The wonderful world of J-frames!

[rmcnelly]

I love the way this 638 carries in a front pocket. She's currently wearing some Crimson Trace LG-405 grips which have a little padding on the top of the backstrap.

 

[dongbeiren]

My lady:

 

[lawandorder]

Everyone needs 2 or 10 J frames..................

..................Early model 49

 

[Edmo]

"It's OK to like the J..."

Here are my J-frames in a picture I've posted before.

Clockwise from top right: 642-1 current production "post-lock" 38 Special +P; 640-1 current production Pro Series 357 Magnum; and a mid-1980s model 60 "no dash" square-butt in standard pressure 38 Special.

Edmo

 

[Jimmyjones]

I've always like this thread, just realized I hadn't contributed.

Some of my J's, they multiply like rabbits !

 

[cherokee5425]

My most carried J frame is my blued Model 36 that I bobbed the hammer on. Nothing real special but I really love the gun as it is easy to carry and doesn't snag. My J frame I love the most is my 940 3". Only problem with 3" J frames is finding holsters for them.

 

[revho]

Done cleaning the finish deficient 642-1...

Also cleaned the other carry, a M36 from the mid '60s with a nice set of Executioner elk bone grips.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Abflyboy]

My Little Monster

I only have one so far, my 360. I love this little pistol. I passed on a nickel plated 60 a few years back and I've never seen one since.

There will be more J's in my future, that is certain.

 

[Frank V]

Glad to see this thread getting used again.
I really like the mod.49s, an exellent way to overcome hammer snag & not loose SA capability.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[jclo3313]

Great stuff! I just picked up my first J, a Wyatt Deep Cover.

 

[Cal44]

Here is a recent new one for me.

36 no dash, 2" RB

It's has a "floating J" serial number from about 1971.

 

[Frank V]

Back to look again.
These J frames are very useful & I've taken a lot of small game with them. They are just plain handy, stick it in your pocket & go. They will almost fit in a back pocket of blue jeans & a vest pocket makes them dissapear. Just plain handy, wear one in a good holster on your belt & you'll almost forget you have it!
Thanks for sharing everyone.

 

[OLDSTER]

J-Frame

This little 642 gets shot a lot. We don't usually consider the "J" a range gun, but I love to shoot a box of plinkers through it every time out

 

[SC_Mike]

One of three 640s, no dash. This ones mostly pocket carry but in holster today with some snake shot just in case.

 

[Frank V]

3482jl

Some target wadcutters really are fun in the Js. They are more accurate than most will believe too.

 

[Pepvol]

There's a lot to love in the J's.

This just might be the Prettiest Gun I've ever seen !! Beautiful work of Art !

 

[Helderberg]

This is my go to carry and the 638 that I will take when the mood strikes me. The 642 wears Hogue compact and the 638 has Pacy compact. The PC gun is incredibly smooth.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I saw several nice older J-frames at a gun show yesterday. I think one of the biggest mistakes S&W ever made was moving to the J-magnum frame. .357 in a J-frame was always more of a marketing gimmick than a customer demand, yet the larger frame affects comfort and concealability.

Prices are rising - there was a very nice M36 ND, no box, for $600 and a badly scratched M60 ND for $750 with box & papers. There was a factory engraved M60 for $1400.

 

[Frank V]

Guess they are getting more & more popular?
The good old S&W Mod. 10s are increasing in price too.
Had to come back for another look, thanks for sharing everyone.

 

[BB57]

I think one of the biggest mistakes S&W ever made was moving to the J-magnum frame. .357 in a J-frame was always more of a marketing gimmick than a customer demand, yet the larger frame affects comfort and concealability.

I don't find that to be true.

First, .357 Magnum in a Model 60, with its steel frame and 2.125" shrouded barrel is not horrible to shoot given a proper grip.

Now, to be fair, I practice with .38 Specials and I carry .38 +P, but that's due to a) my habit of shooting it on a regular basis for proficiency and the resulting wear and tear on the revolver with a steady or even frequent diet of .357 magnum, and b) the adequacy of .38 Special +P loads in a 2.125" Model 60, and improved speed and rapid fire accuracy with +P loads as opposed to .357 loads.

I get velocities around 675 fps with 158 gr .38 Special, 950 fps with 125 gr .38 +P and 1065 fps with 158 gr .357 Magnum. The .357 Mag is just not efficient in a 2" barrel, while the +P load is both a significant improvement over the standard pressure load, and potent enough to do the job and is still pleasant to shoot.

Second, the J-Magnum frame is about 1/8" longer to accommodate a 1/8" longer cylinder. There is more metal around the hammer, but way less than with a hammerless or shrouded hammer style J-Frame.

First, let's compare a Model 36 no dash with a Model 36-10 with the same 1 7/8" tapered barrel on a J-Magnum frame. It has a slightly longer frame to accommodate a lightly longer cylinder (about 1/8") and a slightly longer radius in the frame from the back of the top strap to the top of the grip, resulting in a little more metal around the hammer:

Then let's compare the same Model 36 no dash with a Model 60-14 with J-Magnum frame and 2.125" untapered barrel with shrouded ejector rod. The frame and cylinder differences are identical, with the major difference being the 1/4" longer barrel.

Then, let's see all three side by side.

Even with the longer barrel and larger frame the Model 60-14 fits in the same holster as the Model 36 no dash and is just as comfortable for IWB carry.

It is however much more durable and will handle .38 +P loads without complaint, while the Model 36 no dash is a standard pressure .38 revolver only.