I have the humpback disease bad since i bought my 638 now I want a mod. 38,49 and 649 what should i expect to pay for a good 38 and 49?
I got the price on a 649 today at my new LGS he has great prices compared to now my old LGS.

Sorry tim c, I don't have any idea what new prices are for the guns you are interested. However, I must put in a plug for an older 649 that I've had since 1996. It's a pocketable canon with accuracy and big time firepower in .357.

i was given a price today of $669 for a new 649

new bodyguard 38 absorbs recoil very well with 38 plus P loads for having no weight to it whatsoever--has a laser-- I was impressed-- Is this on your radar--maybe it could be

like the humpback and being able to to shoot it in single and double action

my 638 only weighs 15 oz and handles +p no problem with recoil

My favorite too! I'd love to get myself a 649 (.357). As far as pricing, I paid $350 for my 49 with some character.



I also need to get someone to trade my 642 for their 638 or 438, hmmm...by the way, you can't forget the 438. Especially if you are into the airweights.

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Jim

My $250 rescue 649-3

thats not a rescue thats a steal i love it

I picked up an early 649 seemingly unfired from another forum member not long ago. Box and papers. Paid $500. Thought that was a very fair price for a near perfect specimen.

Check out my 638-2. I call it "Quasimodo" (what else). $500 NIB a few months ago. It now wears a Crimson Trace laser grip (though I think the factory Uncle Mike boot grips it came with are one of the best designs for the RB J-frame).

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

So, that's a humpback. I thought you were talking about old hammers. I've never really had a chance to examine one of those little beauties before. I can see where they can grow on you. Pretty neat guns with superb engineering.

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Why, I aughta.....

Be careful. The humpback disease led to a 649-0, 649-2, 638-2 and a 638-3. It may cause me to get a 649-3 in the near future. Fair warning.

Regards

You might want to keep an eye out for a 296... king of the hump backs IMHO...

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NICK-SWCA-NRA BENEFACTOR LIFE

What is the attraction or advantage of a shrouded hammer?

They're just cool.

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Jim

Well, I guess I would have to say that the look of them must be an acquired taste.

For me, being my 1st wheel gun, it was the choice of DA/SA and being able to pocket carry. Although I don't ever see SA being a choice except at the range. I have been advised to learn to shoot DA only until you get accurate, then SA will come naturally. I am taking that advice.

Just got mine 5/1/2014.

I think there may will be more to follow, if they multiply like M&P's do.

Plus they are ugly/beautiful at the same time! LOL

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Criminals don't register guns.

Bobbed hammers are DAO also, so the "humpback" is not the only type. My 637 Wyatt Deep Cover Performance Center is like that.

I think I am missing something about how the shrouded hammer works. Does it have a single action cocker? If so, then the attraction would be the SA option without the need for a holster to cover the trigger or hammer to then prevent accidental discharges and to prevent snagging the hammer spur.

Being able to pocket carry, and in fact being able to fire from a pocket (if it's big enough to allow manipulation, like a jacket pocket), and still having the ability to cock and fire in single action for shots requiring greater accuracy, is the attraction. I think it was Mr. F. Gump that said, "Beauty is as beauty does", or something like that. Or, "Form is Function" in a more modern interpretation.

Yeah, I got it too.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Yes, it's double action AND single action.

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Jim

Look at the "rear view" picture in #11 and you'll see the nub of the hammer that you can cock for SA. I have 3 of 'em and they're all quite easy to cock if you want to, but absolutely nothing to catch on a pocket edge. They are indeed an acquired taste, but once it's acquired, look out.

Yes they do multiply!

Agree, it's a shame they discontinued the 438 love mine

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I suffer from a similar affliction.

I am glad to see i am not the only one with this condition.
hope they don't find a cure

Probably yes. I bought my Model 38 (non +p) many years ago for use as a pocket revolver with a Mika holster. Ammunition was the 125gr lead Nyclad hollow-point "Chief's Special" load. Eventually, I couldn't resist a 442. I still have the 38. I haven't shot it in ages but can't bear to part with it. The 38/49 series do have a unique "look", don't they?

they sure do and a great design. shill you need to shoot the mod.38 and fall in love all over again. i have 638 now i want 38,49,649 438 can't help myself

[IMG][/IMG]

They really do fill a spot in my carry rotation that nothing else can. Great little gun.

See 2hawk's response (#20) for an excellent response to your question. My usual walk the dog gun used to be a Model 642 (Centennial design, DAO). One evening while walking my two small dogs, we were attacked by a pair of Boxer dogs. I had my head up my back side and had a leash wrapped around each hand. I could not get to either my Model 642 in my strong side pocket, nor my folding knife on my off-side hip. All I could do was turn in a small circle to try and keep my body between my dogs to the outside, and the Boxers on the inside. My only weapon was to drive my knees up into the heads and chests of the Boxers until their owner finally came and got them off of me. I now walk the dogs with a pair of Humpbacks - a Model 38-0 to back up my Model 638-1, and I always keep one hand unencumbered. Oh, the reason for changing from the Model 642 to the Humbacks? In case I had to make a precise shot(s).

Regards,

Dave

Picked my 649 up new last spring in the zenith of the craziness. Paid close to full retail at $699 but didn't care. Literally haven't seen one at a single store or show since. Very rare these days here in MA.

This is before I put on a HiViz front sight.

Here's my 438

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JW
VietNam25 Inf/11th ACR CIB

Gotta love the humpbacks,
Steel on left Airweights on right

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Centennial Every Day

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't there a large version of the "humpback" design, perhaps in .44 Special?

Yeah, I think it was the 296.

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Jim

Do you consider the model 640 a 'humpback' if not what? A Dolphin? I really do not know. Not trying to be sarcastic. Funny? A little bit.

BTW I paid $539 for one in a box @ about 95 o 97% in Nov. of last year.

Op, enjoy the hunt!

Centennial

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Jim

I got this 649-3 2 years ago. I use this for my EDC....Ray

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Very nice Ray! I really like the pre-lock magnum 649's.

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Centennial Every Day

I second what Kernel said regarding the Uncle Mike's grips for RB J frames. My 649-3 came with them and they are just plain fantastic. I love wood grips and usually swap rubber for wood on just about any gun I own, but NOT my Uncle Mike's! They just seem perfect. I probably should think about getting another set just in case I need them in the future for this or another humpback.

Also, I didn't mention in my first reply above that way back around 1979 I bought a Md 49. Beautiful gun and really great shooter. However, it has been semi-retired due to the bigger bang of the 357 Md 649-3. Don't let anyone tell you these guns are hard to shoot accurately and difficult to manage. It's not true! With a little practice they can be highly accurate.

Got a few humpbacks I picked up recently. I have this thing for nickel, as if you couldn't tell.

Not in any specific order, but a M49 no dash, M38 no dash and M38-2. The 49 is circa 1981. The 38 is circa 1977 and the 38-2 1993. All came with correct boxes, paper, paperwork and tools (if applicable).

Man there are some beautiful guns in this thread!!! I showed my 638-3 to a friend when I got it, he's ordered 1 now!!!

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Criminals don't register guns.

I got bit last night by the Humpback bug.

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Two pictures of a new-to-me 638-2 and a friend.

The 638-2 is definitely the elder statesman.





They may be discussing their choice of speed loader, either JetLoader or Dade.

Mt edc.

M649-3

It's amazing how threads like this give me GAS (Gun Acquisition Syndrome).

Now it seems I'll be shopping for a 649 as a follow-up purchase to my newly acquired non-IL 642-1 after seeing all these beauties!

no pics from me, but I have a 649-5, used but new to me, and it has one of the finest triggers of any of my firearms. Just got a pair of Altamont over-sized Finger Groove Rosewood stocks for it. Thing of Beauty!

My son is saying it is now his. Not!

Yes. I was a victim of that same disease.

Hold out for 638-2, if you have the patience. Mine seems like an excellent match for the 642-1 in terms of weight, and other factors that affect shooting.

If anything, the trigger in mine started out better than the 642-1. After only a little polishing, it is something to crow about.

649-5 wearing it's new rosewood boot combats.