Would you buy a 6-shot .38 J-frame

[GerSan69]

Absolutely!
There are examples out there that work quite well. Taurus model 856, Rossi 461/462, and of course, the Colt Detective Special and related models are in that size class. Yep, they aren't exactly like a J-frame - I had a D-Special in the late 70s, an 856 the first time Taurus brought them out several years ago, and currently have a 462, a dam nice little gun, by the way, and they are a little bigger. I don't see that as a problem, however.
I realize S&W tried the C-frame Model 73 and it didn't work due to the placement of the cylinder stop and notch. I'm kind of surprised that they built it the way they did with an offset that they didn't use on any other frame. Interesting, though, that the Rossi design internals are essentially cloned from S&W, and they made the 6-shot revolver work, putting the notch where S&W "should" have placed it.
{If anyone has some history behind the C-frame design, I for one would love to read about it.}
Since I buy guns these days because I want to and not because of any other reason, I would certainly grab a J (or C) size S&W 6-shooter.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I didn't have all of that history but I answered yes just because I would - if S&W can''t make a 6 shot J frame then they can call it something else if necessary but it would definitely get my attention.

This is a very old Colt Cobra - to me it feels like a 6 shot J frame - and yes, I know it's weird with Hogue stocks but they're way better than the original Colt stocks and I have happily carried this gun with these Hogues on there - but it's not a pocket gun set up this way:

 

[chief38]

Don't see how you could get 6 .38 Spl. rounds in a conventional sized J Frame. In order to do that you would have to make the cylinder a larger diameter and that in turn would hurt its concealability.

You could do it with smaller caliber rounds but that would hurt effectiveness of the revolver's stopping power.

 

[steelslaver]

No way S&W can make a 6 shot 38 with a frame diameter cylinder. Now a 6 shot alloy 327 Federal J frame would be nice. I just don't want to pay the prices that the few that do exist command.

I don't think that the 327 gives up much to the 38 special.

 

[mikerjf]

You could put 5 shots around the circumference and 1 more down the middle. Would need some design changes... and a second barrel.

 

[max503]

For carry I wouldn't buy anything bigger than my 638.
I would love to have a 2 inch J frame 22 with adjustable sights, but not for the price they want. I have a 4 inch and love it.

 

[H Richard]

The 431PD and 432PD make excellent carry pieces, and a 32 H&R Mag with a 100 gr XTP at over 1000 FPS doesn't give up anything to a 38 Special.

 

[CHARLIE699]

While I was searching for my 640Pro, I ran across a 632Pro. Passed on it as I was not looking for another caliber to load.
Given the chance again, I won't hesitate.
Maybe someone out there that did not miss the chance will show us theirs & opine upon it's virtues???

 

[Farmer17]

The .327 Federal pushes a 115 grain HP at nearly 1300 fps out of a short barrel which is about all the recoil most could handle in an airweight J-frame and the 6 shot would be nice. You can also shoot .32 H&R Mag, .32 long, .32 short, and I believe even .32 acp out of it but with .38 ammo being much cheaper and readily available the idea never really took off. I don't reload and am done with buying guns that take expensive, hard to get ammo.

 

[HKB]

I have an older 649, and I enjoy shooting it. I carry it when I don't want to leave brass on the ground. I don't see a need for one extra round.

 

[uncleted327]

6 rounds of 38 won't fit in a J, ever. You can't get around physical limitations. Taurus, Kimber, Colt...they are a larger frame opening and cylinder, that's why they can fit 6. S&W would have to build another all new frame size between the J and K, or bring back one of the discontinued frames. The question is, is there enough of a market for a whole new series in between the J and K to warrant the costs...in reality probably not. Not for one more round. The J can fit in a pocket, once you go larger than that and have to carry on your waist, going to a K isn't a big deal.

 

[Ranger514]

I've been thinking about .327 magnum for a while, but would stick with a snubby .38 Spcl +P, if S&W made a 6-shot j frame in that caliber. I'd have to see how well it was engineered and survived reliability and wear testing before I'd actually lay down money for one, however. With peak gun sales, I'd think many gun manufacturers are looking for competitive ideas to capture a growing market.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I think Colt had that covered since around 1926 with the Detective Special. Not much larger than a J-frame, but with six up in .38 special. This is the one I own, manufactured in May, 1959.

John

 

[RWJ]

The 431PD and 432PD make excellent carry pieces, and a 32 H&R Mag with a 100 gr XTP at over 1000 FPS doesn't give up anything to a 38 Special.

What he said - I carry my 432 in the summer, and a 3" 31 RB with a fitted 32 Magnum cylinder when it's a little cooler. The 432 weighs 13.5 empty, and 15.5 loaded - tough to beat.

 

[reccpd101]

I own 3 S&W .32s and a Colt Agent 38. I like them all. With standard velocity 38, the Agent is a great carry piece. I don't recommend +P.

 

[gerhard1]

The title is somewhat self explanatory. If Smith started making new 6-shot .38 Spl, or even .357 Magnum, small framed short barreled revolvers, would you buy one? Let's say something as similar as possible to a 442 and/or 642, but with a 6 shot cylinder. And, yes the frame would have to be stretched as necessary to support this.

Under the conditions that you set, no. I do have a six-shot J-frame, and I am quite fond of it, but it is in 32 S&W Long

 

[Dieseltech56]

Yes in 327

 

[slabside2]

Kimber makes one K6S 357 magnum. Side by side next to my 442 it’s almost the same size.

 

[The Norseman]

Load it up

S&W could make one. It would be different. They
could just name the Frame different.

S&W won't of course, they don't even listen to us
on the "Wish List" Threads, to bring back easy to
Manufacture Revolvers, such as the Mountain Gun
for example.

I like my Model 637 38Spl. If I can't hit something
with 5 shots there's something wrong.

 

[Grayfox]

Nope. Absolutely no interest in a J-frame size six shot .38. As mentioned, physical size limits would require a larger frame and cylinder. So S&W would simply be making a Detective Special. I already have one of those.