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Reviews
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Date of last review
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1
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Sat May 14, 2011
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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Average Rating
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100% of reviewers
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$360.00
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8.0
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Description:
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# Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
# Capacity: 5 Rounds
# Barrel Length: 1.875" / 4.7 cm
# Frame Size: Small - Shrouded Hammer
# Action: Single/Double Action
# Front Sight: Integral
# Rear Sight: Fixed
# Overall Length: 6.31 / 16.0 cm
# Weight Empty: 15.1 oz. / 428.1 g
# Grip: Synthetic
# Material: Aluminum Alloy Frame
Stainless Steel Cylinder
# Finish: Matte Black
# Purpose: Personal Protection
Law Enforcement
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Keywords:
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smith wesson s&w 438 black 38 snub revolver shrouded hammer
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Manufacturer link:
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http://www.smith-wesson.com/
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MSRP:
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$449
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Posts: 9
Registered: May 2011
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Author
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tomasrey88
Registered: May 2011
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sat May 14, 2011
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $360.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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ease of maintenance, lightweight, concealable
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Cons:
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long, heavy double action trigger, small sights
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Size/Weight: Will not fit in a pants pocket, but will fit in a cargo pants pocket or purse. Very lightweight and handy. Smith & Wesson dubs this the "airweight" and they are right. The size compares to a Glock 26.
Type: Snub-nosed revolver
Weight: 17.4 oz / 493.9 g
Length: 6.31 inch/ 16.0 cm
Width: 1.3 inch / 32 mm
Barrel: 1.875" / 4.7 cm
Weight without ammo: 15.1 oz. / 428.1 g
Ergonomics: 18 lb double action trigger pull. It has a much heavier and longer double action trigger pull than a Glock, Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP, or any other double action auto pistol I've ever shot. However, the trigger does feel smooth. The trigger is also tight with no jiggle. Firing in single action mode, the hammer is just as heavy as the trigger. However, after you cock the hammer the trigger is a hair trigger and will fire if you just barely touch the trigger. Sights are tiny and hard to see. The sights are worse than a Glock, but better than a Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3AT.
Accuracy: It is very accurate IF you can practice enough to handle the heavy trigger. Firing it single action is not feasible because it is a hair trigger that can go off unintentionally. Also, you cannot rapidly fire it single action style like a Colt Single Action Army because the hammer is extremely heavy. In other words, unless you practice a lot, you will be inaccurate unless you fire this gun in slow motion.
Reliability: I went through a box of 50 Winchester 150 grain LRN without a hitch. It is a reliable gun. Also, a revolver will not jam like an auto pistol if you chamber a bad round of ammunition so it is a great back-up gun to an auto pistol.
Price: $360-449 in North Texas area stores and gun shows as of May 2011.
Conclusion: Unless you practice a lot, I would not use this as a main carry gun, but I would use it as a back-up gun. This is because it is harder to shoot than a modern double action pistol like a Glock. It also carries less ammo. However, it is more reliable than an auto pistol, especially if you have old ammo or you got your ammo wet. A real world CCW might have to be carried in the rain. A revolver also doesn't have a slide that if pulled back will make it "out of battery" and fail to fire. In a close-quarter combat situation, a gun might be "out of battery" if you're struggling with an assailant for the gun.
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