You're Gettin' a J Frame....38 or 357...Your Pick??

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

Sooner or later I am going to get a J Frame. Not only because I have wanted one for a while, but I am going to carry it when I get my Texas CCW.

I change my mind on which one I want about every time I handle a different one or see a nice pic of one. I don't know what would be better, a super lightweight Sandium 357, a medium weight 38 or a 23 ounce 357. I do take a liking to the "humpback" models like the 638 and 649.

I'd like to know which caliber you would pick if your were going to get your first J frame or you were buying one to carry.
If you can manage to decide on caliber (I cannot), how about going ahead and making a pick of model?

For those that chose the 357, what are the +'s that made you pick that way instead of the 38?

Can't wait to see how you all answer.

Of course, as always, PICS are happily welcomed.
Thanks for your time and help.

Nalajr

 

[Hapworth]

I wouldn't pick a J-frame based on caliber -- far as I'm concerned, .38/.357 J-frames are still .38 Special standard and +P only.

This gets discussed often; suggest you run a search. Overwhelming consensus here is against the big boom in the little revolver, though there are a few stalwarts who say they prefer it.

I'd pick based on intended use and features I prefer. For everyday, deep concealment defensive carry, the 442 Moon Clip is the one, or the 640 Pro if I want a little more heft.

 

[36general]

My first J frame was the 340pd. I chose this model bc I wanted an incredibly light gun for pocket carry. At times, I forget that it is even in my pocket. IMO you could not ask for a better pocket carry revolver. I carry .357 135gr. Speer Gold Dots. While recoil is stout, it's by no means too violent to shoot. I like the idea of carrying more power than a .38. But if you are recoil sensitive, you can always shoot .38 or .38 +p out of it and still have the lightest gun possible.

 

[Helderberg]

To me the 638 is my best j-frame as it has the shrouded hammer that can be shot from your pocket if needed, but you can still use the single action aspect if you deem it necessary though I would not suggest it in a personal defense situation. This said my 638 in currently in the safe and I have my 442 in my pocket. Get what you feel is best for you. I would stick with the Airweight for carry, but I also like the 640 thou it is heavy for pocket carry which I do most.
Frank.

 

[Macinaw]

I have three J frames. The one that gets carried the most is my M&P 340 because it is the lightest. If it is too heavy you are not going to carry it.

 

[colt_saa]

357 for me.

No it is not fun to shoot, it is not supposed to be.

This is not your plinker, this is your last ditch, I need to get out of trouble and save my life gun. It should be the most powerful little package that you can control. That will not be 357 for everyone. For some folks that will not even be 38

I have been carrying a Chief's Special in an ankle rig since 1980. I switched to the Chief's Special Target when Ashland had them produced in the mid 80s. When the J-Magnum was introduce in 1996 I think I had the third one the store got in. I have been waiting for a J-Magnum Chief's Special Target ever since but no one has produced it yet.

As to model, if it is ankle or belt carried I always use a Chief's Special. If it is to be pocket carried (purse for women) I always use a Centennial.

I am not a fan of the Bodyguards. It only happened once that I personally know of, but a female UC officer had one of those skinny little eye liner pencils break in her purse and a little piece worked into her bodyguard. At that point I sold mine and went strictly Centennial

As to weight, I carry the heaviest that I can. In a belt, ankle rig or heavy jacket pocket it is always steel. In lighter clothing, shorts or swim trunks (on detail) it is Titanium or Scandium.

I realize not everybody will buy more than one J-frame, but they should (money permitting). Right tool for the right job.

 

[Rick_A]

My choice was a 442 for a couple reasons. First is that it is the best compromise for weight as far as something that is comfortable to shoot with hot loads but still carryable as a pocket or ankle carry. Lastly, I have no use for a .357 that small or light, and the .38 specials eject more positively with the short ejector rod, anyway.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/9928037484/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/9928037484/ by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/10356586686/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38468288@N03/10356586686/ by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[old bear]

For me, shooting stout .357 Magnum ammo in a 2 1/2" K frame creates all the recoil I want. I have no desire to shoot .357 Magnum ammo in a J frame, 38 special +P is enough.

Now discounting all of the above, if I were to buy a new J frame, it would be in .357 Magnum caliber, do to the assortment of ammo that can be safely used.

 

[Breechloader]

357 if I wanted something light I would get a 380 lcp (9.3oz).

 

[old&slow]

I have a 2 1/8" m60 in .357 and a airweight 642 in 38 spl.

I love the m60 and that's the one I usually carry, with 135 gr. gold dot .357's. At the range about 2 cylinders full of full blown .357 and I don't want to play anymore. But with 38 +P a 100 rounds or more is no problem.

I don't notice much difference in carry weight between the 60 & the 642 ( holster carry).

If I had it to do over again, I would probably go with the 640 in .357.
And you can always shoot 38 spl. rather than .357's if you want. That's my 2 cents..

 

[arjay]

I shot a few cylinders of my home rolled +p loads through an old model 60 last week.I'd pass on shooting 357s through it.

 

[M29since14]

...I'd like to know which caliber you would pick if your were going to get your first J frame or you were buying one to carry.

Steel J-frames are not lightweight guns and call for being carried on the belt, in my opinion. I understand others feel differently about that, but if I am going to carry the gun in my jacket pocket, I prefer an aluminum-frame model.

Given that, if money is no object, buy a 340PD. If money is some consideration, buy a black 442. You will probably end up shooting .38 Special out of either gun, but the 340PD will give you the option to use .357s if you have to, and it is slightly lighter. Just keep the chambers clean.

If you are always going to carry on your belt, then I would look around for one of the original M640s (.38 Special) if you can find one. Though a bit heavy, those were really nice revolvers.

 

[camsdaddy]

My first J frame was a humpback M38. I really liked it but sold it in favor of a 642. I have bought and sold several over the past few years. The one I have now and absolutely love is a M60 in 357. I dont see me ever shooting 357 from it but the added weight really helps when shooting 38. I have bobbed the hammer and have found that out to 25 yards I feel confident in my ability as well as the J frame.

 

[mg357]

I would chose the S&W Model 60-15 .357 magnum revolver with a 3 inch barrel, but i would only load it would .38 special ammo.

because if it were fired with .357 magnum ammon the recoil would be horrible.

 

[Arik]

357. Don't see where all the horrible recoil is

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Its not really a fun no-fun comparison for 38 vs 357. It's recovery time for the next aimed shot. If you can't re-aim your J frame quickly after a 357 round is fired, you need to shoot 38s.
I have several J frames including a 649 which has 38+P in it right now.

 

[The Gila Bender]

My carry J's are an ancient Model 36, a 640-1, and a 642. All are loaded with .38+P, usually 135Gr Gold Dot. The 640-1 is my favorite travel companion but isn't particularly fun to shoot with .357 loads. I'd like to hear about others' experiences with Buffalo Bore low-flash low recoil .38 and .357 rounds.

 

[markfi]

All my J frames are 38 Special. I carry 158 +p LHP. I can fire pretty fast follow up shots. I would not buy a J frame 357. If you want a small 357 buy a Ruger SP101 or a K frame 357.

 

[Hapworth]

357. Don't see where all the horrible recoil is

You won't see anything if you shoot it in low light...

 

[Lou_NC]

In my opinion, a quality .38 special is more than adequate in my pocket, here's the 638 that I carry:

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r300/27613LPM/IMG_3517_zpsc64f0233.jpg


I really like the lighter weight of the 638 vs. the model 60 for concealed carry in my pocket. If I had it in a holster on my belt, I wouldn't give a second thought to carrying a 60.

Personally, I've never seen the need for a .357 magnum in my pocket for defense against two-legged varmints. I do own .357's in larger S&W frame sizes, and longer barrel lengths, four four-legged work, so I'm quite familiar with both calibers.

Lou