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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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Old 04-10-2018, 09:33 PM
Pukindog12 Pukindog12 is offline
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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Default S&W 438. Carbon or stainless?

I am looking for a J frame and have an opportunity to purchase a 438 at a reasonable price. I was trying to find out some information on them but the sources I perused have conflicting information. Some state that the barrel and cylinder is made of carbon steel while others claim stainless steel.

So I am here to ask the experts. What are these aforementioned parts made of: carbon or stainless?

TIA.
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Old 04-12-2018, 05:31 PM
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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I'm not sure. I bought one and immediately sold it as it shot three to five inches left at seven yards depending on the load.
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:26 PM
shawn mccarver shawn mccarver is offline
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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I hope this helps you. It is from the S&W archives:

SPECIFICATIONS
SKU: 163438
Model: ARCHIVE: Model 438
Caliber: 38 S&W SPECIAL +P
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length:
Overall Length: 6.3"
Front Sight: Integral
Rear Sight: Fixed
Action: Single/Double Action
Grip: Synthetic
Cylinder Material: Stainless Steel Cylinder
Frame Material: Aluminum Alloy Frame
Purpose:
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:49 PM
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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Stainless barrel and cylinder. I bought one a few years ago as a "replacement" () for an M49 that I stupidly sold many moons ago.

They take a bit of break-in and a lot practice, and come awfully dry and stiff from Mama Smith. A little lovin' and lubin' is required. Shoot a mess of target wadcutters before stepping up to defense loads. You will be happy that you did if you are not accustomed to Airweight J-frames. Once you become used to them they become addictive.
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Old 04-12-2018, 10:27 PM
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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I carry a M438 in lieu of my 1976 M38. I feel confident the M438 will work if and when I need it. I hope I don't, however, one can never tell.
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Old 04-15-2018, 08:41 AM
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S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless? S&W 438.  Carbon or stainless?  
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Never thought about it since like above it's stated as stainless. Must be ferritic since I just stuck a rare earth magnet to my 438 cylinder and barrel. Ferritic stainless is typically magnetic and austenitic stainless is non magnetic. I still love that little 438 so which flavor stainless the cylinder and barrel are doesn't matter to me
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