Air Weight Questions

[silverta16]

I'm looking for a super light Smith 38 special revolver. I recently read about the 337PD , is this the lightest gun Smith ever made? What other options are there? I know I looked at a scandium .357 years ago but it was still around 13 oz from my memory and almost $1000. I currently carry a Taurus model 85 police edition titanium with a concealed hammer it weighs 13.5 oz. I just bought the new Taurus View 38 with the clear side, it weighs just 9 oz. but has a super small grip, I just don't care for it, it's to small so I think I want to trade up to a Smith. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[HarrishMasher]

You are pretty much right on with all you are saying.

The lightest S&W scandium/titanium revolvers they made in .38spl only, are the 337PD 10.7 ozs with the exposed hammer, and the 342PD with shrouded hammer at 10.8 ozs. They have been discontinued. You can find them readily available on Gunbroker used. Usually $600+ depending on condition.

The S&W scandium/titanium 38/357 revolvers, the 340PD (shrouded hammer) and 360PD (Exposed hammer) weigh in at 11.4 ozs and are still being produced. They go for $800 to $1000.

I have a 342PD, it is a very sweet little carry gun. I used to carry it exclusively, but I have moved up to carrying the larger K/L frames these days. Weight is no longer a concern. Once you have the correct holster and belt you can carry anything. The guns I carry these days weigh around 40 ozs loaded. I don't even notice I am carrying them. 686PC 2.5", 586 L Comp 3", 386 Night Guard 2.5", etc.

 

[colt_saa]

I'm looking for a super light Smith 38 special revolver. I recently read about the 337PD , is this the lightest gun Smith ever made? What other options are there? I know I looked at a scandium .357 years ago but it was still around 13 oz from my memory and almost $1000. I currently carry a Taurus model 85 police edition titanium with a concealed hammer it weighs 13.5 oz. I just bought the new Taurus View 38 with the clear side, it weighs just 9 oz. but has a super small grip, I just don't care for it, it's to small so I think I want to trade up to a Smith. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

The lightest production J-frame is the model 317 at 10 ounces, but it is a 22LR with an aluminium cylinder, frame and barrel shroud.

As to 38s or 357s, the 337 and 360 with the titanium cylinders would probably be next followed by 340s and 342s with the titanium cylinders. Next in line are the same models with the steel cylinders

Do not get yourself worked up over published weights. They can vary by more than an ounce just by changing the grips.

As I am sure you are aware, all else being equal, a lighter revolver will have more perceived recoil. Many folks are no capable of handling that recoil while other folks are unwilling to learn. Some even think that shooting your last ditch effort, save your butt firearm is supposed to be fun to shoot.

I always thought the View was too small for most of the shooting public and never bothered to get one.

That last picture is a little unfair, I do have LARGE hands

 

[silverta16]

I bought my view about 3 weeks ago and paid dearly to get it, as they are not available now thru any dealers or distributors until 2nd quarter next year. I hadn't held one before I ordered mine from gunbroker, so it was mine when it came in or I'd have backed out. The grip is just to small and doesn't feel right. I understand this is a last chance shoot to defend yourself gun and not a range gun, but truth is you'd probably only get 1 shot because it'd jump out of your hand after the first shot. I've not shot it yet, hoping to trade up to a smith.

 

[silverta16]

So the 337PD's and the 342PD's are a full size gun, they're not a mini revolver like what I bought? What are average prices on these guns? I only saw 1 on gunbroker and it was upper $700's.

 

[colt_saa]

So the 337PD's and the 342PD's are a full size gun, they're not a mini revolver like what I bought? What are average prices on these guns? I only saw 1 on gunbroker and it was upper $700's.

A 337 and your model 85 are virtually clones when it comes to dimensions.

The 442 is the same firearm with the frame extended upward for the internal hammer.

As to price, do not look at GB for the asking price of ones that are for sale, go to the completed auctions search and look at the ones that have sold over the past 12 months.

 

[Slufstuff]

No offense intended to any owners, but I think the View is a strong candidate for ugliest looking modern production firearm! Honestly, if I did not know better, I would have thought it was one of those home made revolvers you see in the phillipines.

 

[tlmetesh]

Handled the Taurus View when it came in for review. Let's just say if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!

As for lightweight carry guns, I have a 638 in my pocket. Doesn't bother me a bit.

 

[silverta16]

So the 337PD and 342PD are the same size as the regular Taurus model 85? My view is a model 85 also, which I think is the biggest screw up, being that it's half size they should call it a model 42.5 or something. I sold my model 85 view this morning so I'm now looking for an airweight. I also have a model 85 Taurus fullsize with the concealled hammer which is the same size as my Smith model 60.

 

[HarrishMasher]

So the 337PD and 342PD are the same size as the regular Taurus model 85? My view is a model 85 also, which I think is the biggest screw up, being that it's half size they should call it a model 42.5 or something. I sold my model 85 view this morning so I'm now looking for an airweight. I also have a model 85 Taurus fullsize with the concealled hammer which is the same size as my Smith model 60.

The 337 and 342 are the exact same size as every other S&W J Frame in 38spl/357mag that has been made for the past 50 years. So the same size as the 642, 442, 638, 36, 49 and so on and so on. Basically they are the size of any S&W 38/357 snubby you have ever seen (J Frames only). Go to any gun store and they will have plenty of them for you to look at.

 

[regalsc]

There is a size variation in j frames with the barrel shroud when it comes to holster fitment. My model 60 made in 1970 was a little loose when put in my leather holsters that fit my 337 & 340pd. The 60 has no shroud thus the overall dimensions of the barrel are smaller.

 

[murphydog]

I'm a little surprised no one has asked, is there a reason you want the smallest/lightest S & W J frame? If it is just so you can say you have one that is one matter, but if it because you want it for a concealed carry gun there are other considerations other than weight. The flyweight .38 is unpleasant to shoot even with standard loads, and the .357 is by reputation downright nasty. A few extra ounces makes a big difference here.

 

[eveled]

The lightest of the scandium J frames are Air Lites, they have the titanium cylinder. Air Weights have the stainless cylinders.

 

[silverta16]

I want it for concealed carry. My current carry pistol is a Taurus 85 concealed hammer titanium its 13.5 oz. it has a ported barrel and shoots great. Just looking for a smith and only concerned about weight to make it easier to carry. I have a Don Hume DAH small of the back holster that woks good for me. Pictured is my grandpa's old model 60 I believe. It has a beautiful set of stag grips that I have put up. One side is prettier than the other due to carry wear where he was a police officer back in the day.

 

[silverta16]

Im open to suggestions, I'm just learning. And have a lot to learn.

 

[Garintheair]

I have a handful of J frames including a 342pd, 37, 60, 36, 642 and several 442's both newer and pre magnum J frame.

My carry J is a 642 and I barely know it's there. While a really neat gun in its' own right, I've relegated the mint condition 342pd to the safe due to it's discontinued status and no real practical aspect of weight for carry over the replaceable 642. At one time, back in the day, my daily carry guns were an N frame and a 1076; it's all relative.

I have no use for a snubby in .357 viewing it akin to a .44 mag derringer; maybe neat but what's the practical point? A .44 special bulldog would seem to be the balance here in this case.

Just my thoughts but we all carry what we're comfortable with.

 

[Rick_A]

I'm a practical man. I have no use for a painful flinch inducing magnum in an ultra lightweight gun, or the added expense for such a gun. An Airweight 38spl +P is as much gun as is needed in something that light. An ounce or two mean little to me and the extra shooting comfort is welcomed.

For a magnum a full lug steel framed gun with a cushy rubber full fingered grip was chosen as something more appropriate for the task of launching such projectiles.

So far they are working out quite well.

20150109_135938 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

20150109_153932 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

 

[MajorD]

Honestly I carry an all steel j frame and the few ounces are not noticed when carried, but make shooting the guns much more comfortable! When people look to the j frames I suggest all steel. J frames are considered expert guns since they are hard to shoot well, and the all steel version make accurate shooting much easier. In my area just about every shop has at least several all steel j frames used in great shape often less than $350

 

[silverta16]

They don't seem that cheap around here. Pawn shops ask $499 and up for old guns with the finish worn off them. I'm still learning. I did find a new inbox 637 and 638 today for $399 each didn't think that sounded to bad.

 

[WChris]

Model 642

I carry an Airweight 642-2. It's .38 special only but I carry +P JHP when I'm out and around and standard FMJ loads at the range where I shoot once a month. I always cook some +P through it when I'm at the range.

The enclosed hammer of the 642 allows me to cross my thumbs with the strong side thumb crossing the backstrap and the weak thumb over and gripping the strong thumb. Gripping this way rotates the weak side hand around to where it's able to help grip the gun more strongly also. This helps to tame the recoil some and greatly, greatly improves accuracy.

It doesn't print much at all and is snag free. Many times I'll just dump it in a pocket and go run a short errand.

I hope this helps