Model 49 vs model 36

[Laketime]

One of my very early snub nosed revolvers was a model 49.I found myself carrying that more often than my model 36. The hammer shroud made it ideal for pocket carry.I have been told in the past that sales for the 36 overshadowed the shrouded version.Since most of the guns are fired DA only,why not opt for the 49? does anyone else prefer the benefits of the model 49 over the 36?

Also feel free to make this a model 49/36 picture thread.

 

[murphydog]

At a time in the not-too-distant past, standard revolver training was predominantly SA only; the original DAO .38 Centennials (models 40/42) sold poorly and did not come back into favor until the 1990s. Also, the 36 is much more traditional in appearance than the Bodyguard style - "humpback" is one of the more flattering terms .

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

Yes, a 49 was my BUG until my eyes started to go and I had difficulty seeing the sights. I also had a model 60 no-dash, the stainless version of the 36, but I didn't carry it much.

 

[Absalom]

I, too, think it had a lot to do with both the traditional looks and traditional shooting styles. Up into the 60s, police officers in many jurisdictions earned their "marksman" and "expert" shooting badges shooting one-handed, single-action, at ring targets.
And both the Centennial and the Bodyguard had an issue with being non-traditional: With the 49 it was the humpback appearance, which only a mother could love; I must admit it took me a while to warm up to my 649, although I think it's the most versatile subcompact handgun ever. And on the original Centennial, even though its appearance was a lot more streamlined, I've been told the grip safety turned off a lot of potential customers because it appeared as an awkward and superfluous appendage.
It is worth noting that the competition, i.e. Colt, as far as I know never felt motivated to experiment with versions like that of its .38 Spl. snubbies, although there was that odd-looking aftermarket hammer shroud you could install on regular exposed-hammer Detective Specials.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I have several "J" frame.
My M49 is one I think is the best although my M638 is CC more now that
it's warmer.


What's not to love about a revolver that can be SA/DA when you want?

 

[Laketime]

love that flat latch

 

[bigmtnman]

My M49 with hippo ivory stocks was one of my favorites to stick in my pocket around the campsite. I had lots of fun exploring the Rockies near Fort Collins when I first moved out here in 2000.

 

[Twiki357]

It looks like I'm the outsider on this thread. I like the "J" frames, but not the humpbacks, hammerless or bobbed hammers. I want the single action capability.

 

[Engine49guy]

I do appreciate all three versions but carry a Model 37 in an OWB holster daily,
The advantage of the Model 38/49/649, is that it can be pocket carried without snagging the hammer spur .
The Model 60/36 /37 can have its hammer spur removed but the Model 38/49/639 can be cocked for an accurate SA shot when needed (Big snake on shoreline 30 feet away threatening pets situation)

That being said when a friend or relative asks what they should get for their Wife, sister, brother, mother cousin that doesnt shoot regularly, I recommend first that it is a revolver, (no Failure to feed, failure to eject, stovepipes, dropped magazines, forgot one was in the chamber, safety position on or off etc) .... just open cylinder load bullets pull trigger until gun goes "Click".

The advantage of the enclosed hammer design 640/40/42 for novices is that they do not have to lower a cocked hammer on a loaded chamber .

 

[Dr.ButcherMD]

I like them both. I recently bought another model 49(blued), my last one(nickel)I sold when I was in a pinch, I always regretted it. The blued one I just purchased will be in my carry rotation, even though it's in 95%+. There's something about a blued revolver with honest wear that I'm attracted to. I believe it's mid-late 60's, has the matching diamond grips. I'd rather carry with the shrouded hammer, no worry about snags.

 

[murphydog]

It looks like I'm the outsider on this thread. I like the "J" frames, but not the humpbacks, hammerless or bobbed hammers. I want the single action capability.

Almost all of the "humpback" framed guns can be fired SA; the J frame Bodyguards are most common. There were a very small number of L frame 7-shot .38 Specials and 5-shot .44 Specials (the 242 and 296) that have the same appearance but are DAO.

 

[Jeffrey A. Cooper]

form and function is beautiful

The Bodyguard, (Mod. 38, 49, 638, & 649), is a true DA/SA revolver. The form and function is beautiful, "The Classic Pocket Gun". No other gun will reliably fire from inside the pocket, not a bobbed 36, certainly not an auto. This gun can provide insurance from the pocket without making a presentation. I have always wondered how the Bodyguard came about since it looks like it was designed during the 1890's but was not produced until the 1950's? Some man recognized the need for SA/DA and pocket perfection, and I thank him.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I'd take a 49 over a 36, but mostly because a J frame is a pocket gun for me. If I had a 36 I'd bob the hammer.

Granted I carry a 642...

 

[DCWilson]

S&W chose to make the different J-frame models because they can sell more units of all three of them together than they can of any one of them by itself. For flexibility of carry and choice of SA/DA operation, I have to go with the members of the 49 family. I don't have a problem with the Centennial or Chiefs Special lines, but just don't feel as comfortable with them. And to emphasize how much personal comfort (which is another way of saying "logic-free judgment") comes into play, I don't mind admitting that among exposed-hammer small-frame models I prefer the more compact and almost as powerful prewar/early postwar Terriers to the Chiefs Special.

The only J-frame I have at the moment is this recent 649, and I chose the magnum frame version just to further extend the option set on the revolver. Yes, the front sight was hard to see. So I replaced it with a tritium Big Dot.

I liked the lines of the 649 so much I picked up a larger L-frame 296. One concern I have about it is that this model is DA only; I'd prefer an exposed hammer spur for the SA option, but I suspect there were engineering reasons that led S&W to specify the closed frame. I put a Big Dot sight on this one too. I also swapped out the titanium cylinder for one from a 696 to heavy up the gun by a couple of ounces. SD .44 Special rounds can sting in a gun this light.

 

[jringo8769]

well i know it is not the 49 or 36...but i found my model 38 and it was in such bad condition...i did not think i could ever make it into something and was not 100% sold on the shroud look ...but i would hate to ever part with it....we all need to own at least one of this style.....i would love to find a 49...here is mine...a work in progress...i did add some Butler Creek boot grips but it makes it hard to retrieve from your pocket...i carry mine on a ankle Galco Holster and it is like it is not even there......God Bless John...

 

[Engine49guy]

Looks like an early one with those High Horn grips....whats the app DOB ?

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Have both a 49 and a 36.
The 'single action' firing of the 49 is difficult in comparison to the 36.
Both do quite well on the same targets in either double or single action mode.

 

[Cal44]

Don't have a 49, but I like my 36 no dash 2" a lot. Much easier to shoot than my 642. I pocket carry and don't find snagging a problem.

I've been tempted by a couple 649's I've seen in a LGS, but the stock market has to improve for me to buy anything.

 

[Pointblank2U]

I own all three types, like em all.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I own all three types, like em all.

Best answer! If this forum has taught me anything.