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

[TTSH]

I voted "Yes", but I lied. Let me explain...

Like so many others here, I would love to see S&W come out with a 6-shot 2" J-frame snub revolver in .38 Spl... but we all know that's been tried and it's not possible. So the next best thing would be a 6-shot 2" J-frame in .32 caliber with multiple modern round options... sort of a Model 30-1 brought back to life (including stainless and lightweight versions of course). That would be sweet!

But would I buy it? That's a whole 'nother question with two competing sides.

On the one hand, I've vowed never to buy another brand new S&W revolver ever again. For me, 100% older used pre-IL/pre-MIM S&W revolvers and all-metal semi-autos is the way to go.

On the other hand, the good wife has been asking more and more about carrying. She has been fully licensed to carry for many years, but has never felt the pressing need until recently.

What would be the perfect starter carry gun for her? In my mind, a lightweight .32 caliber revolver would be ideal.

There ya go.

 

[federali]

Tauris

Tauris is advertising a 6-shot, .38 SPL +P 2" revolver in the new issue of American Rifleman but it's difficult to judge the frame size.

 

[GerSan69]

Why are so many people stuck on the size?
Did y'all forget that the J-frame was stretched to fit the .357 round? Reinforced it, too.
And re-contoured to fit a lock.
The same principle applies to stretch it some more to add another round. It ain't that hard.

 

[gnystrom]

I already own one.

 

[steelslaver]

Why are so many people stuck on the size?
Did y'all forget that the J-frame was stretched to fit the .357 round? Reinforced it, too.
And re-contoured to fit a lock.
The same principle applies to stretch it some more to add another round. It ain't that hard.

Yup you ca stretch it more and fit another 38 round. But,only if you stretch it enough that it becomes a K frame.

Get a set of calibers and check it out.

Some manufactures make a near J frame 6 shot J frame diameter cylinder. But their chambers are farther towards the center. S&W can not move their chambers towards the center without reducing the size of the ratchet, which means moving the hand inward, which means making the trigger and hammer narrower. It also means moving the barrel down in the frame and redesigning the yoke to clearance the lowered barrel in the frame. Simple HUH?

PS it also means a heavier double action trigger pull because the ratchet is actually a gear so it takes more leverage. Just like on a bike when the rear gear is smaller it is harder to petal than when it is larger.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

I have a six shot J Frame Model 31-1 in 32 S&W Long that's accurate and fun to shoot. I don't think that I'd carry it for anything but sport, but my chronographed 115 grain cast bullets are on the heels of the 32 H&R Magnum while staying within max load data in the major manuals.

I guess if I needed a sixth shot, I'd just carry this Model 10 no dash.

 

[BBMW]

Okay, I think the way I phrased the question caused some confusion. What I'm talking about is a 6-shot .38 snub nosed revolver in as small a form factor as possible.

I don't know exactly how Smith technically specifies it's frame size, and if the cylinder aperture is fixed for a given letter named frame class, but I was talking about stretching a j-frame to fit a 6 shot cylinder. If this fits the description of a C-frame, that's what I'm talking about. They haven't done this almost 50 years, so maybe it's time for another shot.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Been There Done That... ;-)

I already own one.

YUP...

Me too!

 

[Telecaster]

I'd probably buy one, because the K6s doesn't fit my hand quite right, while S&Ws do.

 

[Dragon 1]

Not sure I wonder then If the Cylinder would have to be bigger and be a little heavier in 38 special. Would it be harder for pocket carry in 38spl with bigger cylinder. A Taurus and colt D frame seem to be a some what bigger but the D frame I always felt it was between J and k. I wonder how they would hold up with timing issues IF there would be any going to the extra shot in 38 special. I no 686 7 shots I think are ok but it’s a totally different working of internals and frame. I do have 351 c that was Tuned by Teddy Jacobson it is pretty sweet but the cylinder smaller because of a 22 Magnum. I guess for a belt gun the bigger or the extra shot as they say would be pretty cool but pocket carry not sure that’s in 38 spl Like opening a can of worms I guess.

 

[K Frame Keith]

yes, in .32

 

[haywood]

I don’t think so. I have 4 five shot J-Frames. I carry Two at a time. I don’t feel a need to put them away or get rid of them to gain the sixth round. I’ve shot the new Kimber. It’s a nice gun. I still don’t feel a need to change. If something big is happening, I have a Glock 26 with a ton of mags.

 

[LCC]

an offering of a six shot .32 mag J frame , with a 3" option, is the gaping hole in the current Smith revolver lineup. As mediocre a shot as I am, even a single extra round could matter.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's about the best S&W has offered in the more recent past. This is a nickeled Model 10-5, 2" barrel, that shipped in December, 1977. This one is as new in the box with all the goodies. If you absolutely have to have 6 shots of .38 special, you will have to accept a bit more bulk.

John

 

[gen3guy]

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.

You might need to slow down a bit on this. Some just don't seem to grasp the concept.

 

[BBMW]

Yes, we're basically talking about a S&W Detective Special. Colt brought back the Cobra, but it's significantly bigger than the Dick. The idea is for a minimal size six shot.

And I would think / hope that a company that has been making revolvers for over 160 years could figure out how to make something like this without screwing it up.

Not sure I wonder then If the Cylinder would have to be bigger and be a little heavier in 38 special. Would it be harder for pocket carry in 38spl with bigger cylinder. A Taurus and colt D frame seem to be a some what bigger but the D frame I always felt it was between J and k. I wonder how they would hold up with timing issues IF there would be any going to the extra shot in 38 special. I no 686 7 shots I think are ok but it’s a totally different working of internals and frame. I do have 351 c that was Tuned by Teddy Jacobson it is pretty sweet but the cylinder smaller because of a 22 Magnum. I guess for a belt gun the bigger or the extra shot as they say would be pretty cool but pocket carry not sure that’s in 38 spl Like opening a can of worms I guess.

 

[BBMW]

I don't know if I consider 1977 recent. But if they brought that back in new production it would be close. I'm thinking more in the enclosed hammer design of the 442. Actually a 6-shot 442 is the exact description of what I'm talking about.

Here's about the best S&W has offered in the more recent past. This is a nickeled Model 10-5, 2" barrel, that shipped in December, 1977. This one is as new in the box with all the goodies. If you absolutely have to have 6 shots of .38 special, you will have to accept a bit more bulk.

John

 

[Telecaster]

The Taurus 856 6-shot is pretty darn close to a 640 in size.

 

[MickeyR]

Really happy with my 8 shot 43c

 

[Grayfox]

Okay, I think the way I phrased the question caused some confusion. What I'm talking about is a 6-shot .38 snub nosed revolver in as small a form factor as possible.

I don't know exactly how Smith technically specifies it's frame size, and if the cylinder aperture is fixed for a given letter named frame class, but I was talking about stretching a j-frame to fit a 6 shot cylinder. If this fits the description of a C-frame, that's what I'm talking about. They haven't done this almost 50 years, so maybe it's time for another shot.

S&W has no need to design a whole new gun when they're already out there. Lots of folks make a small frame six shot .38. Colt made a whole bunch of 'em.