Width and Height of J-Frame?

[Sprout]

Just out of curiousity, I was wondering if anybody knows, or would mind measuring, the height and width--cylinder and frame/barrel--of a J-frame. The J-frame is a very concealable gun, and I was just wondering what the size was so I could compare it to other guns that they don't have in the stores/ranges down here.

Thanks

 

[VictorLouis]

I'm sure that someone will post that for you.

Meanwhile, what gun(s) do you have in your area to compare it with? J-frames are notably smaller than snubby Colts'(D-frame), and much trimmer than Ruger's SP-101. Also, don't expect to compare a J-frame on equal footing with a small auto-pistol. In a goon IWB holster, nothing but the small stocks of the J-frame will protrude above the belt-line. Even Kahr's 9mm, which is amongst the smallest, and most svelte, pistols out there will be about 3X as large above the belt. A Walther PPK/s series around twice as large.

 

[Sprout]

Thanks VictorLouis. I wanted to compare the J-frame to the Kahr MK-9 and K-9. It struck me as odd that almost everybody agrees that J-frames can be pocket carried, but that the MK-9 and K-9 do not seem to garner the same support. A friend has a Sig 230, which by the specs seems bigger than wither Kahr, and it seems easily concealale in pocket or IWB. As the only range with a Kahr only has the K-9, and would frown on me sticking the gun in my pocket, I just wanted to get the numbers so I could try to compare.

I hadn't thought about the issue of the stocks. Thanks.

 

[10-Ring]

The one thing I like about a pocket carry revolver is that if you had to, you could fire the revolver multiple times from the pocket & know it would function. Size only a part of why I like'em.

 

[Tall Pine]

Talk about resurecting an old post....
but I'd love to know the width of the J frame. Anyone know or have the measurements cylinder to cylinder?

 

[MrTuffPaws]

Don't know if this will help, but I just measured my Taurus M85 and the cylinder is 1.55" wide.

 

[Tall Pine]

Thanks Mr Tuff,

A bit more searching came back with relatively the same dimension.

This will be my first micro wheel gun (j frame 38 spl-not sure which model yet), and Im looking forward to it. Its goin' to hold me over/satiate me for ccw until the Ruger LCP and the new Kahr 380 come out. I expect the "gun lust bug" will likely be back out lookin' for my blood about then!

Thanks,
Tall

 

[Bailey Boat]

J frame, Mod 36, in my hand.....
Overall height: 4.195
Overall length: 6.50
Frame thickness: .540
Cylinder thickness: 1.310

Does that about cover it?????

 

[Tall Pine]

Indeed! Thanks Boat

 

[Bailey Boat]

Any old time..... Just lucky that's what I had on my belt today and the calipers were within reach.....

 

[DAdams]

Comparison Shots

J Frame and Kahr PM9





Seecamp .380 over a J Frame



J Frame and a Rohrbaugh R9.



Thanks to PBP for the "ghost shots".

 

[BlindJustice]

I know the MOdel 60 3" Bbl. .357 Mag has a bit longer grip
so that would add a bit to the height, but my question is what
is the width of the frame and cylinder compared to the dimensions
posted for the model 36?

 

[gb6491]

The frame and cylinder thickness measurements posted for the Model 36 are the same on my 60-9:
Frame thickness: .540
Cylinder thickness: 1.310
Regards,
Greg

 

[MrTuffPaws]

And there is always this classic

 

[rdrancher]

Thanks for the chart Paws.

rd

 

[BlindJustice]

Earlier in thread, posted by
Bailey Boat and confiirmed by rb6491

S&W J-Frame Dimensions
-------------------------------
J frame, Mod 36, in my hand.....
Overall height: 4.195
Overall length: 6.50
Frame thickness: .540
Cylinder thickness: 1.310
--------------------------

& S & W lists the O.A.L for a
MOdel 60 3" BBl. as 7.5 inches

& J frames are also available in
1 7/8 inches, & 2 1/4 inches Bbl. Len.

Guess the 60 wrap around grips make for,
besides height, a bit of a difference in O.A.L.

I've got some other cylinder dimensions from a
different thread I saved in a folder. I'll incroporate
these measurements into that file when I locate it;.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Just to throw this out there - the numbers aren't everything. I personally find pocket-carrying a j-frame to be much easier than an auto with the same raw dimensions (especially one of the 13oz j's). Something to do with the shape, and the fact that the cylinder is the only wide part. It's comfortable and to me looks less like a gun.

 

[GunNut]

Yes the shape of the j-frame is deceiving. While a j-frame and Glock 26 are similar in size on paper, the j-frame is considerably smaller in the pocket.

 

[S&Wfan]

Although a very old post revival, the question is always a valid one . . .

Yep, on "paper" the little J-frame doesn't look like it would conceal as tiny as it does in relation to tiny automatics. However, it does.

It also is easier to draw and can be fired inside the pocket. The grip frame of the autos fills so much more of the upper pocket, and sometimes the lower part too and it can make a difference.

In an emergency where you can't draw in time, a J-frame can be shot, "up close and personal" inside a coat pocket or whatever. Then, you can finish your draw!

However, shoot a semiauto from the pocket and the slide will lock partly back and wedge the gun inside the pocket where you can't use it again.

Heck, even my little Kimber Ultra CDP compact 1911 "looks" about as small as the J-frame but in the front pocket it ain't even close (although I can carry it that way).