.38 Special is Really Special

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My favorite round to shoot is the .38 Special and yes, it definitely is “special”. Currently I have 5 revolvers that I can shoot .38 Special with. All are S&Ws. Models 19-4, 327 NG, 442-1, 36-3 and last, but definitely not least, my 10-7 C&E (Hong Kong Customs & Excise).
I like shooting them all, but my model 10 is my favorite .38 Special revolver.
When I got it the metal and bluing were in fabulous shape. The grips looked pretty old. I am pretty sure some C&E officer swapped grips before my gun was sent back to the states. So, I dressed it up a little with some Altamont Service Panels recently.
Here it is:
E651ADF6-67C2-4919-B2F0-7016E8980814.jpeg
 
Monster Zero

I picked up the Model 649 when they first were introduced back in early 1985. I got it to replace a beautiful nickel plated Model 38 that I had traded in for something that I don't even remember what it was. The Model 649 has a decent trigger on it, a great feel and heft to it, and soaks up felt recoil quite a bit; more so than the aluminum alloy frame Model 638 that I also have. Only drawback to the Model 649 is that it's a little bit heavy for pocket carry so I use a DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB holster for it.
aj3o7Ek.jpg
 
Walkalong said:
I missed getting one before prices got stupid, sure hate it.
Click to expand...

I'm very grateful to be the owner of two Model 52's

My first I bought back in the 80's and shoot it quite regularly
It's just a joy... the trigger... the action... the accuracy :thumbup:
It's also fun to punch tiny clusters of those sharp clean holes and hear the reaction of of other shooters
Most have never even heard of the pistol let alone seen such accuracy out of one (it shoots far better than I do)
Often they ask about the clean holes and are shocked when I show them the wadcutters
I love their reactions when they shoot a pair of magazines, almost as much as I enjoy shooting it

My second I bought about about ten years ago
I was surprised to see it listed for trade on a local firearms board
It was a young man who it had been left to when a relative passed
He wanted to trade it for Glock 19 o_O

I didn't have anything to trade but I asked him to meet me at a local shop to inspect it
I told him I would pay for a brand new G19 and we could both do the transfer at the same time
He was ecstatic... needless to say so was I

Why you ask...?
The 52 was unfired NIB :what:

Every time I pull it out of the safe, open the box, and unwrap the pistol...
I hear the theme to 2001 A Space Odyssey














S-W38a.jpg

S-W38b.jpg

S-W38c.jpg


It's soooooooooo hard to resist shooting it but I likely never will
I just love pulling it out once in a while to lightly oil and simply enjoy
 
I always think of the S&W Model 52
as the stepchild of the single action
S&W Model 44 in 9mm.

Of course the most famous in that
family is the Model 39 DA 9mm.

If I recall my experience correctly,
the Model 52 is a bit sensitive as
to its power loads with .38 Special.
In its short-lived time, I think the Colt
.38 was more reliable.
 
Last edited:
Back in the 80's, a guy shot a Mod 52 in our local club IPSC match. He didn't do too well (him not the gun). He let me shoot a magazine full.
It was a sweet shooting pistol.
 
bannockburn said:
Monster Zero

I picked up the Model 649 when they first were introduced back in early 1985. I got it to replace a beautiful nickel plated Model 38 that I had traded in for something that I don't even remember what it was. The Model 649 has a decent trigger on it, a great feel and heft to it, and soaks up felt recoil quite a bit; more so than the aluminum alloy frame Model 638 that I also have. Only drawback to the Model 649 is that it's a little bit heavy for pocket carry so I use a DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB holster for it.
View attachment 1051928
Click to expand...

Thanks. Actually I find the airweights to be just on the other side of pocket gun. Just a bit too bulky and just a bit too heavy for pocket carry but not enough inertia to shoot serious .38 loads. My idea of a pocket gun is a .22wmr or even a .22lr.

Other end of the continuum is an SP101 carried elsewhere other than the pocket, or maybe a K frame.

One of those solid j frames in a discreet holster would be sweet though. Just enough easier to carry than an SP...
 
When I was a "kid", I used to talk all kinds of smack about the 38 special. I think I have 9 of those suckers now. Anyway, growing up, movies like Dirty Harry made negative comments about the 38, you had the Miami FBI Shootout with bad outcomes for the 38 and 9mm guys. because of the rare instances where the 38 didn't perform well, many in the gun community "snubbed" it. I personally have come to the conclusion that the 38 is an exceptionally effective caliber. great for carry, the guns are small and many of them are high quality. Plus, the myth remains that the 38 is under powered ;). good for us!
 
Riomouse911 said:
I just so happened to grab my 6” Model 14-3 and a box of DEWC over 3.0 BE and hit the range between a couple of medical appointments I had set for today.

At 15 yards I put 18 in the black… which, for a lousy bullseye shooter like I am, made me feel pretty good. :)

View attachment 1051348

There is something special about shooting these K-frame revolvers (Colt E & I frames, too.) with a load just tailor made to shoot through it. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Try doing that with an 88 MAGNUM!
 
bannockburn said:
Monster Zero

I picked up the Model 649 when they first were introduced back in early 1985. I got it to replace a beautiful nickel plated Model 38 that I had traded in for something that I don't even remember what it was. The Model 649 has a decent trigger on it, a great feel and heft to it, and soaks up felt recoil quite a bit; more so than the aluminum alloy frame Model 638 that I also have. Only drawback to the Model 649 is that it's a little bit heavy for pocket carry so I use a DeSantis SOF-TUCK IWB holster for it.
View attachment 1051928
Click to expand...
I never get tired of your pictures! Love the humpbacks
 
Probably no other cartridge has been the catalyst of the "stopping power" debate like the 38 special. Bill Jordan was correct, and there were not many pistoleros even close to his level of prowess. Notwithstanding, most of us will be well served with the old 38 for many reasons, including its low reloading cost, easy shooting manners, brass life, and myriad of bullet types and weights. Like the 30-06, it will be with us for decades to come.
 
Ted100 said:
Plus, the myth remains that the 38 is under powered ;). good for us!
Click to expand...

I read one Sheriffs deputy who said "if you think the 38 Special is underpowered you haven't been shot with one".

elktrout said:
Probably no other cartridge has been the catalyst of the "stopping power" debate like the 38 special. Bill Jordan was correct, and there were not many pistoleros even close to his level of prowess. Notwithstanding, most of us will be well served with the old 38 for many reasons, including its low reloading cost, easy shooting manners, brass life, and myriad of bullet types and weights. Like the 30-06, it will be with us for decades to come.
Click to expand...

Yep. I like the fact tghat the 38 Special will do all its work with inexpensive lead bullets. Jacketed bullets aren't really needed. And it does it with a small pinch of powder in the case. If you don't over crimp the cases that last a long time. And a couple of decades ago you had to kick them out of the way at the shooting range. Not these days. But cases can still be bought cheap off gunbroker.
 
Skinny Pete said:
I'm very grateful to be the owner of two Model 52's

My first I bought back in the 80's and shoot it quite regularly
It's just a joy... the trigger... the action... the accuracy :thumbup:
It's also fun to punch tiny clusters of those sharp clean holes and hear the reaction of of other shooters
Most have never even heard of the pistol let alone seen such accuracy out of one (it shoots far better than I do)
Often they ask about the clean holes and are shocked when I show them the wadcutters
I love their reactions when they shoot a pair of magazines, almost as much as I enjoy shooting it

My second I bought about about ten years ago
I was surprised to see it listed for trade on a local firearms board
It was a young man who it had been left to when a relative passed
He wanted to trade it for Glock 19 o_O

I didn't have anything to trade but I asked him to meet me at a local shop to inspect it
I told him I would pay for a brand new G19 and we could both do the transfer at the same time
He was ecstatic... needless to say so was I

Why you ask...?
The 52 was unfired NIB :what:

Every time I pull it out of the safe, open the box, and unwrap the pistol...
I hear the theme to 2001 A Space Odyssey














View attachment 1052019

View attachment 1052020

View attachment 1052021


It's soooooooooo hard to resist shooting it but I likely never will
I just love pulling it out once in a while to lightly oil and simply enjoy
Click to expand...
:what::what::what:
 
I like the 38 Special. I don't own one but the ammunition works fine in my .357s. The biggest problem is I can't find brass at the range....

On a different note, my girlfriend wanted to go shooting. She'd never been. I let her start with some powder puff 38 loads. The light loads and the heavy revolver made easier shooting than a .22. She shot well, enjoyed herself, and we've been out several times.
 
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