Itty Bitty Carry With a Bite or How About a 638 Club?

[fiVe]

I would like to be an ambassador from the 642 Club and welcome the 638 Club to The High Road! I like the "humpbacks", but I love my 642.

Regards,
fiVe

 

[ducktapehero]

My 638 has already become my favorite gun. I luv it.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Count me in, too.



I don't carry this one nearly so often as my well-worn, Model 642, but it is a revolver that I enjoy and trust.

Best.

 

[omega5]

Can my wife join. She carries the precursor to the 638, a model 38 in nickel?

 

[Invisible Swordsman]

I just joined the club this afternoon. It can join my other "almost" club members, my models 649 and 38. I don't expect it to replace my 642, but it should supplement it nicely.

 

[Andrew S]

Anyone changing their grips?

I find the factory grips to be a bit too small/short for my hand and a bit rough after a measly 100 rounds at the range. Any suggestions?

Doesnt need to be pocket worthy I just need something to make it more comfortable so I will put more range time in on it until I am ready to test for my CCW.

 

[deputy tom]

I have a 642 and a 649.My next purchase is going to be a 638.tom.

 

[Andrew S]

Along with grip input I could use some suggestions on how to lighten that DA trigger. Its so long and heavy that I can't hold that small thing still when squeezing it.

 

[MassMan]

S&W 432

When I read a thread here that the 432 was being discontinued I figured I buy one and put it away as an investment. I wasn't too interested previously as I didn't want to have to deal with yet another caliber. In any event, I went to the S&W store in Springfield, MA this weekend and they told me they heard the rumor it was being discontinued, but from their info it was untrue. If I wanted one they would get me one.

 

[cslinger]

Lots of Smiths can do a good trigger job for you if need be. In my experience, however limited it might be, most great triggers on older guns don't necessarily come from the fact that they simply had better triggers back in the old days but also come from having been shot or dryfired thousands and thousands of time. Take my lowly little SP101, a Ruger for God sakes This gun has a wonderful double action trigger but it took lots of dry firing and shooting to get it there as it was very stiff and a bit gritty out of the box.

My suggestion is to shoot it lots and dry fire lots and make your decision after that.

Chris

 

[isp2605]

It's not a 638 but a 649. Still a member of the humpback club.




649 and a blued 49

 

[Andrew S]

Lots of Smiths can do a good trigger job for you if need be. In my experience, however limited it might be, most great triggers on older guns don't necessarily come from the fact that they simply had better triggers back in the old days but also come from having been shot or dryfired thousands and thousands of time. Take my lowly little SP101, a Ruger for God sakes This gun has a wonderful double action trigger but it took lots of dry firing and shooting to get it there as it was very stiff and a bit gritty out of the box.

My suggestion is to shoot it lots and dry fire lots and make your decision after that.

Chris

I take it dry firing isnt a problem then? Should I use snap caps?

 

[mndfusion]

I like my Chiefs special 3in. brl j frame S&W model 60 .357. It shoots great and is a lot of fun with the nice double action. As far as I know they only made this one in 1996.

Oh and thats an SKS clip holding my shells, works great!

 

[roo_ster]

I take it dry firing isnt a problem then? Should I use snap caps?

Depends on the revolver on whether snap caps are necessary, but they are never detrimental.

FWIW, I don't use them with my S&W686, but do use them with my Taurus 651.

 

[Sulaco]

I don't have a 638 (I prefer steel framed guns) but I do have this 649. Can I join?

Oh and I am seeing about 180fps more using .357's than I am with the hottest .38's I have shot out of my 2 1/8" barrel. I think that is a pretty significant gain and one I like.

 

[BryanP]

Newest member

Mark me down as a new member of the 638 club. Picked mine up today. Hopefully I'll be able to get to the range sometime tomorrow.

My photographic abilities are highly limited, but other than that ugly hole in the side she's quite a little beauty.

Right now she's just a paperweight seeing as I thought I had some decent 38spl hollow points around here but all I can find are .357 magnums. So right now the most potent thing I could stoke her with is 158gn hardball. Oh well, there's no shortage of firearms around here. I'll pick up something appropriate sometime next week.

 

[Woodland_Annie]

When I carry around my property (don't have the CCW yet) I just slip mine in my Carhart jacket pocket and it fits perfectly.

Haven't had much chance to shoot it yet aside from last weekend, but enjoy it nonetheless. Still getting used to it and will probably buy some lighter grain than 147.

Member of the S&W 638 Club since 01/08/06.

 

[Marshall]

I don't own one but I'm not sure I wouldn't like the humpbacks better than the 640/642.

 

[msb45]

Sign me up

I just picked up a 638 after test firing a 37. Great anywhere gun for ankle or pocket.

I also have Taurus 650, but I like S&W much better.

 

[JMusic]

I've been a member for about a year. When purchased new it shot 10" to the right. I sent it back to Smith and now it is the best snub I have ever owned. I received two sets of grips when purchased. One an Ivory simulation which is on the gun and the other black rubber. Steven Camp, where did you get those wooden grips. They are beautiful!! It is the best revolver for its size I have seen. It came from the factory with one of the best singleaction triggers I have used recently. I'm going to lighten the double action some with some polishing and some Wolf Springs. Someone on here was asking how to lighten the DA pull. Email me and we can talk. A unique revolver. Love it.
Jim

 

[MICHAEL T]

If I can join with my old 49 fine I won't buy a new S&W only older blue no lock type. Thats Just me. I love my 49 has rosewood grips and a Don Hume pocket holster. great carry gun.

 

[lanceman193]

How 'bout a pre 38 ???

 

[Coffee357]

I feel like a two timer. I own both a 642 and a 638. I've aquired the 638 since our last qualification so the 642 gets all the carry time. Now I'm looking for a 637 with a straight barrrel to round out my Lightweight collection. It's amazing the percentage of these guns S&W is letting get out the door with canted barrels / sights. That said, these guns work great! I even picked up a 360PD the other day to cover for the 637 until I can find one I like. Oh, and I have a nickel Mdl.38 on lay-a-way. A very practical gun...

 

[goalie]

Add me to the club. I just picked up a S&W 638 today, and I am already loving it. I almost went with the 642, but the utility of the shrouded hammer won me over despite the looks.



It is now riding in a Mika pocket holster with the rounded bottom.

 

[kmrcstintn]

...

:banghead: I totalled my car, lost my job, and sold off my guns (except for 642), so for now I'll have to join by proxy and submit my imaginary 638 for your review