Going to get a J-Frame for pocket carry... Which one?

[Coltdriver]

Model 38 Airweight, 15 ounces loaded. It has the bodyguard style shrouded hammer. You can cock it and shoot it or shoot it DA. You can shoot it from (thru) your jacket pocket and not snag the hammer on your jacket. Kind of tough on the jacket But in the right situation not a bad feature to have.

 

[lowercase]

I carry a 642 in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster.

I was going to spend more for a holster, but the cheapie works great, so I stuck with it.

 

[Droid noob]

I love the lcr 38. I pocket carry it in cargo shorts in warm weather. Iwb carry it in a Remora holster sometimes also. The Hogue grip isn't too big. I would definitely swap the grips if I was wanting to pocket carry a lot.

I feel the lcr trigger is better than the 642. I just like the length of pull and it feels like a lighter trigger.

 

[Old Dog]

Chalk up another vote for the 442 or 642 (I favor the 442 as its black finish perhaps aids concealment a mite and the 642's (as with the 637's) clearcoat finish (on the recent models) has a tendency to peel off.

S&W apparently still does runs of no-lock models from time to time.

I use a Kramer pocket holster if I use a holster at all.

 

[David E]

I use a Kramer pocket holster if I use a holster at all.

It's always a good idea to use a holster, even in the pocket.

 

[hAkron]

I have a 642 that I bought in December. It's a GREAT carry gun. I put a set of wood S&w magna grips on it, they are nowhere near as comfortable as the rubber factory grips, but they make it much easier to draw from my pocket. I'm going to send off for a T-Grip to give me a bit more control with the magna grips.

 

[bannockburn]

Love both my Model 649 and my Model 638. I carry the 649 in an OWB holster and the 638 either in an IWB or else a pocket holster. I have always liked all of the J frame snubbies but settled on a Model 38 over 30 years ago and have stayed with that particular type of concealed hammer design ever since.

 

[ZVP]

With the small wood grips, it's pretty hard to beat a "J" Frame for consealment.
Uncle Mikes Boot Grip dosen't add to awful much bulk

 

[S&Wfan]

When I'm in a gunshop, I don't even give the Ruger a second glance . . . I'm looking for a good, vintage S&W.

1. The steel framed ones are easiest to "plink" with due to the extra weight.

2. The Scandium framed ones (AirLite) are lightest to tote BUT

3. The ALUMINUM framed (Airweight) versions are also light without being brutal, so in self defense you've got speed of draw, light weight for reduced "J-frame Jiggle" in pocket carry PLUS just enough weight to make them fast, fun AND easy to shoot.

HANDS DOWN AN AIRWEIGHT FOR LIGHT, ACCURATE SELF DEFENSE.

To Hammer, or Not To Hammer, that is the question . . .

It truly doesn't matter to me, I like 'em all and with the proper holsters, the hammer spur has never snagged on me in many years of toting and practice.

MY SELF DEFENSE J-FRAMES . . .

1. Steel frame for belt or IWB carry . . . Model 36

2. Airweight (aluminum frame) for light, "always on you carry . . . its identical but lighter brother, the Model 37.

3. AirLite? Wouldn't own one, never recommend one. Too danged light so it promotes barrel rifling torque which can slightly twist your gun out of perfect alignment in your grip . . . imperceptible but you are no longer hitting accurately. Plus, some specific bullets in that ultra-light revolver can "jump the crimp" and potentially lock up the gun! If I were dictator of the entire world I'd ban 'em for the novice shooter . . . and experienced shooters rarely would buy one for all the reasons I've listed above.

Accuracy? Standing, unsupported @ ten yards? All five rounds within an inch; at 25 yards typically all five rounds inside of 2 1/2 inch. Snubbies CAN be accurate but sight alignment, grip and technique are more critical to be ultra consistent vs. longer barreled models!

Good luck!!!

PS: My "ALWAYS ON ME" Model 37 Airweight . . .

BTW, I carried my Model 36 and thought it was great for pocket carry . . . UNTIL I got to carry and Airweight. I instantly understood the benefits of a gun light enough not to notice and heavy enough to tame just enough of the recoil!

 

[vito]

I have a 640 and the weight does help with recoil, but I still find it a less than fun gun to shoot. 38 Special is not too bad, 357Mag is rough. I haven't fired the super lightweight j-frames but I imagine that recoil is much rougher, which would make it less likely that I would shoot it enough to feel proficient. As a side note, my 640 had the internal lock, which was not likely to ever give me a problem, but I want a revolver to be 100% reliable. I found a gunsmith who was willing to remove the locking pin, asking only that I signed a release of liability (although if I ever sell the gun there is no way it can be traced back to him for doing this work; I don't even remember his name or where we works from). The 640 is a reassuringly solid gun, and I have both a pocket holster and an IWB holster. I keep it loaded with 38+p most of the time, but I know I should keep 357mag in it since with only a 2-inch barrel it is not the most powerful handgun.

 

[wrs840]

I own, and carried for a while, a S&W 442, and I don't like it near as much as the 2-1/2"bbl S&W 637 Airweight that I replaced it with. The 637 fits in a pocket in a Desantis Nemesis just fine, the hammer does not impede draw if your thumb is in the right place, and the hammer and extra barrel greatly improve my targeting ability. YMMV.

 

[khegglie]

Sitting with an LCR .357 in a DeSantis pocket holster right now. The LCR with the Houge Grips is the only .357 snubby that is actually comfortable to fire more than a cylinder full through at a time(for me). Those snubby .357 Smiths are BEAUTIFUL but a grenade blast to shoot. The LCR isnt that heavy or bulky in the DeSantis.

 

[Stainz]

Since changing to a 642 in a Mika pocket holster, it has been my 24/7 EDC - and I am well satisfied with it. I've added a 632 Pro and a 351PD since, as well - but they see little 'pocket time' - my 642 is #1 in my pocket carry rotation. It's with me cutting the grass, shopping, and even in church. On trips, I'll carry an HKS #36 Speedloader with five more 158gr LHPSWC +P's - usually in the car.

Note: The 351PD weighs 5 oz less empty - it's seven Hornady 45gr FTX 'Critical Defense' .22 WMR rounds weighing a lot less than five .38's - probably a good choice where weight is a problem.

Stainz

 

[luzyfuerza]

My wife really prefers the out-of-the box trigger pull of her LCR. The out-of-the box trigger pull on my 442 felt a little heavier and rougher to her.

I weigh twice what she does, my hands are massive compared to hers, and I think that although the pulls on the LCR and 442 are different, they're both perfectly acceptable for use as defensive firearms.

Trigger pull, like everything else, is in the eye (or hand) of the beholder.

 

[Hondo 60]

I carry a 1970 version of the Bodyguard, a Model 38.
Looks funny, but doesn't snag on the clothing when drawing it from a pocket holster.

 

[ahandgunner2]

S&Wfan, I carry an AirLite and don't agree about the experienced shooters not wanting them. Bought it used from a cop that shot 5 rounds through it and traded it in...the Sc frame with 357 IS brutal.

I carried it and fired 357 for a little while but it HURTS to shoot - bites my fingers. So, I now load 38+P and love the weight and shoot it fairly well for self defense.

I have not fired the aluminum airweights so I can't comment as to which is better - actually not a J-frame fan (I like N's), but wanted one to carry when waist holster wouldn't work.

Anyway, I would not tell people to stay away from Sc as long as they DON"T shoot 357 through them. Just my $0.02

 

[TheDaywalkersDad]

I've had a LCR (.38spl) for about a year and a half. It's a great CCW gun and I'd recommend it if you like snub nosed revolvers. It's the lightest snubbie that I've handled but I'll be honest with you. It's not that much lighter than my wife's S&W Airweight (38-2). Either one is easy to carry. The trigger is clearly better on the Ruger. It's not bad on the S&W but the Ruger wins hands down.
My stepfather recently bought a S&W Airweight (model 638) and I've been shooting it a bit lately. I like it but again... the trigger is better on the Ruger.
The aftermarket is MUCH better for the Airweights.
Either gun is a good choice in my opinion. It's all down to what you want. If you're counting ounces and don't plan on making changes then the Ruger wins. If you want to change the grips or shoot single action as well as double action then the S&W is a better pick.
Both are price within $20 of each other in my area.

I did a review of the LCR last year. Please delete this post if I'm stepping on anyone's toes by including this link.

http://thedaywalkersdad.blogspot.com/2012/09/ruger-lcr-review.html

 

[rbernie]

I'm a 638/649 kinda guy. They aren't the prettiest, but they're the easiest/smoothest to consistently draw from concealment *and* still have SA capability.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I would up with a 1968 Charter Undercover but those J frame Smith's are some great guns.

 

[jhvaughan2]

I have tried almost all variations of .38 j frame (442, 632, 36, 642, 37, 38 and 342) and I have "evolved" to this.
Probability of needing it - low
Probability of needing it and needing to shoot through obstacles - Lower
Probability of me pausing to take a well aimed single-action shot while pumped full of adrenaline, rather than taking that time running for cover - Lowest.

Probability of me taking it with me more when it is the smallest, lightest piece I can find - High

Therefore, as much as I like the old-timers, it is a 342 for me.

The 36, 37 and 38 may fit better in my collection but the 342 fits better in my pocket.

 

[Hapworth]

442 Moon Clip. No internal lock, tough finish...and you get moon clips, which are fantastic; IWB rig and you've got an excellent personal defense revolver set-up.

 

[Bobson]

Do none of you guys own (or want) the Ruger LCR or are S&W J-Frames just that much better?

I agree on either a 6/442 (or an LCR), instead of the 6/438.

My brother has an LCR, and pocket-carried it when he was visiting us here in AZ. I generally make it a habit to look for guns printing on peoples' clothing, because I enjoy it when I'm able to "make" someone. Also, I knew he brought his LCR with him... but I still didn't realize it was in his front-left pocket of his jeans, until he pointed it out and asked if it was obvious; and that was before he bought the Desantis Nemesis pocket holster for it.

Point is, the LCR will pocket-carry just fine. I'd have equal faith in either a no-lock 642 or the LCR; if I were buying one myself, I probably wouldn't buy a Smith with the internal lock unless it was quite a bit cheaper than the LCR.

I feel the LCR trigger is better than the 642. I just like the length of pull and it feels like a lighter trigger.

Agreed.

 

[PRM]

I'm not one for pocket carry as a general rule, but, I am a fan of the J Frame. I've been an LEO since the mid-1970s and over that time have owned and carried several Model 60s. My current Model 60-9 got claimed by my wife a couple of years ago - LOL. I replaced it with a Model 649 and it is a true classic. Last year, I came across a vintage Model 36-1 (NIB). I quickly snagged this little gun and have come to regard it as my all time favorite. The steel frame and 3 inch barrel make it a pleasure to shoot and really tames the recoil. The longer barrel gives it an edge and puts it on par accuracy wise with the larger K Frame.

You can't go wrong with a J Frame.

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[Husker_Fan]

I'm a bit partial to the Model 38. I've had no issues with the shrouded hammer. I'd say buy what you get a good deal on.

 

[chanroc]

I'm tossing my vote on a 638 or a 442. I originally had the Smith 442, but sold it to my friend. Then I got the Ruger LCR (in a .357). I really liked the trigger pull and grips, but found it to be a little thicker to pocket carry. That and you have to be careful to let the trigger reset properly. I've had issues, once in a while where I didn't let it fully reset, and then you can't fire the gun. I don't need that option, happening to me in a stressful situation. So, while I kept it as a range toy, I ended getting a 638. I miss my 442 and might get one, once the madness dies down. Regardless, Smiths are more forgiving with short trigger resets and I've never had that problem happen to me while shooting them.