S&W Airweight choice

dmarbell

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Husband and wife are friends of mine. Wife had a recent close call, and wants a 38 special Airweight with laser. She made this choice after talking with other friends and family members.

I don't think she would want a 637 with the exposed hammer. Assuming I'm right, it seems the choices are 638 with the bobbed hammer or 642 with internal hammer.

She has indicated she might want to carry in her purse once her CHP is finalized, which will be soon.

Any opinions? I don't carry or shoot revolvers, so I'm at a loss.
 
I’m also not a wheel gun guy, but did some research when my mom decided she wanted a pistol and determined she was unable to operate a slide.

The 642 is tough to beat, internal hammer so no worries getting snagged on something out of a purse, DA so almost dummy proof, good quality, not too heavy.
The cons would be, smaller guns are tougher to shoot, heavy trigger, silly lock, short sight radius, OE grips suck for recoil.

I got my mom Hogue grips that cover the exposed metal of the grip and has some cushion between it and your hand, and installed 4-5lb trigger springs, as well as deleting the silly lock. All in it’s under $400.

This works for her, can’t really speak to other models tho.
 
.......rent one or handle one in a store to be sure she is ok with it. There might be a few that cant pull the trigger on a hammerless. Either Smith would be a fine carry piece...... if carrying in purse......a good holster is a must.
 
I voted with my wallet on a 442 (black version of the 642). Quick outta the pocket and nasty as Get The F Offa Me gun. I’d strongly suggest finding one without an internal lock (that serves no purpose at all) and changing to a larger rubber grip. I found it no fun at all to shoot with the original grip.
 
My friend seems determined to have a laser, like a Crimson Trace. What are the choices for lasers if she upgrades the grips?
 
Husband and wife are friends of mine. Wife had a recent close call, and wants a 38 special Airweight with laser. She made this choice after talking with other friends and family members.

I don't think she would want a 637 with the exposed hammer. Assuming I'm right, it seems the choices are 638 with the bobbed hammer or 642 with internal hammer.

She has indicated she might want to carry in her purse once her CHP is finalized, which will be soon.

Any opinions? I don't carry or shoot revolvers, so I'm at a loss.
As a friend, you may want to suggest that she shoot a snub airweight before making a final decision on one. They can be punishing even at 38 spl levels. Unless she's already done that, of course.
Nothing fun about buying a pistol you don't like to shoot, even for SD reasons.

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she sounds like a noobie gun person... so what purpose does a laser serve?

she could use it in dry fire exercises, to see what effect her flinch has... I can't think of any other use.
 
Nothing fun about buying a pistol you don't like to shoot, even for SD reasons.
That’s why I changed the grips. If she doesn’t enjoy (or at least tolerate) practicing with the gun, I believe she should forget all about it.
 
Has she tried the Airweight or similar, better to visit the range and rent a few to find the right one for her,
she may be better off with the M&P Sheld .380 EZ or similar.
 
Has she tried the Airweight or similar, better to visit the range and rent a few to find the right one for her,
she may be better off with the M&P Sheld .380 EZ or similar.

This remark about trying the Airweight, along with the others above, are not wasted on me. I had a 642 and remember how painful it was to shoot, and how I didn't seem to be able to hit targets with it.

As to the practice, I understand that someone who won't train shouldn't own a gun. However, she was able to chase a home invader out of her home with an older 22lr revolver that had not been fired in about 30 years. Without that pistol, who knows how the incident would have turned out. So she wants a gun she can pick up and start pulling the trigger. That includes various smaller semi-automatics, including Shield, P365, G43 and G26. But I'd feel real bad if she limp wristed it or otherwise had a failure.

If she left the decision to me, I'd have her get 1) 642 with Crimson Trace for purse carry, 2) K Frame revolver with 38 specials for home defense, and 3) a semi- like G26/19 or M&P 2.0.
 
I have a 638 with the bobbed hammer, actually mom has it. Carries it everywhere with her. Loaded with Nyclad hollow points.
old school death
 
PMR30 perhaps? 30 rounds I agree, these smaller .38's can pack a punch, have a Taurus 2".
 
If you can find a Colt Detective Special, that would be my choice. That is what my wife has as a house gun. That all steel revolver soaks up the recoil.

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If funds are not an object the Airlite 360PD is a really nice gun. Titanium and Scandium .357. It’s cushioned grips help absorb a lot of recoil.

I too would not recommend a laser. If she needs to use the pistol, the less complicated the better (and fumbling to turn a laser on and off is a distraction in a high Adrenalin situation.
 
S&W makes a M&P .38 revolver with a laser on it, trigger pull feels smoother and lighter than a 442/642, also has a cylinder release on the “back strap” so it might be easier for her to open.

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I like my 637-2, and it's generally my EDC in a Remora. No clips or black magic, just stuff it in your pants front or back, jogging pants, jeggings(!) or jeans and it stays there. I also shoot it pretty damn well at 7 yards which is no small feat for a 1 7/8ths in barrel snubbie.

As far as recoil, I generally practice with 158gr lead RN loads and carry the Gold Dot short barrel 135 +P. They have similar recoil. I put a set of Pachmayr Diamond Pros on the gun the day I bought it and they really help soak up the recoil on a 13oz heater.
 
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Try to talk her out of the laser. One might make her hesitate to pull the trigger if she sees the dot wiggling around all over the target. I have a bunch of small pistols and revolvers. A 442 is generally what stays in my pocket. Use light loads for practice if she is recoil shy. A target load should even be adequate for discouraging evil people. I would rather have a handgun that is comfortable for her to carry than a handgun that is comfortable for her to shoot a lot.

edit: She needs to be able to operate whatever she carries but does not need to be able to shoot it comfortably for hundreds of rounds in a range session.
 
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S&W makes a M&P .38 revolver with a laser on it, trigger pull feels smoother and lighter than a 442/642, also has a cylinder release on the “back strap” so it might be easier for her to open.

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I was going to suggest this too. I have several J-frames (both airweight and stainless) and have experience with others - but the .38 Bodyguard has the best trigger and doesn't twitch as much as the regular J-frames. I'd ask her to try a 380 Shield EZ also, if a semi is an option.
 
Times like this I wish you were closer. We have here J Frames from .22, .22 mag. all .32s including the mag, .38s and .357. With all manner of grips and steel and alloy with 2 in, 3 in and 4 inch. If you will bring her she can shoot them all.

ETA...In my opinion, J Frames are for Expert gun handlers. People always lead the ladies to them but I am not of that opinion.
 
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Let her find out what she shoots well and will practice with.
My oldest daughter has a 2" S&W 36 and will shoot a 100 round box thru it if she has one with her.
She out shoots her husband on any day of the week.
 
Husband and wife are friends of mine. Wife had a recent close call, and wants a 38 special Airweight with laser. She made this choice after talking with other friends and family members.

I don't think she would want a 637 with the exposed hammer. Assuming I'm right, it seems the choices are 638 with the bobbed hammer or 642 with internal hammer.

She has indicated she might want to carry in her purse once her CHP is finalized, which will be soon.

Any opinions? I don't carry or shoot revolvers, so I'm at a loss.

She should try them out before committing to one. There are so many options these days.

I have a few revolvers. I have been more in revolvers since I started in 91.

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I prefer the 442/642, in 38, or 640 357 Magnum. I don’t like exposed hammers in a pocket carry revolver. Hammers could snag, though I’ve never had that happen. Trigger weight is around 12 lbs but you can get a Wilson spring kit to cut it down to a little over 10lbs. The 442 is 15 ounces and the 640 is about 24 ounces. Heavier revolvers have less recoil but they are “heavy”. To me, they do point most naturally because of the shape. I can point shoot out to 10 yards with it.

Is she doing a purse carry? Pocket? Inside the waist?

You didn’t mention a budget. But the S&W 640 Pro has a better trigger and sights. The issue with a snub nosed revolver is the trigger weight in double action. It is heavy for most people, particularly beginners. There is a big liability of cocking a hammer in single action since it can easily be touched off in times of stress/adrenaline.

I am not a fan of lasers. It makes a person too deliberate and slower when they realize how much drift they have.

The lightest double action revolvers are a Ruger LCR and Kimber K6S. Add to that a Colt as a distant 3rd.

Depending upon her budget, she should also look at the Taurus line of revolvers. I own four and I have been very happy each.

Any chance she has the dexterity for a semiautomatic? Their triggers are much more manageable, though, she’d have to practice failure drills. Keeping it in one’s purse can be an issue for some models.

The HD Sig P238 is a 380 ACP that has a light slide, but it has an external safety. Recoil is manageable.

The Bond Arms Bullpup is more like a revolver and has a lighter slide, too. It’s in 9 mm, though, and it doesn’t have last round hold open.

The S&W shield is a nice combination of size, decent trigger and capacity. The trigger is lighter than the above.


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I am biased. I am a huge fan of the 642, especially for older people. It is still available without the lock, as an option. I have helped many friends in their choice, and in all cases, tuned them to smooth/reduce trigger pull. I also favor the long grip Crimson Trace laser grip. It is rubber and far more comfortable than the shorter plastic one. The main reason I steer them from autos, is maintenance. They don’t want to hear about disassembly, lubrication, or magazine spring fatigue. In most cases, whatever they purchase is going to sit in a nightstand and be forgotten about, and a revolver holds up better in that situation. For ammo, I recommend wadcutter practice ammo, and Hornady low recoil Critical Defense. Everybody is different, but this combo has worked very well. Your opinion may vary.
 
Here I go on my soapbox again...

She must try several options to make a truly informed decision then train/practice regularly. A short barrel/lightweight revolver is an expert's gun, not a first gun. As others have said, a gun one is not comfortable shooting and practicing with is a paperweight that is useless when needed for protection.

I would also discourage laser and off body carry. Fumbling through a purse (even a purpose designed CC purse) and messing with laser will cost valuable time when seconds count.

I'm available for consultation.
 
This remark about trying the Airweight, along with the others above, are not wasted on me. I had a 642 and remember how painful it was to shoot, and how I didn't seem to be able to hit targets with it.
She absolutely needs to try one before settling on it. I remember watching my wife shoot one. She fired once, put it down and shook her hand. Fired it again, put it down, put her palm towards the gun and even through the ear muffs and others shooting I could clearly hear her say NO!. There are better options, including a heavier revolver if she is concerned about having a failure with a semiautomatic. The light weight guns, including the small .380 semiautomatics take A LOT of practice and getting used to to be able to shoot them effectively. I can say from experience that recoil is something that you get used to and eventually don't feel as much and as your skill and technique improve you learn ways to better handle it and maintain accuracy.
 
A Ruger LCR in .38+p can be had with a Crimson Trace grip.

That's what my wife carries.

Light, reliable, comfortable, good for smaller hands.

I had the LCR with CT grip in .357 because it was a bit heavier. Trigger was great. I didn't enjoy shooting those grips at all, and that was my epiphany that I was getting old and arthritic.

I will say though that the laser was a blessing because my eyes just couldn't focus on the sights at the end of a snubby barrel.

So, I agree with @Miss Lily except for the laser part.

If she must have a smallish revolver, SP101 spurless fits the bill.
 
Here I go on my soapbox again...

She must try several options to make a truly informed decision then train/practice regularly. A short barrel/lightweight revolver is an expert's gun, not a first gun. As others have said, a gun one is not comfortable shooting and practicing with is a paperweight that is useless when needed for protection.

I would also discourage laser and off body carry. Fumbling through a purse (even a purpose designed CC purse) and messing with laser will cost valuable time when seconds count.

I'm available for consultation.
Miss Lily,
While I understand your reasoning, my perception is quite different. While some people are willing and enthusiastic about what SHOULD be required training, most take a concealed carry class and may or may not ever do any other training. An older woman in particular will not carry a heavy gun. She will not carry it on her body in a holster. Should she be denied the right to carry because of that? As to the short barreled revolver, what else offers the reliability and ease of operation for someone not willing to immerse themselves as they should into true self defense. While a short barrel is not ideal in all situations, most need arises at very short distances indeed, and a short barrel is no less advantage than a long barrel at less than 7 feet. They will either miss with either or hit with either. As to the fumbling with a laser, if she grips the revolver, it comes on, and she has to grip it. These are just my own opinions based on many actual investigations of shootings and dealing in these situations and people. I certainly agree with what you know SHOULD be, but seeing reality too many times has changed my perception of the reality of what happens. No disrespect intended.
 
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If funds are not an object the Airlite 360PD is a really nice gun. Titanium and Scandium .357. It’s cushioned grips help absorb a lot of recoil.

I too would not recommend a laser. If she needs to use the pistol, the less complicated the better (and fumbling to turn a laser on and off is a distraction in a high Adrenalin situation.
Agreed, load 38s, last round in cylinder .357 (for carry/bedside) don’t tell her last shot is .357
 
I pocket carry a Smith 442-1 Pro with CTC laser grips. I highly recommend them for any small capacity gun. Why, cause you need every advantage getting those few rounds onto target. I got my first 442 back when they first came back out in 91'. First one was not +P rated, the dash 1 and 2 models are. Dash 1 don't have the ILS, where currently dash 2 do have the ILS. Both are currently made by Smith. Lots of recoil with the lightweight guns so practice is highly encouraged. As stated I carry mine in my weakside pocket and practice firing it weak hand. This is my backup gun where my strongside is a Glock 19 also with CTC laser grips (have them also on 1911, Beretta 92 and S&W Shield). You may never get a good sight picture when needed, again stacking the deck in my favor. Its not on until you squeeze the grip.
Smith 442 Pro.JPG
IMG_5435.JPG


@Triggernosis I used to have a Smith 651 4" .22 WMR J frame.


CD
 
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