are S&W J-frame good carry guns?
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Ohen Cepel
Member
I think they are great carry guns. Small enough yet powerful enough for a defensive situation.
If 5 rds isn't enough for defense then you have much larger issues!!
If 5 rds isn't enough for defense then you have much larger issues!!
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Yep I got 2 S&Ws a 3" Mod 60-4 with adjustable sights and a 940, 9mm hammerless
nitesite
Member
Actually, any sidearm can make a great carry gun.
It's when they become a defense gun that some really shine above others!
That said, I believe that my 442 Airweight will suffice in the latter role. I'd rather have a trusty revolver than a small semi-auto that may have malfs or ammunition issues. It never intrudes into, or restricts, my daily activities
If open carry was possible, well... I'd certainly opt for something else. (Although my bank security guard chooses to carry a 3" Model 60 in a nylon top-strap holster.....)
It's when they become a defense gun that some really shine above others!
That said, I believe that my 442 Airweight will suffice in the latter role. I'd rather have a trusty revolver than a small semi-auto that may have malfs or ammunition issues. It never intrudes into, or restricts, my daily activities
If open carry was possible, well... I'd certainly opt for something else. (Although my bank security guard chooses to carry a 3" Model 60 in a nylon top-strap holster.....)
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Before I converted to self-loader's, I carried Smith .38 caliber
J-frames quite often. I bought 2X Smith (old model) 60's when
they first became obtainable; and owned a nickel Smith model
38, and a blued Smith model 40 at the same time. Guess one
might say that I like Smith J-frames, uh?
And with practice,
you'd be surprised at how accurate they really are.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
J-frames quite often. I bought 2X Smith (old model) 60's when
they first became obtainable; and owned a nickel Smith model
38, and a blued Smith model 40 at the same time. Guess one
might say that I like Smith J-frames, uh?
And with practice,you'd be surprised at how accurate they really are.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
22luvr
Member
Well, sort of.....
I'm a die-hard pocket-carrier and after carrying a half-dozen different snubbies, including hammerless, I still found the gun a bit lumpy for pocket concealment. Many do carry snubbies in the pocket but it is a personal preference for me to seldom do that.
That being said, it is nigh near perfect for IWB and indeed most of the guys I know carry them that way. I've also seen the lighter ones in an ankle carry.
My all-time favorite was my Smith model 638 Bodyguard.
I think the key to carrying a snubby in the pocket is the right holster; that makes all the difference in the world.
I'm a die-hard pocket-carrier and after carrying a half-dozen different snubbies, including hammerless, I still found the gun a bit lumpy for pocket concealment. Many do carry snubbies in the pocket but it is a personal preference for me to seldom do that.
That being said, it is nigh near perfect for IWB and indeed most of the guys I know carry them that way. I've also seen the lighter ones in an ankle carry.
My all-time favorite was my Smith model 638 Bodyguard.
I think the key to carrying a snubby in the pocket is the right holster; that makes all the difference in the world.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
I carry a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson J frame model 60 .357 magnum. My first gun was a J frame .38 special.
They're good little guns, readily concealed, very reliable. They're not what you'd shoot a bullseye match with, but entirely adequate for self-defense at close range.
They're good little guns, readily concealed, very reliable. They're not what you'd shoot a bullseye match with, but entirely adequate for self-defense at close range.
Erich
Member
Superb!
jpIII
Member
There are J frames in both the airweight (aluminum) and the airlight (scandium).
A J frame airweight would be the 642, and a J fram e in airlight would be the 342pd.
I should know, I have and carry both.
A J frame airweight would be the 642, and a J fram e in airlight would be the 342pd.
I should know, I have and carry both.
J-frames are excellent "all the time" guns. I carried a Bodyguard 649 (shrouded hammer) for nine months every day, either as my primary or backup. You can drop one in a pocket with a pocket holster and nobody has a clue. Mine was all steel... two Bianchi Speed Strips for reloads in the other pocket.
The Airweight models are the best compromise for carrying, yet being easy to shoot. Many people can't shoot the scandium/titaniums well, they're superlight but hard to shoot with hotter loads.
A 642 Centennial (completely enclosed hammer) to defeat lint and gunk from pockets (a problem I had with the 649), with a good pocket holster, and the new Speer Gold Dot .38 +P load specifically designed for these guns (short barrel low velocity fast expansion), would be ideal.
J-frames do take quite a bit of shooting to get good with especially if you don't shoot revolvers much. I'd say 400 rounds to get proficient, at close to medium ranges shot double action only. It took me about 150 to get good with mine but I've shot revolvers for years.
They don't have much in the way of sights, but they're enough for the range you use one at. Some people have the rear sight notch opened up a bit for speed and better sighting.
Edit: If you polled every armed cop or concealed carrier in the country, about 50-60% would probably be carrying a J-frame as a backup gun for cops, or have one in their pocket for CCW among the others, or had previously had one. At the first annual meeting of the International Defensive Pistol Association board (shooting game more combat oriented than most) every single member of the board was armed with a Chief's Special.
The Airweight models are the best compromise for carrying, yet being easy to shoot. Many people can't shoot the scandium/titaniums well, they're superlight but hard to shoot with hotter loads.
A 642 Centennial (completely enclosed hammer) to defeat lint and gunk from pockets (a problem I had with the 649), with a good pocket holster, and the new Speer Gold Dot .38 +P load specifically designed for these guns (short barrel low velocity fast expansion), would be ideal.
J-frames do take quite a bit of shooting to get good with especially if you don't shoot revolvers much. I'd say 400 rounds to get proficient, at close to medium ranges shot double action only. It took me about 150 to get good with mine but I've shot revolvers for years.
They don't have much in the way of sights, but they're enough for the range you use one at. Some people have the rear sight notch opened up a bit for speed and better sighting.
Edit: If you polled every armed cop or concealed carrier in the country, about 50-60% would probably be carrying a J-frame as a backup gun for cops, or have one in their pocket for CCW among the others, or had previously had one. At the first annual meeting of the International Defensive Pistol Association board (shooting game more combat oriented than most) every single member of the board was armed with a Chief's Special.
Also.. Two of the three times I nearly needed a weapon in the last four years, I had a Chief in my pocket. One possible attempted carjacking (my hand was on the gun but I slammed it into drive and went). The other, I was off in the boonies visiting a young lady friend. My Surefire light was in my truck (mistake, now corrected) and a shotgun etc was there too. I had my .38 in my pocket and wasn't even thinking about it, it was late, we were talking etc...... off in the back of the house, and it sounded like someone else was in the house with us (floorboards creaking). In about two seconds, she picked her son up, I was between them and the door, and Mr. Smith and his five friends were aimed at the door.
Turned out to be the house heating up (didn't sound like that normally), but she was VERY glad Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson were along that day. We were 10 miles from anywhere and 30 miles from a cop. It wasn't much gun, but it was enough then.
Turned out to be the house heating up (didn't sound like that normally), but she was VERY glad Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson were along that day. We were 10 miles from anywhere and 30 miles from a cop. It wasn't much gun, but it was enough then.
LynnMassGuy
Member
Yes. Affirmative. Absolutely.
Marshall
Member
Yes sir! Get the best pocket holster you can find and a IWB holster too. You'll want to carry your J-Frame both ways.
Paul "Fitz" Jones
Moderator - Emeritus
J frame
I have had one for over 50 years and if I am not wearing it it is under my pillow. I don't care for the hammerless as I like the two handed grip and my left thumb cocks for accurate firing and I have earned my DX badge first leg of three required with my 2 inch J frame on a police range.
I do put a bit of masking tape on the sharp serrations on the hammer to stop wear on my covering shirt.
I have had one for over 50 years and if I am not wearing it it is under my pillow. I don't care for the hammerless as I like the two handed grip and my left thumb cocks for accurate firing and I have earned my DX badge first leg of three required with my 2 inch J frame on a police range.
I do put a bit of masking tape on the sharp serrations on the hammer to stop wear on my covering shirt.
RON in PA
Member
Does a bear crap in the woods?
As I type my 640-2 resides in its IWB holster on my hip, loaded with the new Speer 135 grainers designed for snubbies.
As I type my 640-2 resides in its IWB holster on my hip, loaded with the new Speer 135 grainers designed for snubbies.
Marshall
Member
J-Frames are great guns and accurate too for a little heater packer. Mine is on me the majority of the time.
I was in the country today doing other things besides shooting. However, I did take time to pull down by a river and take a few shot's standing with my 2" Model 60 .357 mag. I had a few pieces of 8X10 paper in my brief case that I no longer needed so I used those as target paper. Shooting 25 rounds at 60 ft, five cylinder fulls, I riddled the center of the paper with Win 147gr Silvertips with just 1 flier on each side at the top and, I know they were both my fault. Nothing spectacular or scientific but, all but two covered a space the size of your hand slightly spread out. I wanted to take a few shots at a greater distance but I would have had to back into the woods to shoot and I wasn't really dressed for that.
Point being, even snubby's shooting magnum loads can be effectively accurate at the distances you would need them for.
I was in the country today doing other things besides shooting. However, I did take time to pull down by a river and take a few shot's standing with my 2" Model 60 .357 mag. I had a few pieces of 8X10 paper in my brief case that I no longer needed so I used those as target paper. Shooting 25 rounds at 60 ft, five cylinder fulls, I riddled the center of the paper with Win 147gr Silvertips with just 1 flier on each side at the top and, I know they were both my fault. Nothing spectacular or scientific but, all but two covered a space the size of your hand slightly spread out. I wanted to take a few shots at a greater distance but I would have had to back into the woods to shoot and I wasn't really dressed for that.
Point being, even snubby's shooting magnum loads can be effectively accurate at the distances you would need them for.
Otisimo
member
I've got an airweight bodyguard that I carry in a Brommeland maxcon 5 IWB.
Thing disappears and is completely unnoticeable to me as well.
I always feel like I should have my glock 19 though when I carry a J frame because the glock is not that much harder to conceal/carry comfortably.
Overall I think J frames are a classic carry piece.
Thing disappears and is completely unnoticeable to me as well.
I always feel like I should have my glock 19 though when I carry a J frame because the glock is not that much harder to conceal/carry comfortably.
Overall I think J frames are a classic carry piece.
I never cared for the J frames. With the choice being a Colt DS or Model 36 as an off duty gun I opted for the Colt. One more shot for the weight of the steel frame. Way too heavy for casual pocket carry.
Until now the only J frame I've ever owned is a LNIB 36 flatlatch which is a safe queen. Being retired now and living in a small town I've been meaning to look at lightweight pocket guns. A small incident(s) the other day made me go out and buy a 642. What a nice little gun. A trip to the range shows I still got it and now as I sit typing wearing sweatpants it's in my pocket. Or is it? It's so light I hardly know it's there.
I'll be heading into the "big city" in a little while so I'll have either my Browning BDM or my S&W Model 65 on my belt but the little guy will be in my front pocket.
Until now the only J frame I've ever owned is a LNIB 36 flatlatch which is a safe queen. Being retired now and living in a small town I've been meaning to look at lightweight pocket guns. A small incident(s) the other day made me go out and buy a 642.
What a nice little gun. A trip to the range shows I still got it and now as I sit typing wearing sweatpants it's in my pocket. Or is it? It's so light I hardly know it's there.I'll be heading into the "big city" in a little while so I'll have either my Browning BDM or my S&W Model 65 on my belt but the little guy will be in my front pocket.
J-Frames are great little guns.
IMHO the 642 is the balance between too light and too heavy. It is just right.
Check out the Kramer pocket holsters made for this model.
I have carried J-Frames Mexican style but not in a holster.
Anyone have recommendations for holsters that really work well for these pistols.
IMHO the 642 is the balance between too light and too heavy. It is just right.
Check out the Kramer pocket holsters made for this model.
I have carried J-Frames Mexican style but not in a holster.
Anyone have recommendations for holsters that really work well for these pistols.
Sharps Shooter
Member
You bet! I'm concidering getting one of the "airweight" models myself, but my wife has carried a stainless Ladysmith in her purse for years. Her's is plenty accurate at the distances called for if she ever had to use it, it's reliable and about as powerful as a person is likely to find in that small of a package.
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