The Humpbacks: Info and Help Requested

[ISCS Yoda]

M649 - virtually every day.

 

[pbramlett]

I've been late to the humpback game but have recently gotten two 649-3 Smiths. This is the prelock 357 humpback.

 

[Old cop]

Someone posted about carrying the humpback w/o a pocket holster b/c it added too much bulk. My Galco did the same in dress slacks but found the Blue Force Gear pocket holster solved that problem.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

That soft, nylon Galco pocket holster shown in my post above is literally "bulkless", if I can coin that term, and carrying any gun in a pocket without a holster is just an error, plain and simple. They get dirty enough in a pocket holster and they're way easier to draw from a holster where the gun butt is "pointed upwards" and doesn't move around.

 

[max503]

Carrying without a holster would allow you to shoot without drawing.

 

[majick47]

In the early 1950s when the S&W J frames originated mens clothing was very generous and loose meaning big pockets and heavy material. Very likely back then the J frame Smith could be shot while in the pocket of a jacket/pants/overcoat. Watch a few episodes of 1950s/60s Dragnet and Highway Patrol to get an idea. The holster experts might chime in re vintage pocket holsters that were worn outside attached to the belt and extended into rear pants pocket for a 4" M&P 38.

 

[Frailer]

I'm a fan of the early, no-dash, pre-.357 Model 649.

 

[FortyFiveACP]

I have more S&Ws than any other brand so I'm generally a fan but this idea of 638s cracking and/or wearing out after only 500 rounds is insane. I've been wanting a 638 but this is kind of making me rethink that a bit and I didn't really want to move up to one of the steel versions due to weight vs capacity.

 

[ispcapt]

I bought this blued 49-nothing in 1975 from an FBI SA. Paid $75 for the gun, 2 leather holsters, factory grips, Herrett Shooting Ace grips, Tyler T, and several boxes of ammo. I carried this 49 every day for 20 years as my 2nd. Most of the time it was in an ankle rig. If the weather was really bad with lots of snow I carried it under my duty jacket in an upside down shoulder rig.
In 1995 a buddy with another dept called and said his dept was getting rid of their revolvers and going to autos. They had three 649s that had never been issued priced at $150 each. He was buying 2 and that left the 3rd one for me. The 49 then went to the wife and I've been carrying the 649 ever since. It's a 649-nothing. After I retired my wife decorated it a bit thinking it was going in a shadow box. No way! I still carry it.
Neither gave me a lick of trouble. I've carried them in the worst of weather and didn't baby them. The only maintenance I did was like for my other duty guns. At the end of shift they got wiped down. Every 2 weeks I field stripped them and gave them a cleaning.

 

[jcelect]

I have a question for those that would consider firing any revolver in their pocket! In your pants pocket you have two layers of thin material between the gun and your flesh. Any revolver has BC gap flash! On many guns this flash cuts the top strap of the gun! Do any of you think that the two thin pieces of material will stop the BC gap flash? Part of conceal carry is considering safety of others when the gun is deployed and also safety of the person doing the firing!
jcelect

 

[biku324]

Some years ago I saw an AD of a holstered 357 on a police training range. It blew the leather duty holster apart at the stitches and left an enormous bruise on the recruit's hip. Luckily, the holster canted to the rear, so the 125 grain jhp hit the ground a few inches behind his right heel.

Not shooting anything from my pocket.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I think it would be feasible to shoot a J-frame from within a jacket pocket - one could casually walk along with a hand in the jacket, particularly if it's cold. I would push the jacket pocket forward so the whole deal would not be close to the body.

It would certainly be an unwelcome surprise for someone on the receiving end.

And it would not bring joy to whoever is stuck with repairing the jacket pocket!

John

 

[biku324]

The 'Pinkman Surprise, ' from El Camino?

 

[Redcoat3340]

Thanks to all who shared. Great info, just what I was hoping for.

Now on the hunt for a nice (in order of preference): 49, 649, 38, 638 and then everything else. (Although if I found a really nice J at a really good price, even with a regular hammer, I'd probably be over it like a cold sweat.

Again, appreciate all the help.

 

[white cloud]

I consider the 649 "non magnum" to be the finest pocket gun every made. Many experts tell us the single action feature is without merit. I disagree. I find the 649 light enough to pocket carry and heavy enough to shoot well.

It is really difficult to find the steel frame Bodyguards around here. Best of luck in your search.

 

[jeeps]

I had an old blue M-49 hard-chromed and tuned its a great carry and shooter. Can not hurt the finish and it does not show any wear like blue or stainless

 

[Nomadmax]

I have a question for those that would consider firing any revolver in their pocket! In your pants pocket you have two layers of thin material between the gun and your flesh. Any revolver has BC gap flash! On many guns this flash cuts the top strap of the gun! Do any of you think that the two thin pieces of material will stop the BC gap flash? Part of conceal carry is considering safety of others when the gun is deployed and also safety of the person doing the firing!
jcelect

I've fired a revolver from inside my pocket.

When I was on the job, there were many "iffy" traffic stops where a J frame Smith was in my hand inside my jacket pocket pointed right at the contact (finger indexed). It saved me a couple of times because I already had a weapon in my hand and they didn't expect it given my duty weapon was on my hip.

I also bought drugs/delivered pizza as a UC doing the same thing. Just because something doesn't make sense to you, doesnt mean it doesn't make good sense.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Carrying without a holster would allow you to shoot without drawing.

Others have noted, and I reiterate, that will not work in your typical pair of pants. Definitely not in jeans or dress pants but maybe in loose cargo pants. Maybe............

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In the early 2000's I had a couple pair of "Bob's Kakis" M-2, the pockets were the size of Rhode Island!

Ivan

 

[white cloud]

Even if your pockets aren't large enough to allow shooting from, it is fairly easy to have your hand on your revolver if something doesn't look right. I have never been a policeman or soldier but putting my hand on my revolver in my pocket defused two situations for me. This was accomplished without drama or anyone yelling "gun".

These guns aren't very "tactical" but like the super slippery old Browning 380s, they make a ton of sense.