Opinions on the humpback

[DCWilson]

I'm a huge fan of the humpback style and have both a 649 and 296.

The 649 can be used as a single-action revolver in case the need ever arises, but the 296 is analogous to the Centennial -- enclosed hammer, DA only.

The 296 is just too light to shoot comfortably, so I put a steel cylinder in it. The extra couple of ounces really help. And shock-absorber grips would help too; I'll get around to adding them some day.

One of these days I will add a Big Dot sight to the 649 as well.

 

[shep854]

If CT came out with a wood grip, I'd be strongly tempted.

 

[tripledipper]

In airweight type revolvers, of which I have a 642-1, a 38-2 and a Colt Cobra, the Colt probably feels the best in my hand but the shrouded hammer 38 is my choice over the 642. Got rid of a 649, just too heavy for concealed carry for me.

 

[cjtraining]

Some of each.

I have fifteen of these little beauties.

 

[gunny4053]

I have fifteen of these little beauties.

OK, time to dry off the keyboard.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

The first time I seen a "humpback" I thought, "What an ugly gun."

Now it's one of my favorites!

For lightweight pocket carry.......

When weight isn't an issue.......

Sumthin' in between........

Here's a little lightweight, "two tone" action.......

Here's a workin' gun group shot........

A group shot of the Airweights.......

 

[JCS&W]

Humpbacks are...well...so ugly that they are cute. I have two humpbacks, a M49 and a M296ti. My M49 is a great pocket carry piece, yes it is heavier than other models, but it does not bother me. Here is my M49

 

[ladder13]

When weight isn't an issue.......

A 357? Be still my heart

 

[ogilvyspecial]

A 357? Be still my heart

Yeah, I got lucky on that one while looking for a blued humpback.

When I seen that it had a forged hammer & trigger
and came with box & papers it was a done deal.

 

[ladder13]

Yeah, I got lucky on that one while looking for a blued humpback.

When I seen that it had a forged hammer & trigger
and came with box & papers it was a done deal.

I've been looking for one and even have a WTB ad in the classifieds. Those are very hard to come by without the lock. Yours is a beauty.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I've been looking for one and even have a WTB ad in the classifieds. Those are very hard to come by without the lock. Yours is a beauty.

Thanks! I was standing at the case and there were at least 3 blued humpbacks
with the 649-3 sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb. I tried staying on track
so I looked at the others before saying, let me see "that one."
The rest, as they say, is history..............

 

[SAFireman]

I just acquired my 2nd Humpback....the first one was sold after a period of non-use about 15 years ago.

Yesterday, I stumbled on a '74 vintage model 49 while looking for something else....the rest is history.

I don't have photos of it yet, but I will tell you that it has 'history' in the bluing.

 

[Rapidray]

I just acquired my 2nd Humpback....the first one was sold after a period of non-use about 15 years ago.

Yesterday, I stumbled on a '74 vintage model 49 while looking for something else....the rest is history.

I don't have photos of it yet, but I will tell you that it has 'history' in the bluing.

This might be interesting, was it at the Alamo?

 

[SAFireman]

This might be interesting, was it at the Alamo?

It might have been carried by Crockett or Bowie perhaps? I guess I will have to pull the grips off and look for some initials

BTW - that's the best story line I have heard for a used gun in a while

 

[Kavinsky]

I'm just going to throw this out there.

Just because its steel doesnt mean it can take the +p loads, those loads beat up any J frame regardless of the age, frame construction and vintage.

So just use the factory rated ammo with 158 grain rounds and hollowpoints and you should be fine, plus well the +p will do more damage to your hearing than the normal velocity rounds and a heavier bullet is what does the job, not just the velocity.

and todays ammo is probably on average more powerfull than what they had back in the day so theirs no need to hotrod it to begin with I figure.


and the 49 is a very nice gun, I got my pre dash with PGS grips on it and its a lovely well fitting gun for someone with big hands like me thanks to those grips, these ones

Precision Gun Specialties

the ones with the finger groves, the ho-3's I believe.


like on the one with the 442 here:

Grips for S&W j-frame revolver that won't interfere w/speed loaders? - Glock Talk

just make sure you put some DA practice in with snap caps and some range time as they take a little getting used to but once you do you'll never wanna go for another gun after that.

although honestly I think if I wasnt too keen about keeping the thing original I'd probably have the groves on the trigger melted off as they do start to really bite into your trigger finger with alot of snap cap practice, but that is literally my ONLY gripe about the thing.

and with the weight just get a good holster and stick it on your belt or something although it seems to disapear into the inner brest pocket of a heavy leather jacket well

 

[BigBoku]

The Mighty Humpback is a great alternative, I pocket carry my .38 Special 649 No dash everyday in a Kramer Pocket Holster, Shes loaded with Speer 135 grain +P GDHP and wearing factory medallion grips and a Tyler T grip.

 

[MikeChandler]

I'm just going to throw this out there.

Just because its steel doesnt mean it can take the +p loads, those loads beat up any J frame regardless of the age, frame construction and vintage.

I respectfully disagree.

The 649-3 and 649-5 are rated for .357 and can shoot p+ all day long without breaking a sweat; if you examine the normal 649 and compare it to the 357 model, you will see not only the heavier barrel, but where they beefed up the frame with a couple more ounces of steel. My 649-5 weighs nearly as much as a Ruger SP101, and nobody would question shooting p+ out of that gun.

 

[MikeChandler]

To the OP:

My love song to the humpback has already completed today, but I'll string up for a few more verses tomorrow when somebody asks again.

Here's the replay (and I'm still enjoying my smokey):

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...rite-smith-pocket-revolver.html#post136371753

 

[ispcapt]

My blued 49 has over 5000 rds of W-W or Fed 158 LSWC+P. I'm sure of the round count because I know how many years I carried it and how many rds I had to fire each year for qual plus how many rds the guy who owned it before me had to shoot each year.
If you compare it to a new gun you'll notice it is a little bit loose but if you don't have it next to a tight gun to compare you most likely won't pick up the bit of cylinder play. It will still drop them in the black bullseye at 25 yds. It may not last another 100 rds, might go another 5000, who knows. But I know it's lasted this long which is more +P than most will shoot thru any gun.

 

[gunny4053]

So, correct me if I misinterpreted your many replies, but you think the 49 would be a good buy?

Thanks to all of you, I think Tuesday when they open it's going to get set aside.