S&W Airweight .38 special revolver

[ivanwi11iams]

Good afternoon all -

A few weeks ago I bought a M&P Shield. I've been to the range twice now and shot a total of around 175 rounds.

My missus used to have a Ruger Revolver, 357. Long story short, now that I have my Shield, she wants a Smith and Wesson Airweight .38 special.
Questions:

1. Confused with the different models, which allows ammo of .38 AND 457 (I could have sworn I saw this option online somewhere)?
2. Aren't the ammo physically different in size? Thus how can both fit this revolver?

Thanks in advance

Ivan


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Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm

 

[Smoke52]

There is an Airweight S&W in.357 which can also fire .38 Special. Model # is 649 and one is on my short list. I have a 638 which is an Airweight but shoots just .38 Special and +P.

As to how can it shoot both. The .357 magnum and .38 are the same caliber, but the case of the magnum is about 1/8" longer than the .38, so .38 will fit in a revolver chambered for .357 but not vise versa. The throats of the cylinder holes are made to fit the longer cases of the .357.

Here is a great article on how this all came to be.

Vintage Pistols

 

[P&R Fan]

If you want a J-Frame there is the Chief's Special with a hammer. This would me the M37 in blued or nickel. The M637 is one with a steel cylinder, aluminum frame and a rust resistant finish. The Centennials are the M442, M642 and M342. These have a totally enclosed hammer, and can only be fired double action. The Bodyguards have a shrouded hammer. These are the M38 and M638.

In a K-Frame there is only one choice, the M12. These are no longer made.

The only way you can shoot both .357 Magnum and .38 Special in the same revolver is to get one chambered in .357. The .357 is a longer case than the .38 Special. The bullet is the same. If you want a J-Frame in .357 there is the M640-1, M60 and M649 in all steel. The M360 and M340 are Airweights. They are extremely light, but will handle .357 Magnums, as well as .38 Specials.
Hope this helps.
Jim

 

[ivanwi11iams]

This is brilliant information. I really appreciate it. This whole gun learning experience can be a rabbit hole at times


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Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm

 

[civil1977]

A .38 Special is really .357/.358 caliber so it's the same basic projectile for both cartridges.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The 649 is not an Airweight. It has a steel frame. Not an expert on every J-frame ever made, but I think there is a J-frame AirLite in .357 Mag. It uses titanium and/or scandium alloys instead of aluminum and/or steel for some parts.

 

[Peak53]

Think long and hard about getting a J frame in 357, especially an airweight. Better yet, try one out. Others may disagree, but very very few people can tolerate shooting a 357 in a small frame gun. It outright HURTS! There is like twice the pressure in the magnum and that translates to not just velocity but to recoil. Its real. The vast majority of people shoot these guns almost exclusively with 38 special or 38 special +P for the adventurous. So, unless you are stuck on the 357, and want the Airweight, why not go for the dedicated 38 in the tried and tested Model 642 or 442?

 

[wrangler5]

+1 on Peak53's advice. Presumably the missus wants an Airweight so it's easier to carry, and she wants to carry it for personal protection. Shooting a small lightweight gun accurately under pressure will take quite a bit of practice, and that will be unpleasant enough with 38 ammo.

I know there are those who claim to be able to shoot small 357s regularly, but personally I have fired exactly ONE (1) 357 load out of a J frame, and that was an all-steel 649 with the largest, cushiest Pachmayr grip available. I did it just to say I'd done it, can still remember how it hurt, and will never do it again. Wouldn't even think of trying it with an alloy gun.

 

[Helderberg]

Can not stress the importance of what the people before me have posted. I can not imagine your wife enjoying the recoil from an Airlight .357. I have two j-frames, both Airweight's and both have Pachmayr Bantam grips. I can shoot these and that is very important so as to get the range time to become competent with the gun. Great gun just has a steep learning curve in my opinion.

 

[Smoke52]

The 649 is not an Airweight. It has a steel frame.

You are correct Kernel, it is all stainless steel. Got all tangled up in model #'s.

As others have said, .357 in a J frame is going to really let your hand know it is doing something that HURTS. A .38 Airweight is not all that comfortable either. Shot mine with the factory Bantam grips, 2 fingers and no fun, some Hogue 3 finger rubber grips, better grip and more comfortable but too big for carry, and now some Altamont Rosewood combat grips. Better shooing, better looking and better for carry. YMMV.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

The missus has reviewed all the comments here, and we both really appreciate the feedback.

She is going to go with her first instinct, which was a .38 Special with a 4 inch barrel.

 

[ANGST]

The 340PD is an AirLite in .357 / .38 , but again not pleasant to shoot in .357

 

[at_liberty]

The missus has reviewed all the comments here, and we both really appreciate the feedback.

She is going to go with her first instinct, which was a .38 Special with a 4 inch barrel.

That would be a K frame, created to fit the .38 Special service size gun. The model 67 is 4", 6 shot, adjustable sights, and a substantial 36 ounces. I'm not sure they even use the K frame these days. In their pictures, it looks L frame in the cylinder frame area.

That weight will handle 38 Special very nicely. The drawback is carrying it and being strong enough to lift, aim, and fire it one handed when necessary. Without underestimating any one female shooter, I have to think the 3" gun, perhaps doubling as .357, whether or not ever shot in that load, would be the better fit. It should handle 38 special just fine.

My Model 60 Pro shoots 357 loaded to .38 Spl +p+ levels very nicely, nothing rude about it to an experienced shooter. Note that I never use .38 Special cases in a .357 chamber. If I didn't reload, I would select a .38 Special ONLY gun.

 

[SAWBONES]

Think long and hard about getting a J frame in 357, especially an airweight. Better yet, try one out. Others may disagree, but very very few people can tolerate shooting a 357 in a small frame gun. It outright HURTS! There is like twice the pressure in the magnum and that translates to not just velocity but to recoil. Its real. The vast majority of people shoot these guns almost exclusively with 38 special or 38 special +P for the adventurous. So, unless you are stuck on the 357, and want the Airweight, why not go for the dedicated 38 in the tried and tested Model 642 or 442?

That's very good advice, there.

Too many people are mentally impressed with the notion of having "the power of a .357 Magnum in a tiny lightweight gun", but in practical terms it's largely just fantasy.

Certainly the little guns can handle the cartridge, but the shot-to-shot recovery is quite slow, and the experience of triggering each shot is uncomfortable in anybody's hand; not what any of us desires in a self defense situation, which is, after all, in anticipation of which these little guns are actually carried.

 

[Peak53]

The missus has reviewed all the comments here, and we both really appreciate the feedback.

She is going to go with her first instinct, which was a .38 Special with a 4 inch barrel.

You might want to look for a used Model 10, or a new one for that matter. They are K frame, mostly 4", (other lengths can be found). SW got this one right starting in 1899 and still going strong, with some upgraded parts, steel, etc. Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers can't all be wrong.

 

[wrangler5]

You might want to look for a used Model 10, or a new one for that matter. They are K frame, mostly 4", (other lengths can be found). SW got this one right starting in 1899 and still going strong, with some upgraded parts, steel, etc. Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers can't all be wrong.

+1 on this advice if a larger, 6-shot gun is what she wants. A 4" Model 10 will be relatively easy to find, there is a limitless range of grips available to balance comfort against size, and most people can shoot one until they run out of ammo and not hurt at the end of the session.

OTOH, if she wants something that is small enough to carry easily in most purses AND is tolerable, if not pleasant, to shoot, consider the 649 (or the fully hammerless 640 or the exposed hammer 60.) Even if you get one with the slightly longer barrel (and longer ejector rod - a big plus) that says 357 Magnum on the barrel, if you stick to 38 Special loads and use a moderately cushioned grip the all steel construction will let her shoot a lot without pain.

 

[Kiteman72]

I just saw a stainless S&W 38 w a 4 in barrel (a Model 64 I think but don't hold me to that) in a dealers case at the gun show for $395. A very good deal I thought, most Smith prices are thru the roof.

Also saw a 640 in 38 (used not abused) for $375 so for the diligent, good deals can be found. Saw another 38 (10-4) w a 6 in tapered barrel, very minty w box for $625.

Good luck w your choice and let everybody know what you end up picking.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Most certainly, I will make sure to have her post here

Thanks

 

[ivanwi11iams]

The missus just ordered her Smith and Wesson. 38 special with a 4 inch barrel. And she actually went to the shop herself to play with it and order it. I'm so proud of her!

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[Kiteman72]

I'm sure I'm not the only weirdo on this forum that's dying for some details. Model number alone would be awesome!