The J-Frame is done, or is it. .

[acaligunner]

What do the CG’ers say about the old ( outdated 🤔 ) revolver?

There’s subjects that can say the j- frame is lacking in today’s sd options, and there are some ( small ) positives that favor the J-frame. Massad Ayoob tries to save the old gal with his thoughts.
https://youtu.be/5gSSDD3elIE?si=hC-EQQLuBs7CCfSv.

Give you’re thoughts on J-Frame vs micro / compact pistol ..

[k1dude]

Still good. Especially guns like the S&W 442 which make a perfect jacket pocket gun. I think a couple other companies just came out with their 442 clones.

[MajorSideburns]

I like the J frame but wish S&W would update it to include some decent usable sights. They have a couple of high end limited release models that come with sights like the Ultimate Carry but it wouldn't cost them much to put a white dot or fiber optic front sight on the base models like the 442.

[TrappedinCalifornia]

I carried a J-Frame for awhile, including in Los Angeles and Long Beach when I was there. It was never my favorite, but it was concealable in the sense of being unobtrusive. Where people make the mistake of thinking a firearm is 'outdated' is in conflating 'outdated technology' with 'ineffective.' If a firearm worked 'in the old days,' it will still work today. Are there 'better' firearms today, with more bells, whistles, and capacity? Sure... though 'better' is a subjective statement. But, that doesn't make the 'old' stuff unusable. In fact, I like to point out that the 9mm and 45 ACP cartridges many use in their 'up-to-date' firearms are actually older than the firearms they decry as 'outdated.' You should see the looks.

[Grendel Guy]

Damn, I best trade mine in while I can

[G-forceJunkie]

I love my 642 but I'll be honest, its been tough to choose it for pocket carry after getting Sig P365.

[SDDAVE56]

The two guns I carry the most right now are, SIG P365, and S&W 340PD. The S&W is my home carry most of the time. I can stick it in the pocket of my most flimsy, light weight shorts.

[P5Ret]

I've carried and owned a J frame since the early 80's. As a BUG off duty gun way back when, to my current quick trip to the store gun, and my model 60 hiking gun, that is perfect for rattlers, and two legged predators that seem to inhabit the hills around Mt. Diablo these days. I currently own 3 and have no plans to get rid of them. Yeah the P365 is with me most of the time, but the J frame fits a spot than nothing else I own does. They are far from done, and judging by the people still buying them, and similar guns they'll be around for a while yet.

[IronsightsRifleman]

Name a smaller handgun in .357 Magnum.
Sheesh, next you'll be saying my M1 Garand is outdated.

[splithoof]

What do the CG’ers say about the old ( outdated 🤔 ) revolver?

There’s subjects that can say the j- frame is lacking in today’s sd options, and there are some ( small ) positives that favor the J-frame. Massad Ayoob tries to save the old gal with his thoughts.
https://youtu.be/5gSSDD3elIE?si=hC-EQQLuBs7CCfSv.

Give you’re thoughts on J-Frame vs micro / compact pistol ..

Great, relevant thread topic you posted.

There are tradeoffs with both; neither is superior in every aspect.

My experience with actually carrying both [G43, P365, J-frame(s)] leads my personal conclusion that IMO, if I am going to carry something small, it will be a J-frame, and if I want something larger, it will be a mid-sized Glock or 1911 type. Before I go further, let me state that I like them all, and support the individual choice of each to carry their own as they see fit, bit for me at this point it is what it is.

My reasons for carrying a J-frame are based mostly on my experience of reliable function in scenarios that are relevant for myself, one being that when drawing and shooting from within my car, the micro-auto pistols tend to be “one shot guns”, whereas the small revolver most always works. This is often a result of slide/spring compression (limp wrist), that the J-frame is not subject to. Firing from retention while grappling with someone trying to pull from your car is but one example. I learned this by actually trying it using Simunitions converted guns during several classes with live, scenario-based role players. Eye opening for sure.

Another plus for the small revolver is firing it when jammed into someone’s torso, neck, face, etc., as they are trying to wrestle and beat the crap out of you while on the ground, if you are lucky enough to hold onto it. Here again it is an issue of reliability. Lesson for me: a proper knife should ALWAYS be available as well. Still have the sore muscles from that last go around. Parking lots don’t make good resting surfaces.

Micro pistols IMO can save the day if I am upright, and able to shoot from a more-or-less “normal” position. The increased capacity, usually better sights, quicker reloading, and natural point of aim are the obvious advantages for myself.

For my carry options, J-frames are usually in pocket holsters: those keep the revolver properly oriented in the pocket, help with a smooth draw, and help to “blend” the outline to reduce printing to some extent. Hammerless J-frames are a bit less likely to snag on something, and Iv’e wasted a bunch of thrift store jackets, sweatshirts, etc., trying to see how much of a difference that actually makes when firing inside a pocket without a holster, but in reality not really that much. If the trigger can complete the stroke, they most always fire. Auto pistols most always fire at least once, sometimes repeatedly, sometimes a full magazine without issue. Sometimes I carry the J-frame AIWB, but never any auto pistol there. Auto pistols are usually OWB in some fashion.

Lastly, one of my favorite J-frames for carry is the S&W 60 as pictured; I like the external hammer, as I use it to check ammunition with cylinder rotation. Place your index firing finger BEHIND THE TRIGGER, very slightly cock the hammer, and rotate the cylinder around to ensure that no primers are high, etc. That is one functional check you can do with an external hammer. DO NOT do that with a “hammerless” revolver.

All is well.

IMG_3473.jpg

[beerman]

People who say a 38 special is outdated will never want to stand in front of one. My Model 36 has been my trusted companion for decades.

[Grendel Guy]

Splithoof, all very good points. I remove my previous desire to sell my J-frames.

[acaligunner]

I believe that the J-Frame is still around is because it is often recommended for those that want a simple / lightweight firearm that requires little maintenance ~ like a get it and forget it deal.

But the moment the “ regular “ gun owner actually shoots it, they are met with that kick in the middle of their hand, little sights, a 10+ trigger pull, and a boot grip that can leave pinky kicked to the curb.

Then we have to deal with 5 shots. In up close and personal it’s a good choice, but how about if the fight breaks and now the bg is shooting at you from 10+ yards - either trying to get away and still shooting, or another bg has come to save his ( in trouble ) bro / homeboy ?

We then get into reloads - sometimes the H&K speedloader ammo holder can actually loose ammo, and or can be an issue actually getting grit and slowing down the easy of dropping ammo into the revolvers cylinder.

Speed strips are equally as slow as the speedloader, you only become proficient with practice, and that may become an issue with a regular gun owner.

As to close quarter sd ~ in a fight you pull out the revolver and what then happens if the bg sees it coming and then grabs and holds on too the revolvers cylinder ?

The revolver is nice in the pocket ( and that is the reason why the sights are almost non existent ) that 10+ double action trigger pull ensures that the gun will not recklessly go off in our leg or sensitive area 😏 - something that the new modern striker fire pistol is subject to happen.

There was a time when I only had a S&W 638 humpback J-Frame, and I did thank the Good Lord for that gun. I carried 5 in the cylinder with 2 H&K speedloaders with +P ammo.

Thing is there are established gangs where I live, folks on drugs, and other weirdos that roam in groups - I feel that I need more rounds than 5 ( ready to go ) shots, and I’m even exaggerating a bit, because ONLY a hard core convict or someone high on pcp would hang around and fight back, when shots are fired.

So, for the simple design, safe heavy trigger pull that ensures you need to deliberately pull the trigger, and for the set it and forget it feature that may not scare off a regular gun owner - yes the snub nose is still good

I have owned the aluminum framed, Ti frame, scandium model, and the polymer frame Ruger, I like the Ruger frame revolver because I find with years of carry, some of the stainless model j frames start to peel / flake pieces of the coating. The polymer Ruger does not do that.

Me - I carry a G19 size deal because I’ve seen what can happen, I don’t want small, easy to carry anything when some goof wants to harm me, but again that’s not what someone else may have to deal with.

Anyways - post on what you think about the J frame and what you’ve experienced. Thanks 👍

[acaligunner]

Ruger kinda up the game in the J-Frame field ~
The Ruger has a nice trigger pull, the polymer frame is comparable to S&W’s scandium frame j- frame, sights, you can even get the big dot sight as standard, and they trimmed down the cylinder.

It was nice to see a modern take on the revolver ( introducing the polymer frame ) at first I was like WUT - but I just had to buy and test one out - so far so good.

[splithoof]

Ruger kinda up the game in the J-Frame field ~
The Ruger has a nice trigger pull, the polymer frame is comparable to S&W’s scandium frame j- frame, sights, you can even get the big dot sight as standard, and they trimmed down the cylinder.

It was nice to see a modern take on the revolver ( introducing the polymer frame ) at first I was like WUT - but I just had to buy and test one out - so far so good.

I have a Ruger LCR in 9mm; for me, it’s best role is riding in an ankle rig when driving on long trips. When seated in a car, it is well suited to draw without being entangled in a seat belt. My kids refer to it as “Snappy”, due to the snappy recoil impulse and blast. It has proven to be 100% reliable with good ammunition.