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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 10-02-2010, 07:51 PM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Default .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?

I have a model 60-4 with 3" barrel that I simply love - however, it just ain't working for me as far as riding "un-noticed" on my hip when I'm going about my chores on the farm.....it's just too heavy for my liking.
Is there an equivalent revolver in an airweight or lightweight version?
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Old 10-02-2010, 08:37 PM
Roca Roca is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggernosis View Post
I have a model 60-4 with 3" barrel that I simply love - however, it just ain't working for me as far as riding "un-noticed" on my hip when I'm going about my chores on the farm.....it's just too heavy for my liking.
Is there an equivalent revolver in an airweight or lightweight version?
The 337-1 is a 3" Air-Lite Ti.
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  #3  
Old 10-02-2010, 09:23 PM
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gaucho1 gaucho1 is offline
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I have a model 37 with a 3 inch barrel and square butt.
It feels much lighter than my 36 with 3 inch barrel.
They are available on the used market.
Good luck.
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Old 10-03-2010, 08:07 AM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Thanks for the responses, guys.
I may even drop down to a 2-1/2" barrel, say a 637 or 638.
Are y'all aware of 2.5" barreled airweight .38 with adjustable sights?
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Old 10-03-2010, 08:50 AM
linde linde is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggernosis View Post
I have a model 60-4 with 3" barrel that I simply love - however, it just ain't working for me as far as riding "un-noticed" on my hip when I'm going about my chores on the farm.....it's just too heavy for my liking.
Is there an equivalent revolver in an airweight or lightweight version?
It sounds like there may be more than one issue . . . and perhaps an alternate solution.

Not concealable could be affected by the holster &/or the clothing you wear. Too heavy to carry could also be affected by the holster and belt you use.

First, in the interest of full disclosure I should admit that I am a strong fan of the 3” heavy barrel in either the model 60, 640 or 36-1. My preference though is for fixed sights without the full underlug.



The 3” barrel length offers a better sight radius and easier reloading with the full-length ejector rod. The 3” heavy barrel offers me the perfect balance and accuracy for longer range shots. And, with the right holster and belt, a 3” heavy is very comfortable and concealable (when it needs to be).

Here is my favorite on-farm carry holster . . . an OWB holster made by Lobo Gun Leather that hugs my hip and, with a heavy 1 ½” wide belt, distributes the weight.



Here’s an IWB Lobo holster that maximizes concealability and is also very comfortable for me to wear . . . even when I’m physically active doing chores.



Don't be too quick to give up that 3" model 60 . . . they're pretty hard to beat. Best wishes in finding what works best for you,

Russ

Last edited by linde; 10-03-2010 at 09:20 AM. Reason: add comment about -4 full underlug & target sights
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Old 10-03-2010, 11:40 AM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Thanks for that info., Russ. I'm just getting started in leatherworking and I'm going to attempt to make a holster like your Lobo one.

It's not so much that the gun isn't concealable enough, as it just feels heavy. I'm just so used to my 317 .22 riding on my hip without me even knowing that it's there, that the extra weight of the 60-4 feels like I'm toting a brick when it's on board.
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Old 10-03-2010, 12:02 PM
linde linde is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggernosis View Post
It's not so much that the gun isn't concealable enough, as it just feels heavy. I'm just so used to my 317 .22 riding on my hip without me even knowing that it's there, that the extra weight of the 60-4 feels like I'm toting a brick when it's on board.
I understand now . . . by "un-noticed" you meant by you. I also understand the feeling of carrying a brick! I went through a number of holsters before I found the comfort of a pancake style holster and a good heavy 1 1/2" wide belt.

The only downside to the tight-against-your-body carry of this style holster is re-holstering. It's not a one-handed job for sure. But then life is full of trade-offs and, like you, I opt for carry comfort. When I took the NRA Personal Protection courses that required one handed re-holstering, I simply used a holster with the reinforced open mouth.

Russ
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  #8  
Old 10-08-2010, 01:12 PM
MajorD MajorD is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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comfort with gun carry two things are critical a good holster AND a good solid belt- only then will you maximize the effieiceny and comfort of carry. I carry a steel model 36 in an ankle holster all day and I barely notice it is there. My 3 inch model 60 is very comfortable in a belt slide holster
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Old 10-08-2010, 02:11 PM
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggernosis View Post
Thanks for the responses, guys.
I may even drop down to a 2-1/2" barrel, say a 637 or 638.
Are y'all aware of 2.5" barreled airweight .38 with adjustable sights?
There is no J or older K frame as described, the only one that is near it is the model 315 Nightguard.
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  #10  
Old 10-09-2010, 12:59 AM
Jimmymac46 Jimmymac46 is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Ran across a model 37 (?), three inch, with adjustable sights at a gun show last weekend in Colorado. I was a sweet piece, clearly an older out of print gun, but it would fit your requirements to a tee. Not certain what model it is......anyone? Further description: blue steel barrel and cylinder, alloy dark blue frame (like the model 37), adjustable sights, and square butt with factory magna stocks.
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  #11  
Old 10-10-2010, 09:00 AM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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So, Jimmymac, did you purchase this particular specimen? And how much would it take to get it shipped to me?
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  #12  
Old 10-13-2010, 12:45 AM
Jimmymac46 Jimmymac46 is offline
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No I did not. Was about 90% in my view. Straight, clean, minor scratches, and a small gouge under the trigger guard. Not an expert, I still knew I had never seen one before. So, fill me in....what is it? Early cylinder release, clearly a black, alloy frame, and again, adjustable sights. I didn't but it was because it was not pristine.....a problem that has haunted me for my entire life. Near mint or no go. Bad philosophy, but I'm stuck with it. Then again, I must say, I have some very pristine high end stuff......but I have probably passed on some quality firearms I could have owned. I imagine I am not the only one on this forum that feels the same way. If you are really serious, I could do some homework and find this gentleman who I know lives in Montrose, Colorado. He was asking me what he had, I was not asking him.
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Old 10-13-2010, 03:33 AM
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Jimmy;

There is no standard factory gun fitting that description. One possibility is someone added target sights to a model 37, and the other is a factory special order. I don't know how easy it would be to mill an alloy frame for the adjustable rear sight but I don't recall it being done outside the factory.
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  #14  
Old 10-13-2010, 08:09 AM
Triggernosis Triggernosis is offline
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.38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight? .38 w/ 3" barrel - airweight/lightweight?  
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Jimmy, PM sent.
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317, 637, 640, airweight, ejector, k frame, leather, model 37, model 60, nightguard, nra


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