Smith and Wesson J frame revolvers

[GunGrey]

Did the typical after Xmas gun shop stops and was really liking the small hammerless J frames. The black on black looks awesome and its fits the hand nicely. They are not to expensive either all the ones I saw were 350$ -400$ which is doable on my college budget. So what are the downsides of it besides it being small and only having 5 rds. I can't really ccw it because I'm trust worthy enough to own guns but not to have one outside the home ( means I have a restricted license ). So I have seen some of the ones people bought on her. over in the gun gallery. So I'm just wondering about you guys previous use of them. Likes /dislikes also if y

 

[vellnueve]

There are no downsides to an S&W J-Frame.

 

[saltydude]

Downsides other than the one's you've mentioned?
Not many. Recoil? Accuracy? The cylinder is wider than a small auto for carry? That's about all I can think.
You say black. Do you mean Scandium? $350-$400 sounds cheap, even for used.

 

[appraiser]

I just sold my 642 Airweight because I was not using it, but I retained my good old Model 60.

IMHO a J frame is one of the guns everyone should own. It is going to go boom every time without fail, there will be .38spl ammo until the end of time, easily concealable, and with practice they are going to hit the target every time.

If you have the money to buy one, I would suggest you pick one up.

 

[GunGrey]

Or should I find a .357 instead in a full.size and shoot both. I really do like the small size.

Saving up a couple hundred is doable takes a while but saving up north of 600$ is hard especially in college. And yes black scandium is what i was refering to with the black on black. All I have right now is semis I want a revolver and in the worst way

 

[scouter-rick]

There are no downsides to an S&W J-Frame.

More true words seldom spoken.

 

[whatluck]

The .357 lightweights recoil harder than .460 factory loads IMO.

One time I was shooting my 360PD with super hot 125Gr SJHPs and the woman in the next stall said, "Excuse me sir, your muzzle flash is coming into my stall. Could you please move down one?"

The thing bruised my hand until I figured out you need to squeeze the hell out of it.

The Short barrel Gold Dots help with recoil a lot. They're loaded down to about 300 ft/lbs of energy, about 50% more energy than a .38, which is the most firepower you're going to get in any sub 1-lb (loaded!) handgun.

My friends either love to shoot it or hate it. The CT laser grips help a lot.

If you've never shot one I'd be happy to let you try mine!

 

[Lignum Vitea]

The problem with buying a snubbie, you can't stop at owning just one.

 

[GunGrey]

The .357 lightweights recoil harder than .460 factory loads IMO.

One time I was shooting my 360PD with super hot 125Gr SJHPs and the woman in the next stall said, "Excuse me sir, your muzzle flash is coming into my stall. Could you please move down one?"

The thing bruised my hand until I figured out you need to squeeze the hell out of it.

The Short barrel Gold Dots help with recoil a lot. They're loaded down to about 300 ft/lbs of energy, about 50% more energy than a .38, which is the most firepower you're going to get in any sub 1-lb (loaded!) handgun.

My friends either love to shoot it or hate it. The CT laser grips help a lot.

If you've never shot one I'd be happy to let you try mine!

Thanks for the offer but brain tree is a little too far I'm out here by Springfield

 

[turbo38gn]

Thanks for the offer but brain tree is a little too far I'm out here by Springfield

Smith and Wesson shooting range around the corner or your favorite.. ARC... I own several, you are welcome to shoot any of them. I got em in Scan, SS and 38 or 357... no problem. Smith and Wesson shooting range has them all in the case for shooting if you go there. I usually go Monday after work to S&W, but not sure if they are open today...

 

[drgrant]

Did the typical after Xmas gun shop stops and was really liking the small hammerless J frames. The black on black looks awesome and its fits the hand nicely. They are not to expensive either all the ones I saw were 350$ -400$ which is doable on my college budget. So what are the downsides of it besides it being small and only having 5 rds. I can't really ccw it because I'm trust worthy enough to own guns but not to have one outside the home ( means I have a restricted license ). So I have seen some of the ones people bought on her. over in the gun gallery. So I'm just wondering about you guys previous use of them. Likes /dislikes also if y

If you're never going to CCW it, then why bother with a J-frame? That's the whole point- to put it in a pocket or a minimalist IWB holster. Get a bigger, easier to shoot gun instead. J-frames suck for everything except for concealed carry.

-Mike

 

[Mass-diver]

If you're never going to CCW it, then why bother with a J-frame? That's the whole point- to put it in a pocket or a minimalist IWB holster. Get a bigger, easier to shoot gun instead. J-frames suck for everything except for concealed carry.

-Mike

This. I love j-frames (I own and often carry one), but as a range gun or a home defense revolver they are a horrible choice IMHO.

 

[Garys]

The downside, compared to the Model 60s I've owned, is the trigger pull. There is a thread on this forum that I started about that. I'm still mulling my options on fixing that, but other than that, there are no drawbacks for concealed carry for self defense. As drgrant said, if you aren't planning on concealed carry, then get something bigger.

 

[vellnueve]

If you're never going to CCW it, then why bother with a J-frame? That's the whole point- to put it in a pocket or a minimalist IWB holster. Get a bigger, easier to shoot gun instead. J-frames suck for everything except for concealed carry.

-Mike

He said he can't carry it, not that he never will. As someone who lived in a red town and now (by virtue of military orders) lives somewhere where he can carry, I can sympathize.

 

[Garys]

He said he can't carry it, not that he never will. As someone who lived in a red town and now (by virtue of military orders) lives somewhere where he can carry, I can sympathize.

I sympathize too, but I'd guess this isn't the only gun he's ever going to buy. If his circumstances change, he can always buy a J frame. For now he might be better off with something larger or even a shotgun if he's interested in home defense.

 

[Mass-diver]

The downside, compared to the Model 60s I've owned, is the trigger pull. There is a thread on this forum that I started about that. I'm still mulling my options on fixing that, but other than that, there are no drawbacks for concealed carry for self defense. As drgrant said, if you aren't planning on concealed carry, then get something bigger.

The apek kits are supposed to be really nice.

The obvious drawback for concealed carry are - (often) horrible sights, low capacity, hard to shoot accurately. However, they are small, light, and reliable and should work well for close up.

 

[In God We Trust]

I had a 442 and sold it because of the trigger. It was too hard of a pull for my tastes. Aside from that, there are better options for CC in my opinion. I switched from the 442 to a Ruger LCP and think it is much better. 7 rounds of .380 in a smaller and lighter package vs. 5 rounds of .38.

To each their own, but I would look at the small autos before buying a revolver. If you are not going to CC, then get something bigger than a snubbie for range / home defense.

 

[vellnueve]

I sympathize too, but I'd guess this isn't the only gun he's ever going to buy. If his circumstances change, he can always buy a J frame. For now he might be better off with something larger or even a shotgun if he's interested in home defense.

True, but he already has pistols.

 

[GunGrey]

Theres two reason behind the gun for me

I want it , plain and simple
And I'm not staying here , if chips fall into place I won't even be here another year


I already have shotguns hunting , home defense setups, skeet.

But on my way to the apartment I stopped at another gun store and held a couple different styles Might go with a little bit bigger gun, the grips these had were a little smaller than the other store so maybe a little bit larger. I did hold a .357 ruger sp101 that was nice, liked it a lot

If any one is interest gun and gun parts in west springfield has some nice j frames the lowest was 350$ tand the most expensive was like 489$. Also had a glock 22 for around 450$

 

[Palladin]

442 with the CT 305 grips.. it's and excellent piece, and to echo others...you pull the trigger and it goes boom.

 

[whatluck]

The CT 305 grips are a bit bigger, I can get my pinkie around it.

 

[Mass-diver]

Yup, laser grips are nice on snubbies, here's mine:

 

[Coyote33]

... liking the small hammerless J frames. The black on black looks awesome and its fits the hand nicely. ... the ones I saw were 350$ -400$ ... what are the downsides of it besides it being small and only having 5 rds. I can't really ccw it because I'm trust worthy enough to own guns but not to have one outside the home ( means I have a restricted license ). ...So I'm just wondering about you guys previous use of them. Likes /dislikes also if y

What does this mean? Is this a LTC Class B? If so, you can open carry it. Oops, if your shirt came untucked over it.

YMMV.

 

[GunGrey]

I could go on and on about ltcs but I'm really interested in revolvers.

Ccw isnt what I'm buying it for, I know its designed for it so I understand the practicality questionings. I really want a medium to small revolver and I know nothing about revolvers so I started looking at S&W and really liked the smaller hammerless guns.

 

[mark056]

J frames have provided economical and reliable protection for decades, and conceal well. The only real downside is controllability, and accuracy. The guns are inherently accurate, but hard to shoot at longer distances for many people. S&W does make an accuracy guarantee with all their J frames, but most are more accurate than their shooters. In many cases the J frame is really sort of a compromise when lifestyle and clothing require something fairly light and concealable.

I think they are nifty and I frequently carry one knowing full well that it does have its limitations. I don't worry to much about cartridge capacity as most gunfights expend fewer than 5 rounds (about 2.5 I believe) and at distances at 21 feet or less, of course there are exceptions to every rule or statistic. I'd rather have a J frame in my pocket than not have any gun at all. Make sure too, that you always carry extra ammunition, at least one speed strip or speed loader.

Like all snub nose revolvers, you have to be willing to practice, practice, practice to master one. If you are not going to carry concealed or cannot, then I see little point in getting one unless you are a collector, but if you can CCW by all means give it serious consideration. It also makes a great back-up gun if you are carrying a larger weapon as well, and I have been known to carry a larger pistol on my belt and a J in my pocket.

 

[Hikes]

I love smith revolvers and would love a 340PD...perhaps one day when the funds permit. Would make a perfect pocket gun.

If you want a beautiful revolver that is a blast to shoot...check out the 686!

 

[bostonasphalt2]

I love my SW snubbie, I want another one. Great for deep concealment;

 

[Coyote33]

How do these compare size-wise to a Kel-Tec P3AT? They are both around the same price, maybe a little in favor of the P3AT. I know the P3AT is pretty small, but a lot of people like the J frames, and the simplicity and higher quality cannot be denied. Just looking for an answer on the smallness.

Edit: I started a new thread to discuss this here:
P3AT and J-frame comparison and reviews

 

[turbo38gn]

Theres two reason behind the gun for me

I want it , plain and simple
And I'm not staying here , if chips fall into place I won't even be here another year

I already have shotguns hunting , home defense setups, skeet.

But on my way to the apartment I stopped at another gun store and held a couple different styles Might go with a little bit bigger gun, the grips these had were a little smaller than the other store so maybe a little bit larger. I did hold a .357 ruger sp101 that was nice, liked it a lot

If any one is interest gun and gun parts in west springfield has some nice j frames the lowest was 350$ tand the most expensive was like 489$. Also had a glock 22 for around 450$

That's my gun shop!! I'm in there like everyday.. he does have a nice inventory of J frames, as well as M&P's, lots of Rugers. Lot's of good used guns too... 1911, 3rd gen S&W's, 22lr target guns.. etc.. he's got a nice model 60 SS, you missed a beautiful M66-2 4", that would have been a beauty, it was priced right too.. you live in West Side?

I stop in like everyday or 2 checking on what he gets in for used guns, has some very nice deals, but they go quick if you aren't there when they come in..

 

[Len-2A Training]

The downside, compared to the Model 60s I've owned, is the trigger pull. There is a thread on this forum that I started about that. I'm still mulling my options on fixing that, but other than that, there are no drawbacks for concealed carry for self defense. As drgrant said, if you aren't planning on concealed carry, then get something bigger.

Gary, if you want to try a sweet shooting J-frame give me a ping and you're welcome to try my 642 (Greg Derr trigger job - infinitely better than factory and cheap to get done) with CT laser!

RKBA and I have taught students and let them shoot RKBA's 442. Nobody wanted to shoot more than 5 rds due to recoil. These lightweight guns are great for what they are, but practice can be unpleasant on the hands. HOWEVER, there is an almost infinite variety of grips that you can use to make it easier on the hand and perhaps more accurate.

Before I bought my 642 from Four Seasons, I asked Carl about the Titanium and the .357 models and his comment was that people buy them, shoot them once and either put them away (to never be fired again) or trade them in as they are very unpleasant to shoot due to the low weight of the gun.

The all steel J-frames are easier on the hand, just weigh more, which is irrelevant if your not carrying it. I have a Colt Det Spcl which was one of my duty guns years ago and used to practice weekly with it, sporting Pachymrs it was pretty decent to shoot (recoil wasn't a "pain").