Step up from J-Frame?

[Frank46]

One of my wife's girlfriends wanted to get her Concealed carry permit but knew nothing about firearms. Ok I'll trot out a few of my smaller revolvers and autos. Let try and rack the slide on my P6 and she couldn't do it,same for the P239 still no joy. Didn't have any other smaller autos. So out came the model 36 in 38 spl. Unloaded it and let her pull the trigger and testfire unloaded. That she liked, then floored my when she said id I had anything bigger. Out came a standard model 10 and a model 15 with adjustable sights. She liked the model 10 but when I handed her the model 15 she said thats the one. The 10 had goodyears and the 15 had non checkered stocks and were slightly bigger than the goodyears. She asked where she could get a model 15 like mine. Told her the stocks on it as you now see it aren't factory issue. So I wrote down what she should look for and told her of a shop that might have a nice 15. Either that or take your chances at our local gun shows. About 6 months later I asked the wife how's your friend doing in a search for her handgun?. Told me that her friend thought that they were too expensive. Next time I saw her I asked her how much her life was worth??. And to carry in this state she'll have to get fingerprinted, photos,attend classes and finally an actual shooting test. And they do a background investigation on you before you get the permit.Seems this was all too much for her. Said she would go see the local sherriff and see what he could do. wasted trip as he basically told her rymed with what I had told her. At that point I knew she'd never even start the process. I've seen women at our range shooting just about 22's,38's357 mag, and suprisingly quite a few shooting 45 autos. I asked a few doing the 45 autos why were they shooting them. with the exception who was shooting her husbands 45 all the rest just loved them. Frank

 

[bearman49709]

2 1/2" 66. Better trigger than a J frame, 6 shot and .357 magnums don't hurt when you shoot.

 

[629shooter]

If you are not in a hurry, I'd look around for a 386 Night Guard.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[HorizontalMike]

...[snip]...

Last night for ****s and giggles I tried carrying my 4" 686+ appendix and it actually was far MORE comfortable and concealable than any semi-auto I've ever tried.

I don't want to carry the 4" for its size and weight, but wondering what would be a better intermediate option between a 642 and a 686? I think the 2.5" 686 would still be too heavy for all day appendix carry.

I've had a 4in 686 for +32yr and they shoot great. IMO, a bit much to carry BUT... Have you even considered buying a 627PC with its 2.625in barrel? I bought one because I wanted a shorter barrel and WOW! I was floored at how well it shot after getting it tuned in. Well worth the co$t.

Loaded, the 627PC has 8rd of .357 vs the 6rd of a 686. And both the 4in 686 and the 2.62in 627PC fully loaded, are nearly identical in weight. Just 0.6oz difference.

Something to consider...

 

[H Richard]

2.5" Mod 19 would fit in there also, but considerably heavier than a 642.

 

[ScottN]

Personally I would not appendix carry anything with an exposed hammer.

So, I would suggest a 640 or 640 Pro for increased shootability. I would install my 3-finger grip of choice and you have a much nicer revolver to shoot with the increase in weight and grip over your 642. The pro model has 3 dot night sights which many consider a significant upgrade, while the regular 640 has a removable front sight allowing you to install whatever you want. The other plus to the 640 is the similarity to your 642.

If you feel the need to add a sixth round then I'd suggest the Kimber 3". It has a nice trigger and sights from the factory.

Late add: The 640 also gives a .25" increase in barrel length over the 642.

 

[vegasgunhand]

Go simple, K frame Model 10 round butt, no target sights to snag on presentation. Or Heaven forbid for this forum, a Colt D frame Detective Special or the new Colt night Cobra.

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm going to look into all these options.

I would get the hammer bobbed on anything I carry, I don't like the idea of an exposed hammer for appendix either.

I love my J-frame, but 50 rounds is the max I can shoot before I'm done for the day. I would like to be very proficient with my carry gun so I'm looking for something I can get a lot more mileage out of at the range. We have a 1-year old (today is actually his first birthday!) so I can't get to the range as often as I'd like, once a month at best. I don't feel very confident in my ability with the J-frame only firing 50 rounds once a month.

I'm trying to accomplish a few things here:

1. Carry a gun that I am very proficient with and confident in my ability to shoot accurately under stress. I'm a decent shot with the J-frame at short distances but I'd like to be better than "decent."

2. Carry something with more than 5 rounds of 38 special. If I am ever in a situation where I need a firearm I like my chances with even 6 rounds of 357 vs 5 rounds of 38.

3. Have my carry gun do double duty for HD. If I only have time in the middle of the night to grab a handgun before getting to my AR or 12-gauge I'd like to grab something bigger than a J-frame.

I can't quite carry the 4" 686+ out of the house as the long grip sticks out too much carrying appendix and it's VERY obvious printing.

I have the old-school S&W Dymondwood grips on my 642, and found the same ones available for K/L frames. Will those shorten the length of the grip significantly?

 

[rich5674]

Sounds like you need a sub compact 9mm

50 rnds a month sounds good to me. If you need a step up in power, capacity, less recoil, you might need something like a Ruger LC9 or equivalent Smith

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

50 rnds a month sounds good to me. If you need a step up in power, capacity, less recoil, you might need something like a Ruger LC9 or equivalent Smith

I've tried to carry semiautos but any position except appendix ends up getting exposed through the day (in my business I absolutely CANNOT be made) and the shape doesn't work for me appendix.

A revolver just tucks in perfectly there while any semiauto I've tried just jabs and pokes and is more or less miserable to carry. I've tried with an LCP, Shield, and P30SK. The angle at the top just doesn't work for my body while the curve of a revolver does.

 

[Jingles]

I'm a bit too "thick" for appendix carry but a 2.5" 66 is very comfortable when carried in a proper holster at about 4:00 position. Only one more round than your 642 but, hey, they're magnums so six should be plenty.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Practice, practice,...

50 rnds a month sounds good to me. If you need a step up in power, capacity, less recoil, you might need something like a Ruger LC9 or equivalent Smith

My goal is roughly 50/week, maybe a bit more. Spread over 2-4 sessions each week. Having my own home range is a must at this rate. IMO, the more frequent the sessions, the smoother my trigger pull. And the less my ears jerk with the discharge... and yes I have a great set of ear muffs.

 

[bronco45]

Have one, get one: Kimber K6s 24 ozs 6 rounds of 357 many easy sight options, different grips, DA only and very accurate. Fits in 2.25 SP 101 holsters. Colt DS speedloaders, HKS work.

2nd choice: New Colt Cobra, great DA with FO front sight and night sight optional, Hogue grip 6 rounds of +P 38s.

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

Man that Kimber looks nice but $$$$!

I've read mixed reviews of Kimber quality, only on the 1911's though.

 

[Flyingfool]

On paper and in our minds that 6th round seems to be like a lot more. I'm not convinced it is that big of a deal, other than it FEELING like a big deal. Which I guess counts for something.

I get that a bigger gun maybe easier to shoot better too. I would suggest a model 2" 12 also. I wouldn't mind one myself. I wouldn't sneeze at a 2" model 10 either. But I think I'd like the less weight of the 12.

Honestly though, you're probably just fine with the j frame. But I go through the same thoughts all the time too.

Might be heresy on here but you could look at a Colt Revolver. The D frame is smaller than K but bigger than the J and it's really the best in between. However, they are not supported like a smith revolver. They don't make them any longer, other than the redesigned Cobra. Which could be good too. The one I fondled at the LGS had a super duper nice double action trigger. I'm just not sure they're going to be around forever and then they might not be supported all that well for parts and such if they don't keep making them.

Adding a 6th round is over a 16% increase. Hardly insignificant!

Statistics show that people in high stress miss about 80% of rhe shots fired. 80% of 5 is four. So by the statistics, the average person with a five shot revolver will be lucky to get one hit! So having the 6th round could be significant. 5 is darn sure better thwn nine. But 6 is no doubt better than 5.

 

[TomkinsSP]

On paper and in our minds that 6th round seems to be like a lot more. I'm not convinced it is that big of a deal, other than it FEELING like a big deal. Which I guess counts for something.

I get that a bigger gun maybe easier to shoot better too. I would suggest a model 2" 12 also. I wouldn't mind one myself. I wouldn't sneeze at a 2" model 10 either. But I think I'd like the less weight of the 12.

Honestly though, you're probably just fine with the j frame. But I go through the same thoughts all the time too.

Might be heresy on here but you could look at a Colt Revolver. The D frame is smaller than K but bigger than the J and it's really the best in between. However, they are not supported like a smith revolver. They don't make them any longer, other than the redesigned Cobra. Which could be good too. The one I fondled at the LGS had a super duper nice double action trigger. I'm just not sure they're going to be around forever and then they might not be supported all that well for parts and such if they don't keep making them.

I prefer the fit and finish of Smiths, but have no issues with other functional makes of revolvers.

Charter makes .38 Spl snubbies in both 5 shot and 6 shot flavors. The 6 shot is the same size as a .44 Spl Bulldog. So, just like the J frame or snubbies M10 comparison, you pay a price for your sixth round. JMO, I prefer either the smaller package or the larger round to the sixth round. Unless you are laying down suppressive fire, five should be just fine.

 

[TomkinsSP]

On paper and in our minds that 6th round seems to be like a lot more. I'm not convinced it is that big of a deal, other than it FEELING like a big deal. Which I guess counts for something.

I get that a bigger gun maybe easier to shoot better too. I would suggest a model 2" 12 also. I wouldn't mind one myself. I wouldn't sneeze at a 2" model 10 either. But I think I'd like the less weight of the 12.

Honestly though, you're probably just fine with the j frame. But I go through the same thoughts all the time too.

Might be heresy on here but you could look at a Colt Revolver. The D frame is smaller than K but bigger than the J and it's really the best in between. However, they are not supported like a smith revolver. They don't make them any longer, other than the redesigned Cobra. Which could be good too. The one I fondled at the LGS had a super duper nice double action trigger. I'm just not sure they're going to be around forever and then they might not be supported all that well for parts and such if they don't keep making them.

I prefer the fit and finish of Smiths, but have no issues with other functional makes of revolvers.

Charter makes .38 Spl snubbies in both 5 shot and 6 shot flavors. The 6 shot is the same size as a .44 Spl Bulldog. So, just like the J frame or snubbie M10 comparison, you pay a price for your sixth round. JMO, I prefer either the smaller package or the larger round to having a sixth round. Unless you are laying down suppressive fire, five should be just fine.

 

[Whitwabit]

I've been carrying a 642 appendix for a few years, it's comfortable and easy to conceal, I'm a decent shot with it, and it's been 100% reliable.

Last night for ****s and giggles I tried carrying my 4" 686+ appendix and it actually was far MORE comfortable and concealable than any semi-auto I've ever tried.

I don't want to carry the 4" for its size and weight, but wondering what would be a better intermediate option between a 642 and a 686? I think the 2.5" 686 would still be too heavy for all day appendix carry.

You must not have carried many auto's if you think the 686 is more comfortable ..

Its a very heavy revolver my 686+ PC 2 1/2 inch barrel weighs over 34 ounces much more the either my Beretta PX4 with 13 rounds or my S&W Compact ..

My Beretta hides better is lighter and easier to shoot then my 686+ PC .. The reason is the recoil of the 357 magnum round the 686 is chambered in ..

 

[Mister X]

Statistics show that peoplje in high stress miss about 80% of rhe shots fired.

What statistics, do you have a link?

 

[white cloud]

If the 686 carries well I would carry that or maybe get the 2.5" or 3" 686+. If you ever needed it you would have three times the gun. Also you can shoot the snot out of it without wearing it out. Practice is important.

I am an older shooter. For some reason I had forgotten how nice a shooter a large magnum revolver is. Senility? Maybe. Any how I recently relearned how nice this class of revolvers shoot. If I don't pocket carry I am carrying my GP100.