Picked up my 638 (pure joy) - did the safe handling thing - anyone got the DOB?

[Pendragon]

Well, today was "ten 24 hour periods" from when I did a 3 way swap.

I gave a guy my 1965 Model 14, his buddy gave me his 638 and guy settled with his buddy for an undisclosed sum.

This was a weird transaction because it started in 2002 and ended in 2003.

I did not have to get my HSC, but I did have to supply:

1. a thumbprint
2. proof of residency - they do not accept CDL or several other obvious things. ended up my mortgage bill was acceptable.
3. a CA approved locking device
4. a demonstration of safe handling of the weapon:

They put a lock on the gun and hand it to me in a corner of the store. I take the gun and while maintaining muzzle control, I remove the lock - then open the action and inspect it - then insert 1 dummy round and close the cylinder so that the dummy round is in the "next to fire" positon - then open the cylinder, remove the dummy round, set it on the counter - inspect the gun - close action - re-lock.


Anyway - they said that the DOJ told them that the most important thing is the muzzle control and not touching the trigger which is easy as pie if you are not a scary gun idiot.

I have not had a chance to fire this baby, but I did load it and CCW it in the only place that is legal for me to do so - my home.

It is AMAZING how it just disappears in my pocket. I am definately going to need a few more of these babies.

Hmm after taking it out of my pocket, I dont think I want to make a habit of bare pocket carry - too precarious for my taste.

If anyone could supply any info on the serial number and series, I would be much obliged:

638-2 (no internal lock)

CDM35xx

on the crane is '879'

 

[Tamara]

mid-'99.

 

[Kahr carrier]

You might want to try a pocket holster like a Kramer for pocket carry.

 

[ruger357]

Nice gun. I pick up a model 649 Friday.

 

[RugerSAFan]

This model will likely be my next handgun purchase.

 

[mec]

here's one of its ancestors. Alloy frame and strictly non-+P but it hits to the sights and very fast on the accurate shot delivery.

 

[NJ3]

Pendragon,
Congratulations and good choice. I have become extremely fond of the S&W 638's and S&W 38's since I bought my 38-2. I might have to buy my own 638. They make great pocket pistols.


mec,
Nice picture. Do you know the DAB of your bodyguard ? It looks allot like mine.

 

[mec]

dont know the date on it but it is consistent with the mid 80s. I believe that this is when it was purchased by its owners. I have temporary custody of it. Interesting revolver as somebody at the factory had failed to load the hand spring and the sucker did not revolve. Three chambers had slight powder burn marks and the other two had not been fired at all. I mean you could tell that they hadn't even been fired and cleaned off. I popped the side plate and disassembled the lock work ( one of the few things I know how to do right) and hooked up the hand spring correctly. After that i fired fifty rounds of factory equivalent and found it to be a very nice reactive pistol. Fast from the pocket for first shot and doubles - sights in good register and usable double action back to 25 yards. It behaves much like other J-38s I've used.