[1892]

Pocket carried both a S&W J-frame or a Glock 27/26 for a long time in the front pocket of my uniform pants... I still use my J-frames in short & flip-flop weather, sometimes as a "BUG", they definitely have their place.

Last month I purchased two G-43's, I have been so impressed with this design that they have replaced my G-26 as my primary "BUG". The G-43 makes a good choice for off-duty, back-up, and everyday carry (the G-43 is very comfortable to carry).

I'm starting to think that the G-43 will replace many G-27/26's, some will say "heck no", I thought that too, but when you spend an extended time carrying one (10-hour shift) you might have a different opinion...YMMV...

 

[tx gunrunner]

Not saying I am completely down on S&W but there were issues on the 642 finish .

Mine is perfect

 

[MedicineBow]

The current crop of mini-nines, including the G43, is so good that it blows J frames out of the water. The G43 at about 20.5 ounces loaded is just about as good as a full sized gun at 25 yards. Try that with a J frame, or a 100-200 round training session, or an IDPA type course of fire. The J frames cannot keep up. I was an early adopter of the 640/642 J frames for pocket carry, but I have not carried one in years. The G43 just edged out a Sig P938 for my pocket carry/BUG. Technology marches on.

 

[t4terrific]

I would like to get a small, pocketable pistol to ccw, maybe carry it IWB sometimes. Basically, something to carry from time to time when a larger pistol is unpractical or a hassle.

I would prefer a Glock for many reasons, but the loaded weight and size keep pointing me towards the J- frame.

My question to those of you who retired their J-frame in favor of a g42 or g43 is why did you do so? Is it the better sights? More rounds? Durability? More enjoyable to shoot?

Also, would a g26 have retired your J-frame?

Kahr PM9 for me. Thinner, great sights, better trigger, and 7 rounds plus another mag available in my other front pocket for a quick reload.

Mostly, it's just easy and convenient. It works every time, and accurate.

 

[poodleplumber]

I bought a G26 for increased capacity, and after a while I sold my 642. I can't say the G26 is a pocket pistol, except for once in a while with cargo shorts, but IWB carry works very well and I seldom have a need for pocket carry. My wife has a Sig P238 that she carries every day, so I can switch that to a pocket when the situation demands it.

 

[AgentM79]

I retired my J-Frame for a Ruger LCR! S&W needs to be VERY afraid of Ruger's new revolver design.

I am acquiring a "Wyatt Custom/Gunsmoke" S&W 637-2 revolver this weekend. While I am hoping it will find a niche in my carry rotation, I can't imagine something that will best my LCR.

I like the idea of the .380 and 9mm single stack Glock guns, and I know they are exactly what many shooters were asking for. BUT, years ago I bought into the S&W Sigma, and had both the SW380 and SW9M. Kinda analogous to the G42 and G43. Both guns were reliable and reasonably accurate. neither did a damned thing for me, even though I carried a SW9C Sigma (G19-sized) as a duty gun back then.

 

[Bruce M]

Many guys that "grew up" with J frames will not stop carrying them and that is quite understandable based on a few decades as a "gold standard" for concealed and plain clothes carrying. There is still a certain charm with the J frame but my guess is more guys will gravitate to one of the many small pistols. Time will tell whether one particular one captures as big a slice as the J frame did.

 

[DubfromGA]

I would like to get a small, pocketable pistol to ccw, maybe carry it IWB sometimes. Basically, something to carry from time to time when a larger pistol is unpractical or a hassle.

I would prefer a Glock for many reasons, but the loaded weight and size keep pointing me towards the J- frame.

My question to those of you who retired their J-frame in favor of a g42 or g43 is why did you do so? Is it the better sights? More rounds? Durability? More enjoyable to shoot?

Also, would a g26 have retired your J-frame?

Added a G26 recently....great gun. There is nothing about it that I don't like.


This is after years of carrying this 442 in a pocket holster. The G26 works well enough in a pocket holster....in some of my pants. It works event better in an RCS Phantom set up as a high riding OWB holster.










The bulk of the G26 is not overly noticeable to me as I've had these grips on the 442 for a while.














The 442 isn't retired.....not hardly. Great little gun, but the G26 offers an easier trigger, improved sights, greater capacity and easier reloads.



Now.....a G43 may seriously cut into the carry time of that 442. I'll know after adding a G43.

 

[kingcruncher]

I would like to get a small, pocketable pistol to ccw, maybe carry it IWB sometimes. Basically, something to carry from time to time when a larger pistol is unpractical or a hassle.

I would prefer a Glock for many reasons, but the loaded weight and size keep pointing me towards the J- frame.

My question to those of you who retired their J-frame in favor of a g42 or g43 is why did you do so? Is it the better sights? More rounds? Durability? More enjoyable to shoot?

Also, would a g26 have retired your J-frame?

I would choose from G43, Kahr PM9. I'm not into .380 personally.

 

[Mattkcc]

Smith did a great job with K & L frames but they could never figure out how to make a descent J frame trigger. It took Ruger to figure out how to make a nice trigger in a small framed ,LCR, which is strange because their large framed D/A revolvers were way to heavy. When I retired I bought a J frame air weight and it sucked between the terrible trigger and the canted barrel I couldn't hit the broadside of the preverbal barn.

 

[zennashton]

J frame is not retired he's just on a long vacation.

 

[257 roberts]

I had a 26 and a S&W 642....sold the 26...no question which one is easier to pocket carry

 

[Eric2340]

I went from a 5 shot Airweight Ti J frame in .38 that I carried two speed loaders or speed strips with for a total of 15 rounds to my G26 now w/ 10+1 in the chamber and a G17 seventeen round mag on my hip as a spare. Easier to shoot, better ammo selection, better sights, thinner and flatter in the pocket or IWB, holds more rounds w/o reloading, faster to reload (if even needed at 11 rounds already?), and a total of 28 rounds - that's more than half a box of ammo in one mag in the gun and ONE spare mag. WHAT is there NOT to like more about that? Drops right in my pocket just like the J-frame did, I never looked back.

As far as I am concerned the G26 IS the modern J-frame now.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I like my Glock 26 on my belt in a Galco Combat Master leather holster and my pocket-worn 642 in my off hand pocket.

I was liking my Glock 42 in my pocket...then my wife decided she liked it. :brickwall:

 

[Wellthought]

I sometimes carry a G26 Gen4. Very easy to carry in my pocket!

 

[Blackshirt]

In a fight, I prefer to have a quality automatic. However, revolvers (and J/K Frames with fixed sights, in particular) are really good to keep around. They are simple to use and don't require external accessories (like magazines) to run. I normally carry my autos, but I keep a model 65 and a 638 in my bug-out bag...

 

[NewWaveGuy]

Here is my Kahr CW 45 I cut the grip frame to take CM45 mags to pocket carry with a laser and it super thin .

I really like your grips on the 642, what are they?

 

[AL Bundy's Dodge]

Has anyone ever been called out for printing while pocket carrying a j, 42, 43 or 26? I guess they are all similarly sized...

 

[Lumber31]

Was a revolver guy for years, both on duty, off duty, woods carry & hunting back up. Really loved them and still do, mainly for one application now, back up handgun when hunting in Alaska. When in the "lower 48" & in non-grizzly bear country, I'm carrying a Glock.

A hump back Airweight S&W .38 special was my EDC for many years, then switched to the Glock 27. Twice as many rounds, more powerful ammo & easier to hit with - far out weighed the lil' bit extra weight.

Now my EDC is the Glock 43, again more ammo, more powerful ammo, the same weight, slimmer gun & faster reloads VS the J-frame .38 special. To me, it's an all-around better gun in every aspect over a J-frame revolver.

Still love revolvers, my last handgun purchase was a S&W 686 / 4". Why, when I have a great Glock 20/10MM for woods carry?! Revolvers are just cool.

 

[Buckeye63]

I really like the Ruger LCR platform, the one on top is a LCR9 9mm
The one on the bottom is a LCRX 38 Spl ...I'm crossing my fingers and hopeing that they release a Ruger LCR in 327 Federal magnum!!!!