I have a guy at work who has a model 38 he is offering to sale. He keeps telling me to make an offer. It seems to be in good shape other than an after market (gold)trigger and spur. I am under the assumption this gun is not rated for +p. My question is what would be a ballpark offer and would I be better off buying new. I guess im wondering if there is any benefit of buying a used prelock over a new one other than possibly the price and the lack of a lock. I will do the checkout and if I do buy it I will probably replace the springs, hammer and trigger because im not much on bling.
model 38 or 638
- Thread starter camsdaddy
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popeye
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I've got a blue 38 now. I had a no lock 638. The 638 had a narrow 637 style hammer, that was hard to cock. The 38 has a hammer spur that fills the slot cut in the bodyguard. Much easier to grasp. I'd offer $275-$300 for the 38. In reality to get the bling squared away may cost another $75-$100 or more. You sure can't leave it that way.
Eightball
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With the wonky aftermarket trigger, I wouldn't offer him anything over $275, unless he offers to get it checked out by a gunsmith you trust. The internals have obviously been messed with, and you don't know exactly how. You might have to "fix the fix", so to speak.
You can get a new 638 for ~$400 if you shop around; IMO, I'd rather have a firearm with a "known quantity" for the internals, rather than some revolver guppied-up gold-plated vital internal parts
You can get a new 638 for ~$400 if you shop around; IMO, I'd rather have a firearm with a "known quantity" for the internals, rather than some revolver guppied-up gold-plated vital internal parts
Yes I would have to have it checked out closely before I trusted it. I know the first owner was a local business man who went on a fishing trip to never return. I know the original owner is the one that changed the trigger and spur. I would have to have it check out and figure I would install a spring kit just because I dont know how much its been shot. It looks as though it has been carried a little and shot very little. I figure the older smith will have a better trigger than a new one. I have an old K that is like butter. In all honesty the Taurus 85 I shot last weekend blew my mind how smooth the trigger was. The only reason I dont go that route is I know S&W is only a call away and top notch customer service.
popeye
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S&W is now producing no lock J frames. I've seen a few, new, 442 and 642's for sale. It's not just rumor, the S&W web site supports it. A $400 438 NL (matte black) +P would appeal to me more than a "doctored" 38 for $375 final cost.
earplug
Member
Front sights
I own both, my 638 is easier to hit with due to its bigger sights. Only thing I like about the M38 is the blue frame hides better in a open pocket, and we went steady for about thirty years. The shiny on a 638 can be fixed easily.
Don't worry about the P factor on either of them.
I own both, my 638 is easier to hit with due to its bigger sights. Only thing I like about the M38 is the blue frame hides better in a open pocket, and we went steady for about thirty years. The shiny on a 638 can be fixed easily.
Don't worry about the P factor on either of them.
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