Snub = Backup Only

[brockgl]

I hear a lot of people say they have a 642 or similar 2" J-frame that they say is a backup gun only. Does this mean that they carry 2 guns with you wherever you go and use this one has your backup? Or does it mean that you ONLY carry this when you have no way to conceal a bigger gun? I have found my 642 to be so comfortable to carry that i can hardly resist making it my 'most often carried' gun. My Sig P229 .40cal is definitely more powerful with more than twice as many rounds available, but the comfort of the small j-frame is nearly too hard to resist. Anyone feel the same way and use a 2" j-frame as their most often carried weapon?

 

[VHinch]

I prefer to have more than just a J frame, but there are situations where that is all I will carry, such as church, etc. Up until recently I also had a job where I did not have a lot of carry option due to the way I had to dress, so my EDC during the work day was my Smith 637 on my ankle. Recently however, I took a new job with a much more relaxed dress code (jeans and an untucked polo unless I have a scheduled meeting) so I have gone back to a full size 1911 IWB.

They say that no gun is small enough when you have to carry it all day, but no gun is big enough when you need to use it. I just feel better having my 1911. The J frame's convenience and ease of carry isn't worth it's trade offs to me.

 

[jfh]

If I had to choose a handgun for a gunfight, I'd prefer to use a 1911.

Since I choose to carry a handgun daily, I really only want to carry my lightweight j-frame.

I also rationalize that choice by saving that a SD shooting I'm going to possibly be resolved within five shots, and I won't have to reload.

But, I am old enough to recognize the wisdom of both belts and suspenders--metaphorically, at least.

As a result, I frequently carry a BUG--a Kel-Tec P3AT. Getting that going would be faster than reloading the j-frame.

So, yes, I carry a 2" j-frame as my primary carry gun.

Jim H.

 

[Dismantler]

I carry only a J-Frame, not two guns. That said, I sometimes have a Model 10 in the car, too. But I do not carry both of them. If I am in the car when things go bad, I will reach for the Model 10. If I am on foot, I will have to rely on the snubby.

 

[riceboy72]

My primary summer carry is a S&W 642 with two Bianchi Speedstrips, and this tends to be the only gun I carry when it's too hot to carry anything else. Basically, when I'm in cargo shorts, a t-shirt, and some flip flops running around, it goes with me. This summer I may rethink things and try to wear a loose button up shirt when possible, so we'll see how that goes.

I do prefer my P229 as my EDC and while I believe the 642 is a fine defensive pistol, it is not my first choice unless my clothing prohibits the carrying of something larger and more powerful. I do have to admit that airweight revolver is certainly a joy to carry; I just wish my Sig was the same weight!

 

[jad0110]

As a result, I frequently carry a BUG--a Kel-Tec P3AT. Getting that going would be faster than reloading the j-frame.

So, yes, I carry a 2" j-frame as my primary carry gun.

I generally carry my 642 by itself, as my "always" gun. But I've considered doing the same thing, either with a P3AT or a P32.

Today though, my 642 is doing BUG duty to my 1911.

 

[klover]

I tired of J frames

So I went to light weight N frames in .44 Special or Magnum for a backup/sometimes only carry. The handle is much nicer for my large hands, and it puts out good ballistics.

Sig 245 or sig 220 is often the main carry. The 220 spare mag interchanges with the 245, which makes it a 8 + 1.

So, most times it is 6+1, then 8, then 5 or 6 for a total of 20 or 21 with one gun allowed to fail. Good combo if you ask me.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I hear a lot of people say they have a 642 or similar 2" J-frame that they say is a backup gun only. Does this mean that they carry 2 guns with you wherever you go and use this one has your backup? Or does it mean that you ONLY carry this when you have no way to conceal a bigger gun?

Some of both, I think. I would prefer to not be only armed with the five-shot revolver, but even being under-gunned is better than no-gunned.

 

[DAdams]

I Have Made

it 55 years w/o any carry. Lucky? Perhaps. Situational awareness? Always. So staying out of harms way is good advice and has served me well. I have never been in a situation where I have felt threatened or feared for my life, with the exception of one time where all five parties were armed and all of us backed off and walked away from what would have been one hell of a gunfight.

I have always had a couple of shotguns around for HD.

Carrying a J Frame, M&P 340 with an occassional backup from a Seecamp .380 is a huge step-up in firepower when compared to where I was. Guess I like the idea of controlled situational management being in my favor should it come to that.

 

[The_Shootist]

Dunno

Just seems like (around here anyways) that goblins are in packs with a minimum of 2-3, not good odds with just a snub .38. Unless you fall into the school of thought that says 90% of the time the crooks will run when a perceived sheeple grows fangs, no matter their size. Consequently, even in summer wear like shorts and a T-shirt my carry rig is a G19 with 1 backup mag (both mags standard cap).

However, for out and about trips in the neighborhood, my Taurus M85 (with 2 s/l on my belt) frequently finds its way into my pocket.

 

[fastbolt]

One or another of my J-frames is often my primary off-duty weapon. I didn't come to this decision quickly or lightly.

When I first started carrying an off-duty weapon as a young cop it was either my issued 4" .357 Magnum revolver, a similar personally-owned .357 Magnum revolver or my Combat Commander. Everywhere. All the time.

I tried a couple of J-frames back in those days. I liked them, but really preferred the larger, heavier "more powerful" handguns.

The years passed and my experiences changed my perspective on these things a bit.

I have a bunch of large, medium & small pistols at my disposal for off-duty usage. I've also accumulated a fair number of 5-shot revolvers, including 4 J-frames and a Ruger SP-101 DAO. My training /practice with the 5-shot guns has increased a lot since I was younger, and seemingly, so have my skills.

A couple of weekend motorcycle rides in the last several years finally convinced me that a 5-shot revolver is a pretty decent and convenient off-duty weapon on rides, especially in the hotter summer months.

One 600+ mile summer ride in particular made me re-evaluate my riding gear. I was wearing a full-size SW99 in a Blade-Tech paddle holster w/spare magazines under a heavy riding jacket. Not very comfortable while riding, and unbearable whenever I stopped because I couldn't remove my riding jacket.

The next weekend long ride was much better. My J-frame allowed for better concealment, and allowed me to vary my riding gear, as well. Better comfort all the way around.

Nowadays when I rumble over the Coastal hills I can take off my riding jacket and walk around the beach towns in T-shirt comfort.

Bottom line? Although I have a number of small pistols which work well for off-duty carry ... G26/27, CS9, 3913, SW99c & a CS45, among others ... one or another of my J-frames generally gets the duty in most situations.

The thing is that I practice a lot with them, though. They are not exactly the easiest of revolvers for many folks to safely, accurately, controllably & effectively shoot. If I couldn't shoot them any better than I used to, I wouldn't be carrying them nowadays.

There are still some occasions when I choose to carry one of the pistols, however, including my issued .45 compact. Anticipated situations and circumstances, as well as my activities and planned travel, influence my choice ...

 

[Cannonball888]

My J-frame is my BUG to my P3AT (not the other way round) because of the aforementioned reasons of higher round capacity and faster loading of the semi-auto.

 

[smee781]

j

I don't have a problem using my j frame as my primary most of the time. With a j you will most likely carry the thing and not leave it at home because it is to heavy or what ever your reason, but you must get alot of range time in with them and become secure with it.

 

[W.E.G.]

I think the snub is a tad big for primary carry.

 

[BikerRN]

I carry a J-Frame as a second or third gun to my GP100, Glock 19 or 5" 1911.

98% of the time I carry 2 guns off duty and if I can only carry one I want something bigger than a J-Frame.

BikerRN

 

[fastbolt]

A J-frame with large rubber grips can be a bit on the big end of things, granted.

One with either shorter rubber grips, or wooden grips, can be smaller.

Sometimes that may be just smaller 'enough' to make a difference when it comes to carry method.

I don't have an image of my J-frame still equipped with wooden grips, but here's some thumbnails of a 642 w/standard rubber boot grips and a G26.

The first couple of images do seem to show the J-frame having an approx equal 'length', as well as a 'longer' grip ...





This next pair of thumbnails show a different view, however, and one which shows why the J-frame can fit in more of my clothing pockets (w/pocket holster) than my G26 can, and have a reduced potential printing profile ...




The J-frame is slimmer overall and has a less blocky/bulky contour than the G26 in a couple of important aspects.

However, if the user can't consistently, accurately & effectively shoot the J-frame without using the older style bulky grips, then it may well become a moot point.

Overall size, preferred carry method, ammunition capacity, caliber/cartridge, controllability & reloading requirements are all arguably important considerations when selecting a lawfully concealed defensive weapon. However, the priority of the relevance of these factors may come together in different combinations for different people, and/or different combinations for even the same person in different circumstances.

This is one of those individual needs/risk assessment issues.

If I could conceal my G26/27 or even my CS9 in the same manner as one of my J-frames when concealment is made difficult by my normal manner of dress and activities, then I'd still be carrying one of the pistols all the time.

I'm long past the point where I feel inclined to 'dress around' my off-duty weapons as a matter of course. I have to do that everyday in my plainclothes assignment. If need be I can certainly dress to accommodate a larger weapon on my own time, if I perceive a potential need to do so ... but I generally prefer to relax my casual dress, and this commonly means a T-shirt in the summer time ... (and I don't find the stuffed-inside-the-groin/inguinal-area even remotely comfortable, especially when sitting & riding).

I've found the occasional situation when I've traveled with both a G26 & J-frame, so I can have alternatives.

I've also found myself choosing to carry a pair of J-frames in certain circumstances, and even that has been surprisingly easy to do and comfortable.

Different strokes.

I like options.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I've seen the action movies. The hero has a semi blazing in each hand as mirrors shatter, trees fall and bad guys (who are amazingly bad shots, even with machine guns) fall by the dozen as +1 somersaults and cartwheels through the barrage. What a bunch of nonsense. LEOs might conceivably, though it's not likely, be called upon sometime during their career to engage in armed combat. For that reason, they have some small cause to worry about firepower and reloads. Civilians carry firearms primarily to save their skins during unintentional confrontations with those trying to do them serious bodily harm. The idea is to prevent the harm from occurring, not to shoot up Dodge City. I usually carry a J-frame, no reloads, and have absolutely no doubt that should the unthinkable happen, it'll be plenty of gun.

 

[Evocatii]

I carry a S&W 60 as a primary with a speed loader. My reasoning is as stated by fastbolt. It is less bulky than the XD40 I once CCW. I have a smaller build so the XD stood out unless it was the middle of December and I had a parka on. The J frame conceals better for me.

 

[greener]

Most work-related places I go, carry is not an option. That leaves me with one in the car, should I elect to do that. I've carried 1911, M&P9 and GP100. All are a bit bulky in warm weather. Just purchased an S&W 442 with pocket holster, and that, for the times I carry, seems to be the best option. I carry the others, when I can and feel the need, but the J-frame seems to be the handiest way to go.

 

[FLA2760]

I carry my 642 mainly as a BUG to my Glock27. Before I had the G27 the snub either my 642 or my model 60 was the CCW gun. When the Glock is not an option the 642 is primary with a Kel Tec P32 as BUG. My P32 has the +1 extension so it is 8+1.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

During the warmer months I carry a model 36 as it's about as big as I can hide in summer dress. In colder months it is a back up to my Kimber..

 

[rainbowbob]

How about a snub IWB - and a "New York reload" - another snub in the pocket?

 

[FLA2760]

"How about a snub IWB - and a "New York reload" - another snub in the pocket"?

That's the ticket

 

[TOADMAN]

Since I no longer carry a gun for a living - a bug is no longer required...Currently, my all day every day conceal carry is a S&W 642...

 

[vermilion]

Right now here in Mississippi its starting to get around 90 degrees with 85% humidity. For this reason I have opted to carry a M&P 340 with CT 405's in a DeSantis Nemesis. The whole package holster, revolver, 5rds of 357 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel is no more than 1 pound for everything.

Wearing shorts and a thin lightly colored T shirt in the summer I just don't feel comfortable toting around a fullsize semi auto or a fullsize 4" or so revolver.

I managed to place 13/15 shots in a chest sized piece of plywood the other day at 30 feet while standing. Sounds good enough for me