What's Your Favorite J Frame??

[Nalapombu]

Hey all,

I've never had a J Frame, but always wanted one. I'd like to see and hear which one you all have as your very FAVORITE. Is it a 38 or 357mag? Do you like the Humpback models that you can do SA/DA or only bobbed hammer for you? Are the Scandium SUPER Lightweight models WORTH the HIGH PRICE or not?

How about posting pics of your J Frames or your FAVORITE? Everyone LOVES pics.

What say you?

Thanks for the time.

Nalajr

 

[Hapworth]

442 Moon Clip or 640 Pro. Near ideal defensive carry revolvers. Scandium is nice but not worth the premium over its aluminum siblings. .357 in a J-frame is silly.

 

[snooperman]

My favorite is the model 60 Lady Smith.

 

[captain awesome]

My favorite is the model 60 Lady Smith.

I have to agree. They are the nicest looking j frames around imho. The only reason I dont have one is I would never hear the end of it from my buddys if I carried around a gun that says lady on the side.

So I carry around a black chiefs special instead.

 

[Hometeached1]

S&W 642. I would like to get a 640 pro in .357 magnum. I just like having the option of being able to shoot anther type of round, since I could find .357 at most stores during the banic, while I could not find .38 special at all. I would also put a set of Pachmayr grips like the ones I have on my 642. For self defense, I'd go with a hammer that you can't cock, now that could be a "hammer less" model like a 642 or a bobbed hammer like some of the hammers on Ruger sp101s although the Ruger is not a j-frame.

 

[bannockburn]

1) Model 649.
2) Model 638.
3) Model 36-round butt configuration and a 3" barrel.

 

[cheesebigot]

If we're talking Smith only, I'd take the 36. If my options are open, I'll go Rossi 88 every time.

 

[grimjaw]

Model 649 nowadays. Before wrist surgery: 638.

 

[nitesite]

Model 442 with Uncle Mikes Boot Grips.

 

[calaverasslim]

I have several "J" Frames but my favorite is the M33-1

 

[Gary A]

I would never hear the end of it from my buddys if I carried around a gun that says lady on the side.

At one time, under the previous ownership, it was possible to order a new, blank sideplate sans the "LadySmith" logo. I once had a 65LS which I have long regretted selling. I never changed mine, however. It always seemed to me that no one should see a carry gun other than the person carrying it except, perhaps, for an opponent, and an opponent has other things to worry about than your manliness. A feminine name for a nice revolver is no worse than a feminine name for a nice boat, IMO.

 

[Dogguy]

For carry, a .38 Special 642 with action work.

For shooting and occasional carry, an original 640 in .38 Special.

 

[MedWheeler]

^ I agree. Besides, you could simply explain that you are a "ladysmith" in the same way a person who crafts well with gold is a "goldsmith."..

 

[rbernie]

My daily carry JFrame is a 638 with Pachmyer Compact grips, loaded with Speer 135gr shrt barrel fodder. My favorite is the Model 60 Pro 357, but I only have one so far and my wife claims it.

 

[bikemutt]

Model 442 with Uncle Mikes Boot Grips.

Yes sir, that's what I'm carrying these days. I had a hard time finding the Uncle Mikes grip, then one day while browsing the $1 bin at a LGS, I found one at the bottom of the pile

 

[earplug]

I carried a 38 and 638 for decades, ended up with a 642. Its been issue free.
I used a black ceramic coating to help conceal it better. Heavy bullets have less muzzle blast in my opinion.

 

[Dframe]

Sorry. My favorite J frame isn't a J frame, it's a Colt D frame.

 

[witchhunter]

Mine is a 651 in .22 Magnum!

 

[critter]

I currently have a S&W 337 (AL frame, Ti cylinder). Total weight is under 12 oz-almost doubles when you load it! NICE to carry (even with the exposed hammer) but you DO NOT have to ask when it goes off. Recoil is noticeable.

 

[krupparms]

I use a S&W 638. It is light &accurate. I use C.T. grips as they are great for helping you get on target faster!

 

[MikeJackmin]

I have a model 60 with a three inch barrel and target sights. Just about perfect for a little gun.

I also have a 442 with crimson trace grips, which I've found to be a very nice combination.

 

[tomrkba]

None. Snubby J-Frames completely suck at all things except concealment. They especially suck in the recoil department. If I were forced into it, I would get a J Frame with five inch barrel. The four and five inch barrels work so much better, and capacity is so low, that the snubby is a waste of time. I also dislike the Ruger SP101 for many reasons, but even the version with 2 1/4" barrel is superior to a J-Frame with 1 7/8" or 2" barrel.

If you need a small gun, get a small semi-auto in 9mm or 380. The guns are usually easier to shoot and have higher capacity (but typically only one or two extra shots...which are statistically important).

This is my small revolver and I am not fond of the three inch barrel.

 

[km101]

I have a model 36 nickel that I have had for over 35 years. It was my carry gun for about 15 years, until I got a model 60. The 60 has been one of my favorite carry guns since I got it.

38 spl (IMO) has all the necessary power and penetration that is needed for self defense. With modern JHP ammo it is all you need. .357mag is hard to shoot comfortably in a J frame and is NOT for anyone who is recoil sensitive.

The scandium guns don't offer much advantage in weight over the aluminum alloy guns and carry a much larger premium. Not worth the difference to me.

 

[PRM]

capacity is so low, that the snubby is a waste of time

LOL... must be why they have been in production for over 63 years and are still one of S&W's best sellers.

Favorites: In descending order:

Model 36-1 with a 3 inch barrel

Model 60-9

Model 649

J Frames are classic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tied-t1fFsk

 

[David E]

My "favorite" J-frame is the Model 34 or 63

Fun to shoot, accurate, small and light enough to take along almost anywhere.

Another is the 3" Model 60 in .38 Special with adjustable sights. That would make a dandy trail gun. Snake shot if necessary, wadcutters for small game and 158 grain LSWHP+P for defense.

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