Your Most Carried S&W

YA side note: I don't quite fully understand these holsters that expose the trigger. Would you mind explaining to me the reason or utility of this? I would think it would be wise to cover the trigger.....
There was a time when most holsters were made with exposed triggers. Then someone got the idea that if they covered the trigger that people wouldn't be putting their finger on the trigger during the draw. It was a 'solution' for lack of proper training.
What was induced tho with a covered trigger is more ND when holstering. Those who don't train properly and keep their finger on the trigger when holstering can cause a ND. Additionally if something does get wedged on the trigger while holstering, like the tabs and adjustment gizmos on the bottoms of some jackets, then those can cause a ND. When holstering with a finger on the trigger the finger pushes against the part of the holster and can cause a ND. The tabs and adjustment gizmos getting on the trigger and causing a ND has been well documented. With an open trigger that doesn't happen.
So if you're poorly trained, or like most people have no training, you can take your pick for when the ND can happen. You can have the ND on the draw with an open trigger or a ND on holstering with a covered trigger.
 
My most carried S&W is a S&W Shield in 9mm. Ugly gun. Not near as attractive as my S&W revolvers.

S&W M&P Shield in 9mm.
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Now if I were to carry a S&W revolver, it'd be my Chief's Special.

S&W Model 36 "Chief's Special" in 38 Special
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Thanks for looking at my most carried S&W's.

God bless,
Birdgun
Not much difference from Marana, AZ to Wheeling, WV

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I will add that when I'm hunting (black bear & mountain lion reside near me) I step up in caliber. My 6" 629-3 goes in the crossdraw rig.

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Before I owned my 629-3, it was my 686-6+ that got the call for hunting back up loaded with 7 rounds of 180gr. hard cast Buffalo Bore.

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D. Brown said...

Hi Cocked & Locked,

That photo sure appears to show a J Magnum Frame, and the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, states the 642-1 was a 1996 re-introduction on the J Magnum Frame. Is it possible you were mislead somewhere along the line?

Nice gun, either way.
__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA# 3279



Could be Dave. Yes it does appear to have the J magnum frame. The gun is not marked anywhere for "+P ammo" or "+P rated". Same for the Box end label and the paperwork inside. I called S&W years ago and inquired about this. The answering phone person asked for the serial number. After that his reply was, " Your gun is not +P rated. It is too old for +P ammo."

I usually carry it with +P LSWC ammo.

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D. Brown said...

Hi Cocked & Locked,

That photo sure appears to show a J Magnum Frame, and the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Edition, states the 642-1 was a 1996 re-introduction on the J Magnum Frame. Is it possible you were mislead somewhere along the line?

Nice gun, either way.
__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA# 3279



Could be Dave. Yes it does appear to have the J magnum frame. The gun is not marked anywhere for "+P ammo" or "+P rated". Same for the Box end label and the paperwork inside. I called S&W years ago and inquired about this. The answering phone person asked for the serial number. After that his reply was, " Your gun is not +P rated. It is too old for +P ammo."

I usually carry it with +P LSWC ammo.

413991965.jpg

Hi Cocked & Locked,

My 638-2 presented similar (misleading) information when I purchased it new in 1997. It shipped from the factory on May 22, 1997, but according to the Instruction Manual in its box, was not rated for Plus P ammunition. However, it is most definitely built on the J Magnum Frame, and the conclusion of several fellow forum members is that S&W was just using up their supply of (outdated) instruction manuals when they shipped my gun.

Also, my gun, like yours, is not marked as being suitable for Plus P. Of course, the markings weren't the critical element in this case.

As you can see in the photo below, my 638-2 is most definitely a J Magnum Frame gun, the integral Cylinder Stop Boss being the identifying feature in this case.

Model 638-2.

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My understanding is that all numbered models in .38 Special have been plus P rated since the numbering system was introduced. Unless, of course, that only applies to steel frames?
 
My fave is my 637-2, with factory S&W Crimson Trace grips, in a Nevada Gun Leather J2. I'm tall and skinny, and this rig won't print under any light jacket or even a sweater, and I can pull right, or left handed (if necessary). Usually with ARX Polycase , but sometimes with 158gr lead SWCHP handloads. No +P, even though this one's rated ok.
 

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