This thread has made for interesting reading.
I actually
do read far, far more material in firearms forums than I write. Really.
I've been pleased to see the diminutive J-frames enjoy a resurgence in popularity in recent years, both among owners/shooters and at S&W. I feel I've certainly benefited from returning to using them.
My collection, which had dwindled to one neglected 649 Bodyguard (older .38 model), stored away somewhere in the back of my safe, has grown to 4 of them ... and my similarly neglected SP-101 DAO has even been getting Magnum workouts at an increasing number of range sessions.
I'm considering ordering another J-frame, too. One of the new M40's. Not sure if I want the nickel or blued. I know a fellow who carries an original S&W Lemon-Squeezer and the reintroduction of them interests me a bit.
I won't go back and try to repost all of the rambling thoughts I've previously posted in regard to my thinking on these little short-barreled, revolvers ... however ...
I agree that
good training and
proper, sufficiently frequent practice are good ideas. Realistic, practical choices in ammunition and lawful carry methods are pretty important, too.
Traditional Double Action revolvers seem to have fallen out of favor, somewhat, in the last 20-odd years. Not surprising, I suppose. I haven't carried a revolver as an issued service weapon since about '89 or 90, comes to that, and we're seeing more and more new folks being hired who have never held any sort of firearm, let alone a handgun ...
Anyway ...
The very attributes that make the 5-shot S&W revolvers (and others) so convenient and practical for some folks also make them harder to controllably and accurately shoot for many folks.
I've always thought they required some refined DA revolver skills, especially the DAO models ... and especially the Airweights & Airlites.
I know of number of LE firearms instructors, working and retired, who favor one or another model of the little J-frames for their constant off-duty/retirement weapons. I remember hearing one retired fellow, who used to be a revolver armorer as well as a former firearms instructor & revolver carrier/IPSC-type shooter, express great personal experience with the CT laser grips on his little Airlite.
I started to feel more comfortable with J-frames when I was able to consistently run them through the regular service weapon qualification courses-of-fire (as well as my SP-101, loaded with Magnum loads).
Focusing on qualifying with +P loads in my 642-1 made shooting the steel-framed models seem even easier ... but only by comparison.
I'll say one thing, and that is that spending so much time and effort on the little J-frames has made shooting larger revolvers seem much, much easier. I remember taking a 2 1/2" model 66 out to the firing line and shooting some various Magnum loads through it at ranges from 'close contact' all the way out to 75 yards, and asking myself why I ever quite carrying such 'pleasant shooting' Magnum revolvers.
Funny how shooting a few cylinder loads of Magnum ammunition through a M&P 340 can change your perspective on what's 'pleasant', isn't it?
