Looking into S&W J frame

Dahermit,

It's seems like we agree on most everything being discussed here. I think your point about draw from the pocket while in a compromising situation has less to do with the spur and more to do with the method of carry.

Cramming your hand into your pocket to retrieve anything while taking a beating is going to be tough. IMO, pocket carry is wrought with limitations; it's one of the sacrifices you make for the comfort and convenience of carrying a small and lite gun.

FWIW, when draw my revolver (as mentioned before a 637, spurred j-frame) my finger rides along the side of the holster and then connects with the frame once it's cleared leather and come out of the pocket. My thumb rides on the other side and begins to establish my grip in the pocket. I never put my thumb over the spur as I feel the protruding thumb is more likely to cause problems. Before the 637 I carried either concealed hammer or bodyguard style and I found the same drawing method works just as well with the 637. When reholstering I always place my thumb over the back of the hammer.

I practice drawing every single night, I spend some time on the belt holster but mainly focus on the pocket draw. In the thousands of times I've yanked the revolver from my pocket I've never had a problem. If I ever do, I'll certainly change things around.
 
Too, I may not get the chance to pull my revolver totally out of my pocket. Just time to get grip on gun, angle and pull the trigger. Don't want to take any chances of the hammer being pressed against something or getting caught causing me not to be able to fire.

Just stands to reason, the least snaggable(is that a word :o), external moving parts on a pocket carry pistol, the better.

If this thread does nothing else, I hope it gets people who pocket carry their ccw to practice drawing their pistol at frantic speed.
 
shortwave said:
Too, I may not get the chance to pull my revolver totally out of my pocket. Just time to get grip on gun, angle and pull the trigger. Don't want to take any chances of the hammer being pressed against something or getting caught causing me not to be able to fire.

Just stands to reason, the least snaggable(is that a word :o), external moving parts on a pocket carry pistol, the better.


If this thread does nothing else, I hope it gets people who pocket carry their ccw to practice drawing their pistol at frantic speed.
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That and as Dahermit pointed out, drawing from positions you might find yourself in if you were attacked.

The ability to fire from the pocket is an important plus for the hammer less models that has not been brought up yet
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I see some good points for both hammer spur and no hammer spur. I believe everyone has to make their own call on this as to what you are comfortable with and proficient with. I see it as a no win argument, it all comes down to personal preference.
 
I see some good points for both hammer spur and no hammer spur. I believe everyone has to make their own call on this as to what you are comfortable with and proficient with. I see it as a no win argument, it all comes down to personal preference.
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I think that I have covered the points for not having a hammer spur, but I still have not seen any good point for having one on a pocket-carry double-action revolver. Except that is, for a nebulous (and unexplained) reference to the ability to cock it for a very precise single-action shot. The closest anyone has come, is to focus the argument on a method of drawing that keeps the spur from snagging. Now, just what are those good points of having a spur again?
1. Somewhere to put your thumb when drawing?
2. The false assurance that you may want to thumb-cock for some inexplicit reason?
3. Unaltered hammer spur gun will bring a higher price than one with a bobbed hammer?
4. It is how I do it and I cannot be wrong?
5. It spoils the looks?
 
The ability to fire from the pocket is an important plus for the hammer less models that has not been brought up yet
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This assumes jacket-pocket carry. I carry in my right-front pants pocket. Inasmuch as I have had a suede sand bag ripped open by the muzzle blast of one of my revolvers, and the close proximity of my genitalia, I do not think I am ready for the experience of shooting through the pocket yet.:D
 
I recently got a m-36 and will be getting a serate hammer to bob off. The original will remain available to be re-installed if so desired. Can't hurt resale value either.
 
“I'm looking to get a .38 Special. Not sure whether to get exposed hammer, shrouded hammer, or DAO. It's mainly going to be a pocket gun. … Any thoughts, recommendations? Also any holster, ammo ideas? ” [Bel5191]

Pocket carry is risky. Slow draw. OWB or IWB holster carry is better. Even ankle carry is better, especially as the hermit has pointed out, you are down and being kicked to pulp. Galco, Don Hume, etc all make good leather holsters.

DAO or DA/SA?

Depends. Gent brought a brand new Ruger (with laser grip) to the range. At 7yds (21 ft) he shoots 8 rounds, all in the black bulls-eye. Reloads, turns on the laser, shoots 8 more, all in the bulls-eye, no difference. Says, “that’s enuf of that,” puts the little revolver away, and proceeds to shoot his service pistol, a 40 cal. Says he got the Ruger as a BUG, btw, the Ruger is 22 cal, but if you can shoot it accurately I do not criticize. This gent was good enuf to take the DAO close range rescue shot.

If you want to take that rare (aimed) rescue shot and can’t shoot well enuf DAO, then go for the S&W 438, 638 or 649, they are shrouded frame wherein the hammer rides the humpback, DA/SA. (see Rapidray post #44). Best of both worlds.

Good luck.
 
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dahermit said:
This assumes jacket-pocket carry. I carry in my right-front pants pocket. Inasmuch as I have had a suede sand bag ripped open by the muzzle blast of one of my revolvers, and the close proximity of my genitalia, I do not think I am ready for the experience of shooting through the pocket yet.:D
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Yes, the coat pocket. Glad you still have everything attached :)
 
Yes, not advisable to shoot from pants pocket.

I did witness two street thugs that got into it. One was carrying in his right rear pocket. He went to pull his pistol(small semi-auto) and forgot to keep his 'bugger hook' off the trigger till he cleared his pocket. Shot himself through the butt checks. Flopped around in my front yard till the ambulance arrived.:rolleyes:
 
Dang! I would have paid money to see that!
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At that particular place, there was literally something going on every night.

You didn't have to turn your TV on for entertainment that's for sure. :rolleyes:
 
Pocket carry is risky. Slow draw.
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Admittedly. However, for some of us it is the best option available. It is a lot like how cowboys had to choose between tying "hard and fast" (to the saddle horn), or dallying (two or three quick wraps around the horn), the rope after the steer was roped. Hard and Fast could lead to the girth breaking and subjecting the cowboy to a "Texas Sleigh Ride", or with losing a finger or two when dallying. Two ways to do something... both wrong. You just have to pick the one the is "less wrong", for your particular circumstances.
I always wear shorts in the Summer; no ankle carry. I would likely pass-out if I bent over quickly to go for a gun in an ankle holster.
I have to use suspenders, so no belt for waist-band carry. And my Summer shirts would not hide a gun anyway. That leaves me with a pocket carry by default. However, when seeing any situation that could be a threat, I put both hands into my pockets, right hand on gun ready to pull. With both hands in my pockets, no one suspects that I have one hand on my gun...which speeds-up draws significantly.
 
Ok...so now I have to buy a S&W Model 638 for pocket carry, instead of my Model 37.
I'll just tell the wife, dahermit made me do it for my own safety! lol
 
Just because you can think it doesn't make it true. Snarky responses such as those made are based upon the false premise that the gun is the answer for all situations.

Proper training in a variety of contexts is essential. You can pretend all you want, but the fact of the matter is, people will drop to their lowest level of training under such situations. If a person has been practicing incorrectly, then odds are they will use that deviant method rather than the correct one. Every time I draw my J-Frame from my Nemesis, I put my thumb over the hammer. I do not deviate from this even with a 442. The J-Frame is not my primary gun, but it's essential to practice with it.

It (putting your thumb over the hammer), may not work for you if you have been jumped and beaten to the ground, stomped as you are fighting to get your pocket revolver out.
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As mentioned before, this assumes that the solution is to go to the gun. The actual solution is demonstrated in SouthNarc's ECQC course. Take it and find out just how fast these things end up on the ground. You will learn how to reduce the odds of being knocked down and what to do if you are knocked down.
 
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Back to the OP.....I'd recommend a DAO snub mainly for the fact that your other gun is a Glock 19. You're already used to DAO, so why change now?

In addition to the 642, look at the S&W Bodyguard & Ruger LCR. The LCR trigger may even be closer to your Glock trigger in feel.
 
Addressing the OP. Administrative loading concearn.

Question: After you load the chambers and close the cylinder, how do you know the cylinder is properly locked into position? i.e. how do you know the cylinder will spin properly? How can you tell that all cartridges are seated properly and you have no high primers?
 
Question: After you load the chambers and close the cylinder, how do you know the cylinder is properly locked into position?
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It goes, "Click", when you close the cylinder.

i.e. how do you know the cylinder will spin properly?
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Test it for function by dry firing before loading.

How can you tell that all cartridges are seated properly and you have no high primers?
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Put your cartridges on a flat surface and try to rock them back and fourth...you can feel if they have a high primer.

I am assuming that you meant those questions in reference to a revolver without a hammer spur.
 
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