Have an itch for a light .38 special

[berettabone]

I see lots of those for sale.........................good choice.

[jg rider]

I have a 342 that I had to modify before I liked it. I didn't like the boot grips that came with it, which allowed for the open, grooved back strap.And I didn't like the grooved trigger guard that always bit the top of my middle finger when I fired the piece.
So I modified a set of Uncle Mikes or maybe they were a set of Butler Creek grips that were shaped like banana.
No more open back strap and now there's enough rubber between my middle finger and the trigger guard.
It also seems to point more naturally.
I installed a set of Hi Viz f.o. sights. Smoothed out and lightened the trigger pull.
After testing a bunch of differen ammo I settled on the now extinct Fed. 125 gr. Nyclad ammo. IMHO, it's an explosive, very light felt recoil round.

[ltxi]

...............
After testing a bunch of differen ammo I settled on the now extinct Fed. 125 gr. Nyclad ammo. IMHO, it's an explosive, very light felt recoil round.............

Fed Nyclad has been my preferred carry round in lw J-frames for decades, literally. It is no longer extinct, as I was delighted to discover a few years back. Returned to production circa 2009.

[jg rider]

Fed Nyclad has been my preferred carry round in lw J-frames for decades, literally. It is no longer extinct, as I was delighted to discover a few years back. Returned to production circa 2009.

How? Where?
After limited familiarizing, we're down to our last 200 rounds

[chrish]

Planning a .38 purchase at some point as well. I had been really leaning LCR, but I was at the range the other day and a guy had his 442 w/ him (black version of the 642) and he had spent all of $9 customizing it (Wilson Combat spring) and boy was that a pretty decent trigger for $9. Said he hadn't polished it or anything, not that many rounds thru it either. It probably wasn't quite as good as the LCR triggers I've tried at gun shows, but I like the grips and feel of the 442/642 better than the LCR. Just something to ponder for those considering a .38

[340pd]

That is a really nice gun and of the snubbies available that is certainly one of the best. Be careful swapping springs as there is a fine balance that you have to maintain to keep it reliable. On a SD gun smoothness is great but I doubt you will notice a great trigger job if, god forbid. you need to use the gun for its intended purpose. Remember this is not a range gun. Most of the ones that come into our range are shot only a couple of times per year and then very few rounds pass through them. Not for recoil avoidance as much as usual wide group spread on the target at 30'.

[CharlieW]

I am partial to Colt revolvers, and I just came a cross a classic Colt Agent, with a lightweight aluminum frame. It is a six shot pistol, equivalent in size to a J-frame. Similar Colt models are Courier, Detective Special, etc.

[jg rider]

Planning a .38 purchase at some point as well. I had been really leaning LCR, but I was at the range the other day and a guy had his 442 w/ him (black version of the 642) and he had spent all of $9 customizing it (Wilson Combat spring) and boy was that a pretty decent trigger for $9. Said he hadn't polished it or anything, not that many rounds thru it either. It probably wasn't quite as good as the LCR triggers I've tried at gun shows, but I like the grips and feel of the 442/642 better than the LCR. Just something to ponder for those considering a .38

Those kind of kits consist of a lighter hammer and trigger return spring.
My pistol smithing experience with them has shown that the lighter hammer springs will cause misfires with certain primer brands if you're using reloads. They're work OK if only shooting single action.
Remember the hammer only travels almost half the distance backwards in d.a. mode, then when it's cocked, his causes less forward force.
And there has to be some polishing done to the bottom, inside wall and the top lobe of the trigger return block, or else the trigger won't return at times with the lighter trigger return spring.
First I'd start by polishing all rubbing surfaces and contacting parts, except.....
Don't, I repeat don't touch the sear and the hammer hook that make contact in single action mode. If you do you'll find that if you cock the gun you'll be able to push the hammer forward with your thumb.
Duh ! I just realized we're talking about a hammerless, dao gun !
Well no matter. What I wrote applys to all S&W revolvers.
Sorry for the confusion

The majority of trigger pull pressure you feel is caused by the trigger return spring.
If you try to use the factory hammer spring and the lighter return spring the trigger will not return because of the added pressure put on the return block lobe.
After polishing I'd suggest people use the factory hammer spring, flat or coil, and cut 1 1/2 coils off of the factory trigger return spring. This works most of the time. You may may be able to cut more but that leaves a mushy trigger return.

This is what works for me, John

OK everybody can wake up now, I'm done

[TucsonMTB]

. . . After polishing I'd suggest people use the factory hammer spring, flat or coil, and cut 1 1/2 coils off of the factory trigger return spring. This works most of the time. You may may be able to cut more but that leaves a mushy trigger return.

This is what works for me, John

Thank you, sir!

IMHO, this is great advice for anyone with a S&W J-frame and mirrors my experience.

I would add that Midway carries the "Wolff Trigger Rebound Spring S&W J, K, L, N-Frame 11 lb Reduced Power Package of 3" for a measly $7, plus shipping of course.

I wanted to keep all my factory springs to put back in the revolvers if I sell them. So, these worked out better for us.

The Wolff 11 lb spring still gives a fairly crisp reset but helps reduce trigger effort nicely.

By the way, I still occasionally see Federal 125 grain Nyclad in 38 special on GunBroker dot com from time to time. We have about the same inventory as you do which keeps me watchful.

Haven't seen any bargains . . .

[ltxi]

How? Where?
After limited familiarizing, we're down to our last 200 rounds

I bought a bunch of it when I discovered it was back two to three years ago. Pretty sure I got it from Ammoman but it could have been from Ammunitiontogo. That was before this last freak out run on ammunition. Neither of these vendors nor a three others I quick checked show it in stock. I did check Feds website before I posted and it shows up as current production there.

Being quite used to it, I rarely shoot it anymore Other than to do some old to new comparative shooting when I got the new stuff to make sure nothing had changed. Also 50-100 rounds down range in a new M&P 340, the only new J-frame I've bought in the last maybe 15 years, a year and a half ago. American Eagle 130gr ball works well as a substitute for routine practice practice and I have a ton of that.

[TheTman]

If weight is your main concern, I don't think you can get any lighter than this 38 special from Taurus. It's not +P rated, but advertised weight is only NINE oz. I don't think you'll find anything lighter. I guess they use a clear plastic cover to allow you see part of the insides. Barrel length is only 1.41.
Certainly is a strange looking gun. They claim they sell a quite a few to LEO's for BUGs.


Weird looking isn't it? I suppose it's ok for an ankle/boot gun. Or for use when weight is very important. Like with stretch waist shorts or sweatpants or other pants without a belt, and you just want something to put in your pocket and go.

[leftysixty]

Is that picture of the tortus a display model, or a production piece?

[gb6491]

Is that picture of the tortus a display model, or a production piece?

It's a production piece (Davidsons has them listed, but allocated) and you can get it in pink: Taurus 85VTAP http://www.taurususa.com/product-det...rumbseries=VTA
Regards,
Greg

[leftysixty]

Greg! I couldn't own that one, I'd be to busy watching the works to be able to hit any thing

It sure is cool look'n

[Pointblank]

The S&W 642/442 are the hot setup. Hogue makes a new Tamer grip for them that really makes them nice to shoot.