The humble .38 Special Airweight J-frame.

Smithboomer · Nov 3, 2014

Trailboss is a reloading powder. It's fairly new on the market. I like it for .38 and .45 Colt handloads. Good stuff.

My Airweight collection includes four 2" Model 37s (one square butt and one nickel), one 3" M37, and a 438.

shooter1911 · Nov 3, 2014

exdetsgt said:
Beautiful. What grips are those? The stock rubber ones that came with the gun bang my middle finger knuckle. Yours seem a bit lower on the trigger guard, which is good.

These grips were made for me by Craig Spegel. This particular wood is standard cocobolo, and they took about six months to complete. They carry and slip out of my jean pocket incredibly smooth. As far as how they shoot, I haven't had a chance to shoot since they arrived in the mail.

HarrishMasher · Nov 3, 2014

exdetsgt said:
Harrishmasher: Do the Ahrends grips beat up the knuckle on your middle finger when shooting? They are lovely grips, however.

I have not had that experience at all.

wrangler5 · Nov 4, 2014

exdetsgt said:
What is "Trailboss"? The local gunshop, owned by a Montana rancher is called "Trailboss, Guns & Gear." I assume they are not related.

Trail Boss is a very bulky smokless powder designed primarily for cowboy action shooters. You can fill a 38 Special case to the base of the bullet and not come near max pressure for the load. Same is true for the other cartridges common in the cowboy action game. You must not compress the load, though, as crushed powder grains apparently start raising the pressure curve dramatically.

You get low velocity with this powder. I happen to like this for practice loads - my 158g lead bullets don't get above 700 fps using a full charge of Trail Boss in a 38 Special case (from a 4" Model 10).

Redhawk500 · Nov 4, 2014

To own is not to have (if you have a CCW spouse)

ladder13 said:
Doesn't everyone own at least one Airweight J?

I own two Airweight J frames but one does get near me, at least not without my wife attached. She "stole" the Model 37 and "forced" me to get a S&W 442.

bmcgilvray · Nov 4, 2014

I'm probably the only person in the world who has gone off of the 5-shot Airweight .38 Special revolvers but I don't have much use for them, feeling they are both overrated and oversold. A brand new Model 642 was acquired in 1998 but in the years since, I've come to the conclusion that steel J-Frames are where it's at for me. I don't like lightweight and the steel versions are just as handy for my J-Frame carry needs.

My wife adopted the Model 642 so it wouldn't feel orphaned.

Erich · Nov 4, 2014

bmcgilvray said:
I'm probably the only person in the world who has gone off of the 5-shot Airweight .38 Special revolvers but I don't have much use for them, feeling they are both overrated and oversold.

You're also a giant.

Folks, a K-frame in his hand looks like a J in mine.

Shorty 45 MK2 · Nov 4, 2014

Nothing wrong with a steel framed J.

exdetsgt · Nov 4, 2014

A few days ago I bought a DeSantis Nemisis for my 642-1. It came today and it was absolutely the wrong holster. Right on the ziplock bag it said Keltec P3AT and listed a few more similar sized .380 pistols. Rather than risk getting the same holster again from the same vendor, I contacted Amazon and I am returning it and getting a refund.

I reordered from OpticPlanet instead of Amazon because I could actually talk to someone who knew what a J-frame was.

dr. K · Nov 4, 2014

Redhawk500 said:
I own two Airweight J frames but one does get near me, at least not without my wife attached. She "stole" the Model 37 and "forced" me to get a S&W 442.

Don't ya just hate it when your hand gets forced like that?

exdetsgt · Nov 4, 2014

Truly tragic.

K-framer · Nov 4, 2014

While I certainly like the J-frames very much, I have issues with the extreme lightness of the aluminum alloy framed guns. Just too light for comfortable shooting. Most accept this as part and parcel of the concept that these are designed to be "carried alot and shot little". I, on the other hand, subscribe to the concept that one should "shoot what you carry....and carry what you shoot".

Steel-framed J's are much more to my liking, but, alas, S&W prices those at a point beyond that which I am willing to pay. So, I still don't have a J-frame, even now.

exdetsgt · Nov 4, 2014

A few years back I bought a J-frame steel Model 36 LNIB for $400. They're out there; you just have to keep looking.

perrazi · Nov 4, 2014

during this lovefest for the 38 cal j frames, how about the 22 cals. especially the older ones like the 35 and 43? don't have pics of mine as yet,but will try to rectify that oversight tomorrow. film at 11.

smousefam5 · Nov 6, 2014

I keep buying .40's to carry and they keep going down the line and returning to my 642-1. I love the .40 but I always find they are the first on the chopping block when I find something I really want. I have had a Kahr, a Shield, a SW99c, a Glock 23, and a couple of S&W police trade-ins. I loved them all but nothing replaces my 642.

It isn't glamorous but it is just right. For me, one of the benefits of carrying the J frame over an autoloader is a speedstrip fits in the watch pocket of my jeans and I don't have to carry an extra mag on my belt. Huge bonus in my mind.

I also shoot my 642 much better than any of the auto's.

Boogsawaste · Nov 6, 2014

bmcgilvray said:
I'm probably the only person in the world who has gone off of the 5-shot Airweight .38 Special revolvers but I don't have much use for them, feeling they are both overrated and oversold. A brand new Model 642 was acquired in 1998 but in the years since, I've come to the conclusion that steel J-Frames are where it's at for me. I don't like lightweight and the steel versions are just as handy for my J-Frame carry needs.

My wife adopted the Model 642 so it wouldn't feel orphaned.

I'm actually with you on this. I'd trade my 642 for a steel j frame in a heart beat. I'd take one with a worn out finish too! I like the gun, however I'm just a fan of steel. Not sure why, just am.

skrazo · Nov 6, 2014

Boogsawaste said:
I'd trade my 642 for a steel j frame in a heart beat.

Finding a used steel J-frame in these parts is quite difficult. I think the LGS employees snatch them up as soon as they go on the shelf.

Boogsawaste · Nov 6, 2014

I agree. I find them at shows, but not in huge quantities. And of course trade in value is not much on airweights so I'd be best served finding someone who wants an airweight for a trade. Love to have a nice little 36.

Cocked & Locked · Nov 6, 2014

Here's my pocket worn 642-1 I bought NIB in 1997. She's a keeper. Even though it has the J-magnum frame it is not roll marked nor rated for +P.

A phone call to S&W years ago confirmed that, "...do not shoot +P ammo in it. The gun is too old."

I have shot +P in it of course and carry it with +P.

MajorD · Nov 7, 2014

You can look at this a number of ways :
For the power to size/ weight ratio the airweight j is a great gun
There are those that due to recoil and short sight radius the snub is an experts gun as far as accuracy goes.
On the other hand a civilian defense encounter in the ten feet or less distance means the limited accuracy at extended range become irrelevant.
I have been ankle pocket and belt carrying the all steel 36 for a few decades now and never felt it was too heavy so personally am not convinced the light alloy guns offer something to me my all steel gun can not deliver ,especially considering those extra ounces make it easy to shoot 100 rounds or more in a practice session without fatigue or discomfort.
In conclusion yes j frames are great but I for one think the all steel ones are the way to go.

The humble .38 Special Airweight J-frame.

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