The model 38 is one of my all time favorites. The design is unique and its a great concealment weapon. The model 36 is a good gun but it just doesnt have that "look" of the model 38. I had a couple of centennials but they just were not the same. Would like to find a good deal on a 638 or a nickel 38.
CCW Recommendation S&W M36 M38 M638
- Thread starter Gunner Smith
- Start date
Gunner Smith
Inactive
Colt Cobra
Found another possible choice. A Colt cobra. It has a covered or shrouded ejector rod which I think makes it a second or third generation. Has a nice blue finish and walnut grips and is very lightweight. Not too familiar with colts, but I like that is can hild 6 rounds and it feels really good in the hand. It has perfect finish and mechanically looks good. They want $350 for it. Might have to end up picking this one up and a Model 38! Any comments on the colt cobra?
Found another possible choice. A Colt cobra. It has a covered or shrouded ejector rod which I think makes it a second or third generation. Has a nice blue finish and walnut grips and is very lightweight. Not too familiar with colts, but I like that is can hild 6 rounds and it feels really good in the hand. It has perfect finish and mechanically looks good. They want $350 for it. Might have to end up picking this one up and a Model 38! Any comments on the colt cobra?
I also think that the all steel guns are the way to go. You won't really notice the weight until you practice with it. Then you'll be thankful for it. Actually my wife's M36 is a backup pocket gun for me when I can't carry anything else. Get a good pocket holster, and don't try to use it in tight jeans. 
I'd love to get one of the older 640s in .38. It didn't exist when I bought the Chief's, but I think it would be my first choice if I decided to buy another pocket gun.
I'd love to get one of the older 640s in .38. It didn't exist when I bought the Chief's, but I think it would be my first choice if I decided to buy another pocket gun.This is like the discussion earlier about the cylinders in the alloy-frame Js.
It's true that this can be a problem, but it isn't any more likely to happen in an aluminum alloy J than in a steel frame J. The reason is that S&W anticipated that and the alloy frames have a steel bushing installed in the recoil shield where the cylinder pin locks into the frame.As a note, S&W used to offer installation of a bushing in the steel frame guns as a repair service. They don't do this any more, but C&S still lists this as an available service.