To follow up I find it interesting how different availability is from place to place. My local shop sells airweights like crazy and it is rare to see them in the used rack while steel j frames used he has at least 20 of them.
The humble .38 Special Airweight J-frame.
- Thread starter Shorty 45 MK2
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Shorty 45 MK2
Member
It is funny how it differs on where you are.
None of the LGS near me have hardly any snubbies and I think I've only seen two steel frame ones, a really used 36 and a 640 pro.
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exdetsgt
Member
MajorD,
Where is this gun shop located and what is its name?
Where is this gun shop located and what is its name?
Interesting! Must be a geographical thing. I can't find any used steel j-frames in this area. Lots of new ones.
exdetsgt
Member
Same thing here. Lots of new J-frames. No old ones. People in these parts must hang on to their steel J-frames.
policerevolvercollector
Member
No. I'm satisfied w/ my old Model 36 Sq. butt. It'll do everything the airweights will do with less felt recoil.
But......now y'all just had to go and post all of these pretty pictures. That's just plain WRONG!
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justsumstuff
Member
I was going to purchase one several years ago. I rented one first. I couldn't hit the paper plate at 10 feet!
It had rubber grips. It put a blister on my thumb b4 I finished the cylinder. I still would like to have one to carry, but don't se the point if I can't hit the target.
I bought a 64-4 snubbie instead. I can nail that plate at 10yds. without hardly thinking about it!
So my question is: anyone else had this problem and was it solved with a different set of grips? Thanks!
It had rubber grips. It put a blister on my thumb b4 I finished the cylinder. I still would like to have one to carry, but don't se the point if I can't hit the target.
I bought a 64-4 snubbie instead. I can nail that plate at 10yds. without hardly thinking about it!
So my question is: anyone else had this problem and was it solved with a different set of grips? Thanks!
OP
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
Justsumstuff, I agree if you can't hit with it there's no reason to carry it. As for stocks/grips I never got a blister but with the factory rubber grips I did tend to get my thumb chewed up by the cylinder release. I've shot it with four other grip and have not had that problem since.
Ah, your spoiled now, I just got a 2" model 10-9 and that thing is amazing! If I shot it first the J-frame would be a lot less attractive. As others have said a all steel one would be easier to shoot and not much heavier.
Ah, your spoiled now, I just got a 2" model 10-9 and that thing is amazing! If I shot it first the J-frame would be a lot less attractive. As others have said a all steel one would be easier to shoot and not much heavier.
I have three Js; a satin nickel 442, blue 442 & a flat latch Model 38. I pocket carry w/a Galco horsehide and load the FBI +P. The guns are shot regularly so I maintain my confidence and my most recent LEOSA qualification I used my M38, but only scored 85%.
jmace57
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I've been carrying a Bersa Thunder .380 for the past several years. Each time I go to the range to shoot other handguns, I always pull out my Bersa and shoot it, unloading all the rounds in the mag...to give myself confidence in its reliability. (I also periodically shoot multiple magazines and do true practice as well)
Two out of the past 4 trips to the range, the first round has stovepiped. That was after a dozen or more times successfully testing. However, I found that I no longer trusted it. I kept thinking "is it going to stovepipe the first round sometime when I really need it?".
So - today I bought a 642. I am not a big fan of recoil, and from my reading understand this one is not particularly pleasant to shoot. I'd be interested to hear what the best grips would be for me to get. I have large hands and am a big guy (but still am sort of a wuss when it comes to recoil) I want to do front pocket carry and would be interested in suggestions for a good pocket carry holster. Thanks all.
Jim
Two out of the past 4 trips to the range, the first round has stovepiped. That was after a dozen or more times successfully testing. However, I found that I no longer trusted it. I kept thinking "is it going to stovepipe the first round sometime when I really need it?".
So - today I bought a 642. I am not a big fan of recoil, and from my reading understand this one is not particularly pleasant to shoot. I'd be interested to hear what the best grips would be for me to get. I have large hands and am a big guy (but still am sort of a wuss when it comes to recoil) I want to do front pocket carry and would be interested in suggestions for a good pocket carry holster. Thanks all.
Jim
OP
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
I like Pachmayer's Compac's on my 642 and do pocket carry with them on although the Badger boot grips I also have conceal better.
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Don't have an Airweight, but I was pocket carrying my 36 today, when I stopped by the LGS and looked at some.
They had 642s with the IL and 442s without.
I knew they still made the 642 without the IL, but did not know they also made 442s without it.
If I wasn't poor from my recent 3rd gen purchases, I'd have bought a 442.
I badly want a 640 AND a 642/442.
No IL, of course.
J frames are great.
Small and light enough for carry every day, Airweight or steel.
Powerful enough for SD.
Durable enough to outlive me.
And, they look so damned good.
They had 642s with the IL and 442s without.
I knew they still made the 642 without the IL, but did not know they also made 442s without it.
If I wasn't poor from my recent 3rd gen purchases, I'd have bought a 442.
I badly want a 640 AND a 642/442.
No IL, of course.
J frames are great.
Small and light enough for carry every day, Airweight or steel.
Powerful enough for SD.
Durable enough to outlive me.
And, they look so damned good.
exdetsgt
Member
I recently bought from the lgs a NIB 642-1 without an IL. They're out there for sure.
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one eye joe
US Veteran
THE 642 HAS ACHIEVED A LARGE CULT FOLLOWING, FOR ALL OF THE REASONS MENTIONED ABOVE. THE J FRAMES ARE JUST A FANTASTIC WEAPON--WHETHER IN FULL STEEL, OR AIR WEIGHT. I LOVE THEM ALL, AND ENVY THE GUYS WITH LARGE COLLECTIONS. I ONLY HAVE ONE, A 642-1 W/O A LOCK. IT'S PICTURED BELOW, WITH CT LG-405s. I USE IT AS MY PRIMARY EDC, OR BACKUP TO MY SNUBBY 686+…...
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First wheel gun I ever owned was a 642. Made the mistake of selling it soon after because it hurt to shoot (21 year old rookie cop and rookie shooter) and bought a Detective Special ( still have that gun, awesome shooter). While I loved how that DS shoots, it was a bit heavy strapped to my vest as a BUG and as a EDC in very hot Virginia summers, and I found myself missing the weight of the 642,
Fast forward to 2010 and I find myself presented with a great deal, a brand new 442 and a Taurus 66 2.5 inch 357 together for $500 at a gun show. Both came home with me. Now I have my J frame airweight back, and shooting it isnt near as bad as it was when I was inexperienced, and the DS doesnt get sweat on it, and has been retired to the good life as a home sentry.
Fast forward to 2010 and I find myself presented with a great deal, a brand new 442 and a Taurus 66 2.5 inch 357 together for $500 at a gun show. Both came home with me. Now I have my J frame airweight back, and shooting it isnt near as bad as it was when I was inexperienced, and the DS doesnt get sweat on it, and has been retired to the good life as a home sentry.
My Peepaw has a beautiful Model 37 that was the first gun I ever fired, and from day one I knew in my heart of hearts that I was a revolver man. Today, a Model 642-1 no-lock rides on my hip every day:
I wouldn't leave home without it.
I wouldn't leave home without it.
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ginzo
Member
I have stock grips but this is what I pocket carry with.
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Some great revolvers here. I do not really want an airweight, but I think they are outstanding CCW revolvers, I just prefer the balance of all steel. I have recently become very interested in J-Frames, and just bought a 640. I cannot stand Goodyears, and they really don't do much for me in terms of recoil. Ahrends has worked well for me with K/L frames in the past, but I tried a pair of these Altamonts. They have that same custom made to my hand feel that K frame Ahrends do. Plus they have a slightly less profile than the Goodyears that came issue on it. This 640 has really become my absolute favorite CCW. I recommend these Altamonts. I think Altamont calls the the "oversize" models, but they have a perfect profile for carry, and don't feel too bad with low flash (Buffalo Bore) .357 magnum. And finally, they have a bit of an old school feel to them. All hands are different; mine are on the small side, but these fit my hand perfectly. I would think they would go well with an airweight.
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
Here's my pocket worn 642-1 I bought NIB in 1997. She's a keeper. Even though it has the J-magnum frame it is not roll marked nor rated for +P.
A phone call to S&W years ago confirmed that, "...do not shoot +P ammo in it. The gun is too old."
I have shot +P in it of course and carry it with +P.
Cool Herrett's!
M2MikeGolf
US Veteran
I confess; I am a J hound! I plan on purchasing more. Do I need an intervention for my problem?
I'm afraid all in here would qualify better as enablers, myself included
