640-1 loaded with Buffalo Bore 158gr 357 Magnum JHP (short barrel / low flash).

The 442 and lighter guns are great for carry, but difficult to shoot well. The little 640-1 is perfect.

I have a 642 and carry it a lot. Excellent DAO revolver.

I'd love to see an all steel J-Frame in .22 Mag, that is NOT the 351 PD. Can't stand S&W trying to hot-rod older style weapons like that. I know Smith used to make them years ago, can't remember the model numbers, but it'd be nice to have one to play around with.

S&W Model 650

quote:

Originally posted by TexasRaider:
I'd love to see an all steel J-Frame in .22 Mag, that is NOT the 351 PD. Can't stand S&W trying to hot-rod older style weapons like that. I know Smith used to make them years ago, can't remember the model numbers, but it'd be nice to have one to play around with.

The first of my many pistols was an S&W Terrier in .38 S&W caliber bought in the mid 1960's. When I realized after a few days that it was not a .38 Special, I took it back and traded it on a Model 36, Chief's Special. I still have it in mint condition in the original box. Of course, today, the Terrier is more valuable to collectors. Story of my life. Probaby 15 years ago, I bought a 442 and sent it off for custom work. It is more accurate than I am.

642 with Apex Duty/Carry Kit - Speer GDHP +Ps

My actual answer wasn't represented in the survey: none.

If I were to have a brain fart meltdown and abandon the firepower of semis like the G43 (unlikely, but you never know), I'd go straight to my fugly LCR. I tried HARD to like a 442 but vehemently disliked its fairly sharp recoil when shooting 38+P. The homely Ruger was a soft fluffy pillow/kitten on Quaaludes in comparison.

But I will say that I do like the look of the M36.

quote:

Originally posted by KevH:
640-1 loaded with Buffalo Bore 158gr 357 Magnum JHP (short barrel / low flash).

The 442 and lighter guns are great for carry, but difficult to shoot well. The little 640-1 is perfect.

I do like my 640-1 Pro with 357 Magnum but occasionally switch to my 632-2 with 327 Federal or my Performance Center 940 with 356TSW.

I'll be watching folks during range sessions. A large number will run the gamut of varied modern polymer pistols through their paces. When they are done with those, out come the J frames for 5-10 rounds to complete their exercise.

Shooting a cylinder full of 357 Magnum, 327 Federal Magnum or 356TSW from a j frame always stirs some attention at the range. Some walk over to look and ask questions. And 1 or 2 want to know if they can try it.

quote:

Originally posted by TexasRaider:
I'd love to see an all steel J-Frame in .22 Mag...

OK, here's one on the left, and an even rarer J frame on the right...

I have an odd one. Model 35-1. It's a 22/32 kit gun with a 6" barrel. Built from 1967 to 1971 or so.

Model 638-2 pre-lock, trigger job by Cylinder & Slide, front sight drilled with a tritium tube installed.

Carried mostly OWB, closely followed by pocket, and very rarely in a shoulder holster.

quote:

Originally posted by stiab:
OK, here's one on the left, and an even rarer J frame on the right...

Very nice! However, I should've said "an all steel J-Frame in .22 Mag snubbie"... without (hopefully) opening up the usual can of worms as to whether a .22WMR chambered Centennial is a good idea or not, I dig the concept. I just don't like the way S&W did the 357PD. I guess I don't like the way they do any of their new wheel guns, frankly.

Did they ever make a short barrel model of yours, say a 2 1/2" or 3" version?

quote:

Originally posted by TexasRaider:
Did they ever make a short barrel model of yours, say a 2 1/2" or 3" version?

Yes, both guns pictured above have 3" barrels. Also there was a short run of the Model 651 with 2" barrel. The 651 is a steel J-frame 22 mag with adjustable sights. Most of those had a 4" barrel like the one below on top, but a few were made with 2" barrels.

This picture shows a 4" 651 posed with the same 650 as above. The 650 was only made with 3" barrel.