Light Weight "J" Frames Revolvers

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy

 

[Glock 'em down]

I personally think that the Smith & Wesson Airweights are to be carried a lot and shot often.

The all steel models should be carried a lot and shot MORE!

 

[Texas Star]

Originally posted by jimmyj:
Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy

Don't know about mechanical problems, but frame cracking or stretching are certainly more likely with lightweight guns. Airweight. I think the Scandium frames are quite a bit tougher, but recoil is grim.

T-Star

 

[Eagle1*]

man, I hope not as I have 3 airweights and want to get some use out of them.

 

[ENH]

My philosophy is shoot them till they break, fix them or buy more and start the process over again and again.

 

[JayDubya]

I have fired about 2,500 std pressure range loads from my Airweight 637. I enjoyed it very little. I have also fired a few dozen +p rounds. I enjoyed none of them. In fact, I fired five of Cor Bon's 115gr JHP +p (no longer offered, thank goodness), and swore I never would do that again. The remaining 15 cartridges are now delegated to my 686+.

My point is twofold: Airweights kick hard, even with range loads; and mine is still in near-mint shape. Most of the cracked frames came early in the production cycle. And S&W has the best customer service in the business. You break a 6xx snubby, and they will either repair or replace it, free. Including shipping both ways.

Cordially, Jack

 

[coach22]

JayDubaya
I think you mean Corbon 115 +P+.
They were like a 110 grain 357.
Both in performance and recoil.
They still make a 110 +P that
I shot in my 340 PD, when I first got it.
The recoil was way less than Speer GDSB +P.
It is currently loaded with BB 125 +P's.

My 442 is from 1994 and I've never had
a problem with +P's. It's loaded with
BB Standard Pressure 158's.
I believe quality control used to be much better...in everything.
I don't know when the lifetime warranty started.
Maybe they didn't need one when quality control
was better and so many guns weren't produced.
My nickel 49 from 1984 and my 640 (38) from 1992
and my nickel 442 from 1994 still look like new,
while the finish on my 340 PD,
has worn off on the edge above the rear top strap
3 times. Smith refinished it twice and finally
replaced it with a new gun and the same thing happened.
Might be better to get an older J Frame that was rarely used.
There are probably a bunch of them out there.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I bought this 642-1 NEW in October of 1997...shoot it often, carry it daily, never any problems.

 

[palmetto99]

I've been on the fence about picking up a air weight. I've always liked the 442/642 concept.

I have two model 60's (one in .38, one in .357). Yeah, they might be a little heavy when carried in the pocket (which I don't often do), but that little bit of heft sure helps with recoil.

 

[photoman]

The 642 with wadcutters is a whole lotta fun to shoot and makes a good self defense weapon. I've had a dozen or so J frames, most of the Airweights, and never any mechanical problems.

I tend to shoot my guns a lot. Usually 200-300 rounds a session per gun. The 642 I use daily has about 1000 rounds through it, mostly +P, with no problems at all.

With that said, my hands...well...they hurt after 100 or so rounds of +P so I've had to cut back and shoot mostly standard pressure rounds for practice.

 

[animalmother]

I have a 637 and it is a great gun. Shoots to point of aim out to 10 yards. Most accurate snubby I have ever owned (and I've owned about a dozen).

 

[JayDubya]

Coach22 said: "I think you mean Corbon 115 +P+.
They were like a 110 grain 357. Both in performance and recoil."

Actually, my original post was wrong. I still have the box. It is labelled thus:

38 Special +P
110gr JHP (NOT 115gr)
Velocity 1250fps Energy 382ft/lbs

I was told that the 110gr bullets were made by Rainier, and that the weapon used for the ballistics was a snubby. 1250fps and 382ft/lbs is very hot from a snubby. I do not encourage anyone to fire these from an Airweight. But, as I stated in my previous post, Cor Bon no longer sells this load, which I purchased seven years ago.

Cordially, Jack

 

[photoman]

The CorBon 110gr JHP+P uses a Sierra bullet and is still very much available. Most of the actual chrono numbers I've seen show it to run around 1200 to 1250 out of a 4" barrel. I use them in my 642 and 637 along with the 110gr DPX load.

 

[tenntucker]

I have a 342 and it shows no signs of falling apart.

 

[tom turner]

It's in my front pocket as I write . . . my "always" gun . . . a 1971 vintage Model 37 no dash.

I carried a steel Model 36 before that, but once you then stick an Airweight in your pocket you will not go back!

The Airweights are fantastic CCW revolvers!

Under stress and when you need it to save your life, I assure you that you will neither feel the kick or hear it even go off very much!

15 oz. of utter reliability! BTW, I got rid of the Uncle Mike's "rubbers" I'd gotten for this gun and replaced it with a Tyler T-grip and a pair of Grashorn's awesome Elk Stags . . . and I actually feel it is more comfortable to shoot than with the rubbers!!!

A firm, high grip and you are good to go . . . both with regular loads and +P. Yes, I've shot +P in this one, though I feel that the standard loads will do just fine, thank you!

T.

 

[perpster]

Originally posted by jimmyj:
Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy

What "mechanical problems" are you referring to?

 

[luangtom]

I alternate carry of three different J-frames. Two of them are "lites". Not a single problem with any of the three with hundreds of rounds through each of them. One is a M&P340, one is a 340PD and one is the 640-9. No problems, no glitches, just shoot and carry. Sure, they may show some wear, but no mechanical hiccups. And, they have the feared IL.

 

[dewidmt]

I carried a 70's era Model 38 Bodyguard for a few years with no problems. Got a 1995 Model 442 that I've carried and shot now for 14 years with no problems.

 

[Bacon]

Tom Turner - That has got to be the finest looking J-frame I've seen in a long time. Since you carry it, how do you keep the blue finish so pristine?