Would You Ever Swap Out your "J" for One of the Small Autos?

[Old cop]

My EDC has been a small .38 for well over 40 yrs. and I see no reason to change. The small 9mm pistols all seem too heavy or big for pocket carry and the tiny .380 pistols I've tried had reliability issues, until recently. Taking another leap of faith I purchased the no laser M&P .380 a couple of months ago. It has been reliable w/every load I put in it and I'm well past 400 rounds now.

The 442 or Model 38 continues as my EDC. The tiny .380 fills in when I need to wear dress slacks, or any other time the J frame might otherwise be detected.

Both platforms require regular range practice to maintain proficiency, but I find shooting them is fun.

 

[ZBill]

I tried this change several times but always went back to the J frame. More comfort and perceived reliability.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

My right front pocket usually has one of two handguns in it. My 442 in a EPS pocket holster or a Kel-Tek PF-9 in a Galco pocket holster. No worry's about either one.

 

[NYlakesider]

For years I carried a M60 but used other guns at different times. Living in or close to the large cities I felt it was prudent to carry a bigger gun with more ammo so I went to a .45.

Now retired unless going on a long road trip or an infrequent trip to the city a BG.380 will come with me in a pocket holster for casual use. Its small totally concealed and if called on should do what it was made for. With that said I still have my 60 a 642 and shamefully for being on this forum a very nice Colt DS that could be used for casual carry. For a while now I have vacillated about going back to a small wheel gun for everyday use, knowing I’m going to the city the slightly larger XDs.45 will be in an ISWB holster.

 

[Matt Hooper]

Depends… I usually carry my 432 J frame or when I have a winter coat my 649 J frame. However in the summer, my BG .380 slips nicely in the pockets of my shorts.

 

[daddy bear]

I have four J-frames - 2ea 60s, 37, & 42 - plus a LCP and a 1908 Colt's pocket pistol. I found the Ruger useless to my hand and swapped it to a daughter to get my pocket .380 back. My first love however is the old 42 with a banana grip. Inside the waist holster at the appendix - I have a bit of gut - conceals easily enough, or in the rear pocket with a handkerchief to blurr the outline with regular grips.

Jack

 

[326MOD10]

I have carried either a 642 or a 638 in my pocket for several years as an off duty gun. I have also carried the 642 as a back-up in an ankle holster when I was on the road. I own 4 J Frames, the above two and a 442 and an older Model 60, and love them for daily carry, especially the airweights.

With that said I recently purchased a Shield and am in the process of testing it out for reliability. As it stands now I have been impressed with the Shield, as I have stated in a thread I started, and plan to begin to carry it on a regular basis, once qualified.

I am looking for something thin, with a few more rounds, easy reload and is a joy to shoot. I put 250 rounds through the Shield yesterday and it was a pleasure. I could not do the same with my J Frame without some discomfort. It was very accurate and easy to shoot. I also put 50 rounds through my 638 to keep up with that system as well. The J Frame is an accurate gun, when you do your part, and will always shoot better than I am capable, but it can punish the hands.

Don't get me wrong though when the need to pocket carry arises it WILL be the J Frame Airweight that I return to. Nothing beats that platform for that purpose. I plan to maintain my qualification with the 638 so that I have it when I need it.

The "RIGHT" handgun is a matter of a lot of factors and if I had to only have one for all my purposes I would probably stick with the J Frame.

 

[frankcr]

I seldom carry, but my stainless J frame is the only one which suits my needs.

 

[Arik]

Imo you'd still need a holster. I tried putting my J frame in my front pocket and in 10 seconds of walking it slid and flipped upside down. Not easy to get to when needed.

Also I don't see what there is to fret about holsters. Like I said, I wouldn't carry it without a holster if for no other reason than to have it stay securely in place.

As to the question would I swap from semi autos to j frame. No I would not. I shoot semis faster, I prefer their sights over the U notch and I can reload them faster. And an extra mag is thinner then speed loaders

 

[GrayGhost99]

You can ask if I'd trade my wife, but don't ask about my 49 no dash.

 

[Brasky]

Stick to the j frame. Revolvers are perfect for CC because:

-they fire only when you tell them too
-they don't jam
-plenty of power
-No safety to worry about
-you can use any ammo you prefer, no need to worry about "can my gun handle this" or "will these hollow points jam" or "will my mag release accidentally be pushed"
-contrary to popular belief, you should not need 15 rounds for CC unless North Korea invades your workplace
-did I mention they are reliable?

 

[22hipower]

Everything Brasky said. 340PD is really hard to beat. I have a number of small autos. . . .and never carry them.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[BC38]

I do "swap" my 357 J for a small auto - whenever what I'm wearing doesn't permit carrying the J in my standard 4 o'clock IWB position.
At those times I drop my TCP738 into my front pants pocket. 7 rounds of 380 may not have the stopping power of 5 rounds of 357 - or even 5 rounds of 38 +P, but I generally only make that choice when I will be in low risk areas. If I fell like I'm going somewhere with a higher risk factor, I alter my wardrobe instead

 

[tim c]

my every day carry is my 638 but once in awhile i carry my 1911 pro-series sub compact 45

 

[USAF385]

A J-frame, P938, or a Kahr?

That's an easy one.....

All three.

The P938 is by far my favorite. It's my main carry option... Appendix IWB, pocket, OWB 4:00.

The Kahr is great for deep concealment and pocket carry. Plus it's the second best shooting pocket .380 I've shot (second to the Sig P238).

The 642, well it's thicker than the other two, so while pocket carry is possible, it is not as discreet. Appendix IWB is very nice, but not as nice as the Kahr. But coat pocket carry.... that's my favorite for it.

If I could have only one, no doubt the Sig.... then the 642...

 

[one eye joe]

BUY A 642-1 (NO IL) AND PUT A SET OF CT, LG-405s ON IT, AND DON'T LOOK BACK. IT WILL GIVE YOU PEACE OF MIND, STUFFED WITH SPEER, GOLD DOT, 135 GR. BONDED, SWCJHP.38 SPL +P, LOW FLASH, FOR SHORT BARRELS…..

 

[Irn-Bru]

Second the Sig P938. Started with a Glock 26, then a Shield, then to a 649-2 and now the Sig. Still have all of the above but carry the Sig 99% of the time now.

 

[BC38]

Second the Sig P938... carry the Sig 99% of the time now.

I have the great grand-daddy of your Sig as another option. It is a Colt "Government" model 380. They built your Sig to be an almost exact copy of it.

Nice little 380 but only SA, and I very strongly prefer DA for CC. In an already stressful situation I don't want to have to remember to cock a hammer or release a safety. I like the idea of pull-the-trigger-&-it-goes-bang simplicity in a carry gun...

 

[Grayfox]

I never carry in my pants pocket. Jacket pocket occasionally, but never in my pants pocket. For me its just too slow and damned uncomfortable.
I've never been a big fan of J-frames .38s either. The stocks are too small for my hands and by the time I put on a set of stocks big enough to give me proper control, I might as well carry a K-frame which I can shoot a whole lot better.
I'll take just about any larger gun in a proper belt holster over a J-frame any day.

 

[Paul105]

Just for reference,

S&W 340 PD 1 7/8" -- 130gr Hydra Shok, Fed Factory Pers Def .357 Mag 1,157 fps (chronoed at 3 paces and 70 deg F)

Kahr CW9 3.5" -- 127gr Win Ranger +P+ 1,190 fps (chronoed at 5 paces and 65 deg F).

The 340 weighs 13 oz and the CW9 weighs 17 oz (both unloaded, CW w/mag)


The 340 hold 5 rounds, the CW9 hold 7 + 1.

The CW9 is flatter and less bulky than the 340.

Overall length 6.3" for the 340 and 5.9 for the CW9

No "height" given by S&W for 340

The Kahr has a long double action pull, similar but longer than the J Frame.

The CW9 is much easier to shoot accurately and is a delight to shoot with the above mentioned loads, while the 340 PDs recoil is almost intolerable (I actually had to have stitches in the web of my hand with the 340/Fed 130 Fact .357 Mags).

I recently shot a Shield which is pretty much the same size as the CW9 and I liked it a lot.

With all of that said, I've gone to the CW45 loaded with Buffalo Bore 255gr LFNs for my pocket carry gun (in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster). The gun itself is a couple of ounces heavier than the 9mm and the ammo also adds extra weight. For here in Montana, I just feel more comfortable with the penetration afforded by the heavier LFNs. It may sound strange, but in my Carhart jeans, it is easily carried. The obvious advantage is that you can have you hand in your pocket and on the gun without anyone knowing.

In bear active months, a .44 mag is my primary, carried OWB over my right kidney, the CW45 is in my left front pocket.

FWIW,

Paul