.38 Humpbacks. Wadda ya say?

I've got a yen for a .38 humpback. I have a Smith 642 Performance Center that I pocket carry. Was thinking of another with the hammer accessible for SA shooting. (And they are just so iconic and cool looking, even though I have the category covered, I'd like another.)

Besides the Smith offerings (Models 38, 40, 49 etc.) who else makes them?

And what do folks think about them, either on their own or versus exposed hammer revolvers of a similar size?

 

I think Charter Arms lists one or two models.

 

I have a 36, a 442 and just bought a 638. There was something about it that called out to me. It is easier to cock the hammer for single action shooting than I thought it would be. My daughter shot it this morning and I think I may have lost this one to her. Reminds me of Rico Tubbs on Miami Vice. Now to find another one for sale. If they appeal to you, by all means buy one.

 

I know you said besides S&W but here is my 638. My daily carry.

 

I've been toting the BG38CT around lately. Came into it when a lady friend who had bought her first gun during the early days of the political response to Covid19 decided instead to just leave the US and wanted help selling it. Kind of wish it had been around back in the eighties when I was wearing an all-steel snub on my ankle on the job (but what I had still worked well.) I guess it qualifies as a "humpback".

 

I love my model 49 humpback.

 

My Model 38 makes for a light, slick pocket gun…

 

My nickel plated Model 49 no dash hanging around with a few other .38 Special friends and relatives.



Great guns indeed .

Stay safe.

 

While I like my humpback. I can't shoot them as well as I can my centennial model. I was reading an article by Mas a few years ago and he was saying many people are the same as they can't get as high a grip on the humpbacks

 

True but it’s a slight amount. Both the Centennial and the Bodyguard style of frame offer a higher better grip than the standard Chief style. It’s so slight that I have not noticed a difference between my Centennial and my 638, the right grips will matter too. But Mas is so right that having a higher grip on the J frames makes a huge difference in point ability and recoil. Both guns offer a benefit over the exposed hammer versions.

 

Used to have a model 38 Nickel.

Prefer hammerless for this role of pocket carry. Learned to stage the trigger and found it just as easy to reach out and ring steel at 25 yards, with the 642.

 

If humpback means shrouded hammer, I know that Charter Arms at least used to make them for some models. I don't know if they still do. I have one in 44 special.

 

The model 638 was my first J frame. I have spent a lot of time shooting it. Back in. 2019, gun sales were in a slump. A shop in my area was selling J frames for $337.95. I got to thinking that if something happened to my 638, I sure would miss it so I got myself a 442 also

 

Take a look at a Smith and Wesson 242.

 

Love my diminutive S&W shrouded hammer J frames!

 

I say nobody should be without a shrouded hammer gun of some flavor. 649’s are great choices.

my 1970 model 49 is a near constant pocket carry companion.

 

Jonesy take us down to a depth of 337.95 meters... “aye skipper”

 

defjon

So did I, many moons ago. At the time I lived in a somewhat dodgy neighborhood and there was a fairly large park nearby. It was often frequented by certain characters involved with questionable activities. I use to take the dog for a walk in this park late at night and figured if someone was foolish enough to accost me they would be presented with 3 options to choose from. Option Number 1 was my trusty nickel plated Model 38 in my right side coat pocket. Option Number 2 was I let the dog loose and Option Number 3 was that they turn around and promptly leave the area.

Never did have any problems encountering anyone up to no good but I sure felt nicely prepared for just such an occasion with my choice of concealed carry weaponry!

My Model 649 all nice and shiny, looking a bit like my old Model 38:

 

I have a Model 36, which is really nice and has a superb trigger, but for carry I use a 638, nothing to snag when drawing from a pocket. Both have had Apex spring kits installed, and some minor polishing. DA pull on the 36 is 9 1/2 lbs. And the 638 is 10 1/2. I shoot the 36 a little better, probably due to the little extra weight of the gun.

 

So many models of J-Frames, so little time. I’d like more.

 

I wish Smith would offer the 638 in a no lock configuration.

 

Technically, the .38 New Departure/ Lemon Squeezer should count.

(Actually, after posting I reread the OP and saw where in this context, hump back would refer to a shrouded hammer and not a totally concealed hammer. I would opine that both examples I posted can still count as even though they are DAO the trigger systems have a pronounced “hitch” right before the hammer falls which pretty much works out the same as having the option of single action.)



Or for more comfortable appendix carry, the Iver Johnson .38S&W Safety Hammerless.

 

You can have my share. I worked hard to hone my ability to shoot a DAO lightweight revolver so I don't feel a need to have a hammer on my pocket gun.
Also to my eye the M36 is prettier than a M38.

 

Good for you!