Just picked up a used (of course) Model 38 Airweight and I have a few questions.

It is a 38 with no dash, SN 797JXX, any ideas on the approximate date of production?

What is the hottest load that this gun can stand? +P or should I stick with standard loads?

Much of the bluing is gone, can it be reblued or am I looking at an expensive reanodization?

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

A diet of +P would be hard on the gun and the wrist.

Practice with standard velocity or target 38 Spl and carry +P for defense.

Before I would reblue, I would buy a new Model 438 or 638, both of which are rated for +P.

1971-72. The frame is anodized, the barrel and cylinder are blued.

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There was also a version, made for the MI State Police, with an alloy frame and a stainless cylinder.

They are great carry guns. I just couldn't see having a very nice original Model 38 and subjecting it to the daily abuse of what I do everyday.

Still looking for one, but a new 638 fills the bill for my everyday use. And it gets plenty of it.

Standard pressure .38's should do just fine in yours.

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I've got one, and have seen a couple others on the internet, with frames cracked under the barrel threads. I got no response from S&W email inquiry. Mine is a no-dash, pre-J serial number. I've had it for 20 or more years, never shot a +P in it and have no idea how or when the crack appeared???
The crack is easy to see on the flat below the barel with the cylinder swung out.
Has anyone else seen this?

I preserve my older lightweights and feed them a careful diet of .38 wadcutters. Buffalo Bore makes a non plus p load that will give you all the performance you need.

If you want to see how hot of load the small j frame will take look at the newer guns made with a slightly larger frame and made to digest +p.

For a reference..your gun will take a limited amount of +p. Your hand will get tired before the gun does.

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I wouldn't call it nice. Most of the bluing on the aluminum is gone. And the metal has zillions of scratches.

I've been dealing with the shop that sold it for over 30 years now. The owner says that he knows the history of the gun and that was carried a bunch but not shot much.

I'm thinking of polishing the frame and leaving the barrel and cylinder blued.

Also want to get some grips that fill the hand better but I don't want to pay half of what the gun cost to get them.

As for shooting, I figure that I'll shoot a few boxes of standard loads to get a feel for the gun and then maybe pack it with +P for carry.