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Main Page S&W airweight vs. Sig P232
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: MassNewbie

Hey just lookin for some more info. and input on these two. I wanna buy a small backup/concealed carry and cant make up my mind between the two. Any info. at all would be great. Thanks

Posted by: Cartman

I have a S&W Airweight Titanium, and I've been carying it as an off duty/ backup/ detail/ court gun for years. I feel that the .38 +P round is much better than a 9mm or .380. Yea it only holds 5, but if you get real proficient with your speed loaders, you can reload fast. It is super light, about 14 oz loaded. If you get it with no hammer, you can just thow it in your pocket, and if you had to, even shoot through the pocket. The S&W has my vote.

Posted by: topcop14

While Sig makes some of the best semi auto piostols on the market, I own two, for the application at hand I recomend the Smith Air Light TI A backup/ deep conceilment gun will collect a ton of lint, dirt, sweat and what ever else one can think of. A revolver such as the smith air light can take years of this and when you pull the trigger it will go bang every time. I carry a smith air light TI model 342. The smith can go any were I ussally carry it in my front pocket in a galco or uncle mikes pocket holster. An ankle holster is also an option, though they take a little getting used to. The bottom line carry what is the most confortable for you. If you don't mind cleaning it all the time, I am sure the sig would be great too.

Posted by: Killjoy

I have always been a strong advocate of the S&W snubbie revolvers...it is better go simpler, and a revolver is pretty damn uncomplicated. You point and shoot, no magazines, no slides, and it even works at contact distances (which would knock many autopistols out of battery), or from a pocket (as cartman said). The .38 Special +P round is an excellent round, far superior to the .380 ACP round, though a shade less powerful then the best 9mm Parabellum loads. The Sig 232, while a well made and accurate weapon is heavy for its size, relatively slow to reload (with its European-style heel magazine release), and comes in a marginal caliber.

I personally carry a S&W airweight bodyguard in .38 +P, loaded with Speer 110 Grain loads. The Speer rounds are designed to be particulary effective from short-barreled revolvers. I carry an extra Bianchi speed strip with six rounds in my pocket, and the revolver in a DeSantis speed scabbard and I can easily conceal it under an untucked T-shirt. The snubbie .38 won't win any markmanship medals, but it will easily hit a man at 7 yards and in and that's all you really need. Do yourself a favor and get the .38.

Posted by: SOT

Another vote for the S&W airweight When you go small you want to go simple...nothing more reliable and simple than a S&W revolver.

I have the one with the concealed hammer, that you can still cock for single action fun. Real low profile no snag sights...it's perfect.

Posted by: Wolfman

+1 on the Airweight. Check out the model 638, quite discreet and comfortable.

Or, just sling one of these over your shoulder...

Posted by: PBC FL Cop

S+W airweight, without a doubt

Posted by: Upandcoming

I agree, I also carry a S & W airweight with the inclosed hammer Model 642. Would highly recommend

Posted by: epd111

Seems to be a landslide! I'd vote for the S&W myself. I've carried a model 38 since the day I graduated the academy. Lightweight, takes a beating, can be tossed in the pocket, whatever.

GREAT as a backup!

Posted by: MassNewbie

Looks like its unanimous with the S&W airweight huh? Cant believe there are no die hard Sig guys out there. Great advice and input though. I was leaning towards the revolver anyhow but this makes the decision a lot easier. Now I just gotta find what I want. Thanks again fellas.

Posted by: SOT

I will say right now I am a DIE HARD SIG fan...but the air weight is so superior for the task, I can not dismiss it even if I wanted to.

Posted by: TPRSERG

I also have the S+W 642, and I love it, highly recommended.

Posted by: pahapoika

any thoughts on the S&W 340PD. i like the magnum option.

Posted by: mpd61

Smith snubbies 4-EVAH!!!!!!

Listen, just buy one and quit wondering about 357 mag vs. .38+P cuz that 1.87 inch barrel isn't going to produce a lot of difference between the two.
You could go to a Model 60 3" barrel, but then you're starting to jump up in weight considerably. (24 oz. versus 13-15 oz. airweights)

Posted by: dcs2244

I have carried the S&W Airwieght 442 hammerless .38 for about 20 years (previous to which I carried a Colt .380 SA auto), pictured above in MPD's post. I carry it in a holster secured to my vest by the vest straps. Off duty, I carry it using a Kramer wallet holster in my rear pants pocket...when you have to deploy it, the holster is designed to remain in your pocket.

The revolver is fool-proof: just jam it in your assailants guts and squeeze Mr. Trigger. I use Winchester .38 +P silvertip hollow points, even though they are a tad "hot" for the weapon. I figure I can afford to replace it if saves my life: ones life for a one use gun is pretty cheap insurance. I reckon if I have to deploy the back-up, the situation is pretty desperate and I'm not going to worry about rules/regs: ones mouthpiece can deal with it after the fact.

What counts at the end of the day is: Good Guys, 1; Bode Miller/Kenney POS, 0.

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Posted by: Defense1

I may as well chime in too. I am a fan of the S&W snubbie myself. I carry a S&W 640PD (11oz.), which has a scandium frame. It is a .357 mag., but I fill it with Speer Gold Dot 110 grain loads. Changing magazines with the 232 is just a pain. Between the two, I think that you'd be happier with a snubbie revolver.

Posted by: BB-59

Of the two I would pick the smith. Here are my reasons:

a) Very simple to operate.

b) A more powerful round, (I carry +P .38 HP).

c) Easy to fix a malfunction, pull the trigger again!

d) Can fire at any angle.

c) More tolerant of ammo.

d) Less weight.

When I got involved 17 years ago allot of those things I put here, were after thoughts. I thought all those off duty guys and detective were to behind the times or not "as smart" as me. I learned the hard way that it was hard to conceal a 44 special or .357.

I also learned that at close range and drawing from concealment that fine motor skills and malfunction clearing are a lot harder to do under actual conditions than on a nice clear day at the range.

Posted by: firefighter39

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB-59

Of the two I would pick the smith. Here are my reasons:

a) Very simple to operate.

b) A more powerful round, (I carry +P .38 HP).

c) Easy to fix a malfunction, pull the trigger again!

d) Can fire at any angle.

c) More tolerant of ammo.

d) Less weight.

When I got involved 17 years ago allot of those things I put here, were after thoughts. I thought all those off duty guys and detective were to behind the times or not "as smart" as me. I learned the hard way that it was hard to conceal a 44 special or .357.

I also learned that at close range and drawing from concealment that fine motor skills and malfunction clearing are a lot harder to do under actual conditions than on a nice clear day at the range.

So simple even a firefighter like me can use it - I've carried a S&W snubbie for over 20 years now - great little gun!

Posted by: dcs2244

I just suggested the same (S&W Airweight) at another site in response to a query from a 65 YOA widow. A lotta people at that site were suggesting Bersa and other autos: my point was the same as here...simple and reliable for the use she intended (she was concerned that in her state if she qualified on a revolver for "concealed carry permit" she would not be allowed to carry an auto concealed...apparently in that state you can carry anything concealed if you qual on an auto...). The guys suggesting autos were former cops and military...the comments were the reverse of here.

Posted by: BB-59

I have never understood the reasoning that women, (old or young), can only use tiny semi automatics in a caliber that is a not adequate for the task, (self defense and practice shooting).

The minimum caliber for self protection, (in my humble opinion), is 9mm or .38. Also, she has to find a way to carry it that keeps in concealed but can be utilized efficiently and quickly should the need arise. A pocket book is not the best place for it do to the fact that once you put it down, there goes your access plus you loose control of that weapon.

Unless like my wife's pocket book that weighs in excess of 3o lbs. No, she does not carry a gun, if the need arises she will hit, or throw it at the attacker and that should disable all but an NFL linebacker. (Or plan "B" let the 100lbs of German Shepherd go who my wife used to spoon feed and is very protective)!

Posted by: blueleader

my wife had a Magnum Research 50 cal strapped on to her
vacuum cleaner and she hated it. it doubled the weight of the
Oreck, so i got her a S&W airweight
and no more complaints-----well just one---i didn't get the
hammerless model, so it's always catching on the bed sheets and
curtins. so i would suggest the no exposed hammer model

blueleader

Posted by: dcs2244

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB-59

Unless like my wife's pocket book that weighs in excess of 3o lbs.

BB, Whats the difference between a woman's pocketbook and her car?

About 100# of useless junk!

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB-59

I have never understood the reasoning that women, (old or young), can only use tiny semi automatics in a caliber that is a not adequate for the task, (self defense and practice shooting).

My wife doesn't have an LTC, but she does know how to shoot. Inside my bedside lock box is my old S&W Model 10 4" revolver (first police weapon) loaded with Federal 158gr +P LSWCHP rounds. Anyone who breaks-in when I'm not home and she is, is in for a nasty surprise.

Posted by: BB-59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

May I suggest that she get the LTC. For $100.00 for 6 years it goes along way to avoid the legal entanglements of how an unlicensed person got control of a gun registered to a licensed person who is not in control of it as required by MA law.

Now before everyone jumps on this take a breath, look at that nice billboard that is endorsed by our Governor, the Colonel of the State Police and god knows how many other police chiefs that represent us and remember this is the great liberal bastion of MA where defending one self is frowned upon.

And so know one misunderstands me it kills me to have to put this in but the sad part of this state is even though defending ones life from someone breaking into a locked dwelling should be a no brainier, some righteous asswhole will demand justice be served.

Of course not on the scumbag who broke in, but the poor individual who refused to be a victim.

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Posted by: mikemac64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delta784

Anyone who breaks-in when I'm not home and she is, is in for a nasty surprise.

Watch your back and announce your presence with authority!!!

Posted by: Delta784

Quote:

Originally Posted by BB-59

She has a firearms FID (not just chemical spray), but would never leave the house with a gun, even if she had a machine-gun license.

Posted by: M4USER

One more vote for the J-frame. It's been around since the early 60's and keeps on delivering the goods. The 442 makes a great BUG.

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