SW 38 Spcl. Airweight Hammerless Black Body

[augustino]

A quick question for those more experienced with revolvers.
A pawn shop in my area has an all black SW 39 snub nose hammerless revolver that looks pretty sharp. I'm considering buying it for CCW because of the hammerless design and small frame.
Does this model accept +P ammo?
Is this a proven design?
I realize that LEO once carried the 38 caliber exclusively but today they rarely carry the 38 opting for 9MM; 40; 45ACP; 357.

Is this pistol worth the purchase price of $300.00

Any opinions in general will be greatly appreciated.
THANKS!!!

 

[167]

If it was designed to handle +p ammo it would be stamped into the side of the barrel where it says .38 special. Some people still will use +p loads just on a very limited basis even if the gun isn't intended for using them. That is up to each individual owner though.

Also be sure to check this thread out if you already havn't.

 

[macadore]

The S&W M39 is a single stack semi auto. Are you sure it's not an M38 or an M49?

 

[augustino]

SW 38 Airweight Hammerless revolver...

The 39 is a BAD on my part.
I meant to say it's a 38 and my fat finbers fingers hit the 9 instead of the 8. Sorry about that.

I'll go back tomorrow and take a better look at the pistol. The place was packed and I couldn't get anyone's help. So I was viewing it through the case at a distance.

But IF it isn't posted on the pistol as +P I guess it's not rated for those powerful rounds.
But any thoughts on the 38 round without +P?

 

[rcmodel]

Yea! Not a Model 39 semi-auto for sure.

Likely either a Model 49 Bodyguard if a steel frame, or Model 38 Bodyguard if alloy frame.
Both have shrouded hammers and can be fired DA or SA..
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/bodyguard.htm

If it has no hammer at all it is probably a Centennial Model 40 (steel) , or 42 (alloy).
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m640.htm

The barrel might not be marked for +P because there wasn't such a thing when a lot of those guns were made. +P ammo didn't come about until 1974.
Then, the standard pressure ammo was reduced in power slightly, and the +P was increased just a frog-hair.

But during that whole time period when those guns were made, there was .38 Spl. High-Speed which was hotter then todays +P.

A limited diet of todays +P will not hurt it in the least.

rc

 

[mpmax]

If it's a model 38 (like the one below), I would keep the +p's to a minimum. I suspect it would loosen up the action and not be alot of fun recoilwise.

 

[augustino]

I went back today and checked it out much closer. In fact a sales person spent some time with me and his book came out. Turns out this is not one that I would use with +P rounds for fear of damaging the pistol or at least loosening it up.
I'm almost leaning towards getting a 357. Then I can run +P through it all day long without a worry. And of course 38 spl as well w/o care. And if necessary 357. That way I'd have the4 best of 3 worlds!!
Thanks for the helpful input gentlemen!