One of the best J-Frame Airweights ever made

[RevolverRob]

Somewhere circa 2007-2009 Smith built a variant of the venerable Airweight that is probably the one most of us want. They made 2.5” barrels, with pin-on front sights, of the 637, 638, and 642. These particular guns not only have a little more barrel length to improve shooting, they have a full length ejector rod, that is also fully shrouded. But err on the side of just short enough for pocket carry where the 3” guns are a tad too long. For whatever reason, Smith discontinued this variant after ~18-months on the catalog and finding one is a challenge. I’ve lusted after one for years and in the middle of last year, I spotted a 638 version on Gunbroker. Unfortunately, I wasn’t going to be back on Texas anytime soon, but a good friend offered to help me out, he bought it and held on to it, until I could get down to see him. $460 and 7-months later...I am quite happy...

It’s not done yet. Firstly, the early gen CT grips are heinously thin in cross-section and have no flare at the butt and make recoil terrible. A set of VZs should solve that problem. Second, what good is a pin-in front sight if it’s just a black ramp? A Trijicon night sight will soon make it’s way onto this gun. Finally, the hell hole has got to go, so a fresh “plug” will solve that. The trigger on the gun is actually quite good, better than my 642 and frankly one of the better J-frames I’ve felt. I find myself of a mixed mind on the humpback, but I don’t hate it. And besides, in 10+ years of searching this is the only one I’ve found for sale...

[OlongJohnson]

Try the Sile grips at CDNN. For $10, it's worth a shot. With a little tune up, they are my fave J frame grips. Posted pics around here somewhere last year.

[RevolverRob]

Are they sticky?

My biggest beef with rubber grips is when they are too sticky for pocket carry.

I may just go with some good old fashioned Precision Gun Specialities - Hideouts - https://www.brownells.com/handgun-pa...-prod9924.aspx

Which are like the worst kept best secret in Smith & Wesson grips on the planet. If they made them for N-Frames, it'd be awesome.

[Holmes375]

I have a few sets of the old Siles rubber grips and like their size/profile. They're not sticky or tacky - no clothing grab that I've experienced. But... not one of the three sets fits any of my Js without unsightly gaps.

I've done a lot of experimenting with rubber grips and my current favorites are the old Uncle Mikes combat grips in their full length form or a cut down version for pocket carry. They are also made of a harder rubber that doesn't sticky things in use.

[JodyH]

That would make a really nice AIWB J-Frame.

[11B10]

That would make a really nice AIWB J-Frame.

Ya beat me to it, Jody. I agree.

[HeavyDuty]

I wasn’t aware of these - it certainly does seem like the perfect J frame!

[OlongJohnson]

2-point-5 J frames.pdf

[HeavyDuty]

That 2.5” Centennial...

[Hizzie]

I’d happily rock a pair of those.