How Many have Went from a J-Frame to a Semi for CCW Use?

[riceboy72]

Over the years, I have bought several S&W 642 revolvers which, for some dumb reason or another, I wound up selling and regretting the choice a few months later. So two years ago, I bought a 642 no lock and have no intention on selling it. I've learned my lesson!

That said, it's not my primary gun but it does have it's place depending on where I'm going and what I'm doing. I tend to carry it on hot days in a Mika pocket holster, and also find myself slipping it into my cargo shorts pocket when I run to the store at night or when I'm outside doing yardwork. Overall, it's not what I carry or grab daily as I tend to favor a Glock 19, but it certainly fills the niche to have a pocket gun which shoots well for me, is accurate, and has proven reliable. There was a time when I was carrying it daily, but overall, I tend to favor the Glock over the 642 as a carry gun.

 

[TRX]

It gets over 100F and muggy in the summer. I carry a J-frame then. In the winter, when it's practical to wear an overshirt, I carry a full-size .45. Year-round, the LCP in the ankle holster or pocket.

 

[Deaf Smith]

How Many have Went from a J-Frame to a Semi for CCW Use?

It's not a either-or situation.

Snubbies have their place, and so do small semi-autos.

I use a Glock 26 or Kahr K9 when I have to 'belt up', summer or winter, but when in just shorts and t-shirt the S&W J snub comes into it's own.

Deaf

 

[golden]

I went to semi-auto and never looked back

I started carrying a S&W model 38 Bodyguard as my off duty gun. I used a holster, but in Florida, it printed too easily, so I switched to a THAD RYBKA pocket holster and never found anything better.
Occasionally, I carried a CHARTER ARMS Undercover, but it was mostly the Bodyguard.

I gave up on revolvers because what I carry on duty and keep for home defense is a semi-auto. It just made sense to keep the same kind of gun in my pocket.
I tried several different guns and found the closest to perfect was a WALTHER PPK .32ACP pistol which I carried for the last year and a half. It combined absolute reliability with better than expected accuracy and a compact size that did not print.
I recently acquired a GLOCK 42 in .380ACP and it has replaced the PPK. The GLOCK offers more power, equal to the .38 Special if you do not use +P ammo, two more rounds, less weight in a more compact package that is easy to shoot.
PERFECT, for me at least!

The reason that I would not use one of the micro 9 pistols that offer similar size is that those I have shot were miserable to shoot. I put 90 rounds through the GLOCK 42 and my had felt ok, not as good as when I shoot a larger .380ACP like the SIG 232 or the WALTHER PPK in .32ACP, but not sore like the RUGER LC9 left me after 15 rounds.

Also, as I get closer and closer to 60 years of age, I notice the recoil more. A snub, lightweight .38 Special with 125 grain NYCLAD is fine, but is it any more powerful than a GLOCK 42 loaded with HORNADY Critical Defense .380ACP?
Since I am not one of those that desires deep penetration, I do not see any advantage to a .38 Special.

Jim

 

[saltydog452]

Sacrilege

There are places where the Colt DS and the SW, equiped with a Birami Hip Grip, can go that the slab side semis wouldn't.

There are places where the NAA .32 Guardian can go that others can't.

That said, when I take out the trash there is (now) a Kahr CM in the pocket of my 'jammies. Its that handy. Being handy is a good thing.

salty

 

[oneounceload]

I have a no-lock 642 and a Kahr 9 for CCW as I find my G26 and Snub 19 too big for pocket carry

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I always bounced all over.

In order, I carried the following:

1. Kahr P9
2. Kel-Tec P32
3. S&W M&P .40 full-size
4. Ruger SP101 2.25"
6. S&W 642 1.875"
7. S&W M&P9c
8. H&K P7
9. Ruger LCR
10. S&W M&P Shield
11. Glock 19

 

[saltydog452]

Just curious, why'd you stop carrying the P-9?

Thanks,

sd.

 

[Teachu2]

My permit allows for ten guns - and nine of mine are semis. A J-frame Airweight is the sole wheelgun. I am faster and more accurate with a semi, and all my semis hold more than five rounds.

 

[zeke]

Wi only got cc lately. Started with M638, then switched to SA xds 45 acp in hybrid holster.

 

[AZ Desertrat]

I don't carry any one firearm....I rotate them around a bit. But, yes, I did do the J-frame back to semi thing, several times. I have had J frames for many years and had some good ones. I just always felt a little better with a Glock 19 or a commander size .45.

 

[frankiestoys]

I'm a revolver fan buy heart and love a nice snub nose mainly Smiths and Colts don't care for the LCR though. WTS I've tried several sub compact semi autos but after a few months I go back to my first love infact I just bought another J frame (637) and will likely switch between them . What I truly like about them is the ability to slide them in a front pocket . Its nice to have choices and really a matter of what works for you.

 

[aarondhgraham]

For years my holster gun was a S&W Model 36,,,

For years my holster gun was a S&W Model 36,,,
But after buying a Ruger LCP I changed to the small semi.

For one thing it has two more rounds,,,
And it lends itself to more modes of carry for me.

Come winter when I go back to carrying in my coat pocket,,,
I'm going to revisit the S&W snubbie.

Aarond

.

 

[jrdolall]

I pocket carry exclusively so I almost always carry one of the "pocket" guns. I have not found a revolver that I can easily conceal in my Wrangler jeans because of the width. I have several tiny semis that I rotate, 9mm and 380, and I feel very comfortable with them.
I much prefer shooting a revolver...just because. My Colt Trooper in .357 is a fine shooting gun and I carried it for many years in my brief case. I have purchased over 20 revolvers in the last two years and they get a lot of range time.

 

[MCgunner]

I easily carry, daily, a 17 ounce Taurus M85SSUL in the front pocket of Wrangler Cargoes in a Blackhawk number 4 pocket holster. Hell, I even carry it in the front pocket of my cargo shorts. I used to carry a 14 ounce Kel Tec P11 9x19 daily in the same pocket/holster, but I really prefer revolvers and since i moved to the sticks, I don't feel the firepower is needed any longer. When I go to town, even the big city, I just add a 5 shot Taurus 605 Poly or a 6 shot 3" Taurus M66 to my hip as a primary, the .38 is a secondary. The total load is still less than a 1911 and is better balanced. And, I like .38/.357 as a caliber.

There are times I do carry autos when I feel I just might need the firepower, going to the big city. But, I'm more and more comfortable with multiple revolvers, especially when one of 'em is a .357 magnum.

So, I sorta went the other way.

 

[whatever]

I went to a 642 when I decided a glock 26 was a bit too big and my kahr pm9 was a complete and utter POS. I still carry the 642 a bit, but have moved on to the shield for the majority of my carry (and I had a change of heart on the glock as wee). The extra rounds and quick reload make it a no brainer. But if I'm running to the store at night the 642 usually gets the nod.

 

[S&Wfan]

I went FROM bottom feeders to a J-frame for my "always" CCW handgun back about 2004. It felt really strange for about a month. I always shot best competitively with wheelguns though the years so I feel quite well armed no matter what revolver I'm carrying.

Yes, my "always" (always with me concealed) handgun is an Airlight J-frame BUT . . .

But . . . for my main sidearm TOO? It could be either revolver or auto, depending on the season, the task OR the mood! I'm at home with all of 'em.

In the end, we all have to carry what we like, shoot best, or feel best with. Other than that, it REALLY doesn't matter. BTW, through the years what we "like" best will generally change quite a few times! That's the fun of it all!

Recently I pulled out some handguns I hadn't shot much, and got infatuated again with a 2000-era original type Kimber Ultra CDP I bought new and carried at the time quite a bit. The nightsights have dimmed away but dang, that thing shot so well. I'm thinking of putting it back in the rotation again (but the airweight J-frame will remain my pocket gun at the same time). THE BAD THING? If you ever have to use a handgun for self-defense you might just lose it for quite a while in an evidence locker before getting it back . . . and you might NOT get it back. Thus a high dollar handgun might NOT be the best thing to carry with that in mind.

 

[orionengnr]

THE BAD THING? If you ever have to use a handgun for self-defense you might just lose it for quite a while in an evidence locker before getting it back . . . and you might NOT get it back. Thus a high dollar handgun might NOT be the best thing to carry with that in mind.

That is the least of my worries.
I carry what I shoot best, and what I have confidence in.
If I am still alive after the worst happens, I am ahead of the game. And I will worry about the "minor details" as they occur.
I would imagine that my legal bills will dwarf the value of a $1000 handgun.
If I am still alive, I can continue to work and earn money for lawyers bills, and to replace the tool which allowed me to continue breathing and walking this Earth.

 

[Kleanbore]

I did. Two reasons: capacity, and the fact that with my arthritis and tendonitis, the DA pull on the Centennial is not easy.

But--I like the idea of having the Centennial in a weak hand vest pocket when I am in the driver's seat. Two reasons: accessibility, and backup in case of a malfunction.

I would prefer a Colt Cobra or DS, but I do not have one.

 

[eastbank]

two of my favorte carry revolvers are a .38 spl s&w 60 with a bobbed hammer and a older SS charter .44 spl bull dog with hammer bobbed carried in a inside the pants holster and the stainless steel is realy needed with the sweat from the summer heat. eastbank.

 

[Red Wind]

I carry a semi-auto Glock 36 .45 ACP, except for jogging or brisk walks when I switch to a J frame Smith 340PD Airlite .38 snubby.

I believe both have their place and have no intentions of changing my routine.

Even though I really like J frames and am going to get one, I will likely still carry a semi auto. Being down here close to Houston when you watch or listen to the news EVERY DAY you just can't believe what happens in the city you have chosen to live.

I swear it's like a movie. You don't think it's real, but I assure you that it is. So many people murdered. In a parking lot, during a hold up, in their homes, it's everywhere. This is the only place I have lived that the phrase "WATCH YOUR BACK" really MEANS something

.

BTW, Houston is not that bad crime wise compared to other major cities.
Here is the FBI Crime data for 2012..

Houston at 10 per 100,000, has fewer murders than Dallas at 12. Miami at 17 and New Orleans at an astronomical 53.

Watch that local news less and you'll feel better.

 

[NGIB]

I don't shoot the J frames very well so I carry semi autos. I gave my 642 to my wife and she uses it as the nightstand gun. Right now I carry a Glock 30S...

 

[Panzerschwein]

For summer carry, it's lil' Jay by my side through thick and thin.

When winter comes, Jay usually hibernates in his Mika pocket holster in my safe and a larger, usually polymer, auto is taken along.

 

[WestKentucky]

I swore off semis and that's where it ends. I do carry my m9 a couple times a year and a 1911 a couple times but that's just to change things up a bit in the dead of winter. Crapola ammo was the main reason. Varying pressures, misfire cases, and weak neck tension caused me more than a few issues at the range so I went back to the revolver. Don't plan on swapping back unless I am using handloads that I have verified as perfectly calibrated to the gun to ensure flawless function.

 

[JTQ]

As I get older, I track some of these comments with some interest.

verdun59 wrote,
Well arthritis in my hands is making the racking the small autos very painful and difficult so I am leaning on my LCR .357 a lot more.

Kleanbore wrote,
I did. Two reasons: capacity, and the fact that with my arthritis and tendonitis, the DA pull on the Centennial is not easy.

Based on my current physical condition in my mid-50's, I suspect I'd more likely fall into Kleanbore's camp. I'd much rather take the effort to rack the slide of an auto to get multiple shots with a good, light semi-auto trigger pull, than have to battle a double action revolver trigger pull for every shot. I also suspect I'll find it easier to slap a mag in the magwell than deal with individual rounds or a speed loader for reloads. However, I'll grant you dealing with spent brass at the range is a lot easier with a revolver than bending down to pick up all that brass spewed everywhere by my semi-auto.