New Model 649 without lock - fair price

[Engine49guy]

Mauiblue you chose the perfect gun for the job at hand,

The combination of the .38 special +P round and semi shrouded airweight frame makes the 638 the best pocket carry revolver in the S&W lineup for CCW IMO .

The all stainless 649 is a great gun as well but IMO .357 in the little J frame is overkill and as you said a bit heavy for daily pocket carry.

 

[358156hp]

The trick to living with a 357 mag J frame seems to be in the grips. My 649 handles poorly with magnum loads and compact grips. If I use the 3 finger rubber grips it came with, the squirming and rolling issues go away. However, the longer rubber grips make it a bit clumsier to conceal. It's definitely a handful with the 2 finger groove Badgers on it. FWIW, it's best shooting load is 357 mag Hydrashocks, but only with the rubber grips on.

 

[wrangler5]

The trick to living with a 357 mag J frame seems to be in the grips. < snip >

I think it also helps to have really tough hands. When I got a 649, my first range expedition included the firing of one (1) full power 357 Magnum round, just to say I'd done it. I put on a Pachmayr Decelerator grip (the cushiest one they make, AFAIK) and put 3 rounds in the cylinder - one of my "cowboy" 38 Spl plinkers, one of my daily carry loads (standard pressure Hornady 38 Spl 158gXTP) and a full power 158g 357 round.

The plinker was fun, the "real" round was fine, and the 357 HURT, even with the cushy grip. Not that the 357 broke anything, but I couldn't imagine lighting one off with my usual carry grips (Magnas with a BK grip adapter - shameless plug.) I'm sure THAT experience would make me think hard about firing another one or just taking whatever the zombies had in store for me.

Anyway, I no longer have the 649. But having had both, I fully agree with Engine45guy's analysis of the 2 guns - I enjoyed shooting the 649 (more than the 638 - heavier and slightly longer sight radius) and in a holster it wasn't enough heavier to make me leave it behind. But it wasn't a pocket gun, and since I'd never shoot anything above +P 38s out of it, the 638 is just a more versatile answer. I now have an extra key for the 638 (just in case) thanks to Old cop, although I wish I could have gotten one new in a no-lock configuration like the 442/642 models do. (I'm still considering a PLUG for the long term.)

 

[gc45]

This is a great thread. Being new to the forum, I like reading about diffrent J-frame styles. Years ago, I bought my model 640 stainless 357 (NIL) but have only fired 38's throu the barrel; it has been a very good revolver for me and while a little heavy in my coat pocket I like it just fine. My dealer had a pre-loc 649 just come in that is both pristine and in 38 Special. Although it has the less desireable nickel finish you don't see these older guns much anymore and 38 so, being 100% condition I bought this gun for a good price I think, $400. I'll pick up next week and try some reload wadcutters and see how it does.

GC45

 

[gagunner 2]

the model 649 is stainless not nickel finish.I have one in38 spec that is
high polished and will never part with it.good luck with it!

 

[mauiblue]

Cool, gc45 on acquiring the 649. Here is my 638 with the Karl Nill grips I installed a few weeks ago. The two finger factory grips was not comfortable so I went with these. Much more comfortable and better recoil control.

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[Model 27 Man]

Years ago I had a Model 49 and really liked it. A few years ago I bought a 649/357. I really like being able to put your thumb on the hammer and still slide it out of your pocket. The 649 is pretty heavy, so I bought a 642.
but wish it was a 638. I thought the new 649/357 would be much lighter than my K or N frame guns, and good for trail protection. I wouldn't shoot magnums unless I needed them to stop something big up close. What are you guys using foe holsters?

 

[mauiblue]

For me, I've been using a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. Of course I can't CCW in Hawaii but this holster gives good protection from dings and scratches.

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