Why are the 642/442s favored over the 638/438s?

[DonDee]

Two words.


NO LOCK!!!


Ken

+1 on this.

I've gone to a significant expense lately to go from two lock-equipped 642s to a no-lock 442 and a no-lock 642.

I'm writing it off to mental health. It was cheaper than a shrink and now any potential issue, real or not, is off my mind.

YMMV, everybody's different...

 

[Maximumbob54]

No lint trap in the 442/642/640 = better for EDC.

 

[Stu Honea]

I always liked the original Bodyguards with the shrouded hammer. That was way back before Wiley Clapp was instrumental in gettting the Centenial brought back.
We had an old Chief who served for a year or so while the department looked for a new Chief from the 'outside",who carried an original Centenial everyday.
I believe having the enclosed hammer strengthens the frame somewhat as opposed to the Bodyguards with the concealed shrouded hammer. There's also the possibility with pocket carry that something can lodge in the opening of the older bodyguard shrouds and cause a problem, so I consider the internal hammer the better design,although I still love the Bodyguards.

 

[TNFrank]

Design primarily and the fact that more lint can get into the open top of the semi-exposed hammer slot.

That's my take on it. if you pocket carry or carry in an open top hip holster with a shirt over the gun lint and stuff can collect behind the hammer in the slot. No such problem with the enclosed hammer on the 442/642. Also, in a life and death situation you'll probably be shooting DA not SA so may as well just enclose the hammer so it'll not snag and make it more pocketable.

 

[sipowicz]

If the lint trap on your dryer is not working properly, then I would go with the 638.

 

[Maximumbob54]

If the lint trap on your dryer is not working properly, then I would go with the 638.

Wait... Aren't you from Cali?

Fixing appliances with a gun sounds more like a Southern thing...

 

[ispcapt]

I've been carrying one of these humpbacks everyday since 1975. I got the blued 49 in 75 and carried it everyday as my 2nd until 1995 when I got the 649 which I've carried everyday since then.
I've carried these on about every place on my body you can imagine and maybe some place you couldn't imagine. Let's just say it was held in place with duct tape and it wasn't comfortable sitting down but I was pretty sure if search the bad guy wasn't going to find it.
I've carried them in all kinds of weather and in all kinds of conditions. I never had a problem with lint. I treated my 2nd gun the same as I do my primary and all my other equipment. When I got off duty I checked all my gear to make sure it was ready to go for the next time I needed it. That goes for guns, handcufs, flashlights, and everything else. Never made any sense to head out the door not knowing if something as simple as an ink pen was ready to write. If I made sure an ink pen was fully functional then why not check something you depend on to save your life. If a person has a problem with lint building up then they're not checking their equipment to make sure they're truly prepared.

 

[hawgleg]

I love them humpbacks. I understand they're mainly a defensive weapon and I do practice with the double action.

I cut my teeth on the single action guns and still enjoy my big bore SA. I find myself shooting more 38 spl than ever before and enjoy being able to shoot them in the single action mode. I own many more Smith's than any other revolvers and shoot most of them single action.

I guess it's about thumbing that hammer back. I really like the four click single actions, music to my ears except when hunting.

 

[cjtraining]

My carry guns

I have carried a Bodyguard since 1972, as a BUG/OD/EDC. I never shoot any revolver single action. Weekly maintenance runs the little dust bunnies away.

For comparison

 

[AC_32]

In the the few years I've carried my 638 primarily on my ankle due to work dress. I hope to begin utilizing pocket/belt carry. So far (with ankle carry) I've not encountered significant lint collection.

My reason for the post, is if pocket carry winds up being my primary method of carry, would I be better of trading in my 638 for a 442. I love my 638, but unfortunately can't have both.

 

[photoman]

In the the few years I've carried my 638 primarily on my ankle due to work dress. I hope to begin utilizing pocket/belt carry. So far (with ankle carry) I've not encountered significant lint collection.

My reason for the post, is if pocket carry winds up being my primary method of carry, would I be better of trading in my 638 for a 442. I love my 638, but unfortunately can't have both.

If you end up pocket carrying your 638, don't worry about it. Just give it a quick inspection each night and clean it off some canned air if need be. I pocket carry a Model 38 often and don't worry about lint at all.

 

[ogilvyspecial]

In the the few years I've carried my 638 primarily on my ankle due to work dress. I hope to begin utilizing pocket/belt carry. So far (with ankle carry) I've not encountered significant lint collection.

My reason for the post, is if pocket carry winds up being my primary method of carry, would I be better of trading in my 638 for a 442. I love my 638, but unfortunately can't have both.

I wouldn't worry about lint too much. As I mentioned in a previous post I use "canned air" to blow off my guns about once or twice a week and have never seen what could even be considered, light lint, come off of my guns while doing so.

Now if you are going to carry one around in your pocket for weeks, or months, and not clean or inspect it then the 442 might be the better choice. If you are the type that inspects their gun on a regular basis then either one will work just fine.

For those who use a pocket holster, I see more debris / lint settle in the bottom of those (pocket holsters) than anywhere else so those get "the air" put to 'em every couple of week's or so, depending on how much they have been used. It's a simple matter to look down into them to see when it's time........

 

[Minnehaha]

I Like the Old Humpback

I have loved the look of the 49s ever since I was a young boy, and I always wanted one. Now, many, many years later I love my 649 - 357 mag. It's all real stainless steel, has a great balance, soaks up the recoil, has a smooth, light double action trigger, and also gives me the option of a super light single action shot (as well as 357 mag or 38 sp). It's always nice to have options, even if you don't really need them. The pictures in the earlier posts tell it all - the 49s rule (IMHO).

 

[mtheo]

My first centerfire was a model 38...I carried it 4 years using a Barami hip grip. Body sweat wreaked such havoc on the steel finish I resorted to spray painting the steel to fend off the serious rust.. I wore most of the black oxide off the aluminum. I have had river mud/gravel, sand, and tree bark in the top slot behind the hammer...none of these ever stopped the gun from functioning.

I believe the warnings concerning the top slot in the hammer shroud are urban/rural myth.

I traded that gun for a model 60 when they became available...I wish I still had that old model 38. Today my favorite is a 642.

 

[adwjc]

The bodyguards were always hard to find, still don't see too many around.

I bought my first Centenniel (Model 42) in 1974, the year S&W discontinued them. Had a heck of a time finding a holster for it in those days.

Back then double action shooting didn't seem to be as popular as it became later, with the changes we saw in technique.

Then around 1989 they came back (w/o the grip safety - Yay!).

Presently I have a 640,442 a 432 and the original 42. Love those things.

 

[mtheo]

Sort of a troll comment.... Which I believe.

I believe the warnings concerning the top slot in the hammer shroud are urban/rural myth.

I am disappointed no one came after my head with a D2 serrated kukri for that comment. Testimonials are needed such as "I know a guy that accidentally got a glob of JB weld in the hammer slot that prevented the gun from firing!" or "when I carry my bodyguard in a pocket full of change...."

Respectfully,

Mtheo

 

[scout]

Bodyguards weigh a couple of ounces less than Centennials.