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12-03-2016, 03:58 PM
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Model 38 Airweight with Stainless Cylinder
I'm looking for info to help out a friend. He has a model 38 no dash with a stainless cylinder, pre-J prefix SN 654XXX. It appears to be one of the guns made for Michigan Police Supply. The condition appears to be about 90%. The SCSW has minimal info. Does anybody have more that may help me give him an approximate value? Sorry, I don't have pics, yet. Thanks!
Dave
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12-03-2016, 04:04 PM
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I don't recall if the SN ranges or dates for the MI Police Supply run have every been published. In any case this particular variation doesn't seem to bring much of a premium over a standard model 38, especially in shooter grade condition, so I would guess $350-375.
__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220
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12-03-2016, 04:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog
I don't recall if the SN ranges or dates for the MI Police Supply run have every been published. In any case this particular variation doesn't seem to bring much of a premium over a standard model 38, especially in shooter grade condition, so I would guess $350-375.
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Thanks Murphydog! Any info is helpful.
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12-07-2016, 08:53 AM
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The story I got was that the MSP was using regular M38s as a front pocket gun but the steel cylinders tended to rust. So S&W made them a version with a stainless cylinder in the late 1970s.
As officers retired they were able to buy the guns. Some made it to the
civilian market that way. Others were sold as surplus to MI Police Supply and then to a dealership in Kentucky.
They used to advertise in Shotgun News a lot. The guns went in and out of the ads and finally I bought one. It is in my pocket as I type this.
Mine is not as accurate as my M649s but it is sure easier to carry.
Back when I looked into these guns, for an article, I was told about 125
were still in service. That was quite a few years ago. I doubt if very many are still on the street now.
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12-07-2016, 02:48 PM
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The Michigan State Police had their uniform pants front pockets made of heavier, reinforced material so the Model 38 could be carried there on duty. The pocket liner was shaped to keep the .38 in the proper position for a draw, like the pocket holsters popular now. Carry of the M-38 on duty was mandatory.
I thought that was a very forward-thinking policy. Many police agencies, then and now, won't allow their officers to carry a back-up gun at all.
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12-07-2016, 10:57 PM
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I always wanted one of the MSP revolvers, but couldn't ever find one that was affordable, or one that wasn't shot to pieces. I finally made my own version by adding a nickeled cylinder to my Model 38-0.
Regards,
Dave
Last edited by Double-O-Dave; 12-07-2016 at 11:00 PM.
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