I finally found my airweight J-Frame!

2366 Views 24 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Captain Crunch, Mar 20, 2006

jamz

Discussion Starter · Mar 16, 2006

I stopped off at the kittery trading post late last night after work, and sniffed around the used guns like I like to do for a while. I've been looking to replace my old model 60 with an alloy framed gun for a year or so now, and after overlooking it six or eight times, I found it just as I was about to leave! :banana:

It is a model 38, bodyguard, blued, for around $350 or so. I put it on hold right away. Oddly, I understand that they made these guns from 1996 to 1998 only, yet it appears to have a pinned barrel, which I thought they stopped doing in 1982 sometime. Maybe the pin is there to fix the steel barell to the aluminum frame?

Sadly, I don't have $350, so I will probably trade in my old model 60 for it, which will see little or no carry after I get the lighter model.

Anyway, I'm pretty psyched to finally find the gun I've been looking for all this time. :danceban:

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

QKShooter

· #2 · Mar 16, 2006

Hi jamz

Grab the Light Weight BodyGuard & don't look back.
I have a S&W Centennial Stainless which is a fantastic firearm but, too heavy to carry as a BUG. I love it but, wish it was a Light Weight.
If I had it to do all over again (for the number of Bad Guys I'm dropping every day as compared the extra hauling weight in a pocket) I would absolutely go with a Light Weight.

Trebla

· #3 · Mar 16, 2006

jamz: Welcome to the finally found the hidden treasure club. I have been looking for j-frame airweights without the internal locks for what it seems like an enternity, until this past weekend. I was at the ValleyForge gun show on March 11th scouring through every vendor's table looking but didn't see anything. I was on my way out the door and saw a table that I missed so I walked over and BOOF! There was a S&W 642 LNIB condition and a NIB S&W 37 with bobbed hammer ( both airweights-both pre-lock ) sitting there looking at me saying what took you so long. I walked out with both of them, happy as kid in a candy store. Take care of your 38 cause its a great piece and keep looking cause she needs a sister!!

P95Carry

· #4 · Mar 16, 2006

Patience pays off James :smilez:

I was on my way out the door and saw a table that I missed

This is one aspect that is often both a good thing and, a problem! I am wondering just how 11 acres of tables are gonna get covered soon at Tulsa!! Oh dear!

CLASS3NH

· #5 · Mar 16, 2006

jamz said:
I stopped off at the kittery trading post late last night after work, and sniffed around the used guns like I like to do for a while. I've been looking to replace my old model 60 with an alloy framed gun for a year or so now, and after overlooking it six or eight times, I found it just as I was about to leave! :banana:

It is a model 38, bodyguard, blued, for around $350 or so. I put it on hold right away. Oddly, I understand that they made these guns from 1996 to 1998 only, yet it appears to have a pinned barrel, which I thought they stopped doing in 1982 sometime. Maybe the pin is there to fix the steel barell to the aluminum frame?

Sadly, I don't have $350, so I will probably trade in my old model 60 for it, which will see little or no carry after I get the lighter model.

Anyway, I'm pretty psyched to finally find the gun I've been looking for all this time. :danceban:

The Model 38 Body guard has been made for a very long time prior to your time frame.............they were made way back when.........and up til a while ago...........I know the gun you speak of, and it's pretty tight........i've handled it several times as well... LOL.........Remember, I work there, and I see everything that comes in, especially when I'm at the Store. Does it have a box? I know there's one that came with a small blue box and papers.. for 325.00.:biggrin2:

OD*

· #6 · Mar 16, 2006

IIRC, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 38 Bodyguard, in 1957.

jamz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 16, 2006

CLASS3NH said:
The Model 38 Body guard has been made for a very long time prior to your time frame.............they were made way back when.........and up til a while ago...........I know the gun you speak of, and it's pretty tight........i've handled it several times as well... LOL.........Remember, I work there, and I see everything that comes in, especially when I'm at the Store. Does it have a box? I know there's one that came with a small blue box and papers.. for 325.00.:biggrin2:

That's the one, gun code 94383!

My reasearch must be way off because like I said, I noticed 1) it's blued, which they haven't done for a while, and 2) the barrel is pinned, which they haven't done since the early 80's. I like my old guns, anyway.

Tell them to give me a great price on an old model 60 made in 1971 with the original box and an extra set of grips! :wave: I have next week off so I'll be coming down then to trade in and buy it.

When I was testing it out, Steven was there helping me out and I tested the firing pin by loading a pen down the barrel and firing it. Damn thing almost stuck in the ceiling, and that's HIGH!

OD*

· #8 · Mar 16, 2006

the barrel is pinned, which they haven't done since the early 80's.

I believe that is true of some models, I have a friend with two pinned & recessed 629s.

CLASS3NH

· #9 · Mar 16, 2006

OD said:
IIRC, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 38 Bodyguard, in 1957.

I think I've found the grips you're looking for, just took forever cuz it's been so busy here:biggrin2:

Captain Crunch

· #10 · Mar 16, 2006

The S&W Airweight Bodyguard was manufactured from 1957 to 1999. The pinned barrel was discontinued in 1982. Check the model number stamped on the cylinder yoke. If it reads Mod 38 (no dash number) then the pinned barrel is correct.

Inspect the frame in the area underneath the barrel forcing cone very carefully for cracks.

TonyB

· #11 · Mar 16, 2006

Sounds like a good deal...I bought one of these puppies a few years ago for $365(used)and like a dork I traded it off.....great pocket gun.

jamz

Discussion Starter · #12 · Mar 16, 2006

Oh, I have a nice set of cocobolo grips that are going on that thing. Hey CLass3, is there a dash number on "my" gun? It's in gun drawer E if things slow down for you later on today.

Let me know when you'll be there next week and I'll buy it from you personally.

BlueLion

· #13 · Mar 16, 2006

I carry a model 37 everyday and it has no internal lock...Welcome to the club.

roadrash

· #14 · Mar 16, 2006

Listen to what captain Crunch says,Its a very common problem with airweights!Smith will not warranty it because of the vintage.

OD*

· #15 · Mar 17, 2006

The pinned barrel was discontinued in 1982.

On "J" frames only?

CLASS3NH

· #16 · Mar 17, 2006

jamz said:
Oh, I have a nice set of cocobolo grips that are going on that thing. Hey CLass3, is there a dash number on "my" gun? It's in gun drawer E if things slow down for you later on today.

Let me know when you'll be there next week and I'll buy it from you personally.

Jim, I checked the gun, and it has no dash numbers on it. It's also a older gun, as designated by the older stamping of numerals.
I'm in the store Tues/Thurs nights.(5-9PM) All day Sat and Sun...(open to close) Drop in and say Hi........look for Bob.:biggrin2:

CLASS3NH

· #17 · Mar 17, 2006

P95Carry said:
Patience pays off James :smilez:This is one aspect that is often both a good thing and, a problem! I am wondering just how 11 acres of tables are gonna get covered soon at Tulsa!! Oh dear!

Well.....there IS another Smith model 19 2 1/2 inch blue pinned and recessed RR/WO in the case.......325.00 like new
a 4 inch 66 pinned and recessed TH/TT RR/WO gun too for 280.00

Captain Crunch

· #18 · Mar 18, 2006

OD said:
On "J" frames only?

S&W discontinued the pinned barrel on all frame sizes in 1982.

Pinned barrels can occasionally be found on revolvers made after 1982, these are known as "transitional" models.

Trebla

· #19 · Mar 18, 2006

BlueLion: What do run through your 37 as far as carry ammo?

OD*

· #20 · Mar 18, 2006

Pinned barrels can occasionally be found on revolvers made after 1982

Some of the "6" series are quite a bit later.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

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