The best carry J Frame

[chase45]

The Smith 640 Pro

Now let me start off that in true Smith fashion I had to send it back due to some horrible tooling marks in the throats of the cylinders.

But I just got it back this week. To give them a little credit this thing is a winner!

Took it to the range with some 158gr loads that were pumped up to +P and some really heavy 38/44 copy Ive been loading.

The 158 +P stuff in my 642 is pretty brutal on the shooters hand. But with the little extra weight and real sights this thing shot amazing.

Even the heavy 38/44 loads werent as bad as I thought they would be. Had some pretty good muzzle flip but wasnt too harsh on the hand.

Accuracy was astounding at 7 yards. Honestly much more accurate than I figured it would be. Very easy to shoot a cylinder and have all the rounds touching each other.

Ive been debating on what Im going to carry in it. But I think with how well I shot the +P loads that I will just use those.

This gun absolutely disappears when wearing it in a enigma holster. Really handy for work when I have meetings with customers and such and need no telltale signs that Im carrying with a tucked in shirt.

Pretty lame I had to send it immediately back for poor quality control. But boy this little J frame is a sweetheart and worth the wait!

 

[Model46]

I'm rarely without my trusty vintage Model 49. Love the humpback "J" frames!

 

[petepeterson]

Good looking revolver. I like the sights.

For what I use a snubby for, the 442 fills the role.

When I carry a J-Frame, it's usually a 3" Model 60, so I vote for that!

Congrats on your wheelgun.

 

[Mercury]

I like all J-frames but my all time favorite model is the 649, 638 humpback.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I've been looking at those for years and have asked several folks on here about them over time. I then found out about the 642, 442UC and the 632, 432UC and studied up on them. I ultimately purchased the 432UC. I think it's the best thought out and executed snub offering to date.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I like my 3-inch 'Jovino' Model 60. Had it for years, and it just fits and feels fine.

 

[Bruceboy]

I third the 3" model 60-4. great little gun.

Al

 

[Doug M.]

The J frames are as mechanically capable of good accuracy as any other platform. The reason most of us mere mortals don't shoot them as well as a K38 for example is ergonomics. I have one J frame that I rarely use, but I am big enough and dress casually enough that I can carry something bigger and easier to shoot well, so I do.

 

[mikerjf]

I think the best carry J-frame is an Airweight that exactly matches the steel one you can stand to practice with.

 

[white cloud]

I am in the humpback camp. My "in town" gun is a 649 "no dash". I have a 640 Pro and it had to go back. It's nice to shoot but IMHO is a little heavy for pocket carry.

 

[YeshuaIsa53]

640-1 police trade in for .357 Magnum loads works in tight places for me.
Cheap and very broken in double action trigger.
I carry others for different occasions, but you said J frame.

 

[dobegrant]

I carry a 642 .38 daily for the last 20+ years, sometimes a 638

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I like all J-frames but my all time favorite model is the 649, 638 humpback.

Like these?

Yes, yes, those are hot pink Hogues on that M638. And they did not help with recoil. And it is not in the stable anymore, anyway.....

I've been pocket carrying that M649 for many years and I sometimes carry it IWB or OWB and IT IS THE BEST J-frame hands down. All steel, weight being irrelevant - seriously, 23 ounces versus 14 ounces, what grown man will notice that and those extra ounces make the little gun so much more shootable. Shrouded hammer that doesn't snag - it is the absolute epitome of "everything you need, nothing you don't:!!!!

 

[pbramlett]

I don't have the 640-1 Pro Series as it is a current production model and as you experienced, it had to return to the mothership. I do have several late 90s 640-1 357magnum Centennials. One of those is in my EDC rotation along with a 340PD, 649-3 "Humpback", Model 38 Humpback Airweight, and 360PD.

The Centennial is my most often carried J frame, followed by the humpbacks. Awesome firearms.

The only "pro series" i have is the 327 federal mag 632 Centennial. That one is about as perfect as i've ever seen and I got it as a new old stock firearm.

I'm glad that you have your 640-1 Pro sorted after a visit home. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Mine wears some CTC grips that not only provide the laser but are very forgiving to shoot.

 

[BE Mike]

The sights make the difference! Having said that, I've always favored the 3" j frames. They are so much easier to shoot accurately than the 2" versions.

 

[AJ]

Whatever J-Frame you happen to own!

I use to carry a 342, but arthritis in hands got to me. Now I carry a 60 most of the time. I also have a 30-1, that the chambers have been reamed to .32 H&R Magnum.

 

[Oscar Zulu]

A thought just occurred to me. Could one "frankengun" a model 49 with a model 30 barrel and Cylinder (reamed to .32 magnum) for a .32 6 shot humpback?

OZ

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The sights make the difference! Having said that, I've always favored the 3" j frames. They are so much easier to shoot accurately than the 2" versions.

BE Mike, how does that 3" fit into your pocket in a pocket holster? I always wondered about that.

 

[AJ]

A thought just occurred to me. Could one "frankengun" a model 49 with a model 30 barrel and Cylinder (reamed to .32 magnum) for a .32 6 shot humpback?

OZ

Why, just get a Model 30-1 and dehorn it after reaming the chambers.