BillyKframe
Member
A 638-2, wallet, keys & pocket knife. I don't leave home without.
J-Frame Model 38 Humpback
- Thread starter Dave Workman
- Start date
OP
It turned into a story, sorta. THX everybody for the input!
Bajadoc
US Veteran
I enjoyed the article, thanks.......
Love your new revolver.I bought my first humpback a blue model 38 from a retired deputy from northern MI.He told me it had been his partners who kept it in a jacket pocket and always approached a vehicle with his hand on pocket.I gave it to my teenage daughter to go along with her German shepherd.At that time almost 30 years ago I worked a lot of nights and was a single parent.I replaced it with a 638 that I still carry.
dsf
Member
For the longest time I couldn't find a Model 38 in California. Then stumbled across a few of them all at once. This is a Michigan State Trooper type from about 1965 IIRC - stainless cylinder is as factory, not a "pinto" type in classic sense.
I got that Guns Magazine email yesterday. I love a good wheelgun story.
Good article, I used to carry a 649 the stainless version but for the past 5 years it has been a 638 air weight .38, great guns
I like my 638, but I am a fan of "J" frames...I carried my model 60 for decades with Bianchi Lightning grips which mimic the humpback.
Most, but not all the J frames....
Most, but not all the J frames....
Engine49guy
Member
Dont see alot of bright polished nickel Model 38's.
I stumbled on one years ago that was too perfect and pretty to pass up but it is a bit newer.
Model 38-2, snub. Bright nickel, Serial BKB 8201,
Shipped Nov 1991
I stumbled on one years ago that was too perfect and pretty to pass up but it is a bit newer.
Model 38-2, snub. Bright nickel, Serial BKB 8201,
Shipped Nov 1991
I found one of those about a year ago at a great price. Got it half way home and noticed the dreaded under barrel frame crack. Luckily the store gave me store credit for it. It was a sad day. That gun was beautiful.
OP
Well, keep reading because there'll be more!
OP
Yeah, as you probably know, I'm also a former WAC director. It's a pity what WA state gun laws have done to that great organization. Thx for reading.Dave, mine’s not as purdy as a nickel model but very handy in the AZ Summer heat!
S&W Model 38 • shipped Oct. ’72
-BTW - I was a former director of WAC, pre 2001
OP
Bianchi's Lightning grip was a stroke of genius. I looked around for the longest time for one to fit my 2 1/2-inch Model 19. I know they were made, but never could find one. My first J-frame was an old Model 36. I fitted it with the oversize "target"-style grips and carried that gat in a Safariland upside down shoulder rig for a long time. It was a decent shoote...not great, not target grade, but good enough to hit what it was aimed at, depending upon the load.
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Thanks for that link!
I bought one back in the mid 1980's but I never really warmed up to it (or any other J-frame).
K frame Lightning grips still show up but you have to watch for them and be quick. They don't last long for sale.
I picked this up 4-5 years ago. New in box. $20. I didn't waste any time handing over my $20.
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I had a nickle Mod 38 for a while until another Troop offered a bit more than I had in it. I also had the blued 49 that I liked a lot better so the 38 found a new home. While the 38 was lighter to carry can't say I miss it all that much and prefer the steel/SS frames more. It's not like there's a huge difference in weight.
I carried this blue 49 as my 2nd, off duty and UC every day from 1975 until 1995. I bought it from a retiring FBI SA for $75 along with an extra Herrett Shooting Ace grips, a couple of holsters, and several boxes of W-W 158 gr LRN and 158 gr LSWCHP+P. Since this picture was taken it now sports a set of Barami Hip Grips and my wife often carries it.
In 1995 another dept was getting rid of their revolvers and going autos. They had 3 649 that had never been issued. I bought 1 for $150 and a buddy bought the other 2. I carried the 649 every day from 1995 until I retired in 2006. I still carry it most days since retirement.
After I retired my wife decorated it thinking it would go in a shadow box. No way this is going in a shadow box and not be carried. My favorite.
I carried this blue 49 as my 2nd, off duty and UC every day from 1975 until 1995. I bought it from a retiring FBI SA for $75 along with an extra Herrett Shooting Ace grips, a couple of holsters, and several boxes of W-W 158 gr LRN and 158 gr LSWCHP+P. Since this picture was taken it now sports a set of Barami Hip Grips and my wife often carries it.
In 1995 another dept was getting rid of their revolvers and going autos. They had 3 649 that had never been issued. I bought 1 for $150 and a buddy bought the other 2. I carried the 649 every day from 1995 until I retired in 2006. I still carry it most days since retirement.
After I retired my wife decorated it thinking it would go in a shadow box. No way this is going in a shadow box and not be carried. My favorite.
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