Smith J Frame - The Firearms Forum

Logansdad · 06-01-2003, 10:13 AM

Any Smith J Frame fans out there ?..I'm thinking about getting a model 638 aluminum frame stainless bodyguard for gulf coast summertime carry

Xracer · 06-01-2003, 03:59 PM

Yeah, LD. Ya got one here.

I've got a Model 49 Bodyguard.....it's my main "Hot Summer" carry gun, and I love it.

If I may, however.....if you like the Bodyguard style, I'd suggest that you opt for the 649. Yeah, it's just a bit heavier, but....

A number of years ago, I bought a Model 38. It was in really nice condition, but when I took it home and shot it....at 10 yards it shot 7" low and to the left. Tried several different loads, and always got the same results.

When I took it back to the gunshop where I'd bought it, the S&W Salesman was there. I told Bob, (the owner) what the problem was, and he and the Smith salesman both said at the same time: "Too many +P's!"

What happens is that the J frame has a narrow top strap and Aluminum alloy has no "memory" (elasticity) and will stretch with continued use of +P loads. The steel J frames don't have that problem.

Anyway, Bob refunded my money, the Smith salesman got a new 49 shipped the next day, and Bob sold it to me for dealer's wholesale (and apologised all over the place....ya gotta love a guy like that)!

Anyway, my 2 cents worth of opinion.

BTW, I've got Pachmayr "J Frame" grips on mine and love 'em.

Logansdad · 06-01-2003, 05:11 PM

the aluminum frame is a must...I'm not interested in a steel frame snubby

06-02-2003, 08:00 AM

yep, a mdl.60 here... and yep a little more weight than the alloys but it allows me the confidence that I won't have to contend with the corrosion and/or rust.

Marlin · 06-02-2003, 08:25 AM

Agree, Zig. My 60 is usually a backup and in an ankle holster. Good to know the salt won't hurt the stainless. The extra weight is minimal under those circumstances.

Chieftain · 06-05-2003, 07:43 AM

I have owned both the 649 and 638. I got rid of the 649.

The 649 does shoot better. It is stainless steel

THe 638 is the j frame I carry, in a Kramer pocket holster.

Carries nice and light and shoots ok. I shoot non +p.

I carryfor social purposes Winney 158 LSWCHP +P.

Shoot it enough to know where the carry load will go.

nuff said.

Xracer · 06-05-2003, 09:43 AM

Hi Chieftan.......Welcome to TFF.

Nice to see new members giving their opinions and experience here.

Hope you'll settle in and post often.

Chieftain · 06-05-2003, 10:14 AM

Xracer,

Thank you for the welcome aboard.

Fred

Marlin · 06-05-2003, 02:05 PM

Hi Chieftan.......Welcome to TFF.

Hope you will visit us and post often.

denfoote · 06-14-2003, 05:59 AM

Not Skunk and Weasel, but I have a Taurus M85UL that I'm rather fond of.

SaxonPig · 06-16-2003, 01:55 PM

1) The J frames are great. I prefer the Centennial because it so slick and compact.

2) The alloy frame is not as durable. If you plan a lot of practice or fun shooting I would recommend a steel frame. The alloy is much nicer to carry concealed, though.

3) I have this argument all the time, these days. The +P .38 Special loads are not that much more powerful than standard ammo. You gain about 50 FPS so I don't see how they can be all that punishing. For such a small performance gain I don't see the value in +P loads but I doubt that they are "all that" in regards to accelerating wear. A gun can shoot low for any of a number of reasons and use of +P ammo does not strike me as a prime suspect.

Logansdad · 09-08-2003, 08:21 PM

I'm gonna load it with Glasers (or shotshells when I go fishing in moccassin territory), put some Eagle Secret Service grips on it and a horsehide pocket holster

06-01-2003, 10:13 AM	#1
Logansdad V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Alabama's Gulf Coast Posts: 222	Smith J Frame Any Smith J Frame fans out there ?..I'm thinking about getting a model 638 aluminum frame stainless bodyguard for gulf coast summertime carry __________________ "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Jesus, Luke 22:36 "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.. -->

06-01-2003, 05:11 PM	#3
Logansdad V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Alabama's Gulf Coast Posts: 222	the aluminum frame is a must...I'm not interested in a steel frame snubby __________________ "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Jesus, Luke 22:36 "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it..

06-02-2003, 08:25 AM	#5
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Agree, Zig. My 60 is usually a backup and in an ankle holster. Good to know the salt won't hurt the stainless. The extra weight is minimal under those circumstances. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

06-05-2003, 07:43 AM	#6
Chieftain Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2	I have owned both the 649 and 638. I got rid of the 649. The 649 does shoot better. It is stainless steel THe 638 is the j frame I carry, in a Kramer pocket holster. Carries nice and light and shoots ok. I shoot non +p. I carryfor social purposes Winney 158 LSWCHP +P. Shoot it enough to know where the carry load will go. nuff said. __________________ Semper Fidelis

06-05-2003, 10:14 AM	#8
Chieftain Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 2	Xracer, Thank you for the welcome aboard. Fred __________________ Semper Fidelis

06-01-2003, 03:59 PM	#2
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Yeah, LD. Ya got one here. I've got a Model 49 Bodyguard.....it's my main "Hot Summer" carry gun, and I love it. If I may, however.....if you like the Bodyguard style, I'd suggest that you opt for the 649. Yeah, it's just a bit heavier, but.... A number of years ago, I bought a Model 38. It was in really nice condition, but when I took it home and shot it....at 10 yards it shot 7" low and to the left. Tried several different loads, and always got the same results. When I took it back to the gunshop where I'd bought it, the S&W Salesman was there. I told Bob, (the owner) what the problem was, and he and the Smith salesman both said at the same time: "Too many +P's!" What happens is that the J frame has a narrow top strap and Aluminum alloy has no "memory" (elasticity) and will stretch with continued use of +P loads. The steel J frames don't have that problem. Anyway, Bob refunded my money, the Smith salesman got a new 49 shipped the next day, and Bob sold it to me for dealer's wholesale (and apologised all over the place....ya gotta love a guy like that)! Anyway, my 2 cents worth of opinion. BTW, I've got Pachmayr "J Frame" grips on mine and love 'em.

06-02-2003, 08:00 AM	#4
Zigzag2 Adnanced Senior Member Posts: n/a	yep, a mdl.60 here... and yep a little more weight than the alloys but it allows me the confidence that I won't have to contend with the corrosion and/or rust.

06-05-2003, 09:43 AM	#7
Xracer TFF Admin Staff Mediator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Minn-eeee-sota, ya, sure, you bet! Posts: 9,144	Hi Chieftan.......Welcome to TFF. Nice to see new members giving their opinions and experience here. Hope you'll settle in and post often.

06-05-2003, 02:05 PM	#9
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Hi Chieftan.......Welcome to TFF. Hope you will visit us and post often. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

06-14-2003, 05:59 AM	#10
denfoote V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 80	Not Skunk and Weasel, but I have a Taurus M85UL that I'm rather fond of. __________________ John Lennon was right. Happiness IS a warm gun!!! I traded my manners for a handgun.

06-16-2003, 01:55 PM	#11
SaxonPig V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 98	1) The J frames are great. I prefer the Centennial because it so slick and compact. 2) The alloy frame is not as durable. If you plan a lot of practice or fun shooting I would recommend a steel frame. The alloy is much nicer to carry concealed, though. 3) I have this argument all the time, these days. The +P .38 Special loads are not that much more powerful than standard ammo. You gain about 50 FPS so I don't see how they can be all that punishing. For such a small performance gain I don't see the value in +P loads but I doubt that they are "all that" in regards to accelerating wear. A gun can shoot low for any of a number of reasons and use of +P ammo does not strike me as a prime suspect.

09-08-2003, 08:21 PM	#12
Logansdad V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Alabama's Gulf Coast Posts: 222	I'm gonna load it with Glasers (or shotshells when I go fishing in moccassin territory), put some Eagle Secret Service grips on it and a horsehide pocket holster __________________ "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." Jesus, Luke 22:36 "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it..