GC
Well-known member
I have carried a gun professionally for most of my adult life. The guns have been general issue unit/agency/department and at other times very mission-specific, rifles, shotguns, handguns, and a few others with a fun switch with no limits. Despite whatever main armament I was packing, I have utilized an S&W Airweight .38 snubby for a long time as a last-ditch backup. I may have had a rifle, sub-gun, shotgun, or service-size handgun, but I nearly always had an Airweight snubby hidden somewhere on my person. At times, such as working undercover narcotics, the little snubby was all I could hide and was the primary weapon in case things went bad for me. On two occasions that little .38 saved me from certain harm. Over the years I have tried several versions from S&W and put them all to serious carry and service. Whatever else I may have, nearly always a snubby is within reach. Now in retirement, I just purchased what is likely to be the last version of the genre I will ever need.
The S&W Ultimate Carry J-frame. I chose the .38 version, though the .32 has a lot going for it. S&W really nailed it with this gun. I have about 350 rounds through it and can't find a fault. It has become my "always gun." The wife and I went for a hike out back this afternoon and the little lightweight went with us. A CCI shot load was up first for the onery copperhead we might run across and that was followed up by four 150 gr. hard cast full wadcutter loads that clock 868 fps from this barrel. Underwood Ammo does a good job with a poly-coated hard cast bullet that drives deep and cuts a nice clean wide hole. A Speed Strip holds reloads and tucks away unnoticed in the watch pocket of my jeans. Here at my house trouble would most likely come from a temperamental copperhead, and varmints of opportunity like skunks, coons, groundhogs, and coyotes are the most common misbehavers in the area. A young male black bear hung around for a couple of days a month ago but he has probably moved on looking for love. There aren't many two-legged threats out here but even if a knucklehead was looking for trouble he wouldn't like the reception he would get if he pressed his luck. I have other handguns, more than a few, and I am prepared for whatever comes my way and am always packing something. Whatever else I may have, you can bet my always gun isn't far off.
The S&W Ultimate Carry J-frame. I chose the .38 version, though the .32 has a lot going for it. S&W really nailed it with this gun. I have about 350 rounds through it and can't find a fault. It has become my "always gun." The wife and I went for a hike out back this afternoon and the little lightweight went with us. A CCI shot load was up first for the onery copperhead we might run across and that was followed up by four 150 gr. hard cast full wadcutter loads that clock 868 fps from this barrel. Underwood Ammo does a good job with a poly-coated hard cast bullet that drives deep and cuts a nice clean wide hole. A Speed Strip holds reloads and tucks away unnoticed in the watch pocket of my jeans. Here at my house trouble would most likely come from a temperamental copperhead, and varmints of opportunity like skunks, coons, groundhogs, and coyotes are the most common misbehavers in the area. A young male black bear hung around for a couple of days a month ago but he has probably moved on looking for love. There aren't many two-legged threats out here but even if a knucklehead was looking for trouble he wouldn't like the reception he would get if he pressed his luck. I have other handguns, more than a few, and I am prepared for whatever comes my way and am always packing something. Whatever else I may have, you can bet my always gun isn't far off.
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