The Smith & Wesson Model 638 and 637 are now available from the factory with Crimson Trace laser grips installed.
The .38+P Models 637CT and 638CT both feature a stainless finish and 2.5" barrel. They will retail for $924.
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Frickin’ laser beams!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7bYNAHXxw
These won’t shoot .357, right? S&W has .357 airweight snubbies as well. Why would you buy this one over those? I’ve briefly tested the .357 version and it is very light.
For anal types like me, no bueno on the grip covering the S&W engraving. I went with a 3″ SP101 and the Ruger-marqued CT grips (not for that reason, though).
I applaud S&W making these in .38 Special, which is a far superior cartridge for use in a J-frame. If you aren’t going to shoot .357 magnum in your J-Frame most of the time, you shouldn’t buy one in that caliber. Most people don’t shoot their .38 J-frames enough because they kick so much.
“Well, you can shoot .38 in a .357.” Yeah, but not without damaging the gun over time. I’ve seen more S&W .357 magnum cylinders ruined by use of .38 special than from any other cause. You can shoot .380 in most 9mms too, but that doesn’t make it a good idea. I don’t know anybody who shoots .357 more than they shoot .38’s, and most of my friends are reloaders.
too much money.
I guess the thing I’m most interested in is the 2.5 inch barrel, full length extractor and a pinned on sight on what is a 442.
The 1 7/8 inch barrel on the 442 always is a little… little. And I like the option of changing the front sight to suit me.
I often shoot 38 specials with my 686 in 357 mag with no noticable effect on accuracy. Just need to clean the charge holes to switch back to 357 mag.
They do make a 642 with the 2.5″ barrel Mike. I am also not a fan of the 1.875″ barrels, but I want the 642 Powerport model with a 2 1/8″ barrel, or one of the .32 H&R caliber 431/432 (the latter preferred), but they’ve dropped them.
And one more thing: Yes, you will almost never see a perceptible difference in accuracy with the .38 in a .357, but they have to be cleaned THOROUGHLY before .357s are shot in them, or the chamber will be damaged. If you have a .357 and your cases stick badly when you try to eject them, one or more of your chambers are damaged and the whole cylinder is bad. I bought a 586 that was like this, so I converted it to a 7 Shot model.
I have shot several thousand .38s through my Model 66 with no damage or unusual wear. Having said that, I like the idea of a 2.5 inch S&W 38 with a laser sight. I just might buy one of these. If anyone gets one before I do please post your thoughts. Thanks.