Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns J frames calling my name…

I have no idea why S&W went with 5" barrels on those. Always figured a 4" .38 Special Kit Gun would be ideal - basically the exact same configuration as the original Model 63 but in .38.

The 3" Model 60-4 is pretty close but it just never made sense not to reproduce the Model 63 in a center fire. They did make one in .32 H&R Magnum but they only did that to make people kick themselves for not buying one then, now that they cost two arms and 1.5 legs...

Best and cheapest would be an older (pre-1994) model 37 airweight. Same thing as a model 36 or 60 except aluminum frame. I have pocket carried a model 38 airweight for 20 years now. Also, the model 37s are seemingly cheaper than model 60 or 36.

Those were chambered in .357 where minimum useful barrel length is 4". Buying .357 with short barrel is about as smart as buying smallest pistol and asking for mags with largest extension.

Here's my Model 38 No Dash, wearing modern S&W-brand rubberized boot grips (I have the original grips, too, but this one gets carried and shot so I keep these on it).



Mine was among the first made Bodyguard J-Frames, which were aluminum framed from the start. Later they came out with the same model, but with a steel frame (the Model 49 Bodyguard), but the aluminum framed Model 38 Bodyguard came out first (which is a bit of a reversal of the usual order of introduction).

I have two model 60s. Both 3" and adj. sights. I love em and carry one every day. I have killed jacks up to 60 yards with my old one. I often carry it in my vest pocket and have a glove covering the butt. just a bit sticks out. Here is no matter because open carry is also legal. My step daughter has a 2" but I seldom shoot it. My needs are probably far different than most, but it is a favorite.

They’re actually pretty well balanced and easy to shoot with the longer sight radius. Just not quite as handy. S&W carried holsters for a while and I snagged one and got another from Simply Rugged holsters.

Oops double post.

They’re actually pretty well balanced and easy to shoot with the longer sight radius. Just not quite as handy. S&W carried holsters for a while and I snagged one and got another from Simply Rugged holsters.

Dude, I've hammered some of your post, but in all fairness I must say this if pretty much spot on. Does that mean I'm agreeing with you? Well, kinda maybe.

Good points IMO. Just from my 342 to my 642 is a 4 or 5 ounce diff. Not much right? No, just nearly a 25% increase. Pocket carry a 342 & switch to the 642. A hell of a diff in feel. With todays light clothing an all steel J frame would have your clothes hanging sideways. Steel J carriers usually caried one in each pocket to get balance.

Guess if the all steels J's weren't selling they'd discontinue. But wonder why they are selling considering the alternatives.

Yeah, the steel J-Frames are belt guns, not pocket guns. Heck, I don't even consider the aluminum framed J-Frames to be great all day front pants pocket guns. For that, when I do pocket carry, I use a Sig P238 in an Alabama pocket holster.

We are so blessed, to have so many wonderful options.

That's what Clint suggests. 🤩

I glossed over this thread the other day and noted something about a Model 60 3” and it didn’t trip my trigger too much. Lo and behold yesterday I perused a gun show in another county an hour away from home. The very last vendor at the small show had a Model 60-4 .38 with adjustable sights. It looked to be in decent shape…..$425 was the price.

Due to the logistics involved with my county pistol permit department and much dicking around, I passed then regretted it half way home. Lol

I sold a used 60-4 about 5 years ago on another site for $1,200!

Love mine. Carry it bowhunting and hiking. Fun to shoot and amazingly accurate for a short little shooter. Pachmyar grip takes the sting out of heavier loads.

That 3" full-lug version is the only J-frame I own these days. Mine wears rubber "Compac" Pachmayr grips. Easy/simple for the wife/kids to shoot and accurate. Great little guns.

I have a bit more than 500 rounds through the Lipsey's 432 Ultimate Carry J Frame in .32 H&R.









Definitely a keeper.

I recently picked up one of those but have yet to shoot it. My favorite is likely this one though.

Cra1948: Dang it - my New Years Resolution got violated by a "J" frame yesterday! Back on New Years day I "vowed" to try and quit buying guns and start selling them!
My local gunshop just got a Smith & Wesson Model 642-1 in on consignment. It was as new in the box with a nifty Kydex holster to boot. The action lock-up and detonation timing was tight as a tick - no slop what so ever!
I didn't even dicker on the price ($350.00 and no sales tax in Montana) and out the door I went.
Over the decades I have not done much, at all, shooting the full shrouded hammer revolvers - but it will come out of the holster smoothly I am sure - if the need be, in some self defense situation.
Long live the S&W "J" frame revolvers - useful, reliable, fun, good looking and easy to conceal.
I have to look up the manufacture date on this 642-1 - as the fit and function are commendable.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Depends on use. If you plan to carry a bunch the 2 inch 60 is great in stainless.

But hard to beat the 36 with the bluing, a classic S&W if anything is. I would try to research the serial number of the 36, and see when it was made, if made in the 50 or 60s grab it.

I have a couple J frames that get carried more often than anything else.

The only wheel gun I currently have is a S&W M60 3" 357 Mag. My dad gave it to me. It's a cool little blaster. I usually only carry it when I'm in the woods hunting, riding or cutting firewood.

NYH1.