smith&wesson j frame

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Hboy828

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ok ive decided to get a j frame revolver.
i wont be using it for concealed carry, just range shooting, and short range target shooting.
id like to keep it under 600$
also i will only be shooting 38 special so if its a good gun in 357 magnum thats okay but i wont use 357 magnum
what are some models i should look at?
 
See The

Smith and Wesson Website.

Many like the 642 and 442. There are rebates on snubs from S&W, hence you can get a 642 from CDNN Sports for $368 - $50.

Read the 642 Thread Parts I, II, and III. :eek: that should take you a few weeks then come back with questions. ;)

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=554071

Use the THR Search function and put in snub nose.

Do a Google search,,,J Frames or Snubs.

Here is another thread right before your very eyes.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=555829

M-60 is very nice if you want to seek out a stainless in .38spl with a external hammer.

Good luck and have fun. Don't forget you local pawn shops and read the sticky on how to chech the mech.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

You can get something new and real nice for under $600.
 
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Model 36 blue or Model 60 stainless Chiefs Special.
They have a hammer you can cock for SA accuracy at the range.

But I sure wouldn't consider them target or range guns by any means.
On the otherhand, if you learn to shoot a J-Frame Chiefs Special well, you will be able to shoot any gun well!

rc
 
A good used J frame like a 36 or move up to a model 10 snub I no longer buy any thing new from S&W . I still believe the older pistols are of much better quality and no silly lock .
 
i wont be using it for concealed carry, just range shooting, and short range target shooting.
Click to expand...

The best gun for this is the S&W Kitgun, either the Model 34 or 63

Since you specify .38 special (without saying why) then the best choice is the Model 36 or 60 with 3" barrel. Or, the Model 60 with a 5" barrel. I once owned a Model 60 with 2" barrel that had adjustable sights, so that's a consideration if you want a snub.

It's pointless to get a hard kicking alloy framed gun strictly for range use when you won't be carrying it concealed.
 
If it were me, I'd look into some of the older, pre-lock Smiths. I'm not big on the new S&W stuff. I'd also take a look at possible a Colt Detective Special, Cobra, or Agent. Approximately the same size a J-frame, just with with a horsie stamped on the side.

And like others have said, snubbies are great fun for recreational shooting, but don't expect a ton of accuracy out of them, especially the ones that just use a groove in the frame as a rear sight. Those guns weren't designed for target shooting.
 
I have the no-lock 642 and am considering adding an XS sight. Somewhat fun to shoot. I do enjoy shooting other pistols more. Consider a pocket holster if you do think about slipping it onto a pocket for a quick trip out. Bob Mika makes a nice one.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk
 
Also, I want a good grip, maybe like the stock grip on the 360pd
Is that the uncle mikes boot grip or the hogue bantam
 
A few weeks ago, cdnn told me the airweight they were selling WASN'T eligible for the $50 rebate, because it was "bought from another dealer" or something. So if you buy from them, you might want to ask about that.
 
If you are not going to carry it and only use it for shooting at the range, I would give serious consideration to a K frame such as a used Model 14.

Much more pleasant to shoot and your grandkids will enjoy it too.
 
A few weeks ago, cdnn told me the airweight they were selling WASN'T eligible for the $50 rebate, because it was "bought from another dealer" or something. So if you buy from them, you might want to ask about that.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out. That's an interesting proposition.

Yes if I weren't going to pocket carry I would be looking for a K Frame too.

The new M&P 360 in 3 inch has some appeal. It's a J Frame.
 
Do you have small or large hands?
For target, Hogue Monogrips are cheap, and fit big hands well, and work.
Make sure you check the trigger on the 360PD. Mine was 16 gritty pounds.
Best it gets down to is 10, but, the SA pull was under 3, IIRC.

DAdams has a point, since big hands and J frames don
t seem to really fit for accuracy.
 
If you want a fairly modern gun, a 640-1 is a great gun. Recoil is not bad at all for a 357.

If you like older guns, get a Highway Patrolman.


I have one of each and they are great guns.
 
I'd haunt the gun shows and stores looking for a Model 60 with 3" full lug barrel and adjustable sights. That is a fun shooter with midrange wadcutters, especially if you put on some hand filling grips. Call it a .38-.32 Kit Gun if you know the fine old names before S&W went to numbers.

The fun factor falls off fast with 2" barrels, hog wallow sights, aluminum frames and full power ammo.
 
If you want an inexpensive J frame for shooting .38 Special, try the Model 637 Airweight with the 1.875-inch barrel (SKU 163050). Gilbert's Guns lists it for $389.95 and there is a $50.00 rebate through December 31.

Gilbert's Guns has the newer M637 with the 2.5-inch barrel (SKU 162522) in stock at $429.95 also with the $50.00 rebate.

I have a current M637 and it has been a great little gun. Nice trigger, no problems with the lock (such issues were pretty rare anyway and seemed to involve hot ammo in lightweight guns) and all the MIM parts work just fine. It does kick a bit (think Missouri mule) with +P ammo but is no problem with .38 Special.

The Model 60 with the 3-inch barrel everyone is recommending is also a sweet revolver. It's a bit heavier, being stainless steel, but it soaks up recoil much better. I got one of those not long after I got my M637 and have enjoyed both. The downside is that it's going to be closer to $700 than $600 in most places.

IMHO, the M637 is fine, but the M60 is worth the extra.

The Uncle Mike's Boot Grips that come on the M637 are cute and I suppose they're good if you actually plan to carry the gun in a boot, but they're pretty much useless otherwise. I prefer a grip that lets me use all my fingers to hang onto the gun. I replaced the Uncle Mike's grips with the S&W grips made for the Model 60 Pro. They add just 0.56 inch to the height of the gun but allow a decent grip. The Hogue Monogrips are also good.

M637grip.jpg

Since I do shoot .357 Magnum in the Model 60 I switched the standard Hogue Monogrip for the Pachmayr SJ-G Gripper. You may find the Hogue is just as good or better for you.

SWM60small.jpg
 
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Put me down as another vote for an older, P&R 3" Model 36. Use to able to pick these up for quite a bit less than the more sought after 2" snubbies. Add a Tyler T-Grip adapter, and your good to go.
 
I'd say look hard for a 60-4 Target . I finally found one a while back in pristine condition and couldn't be happier with it. 3" full under lug, adjustable sights and perfect balance. My light reloads feel like a .22 and the hotter are so controllable and fun.
 
ok ive decided to get a j frame revolver.
i wont be using it for concealed carry, just range shooting, and short range target shooting.
id like to keep it under 600$
also i will only be shooting 38 special so if its a good gun in 357 magnum thats okay but i wont use 357 magnum
what are some models i should look at?
Click to expand...
Am I missing something here? If you aren't going to carry this gun and want it as a range gun why would you want a J frame with fixed sights? I have several J frames but none of them are what I consider "range guns" by any means. As for the M360, what a budget of under $600 that's not possible unless you buy used and get very lucky. Those Airlite revolvers have a Scandium Alloy frame and are usually over $1000. (not that I think they should be) Also, they are very light and won't be enjoyable to shoot for any length of time at the range. You might want to buy something in Carbon Steel or Stainless for the added weight.

If you like Blue revolvers try to find a used M36. If Stainless is more to your liking look for an older M60 in .38 Special because the price on the .38's is lower than the .357 Magnums. You will probably be able to find either for under $400 in fairly good condition.
 
S&W models 60, 66, 640, 649 make the most sense in my opinion. If it is for range, you want it to last through many, many rounds. In which case steel trumps aluminum. Most of these (not older models) are. 357 capable which may someday be of importance to you evn if it is not at the moment.

If you are not dead set on S&W, the ruger SP101 is a fine choice and comes in an easily found three inch model. No lock on them, solidly built, but less rounded then a smith. I got mine used for $339 and it was worth every red cent I paid for it and then some.
 
Since you're not carrying it at all, why not just buy a Model 67?

Being a K-Frame it's just one size larger of a frame than a J-Frame, shoot's .38 Specials, has adjustable sights, a 4" barrel and holds an extra round. It would be easier to shoot and would make a better range gun, in my opinion.

S&W Model 67......
 
The J-frame I got for the range

S&W Model 60 Chiefs SPecial 3" Bbl. .357 Magnum
but I've shot very little .357 Mag out of it
mostly standard .38 Special although I do have
some .38 Spcl +P 125 gr. Gold DOts for an HD load.

The 60 with the 3" Bbl. has an adjustable rear sight you
might like at the range - I've set mine for 15 yards

The 60 is all stainless steel and 24 oz. empty weight so it
soaks up recoil and the 3" Bbl. give a longer sight radius besides
better ballistics. & better recoil control imho.

The shorter barreled models in 2 1/8" length
have the fixed notch rear sight

There's also the all SS shrouded hammer 640 only avail. with 2 1/8" Bbl.

these both have a bit longer grip size which fits me better

I am very happy with the 60 3" Bbl. shooting Double Action
mostly - it points naturally to me.

Randall
 
Now, having read the thread

I think the 60 comes with the equivalent of the Uncle MIke's Boot Grip
but I could be wrong.

If you want a GOOD grip - you could look at the various grips from Herretts in Twin Falls Idaho. They will ask you to send in a tracing of
your hand and build to fit your size hand. I know a woman who gets
Herretts Jordan Troopers for many of her S&Ws on the S&W Forum

R-
 
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