I'd Buy a Steel Framed Hammerless Smith 38, Would You?

[Stumpy]

I have owned two hammerless Airweight Smith 38, a Model 642's since I started policing in 1989. My mom and my sister now have them. Shooting them bastards with regular power ammo was not really enjoyable and I never bothered with +P's. Until I gave my last one to my mom, I kept it loaded with 148 grain target wadcutters. Most hollow point's aren't going to expand outta a 1.8 inch barrel so lets just have a controllable to fire slug that just punches and crushes through! Now that I am older and more brittle and my gun hand jacked up in a motorcycle crash, I got thinking that a heavier and all steel 442 would be much more enjoyable to fire. True, 20 oz versus 14 oz would make pocket carry a bit more difficult but the added weight sure would help me to practice with it more.

 

[aftac19]

I use to have two hamerless ladysmiths. Both ex wives now own them, one was given the other was stolen. I understand the weight issue mine were not steel but I has two SW36's cheifs specials those were nice as well.

 

[Stumpy]

I use to have two hamerless ladysmiths. Both ex wives now own them, one was given the other was stolen. I understand the weight issue mine were not steel but I has two SW36's cheifs specials those were nice as well.

They make a 640 which is a .357 but it's barrel is a quarter inch longer and kinda spoils the "pocketability" of the piece.

 

[DoyleAlley]

I don't think they will ever be popular again. The whole reason they existed in the first place was because people wanted a small (concealable) handgun in something bigger than a mini caliber (.22/.32/etc). At the time they were designed and produced, they were the best available option. With the advent of the modern small and light 9mm semi-autos, that need has long passed.

 

[Bamapilot010]

I have owned two hammerless Airweight Smith 38, a Model 642's since I started policing in 1989. My mom and my sister now have them. Shooting them bastards with regular power ammo was not really enjoyable and I never bothered with +P's. Until I gave my last one to my mom, I kept it loaded with 148 grain target wadcutters. Most hollow point's aren't going to expand outta a 1.8 inch barrel so lets just have a controllable to fire slug that just punches and crushes through! Now that I am older and more brittle and my gun hand jacked up in a motorcycle crash, I got thinking that a heavier and all steel 442 would be much more enjoyable to fire. True, 20 oz versus 14 oz would make pocket carry a bit more difficult but the added weight sure would help me to practice with it more.

I likely wouldn’t by a steel frames .38 special. I’ve carried the Beretta 92 on the job, and Glock 19/26 for personal use. I carry a smith 637 for quick trips or when I want to go real discrete. The lightweight is what make that attractive. Now in a .357, yes I’ll take a steel frame

 

[4CERTN]

Steel-framed .38 Special J-frame? Yes, I’d buy.

 

[jotjackson]

Carry one on my ankle at work…last resort but it’s there and it works.

 

[Stumpy]

Carry one on my ankle at work…last resort but it’s there and it works.

I used to years ago. I still have my Alessi open top ankle holster I wore when I wore low quarter shoes when I was a deputy.