Here's the case for the pocket revolver: (1) the point of civilian self defense is to break contact, not close with the adversary, (2) the overwhelming defensive use of a firearm does not involve actually having to discharge it but merely displaying it in a show of force, (3) the J frame is light and fits easily in one's pants or jacket pocket, which makes it ultra convenient to always have with you, (4) it can be fired from inside a jacket pocket without the adversary even knowing it's being pointed at him (a semi-auto will jam if you try this), (5) it can be operated easily one handed which is critical in a grappling situation, (6) it can be fired when in physical contact with the target (a semi-auto can't), (7) in an up-close defensive use of a firearm, the sights are minimally if ever used (8) while statistics are obscure, it would seem that most confrontations where there is a discharge are resolved with three rounds or less (i.e. the FBI's old canard about the average gunfight occurs within "3 yards in 3 seconds with 3 rounds") so a five shot revolver in most circumstances is likely "adequate" and (9) people who promote the benefits of capacity for a civilian's self-defense weapon are perhaps tacitly acknowledging the "spray and pray" aspect of the semi-auto and are not adequately emphasizing the importance of absolute fire discipline and the need to discharge the absolute minimum number of rounds (if required) because there is a potential prison sentence and lawsuit attached to every bullet which goes astray, thus militating against the cliche that "more capacity is automatically better." Yes, the p365 and Glock 43 are superb, and yes the pocket revolver absolutely is not a beginners gun, but for a dude willing to regularly train with one, a J-frame loaded with wadcutters is an ultra convenient pocket monster that will get you out of most any jam. For what it's worth, I'm a retired Army officer but started out enlisted, serving as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant.

As a Firearms Instructor, I really like the boat paddle analogy for the trigger press. Thanks John, I'm stealing that for my classes 😉

her recoil control was impressive!

You started your experiment with an extended “this gun sucks” intro. Maybe you should have let them “shoot first and ask questions later.” And we never saw their hits. Your boat paddle analogy is spot on. I use that all the time. Training makes the difference from beginner to competent with any gun. For someone who is basically competent, the adrenaline dump is less of an issue. The revolver always rests in its safest state. Are other guns better? Yes. But all require training and practice.

My 10 year old son and 13 year old daughter each shot a box of 38 special + P ammo out of my “stock” j frame 38 yesterday and they had a blast. They never complained once about recoil. Pull this guy’s man card now!!!

I carry a snub nose revolver %80 of the time, it's what I can comfortably appendix carry 14 hours a day. I have a range in my backyard so I shoot a lot.. 😎 A snubby takes a ton of training to be proficient, it absolutely isn't a newbie sidearm.. great video!

27 years as a Trooper and. 12 as a State Agent as. A Undercover Narcotics. I have trusted my life to a J-Frame for all of those 27 years. The gun is NOT all you spout it off to be. You can get some lighter loads and the J Frame is very shoot able.

I have the S&W Model 638 .38 special; the one with the shrouded hammer. I carry it everyday because it's light, simple, and easy to carry.

Over the 10 yrs I've been carrying, I went from a Ruger LC9, to Glock 48, to Sig 365X Macro, and have settled on a S&W 360PD, loaded with +P cartridges for EDC. It's super light, point and shoot within 20 feet, and I never worry about optics crapping out, or mags dropping/jamming. If you can get proficient with these pocket revolvers, you'll get better at pistol shooting in general.

This is why I am glad S&W is teaming up with that other company to “re-do” the J-Frame series. Way better sights, better trigger etc etc

She has great recoil control!

I routinely carry a j frame while doing yard work and other physical tasks. Around the house/yard/farm its light, comfortable, doesn't pinch. But when i venture into civilization, its replaced with a Glock 43x

Dang zero fails after 20,000 rounds, that’s a mag tech ad if I ever heard one, props to mag tech for quality ammo 👏

Success with the J frame is mastering the grip. If you practice and understand the J frames capabilities and limitations, it works in more situations than you can imagine.

Dryfire with a DA/SA firearm can make for amazing trigger control. I really enjoy shooting my DA/SA pistols (a CZ P01 and P07)...but I carry a striker fired P10C. As usual, awesome content, John!

I’ve been carrying a light J Frame since my ‘68 rookie year & in ‘74 used a Colt DS (about the same size as a J frame) to win a gunfight w/three armed robbery suspects, reloading once under fire. When I can’t adequately conceal a J Frame I’ll go to my LCP, but that’s usually when wearing thin dress slacks. Also, your support hand thumb was in front of the cylinder and that could cause an injury. Finally, you’re absolutely right about the J Frame being no fun to shoot, but like you I’ve never had a failure of any kind w/a J Frame.

All valid points. My wife and I had our first permits when there were no viable options, 1911's or revolvers. I carried a 1911 and she carried a model 65. We trained a lot and were very proficient. Times change and are better now.

I have a 85 year old uncle who is a retired US Army captain. He has been shooting a J frame chief’s special since he was very young. He has a garage full of trophies from all the shooting championships he won with his J frame. Now, I’m not attempting to debunk your observations because I agree with most of your conclusions. My uncle is an expert, but it just goes to show that a person can get really good with whatever they train with. If you shoot a J frame for 70 years, you will most likely be really good with it. Same goes for any other other gun/trigger.

Right now I i do Uber for work. I picked the S&W 638 since I figured I'm most likely to encounter a bad guy in my sedan. I don't worry about limp wristing using my non-dominant hand reaching over my body, out of battery, trying to thunb a safety with my left hand while I'm driving etc. I'll purchase a p365 down the road, but I figure at the moment the revolver made the most sense for my niche position. The DA has been a fun challenge, and now my friend's semis feel like switiching from a stick to an automatic. I shoot better than them now, thanks revolver! I'm a new firearm owner and I've been binging your channel for weeks now. Thank you for your life-saving content. May God keep you close!

My grandfather was a Bill Jordan fan, when we were kids living in the River Quay he'd make wax bullets for his snubby so us boys could target practice in the alley behind his house, to this day outta all the autoloaders I own I often more than not carry a Smith and Wesson J frame.

I carry 2 J frames with 3 speed loaders and pepper spray!

I recently added a j-frame to my carry load out and it’s definitely an expert gun. I love it! I would never recommend it to a beginner. I’ve had training with my 686+ revolver, so I feel more confident with it. Great take on reliability.

The place that the J-Frame still really shine is as a backup gun in an ankle holster. Very capable with this platform but not my choice for a primary EDC firearm.

Her recoil control was soooo much better than that other guy!!!!! 😂

Guns in the pocket MUST have a holster! Another thing: Your car does not need a gun. Let’s say that again. YOUR CAR DOES NOT NEED A GUN! Do not leave guns in your car (for those people who say they have a gun in every one of their cars) because part of being a responsible firearm owner is making sure NO ONE can access YOUR gun. YOU need a gun for self defense. If you’re not in your car, your car cannot use the gun. So the gun should go with YOU and not be left in the car. Thank you for attending my TED Talk.

That lady is all muscle…works out like a beast obviously. Shot that light pistol with the hard recoil like nothing. I have a S&W MP 340 and with full load 357 magnums it is brutal on your hand bones…but devastating for a target. It is really made as a back up. I can see a niche use as firing from within a jacket pocket through the jacket since the hammer is internal…but that’s about it other than as a back up. Sort of means you aren’t using a pocket holster though which isn’t good.

1) A good spring kit for the J-Frame goes a long way. 2) Understand that the J-Frame is a "get off me" gun. "Sniping" with a J-Frame is being able to actually hit the A-Zone at 25+yd 3) If you need to use your J-Frame, do so knowing it's your tool to give you the opportunity to run away after dumping 5 close quarters rounds.

I carry a Taurus 605. I chose it specifically for the extra weight in the front end to curb recoil. When you load it with 38s, it is a dream to shoot. Long trigger pull, but I prefer a hammer on it. When I fire one round from this gun in .357 magnum there is a huge ball of flame and it is LOUD. Tweekers that would mess with me would more than likely start dancing like in the Thriller video and bug out. I also have a K frame 686 plus that I carry and shoots like a dream. Hate all you want, Its my life and mine to defend. Did just fine in 3 combat tours

I thank you for this video, I am one who likes to through my J frame in my front pocket. Being a 325 lb. man who always likes my shirt tucked in, I need tips on best way to conceal carry . Please think about doing a video on this issue with several different guns.

First rule of gunfight is to bring a gun. I have been carrying a SW 442 j frame in Albuquerque for 6 years and I love it for being very light and it is utterly reliable and simple. Of course I have been shooting revolvers since the 70's so I get how they can be tricky but I just know what works for me. No safety no issues with controls in an adrenaline dump while I am all hyped up. Blade Tech makes a IWB for J frame that is super comfortable and I carry all day every day at work and at home. I do think the triggers suck and I think some folks are working on new designs with better triggers and stocks. Love your channel!

If you know what you are doing and practice it, you can ‘stage’ the trigger and make it like an SA, accurate and controllable. I’m a big fan of the J frame.

As a plainclothes criminal investigator for over 25 years and dealer in firearms for 18, I became a fan of the Smith & Wesson J frame series as an absolutely excellent concealed carry self-defense option. It exhibits the very best, and most important, characteristics of a concealed carry handgun of any type: concealability and extreme reliability, and good wounding capacity with the right ammunition. On-board capacity of five shots exceeds what is necessary for the vast majority of self defense encounters. For all his whimpering about the sights, they are sufficient to make head hits at 25 yards, and accuracy with good ammunition is excellent. Are they a beginner's self defense choice? Maybe. But quality practice is important with any platform.

Agreed. All solid points. To each their own

Cuss it all you want; that's probably the one revolver design that will never die.

Yo, little Destiny killed it controlling that muzzle flip.

She's printing a lot!

I inherited a 642 from my dad and as much as I love it, I can't argue with the points made in the video. Sight radius, very short. Capacity, nowhere near what one could carry. Trigger pull, down right insanely heavy and long. I can't fix the sight radius or capacity but I have polished the trigger and other internals and I've considered putting the Mcarbo springs in it. Polishing did a great job of making it a smother pull and a little easier to handle. I've carried this as my primary EDC and I feel good about it. I figure I have 2-3 shots to neutralize the threat and a couple left to get to safety before I have a problem to solve. With a semi-auto, I can double or triple that before I have that same problem to solve. Great video, as always, and I appreciate all that you do.

Shoot both auto and revolver like both carry both. Much discusiiona about small problems. Get plenty of rounds down range and decide for yourself what you want to use and when. Good health to all.

We had about 15 people at our annual indoor low light fun shoot, and I remember at least 10 people using a P365 in some configuration (including myself). I know people say the G43x/G48 are popular, but we only had 1. The 4 that I remember, which weren't P365's, were: P226, P320, G19, and G43X (which broke the slide stop, snapped near the hinge point).

Yes, the small snubbie is not a great starter pistol. Yes, it does require work to get and stay proficient with them. Dry fire practice with these guns is pretty much mandatory to get good with the long, heavy DA trigger. I'd say it is still a very good tool to have in the tool box and far better than the proverbial sharp stick if you need something to defend yourself. I never feel underarmed carrying my LCR down to the corner store or wherever.

I agree it’s not a beginner gun. But, it’s not that difficult. My girlfriend has no problem with hers in 38 special. She normally carries shield, but the little revolver is much easier for her to carry in many situations. Also, the new 32 mag from smith has 6 rounds and is much easier to shoot. Crimson laser grips work very nice with these little revolvers and eliminates many difficulties. You can also shoot from inside a jacket or coat. You can also shoot in direct contact with the attacker. She also likes that she can easily unload it without possible deformation of the bullets from repeated cycling in an auto loader. Meaning, she doesn’t to rotate cartridges in her magazines. There are always compromises.

Way back in the day, Sheriff Charles "Skeeter" Skelton tested a J-frame against a Walther PPK and found that .38Spl LRN bullets and 380ACP FMJ bullets penetrated to virtually the same depth in pine boards, so he chose the PPK as a thinner, flatter backup gun that held 2 more rounds that performed equally as well, and was easier for him to shoot (especially in single-action). I started carrying a S&W 640 in my left front pocket in 1995, then I switched to carrying a 642 in 1998, went back to a different 640 in 2006, then upgraded to a 6-shot Colt Cobra in 2019. I shot my 640 many times in multiple classes with Massad Ayoob and Grant Cunningham, and I learned that my 135gr +P Gold Dot carry ammunition would drop a man-sized mammal just as well as any 9mm or .45ACP load if the shot was placed correctly. Then, I picked up my Ruger LCP Max, and I found that it actually cleared my left front pocket just as well as any of my snubby revolvers, it held even more ammo onboard than any of my pocket snubbies + a separate speedloader, and it ran reliably through a few hundred rounds of FMJ plus a couple of boxes of Hornady Critical Defense .380ACP, which performed basically the same as the .38Spl GDHP load that I already carried and trusted. Carried in a Safariland pocket holster, it weighs, prints and bulges less than my 642, even fully loaded with 2.6× as much ammo. I get hits at 3-5 yards just as fast as any of my snubbies from the front pocket, it's less-expensive and less-unpleasant to shoot than any lightweight J-frame, and I can actually reholster it one-handed with the Safariland pocket holster. I love traditional guns as much as anyone else, but I carry guns that do the same job better for me, and not just because of preexisting biases...

Last Sunday I shot a similar gun. 28 special with an 8 pound trigger. It almost broke my hand. The guy at the range said he has a .357 that shoots softer!

I trained many years with a double action .357 duty revolver, so I'm pretty comfortable with these, and don't feel poorly armed when I have one. However, it can't be denied that it has many drawbacks that counteract whatever advantages it may have. Though I have carried it in a pocket holster, I don't think it's a good way to carry. It's slow and awkward to draw, and really doesn't conceal that well in my clothes. A standard belt holster is best. For newbies, there are way better choices.

Interesting video. I have a Taurus 905 in 9mm. It is a steel alloy and weighs in at 21 ounces. I replaced the grip with a laser grip that allows me to get a full grip and negate the need to use the iron sights. This gun is heavier and provides a better grip and sighting than the one in your video. I find it pleasant to shoot. I use moon clips that make it quick to reload. The only disadvantage is the long heavy trigger pull which can be mastered with practice. You can also use the appendix carry with the holster and gun in your video.

Totally agreed. I have advanced training and experience, and my little. 38 is just my in the house gun when I don't want to carry a G19.

Her control of recoil is outstanding. Watch her shoulders….the recoil energy flows through her arms and pushes her shoulders back…. I carry this same firearm and with practice it can be managed well. For me….it’s a perfect conceal carry firearm. As other owners of these j frames say…..simple and reliable. Actually…more than reliable…. They are foolproof as the only way it can fail is bad ammo… If you use factory loads for CC…you are always good to go.

For awhile, i carried a model 640 .357 and a Shield Plus 9mm. It was a nice combo. The power of .357 rounds, or the capacity (15+1) of the Shield, depending upon the circumstances.

Growing up I owned and shot many co2 double action only bb/pellet guns. The triggers are just as heavy sometimes heavier than real revolvers. The years of shooting co2 guns made me supper accurate with real snub nose/full size revolvers. Also i never had an issue with the old school 158gr lrn or the wadcutters

The Tyler T-grip adapter transforms the shooting experience without adversely impacting the footprint of the gun. I vastly prefer the Colt Detective Special over a J-frame. Lightweight frame materials like aluminum or scandium are trendy and cool in the gun store, not so much on the range. Neither the small Colt nor the S&W are suitable for a house gun. If you are committed to a revolver for a house gun, a K- or L-Frame S&W or similar-sized Colt or Ruger with 4-inch barrel and steel or stainless steel construction is the way to go.

My wife and I both carry j-frames, and your analysis is very accurate! I do want to say that for some people (like my wofe and I) a DA trigger just clicks better in their brain for them vs a striker, and for those people it's a lower barrier of entry. Additionally, that gun is half the loaded weight of the P635XL. Weight can be a big deal for some people, like me before God healed my back, which is why I went from a P365XL to a 340PD (with 38 wadcutters) They also carry differently than a semi; we're small people and appendix carry ours more effectively than we can a semi auto. The stocks make a massive difference in felt recoil. I have small hands and I actually get all of the strength of my pinky, even with the short grips you have there. But just having them fit your hands well cuts down on the pain. With my favorite grips (Hogue bantam, which are similar to the stock grip) I will do 357 in my 340PD for fun, it's a lot but it's doable. And finally, having a j-frame in 22lr is what transitioned my wife to one in 38. 38 was too much recoil to learn with, but once she learned with 22 she graduated to 38 and wanted to ditch her S&W Shield.

Amazing content! Changed my mind about wanting one.. shot a revolver at an indoor range but didn't pay much attention to these things! Thanks to the volunteers too! :)

So J frame in 38/357 or LCP in .380? If I want something in the ~12-17oz range (loaded) I will carry one of these. Both week side. Usually it is the M&p340 357 because I have more confidence in the caliber and I shoot adiquately at close range fastish. If I want more of something then it is (my wife's) P365x with 17rounders in a sling bag which is slow to draw, but all the other advantages.

I have been carrying a S&W J -frame 38spl since 1980 first a mod 36, then a 60,then a 649 & now a 342pd airlite in a shoulder,pancake.,iwb,ankle & pocket holster and try not to leave home without it

I agree that, in general, that very lightweight revolvers are not beginner friendly. They can, however, be used to improve your trigger pull. Try shooting a full set of rounds through the gun. Then, put in some snap caps and dry fire a full set or two. Then, have someone else load it for you with a mix of snap caps and live rounds. You will quickly see when you are jerking the trigger. Try running a few sets until you can get through it without jerking in anticipation.

Wow really shows the importance of proper technique, she really controlled the recoil well

Having taken Craig Douglas's ECQC class I'd say one area where a J-frame style revolver is going to shine is in a hands on grappling fight. In close physical contact with another person it is relatively easy to get an auto loader knocked out of battery so it doesn't go bang when you want it to. That doesn't happen with a revolver. It is also easier for the slide to snag when the action cycles leaving you with a one shot pistol. I think it is less likely for a revolver to get fouled like that.

I carry a S&W 642 during the summer in my pants pocket in a pocket holster. It is a hard to shoot gun. I carry Winchester Defender 130 grain +p hollow points. I have a set of Crimson Trace extended length laser grips. It is a handful but if you use a proper two handed grip it doesn’t hurt and is manageable. I will be getting to set up to use moon clips soon. I also have a 640 which I may start using. The 642 is not for someone that doesn’t know to shot well. The trigger pull is not an issue with training. If I feel I need to be prepared, I put my hand in my pocket on the grip. I completely agree that this is not a beginner’s gun but it has its place in the right hands.

No matter what gun you go with - do your research. Small light-weight snub nose revolvers in calibers like this or higher are not fun to shoot. That is very true. But there ARE small revolvers that are easier to shoot. Lucky Gunner has more balanced videos on this. John is overly biased against revolvers so he dismisses all of them too readily in my opinion. I own several SAs (including the Sig he mentioned in this video) and several revolvers. I LOVE my Ruger 327 Fed Magnum LCR revolver. I load with 32 wad-cutters. The ballistics tests on this are good (again, from Lucky Gunner’s channel). Lastly, at the end he shifted from talking about a carry gun to a home defense gun. A large heavy revolver is great for this, like a Smith & Wesson 686. Or even a shotgun. At that point the comparison is no longer between small SAs or small revolvers. There is a lot to think through for any gun purchase. Start with your intended purpose, then consider your needs based on that purpose. Size. Your ability to handle recoil. Reliability. How often are you able to practice. Stopping power. I’ve only been shooting for a few years, but have done hundreds of hours of research before making my purchases. While John makes good points in this video, it is still a bit superficial. He gives more weight to things that aren’t as important to beginners (like the eventual potential to be tenths of a second faster with a SA than with a revolver) and skips over real downsides to beginner use of SAs - like limp-wristing. Stressful real-life situations are not like being on the range. This needs to be taken into consideration. And also, most first-time gun owners are not going to be mainstays at the range - so often having a gun you can pick up and shoot easily even if you haven’t been to the range in a year or more is something that needs to be considered. I know John wants everyone to be range warriors, but that just isn’t the reality for many people. You must consider the realities of different individuals when giving advice.

The place for the J-Frame is contact fighting. My fear with SEMI's is an attacker closing distance snd actually making physical contact with at which rime i cannot make a "Punch Shot".

Good points. I actually thought the girl was carrying a demonstration gun too, to show something that is too big, since it was basically sticking out of her mid section.

You can also choose a lighter load for a relovler in regards to 38 special that would help with recoil. The definately aren't for everyone.

I carried a lightweight 38 in my pocket for 9 years. I dealt with feeling the results of my practice in my hand for 3 days after as well as the cost of ammunition. Last year I had to stop when I felt a strange twinge in my shooting hand. One can carry and shoot these guns fairly well, but you'll pay for that regular practice in more than just your wallet.

Improved trigger on a J frame means a $15-$20 spring kit and a small screwdriver. Fast follow-up shots can be superior to a semiauto: no reciprocating slide means improved recoil recovery. And, for the record, those stocks are known as 'boot grips' and are the very smallest style available for the J Frame besides the OG Model 36 slim walnut stocks. The use of more ergonomic 'combat grips' permit the use of the pinky finger, and the full use of the support hand. An in-the-pants holster is extremely effective, especially seated in a car, and skilled use of speed loaders provides a quick reload. The argument of a problematic reholster is weak, in that reholstering after firing is typically not done in a hurry; there's no rush.

It’s not a beginner gun but I do fine with a snubby. An HK da/sa has some heavy trigger too!

As a regular concealed carrier, I agree there are much better options. In my use (LEO), I carried a J-frame as a backup gun on the inside of my strong side ankle in the event I was ever in a struggle over my duty weapon. This would allow me to draw with my weak hand and make contact shots since slide out of battery is a non-issue with a revolver. (The only holster I trusted was the Gould and Goodrich Bootlock, due to it being both velcroed and laced into place). I realize this is a niche use, but valid in this application.

When john steadied up for that first shot, I thought "You know, having all that hair really makes him look slimmer." :) Because, you know, posts about his hair and appearance rather than the content make everyone so happy. :D

I always have an 340 M&P 357 on my ankle as a second… No out of battery issues and that’s a ton of flame and pressure going internal….😮 5 for sure-ish….

Well, here’s the thing though John, you made the case at the end for why a little revolver is the right gun for so many people: it can be neglected in a drawer for years and still do its job for a person who has never trained and will never train. It’s sad, but the reality is that a whole lot of people fall into that category. And such people can still benefit from at least that level of self defense capabilities.

To start with, I completely agree with you that it's more of an expert's gun. You already name-dropped DB, Haggard, and Werner, so you've definitely heard their takes on the use-cases. And I would point out that even Bolke and Haggard (don't know about Werner) prefer a modern auto in the appendix and reserve a snubby for the pocket most of the time (DB has a Langdon PX4 or Boresight P365XL, Haggard had a Glock 48 with an SCD when I trained with him). One of the points people also made was that, in that pocket sized category, a revolver tended to be more reliable than a similarly sized auto, which had more to do with ergonomics and things like grip in sub-optimal conditions, or in a wrestling situation. However that is probably less true today with more commonly available, high quality, very small guns like the P365 (the same as the "but what will you actually carry?" argument) For what it's worth, the negatives of a snub like that *can* be mitigated somewhat using things like a wraparound rubber grip like a Ruger LCR, using wadcutters, or stepping down the caliber to something like .32 H&R or .32 Long. The sights, on the other hand, require you to buy just the right gun, and there aren't that many options. Even then, as you said, it doesn't deal with the very limited capacity, trigger which can be more difficult to learn, all that stuff.

I agree, definitely not a beginner gun. I do carry my LCR around the house when I wear sweat pants or sports shorts. It's very light and comfortable to carry for long periods. Generally, when I leave the house, I will carry my shield or something with 10+1. I tried putting a longer solid grip on the LCR in order to get a full grip. After 250 rounds thru it on one trip to the range, it left my hand bruised for a week. I went back to the softer short grip it came with. Nobody that has shot my LCR has wanted to shoot more than 10 rounds. I put thousands of rounds through it before I felt comfortable carrying it.

Minor correction. 642 is not hammerless, the hammer is internal. Internal hammers on a revolver are to limit snagging and to prevent foriegn material from creating a blockage.

She handled that no problem....

John the 640 makes the J frame easy to shoot. Add a 442/642 pocket with the same loads and reloads and you are good to go.

She had part of the reason for the J-frame’s existence right there on her abdomen the whole time. Many users of dot-sighted appendix carried guns print way more than they realize. The young man who shot first had a terrible “revolver grip”, choke up on that bad boy. The J-frame is not perfect by any means, and I routinely carry a G-19 or G-26 more than the J, but it is more useful than this video would lead someone to believe.

Before watching the entire video my opinion would be that it would make a good backup gun for ankle carry, but of course you would also have a polymer frame striker fired pistol with an optic as primary. (No gun Amish)

I love J-frames and have several. That being said I agree with you a 100% that it is NOT a beginners gun, even in the steel frame Model 40 and 49 versions that I have the recoil is substantial enough to scare away a new shooter. People that recommend these to new shooters are being irresponsible and making someone that was open to the idea of owning a firearm a potential future ANTI. Promote our hobby and the acceptance of CCW by making responsible recommendations to those that need guidance, even if it means a 22lr. Its better than a sharp stick. Great Video!!! Did I mention I love J-frames!!

When you are only used to a semiauto with a shorter trigger press... the revolver seems difficult. Revolvers are underrated in today's world but when one is familiar with them... they should not be overlooked for defensive carry.

I've got a Charter 5 shot 357 and a Taurus 856 Ultralight. Neither are unpleasant with +P 38 Special. The Charter is manageable, but slightly unpleasant with 357 loads. I have micro-nines and sometimes still carry them. I have duty-size semis, but those are mostly for 4-legged bad guys while hunting. I do a lot of dry fire practice. I also found an air-soft pistol with a trigger very much like a DA revolver, and a Crosman SNR 357 bb/pellet revolver with a very realistic trigger. I find myself preferring the revolver for carry more and more.

An all steel 357( so you have the versatility of ammunition selection) with a 4 inch barrel is absolutely a great “only” gun for a person that just wants to own a gun and never train, use or maintain it. Nothing in a defensive caliber is easier to start with than a 36+ oz with 38 or 38+p. Airweight or Scandium, nope.

Hey Mr. John! I do Uber for work right now. I think a revolver for self defense in my sedan seems like the most appropriate weapon in case of limp risking with my left hand, a passenger possibly grabbing my firearm, someone wrestling me for the weapon etc. Do you think I'm off the mark? Thank you for your hard work!

I own that gun, and yes it is hard to shoot. I took mine and got rid of the crimson trace stocks and added some extended stocks and a wilson combat spring kit to lighten the trigger pull. Definitely better than straight out of the box, but still not an easy gun to shoot. I'd say it’s too light and hammers your hands when shooting it because the gun doesn't absorb any of the recoil. I love wheel guns, just not this one.

Snubnose revolvers became popular at a time when small semiauto pistols were notoriously unreliable and hollowpoint 9mm/380 ammo performed poorly in short barrels. They’re almost obsolete now that small semiautos have surpassed them in most respects. You’re right that carrying a P365 or Shield is not much more inconvenient than carrying a snubby, but it’s much easier to shoot with higher capacity, better recoil, and better ballistics.

Every one should have a revolver, 2nd or 3rd gun, a 22, 32 or 38 k frame ish size, great for trigger training.

Own this gun. Agree wholeheartedly with review and no longer carry this pistol as my protector.

It’s still an experts gun. That’s the reason I made my wife and kids start off on a revolver. Once you’ve mastered the revolver, or close to it, all other pistols are a breeze to operate

I carry the 340sc in a bug bite ankle holster for only sitting position. Lcp2 in the pocket for casual hand on gun and smart carry Glock 26 with 15 round mag next to it. I agree the j frame today is mostly out dated but not worthless to each there own.

Enclosed hammer like ruger lcr is great. The classic drop the wallet then shoot trick is better when you shoot from inside the coat pocket so you don’t get noticed and shot while brandishing. Draw from the drop? It’s an option when my draw is inside my pocket and you think I’m reaching for my wallet to give you.

I know some older folks that don’t even shoot every YEAR! The husband got his wife a j frame, and I hope they see this video

What kind of Grips are on that S&W 642?

For a while I thought a j frame was about all I could conceal. Not the case any more. Modern holster equipment allows us to conceal bigger pistols. If you absolutely need a small pistol the G43, p365, or similar sized pistols give just as much capacity, better trigger, better ergos, and are just as easy or easier to conceal.

In all fairness, there's variety even in j frames. A steel frame with an exposed hammer will be a better starting point for some. Maybe end point. I love my steel frame & it's still not too heavy in carry terms.

Also, don’t bet on, “if it don’t go bang, just pull the trigger again” with revolvers. The only “stoppage” I ever had was when recoil backed a bullet out of the case (factory ammo) a hair and jammed said bullet against the frame on the next trigger pull. Depending on which side of the cylinder it hangs up on…it can make it interesting to clear if your life depended on it.

29 year Federal LEO retired, former Army MP Captain, NRA Instructor, and YES, alloy J frames are awful to shoot. Never give a new or inexperienced shooter an alloy J frame. Steel framed J’s, like the 640, are passable. K frames even better.

Regular fan, FI and RSO here. Yes, the J Frame is an expert's gun; it should not be sold to beginners for general self defense. And good on you for emphasizing "IN A (POCKET) HOLSTER". Amazing how many longtime shooters throw one into the pants or jacket pocket or under the front seat without one. As for those who throw STRIKER-FIRED semiautos into their pockets or under the front seat without a holster...😳

When you go range shooting maybe not 100 rounds through a snubnose 38 but for a get off me gun, 1 to 6 shots defending your life, youre fine. Hes really looking at this all wrong.

i just got back from the chiropractor and my back is killing me. I usually wear a safariland shoulder houlster with a shield 2.0 around the house but when i got home i just couldnt take that shit anymore and thats my only way to carry without back pain usually. So now the rest of the night im rocking the j frame in a pocket holster and a reload (not really) in the way of a fixed blade push dagger on my belt lol. The jframe is my best friend that is always there for me when no one else is even if they are the least competent friend in the collection.

I’m all about it….. ❤❤❤❤❤😊

6:40 James, grab up higher on the grip frame backstrap to get upward pinkey wrap on the bottom of the stocks and lower the bore axis.

The key to control that little gun is a very high grip, to the point some of your hand rolls over the top when the hammer isn't.