My J-frame Journey

[45sRfun]

Apart from having a shotgun back in the 1970s I was not into guns until the so-called 2020 summer of love riots. At that time it seemed prudent to get a gun for home protection, so my son and I both got S&W SD9VE's (the Steve, so I hear they are called). Anyway, we went back a few months later for a second gun and I went revolver and ended up with a J-frame 642.

Eventually I got a carry permit and started pocket carrying, but didn't like how the silver backstrap of the 642 showed from my pocket, so when a used 442 (black frame) came up at the gun shop, I traded the 642 and $100 for it. Both had locks. A year later at a different gun shop, I found a 442 with no lock for a decent price and it was one of the gun shop worker's guns he was selling. I bought it. Eventually I tired of pocket carry as it bothered my leg and somewhat printed so I went to appendix carry which I like a lot and so could have just kept that 642 in the first place (and should have anyway).

Now a year later I just grabbed a M340PD yesterday and am now carrying that. I have it loaded with Federal Golden Saber 125 grain +P HPs for now, but wonder if I should try out some .357 Magnum. Is there a lower recoil .357 Magnum that works good in short barrels.

Or maybe I should have 4 of the .38s and one .357 (last round) loaded. Then if it gets to the last shot I will have a little more stopping power. Anyway, many options and the Golden Saber +P is probably more than adequate for now. Also have a Hogue Tamer grip that is longer than stock and has padding behind the back strap. Probably need that Tamer if I want to shoot much .357 as I know it is brutal out of my Bond Arms derringer and this 340PD won't likely be any better. But then if it is only for a defense situation, maybe the recoil and beating of the hand and arm won't matter because it will rarely be shot other than occasionally a cylinder full of .357 at the range. Love how light weight the 340 PD is--a negative though for recoil.

Another option is to carry my Taurus .44 Special revolver, which presumably would be more stopping power than a .38 Special and less recoil than a .357 Magnum. I don't care to carry a semi-auto other than a backup KelTec P32 I occasionally carry for backup.

442 lock, 442 no lock, 340PD no lock.

 

[MrSmitty]

Nice choice! as to carrying .38, and .357's, just keep either .357's, or all .38's.



Wasn't it Duke Ellington, who said "Take the J Frame"........
ba dum dum....
If you get this you're old like me

 

[Bassat]

Wow! I could have written much the same piece. I recently went back to revolvers after a few years of being completely dissatisfied with absolutely no selection of DAO bottom feeds available today. Tried: P365, P365XL, P320: I don't mind SA-type trigger pulls for target and/or house guns, but I need DAO for carry. I bought my 442 (no lock) specifically because it has a dark finish vs the 642. I also bought a 4" 686+ at the same time. I shot one box of full house .357 Magnums through the 686. It was also the last box. Magnums in a gun that doesn't weigh 39 ounces? No thanks. Ditto +P ammo. More bang, slower recovery and follow ups, more expense, insignificant ballistic improvement.

With regard to ammo for your J-frames, you may want to consider Georgia Arms Ultimate Defense, and/or Double Tap, both in 148gr WC. Both of them step out of a 2" barrel at about 720-740 fps. Both are also reasonably priced. Don't carry WC as backup ammo. Why? Try a speed reload with them just once, you will know. My b/u ammo is PPU 158gr SWC. Easy to load, and inexpensive.

My other carry guns are all DAO-type triggers also: Kahr CM9 (really good trigger), Ruger LCP (very nice gun, crap sights, I painted on some white dots), and a Keltec P32 I've had for 20 years (I feed it Fiocchi 73gr FMJ). I just bought a Kahr CT380 for $106 and a junk Charter Arms Off Duty. It was like new, and is very stiffly sprung. Still breaking in that one.

I sure is nice to read that I'm not the only one interested in revolvers and DAO triggers. Thanks for posting your collection.

 

[DadSmith]

After having a few snubnose one 357mag and one 38 special. I think I'll be going to 3" barrels for a carry revolver. That extra inch gives better sight radius, and more velocity.
I'll be going with a 357mag because you can shoot both.
As a reloader I can also make light magnums that have a velocity between both as well. More than 38 Special +p and under 357mag pressure.
I'm just not there yet to purchase another one at this stage in life.
Now all that said is there a J Frame that has a 3" barrel still being made?

 

[MrSmitty]

After reading some old magazines, I started carrying 158 gr LRN. Good old cop round, every one who got dead by that round is still dead…, so there’s that…3” model 85 Taurus

 

[Bosshoss]

After having a few snubnose one 357mag and one 38 special. I think I'll be going to 3" barrels for a carry revolver. That extra inch gives better sight radius, and more velocity.
I'll be going with a 357mag because you can shoot both.
As a reloader I can also make light magnums that have a velocity between both as well. More than 38 Special +p and under 357mag pressure.
I'm just not there yet to purchase another one at this stage in life.
Now all that said is there a J Frame that has a 3" barrel still being made?

I believe Model 60 3" is still available.