Carry

[michael_aos]

I've carried a Springfield Armory Micro-Compact 1911-A1 for probably the last 5yrs. The Lightweight Bi-tone version in .45 ACP.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/a1/PX9801L.jpg

It carries great, but not much fun to shoot.

I've been eyeing the EMP in 9mm.

http://homepage.mac.com/michael_aos/.Pictures/Guns/EMP-1.jpg

[Hoser]

J-Frame.

Glock 19 or 26.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

J Frame..

Second the motion.

[7idl]

depends on what I'm wearing and planning on doing...

1991A1
CZ50
Keltec P32
USP45F

[michael_aos]

J-Frame

Anybody have a favorite model?

Mike

[Hoser]

Hammerless.

[shrapmetal]

340PD with laser grips

[The1andOnlyKC]

J-Frame
Micro-Compact
Glock

Thats the list.


I have been eyeing the 340PD's but right now I carry the S&W 642. I like it.

[michael_aos]

Hammerless.

Any practical differences between:
"Centennial" frame with fully enclosed hammer
"Bodyguard" frame shrouded hammer

There seem to be basically 3 retail price points:

$498 models
$672 models
$940 models

Mike

[KarlPMann]

S&W J-Frame Model 340PD. That's the Scandium Frame, Titanium Cylinder and barrel, hammerless model in .357Mag. and a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips. Karl. :cool:

[michael_aos]

I just don't think I need a 12oz 357.

Kind of concentrating on the Model 640 (fully-enclosed hammer) or 649 (shrouded hammer).

Otherwise its between the Model 638 (shrouded hammer) and the Model 642 / 642CT (fully enclosed hammer).

Any thoughts on fully-enclosed hammer -vs- shrouded-hammer?

Mike

[KarlPMann]

I had a "Shrouded Hammer" S&W Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard that I carried for 19 years as my main (only) carry gun. I got tired of cleaning lint and crap out of the hammer area. That was a big part of the reason for the upgrade to the 340PD. And besides, you don't HAVE to load it with full power loads, I don't. But I do carry a speedloader with 5 of them so I have them if needed. Karl.

[michael_aos]

I got tired of cleaning lint and crap out of the hammer area.

That helps narrow it down to the Model 640 or Model 642CT.

My Micro-Compact is 29.55oz loaded, so the 23oz weight of the Model 640 sounds fine.

The 15oz weight of the 642CT sounds "interesting" though.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163811_large.jpg

[The1andOnlyKC]

the 642 is not bad to shoot at all not even with the +P.

You could also look at the Taurus 85's if money is a issue it will save you about 50 bucks. I actually think the Taurus have better triggers than the 642s. JMO.

[KarlPMann]

You may want to try shooting my 340PD first, get an idea if you like it or not. I try to shoot a cylinder of magnums at every shoot, a few cylinders of +P 158gr's., and the rest are standard load 130gr's. I normally carry the Winchester Silvertip +P's and have a speedloader of magnums and 2 speedloaders of Silvertips. The standard loads are no problem at all, the +P 125-130gr's. are easy to handle as well. The +P 158gr's. are hot, but easily managed (I just wouldn't practice with them a whole lot). The magnums are near torture. :twisted:

I knew all of that when I bought the gun. Why I chose a 12oz. .357Mag.???

Let's face it, I just retired a gun I carried for 19 years. Reality is, I will probably carry for another 19. In that time, my gun will sit in its holster for 18 years, 364 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. And MAYBE spend 30 seconds being shot in what will be the worse 30 seconds of my life. I doubt I will notice RECOIL at all. :roll: If I'm gonna have to carry a gun that much, and for that long, I want comfort.

The difference in weight from even the 14oz. gun I had, to the 12oz. gun I got, is considerable. I like it a lot, I'm VERY pleased with my purchase. Karl.

[shrapmetal]

well said Karl. i have carried a few guns over the last 8 years. i carry everyday. weight does matter. the 340PD is nicer to wear than my derringer.

[michael_aos]

Anybody looked at the new M&P 340 CT?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163073_large.jpg

[Obiwan]

Glock 19 or 26

[kwando]

my daily carry.

G23 in CTAC
extra mag in wilderness horizontal holster
2oz Fox labs OC in horizontal holster
Spyderco Delica wave
Spyderco Delica SS
8LED light
Surefire G2 with G&P 3W led module and G&P store tailcap
Wilderness CSM lined belt

[quivvy]

i've been eyeing a local 340PD but heard of multiple catastrophic failures of these guns due to manufacture defects - some found on google, and others on the S&W board. Also hesititant about the Lock especially and the MIM parts. I think I'm going to stick with an older pre-lock pre-mim J frame. bummer is the weight.... but damn the 340s look GOOD

[KarlPMann]

Only problems I ever heard of were the stress cracks at the top front of the frame, just above the forcing cone area. They fixed that with a steel insert. If it's a newer 340PD, then go for it. I love mine. Karl.

[quivvy]

i scrapped the 340 and bought a classic - model 60 wearing some nice wood stocks. pairs nicely with the G19.

[Tim K]

4" aluminum frame 1911 with the bobtail treatment when clothing allows. S&W J frame TiScan on my ankle or in a pocket every waking hour.

[michael_aos]

Bought a new Model 642-2.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/163810_large.jpg

SKU: item_163810
Model: 642
Caliber: .38
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Rubber Grips
Frame: Small - Centennial Style
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 6 3/8"
Material: Alloy/Stainless Steel
Weight Empty: 15 oz.

[AR Will]

Congratulations on a nice looking S&W........





























...and can I shoot it [buck]

[Tim K]

I carry a 340PD myself as a back up, or sometimes as my primary. The shrouded hammer is essential if you plan to just drop it in the pocket of a pair of cargo pants or something.

I mostly carry mine in an ankle holster. It's so light I sometimes have to check to be sure it's still there.

[michael_aos]

I just don't think that 12oz 357 would be much fun to shoot at all.

I ran some "158gr @ 800fps" (spec) SWC 38 Special (+P?) through my 15poz 642 yesterday.

It's just not pleasant.

Also shot some Buffalo Bore 125gr. It was a little hotter, but didn't seem like a LOT hotter.

Or maybe my hand was just numb by then...

Mike

[KarlPMann]

...and can I shoot it [buck]


You can shoot mine, I still have plenty of magnums laying around for some odd reason. :twisted: :P Karl.

[brandyspaw]

I keep trying smaller stuff but keep coming back to my old stand-bys.
I seem to always use either my Smith M642 or my G26. I'd like something
smaller/lighter but nothing I've tried (Kel-Tecs, Kahrs, etc.) seem to be as reliable and/or as easy to shoot. I just can't justify the expense of a Rohrbaugh so I guess either the Glock or the Smith J frame is it.

[shrapmetal]

I just don't think that 12oz 357 would be much fun to shoot at all.

I ran some "158gr @ 800fps" (spec) SWC 38 Special (+P?) through my 15poz 642 yesterday.

It's just not pleasant.

Also shot some Buffalo Bore 125gr. It was a little hotter, but didn't seem like a LOT hotter.

Or maybe my hand was just numb by then...

Mike

it's not fun to shoot, but it is fun to watch someone else shoot it. the best thing about it is that it is great to carry. i had 3 people from Specialty Sports out at the house to shoot a few weeks ago and 3 out of 4 of us were carring the 340PD. you can hardly tell its even there.

[michael_aos]

I'd buy a Model 342 / 342PD before an M&P 340 / 340PD.

http://www.gunblast.com/images/SW_342PD/Mvc-018f.jpg

[LariatBob]

I like my 637. No, not comfortable to shoot, but it's a "kick". Light, small, powerful. Not meant to be a hundred round at a sitting target gun. Love the laser, shoots good using sights, too.
http://www.bobcolley.com/guns/airlite1b.jpg
http://bobcolley.com/guns/airlite2b.jpg

[SigsRule]

I love my 340PD. I usually carry it in a DeSantos Armorhide wallet in a jacket pocket or sometimes my pants pocket. Yes, it's a handful with full power .357 and I usually carry with +P self-defense loads. But I can put a couple cylinders full through it before total numbness sets in. Bottom line is for the weight, it's a lot of power and at the ranges I'd be using it I don't plan to need more than a couple shots at a time.

[Sixgun]

S&W 649 357 mag. ,covered trigger. [Muaha] Or an AR-15 pistol.[Help]

[wpbrock3]

Usually a S&W snub nose 38 special but, sometimes a 380 either a p3at or ppks.

[Deckert]

I own a few J frames, but generally find them just too small for my hands. Lately I carry either a dehorned 2" Model 12 (.38 Special, airweight K frame - 6 rounds) or my particular favorite, a Model 242 (.38 Special +P, AirWeightTi L frame, seven shot, hammerless humpback). Both go into good belt holsters. They're light enough to carry all day without a thought. The 242 is only 18 or 19 ounces, but it's chunky. Still, the larger L frame fits my hand really well which is why I use it.

I have a DelFatti pocket holster for the J frames (.22LR, .32 Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, 9mm... depending on my mood I guess) when I can't belt carry. The .32 Magnum, a 432 PD, is particularly easy to carry that way.