Another J-Frame: Recommendations? - Page 2

dgludwig · January 16, 2019, 04:30 PM

I've had a Model 640-1 since I bought it new in 1996. Like my other J-frame, I put Herret "Shooting Ace" stocks on it. The revolver resides in my wife's dresser drawer in our bedroom and the hammerless frame keeps it from snagging various items of clothing should the occasion happen when it needs to be used for self-defense.
This J-frame variant is on the heavy side for concealed carry but if you ever plan to shoot much .357 Magnum ammunition, you will welcome the extra ounces.

Eddietruett · February 6, 2019, 12:47 AM

I'm a die hard S&W fan down to the core. I also hate hammerless revolvers. With that being said, I tried a Kimber KS6 and fell in love. While I still prefer a hammer and will own one of the new Kimbers when they hit the street, the KS6 has a trigger design that makes it possible to almost shoot it SA if you want. It is also very accurate and the little extra weight over a J frame makes it a whole lot easier to handle. I carry +P 38's in mine for defense because I see no need for full bore .357 but it would not be hard to handle with .357 loads. I did change the original boot grips for the slightly larger Kimber grips and being able to get that extra finger on the grip makes a world of difference as well. The only negative I can see with the Kimber is the same one I find with all 2 and 2.5" S&W's that the short ejector rod won't fully kick out empties as well as a 3" and above S&W. I'm hoping the new 3" Kimber with the hammer will have a longer ejector rod.

Dave Chuppa · February 26, 2019, 04:38 PM

I like the 442. Pocket and waist in my case. 38+P Speer Gold Dot 135gr. proven on the street by the NYPD to stop bad guys.

Carmady · February 26, 2019, 05:25 PM

A 9mm LCR, but check it out mechanically in person. LCR's are like a box of chocolates...

105kw · February 26, 2019, 05:43 PM

EDC for me is a 442 Smith, 38sp, also favor 135gr Gold Dot.
Just my opinion, but I've never liked the 357 J frame, I'll stick with .38 special.

Laz · February 27, 2019, 02:09 PM

I have numerous J-frames, all but one are airweights. If I were to buy a .357 J-frame, it would be the 640 Pro (?), the one that has no internal lock. I hate the S&W internal lock. I would look carefully, however, at the Kimber K-6 which I find very intriguing.

Gino · March 1, 2019, 12:06 PM

"I'd stay away from the scandium"

Okay, I'm listening...

labnoti · March 1, 2019, 05:24 PM

What do you mean "backup" ? Does that mean ankle-carry? You had a Model 60. Is that how you used it? Steel guns can be heavy unless you're wearing stiff and somewhat high boots. I've had bad experiences with 442 and 340PD light-weights with respect to durability. They didn't hold up well to a lot of shooting. But the ankle is where they work. Anywhere else, a K or L frame is better. The 640 Pro Series is probably the nicest of the S&W's, but again, whether it's the 640, 60, SP101 or K6, they're not sub-23oz and for that weight or a little more there are so many better options including K frames and pretty much most of the bestselling polymer-framed compact autos.

JERRYS. · March 1, 2019, 06:00 PM

the only .357 ("J" frame sized) snubbies I will fire are the SP101, and Model 60 MagNa-Ported. I've trained and qualified with them before and it was sort of brutal. After the Porting it wasn't bad at all. of course if you are just shooting a 30 round static course I guess it doesn't matter.... but actually training with them is a different story.

1MoreFord · March 1, 2019, 06:20 PM

Let me try again.

1MoreFord · March 1, 2019, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

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

Why not just buy a .38 Special??

Great idea. Too bad the OP doesn't seem to get it.

labnoti · March 1, 2019, 06:39 PM

Sorry, the .38 Special +P sucks, even in an airweight gun. Shooting .357 Magnum with full case loads of H110 isn't the best practice for the airlites, but you can easily do a lot better than .38 +P.

In my 442, I could get never get a 125 gr. bullet faster than 850fps.

In a 340 PD, I could load a 125 gr. anywhere from 700 to 1400 fps.

To match the performance of a 9mm compact auto for penetration and expansion, you'd need to drive it to about 1100 fps. This is still a lot of recoil in an airlite, but I would take 1000 fps over 850 fps any day.

74A95 · March 1, 2019, 06:48 PM

Quote:

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

The OP does get it. It's some of the responders here who don't.

The word also is the key word. A gun chambered in 38 Special will not also fire 357 Magnum.

I think it's very clear what the OP wants. A 357 Magnum. Trying to get them to buy a 38 Special does not fit the criteria, especially when they specifically said what they want.

I understand where the OP is coming from. I have many 357 magnums, and only one 38 special. The 38 Special gun has less versatility.

Cosmodragoon · March 1, 2019, 10:16 PM

I also recommend the LCR, or an LCRX if a hammer is desired.

dgludwig · March 3, 2019, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Just my opinion, but I've never liked the 357 J frame, I'll stick with .38 special.

Why don't you like the J-frame Smith revolver chambered in .357 Magnum? It will shoot .38 Specials as well as a revolver chambered in .38 Special only, but also has the added advantage of shooting Magnum loads as well, with no downsides. What's wrong with having the added versatility of a .357 Magnum revolver as opposed to a .38 Special revolver?

Tactical Jackalope · March 4, 2019, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Great idea. Too bad the OP doesn't seem to get it.

How about you ask me before you make any assumptions?

Quote:

The OP does get it. It's some of the responders here who don't.

Unless it's the above assumption. Which is correct.

Quote:

The word also is the key word. A gun chambered in 38 Special will not also fire 357 Magnum.

I think it's very clear what the OP wants. A 357 Magnum. Trying to get them to buy a 38 Special does not fit the criteria, especially when they specifically said what they want.

I understand where the OP is coming from. I have many 357 magnums, and only one 38 special. The 38 Special gun has less versatility.

THANK YOU! That's how you do comprehension right. lol.

I want a J-Frame in 357 magnum so that I may ALSO shoot .38 Special from it.

So far I think I'll be looking at another Model 60. My no dash was only a 38. But I have seen Model 60 revolvers that we chambered in 357. Which would be great.

January 16, 2019, 04:30 PM	#26
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I've had a Model 640-1 since I bought it new in 1996. Like my other J-frame, I put Herret "Shooting Ace" stocks on it. The revolver resides in my wife's dresser drawer in our bedroom and the hammerless frame keeps it from snagging various items of clothing should the occasion happen when it needs to be used for self-defense. This J-frame variant is on the heavy side for concealed carry but if you ever plan to shoot much .357 Magnum ammunition, you will welcome the extra ounces. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

February 27, 2019, 02:09 PM	#31
Laz Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 1999 Posts: 1,278	I have numerous J-frames, all but one are airweights. If I were to buy a .357 J-frame, it would be the 640 Pro (?), the one that has no internal lock. I hate the S&W internal lock. I would look carefully, however, at the Kimber K-6 which I find very intriguing. __________________ Laz I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, about Somebody, who can save anybody.

March 1, 2019, 06:39 PM	#37
labnoti Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2018 Posts: 252	Sorry, the .38 Special +P sucks, even in an airweight gun. Shooting .357 Magnum with full case loads of H110 isn't the best practice for the airlites, but you can easily do a lot better than .38 +P. In my 442, I could get never get a 125 gr. bullet faster than 850fps. In a 340 PD, I could load a 125 gr. anywhere from 700 to 1400 fps. To match the performance of a 9mm compact auto for penetration and expansion, you'd need to drive it to about 1100 fps. This is still a lot of recoil in an airlite, but I would take 1000 fps over 850 fps any day. Last edited by labnoti; March 1, 2019 at 06:45 PM.

February 6, 2019, 12:47 AM	#27
Eddietruett Member Join Date: June 15, 2017 Posts: 54	I'm a die hard S&W fan down to the core. I also hate hammerless revolvers. With that being said, I tried a Kimber KS6 and fell in love. While I still prefer a hammer and will own one of the new Kimbers when they hit the street, the KS6 has a trigger design that makes it possible to almost shoot it SA if you want. It is also very accurate and the little extra weight over a J frame makes it a whole lot easier to handle. I carry +P 38's in mine for defense because I see no need for full bore .357 but it would not be hard to handle with .357 loads. I did change the original boot grips for the slightly larger Kimber grips and being able to get that extra finger on the grip makes a world of difference as well. The only negative I can see with the Kimber is the same one I find with all 2 and 2.5" S&W's that the short ejector rod won't fully kick out empties as well as a 3" and above S&W. I'm hoping the new 3" Kimber with the hammer will have a longer ejector rod.

February 26, 2019, 05:25 PM	#29
Carmady Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2013 Location: on the lam Posts: 1,735	A 9mm LCR, but check it out mechanically in person. LCR's are like a box of chocolates...

February 26, 2019, 05:43 PM	#30
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 415	EDC for me is a 442 Smith, 38sp, also favor 135gr Gold Dot. Just my opinion, but I've never liked the 357 J frame, I'll stick with .38 special.

March 1, 2019, 12:06 PM	#32
Gino Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: Lake City, FL USA Posts: 919	"I'd stay away from the scandium" Okay, I'm listening...

March 1, 2019, 05:24 PM	#33
labnoti Senior Member Join Date: April 2, 2018 Posts: 252	What do you mean "backup" ? Does that mean ankle-carry? You had a Model 60. Is that how you used it? Steel guns can be heavy unless you're wearing stiff and somewhat high boots. I've had bad experiences with 442 and 340PD light-weights with respect to durability. They didn't hold up well to a lot of shooting. But the ankle is where they work. Anywhere else, a K or L frame is better. The 640 Pro Series is probably the nicest of the S&W's, but again, whether it's the 640, 60, SP101 or K6, they're not sub-23oz and for that weight or a little more there are so many better options including K frames and pretty much most of the bestselling polymer-framed compact autos.

March 1, 2019, 06:00 PM	#34
JERRYS. Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,969	the only .357 ("J" frame sized) snubbies I will fire are the SP101, and Model 60 MagNa-Ported. I've trained and qualified with them before and it was sort of brutal. After the Porting it wasn't bad at all. of course if you are just shooting a 30 round static course I guess it doesn't matter.... but actually training with them is a different story.

March 1, 2019, 06:20 PM	#35
1MoreFord Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2014 Location: Arkansas Posts: 244	Let me try again.

March 1, 2019, 10:16 PM	#39
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	I also recommend the LCR, or an LCRX if a hammer is desired.