CCW thinking j frame or p99

[palidon11]

soo ive got some cabelas points to spend.. looking for a ccw gun. the j frame and the p99 both seem to fit well and im kinda torn on what to get.

main thing thats getting me is all the j j frames i've seen are chambered in .38 special+. the thing that gets me are what are the ballistics like with a1.9" barrel?

i'd also like a suggestion on whether to go with 9mm or .40 on the p99. i hear the p99 doesnt feel too smooth in .40. a 4" barrel will help in the ballistics department, so how would a 9mm with a 4" barrel compare with .38 special with a 1.9" barrel?

that and size... im a smaller guy, im thinking the j frame will conceal better...

bah! decisions!

 

[palidon11]

hmmm and how is accuracy with a snubnose? i'd almost want to go with a 3" barrel with the revolver

 

[igousigloo]

The accuracy with the snub nose is the same as with a longer barrel, they are just not as forgiving. Any slight movement will move them. I am carrying a Taurus in 327 Fed. Mag.

 

[45Fan]

My j frame is capable of fist size groups at 50ft. The average groups at the 7 yard line, where I do most of my shooting, is around 2". On occasion, I have printed a ragged hole at that distance with all 5 shots in the cylinder. To help validate the accuracy, my dad recently bought a similar lightweight j frame, and his is equally accurate. The little smith snubbies are very capable if given a chance to shine.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

For concealment, the J-frame. For all around self defense and pistolcraft, the Walther. I'm a bigger guy, and I'll fudge concealment to carry a bigger gun. It isn't that hard, as most people will never notice, and even trained eyes aren't looking all the time. HOW you carry and WHERE on your body are more important than the size of the gun. Most small guys could hide a P99 under a shirt (worn out) in an inside-the-waistband holster. So, given all that, go with the one you like the most. Both great gun designs.

 

[hardluk1]

J frame or look at kahr cw9-cm9 also. Same type trigger pull between these to and price is close to the same as the kahrs . Buy a 9mm not the 40 in a small package. 9mm ammo is cheaper to buy, easier to shot and that means you will shot it more often. None of the standard carry rounds are that much apart in there ability to stop a BG with one shot including the 45acp.

 

[Dr_2_B]

For small stature, it sounds like J-frame is the way to go. After you shoot a couple hundred rounds through it you'll be able to hit a target at self defense range. And I consider the ballistics of +p to be fine out of a 2" bbl.

 

[orionengnr]

IMHO, a j-frame is best suited to pocket carry (in a large pocket, because it's length will cause it 's grip to "peek" out of a normal one).

Any double stack is an IWB...and in my experience, a less than ideal one. YMMV.

A j-frame is not an easy handgun to shoot well...after owning about six of them, I gave up on them. My Kahr PM9 is smaller in every dimension, holds seven rounds (vice five) of an arguably more potent caliber (9mm+p+) and is far easier to shoot well (for me). It's bargain brother, the CM9 gives up very little and saves you a bit of money.

If you want to carry IWB, it's (slightly) bigger brother the P9/CW9 will give you one more round and a bit less recoil due to it's slightly larger mass and one extra finger on the grip. Oh, and it's extra 1/2" of silde/barrel will give you a longer sight radius, which will enhance your accuracy further.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I carry my J frame 90% of the time because it so easy to hide and carry.

 

[Mr.Blue]

If you get the J frame, like I did, get the 637. It has an exposed hammer which allows you to shoot the ever important first shot SA.

If you are worried about velocity/expansion out of a snub nose, get some Speer Gold Dot Short Barreled rounds. They are engineered to expand when fired at the lower velocity that comes with a short barrel.

 

[wlewisiii]

Put Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWCHP +P in it. 1040 fps (379 ft. lbs.) from a 2" barrel (S&W Model 60 is their test gun). I carry it in my 642 and my Model 10. It's a bit stout in the 642 but the Pachmayr grips deal well with that.

 

[easyg]

If you're inexperienced shooting snub-nose revolvers be aware that they are rather challenging.
The heavy double-action trigger pull is not conducive to accurate shooting.

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

I have a couple of J-frames and I "had" a P99AS, and a P99c/AS.

I think for the average "non gun" type, nothing is more simple than a quality revolver. Only problems (to some) with revolvers would be limited capacity (5-6 rounds), cylinder bulge (which makes cc a bit harder).

But, in my experience the AS version of the P99c is a much better choice for the person more "gun oriented".. Higher capacity (almost twice as much as with a snubby) and the example I had was very, very accurate..... I could shoot it much better than any of my snubbys.

For the average person who carries a firearm concealed (non leo types) I would think either a good revolver or the P99c (compact) would do the job.

Practice, practice, practice with whatever choice you make at a reasonable self defense distance (7 yds for me) and you would be good to go.

Just personal opinion, could be wrong, been so before.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[TonyT]

I have used the S&W 642, S&W99AS and Walther P99QA. I terms of accuary the 9mm S&W99 and Walther P99 poutshone the S&W642. There is however a significant difference in size.

 

[PX15]

TonyT is correct in that the full sized P99 is considerably larger than a J-frame Smith, but the compact version (P99c), not so much..

The P99c/AS I had was so much more accurate (for me) that there was simply no comparison between it and a J-frame. Plus you get double the pleasure as to capacity.

I would also suggest IF you decide on a J-frame to consider the model 638.. The 638 (Bodyguard) is an ugly sucker but comes with the large, smooth target trigger and is a real sweet shooter..

I have a model 638 and 49 in J-frames, and two Colt Cobra's and one Detective Special in D frames and the 638 is light years easier to shoot, and shoot more accurately than any of the others.

I think a Smith 638 w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips make for one great wheel gun.

The 2nd photo below shows my Sig P239, Walther P99c/AS and 638 J frame Smith. Note the size difference between the P99c and the 638 is minimal, and the Walther actually is easier to carry concealed because of the extra thickness of the cylinder bulge in the J-frame.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[BossHogg]

I pocket carry the S&W 638 with CT lasers and think it's a beauty. The grips are so easy to switch out. Go and buy some Pachmayr compac rubber grips and shoot the heck out of it. The snubnose guns are very shootable and you can get good with practice. When you carry switch back to the smaller grip or stay with the Pachmayr as they're not bad for carry either.

You can practice with standard 38 spl and carry 38 spl +P.

 

[palidon11]

whoo thanks for the info guys! px15 makes a good case to me for the p99c...