Should I get an aluminum J-frame?

[Rpg]

Alloy j frames (without regard to what the Smith marketing guys call them: aluminum, alloy, airweight or Scandium are the same stuff for practical purposes) are delightful guns for a particular purpose.

Infrequently, the frame cracks: commonly because the barrel was over torked on assembly. This is the reason Smith usually replaces them, even those not covered by warranty.

I wouldn't pay a premium for a gun marketed as 'Scandium' unless the gun had desirable features such as better sights than a more pedestrianly named gun.

I wouldn't buy a gun with a lock, almost entirely on esthetic grounds.

Buy the gun you like best. Don't worry about what they call the alloy. Don't worry about the frame cracking: it is quite rare and Smith will replace it.

 

[ABPOS]

Neither of the guns you mentioned really "collectable" guns. They are utilitarian guns meant to be used and carried. There's no sentimental value so in the off chance they would crack just send it in for replacement.
I recently bought a 442 to replace my old steel frame 60. The 442 is noticeably lighter in the pocket but in a waistband holster I can't tell the difference.
I guess my point is, if you are going to pocket of ankle carry get a lightweight alloy and deal with cracks as you have to, if you are going to carry on your waist buy an older (or new) steel j frame.
Matter of fact I may go back to carrying my old 60 on my waist and reserve the 442 for pocket carry. The older 60 has a trigger like butter and it just feels like quality compared to the new 442.

Totally agree with everything he just said. Spot on.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

I pondered this same dilemma a few years ago and found myself a very nice used Model 640 on GunBroker and have never regretted it...

 

[Frank46]

Just spring for an all steel model 36 and you won't have to worry about cracks. Good reliable firearms. You'll appreciate the slight extra weight when you shoot some plus P's in it. I've had mine ever sinceCCW came to Louisiana. No problems, No aftermarket add ons just very reliable.Fits in my jeans pocket and has traveled many a mile with me. Frank

 

[Dragon 1]

I have both 442 and 340 PD, many years ago I had a 340 PD that had a crack after a box of AE 38 spl. Not any kind of crazy high pressure 357 mag. Smith was great they replaced it said when they pressed bbl in it would crack above the yoke. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS since that I think it was around 2005 or 2006. This again was the 340 PD BBL my SW 442 I have shot many times no cracks they will sometimes crack above the Yoke under the BBL also I heard this from Teddy Jacobson on (642/442). I have not heard of this in a longtime but you never no. As long as you do not have custom gunsmithing done were SW will not stand behind gun if it cracks send back and they will take care of you there is always a lemon with anything for some reason I always seemed to get that one. I did get ride of the 340 PD for a Non lock 340PD 2 years ago Good luck to you.

 

[Green Frog]

By the time you get to the J-frame, I'm not sure the weight savings vs a steel frame would really be that much of a factor. I sincerely doubt you'll crack a steel or stainless steel frame, particularly one of the older ones with pinned barrel. My favorites for EDC are a Baby Chief and an I-frame snub in 32 S&W L. I also like to carry a Model 60-4 if it doesn't have to really be concealed.

Froggie

 

[JimCunn]

When my 36 was stolen after 49 years (it had sentimental value), I replaced it with an aluminum framed 637-2. Liked it enough that I bought two more, and installed titanium .38/.357 cylinders in all three to further reduce the weight. Had TKC rechamber two of them to 9mm. I like those two 9mm conversions better than any other handgun I've ever owned. But they have no sentimental value. If they crack, sobeit. I'll just replace them with identical conversions as needed.

 

[ABPOS]

When my 36 was stolen after 49 years (it had sentimental value), I replaced it with an aluminum framed 637-2. Liked it enough that I bought two more, and installed titanium .38/.357 cylinders in all three to further reduce the weight. Had TKC rechamber two of them to 9mm. I like those two 9mm conversions better than any other handgun I've ever owned. But they have no sentimental value. If they crack, sobeit. I'll just replace them with identical conversions as needed.

I think we need to see pics of these!!!! I don't see 637's very often on here. I fondled one once. The trigger was heavy. But about like my 442's. A bit heavier, but it was brand new. How are your triggers? I would say this one went 13#. Mine is down into the 12's now with use. And letting oil seep into the action a few times.

 

[JimCunn]

I haven't measured the pull. My wild-a** guess is about 6 or 7 double action, and about 3 single. Interior polishing with an Arkansas stone (I didn't touch the sear) and a set of Wolff springs and Apex firing pin helped a lot, as did the light weight titanium cylinders (reduced polar moment of inertia during double action pull). I shoot 147gr 9mm x19 to avoid eroding the face of the titanium cylinders. Perceived recoil is moderate, but I've never been particularly recoil sensitive. They will still fire .38 Special with or without moonclips. They will still chamber .357, but I don't think I'm gonna try that, due to potential case sticking.

How do I post pictures?

 

[Mister X]

I'd get the 442. I own one as well as a couple of 642's.

When they came out with the no-lock 340 M&P's, I bought a couple, but honestly didn't care for them all that much and sold them after a few months. You can find plenty of complaints of issues with the scandium frame guns if you google it, so it's not like they are always problem free themselves. Serious problems though are rare and either one would most likely be fine.

 

[ABPOS]

I haven't measured the pull. My wild-a** guess is about 6 or 7 double action, and about 3 single. Interior polishing with an Arkansas stone (I didn't touch the sear) and a set of Wolff springs and Apex firing pin helped a lot, as did the light weight titanium cylinders (reduced polar moment of inertia during double action pull). I shoot 147gr 9mm x19 to avoid eroding the face of the titanium cylinders. Perceived recoil is moderate, but I've never been particularly recoil sensitive. They will still fire .38 Special with or without moonclips. They will still chamber .357, but I don't think I'm gonna try that, due to potential case sticking.

How do I post pictures?

Send em to me if you don't know how. [email protected]. I don't know if I'd know how to explain it. I use a hosting sight at Imgur: The magic of the Internet. You can get an account there and download your pics from the computer. Then you right click on the image and under image info, you copy that big long URL I guess it's called. Then you paste that URL into the slot when you click on the picture icon when you're making a post in here. It's at the top and looks like a mountain with the moon or sun.

Otherwise, just email them to me.

 

[Rock185]

I have read that the Scandium percentage in the S&W aluminum alloy "Scandium" framed guns is less than 1%, but does make the parts tougher. I'm all for it. But, I have a more pedestrian no-lock 642. I also have some other little steel framed 5-shooters in .38 and 9MM. The 642 gets carried the most by far, simply due to it's lighter weight. I realize that thin area above the yoke may crack, I've seen the pictures too. If it does, perhaps Smith will replace it. I don't lose any sleep over it in any case. Just personal preference, but I prefer the no-lock guns.....ymmv

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

My scandium j frame is with me 24-7. Other than wearing out the silver finish down to the bare metal, a paint job which is also worn through and a slight movement in the barrel, i guess from sitting on it, it still is my ccw go to and I shoot it alot with 38 spcls while my carry load is hornady critical defense. I do have a set of those weird Ergo grips on it which make it a breeze to shoot.

 

[Julian]

Have a 2 inch and 3 inch model 36. Went shooting with friends. Neighbor was teaching his wife to shoot a 642. I shot it. Definitely difference in recoil. Let his wife shoot my 2 inch and she shot much better and liked it.

 

[LPD256]

Here's a novel idea. I'm currently carrying a 3" Model 60 Pro with a slab sided barrel and a night sight. It carry's well, is balanced and may be the best shooting j-frame I've owned. Love the wood stocks. I have a 36 and a 638. Those are great options, but the 3 inch gun with .38 Specials is actually fun to shoot.

 

[Watchdog]

"Should I get an aluminum J-frame?"

I wouldn't.

To put an even finer point on it, you couldn't give me one.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Have to chime in with agreement on Watchdog's thoughts.

I've had an early (1955) Chiefs Special Airweight, a couple Model 38s from the late '70s and a Model M&P 340. I still have a really early Chiefs with an aluminum cylinder that ain't going nowhere, but that's different -- it's a non-shooter.

If you want a Centennial style, go with the 640 Pro. It weighs an indistinguishable half pound more than the M&P 340, can be had for less money and is lots more pleasurable to shoot.

My two bits.

 

[AZretired]

Most of the cracked frames I have heard about also had a barrel that was over-torqued, as in screwed in just a touch too much. Did this cause undue stress and the crack? Maybe. I have a 642-1, 642-2 and a 638-3 all with over a 1000 rounds down the tube without an issue. I carry +P but only shoot about 50-60 round of it per year, the rest is standard velocity.

 

[SeamasterSig]

I don't like reading all the reports of the frame cracks on the 442 airweight series. Seems like the Scandium ones don't crack.

If the scandium ones seem to crack less than the airweights, it may be because they are likely shot even less often than the aluminum guns. IMO, the all-steel J-frames aren't that heavy and the modest weight is a pro, not a con. But if you really want something extra light that you can forget is in your pocket like you'd forget a m60 on your belt, then get the 442 and load it with +p for carry. I would only recommend the 340 over a 442 if you like the hi-vis sight and magnum rating. Either way, practice enough that you can deal with the recoil and follow-up with further shots quickly and accurately.

 

[haywood]

I have a 37 and Two 442s. I practice a few times a year with them. 99% of the time it's with standard factory 38 ammo. No cracks so far. I shoot what I carry. If they break I'll send them back. If they have to be replaced I will replace them.