Thanx to this forum I now know the approximate year of my model 38...... AED 11XX is somewhere between 1983-1985.
So far no one has been able to find the AED prefix anywhere.
But for sure it has a carbon cyl...
1) Any pros and con on the carbon cylinders?
2) Any special cleaning techniques for the carbon cyl ?
That's a steel cylinder. I think maybe you got the "carbon" from "carbon steel." Anyway, nothing wrong with them. You just clean them like any other firearm.
The thing you have to be a little careful of is the frame. The anodized black finish won't stand up to abrasives, so stick to products that won't scratch the finish.
Aside from the difference in material, the frame of the M38 is slightly smaller and more svelte than that of the M638, making the M38 a superior pocket pistol, in my opinion.
The finish choices on the M38 were blue or nickel: neither requires different care than any other older Smith blue or nickel finished gun.
Newer Smith finishes, such as those found on any Smith revolver designated by a 3 digit model number (eg: 586, 638 etc as opposed to two digit model numbers such as the M38) or the newer ‘classic’ guns such as the new model 19, are much more fragile than the older finishes.
The only concern with the carbon steel cylinder (and barrel, and yoke, and hammer, and trigger) is a little higher preventative maintenance to keep it from rusting. If you carry it, a quick wipe down with an oily rag at the end of the day is sufficient. If it's not a carry gun, just give it a quick wipe down whenever you handle it. And inspect it periodically for rust.
A lot of this has to do with your own body chemistry. Some people carry blued guns for years with minimal maintenance and have no issues, while others cause a gun to rust just by looking at it.
Carbon vs. Stainless Steel M38
Linear Mode
