Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

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


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-11-2018, 05:49 PM
326MOD10 326MOD10 is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 1,276
Liked 2,245 Times in 765 Posts
Default Information Wanted about Model 38-2

Can anyone shed some light on the difference between the old school model 38 and the newer 38-2's.

It appears the 38-2 has the newer frame composition but I was curious if it is +P rated?

Any other pros or cons of the 38-2 would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-11-2018, 08:43 PM
Kernel Crittenden's Avatar
Kernel Crittenden Kernel Crittenden is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The Badger State
Posts: 6,548
Likes: 3,410
Liked 6,481 Times in 3,065 Posts
Default

Are you asking about the difference between a traditional alloy frame Bodyguard and that polymer frame abomination?
__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-11-2018, 09:52 PM
326MOD10 326MOD10 is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,349
Likes: 1,276
Liked 2,245 Times in 765 Posts
Default

No sir.

I have seen for sale a 38-2, which appears to be a regular old fashioned style Bodyguard, but appears to be made of the newer material used in the 442's/438's.

They also have the Smith symbol and "airweight" in what appears to be white on the side of the frame.

It seems to be a 438 without the lock but I am not sure if there are any other things about it or what the difference is between it and the old school airweight Model 38.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-11-2018, 10:10 PM
yep380 yep380 is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 481
Likes: 593
Liked 485 Times in 223 Posts
Default

I'm curious about the 38-2 as well. I have '72 M38 no dash that I like a lot... it's beat up pretty good though and I wouldn't mind finding another one that's a bit newer. I've owned a couple 438s, nice guns but the lock bothered me.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-11-2018, 11:25 PM
JWM JWM is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 141
Likes: 13
Liked 136 Times in 52 Posts
Default

I bought a model 38-2 when they first hit the market (about 1991). The difference was that they increased the front sight width from 1/10th inch, to 1/8th width. Easier to see. That was the only change. It was still non-plus P rated.

Last edited by JWM; 07-11-2018 at 11:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-11-2018, 11:45 PM
Cal44 Cal44 is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Northern California
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 5,473
Liked 6,418 Times in 1,861 Posts
Default

As far as I can tell, the sight change was the only significant change in 38-2s.

They also changed to Uncle Mike's grips.

A LGS had, a couple years ago, a 38-3 for sale.

That one had the MIM parts, used the extended J frame, and was p+ rated.

At least, that was what the catalog says.

But the one in the LGS did not say 38+P.

I didn't buy it. I might have, if I was sure it was +P rated as I don't like the locks on defense guns so a modern 638 wasn't attractive.

I now I have 49-0, and being all steel, I don't worry about using +p in it.

But it's heavy.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-12-2018, 12:19 AM
Kernel Crittenden's Avatar
Kernel Crittenden Kernel Crittenden is offline
US Veteran
Absent Comrade
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: The Badger State
Posts: 6,548
Likes: 3,410
Liked 6,481 Times in 3,065 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 326MOD10 View Post
... but appears to be made of the newer material used in the 442's/438's....
The frame and alloy metallurgical composition is the same as c.1955. If anything, they changed the surface coating. You can't blue aluminum. The newer guns have a different anodizing or epoxy or something, that's all. Underneath it's the same. The cylinders and barrel are carbon steel.

A few were even offered in nickel. The words Airweight and AirLite are just marketing terms S&W uses for their family of alloy frame guns. The terms have been around for a long time. I think it's only been in the last 20 - 30 years or so, though, that they've actually inscribed the term on the guns themselves.
__________________
~ S&W aficionado in training ~
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-21-2018, 07:41 PM
Jerry in SC Jerry in SC is offline
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2 Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Upstate
Posts: 465
Likes: 150
Liked 93 Times in 55 Posts
Default

I had a crime scene 38-2 I bought from a local police sale. It was beat up a little but solid otherwise. The -2 engineering change consisted of the wider front sight and the improved yoke retention. The improved yoke retention is a good change, the screw has a spring loaded ball that rides in a V in the yoke. It for all practical purposes eliminates yoke end shake.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-22-2018, 07:38 AM
haywood's Avatar
haywood haywood is online now
Member
Information Wanted about Model 38-2  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. Ohio
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 9,355
Liked 2,709 Times in 991 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry in SC View Post
I had a crime scene 38-2 I bought from a local police sale. It was beat up a little but solid otherwise. The -2 engineering change consisted of the wider front sight and the improved yoke retention. The improved yoke retention is a good change, the screw has a spring loaded ball that rides in a V in the yoke. It for all practical purposes eliminates yoke end shake.
Dose it have the slimmer groved trigger? Or is it the wider smooth trigger?
__________________
Two Handguns every day
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
66 No Dash information wanted Fltr09 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 11 10-25-2015 01:50 AM
Information on S&W 625 wanted Fltr09 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 12 08-07-2015 09:54 PM
Information wanted on a S&W 30-1 Daniel71 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 6 12-06-2014 01:27 PM
Information Wanted on a .38 Special jmjboyo S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 4 05-06-2013 01:45 PM
Second Model Russian Information Wanted! jleiper S&W Antiques 7 12-13-2012 10:39 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:26 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)