[bgcc11]

I have not found a thread on this. Lots of letters for these frames. Which one is better for a 3 inch or less .357 front pocket revolver?

[Airboss]

J Frame ported M-640-1 .357 works for me for front pocket carry.I carry 158 gr JHP and two speed loaders in the other pocket.YMMV

[stans]

I second the motion for the 640-1, except for the ported barrel. I have a 640-1, use it as a daily carry piece. Stoked with 125 grain JHP full power loads. I don't like porting on defensive guns simply because a defensive shooting occurs up close and personal. You might have to shoot with the handgun fairly close to your body, so I don't want hot gases and debris being directed up towards my face.

[Majic]

Just get pants with really big pockets and carry N-frame snubs. :what:

[cxm]

3" S&W M24 with 245 gr. cast handloads

Very useful gun.

FWIW

Chuck

[Whit]

I have carried a Smith 640-1 .357 for a little over 2 years now with 158 grain Federal Hydra-Shoks and couldn't be happier. ....Whit

[Richard]

I will say the J Frame but I don't get the 357 Mag part. Can anyone fire a 357 J Frame well in combat situations? If you say carry a 357 J Frame with +Ps why not just get a 38 Special. I guess what I am saying is a 38 Special in a J Frame is my tolerance level; go above it and they become unpleasant to shoot and your recovery time between shots is non-existent. regards, Richard :D

[stans]

I disagree, I shoot magnum loads in my 640-1 and follow up shots are not as fast as if I were shooting 38's, but they are pretty quick and all are on target. Practice, practice, practice.

[Richard]

stans, you are indeed a better man than I! I don't think it takes much to fire a round or two of 357 Mag but doing an afternoon of it isn't my cup of tea. I remember shooting a Ruger Security Six, a light weight 357, and seeing the gun torque high left. Guess what this doesn't happen with a 38 Special. Regards, Richard :D

[Airboss]

When I bought the 640 I didn't realize it was ported(a mutiable out of state gun trade)and wondered about it.Since then i have become a fan,as it does away with Mussel flip,not completely but its easy to control @ 7 yards all 5 in the "A" Zone very quickly this is only after about 200 rounds of full tilt .357 158gr JHP.The real difference between .38 special and .357 in this gun is the noise.

[Richard]

Airboss, I bet you don't need a flashlight to see your target at night. Regards, Richard :D

[Airboss]

Your right about that i dont carry the 640 at night very much,but you can blind em if you cant hit em.the 640 is a go to the store gun when I dont want to put on a holster ect..I like the little thing and if I am running out at night for a quick trip down to the store I'll slip a 649 into the same pocket.
My main carry gun however is a 625 custom 21/2".45ACP but that requires leather(strong)with a wide belt.The second shot with the 640 is something I have worked on for the last 3 months and I can honestly say its controllable within 3" @ 7 Yards.
This may not be the best for everyone all around 24/7 carry but I do like it for the use ie.power and controllablity in a small package.

[Brian Williams]

S&W J frame; I carry a 940, a J frame shrouded hammer or centenial in 9mm. I mostly carry in a tuckable IWB but occasionaly in right front pocket. It is a great gun and I can shoot it and reload it for 15 shots as fast as my daughter can shoot a Glock 19 with a full cap mag. 9mm out of a short barrel is a well behave round and does very well.

[Sean Smith]

Any reason for posting the same question TWICE? On the SAME DAY? Less than 2 hours apart? :p

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=59963

Which .357 mag front pocket revolver would you purchase? This would be your every day, everywhere, carry piece. Unless you have big pockets, I would assume 3" and under barrel.