S&W 638-2 Airweight

[1srelluc]

I picked-up this 638-2 Airweight this morning at the flea market for $225.00. Serial CBY6XXX. No lock.

Is it +P rated?

Is the barrel/cylinder stainless?

What year was it made? Late 90s?

I don't care much for the stocks and will likely try to find a set of S&W J-frame "banana" combat stocks for it like what's on my Model 37.

Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Congrats on your newest at a great price!

It's debatable but you should be fine shooting +p ammo through it. Your wallet and hand will be hurt more than the gun.

Yes, the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel.

Sorry, can't help on the date. ( I need to get a SCSW, but waiting on the 4th ed.)

You have a sweet carry gun there and Kernal Crittenden should be along soon with more info on it as he uses one for EDC I believe.

 

[jrs70]

You are lucky. I have been looking for one for the last 2 or 3 years. One had issues the others they wanted more than a new one. On the year it was made. The S&WSC 3ed is not that clear. But the -2 started in 1996 and the -3 (lock) started 2002. $225 is a grate price.

 

[kaaskop49]

Great gun, the J-frame I favor most. Change the stocks if you wish, that's purely subjective, but hang onto those boot grips! They're desirable and getting hard to find. I picked up a dozen reasonably from the S&W website a few years ago, but unknown if still available.

I practice mostly with standard pressure service ammo followed by 10-20 rounds of +P. Frankly, there is little difference in feel between shooting the two ammo types.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[1srelluc]

Congrats on your newest at a great price!

It's debatable but you should be fine shooting +p ammo through it. Your wallet and hand will be hurt more than the gun.

Yes, the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel.

Sorry, can't help on the date. ( I need to get a SCSW, but waiting on the 4th ed.)

You have a sweet carry gun there and Kernal Crittenden should be along soon with more info on it as he uses one for EDC I believe.

Thanks.

I have near a case of Federal 158gr +P so the wallet is not the issue. The hand (with those stocks) is another matter.

Change the stocks if you wish, that's purely subjective, but hang onto those boot grips! They're desirable and getting hard to find.

They are Uncle Mikes and I will keep them. At least they are made of a bit harder rubber than some others. I just dislike soft rubber stocks as they want to snag on everything.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn OP

Be SURE to test those Federal 158gr +Ps for "crimp jump." I have a case of these that work well with 4" bigger frame guns and steel frame Js, but when shooting these in the modern lightweights (637, 638, 442), the bullet tends to pull out. YMMV, this issue may vary with different lots of ammo, but it's worth checking on.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Be SURE to test those Federal 158gr +Ps for "crimp jump." I have a case of these that work well with 4" bigger frame guns and steel frame Js, but when shooting these in the modern lightweights (637, 638, 442), the bullet tends to pull out. YMMV, this issue may vary with different lots of ammo, but it's worth checking on.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I had that issue with some from Buffalo Bore 158gr. +P in my 642. It was always on the 5th round too, granted those also chronoed at just under 1000fps.

 

[1srelluc]

Be SURE to test those Federal 158gr +Ps for "crimp jump." I have a case of these that work well with 4" bigger frame guns and steel frame Js, but when shooting these in the modern lightweights (637, 638, 442), the bullet tends to pull out. YMMV, this issue may vary with different lots of ammo, but it's worth checking on.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

They are LSCWHPs. I've not noticed any issues in my K-frames.

What would cause such a issue in a Airweight (it still has a steel cylinder/barrel) as opposed to a all steel K-Frame?

Is the issue with just jacketed bullets?

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I'm not an expert in physics, but it has to do with the lighter crimp on the LSWCHPs vs JHPs and the Airweights being so light they soak up less of the recoil causing the bullet to move forward in the case.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

638-2 Airweight...Serial CBY6XXX.

April 1997.

You could easily double your money if you wanted to sell it.

 

[1srelluc]

April 1997.

You could easily double your money if you wanted to sell it.

Why so valuable? I figured $350.00 tops.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Why so valuable? I figured $350.00 tops.

Shrouded hammer, double action, single action and the only year (this should be "only dash version") for the "magnum frame" with no internal lock.

A nice pocket pistol. Mine was about twice what you paid on GunBroker and it took a while to find.

I wanted one to add a titanium cylinder.

 

[jrs70]

Why so valuable? I figured $350.00 tops.

A 638 638-1 and 638-2 (all with out the lock) do not come up for sale that much. $300-$350.00 for the 642,442 and 637 and 638-3. IMHO a nice used one can bring New Gun money. Here around $450-475.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

1srelluc:

At $225.00 you did very well on the purchase of your 638-2. I'm a real Bodyguard fan and own a Model 38-0, 638-1, and 649-0. I think I paid $350.00 for each of them - only the 649-0 came with the original box, documents and grips. Yes, the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel - the frame is alloy. +P ammo should be fine in your revolver, but I stick to standard velocity ammo - I like the Gold Dot made for short barreled guns.

Regards,

Dave

 

[1srelluc]

I suspect it was test fired at the factory but when cleaning it after taking the pics I could find no evidence it was ever shot if you go by the firing pin channel, forcing cone, barrel, muzzle, or cylinder face.

Sadly all I got is what you see. No box, paperwork, or the like. Grips had been changed out to the Uncle Mike's boot grips pictured.

Was a fired casing included with the weapon in the box?

I'll take care of the shooting part in the morning.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Why so valuable? I figured $350.00 tops.

Scarcity and no lock. Nothing else really. Far less common than the 442/642 and similar models with the internal hammer that were (and still are) cranked out like Oscar Mayer hot dogs. Because the Bodyguard has a fully functional shrouded hammer it will never again be made without the lock. Unlike how some of the concealed hammer guns are now made.

There's always deals to be had and you got a good one. If you're ambivalent about your M628-2 I would encourage you to flip it. The profits would almost pay for one of those $350 NIB J-frames.

1997 predates the fired case. It would of shipped in the 1st gen blue plastic case. The Uncle Mike boot grips were original.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I would take it at $350.....
But I'm a sucker for revolvers without the lock.

 

[1srelluc]

If you're ambivalent about your M628-2 I would encourage you to flip it.

Actually I warmed to it real quick and if it shoots OK it will work out better (for my mode of carry) than my '69 Model 37 as a EDC weapon.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

... and the only year for the "magnum frame" with no internal lock...

Actually, I've seen M638-2's made as early as June of 1996 and as late as December of 2001. So they were made on the J-Magnum frame without the lock for at least four and a half years. If anything, though, it kinda underscores how few were made.

 

[TucsonMTB]

... the only year for the "magnum frame" with no internal lock...

Actually, I've seen M638-2's made as early as June of 1996 and as late as December of 2001. So they were made on the J-Magnum frame without the lock for at least four and a half years. If anything, though, it kinda underscores how few were made.

Sorry! I misspoke. Getting old (and more stupid), I guess.

What I meant to indicate is that the 638-2 was the only version of the 638 (that I know of) with the longer cylinder (to accommodate the currently available Titanium cylinders) that does not have the internal lock.

For me, a light pocket pistol is a big plus and the ability to shoot single action while practicing at the range appeals to me as well.

Now, a pocket friendly 13 ounces, even with the wooden grips. Life is good.