I am not very well versed in the S&W semi-automatic pistol so please excuse what may be a very dumb question. While touring the gun show today I observed what looked to be a Mod. 39 Smith, I asked the owner if it was not a mod. 39 since he had a visible tag that stated it to be a Mod. 38-2. He asked about my old eyes and then handed the gun to me and I believe I read Mod. 38-2 on the alloy frame with steel slide and barrel. Seems that there is at least one Mod. 38-2. Oh, yea, it is a 9mm caliber. Since there are two first generation 9mm's what is the difference please? Thanks for the education.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

I am not very well versed in the S&W semi-automatic pistol so please excuse what may be a very dumb question. While touring the gun show today I observed what looked to be a Mod. 39 Smith, I asked the owner if it was not a mod. 39 since he had a visible tag that stated it to be a Mod. 38-2. He asked about my old eyes and then handed the gun to me and I believe I read Mod. 38-2 on the alloy frame with steel slide and barrel. Seems that there is at least one Mod. 38-2. Oh, yea, it is a 9mm caliber. Since there are two first generation 9mm's what is the difference please? Thanks for the education.

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

A Model 38 is a J frame revolver. Check out the pics in this thread: http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...904/m/8031007382/p/1

M38 is an Airwieght Bodyguard (alloy frame with shrouded hammer) J frame, 5 shot, .38 Special revolver. The gun you saw was a mis-marked M39. Not common, but not unheard of either. A friend of mine once owned a Nickel M29-2 that was marked M19-2.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

Thanks guys, I really was confused by the 38-2 stamping on the side of the alloy frame. Never thought one could slip by quality control with a miss marked model number. Would these miss-marked guns possibly command a higher resale price?

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Sam
S&WHF 333 S&WCA 2198

Mis markings happen. They generally will bring a small premium of 50-100 or so.

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You do what you are.