Smith Airweight J Frame

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ljnowell

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I have decided that I am desperate need of a new J frame airweight in 38spcl. I have been trying to decide on which one, because there are so many. I cannot decide between the hammerless DAO or the hump back one with the shrouded hammer that is SA/DA. Any pros/cons you guys would like to share?

Also, my other smith and wesson revolvers are all pre lock. They also have superb triggers. If I get one with the lock, what should I expect as far as the trigger goes? Never fired a smith with a lock.
 
I'm also looking at the Airweight. Like you I was trying to decide between the 642 DA only and the DA/SA 638. Since the gun is primarily a defensive revolver I decided to go with the 642. The smoother profile compared to the 638 with the hammer shroud. And as a plus it is available without the lock. Hope to have one here in the next few weeks.
 
None of the S&W triggers are what they were. (or other companies either) I was carrying a M638 for a while but my son really liked it so I gave it to him. I'm now carrying a M442 which is the Blue version of the M642.

The good news is, S&W is making all their Centennial J frame revolvers in both lock and no lock versions. The M642 and M442 are available without a lock as are the Centennial Airlite .357 magnums.

Both the Bodyguard and Centennial frames will do what you are looking to do, it's all a matter of preference. Buy the one you like best. Just to let you know, S&W now also has a Blue version of the M638, it's the M438. (well sorts Blue, it's more like Black)
 
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I got the 637 just because I found one at a steal. In preference, I like the 638, because I like having the choice of sa/da. NOW... If you are a pocket carrier, then the enclosed DAO may be better, as it is closed in and a tad bit better resistant to pocket fuzz getting in. Oh well, my .02...
 
I was in the same boat and decided to just shop around. The deciding factor was finding an early model 38 in great condition for a steal of a price. When that opportunity came up I decided the bodyguard frame would do just fine.
 
I am a Smith Aholic.. I love smiths, in any shape, flavor or form.. However, the newer ones are a little less than desirable in the trigger pull department... Also I notice that the prices seem to have jumped through the roof...

Last summer, I was in a gun shop with the wife, and noticed that they had Ruger LCR's on sale.. Having never seen one before, I did the obvious... "Ah.. Sir, can I take a look at that one please?"... Dang if it was not one of the NICEST triggers I have ever felt on an outta the box revolver... The lockup, fit and finish was good to go, and darned if I didn't buy the thing... now, it is fitted with a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips, and the Wife won't let me near it.. Up in the country, the week after we (I) bought it, I pulled out a box of wadcutters, and actually had a ball with it,, it went where I pointed it, for an airweight, it was comfortable,, and again I loved the trigger... Ruger has a stone solid winner in the LCR... If your out and about as see one, give it a look... may surprise you...

Sent from my 1986 Motorola bag phone.
 
I also went with the 637. I liked the single action option. But I did not like the shrouded hammer. I actually had it slip twice on me when dropping the hammer back from SA. No live rounds, but I did not like how it felt so I just stuck with the standard hammer.
 
Last summer, I was in a gun shop with the wife, and noticed that they had Ruger LCR's on sale.. Having never seen one before, I did the obvious... "Ah.. Sir, can I take a look at that one please?"... Dang if it was not one of the NICEST triggers I have ever felt on an outta the box revolver... The lockup, fit and finish was good to go, and darned if I didn't buy the thing... now, it is fitted with a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips, and the Wife won't let me near it.. Up in the country, the week after we (I) bought it, I pulled out a box of wadcutters, and actually had a ball with it,, it went where I pointed it, for an airweight, it was comfortable,, and again I loved the trigger... Ruger has a stone solid winner in the LCR... If your out and about as see one, give it a look... may surprise you...

Its funny you say that bob. Today I bought(well, my wife bought me since I was stuck at work all day) an LCR. The owner of the LGS will just about always match buds prices and this time he beat buds by 25 bucks for the LCR. I cant wait to get it in my hands.

About the triggers, I have felt the LCR trigger at another gun shop in the past and it was very nice. My wife has a 686-3 with the hammer mounted firing pin and no lock. That gun has the best trigger I have ever felt on a DA revolver. I am not expecting that out of the LCR, but the other one I played with was nice.
 
I have the 442 with Crimson Trace grips and love it as my EDC gun. I had my local shop put a lighter trigger on it, pulls at about 8 lbs all the way through. It feels comfortable in either my pocket (Blackhawk Pocket Holster) or IWB holster (DM Bullard)

SW1.jpg

-Robb
 
Nice little gun there Robb. I gotta say, I still think the S&W snubs are nice, and I will probably go ahead and pick me one up too. I just like the LCR too, and well, the impulse bug bit and left me awful excited to get that new LCR.
 
If they could get that LCR trigger on the Jfames...they would really have something. I carry a J, but I recently helped my mother get a new carry gun and we decided on the .357 LCR for her and that trigger is sweet...
 
I've owned both the bodyguard and centennial styles at one time or another. I like the centennial (642) style much better. I've heard many people say they prefer to be able to make an aimed shot with a cocked hammer, but think realistically about the size gun you are talking about. you are not going to be shooting prairie dogs at 100 yards with it.

The 642 is a bit smaller and lighter, holster straps fit over the back of it more readily, and there can be no possibility of a legal accusations of you running around with a "cocked" gun during a self defense situation. I also think the current crop of polymer snubbies from Taurus and Ruger are some of the ugliest monstrocities ever conceived. They would have to accomplish the job WAAAY better than the older S&W 642 for me to want one.... and they don't.
 
A Model 38 would certainly fit your needs.
And no snagging the cloth as it come out of the pocket.
(Altamont grips added for my comfort ;) )

M38-c.jpg
 
Well, since Cop Bob has poisoned the waters so to speak, and since my only snubby is an LCR .357, I'd say go with the LCR! I debated long and hard between a S&W 642 and the LCR. The LCR trigger ultimately did it for me.

Pros and cons?

The LCR is a softer shooter. The S&W will conceal better by virtue of it's smaller grips. The LCR will conceal better than the S&W if you have the boot grip but I don't feel confident with it. The LCR boot grip really needs finger grooves.

>>> If it's a carry gun no external hammers for me, in pocket or otherwise. <<<

Yah, I need a 642.
 
I love mine, just wish I would have got a stainless one. I pocket carry at work an got my holster soaked with sweat, rusted my cyinder a little.
 
I prefer the 642 simply for the design of the rear of the frame. For me the small J-Frames are pocket guns and the shape of the 642's hump makes it very easy to draw from a pocket, the shape actually aids in the draw. It is the biggest reason I changed from a semi-auto to the revolver. The Model 39 is rounded at the top but that extra height can make it slower to draw from a pocket and you have to make sure the exposed spur does not catch in that little pocket seam at the top of the pocket in most jeans.

Here you can see what I mean about the shape of the 642 hump...

pocketbug2-1.jpg
 
You can't beat a nolock 642. I also have a 432 that I got for a great price. But the 642 is one of my EDCs.
 
I just ordered a M442 Pro from Bud's for $387. FFL says it will be there Tuesday or Wednesday. My first firearm, first one that wasn't issued to me anyway. I've always wanted one of these, by chance I found a new pro model that comes with 2 moon clips that was under budget. Also ordered a Desantis Nemisis pocket holster and a Galco IWB tuckable. I'll have to look at OWB paddle holsters for open carry while hiking in the woods. Ordered a couple boxes of Federal American Eagle 130gr FMJ for practice and a box of Hornaday 110 Gr +p Critical Defense for carry. Can't wait until I have it all in hand!
 
vicdotcom said:
I also went with the 637. I liked the single action option. But I did not like the shrouded hammer. I actually had it slip twice on me when dropping the hammer back from SA. No live rounds, but I did not like how it felt so I just stuck with the standard hammer.

I don't care for the shrouded hammer either, for exactly the reason stated. I really like my 637 2-1/2"bbl because I can hit way better with it than I can with my 442, and (despite the 2-1/2"bbl) it pocket carries just fine in a Desantis Nemesis. It's in my right front jeans pocket right now.
 
The lock won't effect the trigger and in my opinion, the newer S&W J-frames have excellent triggers. I know many people will disagree but I think they are perfect for the application.

Between the two, I would choose the 642. While the 638 gets a lot of cool points, the 642 is about as practical and simple as you can get. Simple and practical trump cool when it comes to a carry gun, IMO. All that being said, I carry one of these...

42575638-23eb-254d.jpg
 
+1 on a new 642-1. Mine will someday belong to my grandchild, should I be so blessed. But until then.... something about cold, dead fingers.
 
I just bought a 637-2 Airweight a few weeks ago. Like a few others have said, I don't like the idea of the shrouded hammer. I didn't like the factory rubber grips, but that was a quick fix.

It definately shoots to my satisfaction. This target is the first 15 rounds fresh out of the box. Or it would if I cound figure out how to get a second picture to load.
 

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