638 snubbie with shrouded hammer...anyone have one?

hdtwice

hdtwice

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I don't have any short barrel revolvers and I like the idea of the shrouded hammer, and the price looks right.

So does anyone have this gun and your thoughts on it. Did you make the right choice in buying it or if you could do over again would you have chosen something else?

Thanks for any input.
 
I’ve had one for about a year now and I really like it! Would I make a different choice? No. I like the fact that you can use single action for shooting paper but it’s a little hard to draw that hammer back. I would say next to impossible in a defense situation. It’s not a pretty gun but I like my humpbacked little friend!
 
Model 638

I have two of them, a 638-2 and a 638-3. I pretty much daily carry one or the other. No regrets at all. My favorite Airweight .38! :)

Model 638-3 above and Model 638-2 below in each photo.
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Hmm...I’m gonna have to keep an eye out for a -2. I didn’t know they made a no lock version. I don’t intend to get rid of mine but if I could track down a no lock?? Very nice D Brown!
 
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I have owned/carried a Model 38 for many years.IMO it is far and away the best of the J frames. The shrouded hammer, single action capability and light weight make it ideal for EDC. All of mine have been lock free, (as are all my S&Ws). They have been described as a "professionals gun" and I agree.
 
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Yep. I have a 438 and a 638. I sometimes carry the 438 in a pocket but the 638 is a bit heavy for that. To carry the 638 I use a OWB holster. Then decided that if I'm going to have a gun hanging on a belt it might as well be something more formidable. As a result, the 638 has become a safe queen.
 
I had a 638 a few years back, and should have kept it. But I foolishly let it go to buy something else. I have since replaced it with a nickel model 38 No Dash, which is "Shiny". I've found that the Wolff spring kits help the trigger pull and hammer tremendously. I'm ordering one for this one. I love these little guys.

I slipped a set of smooth targets (RB to SQ) on it the other day to see how it looks. So far, ........... well I'm not sure. It certainly feels good in the hand, and I'll probably shoot it better, but concealability went out the window. They conceal best with a "Hip Grip", just hooked over the belt.
 

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Excellent revolvers for skilled shooters. For anyone else, such small, light guns are little more than a good way to develop a bad flinch. They are difficult for the inexperienced to shoot well, one reason many claim these guns are inaccurate and use the "gunfights occur at close range" excuse to compensate for a lack of skill.

For someone willing to practice sufficiently, it's hard to find a more useful gun for the intended purpose. Other than as a personal preference, lock or no lock makes no difference.
 
My 438 in a Mika pocket holster is my summertime shorts and a t-shirt carry. No regrets at all. I'm just more comfortable holstering a weapon when I can keep thumb pressure against a hammer.
 
67whaler said:
Hmm...I’m gonna have to keep an eye out for a -2. I didn’t know they made a no lock version. I don’t intend to get rid of mine but if I could track down a no lock?? Very nice D Brown!
Click to expand...

The 638-2 is also Plus P rated. Basically, the best 638 going, if you can find one.

Best of luck in your search! :)
 
joe44va said:
Yep. I have a 438 and a 638. I sometimes carry the 438 in a pocket but the 638 is a bit heavy for that. To carry the 638 I use a OWB holster. Then decided that if I'm going to have a gun hanging on a belt it might as well be something more formidable. As a result, the 638 has become a safe queen.
Click to expand...

Have you got the 638 confused with the 649 by any chance? I don't see how you could see any difference in weight between a 438 and a 638 when the only difference should be one being blue finish and one being stainless finish. They're both alloy frame. The 649, on the other hand, is an all stainless steel gun, and IS considerably heavier.

I have a 649-2 and like the old style hammer nose among other features. :)

Model 649-2
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If I wanted single action ability. I would get a 637 and bob the hammer spur. Allow for reduced snag potential when CC and still offer single action ability should one want it.

While I’m sure the 638 is a great gun. That style, in my opinion is the ugliest revolver ever made. All I can think of when I see that gun is Quasimodo- “the hunchback of Notre dame”.

To each their own! Love having choices!
 
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I have a 638-3, pictured, and recently picked up a 638-2 (no lock), sorry no picture yet.

I love the humpback and have an older 649 and 49 as well.

I purchased the 638-3 first to serve as a back-up to my 642, in case of a mechanical issue.

I have stuck with the 642 (most recently a PC model) but now that I have the 638-2 in hand I may have to see about making a change.

The -2 is not easy to find but if you are persistent you will run across one at the right price at some point.

Now to find a decent Model 38 at a reasonable price!:)
 

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I have carried one model or another bodyguard since I was a young police officer in the late 1960's. Do not leave home without one. Current carry is a M438 in a Robert Mika pocket holster.
 
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I think the “old” bodyguards are neat little revolvers. I actually even like the way they look. I don’t have one, but for those who do, does lint get trapped in the shroud and, if so, any evidence of it working it’s way into the internals?
 
I have one and love it. I wouldn't call it pretty, accurate or a pleasure at the range. That being said, it is the perfect defensive revolver: Very light and extremely reliable.

The same could be said about the 642 or 637, but I slightly prefer the 638 because I like the shrouded hammer.
 
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