Had enough? S&W Airweights

[38SPL HV]

I’m getting to the point that shooting my S&W Airweight 38 Spl +P at the range has become too painful in my later years. I took my Ruger SP101 to my shooting location today and it reminded me how nice it is to do range work with a heavier revolver.

A S&W Airweight is never a range gun I suppose at least for me…unless I want to use target velocity 148 gr wadcutters…maybe it’s time for a trade in…maybe an all steel classic S&W Model 36 38 Spl +P rated…maybe not. My first snub was a Model 36 purchased in the late 70’s…another one which got away in time. Even had a 32 S&W Long Model 31 snub…fun shooting the shorter 32 S&W out of it also.

The SP101 is also the right size for my big mitts…but the double action smoothness pales in comparison with a Smith…oh well, I learned long ago that life is full of compromises.

 

[mikerjf]

I also seldom shoot airweights any more… steelie wheelies are more fun, and auto’s kick less than the steels.

But my last range trip included a Charter Bulldog. There’s a new catagory… “steel and hurts anyway”!

 

[Nix45]

I find the 642 to be surprisingly lively when shooting 158 gr +P.
But, I sure do like carrying it.

 

[BrBa]

I used to own both a 642 and a 640 no-dash in .38. Neither was pleasant when shooting +P carry ammo like the 135 gr Gold Dot. Plus, the 640 felt like a boat anchor in the pocket compared to the 642. Sold them both, haven't owned a j frame since.

 

[geeollie]

Look what has happened to the S&W models that shoot 32 SW, 32 S&W Long and the 32 H&R. Also the Ruger chambered for 327 Federal Magnum and handles all the calibers above.

A few years ago there was zilch for guns and ammo. Zilch is just nothing available due to not being made. Today if there is zilch with either it is because of so many being sold. People woke up to the low recoil and suitable ballistics for self defense.

The owner of Lost River Ammo posts on this forum. His company along with a few others have revived the ammo sales for 32 SW Long and 32 H&R. This ammo is fun to shoot in a J frame or Ruger LCR. Zero pain.

PS: if you poke around and read much about the new S&W models chambered for 32 H&R you will come across Lost River Ammo being mentioned as an early player in this revival.

 

[413Maxwedge]

I totally agree that my M&P 340 scandium J-Frame is NOT a nice range toy, but it can't be beat as an EDC pocket gun. I try to stop by the range a few times a month (on my way home from work) and shoot a cylinder just to stay in practice with it. My 66 and 686's are another story, and I'll go through 100 - 150 rounds in a sitting.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I EDC a mid-60's 49 no dash. and love it. A friend offered me a used 638. It was horrible to run 10 or 15 SD rounds through, at least once in any 15 rounds the internal lock would bounce into locked position. Sold it off AFAIC! I had an older, very used 37. My brother swiped it after he shot 5 rounds and stole the ankle rig that came with it!

BTW my 629-10 PC 2 5/8" has an internal lock and stays unlocked with some Earth-Shaking loads!

Ivan

 

[MajorD]

Many experienced shooters and defensive tactics instructors ( with real street experience using revolvers) are of the opinion for airweight J frames, the best carry round is the humble 148 wadcutter for lots of reasons.
Even with wadcutters, about 100 rounds is my max in an airweight range session.
The golden rule with snubs and ammo :
If it expands it won’t penetrate
If it penetrates it won’t expand

 

[Jimmyjones]

I used to carry a 638 or 642, but I couldn't do the range time I wanted. I've been carrying a 640-1 for a long time. I like the extra sight radius and heft. I use full house DEWC

 

[Beju]

Lightweight snubs fulfill niche carry roles for me like backup ankle carry and pocket carry. I generally think that with steel snubs, that I might as well carry a small semi auto with similar weight.

However, if you're a revolver guy, and you're primarily
belt carrying or pocket carrying in stiffer, more traditional wool coats, a steel snub is a fine choice.

I'd go with the 640 Pro in that case.

 

[hardluk1]

Our one lite weight snubby is a 15oz 360J in 357mag but it wears a hogue soft mono grip that at least makes shooting mild 357 or 38+P manageable. The new grip does not make it a range gun ether .

I do have a '90 taurus 85ss that is far more enjoyable to shoot at 22oz but also wears a soft rubber 3 finger hogue grip . We own these little revolvers more as a firearm gap filler in what could be a necessary handgun one day , Maybe .

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I am getting slightly less tolerant of recoil as I approach octogenarian status. I find my square-butt Model 37 with Tyler still just barely acceptable, my 642 with round-butt Magnas less so. Of course, I could always go with better (larger) grips on my 642.

Grips are everything when it comes to recoil, but whether you can live with [usually] larger grips depends on personal circumstances and choices.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Being a J frame shooter of 50 years, I long ago went to two (or more) J frames. My carry is a 442, I qualify with it once a year, when I was still working it was twice a year.

For my personal range time I shoot my 36. Using it only D/A and outfitted in the same synthetic two finger grips as the 442. To keep my ancient trigger finger in shape I shoot a 317 pretty much every range trip, at least once a week. Same two finger grip there too.

I'm very comfortable with my carry 442 and it's long been an extention of my hand. I've never worried about being "out gunned".

 

[swagmeister]

Fact of life: the older you get, the more things hurt, including recoil from a S&W Airweight revolver!! But shooting .357's thru my vintage overbuilt 1986 Ruger Redhawk revolver, now that is still fun.

 

[chase45]

I have a 642 for carrying in my pocket for quick errands or walking the family around the neighborhood. To me its something quick to grab and easy to carry. I generally opt for a heavier gun.

Carry wadcutters in mine. Anything heavier and the recoil seems to effect the POI too much for me. Its not a very fun gun to shoot for me

I much prefer the heavier 640 pro I have. I can shoot that thing much better and even with some +P ammo its not too hard on the hand. That one is much more fun to shoot

 

[Ameshawki]

I have a 638 in the carry rotation. It rarely goes to the range, and I usually regret it when I do take it.

 

[Narragansett]

Why not use target velocity wadcutters?

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Why not use target velocity wadcutters?

With a light enough gun and wrong grips, even they can hurt.

 

[Narragansett]

With a light enough gun and wrong grips, even they can hurt.

I am sure, but the OP sounded like he was putting them down

 

[Snub Nose Sasquatch]

Stock S&W Airweights are not pleasurable to shoot at the range. In their default configuration, the gun is very snappy and the trigger pull is excessively heavy. However, none of those things matter in a close quarters gunfight. You will be able to dump an entire cylinder of .38 Special +P into the violent attacker no problem.

To make the S&W Airweights fun, you need to get better grips that will reduce that recoil. VZ makes "High Horn" grips that are 10x better than the stock grips. It makes shooting several boxes of .38 Special actually enjoyable. Next, get a Wolf Spring kit for $20 and the trigger experience will be significantly improved.