[legaleagle84]

Hi All:

I own a Walther PPS chambered in .40. I was at B&J Guns yesterday and mentioned that I am looking for a new target pistol. I started looking at a good ole Ruger in .22 and a few 9mm. One of the guys there suggested that I get a S&W .38 air weight. It runs $599 at the shop. He emphasized not having to worry about magazines, the alleged low level of recoil, availability of ammo, the single action accurracy and last but not least, the dual use of the gun as an excellent carry gun.

I have no doubt that it is an excellent carry gun, but a .38 for range/target shooting with the side benefit of carrying? Honestly, I love my Walther and it is slim as can be. I admit the magazines can be a pain and expensive and a .38 is alot of fun at the range. However, I am just not sure about the recoil and use of the S&W air weight as a target gun. I do love a revolver . . . have a speed loader. There are many alluring characteristics. Thoughts? would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts, comments, experiences, etc.

I do have to mention that I will soon be a co-owner/registrant (i.e., on my permit) of a .22 Ruger target pistol, otherwise, I think that is exactly what I would get.

 

[legaleagle84]

Tapper - Much appreciated advice, particularly from someone who owns the same pistols. My dad has a S&W Detective Special .38 as well which was promised to me as a carry gun some time down the road. I think that covers it. It is time to be in the market for a true target .22. Personally, I have also favored the Ruger Mark II.

 

[legaleagle84]

He did not call it a target pistol per se. I did hear him correctly but to clarify, his focus was on the .38 having less kick than a 9mm (in his opinion). He was emphasizing that I could easily qualify with it at the range at 50ft, enjoy is substantially at the range but also have one of the best carry guns out there in my collection. With the external hammer, i.e., single-action/double action, it was his opinion that I would be more than capable of shooting quite accurately with the air weight. I want this to be true; I wish it was true, but I am not feeling it. He is more of a volunteer there and a great guy. I trust him. That is where I do think I am misunderstanding him. I think a big part of his reaction was my issue with my walther being an excellent carry gun as well as fun at the range but not a range gun. I think (I THINK) he was trying to show me another option that would accomplish both. I think I am better off simply, over time, getting both. a .22, a .38 revolver and a .40 equals a decent collection in my opinion, given that pistol permit amendments take some time to get in the City of Albany and I would be able to co-regiser the ,22 and the .38 with one amendment. I am the only one who truly shoots often anyways.

 

[legaleagle84]

Mdip0215 - the pic came out quite nice. This is very similar to the .38 my father has which I truly enjoy. different grip which I like, but all in all - it is a GREAT gun.

 

[legaleagle84]

Thanks, Scotchman. I have actually never seen or shot an S&W 617 - checking it out now. So far so awesome it seems . . .

 

[legaleagle84]

edit see below

 

[legaleagle84]

Ok, so let me get this straight... you come on here and trash a gun shop and its employees for telling you that an airweight is a target pistol, You initially said "I am looking for a new target pistol...One of the guys there suggested that I get a S&W .38 air weight." Then amended that in your later post to say "He did not call it a target pistol". It's NOT a target pistol, nor did he call it one, so why did you go after him publicly?

You also say that he told you:

1) 38 has less kick than 9mm (recoil is a function of many factors, including the speed and weight of the load and the weight of the gun, but this is probably true in most cases).
2) That you can hit a target with an airweight at 50ft (absolutely true if you are a half decent shot).
3) That it's a great carry gun (absolutely true)
4) That a revolver becomes more accurate in single action because of the lighter trigger (absolutely true).

Sounds like he gave you pretty good advice, and I think you owe both him and the store an apology for publicly disparaging them for giving you good information.

I do not think I owe anyone an apology. As I stated, I trust the people I talk to there. A frequent and happy customer of the shop. Never said I disliked the shop or disparaged the shop. In a very forthcoming manner, in response to your first post, I stated where I thought I did misunderstand what I was being told; my post is/was pointed at the concept proposed (one you are, for whatever reason, fervently defending when it is not under attack in a negative way, at least not by ME). Simply put, everyone has different preferences for handguns. Some of the people here disagreed, some agree and others are in the neutral or suggestive zone. I was asking others for their opinion. Simply looking to get as much information as possible - that is what I was after (and I got it). I learned something. Isn't that the point? To be a part of a community in which you can pose such questions?

No disparagement here nor was any intended. The fact that you replied so adamantly about this post tells me a few things; if my instincts are right, PM me.

I hope this helps to clear the air as to any negative inferences that were drawn from my post about the shop or the person - great guy, "I trust him" and I may very well buy exactly what he suggested because I do agree that I got some good advice. I also got good advice here.

 

[legaleagle84]

This is the wifes new carry.I can say for certain with +P reloads that its not bad at all to shoot.Would i throw 500 rounds down the tube in a day,no,but i wouldnt do that with any handgun anymore.At 50 ft it is very accurate,she has no problem hitting pie plate every shot,which i think is pretty good for a subby.Surely good enough to stop anyone coming at ya.Single action,the trigger is very nice,i was real surprised.And for carry,cant beat it.I have carried it a couple times and you can forget its even there.Im gonna be trading my Interarms Walther PPK/s for one if i can find one.

Great pic! Thanks. I looked at almost the same one but in black and maybe a bit lighter. Surprised you would trade up your walther for it though - why give up anything these days? Much appreciated advice and info on the accuracy at 50 feet as well. All in all, it seems like a win-win purchase.

 

[legaleagle84]

Fair enough - I hear ya on the love hate relationship. The first time I shot a Walther PPK (my mistake due to a terrible hand grip - years ago), the hammer caught my thumb. Not painful but surprisingly deep cut. Still a great gun but I never forgot that it stuck me once . . . haha. But like i said, my fault. I guess I should forgive but not forget!