My J-frame Journey

[92FSTech]

I do wish they made some light .357s, perhaps just a bit over .38 +P because then you don't foul the extra chamber area with .38s.

What you want are Speer Gold Dot 135gr Short Barrels. They make them in .357 and .38+P, but the .357 version is pretty mild... chronographed at 1050fps out of my 2" 640. They have a very aggressive hollowpoint that's designed to expand at lower velocities, and use a low flash powder so you don't get blinded by giant fireballs when shooting in the dark. It's great ammo...the trick is finding it in stock.

Also, whatever ammo you pick make sure it hits to point of aim for your gun. With the wide range of .38 loads out there and a fixed-sight gun, that can sometimes take some experimentation.

 

[Bosshoss]

I have had lots of J frames come thru the shop for trigger work or repairs and I HATE when a model 60 3" come in as it makes me want one. It take a couple on months to get it out of my system.
The 60 shoots a lot better than the airweights but is heavier and doesn't carry as nice but still my favorite J frame by far.
Most 3" J frames have a adjustable rear sight also or at least the ones that I remember coming in have had them.

 

[kjdoski]

My two cents. I've been carrying snub revolvers on and off for 20+ years, usually as ankle backup guns or winter jacket pocket carry.

Having foolishly fired a cylinder's worth of 125gr .357s through a 340, I would never, ever, ever do that again, or suggest to anyone else try the same.

There have been dozens of studies showing that .38 Special ammunition doesn't expand worth a poop out of 2" barrels, so most of the guys I know who are no BS revolver experts (most of whom have used them in harm's way) carry and recommend 148gr LWCs to get adequate penetration, nice "sharp" cutting edges, great accuracy, and the least possible recoil.

I'm currently down to a single snubby, and it's loaded with 148gr Gold Medal Match. My speedloaders have 115gr Critical Defense in them, because they load into the cylinders much more smoothly than a full WC.

 

[45sRfun]

My two cents. I've been carrying snub revolvers on and off for 20+ years, usually as ankle backup guns or winter jacket pocket carry.

Having foolishly fired a cylinder's worth of 125gr .357s through a 340, I would never, ever, ever do that again, or suggest to anyone else try the same.

There have been dozens of studies showing that .38 Special ammunition doesn't expand worth a poop out of 2" barrels, so most of the guys I know who are no BS revolver experts (most of whom have used them in harm's way) carry and recommend 148gr LWCs to get adequate penetration, nice "sharp" cutting edges, great accuracy, and the least possible recoil.

I'm currently down to a single snubby, and it's loaded with 148gr Gold Medal Match. My speedloaders have 115gr Critical Defense in them, because they load into the cylinders much more smoothly than a full WC.

My Magtech full wadcutters are 158 grain. I also have some DoubleTap 148 grain full wadcutters.

 

[45sRfun]

Ah, thank you. I forgot about the Performance Center versions of the 60. The other 2 are .22LR.

Oops, no want .22 LR J-frame, but maybe for range toy.

 

[Bassat]

My Magtech full wadcutters are 158 grain. I also have some DoubleTap 148 grain full wadcutters.

Magtech is usually loaded light. Double Tap is hotter. Depends what you need.

 

[45sRfun]

Magtech is usually loaded light. Double Tap is hotter. Depends what you need.

Well, for .38 Special I'll go with the hotter one. Thanks.

 

[Steve]

Ruger makes a SP 101 in .357 with a 3" barrel. Heavy and built like a tank. Definitely a very reliable gun.

 

[92FSTech]

Oops, no want .22 LR J-frame, but maybe for range toy.

I also have the 63-5 3" in .22LR (bottom right). It's actually an incredibly practical gun, and I've killed more stuff with it than the .357s. Its my go-to for varmints around the property, and it's great for mice and chipmunks if you load it with rat shot. It's easy and unobtrusive to carry around while you're doing construction or yard work, so it's right there when you need it. I usually load it with 4 regular .22 rounds for bigger stuff like groundhogs and raccoons, and 4 rat shot for the little vermin.

As a further bonus, it's great on the range as a trainer for the 60, and they can share holsters. I'd highly recommend picking one up if you come across it.

 

[45sRfun]

I also have the 63-5 3" in .22LR (bottom right). It's actually an incredibly practical gun, and I've killed more stuff with it than the .357s. Its my go-to for varmints around the property, and it's great for mice and chipmunks if you load it with rat shot. It's easy and unobtrusive to carry around while you're doing construction or yard work, so it's right there when you need it. I usually load it with 4 regular .22 rounds for bigger stuff like groundhogs and raccoons, and 4 rat shot for the little vermin.

As a further bonus, it's great on the range as a trainer for the 60, and they can share holsters. I'd highly recommend picking one up if you come across it.

You must be a pretty good shot. I would be hard pressed to kill a small varmint with a snubby. Besides, where I live I would be arrested for firing a gun in my yard.
I especially like that one on the right in the middle!

 

[92FSTech]

Yeah, I live outside the city limits, so it's legal. The middle one on the right is a 31-1 in .32 S&W Long. I bought it used and abused and cleaned it up. It's a cool gun...very light recoil and it holds 6.

 

[45sRfun]

Yeah, I live outside the city limits, so it's legal. The middle one on the right is a 31-1 in .32 S&W Long. I bought it used and abused and cleaned it up. It's a cool gun...very light recoil and it holds 6.

Oh wow! A 31-1 in .32 S&W Long. I have the very same gun. Forgot about it until you mentioned it. Yep, and it is a J frame. I also picked up an I frame, a Terrier, early this year chambered in .38 S&W. Couldn't resist. Then I stopped frequenting gun shops and until the other day and, what do you know, I buy another gun.

Actually have another on hold at the other gun shop, a H&R topbreak .22 LR that some bozo sawed off the barrel to about 2-3 inches, so no sight, saw marks across the muzzle, but for $60 I figure it would be worth monkeying with.

So in the same day, hit two gun shops and buy two guns. That, you see, is why I have to avoid going to gun shops.

 

[45sRfun]

As for .357 ammo, this company has some interesting rounds.

The Cowboy loads are very low velocity (615 to 700) but all lead, no hollow points:

357 Magnum Cowboy

choiceammunition.com

Those should be pretty low recoil, but probably not good for self defense.

Their regular ammo, HP and wad cutter, are higher velocities:

357 Magnum

choiceammunition.com

 

[CB1911]

92FSTech is spot on with the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain 357 mag load. It is manageable out of my 340pd and it has great expansion in my testing.


Another good load I have found is the new Federal Punch 38+P 120 grain jhp load. It expands nicely out of my snubs, and even more so in my 3" and 4" 38/357's.


I always liked the Golden Saber 125 grain +P load even with that fireball as it was always accurate and had impressive expansion. I have not been able to find any of that load on the shelf in a long time.

Don't forget about those 60-4 3" full lug 38 specials!

Such a pleasure to shoot and carry nice on owb or shoulder holster. 38+P loads really come alive in that 3" barrel and help with bullet performance.

Last but not least, hardly any love is ever mentioned for the 43C 22lr. Yes mine was problematic when new, but after changing out a spring, has been flawless ever since with CCI minimags. I find the 43C to have great utility and it sees some type of use almost daily.

 

[45sRfun]

Ha I wouldnt! Does the trigger feel any different? My K6S and Python have the nicest triggers for sure but I seem to have lucked out with my 442. It is smooth but could smooth out some more

Trigger feels a tad lighter than on the 442s, though all are listed on S&W's site as 10-pound triggers. Not too worried about carrying before trying it out as it should fire given the stick pen test result. Point of aim would be the issue, but chances are it will be close up with no time to get a sight picture anyway.

 

[BackFromDC]

J-Frame size revolvers I am aware of:
Taurus makes 3" in:
605 .357 5-shot
856 .38 6-shot

S&W makes 3" in:
60 .357 5-shot

Kimber makes 3" in:
K6s .357 6-shot, Fixed or adjustable sight
K6sx .38 6-shot (I think)

Not sure about Ruger or Colt. Wouldn't take a Charter Arms if you paid me.

I have a Ruger LCRx 3" that I actually got from a INGO trade, and have been carrying it ever since. I share the sentiment with many others here that more modern magazine fed carry guns can be...problematic? There's something inherently more comfortable with a DA/SA revolver for me, maybe because the LCRx is lighter than my Walther or Glock.

My boss was a police captain from Baltimore, he carried a K-frame and also J-frame as backup. Probably stacked more bodies than than my GWOT contemporaries. Not saying the "good enough for XYZ then good enough for me" fallacy, but he's probably onto something. His J-frame was an older Chief's Special that got all scratched up, apparently you quickly learn that a small revolver is great for grappling and rolling along the pavement.

 

[92FSTech]

Last but not least, hardly any love is ever mentioned for the 43C 22lr. Yes mine was problematic when new, but after changing out a spring, has been flawless ever since with CCI minimags. I find the 43C to have great utility and it sees some type of use almost daily.

One of those is definitely on my want list. The few I've seen have been over $700, though, and that's hard to justify when I already have the 63.

 

[SAILORGOLF46]

Don't keep the best for last, buy a S&W M60 and be done. A 60-10 if you can find one. The 60-15 is also a very nice piece, You will thank yourself latter. Yes I am a S&W steel and walnut addict, is something that comes with age (78). Good luck!

 

[Trapper Jim]

Remington Golden Saber .357 Magnum is a midrange load. Rated at 1220 fps (125 grain) out of a 4" barrel. Hotter than .38 +P, but milder than a standard 125 grain load, which runs about 1450 fps out of a 4" barrel.

The 357 in JFrames contain the law of diminished returns. Percussion, recoil muzzle flame and equipment abuse take away any benefits of a faster bullet.

Simply, the .357 chambering in these small guns satisfied manufacturer ledgers and penis envy gun buyers.

This is evidenced by the small attendance of such a large crowd of JFramers who do not show up or do well in JFrame matches.

There is only one level of dead and skill set and practice with either 38 short Colt or 38 Specials loaded to efficient ballistics will do the job. Without the wasted overkill and problems.

Case in point, practicing with the number of rounds needed (Many Thousands) with your .357 rounds, mean you will need about 20 JFrames to get to the point where you can effectively carry a newer one.


You will need Wrist surgery and be deaf and still rely on luck if you can hit anything but I guess that is fun to some.

I’ve seen the wear and tear first hand on these sleeve barreled lightweight revolvers. Posted a pic years ago of one that came apart up in Bend Me Over In the River.

The short run of lands and high velocities of the .357 will result in less accuracy in flight comparing to service grade guns printing sub four inch groups at 10 yards.

Shooting Steel at 100 yards is a good test of marksmanship for these guns and the .357 does poorly out of these miniature guns. Always has.

See you on the Range


Trapper

 

[Amishman44]

Keeping it simple, I've found that using 110 grain .357's in a J-Frame is manageable, whereas heavier bullets - 158 and 180 grain, or Hornady's FTX rounds - are downright brutal! 110 grain JHP's are difficult to find, even online, but I prefer CorBon's 110 grain JHP (standard) and simply purchase straight from them!
Enjoy!