The wonderful world of J-frames!

[alexrex20]

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[tjpopkin]

My everyday carry keeps changing, from a J-frame to the 9mm Shield, but the lightweight Js are tough to beat for CARRY. They are light weight and nearly imperceptible on the waist...but when it comes to SHOOTING, the semi-auto wins the day...but then again, we carry all day and shoot very little. If I practice with a steel J, over and over, then my proficiency with the air-weight improves.....otherwise, the pain it provides makes accuracy more challenging.

EVERYDAY::


I love this gun...it hits very hard...easy to carry...very accurate...just a GIANT J.... (kidding)



However, I can say the same about this one....except it IS a J....

 

[murphydog]

I just found a Blued Steel Chief's Special in As New condition and bought it. It's a sweet gun. I've had it out to the range and it runs like one of the modern Performance center guns. The bluing is so pristine it looks black in most light.

The form and fit on this gun is way better than what I find on my modern 638-3. For instance, the Forcing Cone to Cylinder gap is @ 60% tighter than on my 638. Exceptional workmanship.

It was in the original Blue Box with all the Documentation and an unopened brass cleaning brush with rod and , it looked like it had never been fired.

The Instruction sheet called it a model 36, the dates on the sheet were 1969 and 1970. The instructions said this gun was rated for .38 Special rounds and something called .38 Medium rounds.

Do you, or anyone on this forum, know what a .38 Medium round is/was?

It probably states ".38 Special Mid-Range", an older term for the 148 lead wadcutter that was intended for target use at 25 yards. See post #8 here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/448828-what-38-special-mid-range.html

 

[Trojansteel]

Well, just picked up my first gun, and it's the J frame: 640-1

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[jhnttrpp]

New, once Model 60

I traded some used scuba gear for this gun. I think I did ok. Where can I find the ship date for this gun

 

[crazyphil]

Late as usual. Only have 2 J Frames, but 2 of the best:
Model 60-14 .357 Magnum on the left. (converted to DAO)
Model 642-1 .38 Spl. (no lock) on the right.

 

[steamloco76]

Over the years I've owned eight J-frames from the odd 5 inch model 60 .357 Magnum to the model 34 .22LR. Three are still with me.

Model 642-1 Performance Center is my alternate EDC, the other being a Sig 938 9mm.

The 2.5 inch showm here was my EDC until this spring when I picked-up the PC 642 above. My wife like the lighter weight of the 642 vs. the 60-4 she had been carrying, so it is now her constant companion.

My dad's first handgun which became my first EDC many years ago. Model 36 circa 1968.

 

[Trojansteel]

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640-1




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[Firespec35]

@alexrex20 thats some old school stuff right there (the rubber band not the gun) I had a standby gig for the Detroit Catholic Archdioces and hung out with the security for the Cardinal/ Archbishop which was mostly retired Detroit PD there were a few that still carried snubbies and did the rubber band thing. They mostly used the smaller ones though. I still think the funniest was retired a DPD now firearms instructor for Wayne State University carried a keltec p3AT in an OWB holster.

Here is my 637. Previous owner had a front night sight installed. I had CT laser grips installed but didnt like them so I went back to the originals.

 

[LivinTheDream]

How can you not love J frames? I have some Desantis clip grips for the 649. The M&P 340ct is so light I often forget that it's in my pocket!

 

[DevilDog72]

I will play... I have a 642-1 nl and love it. It wears S&W Banana grips now.
I would like to get a 640 next.

 

[Trojansteel]

These beauties just arrived at the office:

Any challenges to the installation?


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[Bigdog357]

Just put on some combats that I purchased from one of our members

 

[Frank V]

Bigdog357, I like that one.

 

[EricR]

My Old and New J-Frames

I bought the 63 no dash from a grocery store in Laramie, WY while back at college as a "non-traditional" student, aka old, during the late 80's. It's great single action. Accuracy that is.

The 442 is new, and happily mine, after my wife gave it back to me. Bought it for her as a EDC but it was too hot for her little hands. I love it and it's what I now carry most of the time. It's that or a Shield 9.

 

[Old TexMex]

Would someone who has ACTUALLY had an airweight frame crack please chime in? I can't seem to damage either of mine(after 20 years) and I'm looking for somethin other than hearsay.

 

[HeyJoe]

i had a crack in the frame of a model 637 where the barrel is screwed into the frame. never used any +P ammo in it and no reloads. I only noticed it because the finish was peeling and i wanted to have it refinished. They sent me a 638 as a replacement, which is what i requested.

 

[Old TexMex]

I've actually heard of more model 19s having a crack in the frame below the forcing cone than a j frame, and the cracked j's I've read about were the stainless bbl models, possibly from overtightening.... I have used quite a bit of buffalo bore +p in my j frame air weights ( mdl 37&38) without indication of damage.
I've Read some second hand stories, but nobody has ever shown me the real McCoy.

 

[HeyJoe]

this had to be from an overtorqued barrel because nothing +P was ever used on it. 148 gr wadcutters and 158 gr swchp

 

[swkohnle08]

I love my 1971 Model 36. I carry it as my EDC either OWB, IWB or pocket depending on season

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