airweight

[Darryl]

Looking at a S&W Airweight 5 shot for my pocket.

In 38 special or 357.

But it seems like a lot of power in that light of a gun. I want the low weight for my pocket, but anyone have or fire one of these? I wonder what the recoil is?

They sell starting in the mid $400 range and go into the mid $600. Some hammerless, other with a hammer (always like a hammer, but I understand the hammerless being easier to get out of your pocket without hanging up on the hammer.

D

[millman]

I got a Model 638. It is the best of both worlds. Concealed hammer, but with a small spur you can cock it with. Recoil is stout, but manageable. I paid about $420 for mine.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28961&p=398720&hil ... 38#p398720

[SA1911a1]

I had an Airweight for about two days a few weeks ago. I got it back from a loan to my daughter when she was moving to Alaska and driving through Canada. I had bought it from my son when he needed some quick cash a few years ago and when I got it back he moped, pouted and sulked until I sold it back to him. I told him he could buy it for $500.00. (he had sold it to me for $350.00) I let him suffer for a while then tried to give it to him. He wouldn't have it without giving me $350.00.

There is nothing to not to like about one of those unless you plan to shoot ten boxes of ammo at the time, at the range. It is not pleasurable to shoot after a few rounds. I carry a model 36 when I am too sorry to suit up my 1911 and it does fine, even with the extra weight, riding in my jeans hip pocket. You will find the Airweight travels well.

[steelbuttplate]

My work partner has one of the S&W bodyguards. Loves it. I think he said 18 oz. was the weight. The hammerless S&W's I have (all old) have a two stage trigger you can stop and squeeze one off. I guess the new ones do also.

[millman]

This is the 638. You can see how the hammer is made. It won't hang up in your pocket. I use a DeSantis #02 pocket holster and you cannot see it even in summer in shorts pockets. It is in the inside pocket of my coat when it is cold.
It is not as cool looking as some of the other Mod 36 variants, but for function I think it is hard to beat.

[tjtM38]

I own a 638 and like the way it handles. You can't go wrong with the S&W.

[GT_80]

I have a model 37 airweight, 637 airweight, and a 36-1 chiefs special.

The newer models are all 38+P and you can get decent semi jacketed hollow point +P and they run Great.

If you run something like a Winchester defend ammo which is a jacketed hollow point standard pressure, the recoil is like a 9mm or less IMO.

Even +P isn’t bad - keep the uncle mikes boot grip on, or get a altamount which is a little thicker, softer grip. Those are awesome- this is my 637 with an altamount rosewood Inlay rubber grip

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[Longcolt44]

We sell a lot of these Airweight S&Ws to the ladies that come in. S&W even makes an Airweight with Rosewood grips to pleas them. I'm not saying they are a ladies gun but they are a good fit for them.

[GT_80]

We sell a lot of these Airweight S&Ws to the ladies that come in. S&W even makes an Airweight with Rosewood grips to pleas them. I'm not saying they are a ladies gun but they are a good fit for them.

I just always liked them cause of old cop shows- the snub nose, the colt detective, etc...I carry my 37 almost every day.

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[Darryl]

OK, It is one of my Christmas presents, so she wanted to be there (for some reason) to watch over my shoulder. We have a lot of property in the mountains not far from where the fires were (but it safe). It is attached to our neighbors who have lots to the sides of us ........ 40 acres, 65 acres, and the guy behind us has over 5,000 acres. ours is a petty 5 acres (well, it was my parents). I have written permission to hunt, shoot or what ever I want to on all of their properties. So I wanted something I could slip in my pocket and was nice and light. Not for shooting, just for protection while out and about.


Well, I din't pay for it so what the Hell. It's a S&W 442 in all black (I love the black guns) in .38 special +P. I liked it mainly because it was so damn light. I tried to talk her into the Titanium one (which was even lighter) and it fired .357 mag. but she wasn't going another $250.

But I'm happy. Any time I get a gun I'm happy. Especially one I didn't have to dig into my gun fund to buy!

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[tjtM38]

[willyj73]

I have one with the hammer. I really like the size and weight. It's not horrible to shoot a few rounds through, but I really need more practice with it (the muzzle tends to flip up when the hammer releases unless I am really careful with pulling the trigger). I wish I had bought hammerless as I don't plan on cocking the hammer anyway. I would love to get one of the 340pd's someday.

[GT_80]

OK, I made a huge mistake.It is one of my Christmas presents, so she wanted to be there (for some reason) to watch over my shoulder. We have a lot of property in the mountains not far from where the fires were (but it safe). It is attached to our neighbors who have lots to the sides of us ........ 40 acres, 65 acres, and the guy behind us has over 5,000 acres. ours is a petty 5 acres (well, it was my parents). I have written permission to hunt, shoot or what ever I want to on all of their properties. So I wanted something I could slip in my pocket and was nice and light. Not for shooting, just for protection while out and about.

Well, I din't pay for it so what the Hell. It's a S&W 442 in all black (I love the black guns) in .38 special +P. I liked it mainly because it was so damn light. I tried to talk her into the Titanium one (which was even lighter) and it fired .357 mag. but she wasn't going another $250.

But I'm happy. Any time I get a gun I'm happy. Especially one I didn't have to dig into my gun fund to buy!

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s&W_442_right.jpg

Very nice. You won’t be sorry. They’re great little guns.


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[millman]

I wanted the lighter .357 too. Until I shot my .38 airweight. 125 grain +P is plenty out of these little buggers.

[Darryl]

I wanted the lighter .357 too. Until I shot my .38 airweight. 125 grain +P is plenty out of these little buggers.

It's what I was told down at the range. The .357 is going a little over board with this light a gun. So I was told.

Out here in California this gun goes for around $450 plus tax and dros. I see on Gunbroaker they are low $300, then add shipping, DROS, and someone to handle the transaction (O1FFL), and everything else, and it back up to $450. I got this one on Black Friday sale at a Sportsman Warehouse out here. Ended up arou8nd $425 total out the door.

Darryl

[millman]

I just found my receipt. My 638 was $414.02 after tax.

[steelbuttplate]

We sell a lot of these Airweight S&Ws to the ladies that come in. S&W even makes an Airweight with Rosewood grips to pleas them. I'm not saying they are a ladies gun but they are a good fit for them.

I just always liked them cause of old cop shows- the snub nose, the colt detective, etc...I carry my 37 almost every day.
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Remember Cannon ? William Conrad, foot pursuits were not an option, so he made 50-100 yd. kill shots on most every episode, with a 2" .38
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[etprescottazusa91]

Airweights are great, the recoil is a little harsh though.

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[Ironnewt]

Great to carry, a bit harsh in recoil when using effective defensive ammunition. A real handful in .357 Mag, I believe a 158 gr LSWCHP in +P is more than enough

[Darryl]

Got my S&W home yesterday.

I immediately modified it. It comes with a pink and a black set of grips and the pink are installed so the women don't have to do anything to it. Os, I changed the grips out to the black one's. I may live in California, but I don't .....

I'll take some photos tonight, but I got a box of Federal self defense rounds. They are made especially for the "micro" revolvers. .38 special +P. Very vicious looking rounds. Got a box of standard .38 special round nose for putting into a target. The self defense rounds the bullet sits inside the case and is flush with the top of the case. A huge hole down the middle. They are called "extreme shock" rounds. +P, so they are somewhere between a .38 special and a .357 round for power.

I have to say, the ammo adds a huge percentage of the total weight of this revolver. I'm a little concerned it only has 5 rounds, but I guess if you are careful, you don't need a lot more then that. Also loading is a bit slower then the autos. But the weight, that weight is why I bought it. It is over all nothing.

Fun piece.

Here is the ammo. They moved the bullet into the case to remove air space inside. This gives it a more constant "push" on the bullet (they claim). It is designed for a very short barrel revolver
.38 special +P round by Federal.

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