Test Driving a S&W Airweight

[K.Mooneyham]

Since folks are talking about their J-frames, mine is a 1973 Model 49 Bodyguard (all-steel, shrouded hammer) which I bought in used, but excellent condition. My hat is off to all of you folks who can shoot those lightweight versions with hot ammo in them. I load Federal Nyclad 125 grain in mine, though I don't carry it all that much, and that is more than potent enough for me.

[texanjoker]

I miss mine...looking to get another one soon... I put a clip-draw on it for carry and it was sweet in shorts.

[v-rog]

I'm not sure if it was just the scandium-frame models, but I vaguely remember that S&W recommened that you shoot 120+ grain bullets through it.

[JALLEN]

I have gotten to shoot the light weight .357's and, between the muzzle flash almost setting my mustache on fire, and the "stout" recoil, I would rather throw it at a BG than shoot them with it.

Many handguns are great to shoot but awkward to carry, and many are vice versa. Somehow you have to find a combo that is a happy medium. I've carried a 226 with no problems, and my P7M8 is a great little easy to carry pistol, especially for lefties, although somewhat expensive. Another thing about the P7M8 for lefties, you don't just walk into the LGS and buy a holster off the shelf for it.

[knotquiteawake]

This is really good info. You guys are gonna get me a permanent spot sleeping on the couch because I'm almost certainly going to buy one now (and I've already hit my 1 gun every 6-12 months agreement with the wife. She's not opposed to guns per se, just opposed to me "wasting" money) If I can't keep borrowing this one from my FIL. I mean it IS kind of awkward to be CHLing a gun your Father in Law (who is a cop) is just letting you borrow. I would feel bad if I had to use it and it gets bagged as evidence, and also I certainly wouldn't touch the trigger or make any modifications to it if I didn't OWN it. I'm just hoping maybe he'll let me borrow it until I've got some extra money to buy my own. Especially these summer months.

[K.Mooneyham]

This is really good info. You guys are gonna get me a permanent spot sleeping on the couch because I'm almost certainly going to buy one now (and I've already hit my 1 gun every 6-12 months agreement with the wife. She's not opposed to guns per se, just opposed to me "wasting" money) If I can't keep borrowing this one from my FIL. I mean it IS kind of awkward to be CHLing a gun your Father in Law (who is a cop) is just letting you borrow. I would feel bad if I had to use it and it gets bagged as evidence, and also I certainly wouldn't touch the trigger or make any modifications to it if I didn't OWN it. I'm just hoping maybe he'll let me borrow it until I've got some extra money to buy my own. Especially these summer months.

Don't feel bad. I, too, have restrictions based on family budgetary issues.

[flechero]

When my son was under 36 mos old I also carried a LW snubbie. For the reasons you mentioned they are great. The small handle allows you to worry about your kid, not the butt of your gun! And for some reason, they do feel thin in a decent holster. I guess it's that they are only thick at one spot. With some practice they are not bad to shoot and mine was surprisingly accurate.

It's one of only a few guns that are "designated" to never get sold... it will live in the safe, if it never gets put back in the rotation. It's actually only slightly smaller than a kimber 3" 1911 but carries WAY smaller.

[knotquiteawake]

When my son was under 36 mos old I also carried a LW snubbie. For the reasons you mentioned they are great. The small handle allows you to worry about your kid, not the butt of your gun! And for some reason, they do feel thin in a decent holster. I guess it's that they are only thick at one spot. With some practice they are not bad to shoot and mine was surprisingly accurate.

It's one of only a few guns that are "designated" to never get sold... it will live in the safe, if it never gets put back in the rotation. It's actually only slightly smaller than a kimber 3" 1911 but carries WAY smaller.

Good to know. I suppose if I am going to be chasing after him for the next couple years and we're planning on having another child in the next year its probably "in our best interest" to have one. I just gotta get the wife on board to make this happen or see if my FIL wants to sell it to me.

[texasmusic]

Between the recoil and the heavy trigger-pull, the airweights are a challenge to shoot. Hopefully your able to put a couple-hundred rounds through it while you have it. Best of luck.

Trigger pull can be adjusted with just 12.95 for a Wilson spring kit and a smithing stone you can get a really nice trigger that's got enough power behind the hammer to stay reliable. My wife loves her air weight.


Sputz

I wouldn't take a stone to any part of hammer/sear/trigger components. I wouldn't even let a gunsmith start grinding away at it unless he had a strong reputation for doing that work.

[Sputz]

Between the recoil and the heavy trigger-pull, the airweights are a challenge to shoot. Hopefully your able to put a couple-hundred rounds through it while you have it. Best of luck.

Trigger pull can be adjusted with just 12.95 for a Wilson spring kit and a smithing stone you can get a really nice trigger that's got enough power behind the hammer to stay reliable. My wife loves her air weight.


Sputz

I wouldn't take a stone to any part of hammer/sear/trigger components. I wouldn't even let a gunsmith start grinding away at it unless he had a strong reputation for doing that work.

Polishing isn't grinding.

[texasmusic]

Between the recoil and the heavy trigger-pull, the airweights are a challenge to shoot. Hopefully your able to put a couple-hundred rounds through it while you have it. Best of luck.

Trigger pull can be adjusted with just 12.95 for a Wilson spring kit and a smithing stone you can get a really nice trigger that's got enough power behind the hammer to stay reliable. My wife loves her air weight.


Sputz

I wouldn't take a stone to any part of hammer/sear/trigger components. I wouldn't even let a gunsmith start grinding away at it unless he had a strong reputation for doing that work.

Polishing isn't grinding.

A stone will remove metal, which is the point.

[flechero]

A stone will remove metal, which is the point.

Yes, and a proper trigger job makes a weapon easier to use accurately.... which can promote more accurate shooting, and will probably encourage more practice and use since it will be a pleasure to shoot. Both good things, IMO.

[Salty1]

A stone will remove metal, which is the point.

Yes, and a proper trigger job makes a weapon easier to use accurately.... which can promote more accurate shooting, and will probably encourage more practice and use since it will be a pleasure to shoot. Both good things, IMO.

Or he can just buy an LCR that has less recoil due to the polymer frame and a much better trigger..........

[The Annoyed Man]

A stone will remove metal, which is the point.

Yes, and a proper trigger job makes a weapon easier to use accurately.... which can promote more accurate shooting, and will probably encourage more practice and use since it will be a pleasure to shoot. Both good things, IMO.

Or he can just buy an LCR that has less recoil due to the polymer frame and a much better trigger..........

Maybe less perceived recoil, but it is the same recoil as any other revolver of equal weight shooting the same ammo. The physics don't change just because it has a polymer chassis.

[knotquiteawake]

Just to update and put us back on track...

My Father in law asked how I liked carrying the gun and I told him how useful it was especially chasing after his grandson. He said I can just give him back his Taurus 85 We've had since my wife move out of her parents house and I can hang onto the S&W as long as I want to. I couldn't have married into a better family I think.

I ordered a DeSantis Summer heat for it, I like the very very minimal style of it. Its very similar looking to the IWB holster I have for my .32. The Sticky Holster I had for it fell out of my waistline this morning as I got up from my home office chair... I probably didn't have my belt on tight enough but that was disconcerting (ESPECIALLY because I JUST had a dream lastnight about that EXACT same thing happening but in public). I had to make sure I got something with a clip. The sticky holster works Ok for a pocket holster for now but I might get one thats a little more snug soon too.

I understand there is a lot of discussion on the size of the bullet. My father in law must have been carrying the maximum load because what it had in it went almost all the way to the edge of the cylinder, and what I've had for .38s for self defense was only about 1/2 the size of the larger ones... no idea what the actual bullet sizes are though. I think I will probably stick with a high speed low weight, instead of low speed high weight.
What about ball vs. hollow point? Do some people advocate the ball ammo for the snubbies?