Which J Frames Weigh in at 15 ounces?

[Nalapombu]

Hey all.

I'm kinda looking around and making a list of J frames to look at when I get my car paid off in 2 months. I want to get a celebration gift for me if ya know what I mean.

The Scandium J's are really nice and I'd like to have one, but they are just too much money. Besides, right now it's hard telling what these babies are selling for.

I kinda recall when I was looking at J's a couple years ago that there were several that weighed around 15 ounces. They are heavier than the Scandium J's but lighter than most other J frames. I think the model 638 is one that weighs 15 ounces.

Can you all help me a bit and list some of the other models that are in this weight range? Are there others that are a tad heavier than the Scandium models but don't cost as much? I seem to recall 13 ounce J frames. Is that right or am I imagining something that isn't real? Are they Scandium too and do they cost as much as the really light 11 ounce models?

Any other suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks for your time and help.

Nalajr


P.S. If you don't mind, how does the S&W Bodyguard revolver stack up next to the J frames I am talking about and wanting info on? Is the Bodyguard a good choice or should I keep it to the J Frames that are well known and been around?

 

[KosherNRA]

My 340 m&p was around 13oz... Step down from the 11oz 340PD

I want one again already... And i just sold the damn m&p hours ago to pay bills.

 

[peyton]

You did not mention what caliber you are looking for. I am a big fan of the 32 magnum's. The 331/332 431/432 all weigh less than that.

 

[snubbiefan]

Most all the AirLite and Airweight (older pre-lock) guns come in close to that weight. The 317 snubbie weighs-in at a pants-dropping 10.5 ounces. If you want one that you will forget you have on you (and risk the possibility of it getting thrown-in with the wash)....get a 317 snub-nose.

The only draw-back to the lightweights is the recoil in heavier calibers (if you're sensitive to it) and the overall "tenderness" of the gun.

 

[WC145]

The Airweights are the .38spls in the 15oz range - 442, 642, 638, 637, etc. - they are the most popular of the J frames, great for holster and pocket carry both.

 

[Larry from Bend]

My Model 38 weighs 14-15 oz. I would recommend it to anyone that wanted a lightweight snubbie.

 

[civil1977]

The Airweights are the .38spls in the 15oz range - 442, 642, 638, 637, etc. - they are the most popular of the J frames, great for holster and pocket carry both.

This is a good recommendation and you should be able to find one around $400, sometimes less. Congrats on paying your car off.....too many people stay in debt and continue to buy more instread of paying off what they already have.

 

[mrflash]

I like the original Airweights....

I have two Airweights as follows:
1.) Mod. 37, .38 spl., 3" bbl., 14.72 oz., unloaded
2.) Mod. 43, .22 cal., 3.5" bbl., 14.34 oz., unloaded

 

[hotrod150]

The airweight (aluminum frame) j-frames are generally in the 15 oz range. The 442 & 642 are the modern "hammerless" (Centennial-style) versions. I bought a lightly-used 442-2 for $300 last year. They were readily available at the local Sportsman Warehouse for around $400 last year, don't know about availablity or price since the big gun scare started. The modern version of the original Airweight Chief Special is the 637. I prefer the original model with hammernose firing pin but a lot of people really like the new ones.

 

[shouldazagged]

The Airweights are no fun at all for most people to shoot with +P ammo, but they're great little guns. I prefer a 21 ounce all steel J-frame, but I'm old with buggered-up hands.

Most people I know who carry Airweights practice more with standard pressure ammo and carry +P. It's better for an aluminum-frame gun anyway.

 

[mrflash]

Loads in Airweights

I agree, shouldazagged. I picked up my Mod. 37, 3" because it was a nice gun at a real good price. I've had it to the range a couple times & only shoot standard .38 spl. in it. When I want to CC a revolver I carry my Mod. 60, 3". It's chambered for .357, but only shoot/carry with .38 +P. I'm getting arthritis in my hands & the big stuff isn't as much fun to shoot as it once was.

P.S. This tips the scales at 24.35 oz., empty.

 

[Nalapombu]

Thanks all for the help.

I was thinking of a 38, but I wouldn't mind the 32mag in a snub. The ONLY thing that worries me about that caliber is that the cartridge won't be around for too long and I'm stuck with a pistol that I can hardly find ammo for. I know it will shoot a variety of ammo, but the stuff you'd want to defend yourself with could go BYE-BYE. I don't imagine that the ammo makers and turning out 32mag ammo right and left. Look at the situation right now. If I had a 32mag that I just bought I'd be in a BAD WAY trying to get ammo for it, I think. Does anyone want to comment on those concerns for the availability of the mag ammo in the future?

Also, can you all that own and love the 32mag, can you give me an idea on how it stacks up against the 38+P, the 357mag and the 9mm? Those are the 3 I would be looking at.

Lastly, I am wanting a pistol that I can put in my pocket and have it with me everywhere I go. I don't know how well the 23oz 357mag J frame would work in that situation. Anyone here pocket carry the heavier J Frames like the 640 that weighs 23oz?

Thanks again everyone.

Nalajr

 

[snubbyfan]

Ok, I had to check. My 442 with a Pachmayr Compact grip and Laserlyte laser weighs 20.50 ounces loaded, 18.40 unloaded.
The Pachmayr grips weigh 4.65 ounces, Uncle Mikes boot grips weigh 2.05 ounces.
My 442 with the boot grips weighs 17.95 ounces loaded and 15.85 unloaded.
I'd like to carry with the boot grips but they just don't work with my hands.
I carry it either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade holsters.

 

[Water-Man]

There's also the Ruger LCR .38spl + P to be considered.

Weighs in at 13.5oz.

 

[shouldazagged]

Thanks all for the help.

Lastly, I am wanting a pistol that I can put in my pocket and have it with me everywhere I go. I don't know how well the 23oz 357mag J frame would work in that situation. Anyone here pocket carry the heavier J Frames like the 640 that weighs 23oz?

Thanks again everyone.

Nalajr

I carry a stainless 640 +P .38 Special that weighs 21 ounces unloaded, with Pachmayr Compacs adding a little more weight. I pocket-carry it daily in either a DeSantis Nemesis or Uncle Mike's pocket holster. A lot of people think that's too heavy for a pocket, but I've been doing it for years with no problems.

 

[HankG]

The S&W bodyguard in steel and polymer comes in at 14.5 oz M.T.. Shoots .38 and .38+p.

 

[Nalapombu]

How does the Bodyguard compare in quality and shootability to the J Frames like the 638?

Thanks
Nalajr

 

[civil1977]

The 342PD weighs 10.8 oz unloaded and you can carry it all day and hardly know its there. It is the lightest .38 caliber Centineal frame ever made.

The .32 mag guns are neat and do offer one more round but they are hard to find and the ammo isn't nearly as common as .38 Special.

 

[BJoe]

How does the Bodyguard compare in quality and shootability to the J Frames like the 638?

Thanks
Nalajr

The 638 is a Bodyguard. Bodyguard is a name S&W gave to the humpback pistols with the shrouded hammers, post #6.
The 6 in 638 just indicates it is a stainless model.

Bob

 

[Nevada Ed]

Light weights at 14.5oz +/- or Steel at 20.5oz +/- ...........

Lots of J frames out there to chose from and all have their pros and cons. I got the girls the Steel J's to help out just a tad with the recoil.