J frame carry

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new_camper

New member
I am looking again at j frames for carry and i like the looks, longer sight radius, and full length ejector rod of the 3 inch guns. How much harder are they to conceal. I would carry in a belly band holster. Will the extra length be noticeable?
 
J frames are easy to conceal / so are K frames, I will occasionally carry a model 19 or 66 in a 2 1/2" or a 4" barrel ...in a Kramer IWB holster with a forward FBI tilt...same holster for either gun ....( so no, a 2 1/2", 3" or a 4" ...will all fit into a holster designed for a 4" )....so they're all equally concealable - in that holster ). Round butt vs Square butt - might make a little difference....

my primary carry gun is a full sized 1911, 5" barrel in .45 acp ...and again in a good holster, with a good belt, its easy to conceal too...

but what are you comparing the J frames to ...???
 
I know from my little carry experience that a gun around a glock 19 size iwb is hard for my slender frame to conceal without looking like I am wearing a shirt 3 sizes too large. The thickness above the belt line is what I have trouble with. I was thinking a j frame might work since the lines are more rounded.
 
99% of my concealed carry is with a J-frame simply dropped into my pants pocket. It's that easy. I've gone the long route over the past 30 years, buying holsters and trying out different things, but nothing is as simple and as completely concealable as a pocket pistol dropped into your pocket.

My current carry piece is a Smith and Wesson Model 38. I've had this particular one for almost two years and it's a daily carry piece.
 
My $ .02

The length of the barrel does not impact concealability as much as the grip. A 3" barrel should not cause any issues as long as you have smaller grips....and they are not made out of rubber.
 
Well, since I'm a little bigger than the average buffalo..( at 6'5" and around 290 lbs ) ...maybe a little more with xmas cookies around // but my point is, its all relative / but if the J frames fit your hands - and you shoot them well / sure, they're easy to conceal.

What works for each of us ...is very different / and we all live in different climates.

but there is no "one size" fits all, in my view.
 
I am 5'8 190lbs with a 34" waist, I have a tough time concealing just about any double stack pistol, even something like a Glock 26 or M&P compact, unless I wear a shirt that is too large for me. I have never been a fan of dressing around my gun and wearing clothes that are too large for me, so I carry guns that I can conceal easily. I carried a J frame for a while because it concealed very well, the hardest part to conceal is the grip of the handgun, and the shape and size of the J frame grip makes it disappear under a shirt. Lately though I have been a big fan of small .380's which I carry in a pocket sewn inside of my pants.
 
I've carried a pair of J-frames for thirty years or so; both of them with 3" barrels...and as one poster pointed out correctly in my opinion, it's the grip length and bulk that's the hardest part of carrying concealed. A two inch Smith conceals no better than a three inch, given the same grip length. Best regards, Rod
 
new camper - I carry a 3" j-frame. I'm about 5'8" 170, not super big. Unless you wear big Carhartt worker pants or something, I don't consider a 3" j-frame a pocket gun. It's just too long.

With a belly band, it should be fine. You can put a 3" j-frame in any OPEN MUZZLE j-frame holster, but the barrel will obviously stick out.

Finding other 3" holsters is a bit of pain. I have three holsters for mine. Bianchi makes a nice leather belt holster for 3" guns, and it conceals well under a jacket. I also have an awesome custom horsehide inside the waistband holster from Lobo Gunleather. My last holster is an ankle holster with an open muzzle.

Hope this helps.
 
I was carrying my Glock 26 most of the time until I started to carry my inherited SW 36. Now after practicing with the 36 it is my favorite. I can snap it out fast and I went out and purchased another so as to not mess up my first one that was my Dad's. He had probably only shot it about 6 times and is in great shape.
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My old lady's mom carries a .357 J w/ a 3" barrel just fine in the small of her back and shes 5' 4" and in her early 50s... She loves it.
 
I like my J frame. I have a Model 60. I would love to have one in 3" but the adjustable sights are a turn off for me. That said if you are going to carry the J frame in a belly band have you considered carrying your 19 in a Smartcarry? I have found I can wear clothes that fit and carry my 19.I can even tuck my shirt in if need be,.
 
I have a J frame Model 36 snubbie for carry and I love it - I used to use an LCR. The only reason that I'm not carrying a 36 with a 3" barrel is because I haven't found one yet - when I do, that will probably be my primary carry. To me - I'm 6' - 200 lbs. - the J frame has been the best for my purposes. I carry on the belt but cover with a shirt tail - it doesn't print and for my purposes, works great. YMMV but I think you'd find a 3" J frame to be just about ideal.
 
IWB or OWB barrel length will not be as big of a deal as width.

Now if you plan to pocket carry the 3 inch barrel may be too long :D
 
3" is just too long for pocket carry. I have 2" 3" &4" J frames and it makes no difference OWB or IWB but only the 2inches get used for pocket carry. I'm a dainty little fellow 6' 4" & 250. Ymmv.
 
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