The humble J frame

[Shibadog]

I’ve now been (legally) carrying a firearm daily for nearly 4 decades. Like lots of folks I’ve spent years searching for the “perfect” CC weapon. In that search I’ve tried “the latest” and greatest plastic fantastics. What’s interesting is that I’ve always wound up coming back “home” to the humble little J frame. It just carry’s “easier” than the newer kids on the block. Five rds of +2 .38 plus another 5 on a strip and I feel quite comfortable. I’m not going out looking for trouble so I don’t feel the need for hi cap mags and all that goes with them. The humble, old fashioned J frame just “works”, it shoots well, has decent power and carry’s great in a jeans pocket. What more, really, does a civilian need? IMHO, nothing. YMMV

 

[dbescher]

Absolutely agree. My 340PD weighs 11 ounces. I could carry two of them and still be toting less weight than one Charter Bulldog or Glock 30. Having a gun when you need one is the first rule of self-preservation, and the J Frames take away every reason to leave home unarmed.

 

[Rustyt1953]

My SD and CC pistols are both "plastic fantastics".

We get along just fine.

 

[redlevel]

When people ask me if I feel really well armed with only five rounds, I reply that Little David had only five slick, flat, smooth River rocks, and he only needed one. Shot placement is King.

 

[STCM(SW)]

This time of year my M638 is in one of my pockets....
Don't need anything more as far as I am concerned.

 

[AppStFan]

I totally agree with where you are coming from. Although I own larger, high capacity weapons I find that at this stage of my life in my retirement years I tend to carry smaller and lighter weapons. The j-frame just seems to fill that spot perfectly. Even with all the latest and greatest the j-frame never goes out of style.

 

[MetalMan]

While I’ve been enticed by the Sig P365, I don’t currently own any of the “plastic fantastics” or S&W Airweights and my only semi-auto is a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP.

I’ve found my “sweet spot” in the 640-1 Pro carried IWB in a Milt Sparks VMII or OWB in a Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake.

 

[Bill Lear]

I suspect there's a little too much reliance on YouTube police videos when it comes to choosing a self-defense gun. When deciding to carry the primary question is, "Am I carrying to save the world, or to save myself?"

Bottom line, a 5-shot J-frame is more than 99% of everyone will ever need for self-defense, and that's AFTER the 99% probability one will never be attacked.

Little J-frames are so light one can consider carrying TWO.

 

[rockquarry]

I’ve now been (legally) carrying a firearm daily for nearly 4 decades. Like lots of folks I’ve spent years searching for the “perfect” CC weapon. In that search I’ve tried “the latest” and greatest plastic fantastics. What’s interesting is that I’ve always wound up coming back “home” to the humble little J frame. It just carry’s “easier” than the newer kids on the block. Five rds of +2 .38 plus another 5 on a strip and I feel quite comfortable. I’m not going out looking for trouble so I don’t feel the need for hi cap mags and all that goes with them. The humble, old fashioned J frame just “works”, it shoots well, has decent power and carry’s great in a jeans pocket. What more, really, does a civilian need? IMHO, nothing. YMMV

Yes, simple works well. Very good post.

 

[stansdds]

My only J-frame is a Model 640-1. A DeSantis pocket holster pretty makes it disappear from public view. Is having only 5 shots a handicap? For the average, legally armed citizen, no, it is not.

 

[Pointblank2U]

Maybe I Was Wrong About Pocket Pistols - YouTube

 

[tws3boys]

I totally agree. I've only had my carry permit a little over 2 years now. Spent most of that time trying to figure out what works best for me.
I've had my 642 for over 20 years. More of a safe queen than anything else. I used it when I got my carry permit. When it came time for me to show I could handle a gun I was really disappointed in my accuracy with it. They said I was a pretty good shot but I knew better. 50 rounds on the target and it looked like I opened up on it with a shotgun. No grouping at all.
I started looking for a semi auto to carry. Tried several but soon found they are just so uncomfortable to carry every day. Tried several holsters. Iwb, owb just didn't work for me. Just not going to wear a shoulder holster or belly band.
Went back to my 642 and with a lot of practice have gotten pretty good with it. I have a lot more confidence in it and myself now. But' I'm still working to improve my Ability with it. Guess I always will.
Put it in a cheap $7 pocket holster from amazon and I love it. So comfortable in jeans or shorts that sometimes I forget it's there.
For me "Just me" round count is not near as important as Ability.

 

[somorris]

The J frame is a great protector and has been for many years. Sometimes the latest and greatest isn’t necessarily the best!

 

[Shibadog]

I totally agree. I've only had my carry permit a little over 2 years now. Spent most of that time trying to figure out what works best for me.
I've had my 642 for over 20 years. More of a safe queen than anything else. I used it when I got my carry permit. When it came time for me to show I could handle a gun I was really disappointed in my accuracy with it. They said I was a pretty good shot but I knew better. 50 rounds on the target and it looked like I opened up on it with a shotgun. No grouping at all.
I started looking for a semi auto to carry. Tried several but soon found they are just so uncomfortable to carry every day. Tried several holsters. Iwb, owb just didn't work for me. Just not going to wear a shoulder holster or belly band.
Went back to my 642 and with a lot of practice have gotten pretty good with it. I have a lot more confidence in it and myself now. But' I'm still working to improve my Ability with it. Guess I always will.
Put it in a cheap $7 pocket holster from amazon and I love it. So comfortable in jeans or shorts that sometimes I forget it's there.
For me "Just me" round count is not near as important as Ability.

What too many fail to recognize is that the only shots that count are those that hit. 20 misses is nowhere near as effective as a single .22 hit. The ‘ol J frame isn’t particularly easy to master. It requires a lot of time and practice. With that said, if you find a load you like and practice with it until you know how to shoot it it’s a darn effective and accurate pistol. I run a drill on three 10”plates each 5 yards from its neighbor at 20 yards. Two rounds on the right, two on the left, and one on the center. I’m not Miculek, but I’m hitting pretty consistently. And I’m continuing to get better

 

[Old cop]

Started carrying a J Frame in my 1968 rookie year and continue w/my no-lock 340PD in retirement. Stopped chasing armed felons in ‘97 and my present day orbits are pretty tame. Used my issued Colt DS in a ‘74 gunfight so I know these little guns are up to the task.

 

[BSA1]

What too many fail to recognize is that the only shots that count are those that hit. 20 misses is nowhere near as effective as a single .22 hit.

Too many confuse being lethal with stopping power. It may be of no small comfort to your family and loved ones if your attacker dies 30 minites after you do.

The ‘ol J frame isn’t particularly easy to master. It requires a lot of time and practice. With that said, if you find a load you like and practice with it until you know how to shoot it it’s a darn effective and accurate pistol.

Finding the time, enough money and motivation to practice regularly even for leo’s requires a lot of commitment.

 

[chief38]

Hmmm - I went the opposite way. I carried a 5 shot M60 for 42 years, As time went on and I got older, the carry ammo I was using (Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP-GC +P) got harder and harder to want to practice with. The recoil was a bit brisk and I made excuses not to practice with it - not good! Eventually I stepped down to the 135 grain +P Speer GDHP which was less expensive, less recoil but also less effective IMO.

One day my friend brought down his Sig P365 and I shot it - I was sold right then and there! The 124 grain Federal HST is so much easier to shoot, has no objectionable recoil, it's relatively inexpensive and the Sig P365 is more accurate, has better sights, 5 ounces lighter, holds more than twice the ammo onboard, and is actually fun to shoot. Tactical reloads are way way faster as well. Plus, the HST 124 grain bullets actually perform better than any 38 spl. I know if out of a 2" bbl. - food for thought.

As soon as Sig worked out all the kinks from their revolutionary new design, I went out and got a second generation version for myself. After shooting well over 5,500 rounds through it, I'd never go back to a 5 shot J frame.

I can understand older gentleman and ladies who have carried a J Frame resisting the new fangled plastic guns as I did, however after shooting 100 rounds through one, you would literally have to lie to yourself to not see the advantages. If you really want to stick with your J Frame Revolver, NEVER shoot a P365, Hellcat, FN, etc. lol!

BTW, up until Sig perfected the Micro 9 P365 I wasn't interested in any change of EDC either. I was not interested in a Glock "Brick", etc. However, when they put that much power in to a 17.8 ounce 11 round gun, it's hard to deny!

 

[tws3boys]

I am old. Older than most. But, not as old as some.
I do own several of those plastic guns you speak of. I can honestly say,
I have never owned a semi auto handgun gun that did not fail in one way or another. And, I can honestly say I've never owned a revolver that has failed in any way.
Honestly saying.

 

[rockquarry]

I am old. Older than most. But, not as old as some.
I do own several of those plastic guns you speak of. I can honestly say,
I have never owned a semi auto handgun gun that did not fail in one way or another. And, I can honestly say I've never owned a revolver that has failed in any way.
Honestly saying.

Honestly, you're right, but simple and reliable is not for everyone.

 

[wood714]

I carried a 642-1 a long time. Then I saw a Sig P365 at my local shop while picking up a gun I'd bought. I ended up with 2 new guns that day.

I can hit great multitudes better with the little Sig than I could with the 642.

The times they are a changin'. I'll go with what works for me instead of whats classic or cool. I don't see any handgun replacing my Sig.