'm going to carry a full-sized revolver in a belt holster, I can carry a 4" barrel just about as easily. If I am going to pocket-carry a concealed revolver, the k-frame is just too big and bulky. I recently traded into a Commander sized Kimber Pro-Carry. It carries on a belt holster infinitely more comfortable, and is easier to conceal, than a 2.5" Model 19, or even a 2" Model 10. An extra 7 round mag is less bulky than a speed loader. My 3" Model 36 conceals more easily in a belt holster than did my 2.5" Model 19. Look at Buffalo Bore's offerings in heavy .38 Special and reduced recoil, reduced flash .357; if I remember correctly, the energy from the 3" M 36 is practically the same. To me, the BB heavy 158 grain load in a j-frame isn't nearly as punishing as .357 158 grain regular loads. I just don't even want to shoot full-bore .357 in the 2.5" barrel.

I love K-frames, but I love them in 4" barrel length. I carry them in the field, in the truck or console of the car, but in a climate where I wear khaki pants and Polo-type pull-over shirts without a jacket about 350 days a year, the little j-frame snubs are much more comfortable to carry and a whole lot more concealable.

Anybody else feel this way?

 

[WNC Seabee]

yup. I have a 2.5" M66 that I just adore, but rarely carry for the same reasons.

 

[dma1]

Yes I can relate to what you are saying. I've got a snub 66 and 15 that are not nearly as concealable as my Sig 239. I still love 'em though.

 

[Engine49guy]

Absolutely and for that reason I carry a Model 37 in town.
In the woods I will suffer the extra heft of the 66-1 snub ,

 

[blujax01]

My M64 "Luscious". I dress around the gun and the weight becomes a non-issue.

 

[18DAI]

While I concur that it is as easy to conceal a 4 inch K-frame, as it is a shorter barrel K-frame, I still prefer the weight savings of the 2.5 inch K-frame magnums.

In reality, I have actually have split the difference most of my career by carrying a 3 inch pre lock 66.

Is the 3 inch considered a short barrel for the purposes of this discussion? Regards 18DAI

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Depends on how you dress, and how you carry. I pretty much carry in a pocket or OWB, now, except for, occasionally, a Gov't Model in a Summer Special. OWB, a 2" M15 offers a tremendous advantage over a 4", and mine seems to shoot about the same as a 4". Different holster or different clothes, I would probably answer differently.

 

[Smee78]

I'm right tere with you, my j frames get the lion's share of CC duty due to cargo shorts and tee shirts being the main dress after work.

 

[grover99]

Just ordered a S&W Model 10 with a 3 inch barrel from Buds. I really think I like the 3 inch better than the shorter ones.

 

[DRYHEAT]

I really like my Sept. '81 M64-2, stoked with 6 Federal 158 gr. Nyclad (+P), and Eagle grips + Tyler T-grip. I goes with me in either an IWB, or Galco Miami Classic S.H.. Sometimes just in the center console of my car.

 

[Snakeshift]

I just can't find a place for them. I love their looks (I think the 2.5" Model 19 is absolutely the sexiest looking handgun ever made) and I love how they feel in my hand, but I can't find a real use for them. I continue to buy them or trade for them because they

I carry a Model 19 2.5" almost daily, and the only place that it really excels over a 3-4" K-frame is if you use shoulder holsters (as I do). The 2-2.5" K-Frame is incredibly more comfortable to conceal and doesn't print near as much as a 4" K-frame if you're carrying either vertically or horizontally.

But; if like you've said you're carrying OWB or maybe even IWB there isn't much "benefit" per say.


Here's my rig for giggles.

Model 19-3 with a S&W 03 52 Holster (both of which were my fathers).

 

[fyimo]

My favorite is a Model 64 no dash snub nose.

 

[JCS&W]

relevel, it is a pitty that you do not like them. Tell you what, when you find them, just let me know. No thanks necessary, I think I could find a use for them. We live close enough that I could be there in an hour or so.

 

[OIF2]

I carried a 3" M10 .38 as my off-duty gun in a DeSantis holster long after I was carrying an auto on-duty. With a couple of Bianchi speed-strips in my pocket it was fine for driving to work and back when I was assigned to Hollywood patrol.
Bob

 

[Old Unk]

I like 3" for the FULL length extractor rod. Here are a few of mine;

usually carry high and tight OWB in a pancake style holster, often a Simply Rugged.

Best.

 

[Art Doc]

Everyone has his preferences. My daily carry piece is a 2.5" M19. A fixed sight M10 is more compact and a J frame 38 is smaller still. But I confess to a feeling of confidence knowing that if I have to turn a round loose it will be a 125 JHP moving at 1450 FPS.

 

[holo]

just picked it up

 

[Stu Honea]

For the past two years or so I have been carrying AIWB almost exclusively with the occasional exception. Started with autos but I have found that this is also a comfortable and very fast position for me with a revolver also.
My carry snubs are a 2 1/2 inch Mod.19 or a 2 inch Mod 10-5,dehorned. I'm actually more comfortable mentally with revolvers in this position than with autos. I'll usually have an airweight pocketed too,but the K's have never been a problem for me with any carry method.

 

[chud333]

I understand where you're coming from. In hot weather i carry my
36 snub J-frame. I can stick it in a pocket or wear an IWB and hardly know it's there.
In cold weather i carry my 3 1/2" model 27-2 mostly. For some reason I don't carry my k-frames even though i have a model 66-3 with 3" tube.
I guess my k-22's and my 66 are just range guns to me.

Chuck

 

[chud333]

relevel, it is a pitty that you do not like them. Tell you what, when you find them, just let me know. No thanks necessary, I think I could find a use for them. We live close enough that I could be there in an hour or so.

Lovely line-up my friend. Tell me when you get tired of that
fine Pinto will ya' !!!! I'll give it a good home.....

Chuck

 

[NE450No2]

I am just not a 38 Special/357 Mag as a primary carry gun kind of guy...

Still i have a 2 1/2" Blue Mod 19 I bought to use in Snub Nosed matches, and I just cannot part with it.
It is as accurate to 25 yards as a full sized PPC Revolver.

I agree it is one of the coolest looking, and handling S&W's.

I also actually carried it on duty, as a No2, to a 1911 in 45 ACP, on those assignments where I was "trying" to get robbed, face to face.

As I much prefer a revolver in grappling situations...

 

[Frank46]

Here in Louisiana its supposed to hit 90 degrees tomorrow. My little j-frame 36 will be in my right front jeans pocket. Not noticeable at all.
Frank

 

[VictorLouis]

For the past two years or so I have been carrying AIWB almost exclusively with the occasional exception. Started with autos but I have found that this is also a comfortable and very fast position for me with a revolver also.
I'll usually have an airweight pocketed too,but the K's have never been a problem for me with any carry method.

What he said...

 

[norsemanhp]

18DAI
I hope the 3 inch is considered part of the discussion. I know you own one.

 

[Laurent]

Agreed, snubbies are sweet, like this 2" M15:

The target hammer and trigger are especially desirable, IMO. Even if they don't make any sense on a snub.

But I admit that I shoot more often my 4" M19 or this MR 73 Defense:

The 3" barrel is more appropriate for .357, even if the light profile doesn't tame the recoil as a 3" M13/M65 would.

L.

 

[18DAI]

Hi norsemanhp! Yea, I've got a few 3 inch K's. Some folks don't consider the 3 inch to be a snub. Others, like myself, do.

I think the 3 inch tube is the perfect do everything well length. For the purposes of the discussion in this thread, I think it solves the problem(s) that those who would otherwise carry a 4 inch gun, encounter with the 2.5 and 2 inch guns.

The only problem I ever had with a 2.5 inch Combat Magnum was a tendency for the grip to angle out away from the body and the revolver to flop around on the belt when using certain holsters. Sadly when using a belt slide holster - which I prefer - it happened often. The 3 inch tubes don't do this.

With the 3 inch you also have the advantages of full length ejection of spent casings and the very slight - often overstated - velocity increase of the slightly longer tube.

Laurent - I am green with envy at your 3 inch MR 73 !!! Possibly the finest revolver ever made. By anyone. Is yours ex French police? I'd love to shoot one and dream of owning one. Very nice indeed sir! Regards 18DAI

 

[Wiredog]

@ snakeshift

Nice set-up, I've got a similar holster (Miami Style?) that works well with a vest or jacket.

 

[sheepdawg]

I mean how can you not love a 2" barrel Model 15. My wife carries the 36.

 

[Stu Honea]

sheepdawg,that 15 is the blitz,bro.

 

[TNDave]

I used to carry 4" K frames all the time and still do sometimes. But I have become a big fan of short barreled K frames. If you carry them outside the belt they don't stick out below your shirt tail making them a lot more concealable than a 4" gun. The round butt with some carry type grips are also more concealable than a square butt gun.

The short barreled K frame is a lot easier to shoot than a J frame and of course holds one more round. You can shoot them well at defense ranges. They are a lot lighter than a 4" gun. Whats' not to love?

Here are a few guns I have carried in the past or present.

Model 10

Model 12

Model 64