S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? - The Firearms Forum

Lanrezac · 11-08-2011, 09:03 PM

Has anyone ever seen a fixed-sight, 4-inch barrel Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver in 38 Special? Sort of like a .38 Regulation Police, but on the J-frame and in 38 Special? For some reason I have a yen for one, but I cannot find that Smith and Wesson ever made such a thing (although they made fixed-sight 4-inch .32 Longs on the J-frame.)

This is not important, but I am curious if such a thing ever existed. Thanks!

Alpo · 11-08-2011, 09:19 PM

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wessons, no. 1 7/8", 2" and 3" were all available at on time or another on the various J frame 38 specials, but nothing longer than 3.

BillM · 11-08-2011, 11:24 PM

Model 33.

Oops----not 38 special. 38 S&W.

Lanrezac · 11-09-2011, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wessons, no. 1 7/8", 2" and 3" were all available at on time or another on the various J frame 38 specials, but nothing longer than 3.

Dang, that's too bad. I have it firmly in my head that once I saw a 4-inch Airweight J-frame in 38 Special with a store tag calling it a "Paratrooper". I must have been dreaming; there just ain't no such thing. Thanks.

lonewolf204 · 11-09-2011, 09:29 PM

There is a S&W 60 5" barrel on *********.com. I've seen a couple of the 5", But I have not seen a 4".

Lanrezac · 11-10-2011, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonewolf204

There is a S&W 60 5" barrel on *********.com. I've seen a couple of the 5", But I have not seen a 4".

Yes, I thought they had made some sort of Kit Gun style .38 or .357. I was looking for a fixed sight gun - like the Model 33 that BillM mentions, but in 38 Special instead of 38 S&W. Apparently such a thing has never existed. I guess it was something nobody ever wanted.

savage170 · 11-15-2011, 11:50 AM

Far and few but here is a model 36 with 6" barrell

45nut · 11-15-2011, 12:55 PM

That solves yer problem, get a 6" #36 and saw off 2".

Lanrezac · 11-15-2011, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savage170

Far and few but here is a model 36 with 6" barrell

That is one rare item! I don't think I have ever seen a J-frame with a 6-inch barrel and fixed sights before, and it would not have occurred to me that such a thing existed. It looks like they borrowed the front sight from a K-frame.

Boy, you learn something new every day.

redwing carson · 11-15-2011, 11:53 PM

The "K" Mdls were Adj. sight guns. That front sight looks more like the Mdl 10 sight. They made Kit guns on the J frames. The .22 Mag Kit was a nice gun. They also had a Mdl 36 Chiefs Target with Adj. sights .38 Spec. 3 1/2 inch barrel. The 4" Colt Police Positve has fixed sights in .38 Spec. it is a small frame.

savage170 · 11-16-2011, 12:20 AM

There is a model 63 for sale on a auction site

Alpo · 11-16-2011, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwing carson

The "K" Mdls were Adj. sight guns. That front sight looks more like the Mdl 10 sight. They made Kit guns on the J frames. The .22 Mag Kit was a nice gun. They also had a Mdl 36 Chiefs Target with Adj. sights .38 Spec. 3 1/2 inch barrel. The 4" Colt Police Positve has fixed sights in .38 Spec. it is a small frame.

Huh? K is a frame size. Has nothing to do with the sights. Last time I counted, I had 4 Ks with adjustable sights (two 22s, a 38 and a 357) and 5 with fixed (four 38s and a 357).

Enzo_Guy · 11-16-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwing carson

The "K" Mdls were Adj. sight guns. That front sight looks more like the Mdl 10 sight. They made Kit guns on the J frames. The .22 Mag Kit was a nice gun. They also had a Mdl 36 Chiefs Target with Adj. sights .38 Spec. 3 1/2 inch barrel. The 4" Colt Police Positve has fixed sights in .38 Spec. it is a small frame.

Totally agree on the Police Positive (aka Colt D-Frame). I have one in .32 Long, one of the best triggers I have ever felt on a revolver. Sitting here I can't think of any revolver off the top of my head that had a better trigger.

Lanrezac · 11-18-2011, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enzo_Guy

Totally agree on the Police Positive (aka Colt D-Frame). I have one in .32 Long, one of the best triggers I have ever felt on a revolver. Sitting here I can't think of any revolver off the top of my head that had a better trigger.

Yes, even quite late these guns had excellent triggers. I had a 4th Issue Police Positive - the late 1970's kind, with the shrouded ejector rod - which was one of the most accurate pistols I ever owned. The factory grips on it were excellent too. They must have been a lot more expensive than an S&W Model 10, or they would have outsold them by a mile.

MSGT-R · 11-21-2011, 10:41 AM

Only the 2" J-frames had fixed sights. The 3&4" had adjustable sights.

Alpo · 11-21-2011, 12:37 PM

Might want to rethink that statement.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...how-yours.html

MSGT-R · 11-21-2011, 01:34 PM

Sorry, I was thinking about the 60-4 stainless models.

Enzo_Guy · 11-21-2011, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanrezac

Yes, even quite late these guns had excellent triggers. I had a 4th Issue Police Positive - the late 1970's kind, with the shrouded ejector rod - which was one of the most accurate pistols I ever owned. The factory grips on it were excellent too. They must have been a lot more expensive than an S&W Model 10, or they would have outsold them by a mile.

Mine is a 1st issue, vintage 1909 Detroit PD issue weapon. It amazes me at how incredibly nice that gun is to shoot even after 100 years. I really would like to fire a Python and a K-22 back-to-back with my Police, I always hear what great guns the Python and K22 are so I would love to compare them.

Rhuga · 12-03-2011, 09:53 PM

I like the .38 in all colors.

Inthewind1976 · 12-04-2011, 02:42 AM

Rossi makes a 4" copy of the Model 36, and Ive held one, but I dont BELIEVE S&W ever made any REGULAR PRODUCTION 36's in 4". Thats not to say that a "custom shop" one cant be ordered, or that there havent BEEN some ordered/produced over the years. Suffice it to say, they would be rather rare.

Lanrezac · 12-05-2011, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inthewind1976

Rossi makes a 4" copy of the Model 36, and Ive held one, but I dont BELIEVE S&W ever made any REGULAR PRODUCTION 36's in 4". Thats not to say that a "custom shop" one cant be ordered, or that there havent BEEN some ordered/produced over the years. Suffice it to say, they would be rather rare.

That is pretty much what I thought. I have a late-production 32 Regulation Police that I enjoy shooting, and wondered if I could get a 38 Special to match. Guess not. Thanks for the info!

11-08-2011, 09:03 PM	#1
Lanrezac Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 685	S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Has anyone ever seen a fixed-sight, 4-inch barrel Smith & Wesson J-frame revolver in 38 Special? Sort of like a .38 Regulation Police, but on the J-frame and in 38 Special? For some reason I have a yen for one, but I cannot find that Smith and Wesson ever made such a thing (although they made fixed-sight 4-inch .32 Longs on the J-frame.) This is not important, but I am curious if such a thing ever existed. Thanks! -->

11-08-2011, 09:19 PM	#2
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? According to the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wessons, no. 1 7/8", 2" and 3" were all available at on time or another on the various J frame 38 specials, but nothing longer than 3. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

11-09-2011, 09:29 PM	#5
lonewolf204 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Oklahoma Contributor Posts: 789	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? There is a S&W 60 5" barrel on *********.com. I've seen a couple of the 5", But I have not seen a 4". __________________ Fear is only a word in the mind of the weak!

11-15-2011, 11:50 AM	#7
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Far and few but here is a model 36 with 6" barrell

11-15-2011, 12:55 PM	#8
45nut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,428	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? That solves yer problem, get a 6" #36 and saw off 2". __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Shane Nemo me impune lacesset We recall the case of the Shoshone war band which showed up complete with one 30-30 rifle per man the week after Pearl Harbor, and simply wanted to have the enemy pointed out to them. "We hear there's a war going on and we want to go fight it." Jeff Cooper *KCCO*

11-08-2011, 11:24 PM	#3
BillM V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Amity Orygun Posts: 380	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Model 33. Oops----not 38 special. 38 S&W. Last edited by BillM; 11-08-2011 at 11:26 PM..

11-15-2011, 11:53 PM	#10
redwing carson Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: western wyoming Posts: 734	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? The "K" Mdls were Adj. sight guns. That front sight looks more like the Mdl 10 sight. They made Kit guns on the J frames. The .22 Mag Kit was a nice gun. They also had a Mdl 36 Chiefs Target with Adj. sights .38 Spec. 3 1/2 inch barrel. The 4" Colt Police Positve has fixed sights in .38 Spec. it is a small frame.

11-16-2011, 12:20 AM	#11
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? There is a model 63 for sale on a auction site Last edited by savage170; 11-16-2011 at 12:23 AM..

11-21-2011, 10:41 AM	#15
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Only the 2" J-frames had fixed sights. The 3&4" had adjustable sights. __________________ If you suck, go back to the range. Last edited by MSGT-R; 11-15-2012 at 05:22 PM..

11-21-2011, 12:37 PM	#16
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,651	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Might want to rethink that statement. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...how-yours.html __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

11-21-2011, 01:34 PM	#17
MSGT-R Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SoCal Posts: 898	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Sorry, I was thinking about the 60-4 stainless models. __________________ If you suck, go back to the range.

12-03-2011, 09:53 PM	#19
Rhuga Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 643	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? I like the .38 in all colors.

12-04-2011, 02:42 AM	#20
Inthewind1976 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Pennsylvania Posts: 533	Re: S&W 4-inch J-frame 38 Special? Rossi makes a 4" copy of the Model 36, and Ive held one, but I dont BELIEVE S&W ever made any REGULAR PRODUCTION 36's in 4". Thats not to say that a "custom shop" one cant be ordered, or that there havent BEEN some ordered/produced over the years. Suffice it to say, they would be rather rare.