S&W Model 38

[dfletcher]

I have a bunch of J frames but have always liked the Model 38 type the best. First one bought in CA was at the old Contra Costa Collectibles in Walnut Creek. I visit home (Mass & NH) a few times a year and keep up with the Kittery Trading Post, buy in person and on line.

For the past month or so they've had a Model 38 with stainless cylinder on GB. Didn't pay a whole lot of attention - didn't read the advert enough to notice the box & that the gun was from the factory rather than a put together. Hefty $$$ too.

I post on S&W, saw that someone referenced a Michigan State Police issued Model 38 with stainless cylinder. Went back to GB and there it was -

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/958842782

Maybe it is MSP issue, maybe it isn't. I guess the serial number will tell. Is from the factory, in the box, and looks pretty good. The flecking should clean up.

More info from the S&W site.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/692217-michigan-state-police-model-38-stainless-cylinder.html

[M76]

Sweet Smith! I have a similar blued M38 from the 90's, stainless cyl is a nice contrast

[stevie]

I have a 38 and 49, great revolvers.

[Mustang]

S&W model 49 that I purchased back in 1978 for $150.






Carried it for almost 30 years...on my hip, under my shoulder, on my ankle, and in my topcoat pocket...never required one bit of service and still hits where I point it.

[dfletcher]

Well the gun finally showed up - accidentally took a side trip to CT.



No wear, no cartridge shadows on the recoil plate nor burn marks on the cylinder face. Grips are numbered to the gun.

Arrived with the box and wax paper, nothing else. The box end label is on "not upside down" as is the norm with S&W handguns.



Another fellow having the same also referenced the label not on correctly.

[dougd1015]

I really love those old J frames.

[GunDog]

OP, funny that you should mention the Kittery Trading Post and the Model 38. In 1995 I spent a month working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and visited the nearby Kittery Trading Post almost nightly. On one of those visits, I purchased a Model 638 and then had it shipped to an FFL in my home state. I always liked the Bodyguard Model 38/638 with the semi enclosed hammer and it's ability to be fired either single or double action.

[c good]

It's sweet!

[Saigon1965]

@dlfetcher - A beautiful gun....Pinto?

@Mustand - Oh yeah that thing have some sweats on her....


40 Centennial - 1953

38 - Bodyguard - 1956

49 - Bodyguard - 1977

[SVT-40]

J frames will always hold a special place in my heart

I bought this M-37 I think in early 1978. It was the first gun I purchased to carry off duty and as a back up after I graduated from the LASD Academy. I put some Bianchi shrouded grips on it and modified the grips so I could more easily use a speedy loader. I bought it at Cheshire & Perez in Monrovia Ca.

This little revolver literally save my life. I used it to defeat a shooter in one of our city parks when I was off duty.

4-12-81 at 1650Hrs... Can't ever forget that day or time. I hit him on my fifth shot at 178 feet.

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good!

Carried it every day working patrol as a BUG. I stopped carrying it off duty when the S&W 669's came out.

My wife now carries it when she goes hiking. She likes it better than the smaller 9mm autos we have.

[dfletcher]

OP, funny that you should mention the Kittery Trading Post and the Model 38. In 1995 I spent a month working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and visited the nearby Kittery Trading Post almost nightly. On one of those visits, I purchased a Model 638 and then had it shipped to an FFL in my home state. I always liked the Bodyguard Model 38/638 with the semi enclosed hammer and it's ability to be fired either single or double action.

I've been going there since about 1968. They used to have an "annex" across the Piscataqua Bridge in Portsmouth for quick sales to NH residents. I think I bought my 1st few guns there, been a while. I still have a 1980 8" nickel Python Target in 38 Special bought there new. My 92 year old Mom used it to qualify for her MA LTC.

I use a modern made 638 for carry on y various CCWs. Pretty much ideal for the task.

[dfletcher]

@dlfetcher - A beautiful gun....Pinto?

@Mustand - Oh yeah that thing have some sweats on her....


40 Centennial - 1953

38 - Bodyguard - 1956

49 - Bodyguard - 1977

Not a Pinto - stainless cylinder, not nickel.

As the story goes, the gun was made as back up for the Michigan Staties. A plain old Model 38 was evidently often 1st choice but carried in a pocket the blued cylinder tended to wear and rust. With the Model 60 coming on the scene I suppose someone got the idea a stainless cylinder would fare better.

More info on the gun -

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/692217-michigan-state-police-model-38-stainless-cylinder.html

[highpower]

All this talk about J frames makes me want another. While I have had many over the years, the only one I have at this moment is this '54 vintage "Baby Chief".

[vinny_land]

Grew up on small snubbies as a kid playing with the cap guns and eventually got a 60-7 which has become my daily carry. The turtleback style has really grown on me.

[Mustang]

All this talk about J frames makes me want another. While I have had many over the years, the only one I have at this moment is this '54 vintage "Baby Chief".

Beautiful revolver