637 or 638

foxy320

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thinking of getting a lightweight 38 for pocket carry when can't carry my CS45. which would you get, a 637 or 638. don't like the rubber grips, would any wooden j frame grips fit? let the games begin
 
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I have open, shrouded and concealed hammer J frames, and while my current favorite shooters have open hammers, I almost always carry one with a shrouded or concealed hammer. You can train all you want getting your cover garment out of the way during a draw, or keeping your thumb on an open hammer to prevent it catching on anything when you draw, but the reality is that smooth topsides just come out of concealment smoother. At least in my experience. The fully concealed hammer models are best at that, but the shrouded hammer of the original Bodyguard design has never hung up on anything in the years I've been carrying one.

YMMV, of course, but given the two choices presented I'd absolutely vote for the 638, and especially so if pocket carry is a likely mode.
 
If your are looking at pocket carry, I use my 638 and have for many years. I have never had a problem snagging it when training. I tried to carry a very sweet 36 many years ago, but I could not consistently get it out of the pocket without snagging, in a high stress moment I would prefer the 638. Be Safe,
 
If your are looking at pocket carry, I use my 638 and have for many years. I have never had a problem snagging it when training. I tried to carry a very sweet 36 many years ago, but I could not consistently get it out of the pocket without snagging, in a high stress moment I would prefer the 638. Be Safe,

^^^^what he said. In fact, ^^^^what EVERYBODY ahead of me said. What an odd thread. There are times when I think I'm the only 638 proponent out there. At least now, I don't have to feel so alone. I own only one 638, but that's due to the fact that S&W has not made PC variants, as they have with the 642 and 637. Sad, IMO.

One 637 helped to keep me alive at one hinky point in my career, but in an IWB pouch, not in a pocket. I could not draw a hammer revolver like a 36 or 637 from a laundry bag without snagging it. Another reason I adore my slick 637 "Wyatt" de-horned hammer DAOs. Sorry, all. :p

Depending on your needs, I would get one of each. Just pick up an inexpensive IWB pouch for the 637. Good to have a spare if one J-frame needs repair.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
I think if I were recommending a second/spare/backup J frame I'd suggest the super-smooth shape of the 640/442/642 rather than an open hammer design. That way you could still carry either one in a pocket and be completely snag proof.

And frankly, once you get used to the double action only of the Centennial style, you can shoot one pretty much as accurately as a 638 in SA mode. I don't notice any difference inside of 20-25 yards, although I admit almost all my shooting is at steel or IDPA type targets, not black bulls with many scoring rings, so maybe my perspective is skewed a bit. Still, while it's fun to shoot these little gems at longer distance (to amaze your friends and mystify your enemies), where SA might give a bit of an accuracy advantage, I think the real world need for that accuracy is vanishingly small. So having a second gun that is as slick on the draw from a pocket as a 638 strikes me as a pretty good choice.
 
All good opinions above.....

Concerning the grip portion of your question, just about all modern J- Frames have the same grip patern so any grip will fit. There are so many options for grips that I am sure you will find one that suits your needs.
 
Between the 637 and 638 for pocket carry, I would choose 638. I like the 442 for the pocket and a 1981 Model 36 for AIWB.
 

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My own personal preference is for the 642, but between your choices I'd go with the 638. I would also lean heavily towards a pre-lock version, or at least replace the internal lock with The Plug. I would probably also have it converted to DAO (I know...I'm weird that way). I always wanted a DAO Bodyguard series gun because I prefer DAO guns for self defense, but the exposed hammer nub makes it easier to check for high primers than with Centennials, and I like having the ability to holster a gun with my thumb on the hammer for a little extra safety margin. But because the hammer is shrouded it won't snag on anything when drawing in a hurry.

I will also echo the advice of getting two guns if at all possible. I recently re-acquired a 642ND, so now it serves as a back-up to my 642-1 in case of breakage or in the unlikely event that I have to use it in a self defense encounter, which would require the gun being taken by the police as evidence. Even better would be getting an equivalent 649, allowing you to carry the 638 with some occasional practice, and doing most of your practice with the more durable, albeit heavier, all-steel 649. And you can still use one to back-up the other if necessary.

Again, this is what I would do if I were in your position.

As for grips, any grips for round-butt J-frames should fit. Keep in mind that there will often be some variance in terms of manufacturing tolerances, so even with the same type of grips from the same manufacturer there may be some very minor differences in terms of fit.

People will recommend what they like and what works for them, but grips can be a very personal choice, so it would be best to try them out before buying, if at all possible. At the same time, if you try a set of grips that don't work out for you, you could probably sell them and recoup at least some of your money back.
 

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