J-Frame Primary CCW?

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I carried a Model 36 as a backup when I was a LEO. I've carried a lot of guns since then and I always come back to J-frames. Is it enough? Sure- until it isn't. Every shooting is different. On the average a civilian self-defense shooting involves 2-3 shots at 3-5 feet- it will do for that if you do your part. That's the critical thing of course- the greatest force-multiplier in a lethal force confrontation is your training and mental preparation, not your weapon.

These days I've even gone a step further (lower) than a .38 Special J-frame- most of the time these days I'm carry a .38 Safety Hammerless in .38 S&W firing 148gr. HBWCs. Mind you I wouldn't advise anyone else to emulate me, but then I am notoriously eccentric.

 

[Varminterror]

Safariland makes a nice cover 'case' for their J-frame comp 1 speedloaders that is easily concealable. Although I've heard for years that they 'auto -eject" when on the belt, I've never had one do it, and I wear them a lot.

I'm going to call a spade a spade here - a speed loader case is not as easily concealed as a single stack semiauto mag or speed strip. It's like hiding a golfball - sure, it can be done, but it's a lot easier to hide a deck of cards under your clothes than it is a golf ball (even though the cards weighs twice as much, for those keeping count).

I've been carrying speed loaders for the better part of 20yrs. Hiding them isn't just a magic trick with a specific pouch, they have a certain dimension which makes them more difficult to conceal - no way around that.

 

[cougar1717]

I think the most important thing about CC-ing a J-frame is practicing reloads. Many people who CC them as primary are dreadfully slow in this regard. No complaints about accuracy or trigger pull. A DA trigger is vastly different from anything striker fired. It will take practice to attain proficiency, just like everything else.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think the most important thing about CC-ing a J-frame is practicing reloads. Many people who CC them as primary are dreadfully slow in this regard. No complaints about accuracy or trigger pull. A DA trigger is vastly different from anything striker fired. It will take practice to attain proficiency, just like everything else.

Speedloaders make reloading pretty quick and speed strips make carrying plenty if extra ammo easy.

 

[entropy]

I'm going to call a spade a spade here - a speed loader case is not as easily concealed as a single stack semiauto mag or speed strip. It's like hiding a golfball- sure, it can be done, but it's a lot easier to hide a deck of cards under your clothes than it is a golf ball (even though the cards weighs twice as much, for those keeping count).

I've been carrying speed loaders for the better part of 20yrs. Hiding them isn't just a magic trick with a specific pouch, they have a certain dimension which makes them more difficult to conceal - no way around that.

It's more like cutting a slot in the golf ball in the middle so you can run the belt through it. I put 3 rounds behind the belt, two in front. It's as concealable as a speedloader can be.

This the setup I'm talking about:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-arms-s-and-w-5-shot-38-special-polymer-black

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...speedloader-pouch-comp-i-j-frame-5-shot-black

 

[Varminterror]

... It's still a golfball...

 

[Jim NE]

I carried a Model 36 as a backup when I was a LEO. I've carried a lot of guns since then and I always come back to J-frames. Is it enough? Sure- until it isn't. Every shooting is different. On the average a civilian self-defense shooting involves 2-3 shots at 3-5 feet- it will do for that if you do your part. That's the critical thing of course- the greatest force-multiplier in a lethal force confrontation is your training and mental preparation, not your weapon.

These days I've even gone a step further (lower) than a .38 Special J-frame- most of the time these days I'm carry a .38 Safety Hammerless in .38 S&W firing 148gr. HBWCs. Mind you I wouldn't advise anyone else to emulate me, but then I am notoriously eccentric.

Wow, and most of us think we're being "old school" when we carry a model 36! Cool gun!

 

[mustachio]

Here is my primary (although I do carry a Colt XSP in 380 and the Shield in 9mm occasionally). I had it personalized because I like this gun far too much.

 

[.308 Norma]

Here is my primary (although I do carry a Colt XSP in 380 and the Shield in 9mm occasionally). I had it personalized because I like this gun far too much.
REAL nice!

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Has there ever been a documented self defense shooting where speed loaders or speed strips made a difference in the outcome? I went for a 7-shot J-frame and no reload.

 

[.308 Norma]

I went for a 7-shot J-frame and no reload.

A "7-shot" J-frame? Who builds 7-shot J-frames?

 

[Kendal Black]

A "7-shot" J-frame? Who builds 7-shot J-frames?

Some outfit called Jones or something.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-351-pd

This is the lightweight .22 Magnum that Bill Jordan was lobbying for in No Second Place Winner. It finally showed up.

 

[muzzleblast...]

A J-frame will likely get most folks out of trouble.

 

[.308 Norma]

Some outfit called Jones or something.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-351-pd

This is the lightweight .22 Magnum that Bill Jordan was lobbying for in No Second Place Winner. It finally showed up.

Interesting! Thanks!

 

[Crowman]

Has there ever been a documented self defense shooting where speed loaders or speed strips made a difference in the outcome? I went for a 7-shot J-frame and no reload.

I really like the 7-shot J-Frames (351's) as well.

Some outfit called Jones or something.
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-351-pd

This is the lightweight .22 Magnum that Bill Jordan was lobbying for in No Second Place Winner. It finally showed up.

Bill Jorden was spot on. The 7-shot J-Frame 22 WMR's are great to have in your back pocket when gardening. I've dispatched quite a few copperheads in my raised bed garden plots in high summer. Also handy for dispatching rabid coons. I can pack one in my pajamas when feeding the cats out in the field kitchen.

Mine is a S&W 351C, and I pack Tuff Products 10-round quick strips loaded with Hornady 45 grain Critical Defence short barrel loads and shot shells. I also keep a pair of 7-round aluminum speedloaders in my pocket as well. My wife has a 351 PD that she carries when walking.

These S&W's are expensive, but lighter (10.5 oz) than any other comparables on the market. There is no comparison with the NAA mini revolvers (they are superb BUG's for deep concealment in their own right and I carry one daily.) The J-Frames are a credible CCW loaded with the proper short-barrel ammo. Especially for old folks with arthritic hands and easy to shoot accurately.

I've had the lightweight Taurus 941 and hated it. Too heavy and the DA trigger sucked.

 

[bikemutt]

My most carried gun is a j-frame airweight, 38 special. Even with another carry gun onboard, still have the j-frame tucked away.

 

[km101]

I carried K frames EDC off duty but back then I had no need or wish for concealment. Now my model 60 and a speed strip are my constant companions since I normally carry concealed.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Here is the S&W 638 I bought:

I really like it. I carried it today grocery shopping at Wal-Mart and it felt so good on my hip, lightweight and comfortable in the Sticky holster. It concealed nicely even under just a t-shirt. Glad I made this choice, and thank you for your responses.

 

[Rock185]

I've never been a great fan of snubbies, but seem to have accumulated a few in 38 Spc. and 9MM. For years, off-duty, I carried a full sized weapon. On-duty, I carried a J-frame .38 or S&W 3913 9MM as a second weapon. Now, as a retired "man of leisure", I'm a bit embarrassed to say I only carry a full sized weapon occasionally. Most often, just a J-Frame. Pray for me

 

[jimbo555]

I have 2 j - frames in my carry rotation. A model 37 and a 351c.

 

[Blacksmoke]

The OP asks is a J-Frame enough gun for self defense and concealed carry?

I ask what is the level of potential threats? For some of us it is one or two guys intent on robbing us in a public place; a parking lot, a street, a public garage. A J-Frame will likely suffice given proper ammunition, proficiency in use and mental preparation. If the threat includes jihadists with a Kalashnikov or a roving band of armed hoodlums, we might have wished for more gun.

My sense of threat levels includes a single dope addict attempting to score a fix or a drunken a-hole with a knife or other sharp instrument and a hostile attitude which accepts no disagreement. While I have not owned a J-Frame for some years, I was confident with its effectiveness. I mostly carry a Colt Cobra, the original not the new one. That will have to work for me.

 

[popeye]

I like .38 special as a carry piece. I'm too old to learn one of those new fangled automaticals.
An Agent, a model 38, or a 442 are my favorites.

 

[Haywood]

These days all I carry are J-Frames. Two off these every day.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I carry a Charter Arms Undercover 1968 year made .

It just so easy to carry. My auto is for winter only and in Texas that about 2-8weeks a year.

 

[NMPOPS]

I've carried a J-Frame in one for or another (60, 49, 640, 638, 642) both as a back-up and off duty gun since 1978 and have never felt under-gunned. I've carried a 642-1 every day since I retired 10 years ago. Okay, occasionally I do carry my 638.