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