Does the S&W I want exist?

[John Wayne]

Hello,

I'm looking for an:

-all steel "J" frame 5 shot revolver
-.357 Magnum caliber
-internal (chief's special) hammer
-shrouded ejector rod
-fixed sights

Basically it seems like a cross between a S&W 60 and a 640, but I haven't seen it listed on S&W's sight. Thought it might be discontinued or may have never been made. I want a .357 but do not want to go under 3" in barrel length (like the 640). I also do not want an external hammer (60), but adjustable sights are not a deal breaker.

Is there anything close? Were there ever any concealed hammer K-frames made? Will it be easier just to find a beat up 640 and a 3" barrel?

 

[Hondo 60]

try posting this over at smith-wessonforum.com
The ppl over there are absolute whizzes with exactly this type of question.

 

[Kernel]

The 649 is an all steel .357 (-3 onwards) J-frame snub. It's everything you want, except instead of the internal Centennial hammer, it has the superior Bodyguard shrouded hammer - so double action remains possible, while pocket carry is still safe & practical.

 

[Oro]

I would ask if you have ever shot a full power 357 in a J-frame? (even an all-steel one)?

Things that look good on paper are often just that - paper promises.

And how well-schooled were you at bible camp? This will seriously challenge your religious beliefs. It will rapidly convert you to become a member of the the COT38S - the widely-practiced and ever-growing Church of the .38 Special. Or the K-frame .357, which is considered a splinter group...

 

[Stainz]

Of course, there was a 5" 60 for a few years - ending a year or two back. Misses the mark on the hammerless and fixed sight requirements, of course. My 5" 63 is similar, but an 8-shot .22 rimfire, and was cataloged until this year. Finding a holster for my 63 has been rather unrewarding, too. Several years ago, when I first saw a 5" 60 in the pusher's display case, I quipped that it would be proper for pocket carry in my jeans with that hole in the pocket - bet I'd walk funny.

Stainz

 

[loadedround]

I owned a DAO S&W 357 snubbie(640 or 642?) a few years ago and it was absolutely brutal with 125 gr 357 ammo and I'm recoil shy, having shot may full house 44 magnums. . I traded this hand buster even up for a 9mm BHP and never looked back.

 

[Kernel]

The 649 weighs 23 ounces. Only 2 ounces less than a Ruger SP101, a handgun which is near universally praised as “the” ideal compact .357 Mag -- though often criticized for being somewhat heavy.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Could you buy a snubbie 640 and then buy a spare 3" 60 barrel to screw onto it?

EDIT: Numrich Gun Parts lists 3" barrels for the 60/640/etc. at $86.50, but they're sold out.

 

[RugRev]

Seems I recall a number of years back Smith offered a 3" bbl. J like you want but it may have been a 9mm, not sure. At any rate it was not offered for long. Like others say check the S&W Forum.

 

[John Wayne]

Yes, I have fired magnums out of snub-nosed guns and it is not at all pleasant. The load I plan to use in these guns is a 158 gr. bullet at about 1150 fps...just over the .38 +P threshold but not too much to be uncomfortable.

I already have a 442 Airweight in .38 and love it. I would like something with a little more power to bridge the gap when carrying a K-frame isn't feasible.

Kernel, is that 649 offered with a 3" bbl? The one you posted looks like a 2."

I have also fired a SP101, but found the pot-metal action and push-button cylinder release not to my liking. Also, it still does not have a full-length ejector rod even on the 3" gun.

 

[wlewisiii]

Have you considered a 3" Model 65? If you took a round butt model with boot grips, it should be smack onto what you describe. Load it with Buffalo Bore's (from the web site) "Tactical Short Barrel Lower Recoil Low Flash 357 Magnum Ammo - 158 gr. Jacketed Hollow Point (1,100fps/M.E. 424 ft. lbs.)" and you should be set.

(edit - you would need to find a hammer shroud if that's important)

I'm a bit biased, I'll admit, as that's the next revolver I'd like to get

 

[John Wayne]

wlewsiii, I would love to find a 3" 65. Around here they command a premium though.

I was really hoping to find a currently produced J frame, since S&W just announced a $50 rebate on all new J frame models.

 

[Kernel]

The 649 was never offered with a 3" barrel. You and I might of liked one, but I doubt there would of been a lot of sales otherwise.

Perhaps what would serve you best is the all steel 3" model 60 (those 3-inchers mostly come with adjustable sight. A few old ones didn't, but they're fairly rare.). Bob the hammer and put an aftermarket no-snag real sight on it.

Personally, I like the 638 with a 2.5" barrel (they also offer it with a 1 7/8" barrel). It's a "no-go" for you, since it's an Airweight and a .38 Spl +P. The 2.5" 638 has a longer ejector rod, a blue/black front sight, and the Bodyguard shrouded hammer. For me, being able to shoot single action is a big plus.

I wouldn't care own a gun with concealed Centennial hammer, like a 640/642. I'm more oriented toward a light weight "kit gun" than personal defense.

 

[madcratebuilder]

The M640 comes very close to what you want. You could re-barrel a 640 to 3 inch or longer.

Recoil is simply mind or matter. I don't mind so it don't matter. Sure, it stings a bit.