Another J-Frame: Recommendations?

Tactical Jackalope · January 8, 2019, 12:10 PM

Hello! Short and simple. I'm looking for some recommendations in J-Frame revolvers. This will have the role it's always had with me. Back up pistol.

Has to be .357 Magnum so I can also use .38 Special.

The ones I've had in the past and miss dearly are:

Smith and Wesson 360PD and Model 60 no dash.

Ready, set, go!

denster · January 8, 2019, 02:30 PM

Kimber K6

Bill DeShivs · January 8, 2019, 03:22 PM

"Has to be .357 Magnum so I can also use .38 Special."

Why not just buy a .38 Special??

**Mike Irwin** · January 8, 2019, 03:31 PM

My primary carry gun is my S&W 042 in .38 Special.

It's a non-cataloged model made in the early 1990s based on the hammerless Centennial.

DaleA · January 8, 2019, 04:17 PM

Quote:

--based on the hammerless Centennial.

There's a good point. Do you care about the gun having a hammer spur or a shrouded hammer?

Nanuk · January 8, 2019, 04:25 PM

640

2damnold4this · January 8, 2019, 04:40 PM

If you are going to shoot much, if any 357, I'd go with something steel like the 640 or model 60. If you are going to carry it, a 340 is light as can be.

lee n. field · January 8, 2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tactical Jackalope

Hello! Short and simple. I'm looking for some recommendations in J-Frame revolvers. This will have the role it's always had with me. Back up pistol.

Has to be .357 Magnum so I can also use .38 Special.

The ones I've had in the past and miss dearly are:

Smith and Wesson 360PD and Model 60 no dash.

Ready, set, go!

Performance Center® Pro Series® Model 640.

Steel, .357, real sights.

not that I'll ever be able to afford one.

Carmady · January 8, 2019, 05:45 PM

I thought a 60 no dash was a 38.

Have you considered the 649?

2damnold4this · January 9, 2019, 05:20 AM

A no dash model 60 is a 38. I am not sure when the model went to 357 but my dash 7was a 38 iirc. A fun little revolver but heavier than an Airweight or Airlite

**Spats McGee** · January 9, 2019, 06:06 AM

Ruger LCR.

mk70ss · January 9, 2019, 06:56 AM

Kimber K6s

rodfac · January 9, 2019, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Back up pistol.

As in, this is to be carried in addition to a larger handgun? For back up, (and I'm not now nor ever have been an LEO), I'd think one of the Airweights as made by S&W. Hammerless makes sense for pocket or ankle carry, and I wouldn't think a .357 would be necessary as most, if not all, of the Smith Airweights are .38 Special but can be used with S&W's sanction, with +P ammunition.

My wife and DIL both have qualified and carried S&W 637's, loaded with +P ammunition. Neither had any trouble getting good groups with the guns, and practice regularly with my handloads that duplicate the recoil of their ~125 gr Remington Golden Sabers. Both women have had no problems with presentation from waist OWB carry holster nor from their purses. The hammer is guarded by the strong hand thumb during the draw movement.

HTH's Rod

Buckeye! · January 9, 2019, 09:41 PM

My two 357 mag snubbies are a Ruger LCR357 & a Ruger SP101 ....

TxFlyFish · January 9, 2019, 10:11 PM

60-10 I think is earliest for 357, also doesn’t have lock

OR

The new colt king cobra

Carmady · January 9, 2019, 11:03 PM

The 60-9 was a 357, came out 1996-97 iirc. The 60-10 has a 3" barrel and adjustable rear sight.

Cosmodragoon · January 10, 2019, 01:56 AM

I'd also recommend an LCR. Besides being an excellent product that I prefer to the alloy J-frame in most ways, the S&W internal locks rub me the wrong way. It looks like they are offering a few models without one now. If you absolutely wanted a Smith and Wesson, one of those might be a good choice.

TxFlyFish · January 10, 2019, 10:56 PM

Id avoid scandium frames

Water-Man · January 11, 2019, 01:15 AM

I'm partial to the Ruger LCR. I have three of them.

Dozermonkey · January 13, 2019, 08:09 AM

SW 360 is a great little gun. Wife carries mine now. Time for another. The LCR does have my interest though.

gnystrom · January 13, 2019, 11:30 AM

Kimber K6s

TBM900 · January 13, 2019, 03:44 PM

LCR = Excellent CCW, Nice to shoot
SP = Excellent to shoot, Nice to carry

TBM900 · January 13, 2019, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnystrom

Kimber K6s

How many rounds do you have through it so far?
Any issues?
Ive been considering getting one to try out but haven't got around to it.
Would like to see some long term/high count reviews first.

2damnold4this · January 13, 2019, 10:14 PM

I can't speak for gnystrom but my K6s has been 100% reliable for five hundred or so rounds I have put through it. Most were my light .38 Special loads but it has seen some .357s. My only complaints with it are the lack of aftermarket support and the weight.

At this time, there are limited choices in aftermarket grips and sights but that may change.

It weighs about the same as other steel frame snubbies but that makes it less likely for me to carry it than a lighter revolver like an Airweight or Airlight.

The trigger is great and the extra round is nice. The workmanship is top notch and it is a good looking revolver. It's just not what I pick up to carry.

gnystrom · January 14, 2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM900

How many rounds do you have through it so far?
Any issues?
Ive been considering getting one to try out but haven't got around to it.
Would like to see some long term/high count reviews first.

At this point, about 2000 fired, mostly handloads. No problems of any kind. The fit and finish on mine are perfect and it has very tight tolerances with respect to cylinder gaps. I am using the stock laser grips and they are small but allow it to be concealed very easily.
Overall, the Kimber has a better trigger than my 640 Pro Series that has had a trigger job.
The sixth round in a gun the same size as my Smiths was what sold me.

January 8, 2019, 12:10 PM	#1
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	Another J-Frame: Recommendations? Hello! Short and simple. I'm looking for some recommendations in J-Frame revolvers. This will have the role it's always had with me. Back up pistol. Has to be .357 Magnum so I can also use .38 Special. The ones I've had in the past and miss dearly are: Smith and Wesson 360PD and Model 60 no dash. Ready, set, go!

January 8, 2019, 03:22 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,981	"Has to be .357 Magnum so I can also use .38 Special." Why not just buy a .38 Special?? __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 8, 2019, 03:31 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	My primary carry gun is my S&W 042 in .38 Special. It's a non-cataloged model made in the early 1990s based on the hammerless Centennial. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 8, 2019, 04:25 PM	#6
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	640 __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

January 8, 2019, 05:45 PM	#9
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	I thought a 60 no dash was a 38. Have you considered the 649? Last edited by Carmady; January 8, 2019 at 05:51 PM.

January 8, 2019, 02:30 PM	#2
denster Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 581	Kimber K6

January 8, 2019, 04:40 PM	#7
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	If you are going to shoot much, if any 357, I'd go with something steel like the 640 or model 60. If you are going to carry it, a 340 is light as can be.

January 9, 2019, 05:20 AM	#10
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	A no dash model 60 is a 38. I am not sure when the model went to 357 but my dash 7was a 38 iirc. A fun little revolver but heavier than an Airweight or Airlite

January 9, 2019, 06:06 AM	#11
Spats McGee Staff Join Date: July 28, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 8,821	Ruger LCR. __________________ I'm a lawyer, but I'm not your lawyer. If you need some honest-to-goodness legal advice, go buy some.

January 9, 2019, 06:56 AM	#12
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	Kimber K6s __________________ Say when.....

January 9, 2019, 09:41 PM	#14
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	My two 357 mag snubbies are a Ruger LCR357 & a Ruger SP101 ....

January 9, 2019, 10:11 PM	#15
TxFlyFish Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Posts: 1,246	60-10 I think is earliest for 357, also doesn’t have lock OR The new colt king cobra Last edited by TxFlyFish; January 9, 2019 at 11:01 PM.

January 9, 2019, 11:03 PM	#16
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	The 60-9 was a 357, came out 1996-97 iirc. The 60-10 has a 3" barrel and adjustable rear sight.

January 10, 2019, 01:56 AM	#17
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	I'd also recommend an LCR. Besides being an excellent product that I prefer to the alloy J-frame in most ways, the S&W internal locks rub me the wrong way. It looks like they are offering a few models without one now. If you absolutely wanted a Smith and Wesson, one of those might be a good choice.

January 10, 2019, 10:56 PM	#18
TxFlyFish Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Posts: 1,246	Id avoid scandium frames

January 11, 2019, 01:15 AM	#19
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I'm partial to the Ruger LCR. I have three of them.

January 13, 2019, 08:09 AM	#20
Dozermonkey Member Join Date: December 25, 2014 Posts: 27	SW 360 is a great little gun. Wife carries mine now. Time for another. The LCR does have my interest though.

January 13, 2019, 11:30 AM	#21
gnystrom Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 308	Kimber K6s

January 13, 2019, 03:44 PM	#22
TBM900 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2015 Posts: 777	LCR = Excellent CCW, Nice to shoot SP = Excellent to shoot, Nice to carry

January 13, 2019, 10:14 PM	#24
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	I can't speak for gnystrom but my K6s has been 100% reliable for five hundred or so rounds I have put through it. Most were my light .38 Special loads but it has seen some .357s. My only complaints with it are the lack of aftermarket support and the weight. At this time, there are limited choices in aftermarket grips and sights but that may change. It weighs about the same as other steel frame snubbies but that makes it less likely for me to carry it than a lighter revolver like an Airweight or Airlight. The trigger is great and the extra round is nice. The workmanship is top notch and it is a good looking revolver. It's just not what I pick up to carry.