J-Frame as primary or only carry option?

My J/SP/CIA are my always guns....PERIOD! Ive read numerous times that most "situations" that arise where you actually have to use your gun, follow the rule of 3's. Three yards or closer, 3 shots fired or less, total and done in less than 3 seconds. In a perfect world...this means we could all carry snubbies and be very well armed. But its not and we arent, either.
Most days I carry only a snub. I also carry 2 speed loaders and at least 1 speed strip. Some days its a BUG...along with my K40 and a couple of mags. A J frame is a great addition to anyones safe...especially for a carry gun. Just get the right one...there are only like a million different J frames.....happy shopping..and shoot well.
 
As usual, TFL members step up with great information backed by practical, real-world experience. This forum is a tremendous resource.
Re. the issue at hand: I've always liked snubbies--from my 1970's nickel Cobras to that nice Model 60 a few years back and others along the way. I'm getting used to the 85's DAO and really like the ported barrel. I do believe it's just the right concealed carry piece for most situations. Guess I'll give the Kimber UC a little summer rest in the nightstand but will wake it up for a workout from time to time. Thanks guys.
 
I carried a 5 shot 640 my first two years as a parole officer, frankly I didn't try to stay out of trouble but rather tried my best to find it ;) Loved (still love) to do those late night unscheduled homevisits, get out there and have some fun and do the job right. Would have rather had something bigger sometimes but frankly my gun never deterred my actions.

One thing I will note is that when I carried the 640 it was ALWAYS with me. Now with a bigger gun I sometimes find myself finding "excuses" to leave it at home and go unarmed that day. Wish I had my 640 back:(
 
My CHL instructor, an LEO, carries a .38 snubbie J-frame almost always when off duty.

He bobbed his hammer himself.

If you can shoot it, it's concealable, it'll do. It can certainly take care of most any situation you'll find yourself in.

Only in the movies do "normal citizens" get in extended mult-magazine gunfights.

and it don't get much more reliable than a revolver.....
 
I don't think the capacity or the reload speed is much of an issue for a civilian.
Click to expand...

:confused: Then why do the civilians who make a full time living at law enforcement insist on those hi-cap magazines? And the civilians in blue (that's the LAPD) at the North Hollywood shootout sure needed some capacity and reload speed.

I understand that their need is not as great as the military, but still, 15 rounds is better than 5.


But 5 sure beats zero, so if it's all you can carry, go for it.
 
snub

I have and really like a S&W 642 that can ride in a pocket and lots of other places, but doesn't get carried except as a second gun much anymore. I'm not real sure that low threat vs. high threat is a reason to go to a less powerful gun. After all, if you get into a situation that requires a weapon, the odds are pretty much down the tubes, right? I had a work related problem that made me think a confrontation could very easily happen. Suddenly, wanting to hit beyond a few feet got more important. I wasn't really worried about the capacity and power of my "J"...well, not as much as I was worried about HITTING. A small frame snub is tough for me to hit with compared to what has taken its place, a K9 with AO Express sights. Just more confidence for me, and every bit counts (8 vs. 5 and a quick recharge don't hurt, either).
BUT...across a car hood or at "gimme your wallet" distance, the snub is not a handicap.
 
I own three revolvers and four semi-auto's, and I would carry my J-frame S&W 360Sc about 90% of the time. I don't feel out-gunned with only five rounds, but I do shoot reasonably accurate with my J-frame, in rapid-fire.
 
I think the "inaccuracy" of the snub is kind of self fullfilling prophecy. People think they are 5 yard guns so they don't practice with them sufficiently.

I'm frankly not a great pistol shot by any means but practiced enough that quick vital zone hits at 25 yards with my 2" 640 were easy. Frankly I'm not entirely sure I'm even noticeably more accurate with the 3" model 65 I switched to in a weak moment.
 
S&W 642...

is my answer for concealed carry. I'm on the scrawny side, and I don't have the frame or flab to carry a larger gun, as much as I'd like to, so my little J-frame 642 gets 100% employment as my self-defense gun. I tried a Kahr MK40, a good little gun, but it did not conceal nearly as well, so I sold it.

captainHoek, I like what you said, "the civilians in blue (that's the LAPD)." Too often I see those who aren't policemen (policepersons?) referred to as civilians, as if cops aren't also civilians. The militaristic mindset that has infiltrated police thinking across the country is getting scary. Unless you are in a branch of the armed forces, you're a civilian. Period.
DAL

P.S. Although I haven't tried it at 25 yards, my 642 is plenty accurate out to as far as I've tried it--10 yards. I think the quality of the snubbie needs to be looked at closely, as not all of them are created equal. My old Charter Arms Undercover is so inaccurate I wouldn't trust it much past contact distance, and that's no exaggeration.
 
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