Shield or j frame

I carry a SW638 Airweight. If you get a J-frame, there are 3 simple improvements you should make. First, get an Apex Tactical J-frame spring kit. It noticeably reduces and smooths out the trigger pull weight while providing complete reliability with all types of ammo (and all types of primers on my reloads.)

https://www.apextactical.com/blog/index.php/random-apex/new-j-frame-kit-press-release/

Next, get a Hogue full-sized rubber grip that will allow you to hold the weapon with three fingers of your right hand and greatly improve your accuracy. These Hogue grips do not print when I use a good IWB holster and wear a Hawaian shirt.

https://www.apextactical.com/blog/index.php/random-apex/new-j-frame-kit-press-release/

Third, paint the tip of the front sight a day-glo yellow or orange to improve the sight picture.

Five-Star speed loaders are the best I have found for small five-shot revolvers.

http://www.5starfirearms.com/J2-357-38-Accessories-s/130.htm

And then practice dry-firing, a lot of dry-firing.

Two different animals. Either you like revolvers or autos.
Was a revolver man but changed to a auto fan now. I carry a LCP or a LC9s depending on clothing.

I have a 642 and Shield and would not give up either. For pocket or ankle the 642 wins,for waistband the Shield wins. I shoot the Shield much better although the 642 is plenty good for close range defense. You are trying to choose between possibly the 2 best small carry guns out there, Good Luck with that!
If I really had to get rid of one it would be the Shield but that is only because I also have a G26.

This won't be my first handgun but I appreciate your thoughts. I currently have a ruger SP 101 and a ruger Blackhawk both in .357.

Click to expand...

This seems to be a classic revolver vs. auto decision. Based on the OP's statement yesterday, he appears to be a revolver guy. Unless he just wants something altogether different, a J-frame will complement his other handguns perfectly. I'd also suggest looking at the Ruger LCR. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but it's a nice alternative to a S&W J-frame, especially if you like Ruger's offerings.

Jsg81 said:

The Blackhawk is my fun gun at the range and what I carry hunting. Normally it is a backup gun hunting but I do want to try hog hunting with it hopefully this year. It also has the 9MM cylinder so I keep all three rounds already.

The SP 101 is something I can carry in cooler weather but I am looking for a lighter weight option for the warmer months. It is what I reach for if something goes bump in the night.

I hope that sheds some light on my odd way of thinking.

Click to expand...

You obviously have a lot of experience with the revolvers so sticking with what you know wouldn't hurt.

That being said, I don't think I'll ever meet the person who can shoot a j-frame better than <insert modern firearm here>. Short sight radius, crappy 'sights', excessive recoil (in LW versions), small grips... it doesn't have a lot going for it other than concealability.

Speaking of which, the shield vs J-frame choice seems like an apples & oranges decision to me. LCP vs J-frame would make more sense from my viewpoint as they're comparably-sized firearms. I'm kind of curious how you narrowed your choices down to these two.

I have a 442 Pro (basically a 442 that accepts moon clips and has a stainless cylinder that is finished to match the matt frame color) and have really been considering a swap to a Shield. My main reason for considering the change is the poor trigger and it's detrimental effect on accuracy. Heavy I can deal with, but my trigger is rough and has several stages that you have to pull through before the gun fires. I don't know if my gun just got a poor trigger or if that's normal for 642/442s, but this trigger is a very far cry from my S&W model 19 (which has probably the best DA trigger on any of my guns - even considering its stock).

I may try that apex trigger kit that 8ring mentioned. I think it's only something like $25.

Beyond the trigger, the gun is a good choice for a deep concealment carry gun. I find that my 442 seems to conceal a bit better than a semi auto. One thing I'd caution you about is that my 442 seems to attract rust like crazy. After a few hours working outside, I'll usually have to wipe off a bit of surface rust when I take the gun off.

The main thing I think about calling the Shield boringly reliable is if I am having to fire up against something if a fight were to go to the ground

Click to expand...

There is a simple solution to this, and it involves training to shoot from retention. You shouldn't be pressing the pistol into any target, and you should be doing your best to keep it out of the assailant's reach. Check out SouthNarc's ECQC classes for some ideas on what ground fighting with a gun should look like.

As Ed Ames pointed out already, you have a superb carry gun in the SP101. It is more pleasant to shoot than any Airweight. Ruger revolvers and cockroaches are among the few things I would count on to survive World War III, so if maximum reliability is your thing, you have it already. If you can arrange to carry the Ruger, via a good stiff belt and a proper holster, that might be the way to go.

Either an Airweight or an AirLite in a pants pocket holster works best for me, but let us not be hasty. The SP101 is in my opinion too heavy for pocket carry but if you can figure out another way to pack it you're good to go.

642 and Shield .40 both carried in front pocket of jeans in a Mika holster built for each. The 642 is slightly lighter and smaller, tho the cylinder bulge is wider than the Shield's width.The Shield .40 has a lot more bite IMHO and better in a fight but 642 is easier and all ways there as it is easy to throw into pocket were the Shield needs to be carefully pocketed to be hidden.

I have both J-frames (steel and Airweights), as well as a 9mm Shield. ANY will make a great little concealment weapon.

My "always" (always in the pocket) handgun is an Airweight. Nothing firing a serious round conceals as well in a pocket, IMHO. I love revolvers and feel totally comfortable carrying the little Airweights virtually anytime/anywhere legal.

That being said, my Shield 9mm knocks me out with how nice it is and how compact it is too. I shoot it as well as my J-frames, although the stock Shield trigger leaves a bit to be desired when you get one. After 500 rounds or so it smooths out pretty well, and the Apex trigger kit turns it into a real sweetheart!

Downside to the Shield is that it is a little too large for pocket carry in most cases. I carry it at night when taking my dog for a walk though, rather then the J-frames. The extra rounds of 9mm are a plus in these times.

Then again, my little Kimber Ultra CDP aluminum framed officer's sized 1911 in .45ACP isn't much larger than the Shield, with a world class trigger and fantastic accuracy. Although the rough size of the Shield, there's no way that it will pocket carry.

Bottom line, either an Airweight J-frame or a 9mm Shield makes a great concealed carry weapon! Ford vs. Chevy . . . and both very reliable!!!

Jsg81, although not one of the two options you proposed I'll breach thread hijack protocol and suggest another option... GLOCK 43.

My Shield now sits in my "go bag" ever since I got my G43. One big difference is the stock capacity of the G43 which is 6+1, one less than the Shield's. To change this I've added Pearce Grip +1 pinkie extensions so now my G43 is 7+1.

I carry it in a kydex AIWB holster and love how it shoots.

Just an option.

Edmo

OP- remember that in a contact shooting/gun wresting scenario, a revolver can get locked up if the cylinder contacts anything too- like clothing or the adversary's hand. A revolver with a hammer gives the adversary another method of locking the gun. just sayin'.

1. What is the threat from which you want to defend yourself?

2. How likely are you to encounter it?

I have the Shield which is my main carry gun. I also have a S&W 638 Airweight for pocket carry. I personally find the Shield too heavy and large for my pocket. It can be done but I don't like it. Pretty much depends on how you will carry it. How it feels in your hand and how well you can shoot them. It took me years to become good with a double action J frame. They have both been 100% reliable.Two more rounds and easier to shoot well for the Shield.

Allow me to add one minor consideration not yet mentioned. If you unload the handgun regularly (like at night at home or for temporary vehicle storage), the revolver is the better choice. With semiautos, there is more handling and manipulation & the increased chance of bullet setback if you repeatedly chamber the same round -- or you need to be diligent to rotate your ammo to avoid repeat chambering of the same round.

That said, my EDC is a semiauto. It's just one point to be aware of.

cc-hangfire said:

Allow me to add one minor consideration not yet mentioned. If you unload the handgun regularly (like at night at home or for temporary vehicle storage), the revolver is the better choice. With semiautos, there is more handling and manipulation & the increased chance of bullet setback if you repeatedly chamber the same round -- or you need to be diligent to rotate your ammo to avoid repeat chambering of the same round.

That said, my EDC is a semiauto. It's just one point to be aware of.

Click to expand...

No need to pull the bullets from the magazine when temporally unloading a semi-auto. Just pull the magazine from the pistol and make it safe.

ArchAngelCD said:

No need to pull the bullets from the magazine when temporally unloading a semi-auto. Just pull the magazine from the pistol and make it safe.

Click to expand...

cc-hangfire was referring to the chambered round. The one that keeps getting put right back into the chamber every time you unload / reload the handgun unless you avoid this as he wisely suggests.

I know you have it narrowed, but you clearly like Ruger (as do I), so why not the Lc9s Pro. It is substantially smaller than the Shield, and is pocketable, IMO. BTW, I carry a Shield IWB.

Sent from my SM-G386T using Tapatalk

Many people have told you what they favor; it's immaterial.

I would suggest that if you shoot the Shield well, it is going to be your better choice.

As popular as J-Frames are, they require a higher level of practice to be, and remain, proficient. This means more than putting a few rounds through a static target every couple of months. Mas Ayoob once said that snubs are experts only weapons; if they are your choice, the lives you seek to defend will require your practical commitment to a high degree. If you're willing to pay that price, great.

But, pick which one you shoot well; go to a range that rents, and shoot them both. I would also reccomend, no matter how long you've been around weapons, or shooting, that you get professional training. And, please don't take that adivce as a comment on your skills; your new family may thank you one day.

Stay safe.

Jack19 said:

Many people have told you what they favor; it's immaterial.

I would suggest that if you shoot the Shield well, it is going to be your better choice.

As popular as J-Frames are, they require a higher level of practice to be, and remain, proficient. This means more than putting a few rounds through a static target every couple of months. Mas Ayoob once said that snubs are experts only weapons; if they are your choice, the lives you seek to defend will require your practical commitment to a high degree. If you're willing to pay that price, great.

But, pick which one you shoot well; go to a range that rents, and shoot them both. I would also reccomend, no matter how long you've been around weapons, or shooting, that you get professional training. And, please don't take that adivce as a comment on your skills; your new family may thank you one day.

Stay safe.

Click to expand...

I've never understood why J frame revolvers are thought to be "expert weapons". If they are compared to sub-compact semi-autos, it seems to me that they are actually simpler to learn to use effectively. Certainly the manual of arms is much simpler; no magazine to worry about, slide lock release, etc. Just pull the trigger. I've checked the sight radius on my J frames and compared them to my SIG938 and they are almost identical.

The SA trigger pull on my 938 is lighter than 10lb pull on my 642, but once you're accustomed to it, no more difficult to master. Good grips on either will make a world of difference. I tend to pocket carry today and just find that the smooth, rounded profile of my J frame fits my pockets much better than a "blockish" semi-auto.

You really need to try both a Shield and a 442/642 in order to make your decision.

Jsg81 - As others have said here go with what your comfortable with or what the situation calls for. I too like to pocket carry but I am also aware that there are limitations to quickly drawing your firearm (at least for me any way) if you are seated. If I'm just out and about,, which is usually the case, no problem. If I'm going out where I know I'll be seated most of the time, such as a restaurant, it's OWB.
I also prefer revolvers and pocket carried a 442 for many, many years. Last year, when Ruger introduced the LCR in a six shot .327 Magnum, I bought one and never looked back. The versatility of that pistol is excellent. You can shoot .32 S&W, .32 Magnum or .327 Magnum. If it's OWB I carry a 3" LCRx in .38+P (total weight for pistol with holster is 20 oz) or my SP 101 snubbie which is considerably heavier and, like you, usually carry that when the weather calls for a jacket or hoodie.