Thanks for the J frame

[juggler]

I was getting ready to strap on my usual carry (the 27) when the thought occurred to me.... it was going to be a hot and uncomfortable day carrying this thing around. Can't take my shirt off, or even get it wet...IWB carry requires SOME cover!! What to do? Leave it home? Throw it in the (obvious, at least to me) tactical belly pack?

NO!! Thanks to all the information I have garnered at this site, I decided the prudent thing to do was to go and get one of the J-frames that I had been reading about.

Made a couple of phone calls and a couple of hours later I am the proud owner of a 2" Airweight. Would've been sooner but everything is an hour away from me.... then there was a bit of comparison shopping
Total package including ankle holster, pocket holster, speed loader, defensive ammo and another cleaning rod less than $400.
The point of this is to express my appreciation for what y'all pass on in conversation. I knew that the Scandium’s (sp?) were lighter but would kick. There was one nice thread about the sights on J-frames and another about ammo.... all came into play while making my decision.
I put about 100 rounds through it last Saturday and was very impressed and satisfied with the accuracy and handling. Fits nice in my hand and even better in my standard belly pack. Does not print, is not heavy and best of all is WITH ME!!
So just wanted to express my thanks and let you know that I enjoy and appreciate this site.

 

[rappa]

All that and you didn't post which model you bought!

I recently acquired a 642 myself. It's great! I've been an auto guy as long as I can remember, but another wheelie (JFrame in particular) is in my future!

 

[BigG]

Hope you enjoy your lil gun. I like the J-frames myself.

 

[cslinger]

I've said it once and I will say it again. The small framed snubnosed revolver made by SMITHCOLTRUGERINDUSTRIES is simply the best civillian concealed carry defensive weapon devised and all these new fangled attempts are great options but the question was answered years ago with the ole' snubby.

I have lots of firearms. I LOVE my SIGs. I carry a Model 60 JFrame more than any other firearm I own. It is my ALWAYS gun loaded with 5 rounds .357 maggie or a nice +p 158 grain .38 I feel plenty well armed.

Welcome to the club.

Chris

Oh and I am not one of the old curmudgens who shuns them new fangled autochucking bottom feeders either.

 

[magsnubby]

It's amazing how many of the "If it ain't a 45 acp it ain't $#!&" crowd have a snubby or two around?

"Well..... uh....yeah....sometimes i...uh carry one of them little guns in my pocket...."

 

[Border]

I love my 342PD and it is my always gun! I've personally never felt the need to carry more than that as a civilian but sometimes do "just because!"

 

[Jim March]

In a CLOSE RANGE fight of 5ft or less, the 2" barrel snubby wheelgun, even if only a 38 (as long as it's +P capable) is the king of the defensive handguns. Seriously. It's grapple-resistant, small enough to be manueverable in close and can't go out of battery on muzzle contact.

Given the usual closeness of a defensive hanggun situation, a good case can be made that the snubby should be your "always on you" gun and "first at bat" - ALWAYS, indoors and out, 24/7, period end of discussion. IF circumstances warrant, strap on a bigger secondary piece as needed.

 

[SapperLeader]

My j-frame 642 is my always gun also. So far this summer, Ive been able to also carry a fullsize autoshucker of some sorts(though I did downsize a little and start carrying my star bm).
If your looking for a pocket holster, I highly recomond Pocket Concealment Systems from Lightningarms.com. I ordered one last wed, it arrived friday morning, and Ive been wearing it since. When I called, the gentlemen there spent 15 minutes discussing holsters with me, and helped me match up with the holster that fit my needs best. I ordered the blackbird which is a extremely comfortable riding holster, and doesnt move at all when I draw my pistol. The j-frame comes out, the holster stays in, and everybodys happy . Enjoy your new j-frame and let us know which model you got. (inquiring minds would like to know)

 

[Viking6]

What started out as "oh, that would be a nice little gun to have" as turned into my always gun as many others have posted. I picked up a 637 about 9 or 10 months ago and it's like my shadow. Wherever I CAN carry, it goes. It fits nicely in the front pocket of most of my walking shorts or dockers slacks in an old Uncle Mikes IWB holster that I removed the waist clip on. I also have another Uncle Mikes IWB for j-frames with the velcro retention slaps. I'm happy to join the satisfied chorus of the j-framers for carry crowd. Nightstand gun is still a GP-100 4" half lug.

 

[juggler]

OOOPS!!
When I proofread the post I must've deleted the model. It is a 442, Aluminum/Carbon steel, 2 " barrel, hammerless. This may be more information than you need, but I am new to the wheel gun carry.
Jim March said it best....

In a CLOSE RANGE fight of 5ft or less, the 2" barrel snubby wheelgun, even if only a 38 (as long as it's +P capable) is the king of the defensive handguns. Seriously. It's grapple-resistant, small enough to be manueverable in close and can't go out of battery on muzzle contact.

Don't forget the confidence a wheel gun gives (pull trigger, gun goes bang, repeat) and the accuracy of this little fellow. I am still impressed with the groups I generated, out to 50 feet.
The only issue right now is the speed of draw. I practice with the 27, IWB about 3:30/4, and am consistently less than 2 seconds (my best so far 1.3.... can’t believe it when I see those .58 draws on TV).
Front pocket draw would probably be fastest, something I will be practicing. I've developed two methods for the belly pack carry, but that was just for smoothness.... no real speed as of yet. Then there is the ankle holster.......don't think speed is a concern there at all
One issue I'd like your comments on...I fired 50 rounds of lead (reloads) since that is what I had on hand. I stopped because it appears that the forcing cone was getting clogged.........the rounds would not seat without pressure, though they would eject fine one fired. I have some .357-jacketed heads on order and will be using them for future practice, but was wondering if any of you had a similar experience. The .38's I reloaded were for pin shooting and my 686 eats them just fine.

 

[rappa]

It is a 442, Aluminum/Carbon steel, 2 " barrel, hammerless

THANK YOU! The suspense was KILLING ME!

Excellent choice!

 

[ceestand]

Gotta love the J-frame.

Thanks goodness you didn't let on what make/model ankle holster you got, because then the thread would inevitably break down into people telling you what they think the best one out there is... *cough* Bianchi Triad *cough*

 

[unreal45]

IMHO nothing beats a J frame for all-around CCW.