[MJRW]

Crikey, that's a hand full. I was shooting speer 158 gr (I think) .38 special +p initially. Wrist and arm are still sore today. Went back to the counter to get some nice mild .38 special. That was controllable. Enough for second or third shot at short range (20 feet) to safely hit my target. But after about 150 rounds, that was all I ever WANT to shoot this thing.

And that crap I've read about not being able to hit anything beyond 5-6 feet? Slow fire at 30 and 40 feet was hitting just fine.

But seriously, this is not going to be one I shoot regularly.

[10-Ring]

I'm still weighing the need vs. want re: a light weight snubby. Thanks for your impressions!

[Kentucky Rifle]

It's been a while since I've shot the 20 ounce S&W, all steel .38 special snub that I keep in a little bed stand table. Thus, my memory might not be so great, but I don't remember there being much difference in felt recoil. Sore wrist? Opinions please? Anyone else notice a big difference between the 20 oz all-steel vs the 15 oz airWEIGHT snubs? (NOT the airLIGHT Ti's)

Thanks,
KR

[BigG]

If you get a standard K-frame 22 LR or 38 and learn to cycle it double action you will be surprised how well you can shoot with it.

It takes time and will build your arm and hand strength up. Shooting a revolver properly is work at first but the reward comes later when your friends see you make a pop can dance at 50 or 100 yards firing DA and quickly, too. When you have the K-frame down, you will be ready to switch to the snubby as you have your control down.

For a guy who wants to be a shooter, the snubby is a mistake for a learning piece in my opinion. The snubby is good for two things: as a specialist's tool or for the guy who just wants a gun, buys it, and puts it away. In other words, they are for the best shooters and the non-shooters. The casual guy may be more frustrated than anything else by a snubnose. It can be as accurate as any handgun but it takes much more work to get good with it if you only shoot with it. A K-frame revo will speed up your learning curve. HTH

[Standing Wolf]

For a guy who wants to be a shooter, the snubby is a mistake for a learning piece in my opinion. The snubby is good for two things: as a specialist's tool or for the guy who just wants a gun, buys it, and puts it away. In other words, they are for the best shooters and the non-shooters. The casual guy may be more frustrated than anything else by a snubnose.

That's well said.

I carry a snub-nosed revolver, and practice with it regularly, but when I want to shoot for the sheer, pure joy of punching holes in sheets of paper, I leave the little one in the holster and limber up a gun with a good sight radius, adjustable sights, and good stocks. Snub-nosed revolvers, in my opinion, just aren't versatile.

[MikeJ]

I notice a tremendous difference between my 23 oz. 640 and 15 oz. 37 Airweight. Mike

[Kentucky Rifle]

I think it's time I got the old 20 oz guy out of the drawer and to the range to compare it to the 15 oz, 638 Bodyguard. I've had that old guy since 1978. It's not even rated for +P rounds. I sure wish S&W made them like that nowadays. After all these years~perfect lock-up. The only wear is cosmetic. I've never replaced anything but the cartridges! :) I've often thought about changing the grips, but something inside me always says~"Leave it alone".<shrug>

KR

[MJRW]

Yeah, that .38 is not a shooter's piece. I will shoot it on rare occassion just because it is one of my carry pieces, but its a rascal on that recoil. UMC .357s out of the GP-100 are more tame than the most mild .38s I shot out of the 637. I'm afraid of doing damage to tendons shooting the 637 extensively.

[ruger357]

Yes, there is a noticable difference, but the 637 is to be carried alot, not shot alot. I have not shot +P's through it yet, so I could not say how much the recoil is on mine. Like Kentuckey my night stand gun is also a all steel one. 649.

[Kentucky Rifle]

Deep blue color, pinned barrel, firing pin on the nose of the hammer. My first .38 Special! I even have the Bianchi holster I bought that day. Certainly not what one would call a "concealment" holster. :)

KR