Range Report - Brand New SW 638 .38 Spec +P

[Sean Dempsey]

Okay, so christmas came early, and after talking my wife out of wrapping my new gun and putting it under the tree, I was able to take my brand new Smith & Wesson 638 .38 special +p revolver out for it's first shoot.

I didn't know what to expect. I had never shot a gun on that small of a frame before, aside from a .22. I loaded some .38 special plinkers and took my first 5 shots...

Pretty impressive kick! Wasn't bad by any means, but I definitley saw the forces at work in a snubbie. But enough of this, I wanted to see what the +P felt like, so I loaded up some Speer Gold Dot +P ammp...

BANG, OWWWWWWWWWWW

Okay, now that's a spicy meatball. I said to myself "Ahhh, THERE's the kick they were talking about." Wow, quite a substantial kick to those, but it felt good. It felt like a gun that means business.

I did a frew more wheels full, and then brought out my "comparison" gun... my good old 1978 S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman 6" .357. The big daddy of my collection. Loaded it with 38's... and I think I felt a slight movement when I fired, I wasn't sure. It felt like shooting a .22 after those +P in the 638. So to prove my big guy still worked, I loaded up the .357 mag. Yep, still got it. Still nowhere NEAR as strong as kick of the +P, but given the frame difference and barrel difference, I'm not surprised.


Then I ran through a few magazines with the XD9's. They were so easy and controllable, it's just a breeze.


All in all, I am really happy with the 638, its quite a little firecracker. I'll have to keep taking it out quite a bit to get real familiar with it, but it shoots great, and I really like it. Plus, of course, it conceals like a champ, which is why I got it. Disappears into my IWB holster, just like I like it.

I do, however, need to read up on the snub-nosed philosophy of self defense. With such small, short barreled guns, I am assuming that these are for close quarters. I wouldn't feel really good shooting at a target past about 25 feet with these, but who knows, I wasn't really going for distance today.

I think the 638 was a good choice. The 642 would have been nice to try, but the store was out of them, and having the option to cock the hammer isn't bad.

Thoughts?

 

[MatthewVanitas]

I have the 649 (same thing, but steel frame). Both DA and SA are great on mine, which I sheepishly admit negates some of the advantage of having SA at all. Mostly got it because it's the coolest variant of the snubby-Js that's affordable.

I carry mine with Barami Hip Grips, and it stays in place really well. Might be worth checking out for $20.

I also use a Tyler T-grip adaptor on mine, and I think it makes a huge difference. I don't like the current S&W rubber grips, I prefer old magna grips (which the Barami resembles) with the Tyler added.

Honestly, any advice that applies to any J-frame snub is probably applicable to the Bodyguard. It's just a slightly different (and colorful) variant. I like mine because of the famous General Loan execution pic from Vietnam.

I'll post some pics of my 649 later in the month. Doing some cosmetic changes to the grips based on inspiration from another THR member, but keeping the lid on that until I get it right.

-MV

 

[earplug]

638

If you dry fire it daily in the DA mode, your scores will improve quicker.
The action will get smoother and your brain will relax when you shoot real shots.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

should I get some snap caps, or does it not really matter with a revolver?

 

[earplug]

Snap Caps

I don't use them and my firearms have not had any problem.

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

I consider the 638 w/Crimson Trace Lasergrips the best little snubby for cc..

Some folks prefer the Centennial models (enclosed hammer) but I like the SA option of the Bodyguard..

If you are blessed with good vision you are good to go just as the 638 comes out of the box, but when your vision starts declining the CT's are a fantastic product and will turn your snubby into a tack driver at self defense range, day or night..

Best Wishes,

J. Pomeroy

 

[Sean Dempsey]

where is a good place to browse for those laser grips? everywhere I've seen has them at about $230.

 

[springmom]

Heh heh heh. It IS a spicy meatball, but it's a VERY good one.


Just practice a lot. You can get wadcutters made by Sellier and Bellot from Cheaper than Dirt for a good price, and those are real easy to shoot out of the snubbies. Dry firing will smooth out the trigger, but real honest to goodness practice will get you good with the gun.

I too would like Santa to bring some Crimson Trace Lasergrips for my snubbie (Santa, are you reading this?????) but in case Santa doesn't come through, you can get them online at Midwayusa.com and at Cheaper Than Dirt. If there's a gun show coming through you can get them there sometimes too.

Oh Santa.......????

Welcome to the snubbie addiction. They're a hoot.


Springmom