New Model 649 without lock - fair price

[oldafsp]

Having fired a .357 j frame one time only, was all it took for me. That was just rude. It was difficult to control and the muzzle blast was severe, to say the least.

I carried a nickle 49 for years and now appreciate my 638 even more. +p rated, light and dependable..even with the IL.

I practice every other week with it. 100 rounds. So far, 700+ rounds through it and 0 issues.

The best part, price and the lifetime warranty..and piece of mind.

 

[photoman]

Thanks for all the input the last few posts really got me reconsidering my choice of caliber in a J-frame Bodyguard model. The gun would be for HD and having fun at the range. No CCW here in Hawaii. I already have my 686 Plus for. 357 magnum fun. I would save a lot of coin going with a Model 638 or a Model 649 in 38 spl. I'll see what is offered in Gunbroker and go from there.

This is a great forum.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

Honestly, I think you would find that very rarely would you be shooting magnums in it. I had a no dash 649 (.38 Special only) for a while then sold it and still regret that.

 

[mauiblue]

I finally made up my mind recently and bought a Model 638 from Bud's Gun Shop. Price was right and it was in stock. It did make sense to get a .38 spl caliber. Now to buy more ammo .

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[wrangler5]

I did like the slight extra length of ejector rod on the magnum 649, and the slightly longer barrel made it slightly more pleasant for long range sessions (the range is an hour each way from my house, so I tend to stay for a while, and I actually enjoy shooting the J frames more than my Ks.) But like oldafsp I fired exactly one (1) magnum round out of the gun, just to say I'd done it. Even with the large, cushy Pachmayr Decelerator grip it hurt.

But the weight limits the daily utility of a 649 for me. Bud's has shipped a new 638, which I expect will arrive early next week. I've had a no-dash 49 for decades, which has always been a great shooter but it too is heavy for a pocket. Looking forward to its lighter weight cousin.

 

[mauiblue]

Hey wrangler5 did you get your new Model 638? I just got mine this afternoon. I am amazed how light it is. The box it came in with was a S&W cardboard box. My dealer said it must be old stock and the new stock is in a plastic case. Really? I guess it doesn't matter as it is new from Bud's. The gun is clean unlike another forum member's gun who posted that his revolver was quite dirty coming from the factory.

My dealer is telling me this revolver will have quite some recoil because of the small size and light weight. I'll start shooting with some American Eagle ammo and try some +P rounds to see how things size up.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I bought 2 new M638's earlier this year, one for myself & the other I gave
to one of my son's for his birthday, and both came in cardboard boxes.

Since my first two posts in this thread a couple of things have happened so I'll give an update.

First, I got some pictures of my M649-3

Second thing is, I picked up "a" M649

 

[wrangler5]

Hey wrangler5 did you get your new Model 638? I just got mine this afternoon. I am amazed how light it is. The box it came in with was a S&W cardboard box. < snip >

I got mine a couple of days ago and took it out for its first exercise the next day. Mine was pretty clean, but there was evidence of blast rings on the front of the cylinder, and the remains of a blast line on the top strap above the end of the barrel. Didn't matter, though, as it got a lot dirtier real fast.

I've had a 442 for more than a year, and the 638 seems to weigh about the same. But for some reason I found the 638 more comfortable to shoot. I mostly shoot light "cowboy" loads in all my 38s - 158g lead bullets at ~650fps - but do put some of my copycat carry loads through my carry gun pretty regularly. (I carry Hornady standard pressure 158g XTP defense loads, but have to go into the +P range in the loading manuals to duplicate factory velocity in the reloads I use for practice.) I shot several dozen full power rounds through the 638, first for familiarization and then to zero the Crimson Trace laser grip that I had on the 442 and transferred to the 638. All in all I probably put close to 100 rounds through the 638, and as I say, I found the recoil to be more tolerable than with the 442. But maybe it's just because it's a new toy, or because I just like the (real) Bodyguard style better than the concealed hammer model.

My 638 came in a cheap corrugated cardboard box, too. These guns are among S&W's hottest selling products, and for a volume dealer like Buds I can't imagine there being any new old stock on the shelves. So I'm guessing Smith has just cheaped out on packaging as part of some cost containment effort. (My 442 came in a nice S&W plastic box, over a year ago.) If they're going back to paper boxes, at least they should use the heavy, solid (not corrugated) boxes with metal reinforced corners like they used in the 50's.

 

[mauiblue]

Thanks olgilvyspecial for sharing and confirming what I suspected about the S&W cardboard packaging. I didn't think it was old stock. I didn't get to look over the revolver much as I needed to go to work. But from what I've seen, it's really a nice gun and the trigger feels good especially in the single action mode.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[sodacan]

I own a 649-2 (.38 only). These guns are rated for +P ammunition, and are more than adequate for the job for which they are intended. They can be had for $400-$500. Good luck.

 

[mauiblue]

I own a 649-2 (.38 only). These guns are rated for +P ammunition, and are more than adequate for the job for which they are intended. They can be had for $400-$500. Good luck.

I *was* actually interested in the 357 magnum version but now after acquiring the Model 638 I'm all good. Maybe one day if I find a no lock 649 magnum version at a reasonable price I'll consider it. Till then I'll be be having a blast with the Model 638.

Thanks wrangler5 for your range report and feedback on your new gun. I was thinking of mounting a Crimson Trace grip but I will go old school and stay with the stock grips...for now . I don't reload so I'll be shooting factory rounds like American Eagle, Winchester, and Remington.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Engine49guy]

Mauiblue you chose the perfect gun for the job at hand,

The combination of the .38 special +P round and semi shrouded airweight frame makes the 638 the best pocket carry revolver in the S&W lineup for CCW IMO .

The all stainless 649 is a great gun as well but IMO .357 in the little J frame is overkill and as you said a bit heavy for daily pocket carry.

 

[358156hp]

The trick to living with a 357 mag J frame seems to be in the grips. My 649 handles poorly with magnum loads and compact grips. If I use the 3 finger rubber grips it came with, the squirming and rolling issues go away. However, the longer rubber grips make it a bit clumsier to conceal. It's definitely a handful with the 2 finger groove Badgers on it. FWIW, it's best shooting load is 357 mag Hydrashocks, but only with the rubber grips on.

 

[wrangler5]

The trick to living with a 357 mag J frame seems to be in the grips. < snip >

I think it also helps to have really tough hands. When I got a 649, my first range expedition included the firing of one (1) full power 357 Magnum round, just to say I'd done it. I put on a Pachmayr Decelerator grip (the cushiest one they make, AFAIK) and put 3 rounds in the cylinder - one of my "cowboy" 38 Spl plinkers, one of my daily carry loads (standard pressure Hornady 38 Spl 158gXTP) and a full power 158g 357 round.

The plinker was fun, the "real" round was fine, and the 357 HURT, even with the cushy grip. Not that the 357 broke anything, but I couldn't imagine lighting one off with my usual carry grips (Magnas with a BK grip adapter - shameless plug.) I'm sure THAT experience would make me think hard about firing another one or just taking whatever the zombies had in store for me.

Anyway, I no longer have the 649. But having had both, I fully agree with Engine45guy's analysis of the 2 guns - I enjoyed shooting the 649 (more than the 638 - heavier and slightly longer sight radius) and in a holster it wasn't enough heavier to make me leave it behind. But it wasn't a pocket gun, and since I'd never shoot anything above +P 38s out of it, the 638 is just a more versatile answer. I now have an extra key for the 638 (just in case) thanks to Old cop, although I wish I could have gotten one new in a no-lock configuration like the 442/642 models do. (I'm still considering a PLUG for the long term.)

 

[gc45]

This is a great thread. Being new to the forum, I like reading about diffrent J-frame styles. Years ago, I bought my model 640 stainless 357 (NIL) but have only fired 38's throu the barrel; it has been a very good revolver for me and while a little heavy in my coat pocket I like it just fine. My dealer had a pre-loc 649 just come in that is both pristine and in 38 Special. Although it has the less desireable nickel finish you don't see these older guns much anymore and 38 so, being 100% condition I bought this gun for a good price I think, $400. I'll pick up next week and try some reload wadcutters and see how it does.

GC45

 

[gagunner 2]

the model 649 is stainless not nickel finish.I have one in38 spec that is
high polished and will never part with it.good luck with it!

 

[mauiblue]

Cool, gc45 on acquiring the 649. Here is my 638 with the Karl Nill grips I installed a few weeks ago. The two finger factory grips was not comfortable so I went with these. Much more comfortable and better recoil control.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Model 27 Man]

Years ago I had a Model 49 and really liked it. A few years ago I bought a 649/357. I really like being able to put your thumb on the hammer and still slide it out of your pocket. The 649 is pretty heavy, so I bought a 642.
but wish it was a 638. I thought the new 649/357 would be much lighter than my K or N frame guns, and good for trail protection. I wouldn't shoot magnums unless I needed them to stop something big up close. What are you guys using foe holsters?

 

[mauiblue]

For me, I've been using a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Of course I can't CCW in Hawaii but this holster gives good protection from dings and scratches.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2