Which J Frame?

[tcmers]

I no longer have a small gun for concealed carry. I had a 638 that I loved carrying, but lost in a divorce. I'm looking to fill that niche, and have narrowed my choices down (I think) to a 638, 637 or model 60. The 637 that I am considering is the PC/Talo version. The model 60 that I looked at is also the Talo version, with a 3" barrel. I think the 637/638 decision is a toss up. My question is for those of you that carry a 60. Is the extra inch of barrel an issue? My primary means of carry is on my strong side hip. I'm not a fan of pocket carry and only use IWB when clothing makes it necessary. I'm not too concerned about the extra weight, although it is a factor. I like the real sights on the model 60 as they make life much easier with my aging eyes. I've also kicked around the idea of a 3913 or CS9 or 40 or 45. I think the CS series would conceal as well as a j frame, with little weight penalty. So, back to my original question...which J frame?

 

[snubbyfan]

My own personal favorite's a 442.

 

[Mister X]

Why do you feel the need to have an exposed hammer/single action on a snub revolver?

 

[tcmers]

Why do you feel the need to have an exposed hammer/single action on a snub revolver?

I don't feel a need. It's just what I'm used to owning.

 

[Tyree1867]

Model 38 Airweight is my current carry.

 

[heeter3]

I also like the 442.It is very easy to carry and comfortable in numerous carry positions and with many holster applications.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have been carrying a S&W M442 for a lot of years now and it's my favorite carry.

 

[mgriffin]

442 is what I always drop in my pocket. Either loose fitting Levis or in my jacket.

 

[14indy]

Look at the 642 in Performance Center form. Smoothest trigger I've ever had !!!

 

[ironhead7544]

The 3 inch is the best snub IMHO. No more difficult to carry in a holster. Easier to make good hits with.

 

[Pointblank2U]

You can't go wrong with a 642 or 442. If you look around you can find models that don't have the lock.

 

[ATF]

I used to carry a 60 2 1/8" barrel .38 with exposed hammer because I like SA but recently I've moved on to a Sig P938 which is SA only but much more accurate and slightly smaller with a few extra rounds. Nothing wrong with the 60 though. I still carry the 60 when I'm with the wife because she's not so confident with the Sig.

 

[petepeterson]

I personally prefer the 442 when I have a j-frame. I like the concealed hammer and the darker finish.

I also have a 3" 60 that I carry occasionally, when I want the extra power. For a CCW, though, I don't feel the extra weight is worth it. Great revolver, but I use it for a different purpose.

I have a CS9 and a 3913 that, to me, both conceal as easily, if not better, than a j-frame.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

I almost exclusively pocket carry (DeSantis Nemesis holsters) a pair of humpbacks - a Model 38-0 and a Model 638-1. I will sometimes use a Bianchi 9R shoulder holster, or a OWB Bianchi 55R holster. I don't own a J-frame with a 3.0 inch barrel, so I can't help you there. My favorite J-frame is the (original) Bodyguard series, and I own examples of the Model 38, 638, and 649 (all stainless steel). I don't see how you can go wrong with one of the original Bodyguards - especially seeing as you once owned a Model 638.

Good luck,

Dave

 

[MaxS]

I carry and love my 638. It has the Apex spring kit installed. I like the option of single action in case I run into a coyote (a problem here). I'm thinking with a coyote I'd probably have time to cock the hammer and aim a little.

I've owned 3913's and think they're great, but I'd choose the CS9 for carry because of it's size.

 

[wb4tjh]

Over the past 40 or so years, I have owned probably a dozen or more J frames of every type and description. I carried a 342 for 10 years, but these days, a 638 Airweight stainless is my carry gun of choice. It offers the single action option, yet with the shrouded hammer, can be fired from a pocket if necessary. These J fjrame guns are too small and light to be effectively handled in .357 Magnum, even the all steel models, so I stay with .38 Special. The 638 is light enough, yet not too light that you can't shoot all lead bullets in it like the titanium/aluminum/scandium models. It is the best compromise of all the J frame models for all around use, concealed carry or for woods walking, in my experience. It will handle ALL .38 special loads, from all lead wadcutters, to +P and even rat shot for snakes. Barrel length is up to you, but I prefer the short 2 inch for concealment use. I carry it in a Mika pocket holster, a Bianche belt holster, or a Ken Knull shoulder holster, depending on my needs. There are other brands of dependable J frame sized guns out there, but I prefer to trust my life to Smith and Wesson.

 

[vito]

I few years ago I bought a 642 and loved the light weight and easy concealability, but for me, it was a gun that I could not shoot very accurately at all. In fact, I hated shooting the thing because the recoil made it totally unpleasant even with light 38 Special rounds; 38+p were literally painful to fire. So even though it seemed to be a great and obviously popular carry gun, it now sits almost untouched in my safe. I much prefer my 640. I load it with +p rather than 357mag but the weight and mass of this all steel gun, plus the much better sights make me feel a lot more confident. I later added a Crimson Trace laser and have practiced a fair amount with this gun and feel quite confident that for self defense distances, i.e., under 10 yards, I can use this gun effectively (something I could not claim with the 642, which I felt was really for use at "bad breath" distance only). If you haven't tried the 340/640 models you might want to do so before deciding on what to buy.

 

[Triathloncoach]

I only like exposed hammers. Just because. And if you aren't pocket carrying that minimizes the risk of a snag. (Risk of needing gun X risk of snag, umm, small odds at best)

I've carried a 360 and 637. Pocket. I tried a 3 inch 36 IWB, decided a Glock 19 was preffered.

It sounds IMHO that you really want a 60. And that's an excellent choice. My concern with the 60 is that once you get the longer barrel and the steel frame you are now close to K Frame territory and I'd prefer a snub 19 or 66 for IWB.

PS. I carry a LCP. Or a Glock 19.

 

[Matt C.]

I've carried a 642 a 940 and a 642 converted to 9mm, but by far my favorite is my 638.

It offers a higher grip position (for me) and draws better from concealment.

How can you not pick something named the Bodyguard?

 

[MOONDAWG]

Regardless on the main battery, a S&W M-642 is a constant companion. However, the M-638 does give one the option of single action which is nice if one wants to use said piece as a "Trail Gun" too.

 

[tcmers]

Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I'll take a look at the 642. A local dealer has a used 638 at a good price, so I'll look that over this weekend before I decide.

 

[BE Mike]

I really like my 642. That said, an extra inch of sight radius makes shooting with sights a lot easier. These days I have Crimson Trace laser sights on everything I have that is intended for serious business. It is easy to hold very tight groups with that little red dot at typical "self-defense" distances.

 

[sawlog]

I carry the model 60 pro everyday, it has 3in barrel.
my wife carries a lcr 38, I carried it last night to church just to see if there was much difference. even at 10 oz lighter, wasn't much difference. of course that wasn't a long day at work.
love my 3in model 60!!

 

[shouldazagged]

Don't rule out an all steel J-frame. The additional few ounces aren't bothersome for me and help absorb recoil. I like the concealed hammer DAO flavor, like the 642. Mine's all steel, but the lighter 642 is an enormously popular seller for a reason.

 

[Protected One]

If you are not dead set on a Smith I'd take a look at the Ruger SP101 with a 3" bl. It's a rugged .357 that shoots .38 spl like a dream. The airweights are punishing to shoot, and that equates to less practice...which is not a good thing.

 

[Fepa13]

My personal favorite j frame is the 642. The enclosed hammer allows for a snag free draw from a pocket holster. With the 642, you can also get a higher grip which will help with controlling recoil. I prefer dao only revolvers for defense. I always have a 642 in a Tagua pocket holster off duty. But for some reason you feel that you need an exposed hammer, of the ones you listed I would go with the 638.

 

[ladder13]

Was carrying a 642, just switched to a 38, for the SA capability.

 

[Brian41]

I like my 37 with factory bobbed hammer for pocket carry in a Galco pocket holster. I also have a 36 with bobbed hammer and 49 but like the less weight of the 37. I really don't mind the recoil shooting it but it has the S&W rubber grips on it too.
No experience with a 3 inch but would expect them to be more difficult for pocket carry. If I move to a belt holster I use a K or L frame snub.

 

[Rick_A]

If I could only have one it would probably be a model 36 or M&P340. Both are compromises...one a little heavy for caliber...one a little light.

As I don't like such compromises I got one for 38 +P use and one for magnums.

20150109_135938 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

One is always on the ankle or in a pocket, the other is on the waistband when either dressed lightly or weary of having a large framed gun on the hip.

20150109_153932 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[coach22]

#1. 640 (38)
#2. 340PD
Both with Safariland Grips cut just below the frame
and both loaded with Corbon DPX +P's.
Mika Pocket Holster, of course.