Story time. Probably 7-8 years ago I bought a new in the box S&W 638. Back then I was into the latest and greatest handguns available. Glocks, Sigs, whatever. The 638 (or any revolver) seemed like a ridiculous choice when i could carry a Glock 26 or some other small caliber gun with more rounds. Then I held one and decided I wanted one. I went to a local gun show and found one new so i bought it and got a Desantis pocket holster for it.
I carried that 638 every single day. I loved it. Was small enough to carry in my pocket no matter what I was doing. When I became a CHL instructor (now in Texas its LTC) I went to take my qualification course in Round Rock, TX where DPS has their range and had to use a semi and a revolver for that qualification. I was with folks who where shooting much longer barreled revolvers and all I had was my 638. One idiot was shooting a S&W 500 with an 8 inch barrel the class before me.
In fact I was so self conscious thinking to myself maybe I had too small of a revolver I went and asked the firearms instructor who was a DPS Sgt if I was ok to shoot the 638.
"Absolutely....in fact that's the type of revolver that is honestly more practical" he said.
I scored 100 with that little gun. It was an all around great gun and carried it for a long while until a divorce and the financial stuff that goes with it forced me to sell it. I regretted it.
So now several years later, happily remarried to a gal that doesnt mind I like guns I came across another one. I had an old Kahr PM9 that was decent. I just didnt care for it. Not knocking Kahr but it wasnt my thing. I found a guy selling one new in box from his gun shop and turns out he wanted a PM9. So I traded him the PM9 and walked out with a new S&W 638.
Man, how I missed this revolver. I still had the holster (and several others) from my previous 638 as well as ammo. Only thing I added was the small Hogue grip because my old one had those and I like it.
People talk about how ugly the 638 with the hammer shroud. I used to think so too. But after a while I grew to actually like the look. I do like the ability to fire single action with it. Plus its just a fun little gun.
I dont really get into the debate of choosing something with a higher capacity. I have a G19 for carry. My 638 gets to go along too. And I will be honest. There are times when I cant or dont want to carry my G19 so having the 638 is nice.
This Garret Industries is a great IWB option but mostly I just slip it in my pocket. Absolutely glad I picked up another 638. I am hanging on to this one.
I too have a 20+ year love of a Model 38/638. They are wonderful little guns and have proven to be surprisingly accurate and very easy to pocket carry. This and my Benelli M1 Riot Gun are my 2 most favored fire arms and I have a lot of Colt 1911s.
Good catch and great photos sir! I have one on layaway at the local FFL - I just need time to gin up the $360 for it ... I also like your picture of it in the Kydex holster - being slow of mind - I didn't realize anyone was lining Kydex with leather. I went to their site - they aren't cheap but I think the same holster might also fit my 360J and 637.
I have a 637, and had a very hard time learning to shoot it with any accuracy. I actually thought of getting rid of it. I shot pretty well with the S&W 60, Komber K6S, and Colt Cobra. It seemed the main issue was weight, not barrel length.
Then I tried a real tight grip, I mean REALLY tight, and my shooting immediately improved 100%. Now, I'm sure glad I didn't let this gun go.
Some folks talk about how thier 637, 638, 642 looks. I never think about how it looks. It's a great tool, and fits an important niche in my defense system. It's the only gun that I can tolerate while wearing gym shorts. Of course, a 642 would be less likely to snag in gym shorts. The Kimber has no hammer, but the extra 10 ounces pulls my shorts down. Well, there's a gun show next month.
I've always liked J framed snubbies and have had my share of them over the last 30 years. Mod 60s,37s, 38,49,649,637s,442,642, 638, 360, 342....
Of all of them though. Two do stand out: My current (bobbed) carry 360PD for it's ( super!) lightness and my 638 for it's versatility and style. The 638 is one of the few I regret letting go...then again, like you I will likely stumble into another at some point!:-)
Enjoy your new love.
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Dave
Last edited by Wee Hooker; 08-10-2017 at 09:01 PM.
I had a 438 that had issues and went back to smith. They replaced the gun. I stupidly sold it off to another officer and then bought a "reliable" Glock 26.
I have other j frames and prefer the weight of the 640. But if I get an airweight it will be a 438/638
Good catch and great photos sir! I have one on layaway at the local FFL - I just need time to gin up the $360 for it ... I also like your picture of it in the Kydex holster - being slow of mind - I didn't realize anyone was lining Kydex with leather. I went to their site - they aren't cheap but I think the same holster might also fit my 360J and 637.
Yeah Garrett Industries isn't the cheapest holster especially for a relatively inexpensive 638. But it's top notch quality. Plus it doesn't take long at all to get one. Maybe a week if that.
I also use an leather Blackhawk holster that works really good too.
I carry my 638 at least twice a day when I take my dog for a walk. Just slip it and a speed loader in my front pants pocket & am ready to go. Before I got this one time I had a dog that wanted a piece of me but I backed him down. Never without a gun when out for a walk again
The revolver was king in my rookie year, 1968 and I still carry a J frame in retirement. My thirty-eight got me out of a few close calls during my 30 year career and while there are more modern guns, that's where my comfort level is. Current EDC is a 340PD
I have wanted a 638 for more than 20 years! Here in NJ, buying a handgun isn't the easiest thing to do. I hadn't bought a handgun since the '90s.
Now that my kids are older, I'm getting back into target shooting. I recently applied for several purchase permits. I wanted a .45 Shield, and got it while the 1st rebate was going on.
A very timely thread----Went to the local watering hole this morning to get my wife a belly band holster for her 637 and came back home with the holster AND a new 638. Can't wait to shoot it.Got a couple of boxes of Hornady +P critical defense-110 grainers to try out. I think it is a purty little gun.
A 638 was my first CCW back when Kentucky issued CDW licenses in 1996. (yes, ours are labeled Concealed Deadly Weapons License). I put a set of Barami Hip Grips on it and carried it at 5 o'clock for close to 20 years. I then went to a 3913 for a short period, then to my now current carry gun, a 9mm Shield.
Then I foolishly sold my 638 about 5 years ago. I had sent it back to S&W within the first 4-5 years of ownership, due to the satin nickle finish flaking off, (didn't know I wan't supposed to use Hoppes) and they refinished it. It was beginning to flake off again under the grips, (now DeSantis Clip Grips) and I had stopped shooting it. That was a big mistake.
Now I want another one, but I want one without the lock. My little 638 would shoot cloverleaf groups at 7 yards with my 148 gr. HBWC loads, and didn't do much worse at 15 yards. I'll have another one someday. This thread just makes me want one more. Thanks for the pictures! Here's my old girl, just before I screwed up.
A 638 was my first CCW back when Kentucky issued CDW licenses in 1996. (yes, ours are labeled Concealed Deadly Weapons License). I put a set of Barami Hip Grips on it and carried it at 5 o'clock for close to 20 years. I then went to a 3913 for a short period, then to my now current carry gun, a 9mm Shield.
Then I foolishly sold my 638 about 5 years ago. I had sent it back to S&W within the first 4-5 years of ownership, due to the satin nickle finish flaking off, (didn't know I wan't supposed to use Hoppes) and they refinished it. It was beginning to flake off again under the grips, (now DeSantis Clip Grips) and I had stopped shooting it. That was a big mistake.
Now I want another one, but I want one without the lock. My little 638 would shoot cloverleaf groups at 7 yards with my 148 gr. HBWC loads, and didn't do much worse at 15 yards. I'll have another one someday. This thread just makes me want one more. Thanks for the pictures! Here's my old girl, just before I screwed up.
Great story and congrats. I too have been hankerin' for an airweight humpback and this thread nudged me enough to remedy that. Found a 438, the discontinued black version, for a good price and it should be at my FFL by the end of the week.
I'm a big humpback fan. Pictured are my Model 638-1 (top) and my Model 649-0 (lower). The Model 638 is equipped with CT LG-405 laser grips, and the Model 649 wears CT LG-105 laser grips.