Good Alternative to S&W's J-Frames

Redcoat3340 said:
I've got a couple of J-frame Smiths -- 642PC; older model 36; and a 638-3 on the way. Plus a 38/22 Terrier.

But I'm wondering who besides Smith and Colt makes J-frame-size .38 specials that are reliable enough for concealed carry; have good-to-very good triggers esp. in double action; and won't break the bank.

I guess Taurus. (I had an 85 years ago, was unimpressed and sold it off). Charter Arms makes a bunch of 'em, but I'm reading their triggers aren't all that good. Windicators are pot metal?

So what else are people buying, carrying and shooting in that size. (And yes, I'd include 2" S&W model 10s and the like. Plus a snubbie .357, not that I'd ever shoot full-power magnums out of a 2" barrel.)
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If you tried a Taurus 85 years ago you need to try a Taurus made in the past 40 years. I discovered Taurus revolvers in 1988. Bought at least 6 since. No issues. 95% of the quality found in S&W.
 
Charter is garbage now, avoid unless it's a vintage one from Stratford.

SP101 is too heavy, too bad in ergonomics to be worth considering and will soon be as pricey as a J frame Smith.

LCR is fine, but perhaps too light.

Taurus makes all metal ultralights and steel frame snubbies for half the price Smith and Ruger do. Triggers can certainly be improved, tho I have yet to try on mine.

I do prefer the LCR with a 3 inch barrel to any Taurus with a 3 inch barrel do to better sights, but a 2 inch barrel is Taurus' bread and butter.

Due to weight difference, I'd look at Taurus for anything .38 or 9mm, but for .22 or .32 the LCR may work fine, however if you do plan to shoot only .327, go with Taurus. The extra ozs will help.
 
Styx said:
I know you stated square butts, but the SP101 will still a noticeable bit larger and heavier than steel frame round butt J-frames. Keep in mind that M60 below has larger/longer grips than the SP101 pictured, so it's even smaller. The SP101 is also 5oz +/- heavier than steel frame Smiths. I can still pocket carry the 21 +/- once steel frame J-frames, Kimber K6s, Ruger LCRs, etc. I'm not interested in shooting 357 out of any of them including the SP101 other than maybe once in a blue moon just for kicks.
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True, the SP101 is larger and heavier than a square-butt J-Frame, but, it fits the same role and general size envelope well enough, at least for me, therefore, serves as the perfect “replacement,” not the perfect duplicate, if that makes sense.
 
Rexster said:
True, the SP101 is larger and heavier than a square-butt J-Frame, but, it fits the same role and general size envelope well enough, at least for me, therefore, serves as the perfect “replacement,” not the perfect duplicate, if that makes sense.
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Disagree. My likely carry positions with a J frame would be pocket or appendix, but with an SP its size and weight would force it into an IWB role and at that point I may as well carry a 2.5 inch 7 shot Taurus 692 that weighs 6oz more, better ergonomic grip, holds 2 more shots, and has a spare 9mm cylinder.
 
TTv2 said:
Disagree. My likely carry positions with a J frame would be pocket or appendix, but with an SP its size and weight would force it into an IWB role and at that point I may as well carry a 2.5 inch 7 shot Taurus 692 that weighs 6oz more, better ergonomic grip, holds 2 more shots, and has a spare 9mm cylinder.
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We do not all have the same hand dimensions, so, we should, indeed, sometimes disagree. :)

Something about the SP101’s grip dimensions allow it to really lock into my hand’s grasp. I do have skinny fingers, so, there is room for my pinkie finger to contribute meaningfully; a true three-finger grip, in my personal case. The factor that keeps the SP101 from being my most-carried “primary” handgun is that I prefer more “work space” for reloading. A K-Frame or GP100 has more clearance for speed-loaders, or whatever reload method I want to use. My most-carried individual “primary” handgun, lately, has been an S&W Model 64, 2” snub-gun. Second place probably goes to a 3” Ruger GP100. (I have not kept a log book. It is not a “rotation,” with any pattern to it.) An SP101 is quite likely to be my second gun, when I carry two handguns.

I have pocket-carried an SP101, but it does require more attention to the selection of one’s trousers.
 
Anchorite said:
I’ve had a couple of Taurus revolvers (85 and 605). Both were reliable, I eventually sold them - because I had other choices.

I’ve tried the LCR a few times, but ended up selling them off because firing with +P felt like I was smacking the palm of my hand with a ball peen hammer. They also seemed a smidge thicker than my comparable Smiths.

Presently I have a Smith 442, 49 and 340PD.

I also have a Colt DS and a couple of Cobras. My edc is a Colt Agent. Couldn’t be happier. It feels heavier than the 442, but has 20% greater capacity. Sadly, none of these Colts are made (or for that matter serviced) anymore.

I also have a SP101 with a factory bobbed hammer. If you could get used to the weight, that’s the direction I think I’d go. Only reason I don’t edc mine is because 99% of the time I’m pocket carrying and that little tank just doesn’t work for me…but a slim, OWB belt holster and I think I could grow to be very fond of that SP101.
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My SP101 2.25" carries extremely well OTW in a Simply Rugged Silver dollar pancake holster & a stiff Beltman belt. Very slim.
 
I have a couple of SP101's. Everyone is different, but I don't really consider carrying them because they're so heavy.
 
stonebuster said:
My SP101 2.25" carries extremely well OTW in a Simply Rugged Silver dollar pancake holster & a stiff Beltman belt. Very slim.
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Most handguns carry and conceal extremely well in OWB pancake holster. I often carry a 2.5" 686+ in a Don Hume pancake holster with a gun belt. It's very comfortable and conceals well for me. OWB concealed in a pancake holster is my preferred method of carry for all my handguns.

Tallball said:
I have a couple of SP101's. Everyone is different, but I don't really consider carrying them because they're so heavy.
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I agree that they are a bit heavy for pocket carry, but for a belt gun, I don't think they should be too heavy in the least for any able bodied adult.
 
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@Styx If I shot my SP101 better than my LCR, for instance, I would carry it OWB in certain weather. Everyone's hands and fingers are different. I shoot an LCR or j-frame (S&W or Taurus) better than I an shoot an SP101. All of them are too small for me, but the SP101 is too small in a more awkward way than the others. Too bad. They're solid and reliable revolvers. With just the right grips and a new set of springs I can make do with them, but it takes extra effort.

If anyone's considering getting rid of a hammer spur, I've done it several times and never had any trouble with misfires or anything afterwards. I assume it delivers the same energy by moving the slightly lighter hammer slightly faster? (My sister is the scientist; I was an English teacher.) I ground them off gradually with a bench grinder, cooling the metal off every once in a while so as not to overheat it. The 3" k-frame in my avatar is one of the ones I did a grind job on.

A picture or it's not real:

Ruger SP101 9mm

Ruger SP101 9mm

 
Rexster said:
My most-carried individual “primary” handgun, lately, has been an S&W Model 64, 2” snub-gun
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Pleased to see this. Been on a jag with older K-guns, and snagged this snub. It (and its M10 sibling) feel good in the hand, it (like any K-gun) slicks up wonderfully well, and it has enough extra weight to damp .38 recoil. It is bulkier than a Chief's, but has 6 rounds. Unhappily, older models like mine have the front sight forged with the barrel...no easy change to a more visible sight. Paint is as good as it gets, since Lee's Red Ramps are no more.
Moon
 
Many thanks to all who commented. I did a bit of deep cleaning on the recently acquirewd gunbroker S&W 36 and put in Wilson Combat hammer spring and 14 lb. return spring and it's like I got a new gun! What a difference.

I'll be looking for a 2" S&W model 10 type (six rounds) and will be focusing probably on Taurus and Ruger. (I've just never warmed up to Colts. I know I should, have a .45acp Colt 1917 that's just fine...but, guess I'm too much of a S&W fan boy for Colt. Besides the cylinder latch works backwards and the cylinder revolves the wrong way!)

Again, many thanks.
 
I used to have a Smith and Wesson Model 12-2 that I still consider to have been the perfect carry revolver. With a six round cylinder, aluminum frame, a grip adapter, and a 2" barrel, it carried in an OWB holster and I didn't know it was there. I practiced with wadcutter ammo and it shot P+ stuff to basically the same POI at any normal range where I was likely to have to use it for it's intended purpose.

Alas, I got caught up in the "wunternine" craze, sold it off to someone smarter than I and have never seen another one.
 
Redcoat3340 said:
I've got a couple of J-frame Smiths -- 642PC; older model 36; and a 638-3 on the way. Plus a 38/22 Terrier.

But I'm wondering who besides Smith and Colt makes J-frame-size .38 specials that are reliable enough for concealed carry; have good-to-very good triggers esp. in double action; and won't break the bank.

I guess Taurus. (I had an 85 years ago, was unimpressed and sold it off). Charter Arms makes a bunch of 'em, but I'm reading their triggers aren't all that good. Windicators are pot metal?

So what else are people buying, carrying and shooting in that size. (And yes, I'd include 2" S&W model 10s and the like. Plus a snubbie .357, not that I'd ever shoot full-power magnums out of a 2" barrel.)
Click to expand...
I just bought a new Taurus. I have owned S&Ws and other older Taurus. The new Taurus is better than the older ones but not quite up to S&Ws I have owned. Functionally it is almost as smooth and it is just as accurate. Photo shows new condition and hammer spur removed.
IMG_7852.jpeg IMG_7854.jpeg IMG_7795.jpeg
 
I bought a new Ruger SP101 when they first were introduced - yes, that long ago. Not too much later I bought the newly introduced 3" SP101 but eventually got rid of them. My problem with the SP101 was that a revolver that heavy and stoutly built should at least carry 6 rounds. Why Ruger never up graded the 101's design to a 6 shot I will never understand.

Dave
 
Dave T said:
I bought a new Ruger SP101 when they first were introduced - yes, that long ago. Not too much later I bought the newly introduced 3" SP101 but eventually got rid of them. My problem with the SP101 was that a revolver that heavy and stoutly built should at least carry 6 rounds. Why Ruger never up graded the 101's design to a 6 shot I will never understand.

Dave
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I agree.... Ruger needs to offer a stainless LCR sized 5 rounder and a upgrade the SP101 to 6 rounds to complete with Diamondback, Taurus, Rossi, Kimber, Colt, and the S&W K frames. Seems like everyone else is stepping their revolver game and are becoming more competitive while Ruger has gotten lazy and complacent.
 
Tallball said:
Yeah, if you're going to carry a heavier revolver, might as well be a classic k-frame. This is a LE turn-in made in the early 60's. :)

Smith And Wesson Model 10 Snub

Smith And Wesson Model 10 Snub

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Tallball, bet the action in that is slicker than a greased doorknob, and there's no shame in using/abusing it.
Have a nickle M10 snub, and it will never get closer to a holster than its home in a gun rug.
It does see range time. Now and then.
Moon
 
I'm partial to S&W J-frames. I have a M642, M442, M638, M437, M43C and both 357 Mag and 38 Special M60.

My M642, M442, M437, and M638 have been machined for moon clips.

I have a 2-1/4" 9mm SP101. The latter is on par with the weight if the S&W Model 60's which I consider a bit heavy for pocket carry.

I have no experience with Taurus, Charter Arms, or Rossi j-frame sized guns. I've considered getting one of Charter Arms odd color guns but have not dropped the hammer yet.

I also have a 4-1/4" 327 Fed Mag SP101. It is a nice gun but definitely not good for pocket carry.
 
I got and carry an Taurus 856 UL. Shot it a bunch no issues. Had to clean and lube the cylinder, it was making a ticking noise that was not right. Clean and lube made that go away, so - all good. Inexpensive, seems made better than I thought a Tuarus would be, but you can tell it isn't a smith and wesson, but - it didn't cost what a smith cost either.
 
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halfmoonclip said:
Tallball, bet the action in that is slicker than a greased doorknob, and there's no shame in using/abusing it.
Have a nickle M10 snub, and it will never get closer to a holster than its home in a gun rug.
It does see range time. Now and then.
Moon
Click to expand...

Yes. Very smooth trigger from decades of use. I just laugh when people write how semiauto triggers are always better than revolver triggers. Apparently they never shot a nice revolver.

You got a pic of that nickel one?
 
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