looking for a humpback aka hammerless revolver

In my mind you are speaking of the Smith and Wesson "Centennial" series of short barrel revolvers that debuted in 1952 and has run through several iterations to the 640 series.

Col Detective Specials also had an available add on shroud that covered the hammer spur for snagging issues but allowed a narrow channel on top of the shroud to engage a small surface of hammer checkering for single action.

A number of excellent snubbies fit this description.

The S&W Model 38 (Airweight) and 49 (steel frame) are "humpbacks" with a protruding nub that allows one to cock the hammer, or fire double action. The result is sort of like the Colt D Special with shroud that rswartsell describes. The various Centennial models can be fired only double action. I'm not sure what you mean that you can't get past the location of the S&W cylinder release?

When and if Kimber gets their "hammerless" revolver on the market, that would be another to check out.

The current generation Bodyguard with top latch, most with laser guide beam, and funky ratchet are a great departure from classic S&W.
I have a real Model 38 which is a fine pocket revolver. And conventional side cylinder latch.

A hint from the Old Fuff:

Do not buy one of these little snubbies chambered in .357 Magnum unless you try it out first. Most folks find that the .38 Special is more then enough to control in this kind of platform - especially those with aluminum or steel and plastic frames. .327 Magnum offers a wide range of .32 based cartridges with varied degrees of recoil, along with a 6-shot option.

I own a smith bodyguard, while it's not my favorite I haven't noticed any issues. It's also been dropped a couple times and ran over by the lawnmower once although the blades missed it. lol

I have owned two different Taurus Model 85 variations. They have given me many years of reliable service. I am 99% sure that there is a hammerless version. I removed the hammer spur from my ultra-light alloy framed version and carry it in my back pocket when I am walking the dog.

I am also 99% sure that Charter Arms has hammerless versions and/or will send you a bobbed hammer for their snubbies very cheaply (it is said to be a very quick and easy installation). My wife has one in 32 H&R magnum. She and my daughter shoot it very well. The trigger is nice. The recoil is minimal.

44 special is an awesome caliber. I use my Charter Arms Bulldog for coat pocket carry in the cooler months. I believe that they offer hammerless versions, and/or will sell you a bobbed hammer. Mine is the model with the hammer shroud. It is light enough to carry (feels like some kind of alloy frame), has manageable recoil due to the low-pressure round, and puts very big holes in things.

I am annoyed with my friend. Yesterday I shot his Ruger LCR in 357. My snubbies all have nice triggers. His LCR's trigger is easily superior to any of them! It has enough grip even for our large hands (he is 6'4" and I am 6'6"). With 38's it is a pussycat. The 357's are spicier, but in no way unmanageable. It is not really a 15-yard gun, but that was the range we happened to be shooting at and it gave a very good account of itself. I was very favorably impressed by its light weight, smooth trigger, and surprising accuracy.

IMHO, you are absolutely correct in going the hammerless route for a carry revolver. According to Murphy's Law, no matter what you are wearing or how much you practice covering the hammer with your thumb, when you need it the most the hammer will snag on something.

Even though you didn't mention hammer shrouds, here is a gratuitous picture of my Bulldog.

Centinnial.. my first CCW gun was a .38 spl. 640. Still have it. I use a no-lock 642 for quick trips to the store.

Deaf

I am with Mr. Smith, a 642 no lock is a very concealable option in hammerless. It is my go to carry piece in most applications.

WestKentucky said:

Poor wording there, i re-read and it seems like im off on all revolvers there, im not. Only on the m&p bodyguard model that is the competition to the LCR. The release is not in the same location as a traditional revolver, it's up on the top of the gun near the rear sight. It pushes forward to unlock the cylinder. When drawing the weapon ir seems that it would be easy to unlock the cylinder and take your own gun out of action.

Look here for yourself...any snag on that "snag free" point unlocks the crane. http://www.gunsandammo.com/reviews/guns-of-pdtv-smith-wesson-bodyguard-38/

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Thanks for the information. I'm not up to speed on newer S&W models as all of mine are pre 1990. Not your poor wording, but my ignorance. I agree that seems a poor location for the cylinder release. I should do more research before posting.

WestKentucky

I have always liked the S&W Model 38 since I bought my first one over 30 years ago. Later I replaced it with a Model 649 (all stainless), and couple of years ago I picked up a Model 638 (aluminum alloy), for those times when I wanted something a little lighter to carry than the Model 649. Both are great guns; accurate, easy to shoot, and perfect for concealed carry.

S&W Bodyguard 38.

The Bodyguard frame is a J frame with a shrouded hammer but then the build a new revolver and call it a Bodyguard 38. Not a good idea IMO.

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Just curious; why not? I rather like mine, it's the older version with the Insight laser. No lock, 14.4 oz., truly ambidextrious, and the cylinder indexes like a Colt, to the right. The only things I dislike about it are the stout recoil, (Which all such guns have) no grip choice, (the one-piece grip is roll-pinned on) and the fact that the Versa-Carry for it is LH only, because of the laser placement. (which is a minor one, for me, I'm ambi with a handgun anyway.)

First post for me but felt like responding. I was thinking, about like you, of such a choice. I chose S & W 638 and put a clip draw on it. I don't CC or open carry but it goes with me everywhere. I don't second guess my choice one bit. All but perfect for me. No snag and got the single action option. Light and fits about me about anywhere except a watch pocket. Hey! I like enough to make my first post about it.

Yeah, I don't know,what's wrong with S&W, they confuse a lot of buyers.

The Bodyguard frame is a J frame with a shrouded hammer but then the build a new revolver and call it a Bodyguard 38. Not a good idea IMO.

I was looking for a .357 Magnum M649 a few years ago and couldn't find one for a favorite. I ended up buying a M640 instead which us what you are asking about. I like the revolver a lot and it's not hard to shoot real magnum ammo in it either since it weighs 23oz. Now, it's 12oz cousin Airlite, not for me.

Stainless 649, .357 on the left. 638 Airweight, .38spcl on the right.

WestKentucky said:

I have also seen ruger LCR and S&W polymer guns but I would prefer an ultralight alloy frame, and I can't get past the location of the cylinder release on the Smith.

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The LCR in .38 Special +P has an aluminum frame and weighs 13.5 ounces. As Tallball said, the LCR is a much more impressive gun than the specs would indicate. Ruger did a fantastic job with it. You should at least check it out if you're interested in a small, easily-concealable revolver that's actually enjoyable to shoot.

Here is my model 49 Smith and Wesson bodyguard.

It's a 38 Special 5 shot J frame. You can't see it in the picture, but you can cock the hammer with your thumb, but it doesn't protrude enough to catch on clothing.

I like these old bodyguards a lot. The best of both worlds, no hammer to catch and you can still shoot them single action.

Current production versions include the 638 a lightweight 38+P version, and the 649 which is in 357 Magnum. Both are stainless and aluminum (in the case of the 638).

The blue versions like mine are no longer made.

Why do you guys limit yourselves?



I like a variety.

Deaf