Anyone know if S&W is making the 638 without the lock?

I don't believe so. I wish they would, I'd buy a 438 no-lock in a heartbeat.

There are quite a few used Model 38 revolvers out there. The only downside is they aren't +P rated.

There are pre lock 638 revolvers out there, but S&W isn't currently offering new production 638s sans lock AFAIK.
I too would buy a 438 no lock but for the meantime my delocked 438 will do. It doesn't bother me as much on the Bodyguards and Centennials since they didn't change the frame shape for the lock like on the Chief Specials.

The 638-2 offers the best features of all the 638's. Introduced in 1996 and I believe produced up through 2002 and the introduction of the 638-3; the 638-2 was the last of the non-internal lock 638's, but more importantly, it was the first 638 to carry a factory Plus-P rating.

I bought this one new in 1997. Model 638-2

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Found my 638-2 after seeing the one above!

It took a little time looking but they do pop up on the used market from time to time.

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I thought the general understanding was that any revolver with a cockable hammer WILL have an internal lock, no exceptions. Only the "hammerless" models have the choice of a lock or not.

For current production; I believe that is the policy.

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Gotta love the bodygurad frames. SA is too handy. Lock or no lock isn't really that big of a deal aside from having to put a Lock Delete parts kit in the lock models. I didn't look for a no lock since I was set on a 438, dig the black frames. Found mine as a N.I.B. old stock from an FFL in ohio on the interweb. Not sure if the 438 was ever a no lock model. Threw a Titanium set in mine and never looked back.

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R/S
J.D.

I had a lock but one night it just vanished ???

If it’s got an exposed hammer, it’s got a lock....

Yeah, that happened to the one on my 638, too. Nothing left but a silver plug. Left the key behind, though. Very mysterious.

My 638 is a no lock +P rated version. #CFA8536, what year is it?

You can always plug it...

I couldn’t find a CFA

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Two Handguns every day

Here it is,

They can handle +P easily. Shooting the slightly hotter stuff all the time may hasten wear, but you won't blow the gun up.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thinking about my no lock 638, when did they etch the serial number under the cylinder like it has?? None of my other Js are marked this way.

Some have serial numbers there?

Is it possible the frames were for overseas sale or LEO in the US?

I'm with ya. My M38 ('72) is carried with +p. I've shot a few +p cylinder loads through just to verify poi as well. Nothing bad happened. Wasn't pleasant, but like you said, the gun didn't blow up. When it goes to the range though, it's standard pressure wadcutters from here on out.

But, having a +p rating is one of the reasons I picked up a new 442-1 to replace the M38 in my pocket. That, and I wanted a 442 for a while and the price was right.

I looked for a couple years to find this one at a LGS this spring. It evidently doesn't have too many rounds through it. As the story goes, the original owner carried this one and practiced with another. That's smart if true. Once you've verified the revolver works with your carry ammo, anything beyond that is just additional wear and tear. Anyway, I picked it up for $349, not a steal by any means for a used J Frame, but it came with the Craig Spegal Boot Grips and Kramer pocket holster pictured. It's a 638-2, and it is not marked +P on the barrel, but it does have the frame enhancements of the lock guns. It should be fine with +P, but I like the idea of practicing with an IL 638 (or my 642).

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