Do you carry a S&W J-Frame revolver?

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JBozz said:
I do but the grips on mine interfere a little when using a speed loader. One of my j-frames is cut for moon clips and the ones that came with the gun from Smith and Wesson are horrible...hard to load rounds and hard to unload casings. Recently I discovered Original Precision at https://www.originalprecision.com


J.D. makes heat treated stainless steel j-frame moon clips for 38 Special and/or 357 magnum and they are the best I’ve ever experienced. They’re tough and easy to load and unload regardless of the ammo brand you’re using. They’re called J Frame CCW HD Moon Clips and they are great. Check them out.
Click to expand...

I used to, but not anymore (for the most part). I retired my S&W 442 a couple years ago. While one more round may not sound all that significant, I find the 20% greater capacity of a 6 shot revolver so much more comforting (and 6-10 rounds of 9mm in similar sized autos). When carrying a snub, I have moved to a Taurus 856UL and 3" Colt King Cobra (new model) most of the time, though I do occasionally carry a steel Taurus 85CH IWB with the 856UL pocket carried.

As for speed loaders, in the tighter space of a J-frame or similar small-framed revolver, they can be challenging. Like some others here mentioned, the right grips can make a big difference. I've given up on speed loaders though (for home defense guns I'll use them, but with the bulk in addition to sometimes being a challenge to use, I don't use them for carry guns). I prefer speed strips even though they are slower (though, with training, only a little slower).
 
I did for several years, one of the 1991-era 640 Centennial .38’s. I carried it daily as a uniform backup gun in my left rear pocket.

Sadly, carrying that gun there ultimately caused my leg to lose feeling because the nerves got irritated. Now I can’t carry anything in my rear pocket anymore. :thumbdown:

I swapped out the J frame for a S&W Model 19 2.5” and carried that for a bit, then I went out and bought a S&W 4013.

I have some J frames, and a couple of other makers 2” .38’s as well, but I rarely carry them. :(

Stay safe.
 
Yep...Model 60 Smith with a 3" bbl. All stainless steel with a full lug, adds enough weight so it's controllable with 125 gr full house magnums but 99% of the time I carry with 135 gr Speer Gold Dot .38 +P's. The gun rides high in an OWB at the 4:00 position and I dress around the gun...it's no big deal...really....I'm not into fashion sense!

In winter here in KY, cold wx jackets allow pocket carry, but I rarely employ that mode as it's not as easily accessed as the OWB at 4:00.

That old FBI 4:00 position hides the gun well, is accessible with either hand if you practice the maneuver, and I've used it comfortably for over 50 years...AIWB aficionados may claim faster presentation times but (IMHO) risk the family jewels in so doing...4:00 works well for me and many others.

YMMv of course...stay safe...Rod....Pic shows it a bit too far fwd from my usual placement.

IMG-7965.jpg ​
 
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If I'm out on my property, my 640-1 with CCI shot shells (Pest Control #9 shot) in a simple OWB Bianchi. Depending on my attire, I will sometimes pocket carry in a Mita, with Hornady XTP 158gr .357.
 
My ex carries an old model Taurus 85 3-inch barrel "J-Frame" 5-shot stainless revolver rated for +P, loaded with 38 Special +P 158gr Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point. She'll drop any bad guy where he stands, no doubt. I bought it for her 30 years ago. She's well practiced and well acquainted with the handgun and that load. She doesn't miss.

Ok, it's not a S&W, but it's beautiful machine. She's petite... the stock wood grips fit her had perfectly.
 
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reedman said:
If I'm out on my property, my 640-1 with CCI shot shells (Pest Control #9 shot) in a simple OWB Bianchi. Depending on my attire, I will sometimes pocket carry in a Mita, with Hornady XTP 158gr .357.
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We have a small, 18 acre hobby horse farm in Tennessee and I have a desire to carry something afield to dispatch unwanted critters. But, they just do not show up.

I guess the barn cat keeps the mouse and rat critters at bay in the barn and I see fleeting images of critters running from the bush hog tractor when I'm cutting the pastures. But the opportunity to dispatch unwanted animals from the farm is few and far between that I frequently do not bother carrying a firearm with me.

I'm pleased that I do not have the need to combat various farm critters on a frequent basis.

I do keep my 327 Fed Mag SP101 at the ready in the house in case a ground hog shows itself. They are sometimes are a bit blasé about threats and I can bring a gun to bare against them.

Any way, I love my mustang we adopted from the Bureau of Land Management in 2001.
 
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Beck said:
My ex carries an old model Taurus 85 3-inch barrel "J-Frame" 5-shot stainless revolver rated for +P, loaded with 38 Special +P 158gr Semi-Wadcutter Hollow Point. She'll drop any bad guy where he stands, no doubt. I bought it for her 30 years ago. She's well practiced and well antiquated with the handgun and that load. She doesn't miss. Ok, it's not a S&W, but it's beautiful machine. She's petite... the stock wood grips fit her had perfectly.
Click to expand...

Does it look like this one? :)

I carry a 2" in my pocket when I'm out and about in town.

For hiking I go back and forth between my 3" j-frame and a 3" k-frame OWB. The J-frame is lighter and a little easier to carry. The full lug and large grip make it unusually easy to shoot for a j-frame.

Taurus Model 85 3 inch Banana Grips

Taurus Model 85 3 inch Banana Grips

 
Yes, but...
I have an old Chief's Special - aka an M36 - I carry when I cannot carry a larger handgun. It shoots to point of aim and has a more than adequate trigger pull.

I use a five shot speed strip for reloading as speed loader (which I have) is nearly as much a problem to conceal as a revolver.

For grips I use standard magna stocks with a Tyler T-grip to provide suitable ergonomic handling without additional bulk. Since the whole idea is to carry in a pocket as an exposed holster is disqualified.
 
Tallball said:
Does it look like this one? :)

I carry a 2" in my pocket when I'm out and about in town.

For hiking I go back and forth between my 3" j-frame and a 3" k-frame OWB. The J-frame is lighter and a little easier to carry. The full lug and large grip make it unusually easy to shoot for a j-frame.

Taurus Model 85 3 inch Banana Grips

Taurus Model 85 3 inch Banana Grips

Click to expand...

About exactly like that, but it still wears the factory wood grips. Nice piece of kit.
 
I used to carry a really pretty 2 tone 442 occasionally. But I got to where I just carried my LCR more mostly because of the XS front sight.
I ended up trading the 442 for a real nice older pinned M36 I have carried it a couple times but it's mostly a safe queen.
 
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