New Model 649 without lock - fair price

[mauiblue]

Aloha to all. It's been a while since I purchased a new handgun and now I've been wanting to acquire a new revolver. After some research, I've decided to go with a Model 649 .357 mag with no lock. I found one but would want to find out if the price they want is a fair one. It was made in 2000 and is new in box with all the papers and accessories from the factory. It has no internal lock. Seller wants $700. A new Model 649 from Bud's is $579. Some feedback from the forum's members would be greatly appreciated.

 

[vytoland]

$700 for a Model 649 is high. they are offered for sale on GB for $350 - $450

 

[murphydog]

I think it is overpriced by about $200.

 

[mauiblue]

Thanks for the quick replies. The gun I am speaking of is from Gunbroker. I had a feeling they were asking too much. I really would want a revolver without the internal locking system. It doesn't have to be new but in 90-99% condition. I'll just save my bucks and go with a new Model 649 with the ILS from Buds. I've not had a problem with my 689 Plus with ILS after hundreds of rounds through it already.

 

[Sebago Son]

The pre-lock Body Guard Magnum is not an easy guy to find.

Not many were made before the lawyer lock was added...

I wouldn't take $700 for mine...

Drew

 

[cjtraining]

I just looked on GB and there are new M649 less expensive than $700.00.

 

[mauiblue]

I just looked on GB and there are new M649 less expensive than $700.00.

The ones you looked at has the lock? I notice there are some Model 649 that was only .38 spl not .357 magnum. The Model 649 I see on GB that was $500 or less was .38 spl only. I emailed the dealer that has the 1997 and 2000 year model of the 649 (no lock) and his reserve is $700 for each of those.

I would rather go with a J-frame that is .357 magnum so that I can go .38 spl. if I wanted to. I like the shrouded hammer style revolvers. I guess my second choice would be the latest Model 649 with the ILS.

 

[vytoland]

you may want to rent and fire a .357 magnum "J" frame before buying one. the recoil will be stout!!

i have a S&W model 649 no dash, .38 special. it works well for SD and pocket carry.

 

[model17]

I have an original model 38 in .38 Spec and it's a handful w/ 38 +P. .357 in any J frame will be close to unbearable!

I agree with above poster Rent one FIRST!

 

[ogilvyspecial]

I picked up a 649-3 with forged hammer & trigger earlier this year for $500 at a local gun shop.
It is in essentially mint condition and came with box & papers.

Based on it's serial number and the fact that is has the forged hammer & trigger I figure it dates to 1996, possibly 1997...

When I bought it I didn't know anything about it other than sitting in that glass display case with about 20 other used J-Frames it seemed to "speak to me." I tried to ignore it while looking at a few other guns but eventually pointed to the 649-3 and said "let me see that one." That was it.....

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Mauiblue, I don't know what role you intend to use a 649 for but will recount my experience for what it may be worth.

The day I picked up my 649-3 (.357 mag) I was actually looking for a lightweight J Frame to use as a back-up gun, carried primarily in a pocket or ankle holster.

I had a feeling that the -3 might be a little heavy for that role, which turned out to be the case for me. I tried carrying it for a few weeks but with summertime clothing it was just a bit too much.

Shortly after coming to this conclusion I was over to a neighbors house who is a retired MSP Trooper. We got to talking guns and back-ups so he went and got the one he used as his duty back-up for quite a few years. Lo & behold if it wasn't a 649 chambered for .38 SPL only.

When he handed it to me I immediately noticed that his seemed considerably lighter than mine, which, since I didn't have mine with me at the time, might have been just been my imagination.

Another thing I immediately noticed when he brought his 649 out was two or three of those wide type rubber bands wrapped around the middle of the grips (Magnas.) I pointed and asked "Was that your holster?" He said it was and that he usually carried it inside his waistband at about the 5 o' clock position.

I did make a point of asking him if he ever thought that his 649 was too heavy? He didn't.

Now with winter here I may pull my 649-3 out of the safe and give it another try. It will be up against some stiff competition since I've been using either a Model 36-2 or 642 as my back-up so the only way I may use it is if I feel the need for it's .357 Magnum capability.

With all that said, my 649-3 is defintely one of my favorite handguns and is one that I have no intentions of ever selling, at least anytime soon.

 

[pineappleshooter]

I go my 649-3 LNIB from forum member bigtubby for $500 shipped . They are out there.

 

[mauiblue]

Thanks for all the replies to my OP. I really appreciate it. I used to own a 686 Plus 2.5" barrel revolver and that was quite a handful when shooting magnum rounds. I'm sure it will be a different world with a J-frame revolver. I want a j-frame just because I don't have one and I want j-frame that can shoot magnum rounds because I want to have the selectivity of going with either caliber. I know I can look past the ILS and have the j-frame revolver I really want at a reasonable price. Bud's and Gallery of Guns has prices I can live with and afford. I'll hold out for a while and see what GB has. If a real nice no lock Model 649 doesn't come up at a reasonable price, I'll click on the "Buy Now" button on Bud's or Gallery of Guns website.

 

[photoman]

I've never heard a bad word about Bud's. If you can stand the IL, give them a call. Otherwise, be patient and a nice pre-lock magnum 649 will come along at a decent price. Those $700 and $800 guns are WAY over market value for the condition they are in.

 

[cjtraining]

FWIW. I have one carry gun, a M638, that had the lock. Since it was a carry gun, I took the lock out and replaced it with a "plug". There has been much discussion about the lock and the possibility of it jamming the gun. I won't take a chance on my BUG/OD gun failing to fire. A forum member makes and sells them.

 

[mauiblue]

FWIW. I have one carry gun, a M638, that had the lock. Since it was a carry gun, I took the lock out and replaced it with a "plug". There has much discussion about the lock and the possibility of it jamming the gun. I won't take a chance on my BUG/OD gun failing to fire. A forum member makes and sells them.

I'm not "too" concerned about the ILS and I would purchase a revolver with it but I just was gravitating to a pre-lock S&W revolver in a J-frame - at a fair price.

 

[smithman 10]

Model 649

If I had my choice, I'd opt for an older 649 in .38 Special.

Anyone who has fired five rounds of full-power .357 Magnum ammo, even out of a steel J-frame, will know what I'm talking about. It hurts your hand enough that you'll likely never do it again.

You'll practice with .38 and maybe carry .357 but weren't we all taught to practice with what we carry?

Far as I'm concerned, .357 Magnum in any J-frame is a joke. It's just a marketing ploy in my book.

 

[Horace & Daniel]

I recall firing .357s out of a 649 at my LGS's gun range a while back. I think I shot 10 rounds total. It felt like Randy Johnson was throwing heaters and I was wearing an infielder's glove. Brutal.

I opted for a 1971 Model 38 Bodyguard Airweight LNIB for $375. It's my BUG and it's so light, I almost forget I'm carrying it in my pocket sometimes. If I ever get a .357 in a j-frame-size wheelgun, it'll be a Ruger LCR 357 - much better recoil-absorbing grips than the S&Ws.

 

[Smee78]

I am lucky enough to have a 649 in 38spl and have on lay-a-way a 638 38spl both no lock. I love the weight of steel when shooting but love the weight loss alloy for carry, I also dont think a 357 is going to do much better than the 38 out of such a short barrel specially with the yardage they were designed for, powders have come a long way in inproving burn time in short barrels so a good 38+p is good enough for me in the hand punishiment department. I have never felt under gunned with my 38spl and my 649 (pants/jacket) or 442 (shorts/t-shirt)gets almost all of my daily carry duties. I will be putting the 638 in that rotation as soon as it comes off of lay-a-way and is proven to me. I guess it all comes down to what your confortable with and what your gun will be used for.

 

[mauiblue]

Thanks for all the input the last few posts really got me reconsidering my choice of caliber in a J-frame Bodyguard model. The gun would be for HD and having fun at the range. No CCW here in Hawaii. I already have my 686 Plus for. 357 magnum fun. I would save a lot of coin going with a Model 638 or a Model 649 in 38 spl. I'll see what is offered in Gunbroker and go from there.

This is a great forum.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk