Smith 638 "alternative to .380's
- Thread starter Shooter6br
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Rpg
Member
You have what I consider the best pocket handgun currently in production.
The M38, 49, 40 and 42 are superior IMHO
Your 638 is heads and shoulders better for every application than anything in 380.
Good choice.
Congratulations!
The M38, 49, 40 and 42 are superior IMHO
Your 638 is heads and shoulders better for every application than anything in 380.
Good choice.
Congratulations!
Ivan the Butcher
Member
In my pocket right now is an old model 49 no dash. It has been refinished in armorloy, so it looks just like yours. The name before model numbers was "The Bodyguard", there is a good reason for that! Ivan
OP
Shooter6br
Member
Thanks to all for your comments....Rick
Good choice
Good choice. .38 +P is a good round and an S&W revolver is as close to a 100% guarantee of firing as you can get.
Good choice. .38 +P is a good round and an S&W revolver is as close to a 100% guarantee of firing as you can get.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I prefer not to go below .38 Special +P or the Buffalo Bore equivalent for self defense. I prefer a DAO revolver for every day carry, but the 638 is a fine little gun.
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"Near 100%?" If you are serious that it is only "near 100% reliable," then that revolver is defective and should be sent to S&W for repair. There is absolutely no excuse for an S&W revolver to be anything less than absolutely and fully reliable 100% of the time with proper ammunition. No exceptions. No excuses.
I have a hard time believing you meant "near 100%" as opposed to meaning "100%," but I see posts on here about failures to fire, and it always makes me wonder.
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I would buy a 638 if I could get it without a lock. I had a M38 but its alloy frame was not rated +p and after 10+years of shooting it with the old FBI load it got real sloppy and loose.And sold it went to a 442 no-lock.I only shoot DA only even when I had the M38. No one was allowed to shoot SA. Combat shooting was DA only!
looking for one
I have a model 642-1 and love it. However, the bug has bitten me and I am now looking for a 638 but preferably in a 2.5" barrel. Can anyone tell me about what I can expect to pay for one and where would I be most likely to find one?
I have a model 642-1 and love it. However, the bug has bitten me and I am now looking for a 638 but preferably in a 2.5" barrel. Can anyone tell me about what I can expect to pay for one and where would I be most likely to find one?
Waywatcher
Member
That hammer is the opposite of bobbed--it has a spur. Bobbed is when the spur (for thumb cocking) is cut off.
I am still not convinced that single action is a worthwhile endeavor on a snubby, though:
10 rounds, offhand, at 7 yards using my defense ammo. DAO.
They're nice little snubbies and I sure wouldn't trade mine for any .380.
sac-gunslinger
Member
They're nice little snubbies and I sure wouldn't trade mine for any .380.
Amen to that. My EDC is a 642-1, looking for another so my wife doesn't steal this one.
Taurus has a 640-clone in either 38 Special or 357 Magnum but it is the same price as the Smith. I am partial to the "centennial" configuration.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I flat don't want the option of single action in an EDC snubby, for a number of carefully thought-out reasons.
forrestinmathews
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I'd trade my snubby for my .380 if we were going for looks or groups at 50 yds. It's hard to beat a PPK/S for that in the same weight class. Other than that...the .38 is fun to reload and shoots better than some 1911's and allows you to use a myriad of ammunition. The 638 and all bodyguards have always looked kind of weird to me, but I'm a 360/642/340 guy.
forrestinmathews
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I have had several different "BUG"s. The small autos that I tried were all professional grade weapons. I keep coming back the the .38 spl, J frame (442/642). MY choice was based on:
- .38 spl beats .380 in the ballistics department. (Think penetration)
- The J frame conceals as well as the little pistols.
- I have big hands and I can get an immediate firing grip on the J frame "first time every time". Not so much on the autos.
- Very fast presentation and face shot times at reasonable ranges. I recognize what the J frame is NOT.
- Less prone to stoppage with contact shots.
- Faster shot to shot times with the J vs the autos.
- Speedoladers and TRAINING allow me to reload a J very quickly.
- Robust construction and reliability.
- I went to the academy with a revolver. Cop nostalgia.
- They are made of metal and that makes me smile.
This is why I made the choice that I did. It is a shining example of why there is chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
- .38 spl beats .380 in the ballistics department. (Think penetration)
- The J frame conceals as well as the little pistols.
- I have big hands and I can get an immediate firing grip on the J frame "first time every time". Not so much on the autos.
- Very fast presentation and face shot times at reasonable ranges. I recognize what the J frame is NOT.
- Less prone to stoppage with contact shots.
- Faster shot to shot times with the J vs the autos.
- Speedoladers and TRAINING allow me to reload a J very quickly.
- Robust construction and reliability.
- I went to the academy with a revolver. Cop nostalgia.
- They are made of metal and that makes me smile.
This is why I made the choice that I did. It is a shining example of why there is chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
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sipowicz
Member
That hammer is the opposite of bobbed--it has a spur. Bobbed is when the spur (for thumb cocking) is cut off.
I am still not convinced that single action is a worthwhile endeavor on a snubby, though:
10 rounds, offhand, at 7 yards using my defense ammo. DAO.
They're nice little snubbies and I sure wouldn't trade mine for any .380.
What kind of grips are those? Looks like a Hogue Bantam but I have never seen that cut out on the bottom...
Waywatcher
Member
They are Hogue. They are only for the Centennial (and new polymer Bodyguard) because they cover the entire backstrap. (There's a plastic insert for the Bodyguard; it's not used on Centennials.) That cutout on the bottom is the polymer butt cap. In addition to helping that part of the butt avoid catching on cloth, it is also what holds the rubber onto the grip frame. It's an ingenious design, lightweight, and has no hardware.
I especially like them because they cover the entire backstrap--allowing a high hold--and provide just enough room for a pinky--they stick out 0.41" below the frame.
No: Nothing natural or man made item is 100%, now you do not have to wonder anymore. You can fire what ever number of rds YOU need for a revolver to be reliable, and ten minutes-ten hours-ten days from now your hammer spring could break, it will not work. I had a mag in a Sigma that appeared fine as I loaded it, after cleaning it. It went into the gun, rd chambered, topped off, I got in the car and drove. Approx 1 hr later it started raining 40 cals onto the floor, base plate cracked , broke and left go. 100% is a strong statement and simply cannot occur. Be Safe,
I love my M36 but my shot placement is much better with my Sig P238 at 7 yds. I shoot buffalo Bore +P in both. The 38 special packs a bigger wallop but my grouping is better with the 380. I choose placement over mussel energy.
I shoot my 442 better than the BG380, P3AT and the other .380s (AMT, Taurus,etc) I have owned in the past....and it gets better as the distances increase vs the Elsie Pea types.
More power to those with small .380 or 9x19 autos that work well, but my experience keeps me with the J frame.
More power to those with small .380 or 9x19 autos that work well, but my experience keeps me with the J frame.
David R
Member
This fella is some kind of sharp shooter. This is the winning target for July Internet Snubby match.
David
QUOTE=Waywatcher;138032584]That hammer is the opposite of bobbed--it has a spur. Bobbed is when the spur (for thumb cocking) is cut off.
I am still not convinced that single action is a worthwhile endeavor on a snubby, though:
10 rounds, offhand, at 7 yards using my defense ammo. DAO.
They're nice little snubbies and I sure wouldn't trade mine for any .380.[/QUOTE]
David
QUOTE=Waywatcher;138032584]That hammer is the opposite of bobbed--it has a spur. Bobbed is when the spur (for thumb cocking) is cut off.
I am still not convinced that single action is a worthwhile endeavor on a snubby, though:
10 rounds, offhand, at 7 yards using my defense ammo. DAO.
They're nice little snubbies and I sure wouldn't trade mine for any .380.
[/QUOTE]shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
I use Pachmayr Compacs for the same reasons: covered backstrap, higher hold, and a place for a solid grip with the little finger. Gives much better control of a Centennial J.
getoff
Member
a fine pocket protector the 638. i like many, have a 442. with the lil guns i have never felt the need for single action. i'm no expert, but i doubt i'd even think to use single action in a self defense type situation...
My 638 replaced the SS PPK/s I'd been carrying for years.
Then I got a 642 for the other pocket.
Then I got a 642 for the other pocket.
