649 .357 Magnum

[DoubleDelta]

I was fortunate enough to to get my hands on a new to me 649-5
Serial # CYD0713. I would like to get some information on the weapon. Also I’d like to hear about your experiences and opinions of said weapon. Thanks DD.

[629shooter]

Nice find. The -5s are current production. But, the 649s aren't out in the wild like the Model 60 and 640s.

Yours also has Pachmayr Compac grips on it which in my opinion, are one of the best in terms of comfort if you plan on shooting Magnum loads.

Someone has also Changed the thumb peice to the "old style." Enjoy your new revolver.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[giants1]

Congrats!

I bought the exact same model, made in 2001, earlier this month; it's my first revolver. Honestly, it's a labor of love learning how to shoot the double action trigger smoothly.

629shooter, S&W stopped production of this model in late 2021 or early 2022, per their website and on-line vendors.

[chief38]

I own a bunch of J frame Chief Specials but not a Bodyguard model. Still, other than the hammer shroud, it's the same gun. Personally I would not use Magnums in a J Frame. They are a bit difficult to handle especially when having to rapid fire. You also loose quite a bit of velocity from a 2" bbl. negating some of the Magnum advantage. One of the +P 38 specials (Buffalo Bore, Gold Dot, Federal HST) will perform admirably out of the 2" bbl. and be a whole lot easier to handle and shoot accurately.

IMHO, 2" J Frames should be shot with +P 38 Spl. loads - but that's only my personal opinion. I guess after you try a few Magnum loads you will decide for yourself.

[DoubleDelta]

I took my 649-5 to the power line and fired it
with 3 different loads

My favorite was the 125gr XTP over 7.3grs of W-231; book velocity is 1335fps
These are accurate and easy to shoot given the 24.6oz weight of my 649
Pics below of recovered XTP and 7 yard target

Another .357 magnum load with 158gr was tolerable but not uncomfortable

125gr XTP over 7grs of Longshot = 1228 muzzle velocity a 38+P load. Which is a *****cat in the 649

Since my 649 is a .357 I’ll stick with the magnums

[1sailor]

Those grips are a lot more comfortable than the stock grips. Another good option is the Uncle Mike's Combats. I run these on all my round butt revolvers. If I didn't already own an M&P340 I would definitely buy a 649.

[GR1978]

Great find congratulations. The bodyguards are great guns.

[THE PILGRIM]

Have had a 649 for a few years.
Usually load it with 38 +P.

[MR.G]

Bodyguard 649 is great for pocket carry.

[41 mag Dave]

My 649-5 has Pachmayr Compac grips like yours. I carry Hornady 125gr XTP loaded with 11.4 gr of True Blue with a Federal 200 Primer. It clocks 1349 fps over the chronograph. It will be enough, we don't have Grizzlies in Missouri.

[kaaskop49]

I've found the 110gr JHP .357 loads to be controllable in steel snub magnums, the Model 60 and Ruger SP101.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[Bill Lear]

A 24 ounce .357 magnum doesn't really kick a whole lot less than a 12.5 ounce version...it's as if you pass a threshold of pain that renders you incapable of detecting the difference between bone bruising recoil and bone fracturing recoil!
I've yet to find any factory .38 spl load that can even come close to doing justice to a .357 magnum, they are simply too weak. I do however, recommend heavier slugs in the range of 158 grain for the all barrel length .357 magnums used for personal defense carry which won't kick any harder than hot 125s, but will come closer to insuring a full pass-through in a large torso which gives confidence the vitals were properly penetrated. Fast moving 125s can fail to go deep enough in a large, "porculent" torso.

[DoubleDelta]

Speaking from first hand experience weight makes a lot of difference in felt recoil
Whether you’re shooting handguns or rifles

Ie. .357 magnum 125gr bullets at 1400fps fired in
Airlite .357 that weighs 12 ounces = 20ftlb of recoil
649 .357 that weighs 24 ounces = 10ftlb of recoil