Why do I still want a J-frame?

[Mr. Blenderson]

Quick background, I don't have a ton of experience with handguns - I got my first about a year ago, a Glock 17. Then I added a Shield 9mm about six months ago. I shoot 50-100 rounds a week at the range, and often rent other guns to try them out.

I've always wanted a J-frame, so I rented a 642 a while ago and tried it out. I didn't like it all, after the first 10-20 rounds the recoil felt like getting smacked in the hand with a hammer. I was surprised at how much the recoil bothered me - I'm a pretty big dude (6'1 220lbs) and do MMA so I'm quite used to pain and it generally doesn't bother me. But when I shot the 642 I honestly didn't even want to finish the box of 50 cartridges.

Also, I was wildly inaccurate with it. I could barely keep shots on the large-size paper target at 7 yards. After this experience I swore the J-frames off and focused on my autoloaders.

I still couldn't get rid of the revolver bug, so when I sold my Glock 17 a few weeks ago intending to replace it with a FS M&P 9mm I bought a 4" SS 686+ instead. I'm in love with this gun! I'm more accurate with it than any other handgun I've shot and it's a ton of fun at the range. There certainly is something about wheelguns, I just like holding it and spinning the cylinder.

The thing is even though I tried a J-frame and hated it, I still want one, and I don't know why. Lots of people seem to love them, enjoy shooting them, and carry them, especially on here. Maybe I just had no idea what I was doing the first time I rented one? I don't remember the specific cartridges I was using but they were Magtechs. This 686 just made me want to get a whole bunch of revolvers.

Is it stupid to want to buy a gun that I didn't enjoy shooting and shot terribly? If I did get a J-frame it would be for pocket carry, which is the only carry method that works for me with my clothes and South Florida weather.

 

[STCM(SW)]

This fits the bill for me.


Front right pocket in the summer and the grips make it controllable.

 

[AlHunt]

Pocket carry is as good a reason as any. I'd say you just think it's a really cool little firearm. And you're correct. It's an iconic little wheelgun that's been around forever and a day. Like the 686, it's just the best in it's class, benchmark kind of firearm.

 

[Old cop]

J frame shooting is an acquired and perishable skill. Go ahead and get your J but I'd start w/an all steel frame gun. Learn to shoot that then move to the light weight Js if you intend to pocket carry one. Good hunting.

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

This fits the bill for me.


Front right pocket in the summer and the grips make it controllable.

Which model is that?

 

[Mister X]

If you believe the various available stats regarding civilian armed self-defense(that the vast majority occur at extremely close distances and are resolved in very few shots being fired), then the J-frame is an excellent choice.

I would even go as far as saying there isn't any better weapon than a concealed hammer snub in reactive ECQ defense scenarios.

I currently have 642's, but have also owned 340 M&P's and 640's. I've always found .38 loads to be completely tolerable in any of them.

I think the thing to keep in mind is that these are close-quarter personal defense weapons and not range or target guns.

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

J frame shooting is an acquired and perishable skill. Go ahead and get your J but I'd start w/an all steel frame gun. Learn to shoot that then move to the light weight Js if you intend to pocket carry one. Good hunting.

Is the 640 the steel version of the 642? It seems to be slightly larger.

 

[S&W Rover]

The barrel of the 640 is 1/4 inch longer (because it is rated for .357 Magnum) but otherwise it is the same. An all-steel gun, the 640 is more tolerable to shoot, and almost pleasant when shooting .38 Special, although for my taste it weighs a bit much for pocket carry.

I too like my Airweight J frames (442 Pro, 642). They stand the best chance of going with me, in my pocket, all four seasons of the year. I keep one in the garage so I can grab it as a last minute addition when jumping in the car -- plus it is in the garage as a household defense gun should that unfortunate scenario come to pass. I would love to holster up and go out with my favorite size gun, a 3913 or a P239 -- with 8 rounds and a spare mag, carrying three times the ammo carried in a J frame -- but that takes time and effort and is not possible while wearing shorts, etc.

J frames do take work to learn to shoot well and consistently. I hand-load .38 Special rounds with milder loads to enable me to put up with longer practice sessions, although I always end the practice session with a cylinder of my self-defense choice of ammo (Rem Golden Sabers, Gold Dot SB 135 grain, etc.).

There are many threads about "is five rounds enough" so I won't reprise that discussion here -- you have to consider it, though.

I just bought a 686 Plus and agree that it is a wonderful gun! Great for the range, can be carried in many (but not all) circumstances, and if augmented with a pair of earplugs is a great home defense gun. There is just something about a S&W revolver... a design that is 115+ years old... but still inherently accurate and reliable.

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

I should add that I pocket carry my Shield just fine, which is ~24oz loaded, so the 640 probably wouldn't be a problem in the weight department.

 

[CATI1835]

Large calibers in the small J frame are not a range gun. They are not comfortable to shoot. That said, they are the perfect pocket gun. I EDC a 432pd in .32H&R Magnum. My wife even carries it sometimes. Recoil is very manageable, especially in. 32 S&W Long. Perhaps you should look into one of the. 32 J frames. Wait, S&W doesn't make them anymore. They are available sometimes on the secondary market. With the right ammo I don't feel underarmed.

 

[M29since14]

Old cop gives good advice, IMO. The old mentality in my neck of the woods was that you practiced with a steel gun, usually a Model 36, and then carried your Airweight. I bought the steel gun first, still have it, but rarely carry a steel J frame. I still have my Model 36 & 37 pair purchased many years ago now.

If I felt the need to shoot a lot, I would still drag out the steel gun, even though that philosophy is no longer "popular." If you go out and buy the 642, you may find you warm up to it more quickly with the right stocks. Try some different ones, like the Pachmayr Compacs.

 

[Markdad2]

The heart wants what the heart wants.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

Old cop gives good advice, IMO. The old mentality in my neck of the woods was that you practiced with a steel gun, usually a Model 36, and then carried your Airweight. I bought the steel gun first, still have it, but rarely carry a steel J frame. I still have my Model 36 & 37 pair purchased many years ago now.

If I felt the need to shoot a lot, I would still drag out the steel gun, even though that philosophy is no longer "popular." If you go out and buy the 642, you may find you warm up to it more quickly with the right stocks. Try some different ones, like the Pachmayr Compacs.

Hmmm I hadn't considered the idea of getting a 442/642 to carry and a 640 to practice at the range.

It's also entirely possible that the reason my hand got so beat up when I shot the 642 was that I wasn't holding and gripping it correctly. I wish my range had a steel J to try.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Proceed with caution-
J Frames are like potato chips,
It's hard to stop with one!

 

[Rpg]

J frames take a great deal of practice to master: more than any revolver I know.

Few actually put in the time and effort.

The idea of going to the range and running boxes of ammo through your j frame at one sitting isn't as efficient as shooting 25 at a time, along with extensive systematic dry fire practice (10x more dry than live fire).

They are wonderful pocket guns.

 

[TomTownUSA]

I believe the J frame is the ideal size, not too large and not too small and very carry-able. My wife uses a 637 Airweight and consistently hits a 12" steel at 25 feet using double action. I installed a set of Hogue rubber grips to provide her with a more secure hold. The larger rubber grips made ALL the difference.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Mr. B:

Welcome aboard. No, it's not stupid at all to want a J-frame, even though you "... didn't enjoy shooting and shot terribly".

You can teach yourself to shoot any gun well: 1) if you decide to, and 2) if it has stocks that work for you.

I'm guessing that your rental 642 had the OEM rubber booties (boot grips), which I attribute to many folks saying they hate shooting J-frames.

You have to be able to shoot well with the gun you carry; that means you carry the gun you practice with at the range (don't practice with more controllable stocks and then switch to the rubber booties for cc).

Loaded with Speer .38 +P Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 gr ammo my 640 Pro weighs 1.5lbs and my M&P 340 weighs 1lb. Neither hurts me.

Best of luck with your decision.

Bob

 

[Triathloncoach]

I've owned several. Extremely cool guns, fun to fondle, no fun to shoot tho. But for me the LCP is just more practical. I replaced my 360 38sp (my last j frame) with the LCP for pocket carry, like right this moment ���� and never regretted it. Actually I carry it in a Sneaky Pete type holster.

These aren't mine, but I used to have a photo just like it, tho the 360 has the exposed hammer. For pocket carry - FOR ME - there was a big difference. And they are both so far away ballistically from a 357 or 45 that the differences between a j frame 38 and a LCP is purely academic, not real world.

With that said I don't have a bad thing to say about choosing a j frame if it's best for you. They work.

 

[Fox4506]

I agree that the 642 with factory grips can get a little uncomfortable sometimes. They are good grips for carry though. Like many others I'm sure, I've tried different types of grips on my J frames. Some I have liked more than others. And to be honest the factory grips are not that bad...but I did find some that I like better.

Pachmayr Diamond Pro Series grips are a little bigger, but they are SO much more comfortable to shoot. If you don't have decent sized pockets they may be a little difficult to pocket carry, but I'm 6', 205, and I can do it with TruSpec shorts with no problem.

Good luck!

Fox

 

[Mr. Blenderson]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Does anyone have experience with the crimson trace grips on a J-frame? I've gone back and forth on lasers in general but I've read that they also add some cushioning over the stock grips.