The humble J frame

I've owned one snub-nosed revolver. This is my M49 Bodyguard with an old Bianchi paddle holster. I bought it over 50 years ago used and have carried it as a detective and as a civilian. Its handiness saved my life in LE on several occasions and twice in civilian life. The paddle holster has been excellent with the only modifications being commercial-grade velcro on the paddle and holster body to keep it in place on my gun belts. The Bodyguard now sports Hogue Laser grips which I find first-rate.

I often wear it when I'm on my property as I did this morning while planting trees and bushes. I wear it on my left side as a cross-draw. On the right side, it constantly gets in my way while digging and doing chores. In cooler and cold weather it lives in my outer right jacket pocket (often with a CZ on the left side) in a Mika pocket holster.

It's been a faithful friend, trustworthy travel companion, and savior of my life.

sFOsAWQ.jpg
 

"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 fantastic. 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 carries great in a jeans pocket. What more, really, does a civilian need? IMHO, nothing. YMMV"

@Shibadog

Absolutely. Snub revolvers are still relevant. Excellent post by the way! :)
 
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Went on the job in 1973 and have been carrying a J frame as a BUG or depending on assignment, my main firearm ever since. Retired, a 442 no lock is still my EDC.

As the department and a academy FA instructor I did intensive training with the J frame and feel quite comfortable with it for SD purposes.

I do own a Sig 365 XL and train quite often with it. And while I will do LEOSA qualifications with it I simply prefer the lighter J frame for concealed carry. The dependability and familiarity factor of a revolver also enters into my decision process. I carry what I know best.
 
I don't know what is implied when calling a gun "humble". Maybe it has to do with the shooter being humbled if he is not a skilled handgunner.

Certainly among the most useful of handguns for concealed carry, the J-frame is difficult for most users to shoot well. Sufficient practice will take care of this and will immensely aid in improving handgun shooting skills in general.

If you shoot a J-frame snubnose .38 well enough to hit your intended target at 25 yards (not as hard to do as those who don't practice claim it to be), skillful shooting up closer will be enhanced considerably. Other heavier and/or bulkier guns, like semi-autos and larger revolvers, often considered much easier to shoot well than J-frames, will become much less trouble to shoot well at any handgun range.

Today's gunfighting aspirants, influenced heavily by Internet forums, YouTube, ammo "tests", sedentary warrior theories, and all else that might be unrealistic, veer from the path of simple concealed carry proficiency and self-defense to a police-like role in warding off a band of bank robbers or other heavily armed assailants.

That's certainly the wrong approach especially for those lacking intensive law enforcement training and indoctrination and a less-than-smart role even for those with police training. From strictly an inventory point-of-view, well-equipped police aren't as well-equipped as many of these hobbyists who sadly may find out one day how lacking they are in being properly outfitted, not only with the physical accoutrements but, much more importantly, the right mind that includes instinctive good judgement. Gunfighting schools? Maybe, but can you really benefit from them in a short time frame? Probably not.

Yes, a J-frame .38 is still an excellent choice (but certainly not the only choice) for "real" concealed carry.
 
rockquarry said:
I don't know what is implied when calling a gun "humble". Maybe it has to do with the shooter being humbled if he is not a skilled handgunner.

Certainly among the most useful of handguns for concealed carry, the J-frame is difficult for most users to shoot well. Sufficient practice will take care of this and will immensely aid in improving handgun shooting skills in general.

If you shoot a J-frame snubnose .38 well enough to hit your intended target at 25 yards (not as hard to do as those who don't practice claim it to be), skillful shooting up closer will be enhanced considerably. Other heavier and/or bulkier guns, like semi-autos and larger revolvers, often considered much easier to shoot well than J-frames, will become much less trouble to shoot well at any handgun range.

Today's gunfighting aspirants, influenced heavily by Internet forums, YouTube, ammo "tests", sedentary warrior theories, and all else that might be unrealistic, veer from the path of simple concealed carry proficiency and self-defense to a police-like role in warding off a band of bank robbers or other heavily armed assailants.

That's certainly the wrong approach especially for those lacking intensive law enforcement training and indoctrination and a less-than-smart role even for those with police training. From strictly an inventory point-of-view, well-equipped police aren't as well-equipped as many of these hobbyists who sadly may find out one day how lacking they are in being properly outfitted, not only with the physical accoutrements but, much more importantly, the right mind that includes instinctive good judgement. Gunfighting schools? Maybe, but can you really benefit from them in a short time frame? Probably not.

Yes, a J-frame .38 is still an excellent choice (but certainly not the only choice) for "real" concealed carry.
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By "humble" I simply meant a plain, old fashioned firearm that just plain works. No picatenny rail, no optical sight, no weapons light, no "hi capacity" magazine, no tacticool factors at all. Just a plain, simple reliable weapon. Take the time to master it and it will serve you reliably for decades. No muss, no fuss. Just a plain little old fashioned device that works as designed
 
Shibadog said:
By "humble" I simply meant a plain, old fashioned firearm that just plain works. No picatenny rail, no optical sight, no weapons light, no "hi capacity" magazine, no tacticool factors at all. Just a plain, simple reliable weapon. Take the time to master it and it will serve you reliably for decades. No muss, no fuss. Just a plain little old fashioned device that works as designed
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Okay, that's the way I interpreted your post as I commented on it in post #9.
I suppose I read to much into it in my second comment.
 
642 for me

I carried a 60-7 for years but have switched to a 642-1 for the ease of pocket carry and light weight.

Shot it a couple of days ago with wad cutters and 2 different +P loads at a local indoor range and got good hits at 7 yards except for one round weak hand that missed the paper plate.

For 76 years old that's good enough for me.

KISS is my operating principle in all phases of life. A lightweight J-frame will be what I carry until I stop carrying.
 
smithman 10 said:
I carried a 60-7 for years but have switched to a 642-1 for the ease of pocket carry and light weight.

Shot it a couple of days ago with wad cutters and 2 different +P loads at a local indoor range and got good hits at 7 yards except for one round weak hand that missed the paper plate.

For 76 years old that's good enough for me.

KISS is my operating principle in all phases of life. A lightweight J-frame will be what I carry until I stop carrying.
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Good for you. J-frame guns, despite the many slight variations are still basically J-frame guns. Little real difference as for as shooting and developing skills with any of them.
 
J frames are grrrrreat. I have a no-dash from 1961 that I carry a lot.

The only thing I like better is a vintage, no shroud Detective Special!
 
If I could still see the sights on my RB 2" model 36 I'd still EDC it. I can't. So I EDC a P365. I love them both.
 
I enjoy shooting short-barreled K-frames much more than shooting J-frames, and the extra round is a nice plus. Given the amount of revolvers that hold six rounds in a size that's only slightly larger than a J-frame these days, along with the micro-compact 9MMs and 380s taking the market by storm, the utility of a J-frame isn't nearly what it once was in my mind.

That said, the concealability and ease of pocket or ankle carrying a J-frame is hard to beat for deep-cover circumstances. I do wish that Colt would bring back the Detective Special though; I never had the chance to handle one, but I suspect I'd like it a little more than a comparable J-frame for the aforementioned things that drew me toward snub K-frames.
 
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NY-1 said:
I enjoy shooting short-barreled K-frames much more than shooting J-frames, and the extra round is a nice plus. Given the amount of revolvers that hold six rounds in a size that's only slightly larger than a J-frame these days, along with the micro-compact 9MMs and 380s taking the market by storm, the utility of a J-frame isn't nearly what it once was in my mind.

That said, the concealability and ease of pocket or ankle carrying a J-frame is hard to beat for deep-cover circumstances. I do wish that Colt would bring back the Detective Special though; I never had the chance to handle one, but I suspect I'd like it a little more than a comparable J-frame for the aforementioned things that drew me toward snub K-frames.
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The Colt snubnoses are slightly larger and a little heavier but not enough to matter. I've had several variations (old ones) along with S&W J-frames. Some say the Colts are easier to shoot well and I used to agree, before I shot them much. Now I can't see any real difference.

The old Colts (without ejector shrouds) certainly have it over the small modern semi-autos when it comes to looks, however much that's worth. Some like boring.
 
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I've carried a Smith M-36 or 60 for the past 35+ years; sometimes daily as a non-LEO, on a remote home site, and more lately whenever we venture into town or the city. I've practiced extensively here on our farm, over the decades, almost on a daily basis, and also taught my wife to shoot both guns. When carrying, we're loaded up with GDHP's at 135 grains, and practice with my own reloaded LSWC's, 158 grains at roughly 800 fps...that's the recoil equivalent of the Speer HPGD load. Both of us are thoroughly familiar and comfortable with them.

All that said...I've been won over to Sig's P365 as a better CC option. On initial trial, I was utterly surprised to find how accurate it was, even in my relatively unfamiliar hands. I found it a lot easier to get good hits out to 25 yds than my long familiar 3" bbl'd J frame Smiths. For a shooter that's willing to accept the more complicated manual of arms, it's a better choice IMHO...Too, the sights are far better...both front and rear are tritium, & the front sports that big, really BIG, green dot....terrific in daylight and dusk conditions. And it's increased capacity is a definite plus, goes without saying.

While my wife still prefers either of the J frames, for their simpler operation and her long familiarity over the yearsl me....I more often buckle on the Sig now, but still have a soft spot in my heart for the long years with the revolvers.

Best regards, Rod
 
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I wore through the original coating on my scandium Jframe by carrying it in my rt rear pocket. Gave myself a case of sciatica too. Had it cerracoated, wore through that one, had it done again. The current color scheme is red and black but I haven't started carrying it as I'm using a Colt Mustang. Love those Ergos.
 

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Little Guy with Backup

I favor my 340pd daily with Sig220 10mm & kydex rig tucked in the truck as my comforting just in case plan "B". A Smith CSX in double action might make me reconsider my J frame though!

Fight the Good Fight...

Fred
 
I have owned various semi-autos and revolvers over the years.

I have always returned to revolvers in the end, and specifically a JFrame for EDC.

I don't seek out trouble, but if trouble came looking, I am confident in my abilities and my weapon to do what needs to be done. If I ever felt the need, I'd just start carrying two over carrying a "bigger gun" or "more rounds".

For me, it just plain works. I can't find anything I prefer to carry more day to day, and always have with me.
 
I've had them all at one time or another. As I've aged though, I've found I'm a sissy because now, comfort is #1 for old me and if it's not comfortable, I'll probably leave home without it. That being said, I just bought a used Taurus 85 Ultralite from a local pawn shop cheap. It needs a cylinder stop spring but appears almost new besides that. The spring is on the way and as soon I get it installed, I'm headed to the range. I know a light gun has a lot of recoil, but I've owned one before so I'm okay with it. I carried a 586 on duty and love revolvers. I'll probably carry Nyclads SWC-HP in +P.
 
Carry what you are comfortable with. In my world, a 442 works fine if I am in a revolver mood. Otherwise, Glock 43X is fine. Desantis Nemesis and spare ammo (speed loader for the 442 and spare mag for the 43X) round out the package.
 
shawn mccarver said:
Carry what you are comfortable with. In my world, a 442 works fine if I am in a revolver mood. Otherwise, Glock 43X is fine. Desantis Nemesis and spare ammo (speed loader for the 442 and spare mag for the 43X) round out the package.
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The ammunition capacity of the 43X can be easily be increased to 15 rounds by using Shield magazines. That is three times the capacity of the J-Frame 38 Special in a similar size pistol. Contrary to the Internet 'xperts my seven Gen 2 magazines are reliable and trouble free.

A bigger plus is I can shoot it more accurately and quickly using full power self-defense ammunition when compared to the snubby using +P ammo.
 
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We are blessed now that all 50 states at least theoretically allow some form of concealed carry. Not too long ago that wasn't the case. It is likely that most people who carry a gun now never even owned a concealable handgun back in the day. Against that backdrop, carrying anything at all is a huge improvement. Carrying a J frame 38 is a marked improvement over going unarmed. Most of the concealed carriers I know are just not that into guns as a rule. They want a "just in case" gun to make it through the day (or night). The reasoning was that if a 38 snubbie was good enough for off duty cops (and some on duty) then it was more than enough for the average person.

When I started police work I was issued a model 10. I qualified as expert with it and was top shooter in my class. I had shot revolvers all my life and was familiar and comfortable with them as a duty weapon. While I was in the academy I went out and bought a model 49 Bodyguard with a Bianchi 9R holster for backup and off duty. I could hit with it almost as well as my duty gun and it only carried one round less. Chalk my confidence up to youthful smugness, perhaps. I even carried it after we were issued autoloaders. As did many other officers. So it was for me until after I retired.

I now carry a Glock 26 for the most part. My snub 38s are mostly for backup and occasions where I need the smallest, most effective weapon. Capacity is not the main reason, either. As I aged I find that I can shoot my Glock 26 faster and more accurately with more powerful ammunition than any snub I own. It is rugged, reliable and if it is taken in a shooting, lost in a river I don't care. For me it is the more effective weapon. If I could shoot my snubs as well, that is what I would carry all the time.

I enjoy reading these discussions, that's why I joined this forum. I am sure that most people that read this forum are not police officers or ex military. I'm sure that most have not carried a gun as part of their job or under the hazardous circumstances like police/military/security agents. do. They merely want to protect what is theirs. It has been repeated often on this forum (and others) by people with experience that whatever weapon you carry, you should train and practice with it as much as you can. Know the Laws. Acquaint yourself with some hand to hand techniques if possible. Practice good tactics and maintain awareness. These are far more important than the gun you carry.
 
alwslate said:
And the Glock 26 was designed to be about the same overall size and weight as a steel J frame and they can be used with a G19 15 rd magazine of much more powerful 9mm ammo.
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Well yea, but it's a "glock"😳. Remember, the west wasn't won with a durn plastic gun! 😊. Seriously though, lots of folks love 'em. To me they just don't feel "right", YMMV. I like some of the small nines, (CZ RAMI, Sig 938) but most leave me kinda "meh". Different strokes for different folks.
 
Well if the Glock had been available back when the west was won it would have been "the gun that won the west" In the hands of American police, 65% of the market, it is winning the west, east, north and south today :D
 
Among other, larger guns, I own 2 J frames, a Colt Cobra and a Shield. My preferred carry method is pocket. All will fit, in a proper holster, in any pants I own, from jeans to suits. The Shield is difficult to draw from the jeans and fully loaded it drags the suits down. I shoot it better at 25 yards than the snubs. Everything is a compromise. Yes, I could use an OWB or shoulder holster with a larger gun (and a cover garment) in 100 degree heat, but I don't care to. With a trench coat I could move up to a Shockwave, but I don't care to do that, either. The snubs work for me - no lie.
 
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