[JPP]

I am really thinking about getting a snubby to add as a concealed carry choice.
Any comments on the model 637 or the model 60?
Thanks in advance.

JP

[Ala Dan]

S&W 637, same as the original Smith & Wesson model 37 Airweight;
but made of stainless steel/alloy construction. These "Chief's Specials"
have been a great CCW piece for many years, for persons from all walks
of life~!:cool: Weight: 15 ozs. unloaded.

S&W (old model) 60 in .38 Special, the first all stainless steel handgun
ever manufactuered. Served admirably tucked away in a ruck sack in
the hot, humid jungles of Southeast Asia. Discontinued in '96, in favor
of the 2-1/8' barrel model 60, .357 magnum. Weight: 19 ozs. unloaded.

New S&W model 60, as mentioned chambered for the .357 magnum
with a 2-1/8" barrel. A limited run was produced with a 5" barrel
and chambered for the .357 as well. Weight: 22.5 ozs. unloaded,
with the 2-1/8" barrel.

[ArchAngelCD]

If you are looking for a .38 Special +P Airweight Snub Nose the M637 Chief's Spacial, M638 Bodyguard, M642 Centennial and M442 Centennial in Blue are the choices. All 4 are 15 oz revolvers and all 4 are great.

If you are looking for a .357 Magnum revolver then look at the M60 Chief's Special, M640 Centennial and M649 Bodyguard. All 3 are Stainless and weigh 23 oz.

I wouldn't recommend the 12 oz Airlite .357 Magnum models. They are very hard to shoot well because of the VERY stout recoil due to the gun being so light. They are actually painful to shoot for some people. They are also very hard to control and sight for a second shot if needed. Another problem is, they list for around $900. I see no need for that gun, IMO of course.

I own a Model 638 and I'm very happy with it in every way.

[jrfoxx]

I've had, and OFTEN ccw'd, an M637 for a few years now, and couldn't be happier with it, both for ccw and just for fun plinking with wwb ammo, or for a little extra target shooting challenge.Surprisingly accurate for such a short barrel and fun to shoot.Also, never had any issues with the exposed hammer trying to "snag" when carring concealed.

[10-Ring]

Carried more & shot less = 637
Carried less & shot more = 60

Me, I really like the shootability of the all steel 60, which is one reason why I bought it ;)

[jad0110]

Depends on how you want to carry it. If pocket carry, go with the 637 or better, its clothing-snag-free cousins: the shrouded hammer 638 or totally enclosed hammer 642/442). Taurus makes some really nice pocket wheelies too, so you might check them out.

If primary carry will be IWB or OWB, you can get a larger gun that carries almost as easily as the smaller 637/638/642 such as a 3" Model 60 (or 2.5 or 3.5" S&W K Frame, 2.75" Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six, 2 1/4" or 3 1/16" Ruger SP101 ... :neener: ).

So many choices, so little $$$ :banghead: .

[gunmn74]

I bought one a few weeks ago and love it. I can wear it all day without it
bothering me. Now the way Kansas law reads the gun has to be on you
or it is transporting a loaded weapon, and for long trips a J-frame in an
ankle holster is well within reach.:cool:

You should check out the 642 club here:D

[Crimp]

My daily carry is a 60ls "Lady Smith" in a Don Hume H715 IWB (http://gunnersalley.com/product/H715SOOT). Couldn't be happier with the choice.

http://mysite.verizon.net/jswilcox/graphics/60ls.jpg

[Gideon]

I've owned a 637 for years. If I had to do it all over I'd go with the 642. In a defensive situation either you won't have time to cock to fire SA or you probably shouldn't do that because if you can there's likely to be better options. One of the best options for carrying the airweigh J frame is pocket carry and the hammer gets in the way. Even if you practice and say it doesn't, in the heat of the moment I think there's a good chance it will so I'd highly recommend you consider the 642 and learn to shoot it well and quickly in DAO because that's more than likely the reality of any real defensive situation.

I'm currently thinking of trying to trade my 637 and a 1st generation P3at for a new 642.

The only thing I don't like about the 637 or the 637 is the finish on the aluminum frame. It has a laquer coating over the aluminum that will come off with time and carry. It doesn't look bad but it doesn't look good and refinishing options for the aluminum frame are quite limited. You can put on coatings but they will scratch and chip. You can hard chrome one but some companies won't guarantee the work because of the risk of the aluminum frame cracking when the remove the barrel for chroming which is something they have to do. Dissimilar metals on the airweights make them poor candidates for refinishing

On the other hand, a completely stainless steel weapon has many refinishing possibilities.

Just some thoughts
God Bless
Gideon

[Srigs]

I Just bought a 60 to carry and shoot. You can't go wrong with either but I like Stainless Steel :cool:

[RNB65]

I've got an old school (.38sp) Mod 60 that I bought in 1989. Great little gun. I replaced the wood grips with Hogue rubber grips. I find it a little too bulky and heavy for pants pocket carry, but it works great in a coat pocket.

[ChuckB]

I've shot, but not carried, both guns. For me, the 60 was far easier to shoot accurately, and didn't tear up my trigger finger. I believe that one should practice with a defense gun a lot, and the 60 was much friendlier to me. YMMV, of course.

Chuck

[Ichiro]

J-frames are a compromise. Once you've compromised down to a J-frame, you make another compromise to choose an Airweight over a steel model.

I made a third compromise to put the small, hard CTC grips on my 642. It is now a near-perfect carry weapon, but eats skin off the base of my thumb when I shoot it.

With full-sized grips, I've found Airweights fairly comfortable to shoot, but that eliminates my ability to pocket carry.

Belt carry - I'd go steel with comfy grips
Pocket carry - I'd go aluminum with small grips

Hammerless in either case.

[Nightcrawler]

Another neat J-Frame that you never hear about is the 3" Model 60. It has adjustable sights. With the barrel and sights, it's not a pocket gun anymore, but is still pretty small. I'd replace the rear with a fixed from Cylinder & Slide and call it good.

My next snubby is probably going to be a 640 .357, though. I like my airweight 642, but think I'd like a little more oomph. No scandium .357s for me, though. Ouch!

I've gotten pretty good with the snub, though. The sights seem well regulated for most ammo at snubby ranges (21' and in), and with practice, I can even get away with rapid fire, with +P rounds, and still keep all five on a paper plate at 12 feet.

Takes practice, though. The snubby is an easy weapon to carry but a difficult weapon to master.

[Sun195]

I have a 3" Model 60. One of my favorite guns to shoot. A bit of a handful with .357 rounds, but very pleasant with .38's. Good gun to throw in the pack.

[Stainz]

Another 'larger' version to consider is the 2" 10. Mine was made new 1/03 for CDNN - and was a bargain. Of course, it is a K-frame - six-shooter - and +P rated .38 Special. Maybe a trenchcoat pocket tote, but otherwise, get a holster. Still, mine fitted with the wood service boot grips is a fine shooter with the Rem R38S12 158gr LHPSWC +P's. You can't get more basic than a 10!

Stainz