Air Lite models?

[119er]

I am interested in a scandium j-frame in .38SPL or .357 for a CCW. I have seen the current models on Smith and Wesson's website but are there any older models or anything I should avoid? .38 is just fine with me but one in .357 is just as well and I prefer DAO. The prospect of shooting a defensive .357 cartridge in one of these lightweight guns makes me flinch just thinking about it! I have a 442 that I like but I would really like it even lighter!

Thanks for any help!

 

[CHighfield]

Have you handled one side by side with a steel frame?

I held an airweight (don't remember the model...662?) next to a model 60 in .357. only about 4oz difference--I'd take the steel.

airweight was ~15.5oz and steel was ~22? I don't recall exactly, but feel close.

I do like when they add a steel piece to the top strap of alloy guns to limit the flame cutting from magnum loads (even though that's pretty much self-limiting)

 

[orionengnr]

Do a lot of reading, and if possible, try before you buy. There are a lot of Scandium .357 Mag j-frames that have never fired a full box of ammo (I bought three of them between 2004-2006).

Great concept, and nothing better for carry. Shooting them (esp. with "real" .357 Mag loads) is another story. Best description I ever read was something along the lines of finding a late 60s/early 70s full size GM car, placing your hand in the door frame, and slamming the door. And then doing it again.

Not so far from the truth. The first time is a shock...every time thereafter, you know what is coming...and do it anyway. Maybe. Very few do it on a regular basis. Of the three I bought (and sold), I know one guy who still has his. however...I honestly don't think he has fired it since shortly after buying it. How proficient can you be with a gun you never shoot (and dread practicing with)?

Most carry with .38 Spl or +p...so what you have (in essence) is a 442/642 that weighs an ounce or two less and costs twice as much.

These days I have a 638, and I am happy with that. If I found a 340/360 (or a pre-Lock 342) I'd grab it, but still only carry .38s.

As I say, do some reading on it.

 

[119er]

Good points. I have never picked a scandium revolver and a 442/642 in the same place. I guess my impression is greater than the actual difference in weight. When I pick up a scandium gun I say, wow! I'm not a real big guy so the lighter/smaller the better for me. I don't want to switch to big/baggy clothes just to wear a holster. I have a lot of research to do!

 

[bikemutt]

I think I may have owned them all, the scandiums that is. A common thread emerged for me; I could not reliably, confidently hit paper targets at 10 yards in a fashion I felt would be useful in unreal life. I've kept one, a 351C in .22M (wmr) and mostly use it for dog walks and the like, at 10 oz it's like it not there.

I do understand the drive to have one though. If possible try to rent one at a local range first. If not, I'd start with a .38 special and standard loads.

If a test run isn't possible, consider the Ruger LCR series. They share most every sore point about lightweight, compact carry revolvers with the S&Ws, at around 2/3 the price. If the day comes, the divorce is at least that much easier on the wallet.

 

[critter]

I shoot heavily loaded .45 Colt, .44 magnum and .454 Casull.

I also have a S&W J-frame .38 special with the aluminum frame and Ti cylinder. Weight is about 12 ounces. A good .38 special load will rival ANY of the above 'blasters' in palm slap, muzzle rise, etc. A real handful.

Accuracy is above what might be expected, but I'll decline to fire a full powered .357 out of a similar weight firearm, thank you.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I have one of the first Air Lite M342s. Its .38spl +P rated Aluminum frame with a titanium cylinder.
I also have an Air Weight M38. Its 38 Spl. Aluminum frame with a steel cyclinder.
I'll take the M38 any day over the M342
Firing full house .357 mags out of my 4" Colt Trooper is no where near as brutal as firing .38 wadcutters out of that M342.

 

[Hondo 60]

I have a 1969 model 38.
It's an airweight & even moderate .38spls are a bit to handle.

I couldn't imagine shooting .357 mags out of a gun that size & weight.
(yes, I know an M38 is only a 38 spl, but it's still the same size & weight of some of the 357s)

 

[Nomad]

The Scandium .357 Mag J-frames is one of the best ways I know of, other than bamboo shoots under your finger nails, to inflict pain. Great idea if you stick with 38 Spl. ammo.

 

[119er]

I practice a lot with my 442 that I installed the Wolff springs in. I run 125gr plated bullets over 4.6gr of HP-38 and the flash is pretty substantial. Carry load is currently Hornady 110gr Critical Defense. On the plate rack I get 3 to 4 out of 5 when I'm shooting approximately 1 round/sec. w/o staging the trigger or anything. About a 10" plate at about 10 yds. I'd like to have the lightest one to carry and practice/wear out the 442. If I can make triggers the same I don't see why this wouldn't work for defense. Nothing wrong with the LCR except I think it is butt-ugly. Not that beauty is a priority for a defensive weapon but man that thing just kills me. I just realized that I have never owned any Ruger. Kind of a bummer since it is an American company.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

When I bought my lightweight J 357 I loaded 5 357s, fired four, unloaded the 5th. It hurt and to this day the first 3 shots up are 38s-

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

The AirWeight models have alloy frames and steel cylinders, and run about 15-oz unloaded.

AirLite models have exotic alloy frames and alloy cylinders, and weight 10-oz to 12-oz unloaded.

I have the 351c, which is 11.5 -oz. .22 Magnum even kicks hard in this lightweight gun.

 

[bikemutt]

The AirWeight models have alloy frames and steel cylinders, and run about 15-oz unloaded.

AirLite models have exotic alloy frames and alloy cylinders, and weight 10-oz to 12-oz unloaded.

I have the 351c, which is 11.5 -oz. .22 Magnum even kicks hard in this lightweight gun.

I have the 351C as well, compared to any of the higher caliber scandiums, mine has no kick whatsoever. Muzzle rise yes, but unremarkable recoil.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Well, I do have small wooden grips on mine for easy carry. And I'm sure the kick is minimal compared to centerfire ammo through such a light gun. I'm not willing to make such a comparison, though. I need my hands to make a living

 

[bikemutt]

Well, I do have small wooden grips on mine for easy carry. And I'm sure the kick is minimal compared to centerfire ammo through such a light gun. I'm not willing to make such a comparison, though. I need my hands to make a living

Agreed, mine came with small wooden grips as well, I did replace those and yes, it felt much better. My baseline was a Ruger LCR 22 mag 6-shot, it came with the LCR's grip tamer rubber grip. My first reaction to the skinny wood grip on the 351C was OK, this one has a bit of bite. The rubber I have on it now made that go away.

 

[bergmen]

Well, keep in mind that if you don't want to shoot it because it is painful, you won't want to practice with it. And if you don't want to practice with it you shouldn't consider it as a carry gun.

I practice with all my carry guns with the ammo I carry with it. I chose for handiness (weight, size, etc.) AND being fun to shoot.

I bought an NAA .32 Guardian because it was dinky. Heavy, but dinky. It was so brutal to shoot that I decommissioned it as a regular carry gun and it sits in the back of my safe as a curiosity.

Dan

 

[Pointshoot]

I have an AirWeight (not AirLite) j frame and 38 Specials in it are as light a centerfire revolver that I'd care to conceal carry. Nothing useful is gained from 357 mag out of a snubbie. You just get more blast, muzzle flash, and recoil pounding into your hand.
I'm more of a bigger bore revolver guy, but when I do carry a 38 Special, I much prefer a steel frame service revolver with a 4" barrel. That was the cop gun of choice 'in the day'. And, you can find or put together some very effective and controllable loads for it. Select the right holster & belt combination, and it carrys well too.

 

[armsmaster270]

I have a 340PD .357Mag, I went to shoot qualifications Thursday using 158gr 38spl SWC on the 20th round I split the web of my hand. Just bought larger rubber grips will try them and see the difference.

 

[Pointshoot]

armsmaster - yeah, the right grips can make a world of difference in how pleasant a gun is to shoot. I do have an Airlight - a 329PD 44 magnum. I traded out the exposed back strap Ahrends that came with that gun. Got a set of Herretts Jordan Trooper wood stocks. They are large and have a covered backstrap. This distributes the recoil force. I also use Pachmayr Presentation rubber grips with the covered backstrap. I shoot 44 Specials in it and they do most 44 jobs fine with the right bullet selection. If I want to shoot barnburner 44 mag loads, I switch to the heavier all steel Redhawk.

I got the 329PD to use for back up when up in the mountain backcountry bowhunting. Weight makes a big difference in that situation. But if just in town, I don't find an couple or three ounces to make much difference in carry if you have a proper holster & belt.

 

[heyjoe]

in my opinion 32 H&R magnum is the best round for use in an airlite j frame. alternately, 38 wadcutter, 32 long or 22 magnum. they are controllable, accurate and quick to get back on target.

 

[gym]

I would take a scandium j frame if anyone was selling one in 357. I learned on snubbys 50 yrs ago, carried one for 25 yrs, so for me even at 64, it is no big deal if you know how to hold them right. There is a way to hold these little guns that deflects much of the recoil. You have to practice the grip.

 

[tuckerdog1]

A scandium snubby will save you an ounce or two vs a 642/638. It will give you the option to fire a round you will never fire after doing so once or twice. And it will cost about twice as much for those advantages.

Tuckerdog1

 

[jim8115]

My wife has a 642 , a special edition with really small, hard plastic grips. It is horrible to shoot . I put some hogues on it, now it is pretty easy to handle.