Anyone prefer an all steel j-frame?

[kentucky_smith]

Just picked up a 49 and I know I prefer it over the Airweight shooting-wise. I'm probably confirmation biased here, but it's not too bad in a pocket holster either.

Anyone else here prefer and carry an all-steel gun to the airweight?

 

[RatDrall]

For shooting, I dig the SS J-frame. It carries well inside the waistband, not so much in the pocket.

I absolutely hate firing the aluminum J-frames, but I'm about to pick one up for pocket carry. An airweight J-frame is as small as I'll go...

 

[340PD]

640 for practice. 340pd for carry.

 

[GRIZ22]

I wouldn't have an alloy J frame (unless one came along at a great price). I can't see why some feel that extra 5-6 oz makes it too heavy. I've seen some say "can't even feel that the gun is there". I like to know where my gun is. I tried one of those moon metal J frames and it was painful to shoot with +Ps. Not conducive to encouraging practice.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I definitely prefer my Model 60 to any Airweight.

I like the steel guns. It is what I would call a new philosophy on an old revolver. With all the Airweights getting the attention these days it makes me wonder if we have been doing things wrong all this tiem. Make mine steel. I like the forgiving nature of the 38 Special as it fires from a gun that is roughly 50% heavier than the lightweights. I have carried the lighter ones and near as I can tell they carry the same. AirWeights are IMO, too light to shoot accurately the first time and one shot after the other.

I can buy into the idea of using the lightweight to shoot a little and carry a lot but I like to shoot my carry guns a lot.


I started a thread on this a while back as well for your viewing pleasure.

Less than impressed with lightweights

And of course we need a picture. My favorite carry gun next to another all steel revovler.

 

[Silent Bob]

Count me in. I don't find them very hard to conceal (having been known to conceal 5" 1911s), and lend themselves to much more frequent practice then the carpal-tunnel causers in aluminum, titanium and scandium.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

My Model 60 is the best of all my snubbies...



357 mag versatility, extra weight for full power loads, 38 +P easy to shoot.


P.S.

If you have a new snubby you have to post a picture!!

 

[John Wayne]

I like my Airweight 442, and have no issues with shooting it. Most of what I shoot are low-powered reloads, standard velocity reloads, and the occasional +P ammo. Approx 1100 rounds through it to date; 50 rounds standard pressure is about my limit per session. It carries very easily in the pocket, and I do not think a steel gun would do so as well.

I don't like the 442 for IWB carry though, and for this purpose I have entertained the idea of a 3" model 60. Seems to stay put a little bit better with the longer barrel and added weight (and you get a full-length ejector rod).

 

[savit260]

I had a .357 M60, and currently have a Colt Cobra (15oz), and a Iver Johnoson Cadet (22ish oz)

To be perfectly honest, I really don't find the steal guns to be any harder to carry in a pocket, and the extra weight is hardly noticed.

 

[rainbowbob]

Anyone else here prefer and carry an all-steel gun...?

Definitely. I have a S&W M 36 in a Mika pocket holster in the front pocket of my jeans - just like I do every day. I know it's there, which is a good thing, but with a good belt it isn't a drag.

 

[ArmedBear]

I've got one of each, steel and aluminum.

I like both. I don't see why some people think you can't pocket-carry a Model 60, though.

 

[Trebor]

I thought I was the only one who prefered all steel J-Frames. I used to HATE J-frames until I stumbled across this one after asking about guns for sale at a yard sale.

 

[Erich]

And they're heck for strong, too.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Order of procurement: M37 no dash (1977), M60-14 (2006), M642-2 (2009)

Love carrying and shooting all of my J snubbies!! Who says short tubes are no fun?!?!

Although, I only shoot target and mid-range rounds in the M37 and M642, and don't really enjoy shooting .357's in the M60...

 

[xXxplosive]

Have my S&W Mod. 36 for 34 years............and it's Still Goin' Strong.

One Great Revolver.......

 

[jc650]

I do not prefer an all steel J frame. I have the MP 340 because I wanted a light J frame. I have no trouble shooting +p 38's and routinely shoot 60 rounds or so at the range without discomfort. I have no trouble "knowing" where my gun is, as 14 or so ounces is easy to feel to me. Just thought I'd defend my little lightweight buddy as this seems to be turning into a steel lovefest! Not knockin em, just pokin fun.

 

[41magsnub]

I'm currently watching for a sweet deal on a steel equivalent to my 438. The extra weight wouldn't bother me and would be more pleasant to shoot.

 

[RetDep310]

jglcolosprgs: love those grips on your M-60. What brand are they ? Thanks.

 

[jad0110]

Anyone else here prefer and carry an all-steel gun...?

Yes and no.

For pocket carry, I prefer my airweight 642. First off, I don't personally find the recoil to be bad. Not pleasant, but not bad either. Second...

I don't see why some people think you can't pocket-carry a Model 60, though.

I think it depends on the fitment of the pants you prefer to wear. If you prefer your pants to fit snugly, it'd make sense that weight would matter less. OTH, I prefer baggier fitting pants. I tried pocket carry a 640 (IIRC, it was a steel J Frame of some type) at the gunshop before ordering the 642, and the 640 flailed about noticeably more to the point where I could tell it would get really old after a few minutes of walking. But to each his own.

For belt carry, I go steel all the way. With a good gunbelt, I barely notice the weight. And at that point, I go for S&W K Frames and Ruger Sixes, as I don't find the extra size to be all that noticeable either with good gear. The bigger guns are more natural pointers for me too, and the resulting sixth shot is a nice bonus as well.

I still admire the little steel Js though. Might have to pick up a 36 or 60 one day.

 

[7.62 Nato]

I love my model 36 and am watching for a steel 357 snubbie ......... that I can afford.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Anyone else here prefer and carry an all-steel gun to the airweight?

That's all I buy. I do not like the light weight guns at all.
I have 8 steel J Frames.
I probably shoot the J Frame more than any other gun.

The 2-3 inch S&W J Frame is usually the second gun I teach new shooters to use. Also, no target loads. I load only full load 158 grain lead SWC.

The young lady is wearing my carry holster, a Don Hume JIT Slide.

 

[jhvaughan2]

For me it's 3" 36 for OWB, 37 for IWB.

 

[obed_ned]

I like my Mod 37 for carry-

I've got a 36 in my nightstand next to my 12 ga Winchester 8 shot Defender 18". I have a 30,31,34,35,36 adj sights,40 and 42 as well as a 19. I find the 37 MUCH easier to carry but the steel ones are nicer to practice with. The 19 is a real load to haul around compared to the J-frames. To each their own I guess- Some people like to carry N frames but if it was me I'd have to switch carry sides every other day or else walk around like Marty Feldman in "Young Frankenstein'.

 

[wnycollector]

I have a 1964 vintage M36 that has seen LOTS of time riding IWB. I have never felt comfortable carrying in my pocket so therefore I have never really been bitten by the airweight bug. I had a 638 for years and it spent lots of time in the safe and not much time on my pocket. I sold it several months ago to finance another purchase and haven't looked back.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

The model 649 Bodyguard is the ultimate J-Frame. IMO.