[PICS] Model 638 (no dash) snubby ...

[NCBeagle]

I found this S&W Model 638 (No Dash) at a gun shop in Concord, NC a few weeks ago and passed on it…luckily it was still there this afternoon

. It came with no box or papers and a hideous large rubber Pachmayr grip which I immediately replaced with classic stocks and a Tyler T-Grip.

According to the S&W book, this gun was only made for a brief time in 1989 before replacement by the 638-1 (wider sight ramp). It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it has a clear anodized aluminum frame and not the frosted / matte finish of the later 638-2 and forward.

I read another post stating that approximately 500 Model 638 (no dash) were made. I do not know if this is accurate. Does anybody have information about this first run of 638s? I ran 70 rounds through it this afternoon and it works great. It will assume its place in the pocket rotation.

 

[NCBeagle]

I found this S&W Model 638 (No Dash) at a gun shop in Concord, NC a few weeks ago and passed on it…luckily it was still there this afternoon

. It came with no box or papers and a hideous large rubber Pachmayr grip which I immediately replaced with classic stocks and a Tyler T-Grip.

According to the S&W book, this gun was only made for a brief time in 1989 before replacement by the 638-1 (wider sight ramp). It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it has a clear anodized aluminum frame and not the frosted / matte finish of the later 638-2 and forward.

I read another post stating that approximately 500 Model 638 (no dash) were made. I do not know if this is accurate. Does anybody have information about this first run of 638s? I ran 70 rounds through it this afternoon and it works great. It will assume its place in the pocket rotation.

 

[WJR]

Congratulations, that is nice one!!

Smithnut will probably be able to tell you more about your particular 638. He has a wealth of knowledge about them.

WJR

 

[NCBeagle]

That's great. I hope he shares his thoughts. It's hard to find information online and the Standard Catalog of S&W has limited info.

 

[photoman]

I can't answer your question...but I think that 638 is the cat's meow!

 

[Guest]

NCBeagle,
Congrats on finding a fantastic example of a very hard to find Bodyguard. Some years ago (1996) Roy Jinks published a "Special Products List" for members of the S&WCA, in which the M638 was shown to have been first produced for Ellot Brothers in 1989 with 500 units made. Rick Nahas also has confirmed this number (he's a dedicated Airweight collector) when we discussed this model several years back. Interesting also is that Rick (at that time) had a much harder time locating a M638-1 for his collection, that variation was made in a larger volume (1200). Both of these are scarce, so you found a real needle-in-a-haystack revolver!
Bodyguards have been pretty special to me over the years and, while I've changed directions somewhat the M638 and M638-1 are two of the last guns I'd ever part with - they are the complete package IMO.

 

[NCBeagle]

Smithnut,

Thanks for the reply. That sure is a nice looking collection of 638s. I notice that the early models are wearing smooth stocks. Is that original? I assume so. Maybe I'll try to find a set of proper stocks for mine. I just tossed on an extra set of textured wood.