smith and wesson 38 revolver

The .38 Special was the same size as .38 LC, but longer, allowing the loading of more black . .38 S&W - Wikipedia While every effort is made to include accurate and correct images, descriptions and pricing for all products, inadvertent errors may occur. Smith & Wesson 442 Airweight 38 Special Revolver with Burnt Bronze Finish - $549.99 (Free S/H on Firearms . 704-394-0387 Charlotte, NC Since 1959 . This is the smallest frame. However, the Model 64 by Smith & Wesson may be the greatest incarnation of the .38 caliber police revolver. While it's a phenomenal handgun and loved by many of its owners, it's also prone to a few problems. Approximately 65,000 Victory Model revolvers were purchased by the Navy directly from Smith & Wesson. Stay in the know. The hip holsters were used more often by security personnel, but period photos show some flyers with their Victory Model revolvers in hip holsters. It comes with an IonBond Diamondback finish. Powerful with manageable recoil, this line of revolvers has been used for decades by law enforcement and civilians for personal protection and home defense. 3.0 $54.89 We use cookies to improve your website experience. your community AND if they have it in stock, you can pick your gun up Exclusive deals, discounts, new product launches, coupon codes and more. The British adopted the same cartridge case, but loaded it with a 200-grain bullet at 650 fps. View Latest Price . It was one of the first revolvers with a cylinder that swung out when a latch . They included the six-shot Model 30 in .32 S&W Long, the five-shot Model 32, and the .22 LR Model 34 Kit Gun. A good looking example. the200 gr was determined by the Hague Convention rules to be inhumane as it tumbles upon striking target. Quite a few were purchased by U.S. importers and sold as a less costly option for the self-defense market. Smith & Wesson: Meet the New 12+1 M&P M2.0 Subcompact Pistol. The Model 642 is a small J-frame revolver chambered in 38 Special with a 5-round capacity and rated for use with +P ammunition. The Smith & Wesson Victory Model and the Enfields can take full .38 Special pressures, which the .38-200 mostly reaches for. Smith & Wesson 640 Engraved SS 2.125" Revolver 5 RD 357 Ma Smith and Wesson 442 Engraved 1.875" Revolver 5 RD 38 Special, Tango Down Vickers Tactical Glock Base Plate Blue 5 Pack. If You Pay With Credit Card The Credit Card Company Will Charge You 4% For Using It Just To Let Everyone Know Thanks. cartridge (technically, the .38 S&W Spl. I still havent found the answer to why, when they switched from 200-grain lead bullets to FMJ bullets, the British and their allies dropped the weight down to 178 grains. Classic Browning Light Twelve Auto-5 Review: Busting Clays With the Old Humpback Shotgun. revolvers were undoubtedly used for arming foreign security personnel and, in the case of the OSS, irregular military units. Gun Review: 1942 Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver customers to the absolute best of our abilities. Smith & Wesson .38 Special Revolvers - Classic Firearms All Types (1000+) F.M. Work was commenced immediately by Ordnance and Smith & Wesson to develop an improved Hammer Block capable of preventing discharge even if the revolver fell several feet, striking on the Hammer. The U.S. Navy had a corpsman die from a dropped revolver discharging, and S&W underwent a crash program to redesign the hammer block. service to the online gun buying experience that is unheard of. The standard ammunition procured for issue with the .38 Spl. Today it is just offered in its signature .460 Mag chambering in both a standard and as the X-treme Velocity Revolver or XVR model. When it comes to the company's modern revolvers, designed in the age of smokeless powder, most can be categorized into the small frame (I and J), medium frame (K and L), large frame (S and N), extra-large frame (X) and .410/.45 caliber (Z frame) models. Theyll have 4-inch barrels, although a small batch were made with 2-inch barrels near the end of the war with the regular square-butt frame. (r.) This original 50-count box of .38 Spl. Shop a selection of .38 special and other centerfire revolvers at Academy Sports + Outdoors. Surplus Good. Chambered in 9mm with a 17+1 capacity, the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 is an updated version of the original M&P9. They were set up to make revolvers, and there were plenty of uses for firearms that didnt necessarily call for something chambered in .45 ACP. It states that the revolver was adopted in 1942 as the official sidearm for all U.S. Navy Flying Personnel, and is widely used by U.S. Marine Corps Flyers, the U.S. Coast Guard and in the Merchant Marine. The gun was marketed for S&W via the Defense Supplies Corp. The Model 642 sells for about $400 to $600, depending on the specific variant and features, and the Model 686 and the Model 10 both cost about $700 to $800. Manufacturers have all they can do to keep up with more modern cartridge demands, so if you have an old .38 S&W and find some ammo, save the brass and reload it. The ones made for Commonwealth purchase had 5-inch barrels; they initially lacked the US Government Property markings, and they acquired others when accepted by the various British services. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! Add to cart. Five-shot capacity. As the hammer cannot be cocked, these revolvers are double action only. Victory Model revolvers had 4" barrels, there was also a little-known variant that was otherwise identical except for having a 2" barrel. BTW, it was the only armament on the aircraft! Since 1852 we've been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. These five-shot J-frames include the standard steel-framed Model 36 in .38 Special, the stainless Model 60 which was later offered in .357 Magnum, the alloy-framed Model 37 and 437, the alloy-framed/stainless barreled Airweight Model 637, and the top-of-the-line Models 337 and 360 (.357 Mag) which use Scandium alloy frames (along with a Titanium cylinder on the 337) and have adjustable rear sights. Victory Model revolvers was manufactured by the Remington Arms Co. I mean, really? SMITH & WESSON All Models :: Gun Values by Gun Digest Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. ), the British government also ordered large numbers of similar sixguns from Smith & Wesson chambered for another cartridge, the .38-200which was essentially the .38 S&W cartridge with a 200-gr. Check to compare Sorry, there are no results in your area. Seller Description. The fact is, Smith & Wesson marketed a perfectly good line of self-defense revolvers as early as 1876 and produced nearly . Known for being durable and reliable, the Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a medium-sized revolver chambered in 357 Mag with a 6- or 7-round capacity. Guns.com's selection won't leave you feeling unprepared. Other features include wood or rubber grips, a choice of barrel lengths, and red ramp front and adjustable white outline rear sights. Frames were open topped with a hinge up front to facilitate simultaneous extraction and ejection, followed by rapid reloading. Buffalo Bore 38 S&W 125 Grain Hard Cast Flat Nose [20.5A/20 ] . A stainless variant of the Model 17, the Model 617, has been around since 1990 and is usually seen with a full-lug barrel, giving it a very L-frame appearance. They were typically chambered in either .32 S&W with a six shot cylinder or .38 S&W with . Mon Feb 27, Outstanding 1944 Us Navy Shipped, Smith & Wesson Victory Academy Sports + Outdoors. Arriving on the scene in the mid-1980s, the carbon steel Model 586 and stainless steel Model 686 took the previous L-frame designs and improved upon them, with the biggest change being to added adjustable sights and expanded barrel length options. Manufacturer model #: 103039. Bulldogs are solid frame. SMITH WESSON 38 New and Used Price, Value, & Trends 2023 Some will have both U.S. and British markings. steel-jacketed bullets, and the cases were head-stamped REM UMC 38 SPL. Standard commercial .38 Spl. There have always been Luger collectors. Under Navy contracts, no inspector was stationed at the plant, and quality of revolvers suffered as a result. The company subsequently renamed it the Model 15 as part of a. The ones made after the design change have a VS as the prefix. Ordnance Dept. Firearms dont get much more iconic than John Moses Brownings legendary Auto-5 semi-auto shotgun, affectionately called the Humpback for its distinctive drop at the rear of the receiver. The S&W .38 Single Action - Gun Digest This gun features current evolution i Smith & Wesson 38 Bodyguard .38 Spl. By this time, he had got out a .38 pistol, which he emptied into the man, who fell back upon the Marine at the machine gun ., As the S&W Victory Model .38 revolver was becoming a commonly issued sidearm, a problem arose that caused a temporary halt in the procurement of the guns. The company produced some 6,125 of these revolvers in September 1940. Victory Model revolvers had 4" barrels, there was also a little-known variant that was otherwise identical except for having a 2" barrel. Revolvers - Top Gun Supply The Smith & Wesson Terrier in .38 SW was the forerunner for the J-frame we know today. Browse our large selection of magazines for great deals on replacement or spare mags for your Smith & Wesson handgun. The rimfire K-frame, or K-22, is also in this family. part of our network, we sell THEIR guns first whenever possible. Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center J-Frame Revolver with Synthetic/Wood Grips $619.99; After rebate: $569.99; In Stock . Smith & Wesson Brings Flat Dark Earth to M&P M2.0 Compact Pistol. Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 38 | Common Issues [Solved] - American Gun Facts Smith and Wesson Revolvers for Sale at Classic Firearms Smith & Wesson didnt drop everything and begin making 1911s, machine guns and artillery pieces. $429.99 View Site. It is built on a polymer frame with reinforced stainless steel chassis, barrel, and slide, and offers a textured grip and 3-dot sights. It was relatively common back in the 1950s and 1960s to find the Commonwealth Victory Models with reamed chambers. In the world of Smith & Wesson semi-auto pistols, the Model 41 sells for well under $1,000, while their M&P series is very affordable, selling for around $300 to $500, depending on the particular model and features. Compare. It was ultimately supplied to every branch of the American armed forces as well as British Commonwealth countries during WWII and continued in . Classics: Smith & Wesson's Victory Revolver in .38 S&W By Patrick Sweeney - September 21, 2021 3 A wartime version of the original Model 10, the Smith & Wesson Victory model is a class WWII collectible. These small revolvers were designed to fire a full power round and are as simple and easy to use as they are . ), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (flint), Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Pistols (perc), United States Patent Firearms Revolvers/Pistols, Century Arms International (CAI) - Shotguns, Smith & Wesson mod 38 Airwieght Snub nose revolver .38 Spl, Smith & Wesson M&P .38 Special US Army Issue, Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 .38 Special Revolver. They expect the same mild recoil of an old S&W Model 10 out of the alloy-framed 442. The five-shot Smith & Wesson with a 3"barrel weighed in about a pound, allowing it to easily slip into a coat pocket. Pros. The overall size and construction add some weight to it, and the gun comes in at 46.3 oz. Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special J-Frame Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 442 38 Special J-Frame, Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center J-Frame Revolver with Synthetic/Wood Grips, Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special J-Frame Revolver with No Internal Lock, Smith & Wesson Model 637 38 Special J-Frame Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 638 38 Special J-Frame Revolver, Smith & Wesson 442 Airweight 38 Special Revolver with Burnt Bronze Finish, Smith & Wesson Model 442 38 Special J-Frame with No Internal Lock, Smith & Wesson 637 Performance Center 38 Special Revolver with Enhanced Action, Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center Revolver with Enhanced Action, Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special J-Frame Revolver with Pink Grips, Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38 Special Revolver with Gray Grips (No Laser), Smith & Wesson Model 637 38 Special J-Frame with Crimson Trace Lasergrip, Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp 357 Magnum Special Performance Center Double-Action Revolver, Smith & Wesson Model 36 Classic 38 Special J-Frame with Wood Grips, Smith & Wesson Model 642 Ladysmith 38 Special Revolver with Wood Grips, Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special Revolver with Crimson Trace Lasergrip, Smith & Wesson Model 438 38 Special Matte Black J-Frame. The 5 Best .38 Special Handguns on the Planet (Ruger and Colt Made the community. The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is a semi-automatic handgun with a switch-barrel design. Serial # is 499016. Smith and Wesson Model 10: The First 38 Special Revolver The Smith and Wesson Model 10 has been in production since 1898 without interruption, first introduced as the Hand Ejector model in the then-new .38 S&W Special. impact without firing., The death of the sailor due the S&W Victory Models flawed hammer block design resulted in the U.S. Navy requesting that Colt .38 revolvers be supplied for future requirements instead of the Smith & Wesson revolvers. As with the J- and K-frames, there are a few different subfamilies in the L-frame tribe including the Distinguished Service Magnum, Distinguished Combat Magnum, the Service Magnum, and the Target Magnum lines. 2007-2023 Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore. CA Compliant (97) DA/SA (1) Double Action (6) Small (7) Snub Nose (4) 10 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 27 (2) . document: From October 1941 to March 1945, Smith & Wesson produced the Caliber .38-200 Revolver for the British Army. This is a Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 chambered in .38 Special. Plus, you'll be the first to hear about our newest giveaways. It shows light use as seen and comes in non-factory plastic case as seen. Pre-war .22 Kit Gun made in 1940, with 4" barrel. Massachusetts-based Smith & Wesson on Wednesday introduced their new 12+1 capacity 9mm M&P M2.0 Subcompact pistol to the handgun market. Smith & Wesson 38 Special Revolvers | Sportsman's Warehouse Available in 9mm and 40 S&W, the Smith & Wesson SD series is designed for personal protection. Then, theres the L-arrow-19 marking and another arrow next to it, which is more info. Search by dot size, magnification, finish, price range, and more, or browse by manufacturers like Bushnell, Burris, Vortex, Leupold, Trijicon, and many others. While the vast majority of the S&W .38 Spl. and 150 ft.-lbs. The .38 S&W case is larger in diameter than the Special, in order to accept the .360- to .361-inch diameter bullets. Head to the range this week with American Rifleman staff as they discuss a trim little repeater from Savage Arms that comes chambered for the .22 WMR cartridge. The improved Hammer Blocks are vastly superior to the old type, samples tested having withstood 90-foot lbs. Smith & Wesson Bodygrd 12056 38 1.875 CT Black/Gray Revolver Out of stock View Details Smith & Wesson 150786 10 Classic DA/SA 4" 6rd Wood Grip Blued Revolver Out of stock View Details Smith & Wesson 103039 M&P Bodyguard 38 Double 1.875" 5rd Gray Polymer Grip Black Stainless Steel Revolver Out of stock View Details It is chambered in 22 LR and built on a blued carbon steel frame. Since the original .38 Colt was smaller in diameter than .38 Smith and Wesson (.357" vs. .362"), the .38 Long Colt and the .38 S&W Special are also smaller in diameter. A SMITH WESSON 38 pistol is currently worth an average price of $515.85 new and $448.93 used . This 1969 Pinned 2 " bbl revolver retains 98% of its blued finish showing only a ver Like-New Smith & Wesson Model 37 Chiefs Special Airweight Revolver serial #J537718, 38 Special, 3 pinned barrel with a bright excellent bore. Four Reasons to NEVER Carry Just a .38 Snubnose Revolver But the need for wartime production rates and a more durable finish soon had the revolvers sporting parkerized finishes and plain wooden grips. Revolvers For Sale | Smith & Wesson Guns It has been reported that some were utilized by couriers, intelligence personnel and other individuals needing a handgun that was a bit more concealable than the standard 4"-barrel revolver. The Smith & Wesson Model 10, previously known as the Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899, the Smith & Wesson Military & Police or the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, is a K-frame revolver of worldwide popularity. Shopping at Guns.com gives you the backing of energy from a 5" barrel. If you have a question about an item, please call or e-mail for more information before placing your order. with an excellent bore. The 7 Best CCW .38 Revolvers - Pew Pew Tactical All Rights Reserved. K-Mart Classics: Remingtons Nylon Rimfires Engineered To Last. Heck, even if it spent the entire war just guarding supplies, thats honest service, and thats enough to make it collectible. 4"-barreled revolvers as made under U.S. Navy and U.S. Smith & Wesson 38 SPECIAL Handguns For Sale | Vance Outdoors This Satin Nickel finished revolver has the appearance of being unfired or tes Smith & Wesson Model 60 Double Action Revolver serial #ADZ6508, 38 Special, 1 7/8 barrel with an excellent bore. Epic 22 Pocket Pistol: The Beretta 71 Jaguar. .38 Single-Action 2nd Model .38 Single-Action 3rd Model (Model of 1891) .38 Single-Action Mexican Model .38 Double-Action 4th Model .38 Safety Hammerless 1st Model .38 Safety Hammerless Army Test Revolver .38 Safety Hammerless 5th Model .44 Frame Model Number Three First Model American Second Model Russian (Old Model) The cartridge was designed in 1877 for the spur-trigger Smith & Wesson Model 2 single-action revolver. Smith & Wesson M&P .38 Special caliber revolver. 38 S&W SPECIAL $569. As well as the flaming bomb ordnance mark and the inspectors initials. 2" Bbl. Smith & Wesson 642 38 Special +P Revolver with LaserMax Laser $ 490.00. Volberg, Small Arms Branch, Chief of Ordnance:[W]e have received advice from Smith & Wesson, Incorporated that they are prepared to produce a limited number of 2" barrel .38 caliber Special revolvers without impairing their production schedule.The War Production Board, under the date May 8, 1944, has given approval for the production by Smith & Wesson of 500 .38 caliber Special 2" barrel revolvers in order to supply essential non-military users. At Guns.com, if an FFL is S&W Revolvers for Sale - Buds Gun Shop According to Smith & Wesson this revolver was manufactured . On the left side is Vega Sac Ca., which was the importer who brought a bunch of these Australian revolvers into the U.S. back in the 1980s. The British revolvers of the time, the Enfield, were chambered for the cartridge the British had adopted in the 1920s, the .38-200, known here as the .38 S&W (no Special). Gun Review: A 1944 Smith & Wesson Victory .38 Special Revolver According to Smith & Wesson this revolver was manufactured in the year 1937. Weekly Ad + Buying Guides Expert Advice. SMITH & WESSON 2nd Model .38 S&W Cal. Safety Hammerless C&R LEMON Smith & Wesson Revolvers You can unsubscribe at anytime. Dating back to the early side-ejector designs of the 1900s, these six-shooters were reliable for both military and police work which led to the model's early designation. Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Model K-38 for sale - Guns International This is a beautiful pistol. Inhabited by the S&W Model 14, this K-frame category revolver is a six-shot .38 Special that runs a 6-inch barrel in most formats and carries adjustable sights. Smith & Wesson | Altamont Company Once the switch to smokeless took hold, the cartridge and groove diameter were matched to the internal diameter of the cartridge case. Near excellent condition with small spot of wear on the sideplate. The included factory letter lists this revolver as having a six inch barrel with Patridge front sight, blue finish, and walnut square butt grips when shipped to E.K. Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Flintlock Misc, Antique (Pre-1899) Rifles - Matchlock/Wheellock Misc, Century Arms International (CAI) - Rifles, Muzzleloading Modern & Replica Rifles (perc), Winchester Rifles - Modern Bolt/Auto/Single, Winchester Rifles - Pre-1899 Bolt/Single Shot, Century Arms International (CAI) - Pistols, Colt Automatic Pistols (.25, .32, & .380 cal), Colt Single Action Revolvers - Modern (22 Cal. The revolvers were the subject of a May 10, 1944, letter from Stuart K. Barnes, vice president of Defense Supplies Corp., to Capt. (2) Smith & Wesson Model 637 Airweight w/Crimson Trace Lasergrip 38 Special 1.88in Matte Silver/Black Revolver - 5 Rounds $769.99 The origins of the .38 S&W date back to 1877, and since that time, the loadings here in the U.S. had been kept mild in deference to the original black powder revolvers and the later top-break bulldog-type revolvers. The manufacturer had no complete set of drawings for the revolver so Ordnance inspection consisted of a visual and manual examination, function, proof and target firing. The M&P was Smith & Wessons K-frame Military & Police revolver which had proven to be popular in the civilian marketplace prior to the war. The M15 itself is a good, proven design that Smith & Wesson originally introduced in 1949 as the K-38 Combat Masterpiece. The "Centennial" name for the series comes from the fact that the Model 40 was released on S&W's 100th anniversary as a company. Below that, theres the FTR/MA 54. SMITH WESSON 38 New and Used Price, Value, & Trends 2023 Hyatt Guns proudly provides a full line of Smith & Wesson revolvers. Best 38 Special Revolvers - 2022 Complete Round-up - Gun Mann The most common early L-frames are in this branch from the family tree, containing the carbon steel-framed Model 581 and stainless steel Model 681, both six-shot .357s with fixed sights. Part of the reason for this policy was to mitigate the logistical problems inherent to having handguns chambered for two different cartridges in oversea theaters. Some of Smith & Wessons best-selling revolvers include the Model 19, Model 29, Model 642, Model 686, and the Model 10, while the most popular semi-auto pistols include the Model 41, M&P9 M2.0, M&P9 Shield, and the SD Series. Many of these revolvers filtered down to British Commonwealth countries over the years. Suitable for concealed carry, the Model 642 is lightweight and dependable. .38 S&W 3 Items Fiocchi Classic .38 S&W Short Ammunition 50 Rounds Full Metal Jacket 145 Grains . But if I do ever find out, Ill let you know. and 175 ft.-lbs. Well, that, and S&W had hit the million-number-mark in serial numbers early in the war, and they had to do something. Use our simple filters to quickly and easily find magazines that are compatible with your pistol. This revolver was designed specifically for the .38 Special cartridge (CTG) and was initially released for sale in 1899. Get Guns.com offers and news!! 5.0 $54.89 Buffalo Bore .38 S&W Ammunition 20 Rounds Lead HC-FN 125 Grains 20.5A/20 4.0 $39.89 Fiocchi Cowboy Action .38 S&W Short Ammunition 50 Rounds Lead Round Nose 145 Gra. Often the exact model is not mentioned, but, based on the numbers made and wide issuance, the odds are that most were the S&W .38 Spl. 12pm-6pm CST Mon As discussed in an Ordnance Dept. Now, a brief aside here: If you do find any actual, real, .38-200 ammunition, or the later FMJ version of it, do notunder any circumstancesfire it in a clanky old Iver Johnson or other top-break revolver even a S&W top-break. A side and bottom profile view of two .38 Smith & Wesson cartridges. Its still in .38 S&Wwhich is a good thing, because its amazingly accurate. Smith & Wesson M&P 340 731. at Brownells. While the Colt Model 601 was the first AR-15 to be mass-produced, there were several design variations that came before during the platform's development. Trusted for more than a century, Smith & Wesson pistols and revolvers have made their marks in the industrys history, while the company remains one of todays top gun manufacturers. View. Because the .38 S&W Special was such a much better round than the .38 S&W, it pretty much replaced it. 6Bbl. The metal surfaces of this like-new revolver retain As-New Smith & Wesson Model 49 Bodyguard Double Action Revolver serial #ABH4889, 38 Special, 1 7/8 barrel with a bright excellent bore. Essentially a Combat Masterpiece but in .357 Magnum rather than .38 Special, this K-frame arrived on hand with the Model 19 while its stainless steel brother is the Model 66, a gun that many feel is the ultimate K-frame. 4"-barreled revolvers as made under U.S. Navy and U.S. In 1877, Smith & Wesson introduced .38 S&W (9x20mm) ammunition designed for its "First Model," a single action, spur-triggered revolver. The Navy initially bypassed the standard procurement procedure of ordering its small arms under the auspices of the U.S. Army Ordnance Dept. Our price: $799.99. Sales of both revolvers and cartridges were brisk. This is a Smith & Wesson 3rd model 38 break top double action revolver made in the late 1800s.It is a 5 shot and chambered for 38 S&W.End of video shout out . The cartridge is one of a few that was born during the age of blackpowder and neatly transitioned into the smokeless powder era. Related products. This 5 alloy frame steel bbl. So, the U.S. loading was (and still is) a 146- or 148-grain round-nose lead bullet at a nominal 650 fps. In a league all its own among the L-frames are the S&W Performance Center 986 Pro models, which have been made in small runs off and on since 2014. A lanyard ring was also attached to the butt. However, its a tack-driver, and once I get some Commonwealth-equivalent ammo loaded up, Ill be stylin. There was also a limited quantity of .38 Spl. The revolvers were the subject of a May 10, 1944, letter from Stuart K. Barnes, vice president of Defense Supplies Corp., to Capt. Guns.com is built to be simple easily organized products, useful descriptions from experts, and support to guide you to the right choice. Heralded by the I-frame S&W Model 32 Terrier chambered in .38 S&Wthe first .38 Special snubs were seen in the 1940s with the exposed hammer Chief's Special. This Property of U.S. Navy marking on the side of a Victory Model revolver (above) has been enhanced with red ink, which was often the case. A hallmark of the "medium-large" L-frame is their full underbarrel lug, typically seen on most models in the family. Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center J-Frame Revolver with Synthetic/Wood Grips $609.00; After rebate: $559.00; In Stock . This was later changed to a 175-gr. If a barrel was cut down from 4" to 2", a portion of the lettering on the barrel would be missing and a replacement front sight would be required, sure indication the gun had been modified. F.M. jacketed bullets, was made by Remington for issue with Victory Model revolvers. How To Know It's A S&W Victory Model: They have a "V" prefix in the serial number. All Rights Reserved, pre-WWII Smith & Wesson Military & Police .38 Special. This course of action, however, soon resulted in problems, and Ordnance eventually got involved. Product Features Chambered in .38 S&W Special +P, the new M&P Bodyguard 38 revolver is double action only and features a 1.875" stainless steel barrel with a lightweight, one-piece aluminum alloy upper frame, making it an ideal choice for concealed carry and personal protection.