M&P 9c vs J frame

[Fleetman]

J-frames have their place. My wife is unable to RELIABLY work a slide on any centerfire auto thus her choice of carry is a S&W 360.

She even tried a Tomcat and the tip-up barrel was "ok"....her words but she preferred a beefier caliber.

I agree with most in here....even though it is chambered for .357, it is foolish to fire it with them....38's are plenty.

 

[jon_in_wv]

So in your opinion I should have only directed my response at the comfort level he originally asked for and not offered any input at all as to any other aspect of it. I see. So I did that. Anyone who shares your opinion can ignore the rest since I guess the thought police have spoken. For the rest my point wasn't revolver vs auto it was the difference between the M&P and the J frame revolver which IS the topic at hand and my point, for those who couldn't understand it, was that the size difference and presence on the the hip are very close and there is little to be gained in comfort but there is something to be lost in capability of the two weapons that makes any slight difference in size non profitable. Rather than a revolver vs auto issue it is a revolver vs M&P issue, just as the OP suggested.

 

[Cricoid]

I have both....the true beauty of the little J frame lies in its ease of pocket carry. There is just no excuse not to stick it in your pocket. I have a lot of CCW pieces, but I have my 642 on me the most. Very comforting to pump gas in a winter coat with your hand on the gun!

 

[easyg]

I also thought that becoming proficient with the dao trigger of a revolver would most likely help my trigger control overall.

It might, but it will cost you lots of $$$ in ammo and range time.
Snubbies are not so easily mastered.

As for how a revolver carries inside the waistband...it's "okay" but really no better than an autoloader.
The grip will not rest flat against your side because of the cylinder bulge.

After trying to like them for years, I have gotten rid of all my snub-nose revolvers.
I simply have no use for them.
Plus, the .38 special isn't really that special when it comes out of a 2" barrel.

 

[jhco50]

J-Frames carry pretty well openly too. I know.

 

[Hammerdown77]

Plus, the .38 special isn't really that special when it comes out of a 2" barrel.

Neither is most 9mm when it comes out of a subcompact.

Both are compromises for SD. I like the idea of the semi-auto holding 10+ rounds and another 10 with a quick mag change when faced with the possibility of multiple attackers (which seems to be common in my area). I carry a J frame probably more often than any of my other options during the Summer, though. I think I'd probably feel better having two on me.

 

[mooner]

I have both and wouldn't give up either. As mentioned, pocket carry is where the J frame is strong. The M&P is easier to shoot and holds more rounds, but I think the J frame is easier to carry and gets carried more often. Besides, snubby revolvers are cool.

 

[ASCTLC]

A revolver IWB can be as comfortable, if not more comfortable, than an autoloader IWB if you have a good holster and not just one of those dime-a-dozen cheapie holsters. The shape of the revolver makes a difference for the reason Skribs points out.

I carry an old Rossi 971 2 1/2" .357 mag IWB and it is much more comfortable than my Block 19. That old Rossi is significantly larger than my J frame 642 being my Rossi is a K frame clone.

Heck I even carry a 4" 686 IWB just fine. The barrel length is at the max limit but the cylinder diameter is not any more issue than the K frame cylinder diameter.

A J frame to me is just too small to even try to make an IWB for. It fits in pockets but not all pockets. I wear blue jeans 95% of the time and there's no way I'm getting a J frame in those pockets without discomfort or the grip sticking out. Dockers and dress pants tend to hold the J frame fine for me.

Having said all that, I'm only pointing out relative comfort. The G19 is comfortable for me and I wear it when I'm all day in and out of Mastercraft suspension seats when four wheeling. I still daily my G19 but that's a round count decision, not a comfort decision. If I need more comfort or easier to conceal, the 971 definitely meets that requirement.

The issue for a decent size revolver IWB is finding a company that will build one. Seems to be too much bias against the revolver cylinder simply due to width without consideration for all the other dimensions that also count.

Andy