I saw this 438 new today (10/8/2018) at the Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore for $320 with free shipping - limited time offer. I know this is a discontinued piece but my wife wants a .38 revolver and this looks like it fits the bill. I like the hump back, semi-exposed hammer (vs no hammer) and small size. Good deal or stay away??

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

Run——BUY.....

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

Good deal but see this. On Gunbroker, 442 Performance Center from Tanners. $329, Tuned by the performance center. So smooth you won’t miss the single action. Slicker to draw from a holster too. Good deal either choice

I think it’s a good deal for a good revolver.
You mentioned it’s for your wife. I don’t know how much she shoots but something you should think about is those airweight snubbie J frames are best in the hands of experienced shooters. Some people find they are unpleasant to shoot even with 38 special ammo. Depending on your budget, she could practice mostly with a steel frame revolver which will be a little easier for recoil and then shoot fewer rounds with the airweight so she is familiar with POI.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

Practice and/or carry wadcutters

I was just at Tanners Saturday and bought one. You can’t beat that price.

I shot my buddy's airweight and with standard 38 special it was almost as snappy as an all steel j-frame shooting 357 magnums. With 38+p I'm sure it would be feel pretty much the same as the magnums in a steel gun.

Great deal. I want a humpback. However, I think like someone pointed out, the 442 they have has no internal lock. I love my 442. Having said that, I wouldn't fault someone for wanting single action capability. Especially for a Gal. The DA pulls on the J frames can be stiff and my girls don't like it. I will say my 442's is heavier than some of the J frames I've fondled. But I've also fondled others that are just as heavy.

Understand the airweight. She currently has a Taurus TCP .380. She just doesn't like an auto and wanted a revolver. Hope this with .38 spl is no worse than that ultra-light TCP.

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

ABPOS, help me understand the issues with an internal lock? Just unlock it and throw away the key right? Seriously. is there issues with an unlocked pistol locking by itself?

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD DEAL TO ME, ESPECIALLY IF ITS WHAT YOUR WIFE WANTS....

IMHO, THE SEMI EXPOSED HAMMER IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. WHILE MITIGATING AGAINST SNAGS, IT WILL ALLOW YOUR WIFE TO RELAX, AND GAIN CONFIDENC IN HERSELF, AND THE WEAPON, BY SHOOTING IT SA, INSTEAD OF DAO.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I have found the humpback J frame to be the perfect pocket gun. During the draw stroke, the hump glides the top of the pocket away from the hand and gun, allowing for a smooth and snag free draw.

I'm glad you posted this, because I will be snagging one and putting my 351PD up for sale to pay for it.

I bought a 442 shortly after they were released for sale. My wife liked it, especially after I installed a set of Pachmayr Compact grips on it. Those are big enough for me to shoot the revolver well and small enough for her to shoot it well also. She shoots it very well with standard loads but also can shoot a few cylinders full of +P premium ammo as well without causing her to flinch or bother her aim. She actually claimed it as her gun and allows me to shoot it or carry it if and when I choose to carry an airweight. Nothing at all wrong with the 438 either. I'm just very fond of the hammerless Centennial frames. If your wife likes it, that's the one you should buy. Either one is a good deal!

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So long ... Ken

I picked up a 438 from the same outfit about a year and a half ago. I prefer it over my 442, just a personal thing as I just like to hold my thumb against the hammer when I holster. Oh, and it's almost always in my pocket in either a Mika or Lobo pocket holster. That is a good deal, go for it.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I went ahead and pulled the trigger (pun intended) on this one. No tax and free shipping. $15 FFL transfer.

As for the 442, specs show it's about a 1/2 oz. lighter so I don't think the recoil will be much different between them. My only other revolver is a older 586-2 with a 6" barrel so this will be an interesting endevor.

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

I am not into recoil. I've always tended to gravitate towards light recoiling handguns. My M9 was one of my favorite pistols and the HiPower too. Both are easy guns to shoot. I prefer 5.56 rifles over .308. That type of a thing. Heck I wish they all felt like .22's but hit like .357's. LOL.

I'm painting a picture for you. All to say that I don't find my 442 hard to shoot. Part of it being so light, is that it gets back on target fast too. But my caveat is I definitely don't shoot +p's in it and focus more on lighter recoiling rounds. In fact for winter I'm thinking about just carrying PMC or Winchester FMJ's. Because they both are light recoiling and I prefer to have adequate penetration. Seeins how snubby .38's struggle to have enough velocity to open up a HP bullet and penetrate well. I carry Hornady American Gunners in 125 grain HP's. But they are known to not open up and penetrate well. But even that load is kind of hot. Actually, I don't notice much difference in felt recoil between those and the Remington Golden Saber 125 +p's.

As far as the lock goes, there have been a few people that have reported the lock to inadvertently engage while shooting. Even though it was turned to the off position. Basically I guess it jimmied loose or something from recoil. You can buy a plug for them and take them out. If I had one and it was a serious defense gun. I would do that. However, it may be just insurance because probably most lock guns work fine without that happening. It's just a small possibility. But one that you can get rid of.

Since you're considering FMJ ammunition in your snub for winter carry, maybe you'd like to look at the Federal 130gr "range ammo." I find it noticeably snappier than other 130gr .38 rounds.

Several years ago, I picked up a box of Israeli .38 FMJ-RN ammunition. Don't know the weight of the bullet, but these rounds were "ring-tailed tooters," +P and maybe more. FYI. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I've owned two 438s over the years and currently own a M38 (and other Js). Anyway, I'm a fan of the humpback. The only thing that would concern me about the gun linked in OP is the large grip size. Probably great for shooting, but not for pocket carry, where I believe a J frame carries best.

Also, you don't want to throw away the key (tool) to unlock the gun. Search this forum as to why.

The "throw away the key" was a little sarcasm. I don't throw away anything - including the box. I have thought about the handle. I'm hoping this J-frame allows for grip change and if so, I'll probably look at something smaller. Wifey will not be wearing this on her hip so will be looking at this along the way. Also, probably won't be shooting +Ps. Thanks for all the feedback.

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

The lock can become a problem but only with Magnum calibers in my experience. My M625, shooting .45Supers, 255grain Hard Cast Keith's pushing 1,100fps were a first hand problem for me. They caused significantly more recoil than a .45ACP, 230gr @ 875fps. I was training with the factory loaded Buffalo Bore .45Supers because that was my "Woods-Load" I carried for 5 years in a converted 1911 previously but got into Moon Clip Equipped Revolvers because I could run .45ACP's, .45Auto-Rim, and .45Supers without changing mainsprings, recoil springs, and magazine springs like I'd have to on my 1911 to reliable go from ACP's to Supers. Starting out with HST's in .45acp the gun ran great starting out. After my 3rd clip of Supers the gun's action started getting really hard to work/pull the trigger. I set the gun down and finished the session with other pistols I brought for the day. I get the 625 home and get the key out once the gun is on the bench and notice the lock had ever so slightly rotated under the heavy recoil. I snatched that lock out and replaced it with an Original Precision Lock Delete and never had that problem again. This was my experience, take it for what it's worth. But you can read of others with similar experience(s) with .44 Mag Revolvers with the lock. I've never heard of it being a problem on a .38Special Revolver. YMMV...

Pic of M625 with the Original Precision Lock Delete. Loved the gun but sold it to my little brother when I got into 3" barreled .44Mags for my dedicated "Woods-Gun(s)"... They are addictive and so versatile! But then again so is the M625.

The train and defend stuff or normal white box? I've shot both before and didn't feel like they were hot. But maybe I wasn't paying attention. I've mostly shot PMC 132 grain fmj and those are *****cats.

As a retired law enforcement firearms instructor, and someone who has been in actual armed confrontations with suspects, I'd just like to add my two cents on something.

I see a lot of threads about j frame revolvers, and especially light or alloy frames, and the fact that they do have some pretty snappy recoil. Yes they do and it is very noticeable when you're at the range.

That being said, if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an armed confrontation, I can tell you from personal experience, under that stress, you probably won't feel the recoil at all. Your body will react to muscle memory, and there will be no thought of recoil, only your fight or flight instincts. Which if you are shooting your J Frame, you've made the decision to fight.

Yes they can be a pain to shoot during range sessions, but practice doesn't always require live fire. Dry practice is very important to maintaining your skill level with a firearm. So take your J Frame to the range and make sure it's stone reliable, and then go from there.

Again only my humble opinion based on 38 years as a firearms instructor.

The standard 'white box,' although the Federal box is reddish. Somewhere online, you're gonna find a heavier .38 standard load, perhaps from the Eastern European suppliers. Don't know which. And at shows, all types of ammo find their way onto the tables of private sellers.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Good morning folks. I picked up my 438 this weekend. I haven't had a chance to go to the range yet but while inspecting it when I got home, I noticed a hairline crack on the right side. It may be something that belongs there but it's almost not visible. Is this normal? I highlighted in blue. If that is 2 mated pieces of metal, that sure is a perfect fit.

Attached Images

438.JPG (22.0 KB, 90 views)

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

That’s the side plate of the revolver where it meets the frame. Nothing to worry about it belongs there. Now you need to go shoot it

Yes, that is the seam where the side plate meets the frame. Nothing to worry about. If you ever remove that side plate never pry on it. There is a proper method to get it off.

Thanks for the quick replies. I didn't want to shoot it until I knew it was OK. I doubt I would need to remove that plate.

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Shield 45, SW40VE, 586, 1000

Marvel at the precise fit of that curved plate to the rest of the frame.....

You are going to like that gun. I know really like the one I have. I put a set of Altamont smooth combats on mine and they help with the recoil..a lot. Plus I have big hands and I don't like my pinkie hanging off the grip.

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"I gots to know"

Glad you got it. I'm interested to see if your wife actually likes shooting it. It may end up being more your gun but I think you were warned..... I definitely start her with lighter loads. There are a few managed recoil rounds or wadcutters.

How come I never find one of these little humpbacks?

I come across the 649/49/638 all the time but when it comes to the 438 I can never find one, time to move!!!

To OP nice revolver you got a Unicorn.

Me neither. Got a 442 and 638 but never saw a 438 in the wild before. Discontinued before I even knew they were available it seems

I bought my 438 new last year and the box had a 2017 manufacture date but the guns weren't in the S&W online catalog. The shop mine came from had a bunch of them so I'm guessing they made a special run for a distributor but I don't really know. The OP got his here Smith & Wesson 438 38 Special J-Frame Revolver with Combat Grip | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore so it looks like they are still out there.

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"I gots to know"

Good price. I get tired of shooting mine in short order though.

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Foster Positivity.

I liked the humpbacks I had and I'm sure I'll own another at some point, but I used the single action at the range and had to decock it due to the RO calling a cease fire for some deer that wandered onto the range. Having to lower a tiny spur of a hammer without a decocker to unload the gun made me reconsider the value of having a pocket gun with a vestigial hammer spur instead of the fully enclosed 442s/642s.

I'd say your whole entire post was pretty much fact more-so than opinion! Solid post and agreed! When stuff happens you don't think you react... Sometimes you don't even hear sound with a FULL adrenaline dump into the veins..

yeah, but it's good to practice with live ammo and I notice when I shoot plus p's, even after 5 rounds I'm starting to anticipate recoil way too much. So I just stick with standard pressure. I do carry 5 rounds of golden sabeer Plus P's as a reload. But they don't feel overly hot to me. The speer gold dots.... quite a bit of recoil in an airweight.

438s have been discontinued for a while, but I see new ones pop up on online sites on occasion. I've owned two, and they are great little jframes.

My hope is S&W will reintroduce the 438 in the future... without a lock. Until then, I have a M38 to keep me happy (picture attached below).

As far as carry ammo, I really like the Federal HST Micro 38+p.

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