New Member -- S&W Model 49

Welcome to the forum.

I’m not particularly fond of anything DAO, without a full exposed hammer myself, but there are a lot of guys who are.

A S&W J frame will serve you well and it’s a good carry gun if you can wrangle a California CCW. FYI. Yours would have been produced somewhere between 1968 when the diamond grips were eliminated (Assuming those are original to the gun) and 1982 when the pinned barrel was eliminated.

Welcome to the forum. Yes, I have a M638 that my son now carries. I have been looking for a M649 that isn't too expensive to no end.

Nice revolver you have there. Let us know how it shots when you get out to the range.

I used to have a nickle 49, traded it a couple years ago. It was nice enough and a great pocket piece, but I couldn't shoot it well and found something I wanted more. Mine had larger rubber target grips, I tried the little stock wood grips and it was just not something I could shoot at all.

cal44mag

Wecome aboard and nice Model 49 you've got there! First one I had was a nickel plated Model 38; loved how easy it was to carry that gun. Currently I have a Model 649 which I picked up new when they first came out and a Model 638 which I got a few years ago as a lighter weight alternative to the Model 649. Both guns are great and are my favorites of S&W J frame offerings.

I never owned a humpback, always thought it would be tricky to decock. Welcome to the forum!

cal44mag

I remember reading somewhere that the Model 38 was introduced several years before the Model 49 and that the Model 49 came about at the request of the Michigan State Police for an all steel version of the Model 38.

cal44mag

I would consider those two as the ultimate version of the Model 38/49 design. Thanks for the photo.

I have a nickel Model 38 that's in the shop for an action job at the moment. I like it, but the trigger was the worst of any of my other S&Ws. I'm hoping a reduced power hammer spring and some stoning will take care of the problem.

Luv them humpbacks

638, 38spcl only and the 649, 357/38.

A lighter hammer spring and trigger return spring will fix them up nicely.

S&W 49 love here! Congrats on yours, you gonna like it big time.

bluetopper said:

A lighter hammer spring and trigger return spring will fix them up nicely.

Click to expand...

Yes, got my Model 38 back from the shop this morning. Reduced power hammer spring, 14# return spring, and some polish of internals. Just right!

Cocked & Locked

Sweet looking Model 49 along with what looks like some Federal/S&W Nyclad ammo. I still have a box or two of the 125 gr. load that I bought many years ago primarily for my J frame revolvers.

I love my Airweight Model 38, it often rides in my pocket...
But I wouldn't put any money into it. It's trigger is fine for me as is.
Plus, the older Airweight models have a well known propensity for cracking the frame below the forcing cone.
I limit practice in general, and only use standard pressure 38 ammo, though I carry 158gn +P swchp.

Have one. Like it. Only problem is it is about as heavy as my 3" SP101. Advantage is no snagging in the pocket.
I'll keep it.