considering a j frame for ccw

[Russ]

I am considering either a S&W 642 or a Ruger LCR in either a 38 plus p or 357 for CCW.

I would like to hear feedback on which gun and caliber you would buy and why you feel your choices is best.

I currently have a Beretta Nano which I really like but I have had 4/550 FTE.

I expect 100% reliable rate in a CCW and neither my Kahr or Beretta have been able to achieve that rate. I am beginning to think it may be unrealistic to have a small semi auto reach perfection and that is why I am thinking about a revolver for CCW. I own a Ruger single six from ny childhood and it has never failed in the 36 years I have owned the gun.

Thanks

Russ

[Barth]

S&W M642 38 1 7/8 No Lock Stainless

S&W M642 38 1 7/8 No Lock Stainless - Bud's $375
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id=70713
Short Barrel FBI Protocol test results from snub nose revolver -
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm

[Bawanna]

I hate to bad mouth any gun and with all the glowing reviews I've read about the LCR I figure there has to be something wrong with me. I rented one to try out with my son who was convinced he wanted one real bad.

I was happy to give it back, it blasted me in the face every shot, felt like my trigger finger was smacked with a ball peen hammer every shot and I couldn't hit anything consistently even at 4 or 5 yards. I intend to try it again as I figure I must have just gotten a really bad one to rent.

I've had no such issues with any of the multitude of J frame options and get along with them fine. For myself I'd stick with 38's and while I always used to prefer to get a 357 for both options I think I'd get a 38 since I would doubtful ever shoot 357 through it. +P 38's would be far as I'd ever go in that small package.

I still have my first new store bought Ruger Single Six as well. Still going strong and looking fine after over 40+ years too.

[Barth]

How are you planning to carry this gun anyway?

If pocket carry is your intent, as it appears by the gun options, air weights are the way to go.
But if belt carry is your game?
Then an all stainless steel 357 is in order.
My pocket gun is an 11.1 oz S&W 342 ti J-Frame 38 +P.
Belt gun is a 25.0 oz S&W 640-1 J-Frame 357 Magnum (that I love).

The 640-1 is on my belt as I type - LOL!
Probably the most comfortable belt gun I've got!

[Russ]

Ti

If pocket carry is your intent, as it appears by the gun options, air weights are the way to go.
But if belt carry is your game?
Then an all stainless steel 357 is in order.
My pocket gun is an 11.1 oz S&W 342 ti J-Frame 38 +P.
Belt gun is a 25.0 oz S&W 640-1 J-Frame 357 Magnum (that I love).

The 640-1 is on my belt as I type - LOL!
Probably the most comfortable belt gun I've got!

Barth

I would pocket conceal in dress pants. The Nano is pushing it for weight at 23 oz loaded. If I go revolver I would like to get it down around 18 oz max loaded. It really makes a big differene 18 vs 23 oz for all day pocket carry.

Russ

[Thunder71]

I have the 642 and it's a great gun. A little larger than my PM9 but very thin. You'll never have a failure to feed or failure to eject with a revolver.

It's my car gun at the moment as I enjoy carrying my Kahrs more. Granted all I have for a holster for the snubbie is a pocket holster and Smartcarry.

I debated between the 642 and LCR for months. Neither are range guns so I went with the smaller of the two, no regrets.

Sent using Tapatalk, thanks for supporting it on this site.

[onegun]

Everyone should own a J frame, just on general principle. It seems like I have owned one, or more, forever. However, I am one of the people that do not like them as a primary EDC. I have owned my current one

for a long time and have also owned several of the lightweight ones. For me, they are a backup gun to my primary piece. Having said that, I would much prefer to have a P9, PM9, CW9, or Nano for that role. (Note I did not mention .380) All of the small autos are easier to shoot, have more firepower, and are more accurate than the little 5 shot revolver. I have shot a friends Ruger LCR and found it to be the same as the little Smiths. The smallest gun I would carry as a primary is the size of the K9 or P9. Usually mine is a SIG P239 IWB or a SIG P220 Carry IWB, backed by the P9 or the Smith 640-1 above. Maybe my Nano will also be a backup when it gets back from Beretta and proves itself reliable.

They are great little last chance guns (and I do like Speer GDHP) but they are not an ideal primary CCW (for me).

[jocko]

if u buy a air weight j frame u will never ever reret that purchase. No doubt the nicest looking snubbie out there and indeed one that will go bang every time.

[340pd]

I am sorry you are having issues with your semi auto's. Ultra compacts can be fussy. Not the least of which can be the individual shooter. I don't know that I would be that excited about 4/550 round failure. It should be faster to clear a jam than reload a cylinder of 38's.

Revolvers can also have issues. Bullet creep among them. Five rounds vs. 7. More difficulty reloading. Better sights on the semi. You may want to research a slightly larger semi for better reliability.

Overall, the revolver will have much fewer issues when you put in all the factors into play.

I do carry a S&W 340pd from time to time. Light weight and a good shooter but, for me, my Kahr is far more accurate at 30' than my snubbie. That is why my PM9 has taken the primary position in my personal carry lineup.

[Barth]

Ti

Barth

I would pocket conceal in dress pants. The Nano is pushing it for weight at 23 oz loaded. If I go revolver I would like to get it down around 18 oz max loaded. It really makes a big differene 18 vs 23 oz for all day pocket carry.

Russ

I'm right there with you.
My 342 with Hogue Bantams weighs 11.1 empty and 13.5
loaded with 135 gr SB bullets.

The 642 would be about 15.0 empty, 17.4 loaded.
Maybe .5 oz less with Bantem grips?

BTW I've got XS Big Dots on the nose of both J-Frames.
Super fast target acquisition.

[ltxi]

I hate to bad mouth any gun and with all the glowing reviews I've read about the LCR I figure there has to be something wrong with me. I rented one to try out with my son who was convinced he wanted one real bad.

I was happy to give it back, it blasted me in the face every shot, felt like my trigger finger was smacked with a ball peen hammer every shot and I couldn't hit anything consistently even at 4 or 5 yards. I intend to try it again as I figure I must have just gotten a really bad one to rent.

I've had no such issues with any of the multitude of J frame options and get along with them fine. For myself I'd stick with 38's and while I always used to prefer to get a 357 for both options I think I'd get a 38 since I would doubtful ever shoot 357 through it. +P 38's would be far as I'd ever go in that small package.

I still have my first new store bought Ruger Single Six as well. Still going strong and looking fine after over 40+ years too.

I completely agree....get a J-Frame Smith in whatever variation best suits you purpose....and there ane many. Imo, the LCR is a rare Ruger misstep...a marketing answer to a question no one ever asked. Ruger makes excellent guns. I think I have maybe ten at the moment, including the Super Single Six I bought new in late '70 or early '71. Just had to have both cylinders, Bawanna.

[mr surveyor]

I have spent many years searching for the "right" small framed revolver for my needs, and went through several just in the last 10 years. The last one weeded out of the running was the S&W Airweight 637 (.38 spl). Sure it carried well, and didn't suffer much from the elements (my revo is my daily "field gun", and work conditions are whatever nature dishes out), but I just could not shoot it well. Might get one shot COM on a target, but quick follow ups were much less than desireable. Last Fall one of my buddies expressed a desire for it at the same time my ffl buddy had a Ruger SP101 in .357 mag on consignment. Being on a mission for the Holy Grail of surveyor's sidearms, I decided what the heck. I don't pocket carry a handgun, especially the one I need quick access too, and a few extra ounces on my waist band (actually I carry the SP in a LoboLeather high ride pancake OWB under a cover shirt) can be offset by me losing 10-15 pounds of "me". I've fallen in love with the solid stainless construction and total ease of detail stripping for complete cleaning, and the accuracy for me is a huge improvement over the lightweights. The stainless SP101 handles hot .357 mag loads much better than the Airweight could ever handle .38+p rounds.

And, this one was the handgun that forced me over the edge to roll my own. I started (basic) reloading the .357 mag about 3-4 months after getting the SP101. Although I do still have a "few" other handguns, the SP101 is my daily workhorse, and a CW9 is my "leisure carry".

surv

oh, just to add, the solid steel Smiths and Colts (if you can score one) are fine handguns as well, although I ain't gonna take off the side plate of one to detail clean.

[JFootin]

S&W M642 38 1 7/8 No Lock Stainless - Bud's $375
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id=70713
Short Barrel FBI Protocol test results from snub nose revolver -
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm

+1 on the gun and the deal at Bud's. Get a trigger job done on it and you will be very pleased!

[Bawanna]

I completely agree....get a J-Frame Smith in whatever variation best suits you purpose....and there ane many. Imo, the LCR is a rare Ruger misstep...a marketing answer to a question no one ever asked. Ruger makes excellent guns. I think I have maybe ten at the moment, including the Super Single Six I bought new in late '70 or early '71. Just had to have both cylinders, Bawanna.

I got both cylinders with mine too. The magnum 22 is fun to play with sometimes.
I bought mine right about that same time at a Ernst hardware store, you get yours there too?
I love Ruger revolvers and have several also. Never did click too go with their autos but they work well. Many swear by them, just didn't gel with me.

[TheTman]

I prefer ole humback, the 638 or 649, the latter shoots .357 magnum and is a tad is heavier. I like the option of being able to shoot single action that the shrouded hammer affords, yet doesn't stick out much to get caught up in clothing.
.