Curious about carrying a handgun in your life & don't know where to start... try here-

[LuckyDuck]

The humble S&W J-Frame revolver.

This particular handgun gives you a baseline and answers the proverbial mail on the below criteria...

1- is of small & light enough stature that you can carry with various wardrobes
2- is of a sufficient caliber (38 Special -> 357 MAG) to stop a threat
3- has significant aftermarket support for things such as holsters, sights, etc
4-is of a design that's readily proven to be reliable. Run a box of 50 through it and if you can do so without issues- you're likely going to be ok.


There's plenty of other options out there but I'd argue that the J-Frame still is as relevant today as it was in decades past (heck likely even more so given bullet advancements).

-LD

 

[Old Man with Gun]

The humble S&W J-Frame revolver.

This particular handgun gives you a baseline and answers the proverbial mail on the below criteria...

1- is of small & light enough stature that you can carry with various wardrobes
2- is of a sufficient caliber (38 Special -> 357 MAG) to stop a threat
3- has significant aftermarket support for things such as holsters, sights, etc
4-is of a design that's readily proven to be reliable. Run a box of 50 through it and if you can do so without issues- you're likely going to be ok.


There's plenty of other options out there but I'd argue that the J-Frame still is as relevant today as it was in decades past (heck likely even more so given bullet advancements).

-LD

My wife carries a 6 shot 32 H&R Mag j-frame and I carried one myself long ago. They fit beautifully in a pocket, but the sights are awful. We put a Crimson Trace laser guard on it that helps tremendously in low light. I really wished the rear sight was more pronounced, replaceable and maybe fire sight in front.

It is still good, but behind the times for sights and optics.

 

[Cal97c]

I only carry a J-frame as a primary within walking distances from my home.

That said, statistics say that it is all the gun you will ever need in virtually any self-defense situation.

If you are comfortable with it and live a low risk lifestyle, I think you'll be fine.

 

[Nik H]

I carry a J-Frame occasionally. Mine is old and not compatible with the 357 magnum cartridge.

I use Federal Gold Medal 148 grain wadcutter for lots of reasons.

 

[TheJeanyus]

J frames are probably the easiest guns to carry due to the way everything on them is rounded off. I don't remember who made it, but I bought a tuckable kydex holster with a single belt clip that I can easily put on/take off without removing my belt, and I carry it that way a lot more than I do in a pocket holster. I usually carry it in the 10:30-11:00 position on my belt (I'm left handed). I also carry it in a coat pocket in the winter time as a more accessible secondary to a larger gun on my belt. And the 3rd way I carry it is in the front part of my Hill People Gear kit bag loaded with rat shot in case I need to use it on a copperhead while roaming around the hunting club in the off season.

The trade off for the simplicity and convenience is that they are much harder to shoot accurately than something like a P365, Shield, or Glock 43. Also only 5 rounds on tap and slower to reload.