Whats Your Favorite S&W Airweight .38 Special?

Status
Not open for further replies.
442/642 for me. As for a carry load, I've standardised on the Speer 135gr. JHP Gold Dot. Lovely round - very accurate, excellent performance. I now actively de-recommend earlier-technology hollowpoints, as this new-technology bullet seems to be a major advance in performance from snubbies.
 
Yet another 642, also stocked with Speer's 135 grain Gold Dots.

I started off with a 637 but traded it for a 642:
Less place for lint to collect.
Less likely to snag. I made a habit of keeping my thumb over the hammer when drawing but this way I have one less thing to worry about.
I can't use single action at the range. For a CCW, I feel I'm better off getting used to a DA trigger pull. With a 642 I'm not tempted to "cheat" and thumb the hammer back.
 
My favorite is the model 38. Blued humpback model. I love the unique look of these guns. My wife carries a 638 and I carry a 642.


W
 
model 637, I just like the hammer, and it is so light and easy to carry.
 
When I carry a J-frame, it is a 642 loaded with 135 gr. Gold Dot +P.

However, I also enjoy my 1980 vintage pinned barrel square butt 37, and when it is not digesting 148 gr. wadcutters at the range it is loaded with 110 gr. Silvertips.
 
Airlight 342. Not fun to shoot but managable. It's so light you can forget which pocket it's in.
 
well i cant speak from experience, but the 638 is the one that appeals the most to me... the hammer snags on the 637 and the 642 has an internal hammer, but the 638 has a nice conceiled external hammer
 
I carried a nickel 442 for 8 years. I currently carry a titanium 342 most of the time. It hurts on both ends. The .357's don't interest me after shooting them.
 
dawei,

I'm interested in how old your M37 is. I read a lot of repsonses from people saying I can shoot this many/that many +P rounds from my gun. Mine (appx Dec.1993) was made before S+W "officially" rated them for "occasional" +P use. I'm curious as to whether you have 5000 or so +P rounds through one of the newer or older models? Do you (does anyone?) know what changes, if any,S+W made before they OK'd +P's in their airweights? (I've had at least two different people tell me they made no changes before the greenlight.)
__________________
Thanks,
Jim

Mine's a newer Mdl 37-3; I shoot +P in it all the time. +P in a snubnose isn't any better than standard loads; just more recoil & muzzle blast; NOT more knockdown power. In a 4" barrel gun +P's offer a significant advantage. The reason I shoot +P's is I get the ammo for free from my department. If I was buying it I would shoot standard pressure loads.
 
I have the larger 386PD. 18ozs. 7 shot. 2-1/2" barrel. It's the same as my 2-1/2" 66 except the cylinder is a little larger. It is my wifes carry gun.
 

Attachments

  • 386-laser.jpg
    386-laser.jpg
    123.6 KB · Views: 41
Just got a 337PD, my only S&W "J" frame. They had several other models but this is the one that caught my eye, about 11oz. black frame and gray titanium cyl. My wife told me to pick out a nice gun for my anneversity present, she is a keeper. Jim.
 
Mine's called a Kahr PM9. It hits harder, faster, and lays

a lot flatter in my pants pocket rig, holds 40% more ammo, is 3x as fast to reload, carries its spare ammo in a flat, easily concealed mag.
 
My favorite is the 642 loaded with 158gr. SWCHP +P.

I beleive I will check out the 135gr Speer as it sounds like it was made for the snubbies.
 
Trade a 442 for a 642 for easily cleaning. Carry load is Nyclad +Ps.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
What is the value of a smith and wesson airweight 38 special CTG Model 38?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Oro
O
S
  • Locked
Recoil comparison: 38 spl wadcutter vs. 38 S&W?
Replies
4
Views
2K
metrotps
M
T
  • Locked
S&W Snub newb - questions?
Replies
2
Views
347
Cohibra45
C
G
  • Locked
What does the N mean
Replies
9
Views
569
Cop Bob
C
W
  • Locked
New S&W without lock?
Replies
14
Views
1K
Zeede
Z
Back
Top