Airweight vs P238

[shiva916]

So I have a budget of <$400 and I stumbled across an Airweight that caught my eye today. I have also had my eye on a high point rifle likely a 995. Both of these fit budget wise, but not really sure what I should go with.

i have shot snubbies before, and I like this one due to a shrouded hammer so can still shoot in single action at the range if I want. Gun seems in great shape other than a little carry wear, and I stress little.

995 would be new, and while I have never shot one, I did have a sub2k for a while...I like that I already stock 9mm but don't like that I can't shoot at the indoor range at my club. So this would strictly be a summer outdoor toy.

I have a small carry which is the p238, hence the title of this thread. Not sure if the Airweight would become my new EDC, allowing me to potentially sell the p238, which may or may not be a good move.

just a bit confused and looking for opinions. Keep the p238 and add the snub? Replace the 238 with the Airweight? And grab the carbine? High point may be easy enough to find some point down the road...HELP.

 

[yanici]

Why not get the Airweight too. I have a 642 that shoots well at 30' but it is nasty to handle. It is very reliable and with the closed in hammer, it doesn't get all full of lint. You can always sell it if you decide you don't like it. Not a gun you'll want to shoot a lot but a nice defensive pocket carry.

 

[Picton]

I had a 238 as my EDC, until I got an old Model 37. I sold the 238 a week or so later.

YMMV, but I've never looked back. My 238 was as accurate as I am and plenty concealable, but it had about 3 FTEs in the first 100 rounds and was a bear to reload for. Versus the Model 37, which is 100% reliable and accurate enough, particularly in single action. My only problem is that it won't fit so well on an ankle holster underneath cowboy boots, but that's minor.

It's up to you, but it was a no-brainer for me. For me, any revolver wins on reliability alone, despite slow reloading.

 

[fshalor]

I'm a semi-auto person, but putting the first five rounds I ever shot out of a snubbie on a pie plate at 15 yards with a sw 637 sold me on them for small arms.

Sent from my LT30p

 

[MaxStravinsky]

I carry a 642, but would never take it to the range for fun, a little obligatory practice is all it ever gets shot.

 

[shiva916]

I carry a 642, but would never take it to the range for fun, a little obligatory practice is all it ever gets shot.

Thats part of my concern, the p238 is actually pretty fun to shoot at the range. The other snub I have shot wasn't so bad recoil wise with factory 38 ammo, but left a bit to be desired accuracy wise. The 238 I can group pretty decently for a pocket size gun.

Thanks for all the comments so far, keep em coming, honestly I have wanted to pick up a revolver like a 60 or sp101 mostly for range work, wonder if an Airweight would be good enough for occasional range time.

since I don't reload both 38 and 380 ammo has been scarce unless you are willing to pay crazy prices for it, so either way they won't be getting shot that much till I find a decent stash of ammo to feed them.

 

[squatch413]

I vote the jframe. A friend had the 238 and had lots of ftfs and ftes even with critical defense. The jframe is great for what it is. Mine actually sees more range use than carry duty now, as I really have no need for such a tiny piece. I don't find it at all unpleasant to shoot nor does my old lady and we are opposite spectrums of hand size.

 

[Nick Fury]

If your need is defensive the Airweight will never let you down.

And I was all hung up on having an exposed hammer for single action work until I found I was more accurate with it in double action.

 

[Gammon]

The air weight is great for carry, but the light weight makes it recoil a bit. If you intended to shoot the gun a lot, a slightly heavier gun like the Ruger might be in order. The only downside would be a heavier gun to carry. There is no such thing as a "free lunch".

You will notice that I didn't mention the P 238. I think that a 38 snubbie is so superior to the 380 semi auto for defensive carry that there is no comparison.

 

[92G]

One of my all time favorite gun purchases is my hi point 995ts. Not the fanciest design but I really admire something cheap and simple yet super-reliable. To me its a no-brainer.

 

[45collector]

You mentioned a S&W M60 and a Ruger SP101. If you plan on shooting your carry wheelgun often, you'd do better with either of those than with an airweight, for the simple reason of comfortability. SP101 will weigh the most out of those 3 options but they are excellent revolvers.

 

[beantown]

I have the 637 and the 238. I'm more accurate "at the range with the 238". In a stressful situation, and at the distances I would shoot someone, accuracy advantage would disappear or possibly favor the 637. That plus the higher power cartridge, ammo cost, and reliability advantages make the 637 a more desirable EDC but that only counts "if you will carry it".
The 238 is super easy to carry (I use N82 tactical and love it), the 637 is lite but the shape doesn't lend itself as much to iwb (for me at least).
I currently carry a p938 but have been thinking I might try some more holsters to see if something will let me edc the 637 again purely for the reliability piece of mind.
Buy the revolver and try it, then sell it or the 238 (you won't need both) and buy the toy

 

[yanici]

That 637 in a Mika pocket holster is very easy to carry concealed. The 642 in a Mika holster, IMO, is a bit better because the hammer is enclosed, so no snag and it keeps the lint out. It's so easy to slip the 642 into your pocket and right out the door.

 

[Hooper]

Been carrying revolvers more and more lately. I go through phases. I have a P238 which unlike any air weight (save my 43C or 432), is a BLAST at the range. Dead nuts accurate and no recoil. However, with summer coming, not sure about pocket carry in C1 (remora IWB yes, but not pocket). Just got her some new grips yesterday!

 

[dcmdon]

In my mind this is a pointless thing to discuss on the internets.

To the OP, although they are guns designed for the same purpose, they are so massively different, you will know which one you prefer the moment you hold one in your hand.

With the 238, I'd suggest you make sure that you are willing to train with the safety. If every other gun is a DAO or DA revolver, you will have to practice with the 238 a lot to make swiping the safety off instinctive. It will take even longer to instinctively swipe it ON before you reholster. Practicing with a .380 is generally a miserable experience. In that way the 238 works in your favor. Its about the nicest shooting micro 380 I've ever tried.

Don

p.s. If the other guns you own are things like glocks or M&Ps or Ruger SR9s, then consider the Kahr P380 or CW380. Its a nice shooting 380 that is DAO.

I also own a 340 J frame. nice gun. very simple to operate, but it requires practice to actually hit anything with it. Fortunately .38 ammo is easy to find and inexpensive to make.

 

[shiva916]

Thanks everyone that replied. I have carried and shot a small j frame size revolver before (vintage charter arms), and mainly carry the 238 when I do currently. Although I would never pocket carry the 238 now, although it's small and maybe I haven't found the right holster for pocket carry I just feel like it screams "there is a gun in my pocket", but iwb it simply vanishes. I was hoping the j frame might be able to slip in the pocket and not be as noticeable.

As far as the toy, I just got back from the range and shooting a friends brand new AR that he just picked up at the Plymouth show...this may have complicated things a bit, as I literally had a blast

 

[dcmdon]

Shiva,

I don't know how long you have been carrying. But it is common to be a bit paranoid about printing or exposing when you first start. As a resident of CT, I've been doing what I call Casual Carry for the last few years. I conceal, but barely. I've done a number of experiments just to see what people notice. Probably the most extreme example was when I carried a Glock 34 with a compensator on it in a paddle (OWB) holster to do some grocery shopping at Stop and Shop in Old Saybrook with nothing more than a t shirt over it. There was 1 to 2 inches of muzzle and comp hanging below the hem of my shirt.

Care to guess how many people noticed?

The bottom line is that a cop who checks you out will notice, but nobody else will. If you don't give the cop a reason to check you out, even he won't notice. A friend of mine who is a cop is constantly looking at people's waists and ankles. Its just his thing. He'd notice. but if you were reasonably concealed, he wouldn't bother you.

My friend Rich Burgess, founder and President of CT Carry open carried into the Old Saybrook PD to pick up a police report of an encounter he had with the PD for open carrying. Guess what happened? Nothing.

So if you live in MA, I realize you can't do that. But the reality is that a 238 in a pocket holster is for all intents INVISIBLE.

The biggest issue I have with the 238 is that most people who carry it aren't as proficient with the safety as they should be.

I see them a lot at Mass Rifle. The guys practice with it like a target gun. The safety is off the entire time. What they should be practicing is starting at low ready with the safety on, come up with the gun, safety off, fire. Then safety on , and back to low ready. Again, and again, and again.

Instead, they flick the safety off and shoot a hundred rounds through it, then load up with hollow points put it back in their pocket and go home. There is NO WAY the use of the safety is instinctive when they shoot like that.

Don

 

[shiva916]

Dcmdon
i agree with you about training with the safety 110%, it's one thing that I think a lot of shooters don't really practice with as they don't think it'll be an issue! but in reality it's one of the most important things you need to focus on.

I reality I try to do a few drills each time I shoot my carry guns, although the range frowns on full drawing from concealment at the firing line, so much of the time it's just a quick pick up from the bench, flick safety and shoot rather quickly without drawing too much attention.

while the whole condition 1 carry on the sig doesn't really bother me, the safety is something that you always have to be conscious of. Honestly, I think the 238 is a great looking gun, and a joy to shoot, but maybe not something I want to carry all the time. I think the j frame appeals by being a throw it on, or in a pocket and forget about it.

I kind of answered my own question, and the range toy can always come later down the road...now I think the question is...DAO, shrouded hammer, or traditional style? Hmmmm...I think I also spied a beauty of an older model 36 in the case...I could stare at that blueing all day, but then again, would I want to carry it? A whole other problem...

 

[dcmdon]

Just realize that a small J frame is the hardest handgun to shoot that you can buy.

Heavy trigger that causes people to rotate the gun if they don't squeeze straight back
long trigger, people get impatient and jerk it for the last quarter inch
short grip that doesn't let you get much of a grip so recoil is more noticeable.
round grip, that tends to rotate in your hand.
Short barrel that tends to turn recoil into a flip rather than a push
Light weight that tends to exagerate recoil.

With all that said, these guns have amazing mechanical accuracy. You just have to practice. Dry fire is very useful to get proficient in your trigger squeeze, so you don't pull the sights off target.

I found that a crimson trace lasergrop can be very useful on a J frame to highlight when you are pulling the trigger to the left or right .

I'm now reasonably proficient with my J frame. But it took a while. And I have to keep at it.

Do the ball and dummy drill. Load it with 4 rounds and one empty case. spin it, look away and close the cylinder. knowing that there is a dud in there will force you to concentrate on your trigger stroke.

Don

 

[shiva916]

Don't know if anyone cares but a lcr found its way home with me...trigger is as great as everything I have read about on these. Might pick up the boot grips since the stock ones are pretty sticky for ccw

 

[barnabus]

Don't know if anyone cares but a lcr found its way home with me...trigger is as great as everything I have read about on these. Might pick up the boot grips since the stock ones are pretty sticky for ccw

I've been thinking about getting an lcr or 642.

What was the deciding factor for the lcr?

Congratulations on the new purchase.

 

[whacko]

This is as simple as it gets......eventually.......everybody owns a j frame! You gotta have at least one.

 

[shiva916]

I've been thinking about getting an lcr or 642.

What was the deciding factor for the lcr?

Congratulations on the new purchase.

honestly i I have shot a 642 before, and there is nothing wrong with it, but, I find the trigger on the lcr to be great out of the box. I read a lot of reviews and watched plenty of YouTube vids of people praising the ruger trigger and wondered if it would live up to the hype. Well, I think it does...now maybe a well broken in smith trigger would be just as good or if you had some work done to it, may be a non-issue.

The 642 I shot is a friends and it was fairly new at the time. The lcr I got is lightly used, but the trigger is very easy to stage and crisp in IMO anyway. Not taking anything away from the smith at all, and had I found a good deal for a smith j frame I would have gotten it just the same. Like everyone seems to say on here I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[barnabus]

honestly i I have shot a 642 before, and there is nothing wrong with it, but, I find the trigger on the lcr to be great out of the box. I read a lot of reviews and watched plenty of YouTube vids of people praising the ruger trigger and wondered if it would live up to the hype. Well, I think it does...now maybe a well broken in smith trigger would be just as good or if you had some work done to it, may be a non-issue.

The 642 I shot is a friends and it was fairly new at the time. The lcr I got is lightly used, but the trigger is very easy to stage and crisp in IMO anyway. Not taking anything away from the smith at all, and had I found a good deal for a smith j frame I would have gotten it just the same. Like everyone seems to say on here I don't think you can go wrong either way.

Thx for the feedback.

 

[dcmdon]

honestly i I have shot a 642 before, and there is nothing wrong with it, but, I find the trigger on the lcr to be great out of the box. I read a lot of reviews and watched plenty of YouTube vids of people praising the ruger trigger and wondered if it would live up to the hype. Well, I think it does...now maybe a well broken in smith trigger would be just as good or if you had some work done to it, may be a non-issue.

The 642 I shot is a friends and it was fairly new at the time. The lcr I got is lightly used, but the trigger is very easy to stage and crisp in IMO anyway. Not taking anything away from the smith at all, and had I found a good deal for a smith j frame I would have gotten it just the same. Like everyone seems to say on here I don't think you can go wrong either way.

The 642 or 342 is a much nicer gun than the LCR to look at and hold and fondle.

The LCR shoots MUCH better than the short J frame guns. Everything about it aids practical accuracy. The trigger is lighter and smoother. The recoil is less. The grip is hand filling without being too big.

 

[chris_1001]

I have an airweight Ti (S&W 337) and a P238. My go too is the 238 once i got it. Now, I will not sell the j-frame but it has sat for 2 years now...

My 238 has been 100% and I like how it can be a back pocket gun vs the airweight.

Just my .02

 

[KTech2316]

I have the model 360 air lite PD. I think the 238 is much easier to conceal. I'm a little more biased to the semi...Not much of a revolver guy.

Even with .38's in the airlite it is harder to control than the 238. Put some .357's in it and hold on tight...LOL