Lightweight Small Revolver Club

[xy17]

Greetings to all Smith & Wesson, Taurus, and other lightweight small revolver enthusiasts!

If Scandium Alloy, Ultralite Titanium .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum revolvers, 15 ounces and less, warms your heart, then let's get together and share our experiences, questions and information.

Best regards,
XY17

 

[GunNut]

I have owned a S&W 342PD(no-lock) and sold it for some stupid reason.

I'm interested in others opinions, as I am considering purchasing a light weight CCW weapon soon.

Steve

 

[xy17]

Hi GunNut

Which guns are you currently considering for CCW?

If you liked the S&W 342 PD (no-lock) would you just try to replace it with another slightly used one or go with something different?

XY17

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought a 15 oz Airweight S&W M638 (.38 +P) about 6 months ago and I'm very happy I did.

Here it is wearing a set of S&W banana grips:

 

[GunNut]

xy17,

I'd really like to find another no-lock 342PD reasonably price(ie:$4-450) but doubt that will happen. Another discontinued gun that I wouldn't mind having would be a 432PD in .32magnum.

Of the current guns out there, my choices are 642/442(.38spcl), 340PD or possibly the new 340M&P.

Steve

 

[xy17]

Hi ArchAngelCD

Very nice picture! Thank you for posting it. I like those grips. I think that the 15 ounce Airweight Series may be the most popular of the small frames.

At 17.50 ounces loaded, how is it for pocket CC?

XY17

 

[xy17]

GunNut

I've been reading a lot about the lock / no lock controversy. Are you going to have it removed when you get your new gun and have the hole filled in?

If cost isn't an issue would you prefer having the 642/442 (.38spcl) or the 340 PD / new 340 M&P?

I've been eyeing the new 340 M&P because I like the idea of the Stainless Steel Cylinder, the XS Sights 24/7 Tritium Night and the Matte Black Finish
as well as the .357 Mag.

In my case, cost is a consideration, so I'm exploring all possibilities. I like the 642 also, but that means 17.50 vs 14.50 or 15.50 ounces in my pocket all day.

XY17

 

[340PD]

I currently own a 340PD

I love it. I have no problems shooting any ammo with it. I will buy a 340 M&P just because of the night sights and the Crimson Trace grips. It will be my wife's bedside gun. I am not sure when it will be out, but I intend to have one as soon as possible.

 

[GunNut]

xy17,

Are you going to have it removed when you get your new gun and have the hole filled in? More than likely I will leave it, but if someone were to come up with a kit to replace it I may do it.

If cost isn't an issue would you prefer having the 642/442 (.38spcl) or the 340 PD / new 340 M&P? I'd definitely take the 340PD or M&P, lighter means easier to carry and that is the roll this gun would fill.

I am considering all of my options to, and that will even include true pocket guns like Kel tec P3at.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

At 17.50 ounces loaded, how is it for pocket CC?

xy17,
I have been carrying my M638 since October in my front pants pocket or in one of my 2 coats. Since it's winter I have had it mostly in my Leather coat front pocket. Whether it's in my coat or pants pocket I totally forget it's there, it's that comfortable. BTW, I carry Speer Gold Dot 135 gr .38 Sp +P Short Barrel ammo, it's goos stuff! I carry in a small pocket holster I got off Ebay which was cheap but works well. http://cgi.ebay.com/POCKET-HOLSTER-...hZ014QQcategoryZ22701QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

If you buy a Airweight J frame you won't be sorry. I DO NOT recommend a Airlite J frame. They are very hard to control with .357 Mag loads and actually painful to shoot. They are also more than twice the price of the Airweight.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I will buy a 340 M&P just because of the night sights and the Crimson Trace grips. It will be my wife's bedside gun. I am not sure when it will be out, but I intend to have one as soon as possible.

340PD,
Are you really going to buy a Airlite J frame for your wife as a night stand gun? Really??? That's an unusual choice for the night stand, no? Most people don't buy a $1,067 ultra light J frame with Tritium Night Sites and Crimson Laser grips to have it sit on a night stand.

 

[xy17]

Hi 340PD

Do you think that the M&P 340 Stainless Steel Cylinder will be a significant improvement over the 340 PD?

Please consider adding a review here when you get it.

XY17

 

[skidooman]

i carry the 642 on a daily basis in a SOB holster, love it, i debated whether to get the hammerless or not, but i played around with the triggers on some, and didnt like them, decided on the hammered. In all my practicing ive never caught the hammer on anything. with the 642 in single action i can shoot some impressive groups (for how i shoot anyways)
just some thoughts.

 

[.41Dave]

I carry my 337 pretty much all the time (pocket carry). Sweet little gun, but kicks like a mule.

 

[xy17]

.41Dave

Thank you for posting a picture of your Airlite!

Does it kick with .38 Special +P?

XY17

 

[lawson]

Here's my Model 37 Airweight



It's a joy to carry but a beast to shoot.

 

[.41Dave]

xy17, Yes. The 337 was only ever chambered in .38 Special. I use the .38 Special +p 135 grain Speer Gold Dots. Recoil is not bone-crushing and follow up shots are not a problem, but you definitely feel it. I don't like to shoot more than about 18 to 24 rounds with it and any one time or it gets a bit uncomfortable.

 

[xy17]

Hi ArchAngelCD

Thank you for all the information. I took a look at the pocket holster. Looks like a good deal to me.

I like the look of the Airweight J Frames and the cost.

What did you do about the lock situation, and what type of ammo do you practice with?

XY17

 

[RTFM]

XY17
Do you think that the M&P 340 Stainless Steel Cylinder will be a significant improvement over the 340 PD?

Please consider adding a review here when you get it.

YES

S&W warns owners of Titanium cylinders to NOT shoot lead bullets from those cylinders.
By moving back to a Steel cylinder the classic FBI 158-grain LSWCHP +P can be safely fired from the M&P 340

A big plus for me.


RTFM

 

[xy17]

Hi GunNut

A lock removal kit sounds like a very good idea.

Speaking of Kel-Tec, how do you like their new PF-9 Pistol?

The PF-9 is a semi-automatic, locked breech pistol, chambered for the 9 mm Luger cartridge.

It has been developed from our highly successful P-11 and P-3AT pistols with maximum concealability in mind. The PF-9 has a single stack magazine holding 7 rounds. It is the lightest and flattest 9 mm ever made.

Firing mechanism is Double-Action Only with an automatic hammer block safety. The PF-9 will be available in blued, parkerized, and hard chrome finishes. Grips will be in black, grey, and olive drab.

The PF-9 accessory rail will accept the latest compact weapon lights and lasers.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Calibers: 9mm Luger 9x19mm
Weight unloaded (no magazine) : 12.7 oz. 360g
Loaded magazine : 2.8 oz. 81g
Length : 5.85" 149mm
Height : 4.3" 109mm
Width : .88" 22mm
Barrel Length : 3.1" 80mm
Capacity : 7 + 1 rounds

The PF-9 retains the best features from our P-11 and P-3AT pistols combined into the flattest and lightest single stack 9mm configuration ever made.

The barrel, locking system, slide stop, assembly pin, front sight, recoil springs and guide rod are adapted from the P-11. The PF-9 is nearly identical to the P-11 in length and height and shares the same exterior controls.

The shorter trigger system with integral hammer block and the extraction system are adapted from the P-3AT. Just like the P-11, the PF-9 will accept +P ammunition, however, not with continuous use.

The rear sight is a new design and is adjustable for windage with the supplied allen wrench as well as for elevation with the use of shims (not included).

The included 7 round rectangular magazine is supplied with a finger extension base plate and numbered holes. The under barrel accessory rail shares the dimensions of the MIL-STD-1913 picatinny rail although there is only one locking notch in the forward position.

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE

Description Price
PF-9 Pistol, Blued $ 314.00
PF-9 Pistol, Parkerized $ 355.00
PF-9 Pistol, Hard Chrome $ 368.00

Something to put in your other pocket?

XY17

 

[xy17]

Hi lawson

Thank you for posting the picture of your Model 37 Airweight.
Amazing looking grips.

"It's a joy to carry but a beast to shoot." It seems that a lot of owners feel the same way, thus the dilemma for choosing a gun.

XY17

 

[gunmn74]

Here is mine (637)

I bought mine about 2 months ago. I really like it. I now carry alot more
than I use too. (holster is a Don Hume IWB).

 

[Serpico]

It might be easier to get the shiites and sunnis together tha the Smiths and Tauri.

 

[lawson]

"it's a joy to carry and a beast to shoot"

That's the compromise with lightweight handguns, more felt recoil and muzzle flip. Shooting it with standard 158 grn LRN is uncomfortable, and shooting +P rounds can be downright painful. I find when I take it to the range I shoot 20-30 rounds and then switch to a steel frame revolver. You can't have your cake and eat it too, they say.

The grips on mine are rosewood boot grips which I ordered from S&W. Holster is a Galco Summer Comfort, which is my favorite J frame IWB.

 

[xy17]

Hi RTFM

Thank you for your message.

Is it possible to exchange the Stainless Steel Cylinder for the Titanium?

XY17