By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2024
ABOUT SMITH & WESSON
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1877 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world’s first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899, the .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduces the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, an entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 – Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 was introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE LIPSEY’S EXCLUSIVE S&W ULTIMATE CARRY J-FRAME
In the summer of 2022, Lipsey’s Guns out of Louisiana began discussions on a special project in conjunction with Smith & Wesson. Lipsey’s didn’t just want cosmetic changes like a Cerakote finish but wanted to optimize the J-Frame platform into something special, and the Ultimate Carry J-Frame was born. This pistol has features such as a Novak-style rear sight, a smoother trigger, G10 grips, and the “Endurance Package” upgrade, which includes titanium pins instead of aluminum for durability.
THE FRAME
The basis of the Ultimate Carry is the Smith & Wesson J-Frame, which debuted in 1950. Features include a “no lock” Airweight aluminum frame, and the internals bring the trigger pull down with their optimized geometry and springs. A prominent feature of the Ultimate Carry is the grips. The VZ G10 UC grip covers the back strap for a better firing grip, and the “High Horn” style goes all the way to the top of the backstrap for a higher grip and reduced recoil in the web of the hand. The grip bottom is flush “boot” cut for maximum concealment, with the left side of the grip relieved for speed loader use.
THE CYLINDER & BARREL
The cylinder features chamfered charge holes for more effortless loading, a beveled front edge for easy holstering, and an enclosed ejector rod shroud.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Double-Action-Only Revolver
Caliber: .38 Special +P or 32 H&R Magnum
Magazine Capacity: 5/6 Rounds
Sights: XS Tritium front sight w/ green ring, Dovetailed black serrated U-notch rear sight
Barrel Length: 1.88 Inches
Overall Length: 6.3 Inches
Width: 1.3 Inches
Weight: 16 Ounces
MSRP: $759
URL: www.lipseysguns.com
THE VERDICT
It appears that Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson have accomplished their goal of the ultimate carry revolver. The two main issues were the sights and the grips, and the redesign was successful.
Both calibers are available in blued and stainless-steel models.
Check one of these out at your S&W dealer.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.
Contact him at [email protected].