Originally Posted by
Rodfac
My choice for a good .38 special is actually two: both Smiths...models 66 & 19. I particularly like the added benefit that they'll take .357's if that's what's available. Mine are equally accurate with 3.5 gr of BE in Spl brass & Lyman's 35891 as well as 4.0 gr of BE in Magnum cases, same bullet. 4" bbl'd Chrono data (850 fps) is virtually the same for both loads. I size them to 0.358" with ACWW alloy for those of you interested.
Dale: The model 15 you describe was the USAF issue revolver for flight crews during my 1st tour in Vietnam, 1970. Mine was an almost new one, but suffered (or I should say I suffered, from its Magna grips that left the 2nd finger unsupported while firing).
The gun was primarily a signaling device with small .38 Special flare rounds that we were supposed to fire up through the triple canopy when shot down! Unfortunately, they looked a lot like US tracer which the VC had in abundance, so I know of no one that actually used them as designed. Several weeks into my tour, I returned it to the squadron armorer at Bien Hoa and acquired a .45 1911, courtesy of the 5th Spl Forces guys I was flying for and living with. Later, my predecessor left his Hi Power when he DEROS'd. Flying O-1E Bird Dogs, (Army = L-19), our primary weapon, ground or flight, was a CAR-15...predecessor to the M4. Slung from the cockpit door ejection handle with two bandoliers of magazines, it was a hellofa weapon if needed.
Best Regards, Rod