The best carry J Frame

[stansdds]

I have only one J-frame, an early production 640-1. There are times that a lighter J-frame would be a little more comfortable, but I don't have to worry about the stainless steel J-frame cracking and ruining my day. Full power 357 Magnum loads are a real handful when shooting, but 38 Special +P is actually pretty pleasant. Accuracy? Mine is quite accurate, even with me aiming and pulling the trigger. I can usually keep all shots on a 9 inch paper plate at 25 yards from a two-hand hold, standing position. That's more than accurate enough considering the short sight radius, small stocks, and the somewhat heavy double action only trigger.

 

[BE Mike]

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

I've always carried 3" J frames in shoulder or OWB holsters.

 

[Mercury]

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?"
Do you mean like these?
The 649 is a .32 magnum and the 49 is a 3" 32 SWL.

 

[Valmet]

The best J frame to carry is the one closest to you when you really need it. Lately for me it's been a 1989 37-1 Airweight with a bobbed hammer.

 

[steelslaver]

I am messing around with a couple J frame model 36 no dashes. It isn't hard to fit them with a regular J frame 32 S&W long cylinder which are easy to ream to 32 H&R mag

But, what I want to do is install a steel 32 H&R cylinder from a magnum J frame, reamed to 327 mag and have a steel 327 mag J frame. The cylinder being a bit to long isn't a problem as I could machine it off enough to fit and get a decent gap while still having enough length for a 327 mag, But the yokes both in length and diameter are a bit different between the mag frame and the regular frame. It will take some fiddling, but it is going to work.

I tried a 32 mag J frame cylinder reamed to 327 mag in a alloy 642 frame and the recoil was such that the ability to recover for the second shot suffered to much to suit me. Snappy squared

I am not recoil sensitive, I regular shoot my 2 snub 325s with 45 acp+P ammo and even have one set up to fire 45 colts. But between the fact that as an alloy J frame 327 it doesn't weigh anything coupled with the small grips, it has what I would call SUDDEN recoil. while not painful it does make it tough to control and get back on target. As smaller lighter bullets get more velocity so do smaller lighter frames. Different than say my bigger guns shooting heavy bullets

 

[Cal44]

I may be old school, but I like model 37.

It comes both in a 2" and 3" version.

And both have square butts that fit my hand better than round butt j frames.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... but I am big enough and dress casually enough that I can carry something bigger and easier to shoot well, so I do.

I always carried a K frame revolver under sportscoat. When I started as a cop (before cell phones) we were expected to take action if a crime was in progress.

Of course if you had a good Chief he may approve a .45 ACP for off duty carry. I did for many years and once again I wore a sportscoat.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I've always carried 3" J frames in shoulder or OWB holsters.

With OWB you never considered going with a K frame?

When I was on Light Duty due to back surgery I carried a S&W 1917 (Brazilian Contract) in a shoulder holster.

 

[S&W Rover]

My dilemma this week was to chose between a 442UC and the 640 Pro. Both are fine revolvers (the UC revolvers are a nice refinement of the older models). I picked the 640 Pro so that I would/could shoot it more often. The sights on these guns can improve accuracy, which is important with only five rounds!

 

[TNRat]

Your 640 PRO would be nice with a companion that has three inch's of barrel and full length extractor rod.

 

[Forefinger]

I don't believe there is any such thing as the best J frame for carrying. There is only everyone's opinion regarding best carry J frame for themselves. The best for me (thus far) is my 360PD. I love the light 11.3 oz
(empty) for easy carry, less love for range day practice to maintain reasonable accuracy. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it works for me, and that is what counts.

 

[sigp220.45]

One of these two. Depends on my mood. Model 49 and Model 36.

 

[seldon14]

My first choice.


enjoy,
bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

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.

Super jealous of these 632 pros. Grail gun for me, but price has gone into the stratosphere.

 

[BE Mike]

With OWB you never considered going with a K frame?

When I was on Light Duty due to back surgery I carried a S&W 1917 (Brazilian Contract) in a shoulder holster.

No. I really like my S&W 60-10. When I carried a J frame in a shoulder holster, it was a 3" nickel plated model 36. I didn't own a K frame at the time, so there was no choice. I eventually traded it off for a Colt Satin Commander in a Roy Baker pancake. In hindsight, I would probably have been better off sticking with the 3" J.

 

[pbramlett]

Super jealous of these 632 pros. Grail gun for me, but price has gone into the stratosphere.

It was one I had been after for several years as well. One of my LGS buddies called and said they had just found it and asked if i wanted it. I agreed sight unseen and went to pick it up. It was as new in the box. On the way there I figured it would be high, but to my surprise it was more than reasonable and I left very happy. Since I only have the one at this time, I'm not carrying it or shooting it often. Hopefully, I'll come up with another one at some point. I have plenty of ther J Frames to keep me busy.

 

[Old cop]

My EDC is either a pre-lock 442 Pro or no-lock 340PD in a pocket holster.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

My daily carry J. I also have a 3" 60-4 that's my woods-walking gun. I would add an alloy frame shrouded J if I come across a good deal on one.

 

[Doug M.]

I always carried a K frame revolver under sportscoat. When I started as a cop (before cell phones) we were expected to take action if a crime was in progress.

Of course if you had a good Chief he may approve a .45 ACP for off duty carry. I did for many years and once again I wore a sportscoat.

*
Attire makes a huge difference. Almost all of my work duties involve sitting in my office and being a nerd. I rarely go to court, maybe three times a year, and for that I keep a coat and all my ties in my office. This is a relatively rural county and so attire is generally based on work function, and I have known the judges for years and they don't object to cargo pants and running shoes with my coat and tie.

 

[HamHands]

The "Nearly Perfect" J is the one I pictured below I modified for the wife...

I have a pair of Vintage J's, M36's with the same Tyler-T's and Magna's but they have exposed hammers which I don't mind... I carry them simultaneously with 2 speed strips and UnderWood's 150gr Hard Casts pills...

Wife's Carry

My Carries

 

[Magnum_PI]

I own one. Good J Frame!

I also got a 340 M&P to compliment it, and it does wonders for pocket carry.

 

[bdGreen]

This one is handy as a pocket on a sock...

Model 631.

enjoy,

bdGreen

 

[Beju]

If you're set on belt carrying a snub, that 640 Pro is a solid choice. I think that they're cool, but they're a bit heavy for the roles I use snubs in (backup ankle carry, pocket carry, lounging around the house gun). With a snub that weight, I start to wonder why I'm not just carrying a small semi auto.

But, if the 640 Pro fills your needs, that's all that matters. Having a small concealable gun that's fairly pleasant to shoot is underrated by many.

 

[StillStanding]

My Model 649 has never let me down, it slides out of a pocket or holster easily and you have the option of cocking the hammer.
Fun to shoot at the range too !

 

[45Smashemflat]

I lopped the hammer off this 337 years ago. It's the only J I have, so that makes it the best.

 

[Green Frog]

I guess I'm officially an old fogey. When I carry concealed I generally have my Baby Chiefs Special in a pocket holster; right front pocket. I don't have occasion any more for a holster (open) carry, but if I did it would be my custom "Model 616" in a break front duty style holster or maybe a Bern-Martin style shoulder holster.
Froggie

 

[bdGreen]

Gotta luv'em in deep, dark blue.

enjoy,

bdGreen

Tap on image to enlarge.

 

[bdGreen]

This one comes into play pretty easy.

Easy to conceal too.

Enjoy,

bdGreen

 

[Blademan21]

Love my 3" Model 60. I bobbed the hammer for inside the waist band carry.

 

[Kallo00]

the 642 is solid as a pocket carry choice and you can shoot it well with practice! The only jframe I found better was a 340PD as it was lighter, but I had to sell that one so the 642 it is.

 

[PMRet]

Original 632 Airweight Centennial in .32 H&R Magnum, 6 shots...