Project: Break my J frame.
Guys,
For the past few years I have spent less and less time playing with autoloading handguns. My main problem with them is that they are, frankly, impractical for every day civillian carry. I still play with my .45s and my plastic guns but I never carry them.
Basically, here is my reasoning (from a post of mine last year).
I think the J-frame in airweight format is probably the best all-around gun for the average civillian. Here is why:
1. Very simple. The Revolver has no safety, no movable sights, no dropable magazines, nothing. Just a gun that you can drop in your pocket and go.
2. Very reliable. While the myth of the unstoppable revolver is BS, it is true that a revolver is more likely to go off when you pull the trigger. Any number of factors from being out of battery due to close contact, empty chamber, jam, missing magazine, etc can curse your autoloader, the J-frame will work in all of the these cicumstances--and if the cylinder is empty keep squeezing.
3. Reasonable cost. Autoloaders are pricey. A Glock 19 is going to run most folks around $520. You are going to need a rigid holster (at least a fobus) and probably at least another spare mag or two. A J-frame will run you $100-200 cheaper.
4. You can throw out the price difference buy purchasing a set of crimson trace laser grips. This is, in the words of LAV, a no brainer fro the J-frame. The laser grip is absolutely perfect for this type of gun. You can practice dry-firing, shooting on the move, barrier shots, etc using the crimson trace grips and save a LOT of time and money at the range. This is especially nice for folks who don't have a range where they can practice practical shooting.
5. Five shots is a serious limitation. I do agree with those who say that 5 shots is the scary minimum. But I do think that the fact that you are much more likely to actually CARRY an ultra-lightweight revolver makes up for a combat autoloader in the glove compartment because you didn't feel like putting it back on before you went in the store.
6. Simplicity (again). A J-frame is really all you need. A simple nylon pocket holster is preferable, but not absolutely needed. You can just put it in your coat pocket (and shoot through it if need be). There is no need to keep up with magaizines and wait for months for holsters or any of the other doo-hickey's that you collect for autoloaders.
So, for the past year I have been mainly practicing with a 442 that I picked up a while back. My EDC is a 342 (Scandium/titanium) worked over by Karl Sokol. But my training gun is a 642 with an xs tritium front sight also installed by Sokol.
I am going to keep a log of my training and round count with the 642. Basically to entertain myself but also to see if any of the information I stumble upon is useful to anyone else.
As of today the 642 has 370rounds through it. 300rounds wwb 130 grain and 50 rounds of +p 158 grain lawman. I also ran 20 rounds of 135 grain gold dot.
I typically carry my 342 in my pocket so that is how I do all my drills. I usually practice like this.
1. 1,2,3 shot sets draw at 21 feet.
2. 1,2,3 shot sets draw and fire while walking backwards.
3. 1,2,3 forwards.
4. 1,2,3 sideways in both directions.
5. Box drills
6. Strong and weak hand drills.
7. 25 yards groups
8. Hail Mary shots at 50 and 100 yards.
I use HKS speed loaders for all reloads.
http://m.flickr.com/photos/52942291@...9219/lightbox/
J-frame vs. semi-auto: Just different tools for different jobs.
I recently bought a brand new 442 (no internal lock) to compliment my full size 1911, M&P’s and M&P compact. I work in a hospital setting where carrying on the job would be grounds for immediate termination, not to mention going into and out of MRI would be a huge hassle. The 442 lets me slip the j-frame into my scrub pocket for times between my job and home (getting gas, running errands etc.). I also like being able to wear my 442 when doing yard work in my front pocket (less of a chance of branches etc. catching on my IWB).
The majority of the time I try to wear a M&P full size or compact in 9mm IWB. Before the 442 I would use a smart carry holster when dress code wasn’t ideal for IWB carry. But I never got comfortable with carrying the M&Ps with a round in the chamber in the smart carry (no safety). My 1911 was no problem. I also didn’t like the slow draw sequence the smart carry required.
When I have a cover garment or baggy clothes I prefer IWB, when I’m in-between my day job or doing yard work I love the ease of putting my 442 in my front pocket. Lounging around home in sweatpants or athletic shorts is also where the 442 shines….. I prefer not to wear a gun belt 24/7 when I am on the couch relaxing.
250 additional rounds down the pipe
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/8064374091
250 additional rounds today. Not that bad! Apparantly the nerves in my hand have just given up. Also, I mounted some crimson trace grips on the 642 which are much easier on the hands than the factory setup (rubber pad across backstrap).
Basically I ran a wild combination of my usual drills. I did some timer drills drawing from my pocket. Unfortunately the avg from my pocket holster to hit within a six inch circle is 1.87. In my defense, this is from a pocket draw.
Even worse are my reloads which are taking 7 plus second from empty to next shot. No Jerry miculek I.
On the humorous side I was able to hit the old 8 inch plate at 100 yards.
I was happy to find that the laser was dead on with 158 gr right out of the box. It was visible in the daylight so I did some box drills with it which were fairly easy.
The fun continues!