Smith 638 size comparison? Price check?

[ABTOMAT]

First, anyone have a photo of a j-frame next to a midsize semi pistol? I have a Sig P6 and I'm considering a 638 but I don't know how big it really is.

Also, what's the going rate for a used 638 with about 75 rounds through it.

 

[Hometeached1]

Here's a photo of a 642 next to a compact S&W 3rd gen .45. (About the same size as a glock 19.)

As for price, about $350ish since they sell for $400 new.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Thanks for the pic. He's asking $400 with a pocket holster, aftermarket+original grips, speed strips, and about 75 rounds of defensive +P ammo. Sounds a little high?

 

[Haywood]

That's not a terribale price. He probably has $40. in the holster and grips and +P hollow points are not cheep. The gun better be spotless. I bought a like new 442 for $350. With no extras.

 

[XD 45acp]

I sold a 438 today with less than 20 thru it. I got 325 for it.

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

Don't know if this helps but this is my Model 638 in relation to my cellphone and a couple of pocket knives along with an accompanying photo of the same items with my Kahr CM9. As you can see the Model 638 is a pretty compact gun. The $400 asking price with the extras isn't bad; I think I paid a little over $350 for mine a couple of years ago.

 

[mavracer]

How about a P239 and a 442


I will add that the 442 weighs 1/2 what the P239 does

 

[ABTOMAT]

Awesome guys, thanks a lot. I'll see what his best price is.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Found someone else nearby selling one with 200 rounds through it with an Apex trigger kit and a big pile of holsters for $350, but no box or ammo.

Is round count important in an alloy snubbie?

And the first guy got back to me with $370-ish.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Found someone else nearby selling one with 200 rounds through it with an Apex trigger kit and a big pile of holsters for $350, but no box or ammo.

Is round count important in an alloy snubbie?

And the first guy got back to me with $370-ish.

Well, 75 rounds of SD ammo will cost you between $75 and $95 so the gun w/ammo and holster and speed strips for $370 is a good price. (almost very good price)
I would take the $370 deal w/ammo.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I, too, would go for the $370 with ammo deal.
It's unlikely, at least in my experience, that you will like any of the holsters. They are a very indiviual thing, moreso than the gun. I am also leary of trigger work, kits etc unless it is from a known gunsmith.

 

[Bobson]

Well, 75 rounds of SD ammo will cost you between $75 and $95 so the gun w/ammo and holster and speed strips for $370 is a good price. (almost very good price)
I would take the $370 deal w/ammo.

I agree completely. I'd take it too. With 75 rounds through it, the gun's as good as new, mechanically. As long as he didn't drop it off the roof of his house or something, that's a good deal.

ETA:

Didn't see anything about trigger work. If it did have some, that might change something for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It was the second gun that had the Apex Tactical trigger kit, not the first gun.

While I agree trigger work is scary unless you know the gunsmith the Apex trigger kit is designed as drop in parts to slightly lighten the trigger pull without compromising the reliability. They call it their Duty/Carry Spring Kit.
https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid49.html
I have heard very good things about it and nothing bad. It's a moot point though, that was in the second gun.

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

At the new lower price point I think the first Model 638 is a decent buy.

 

[tiamat]

a S&W 638 can be had new from Kygunco.com for $380 (cash) right now (+ffl costs of course), fyi.

Let me know if you still need a pic for size comparison - i have a 637 and a sig p225.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I paid a premium for my 638 last year, but it was a LNIB pre-lock specimen from the late 90's. Excellent weapon!

 

[ABTOMAT]

Well, I agreed to buy the first one with the ammo. Seller won't be around until next week so I'll report back. $350 plus $20 FFL transfer (Masschusetts thing.)

Comes with a set of clip grips for IWB carry. Anyone use those?

 

[ABTOMAT]

Got it today. I'll post pics for the curious. $305 plus three old 20rd AR mags, plus $20 transfer. My total cost is about $359.

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

I think for everything you got you did alright at that price. The addition of the 20 round AR mags was a nice add-on to the deal.

 

[ABTOMAT]

He got the AR mags. I had a few well-worn 20-rounders kicking around we decided were worth $15/ea.

I didn't end up with as much ammo as we had planned, though. 62 rounds, and most of it was Remington UMC +P JHPs with a few +P Speer Gold Dots.

 

[ABTOMAT]

There's also a pocket holster and more snap caps he's mailing me.

 

[ABTOMAT]

The disparity in size compared to the P6/P225 is greater than the length would indicate. You can best see the difference in the guns' profiles. The Smith is sort of a curve while the Sig is a great big square. Weight difference is also huge: 14.1 vs 28.3 oz.

 

[Hometeached1]

Congrats!

It is funny how much easier the roundness of revolvers make them to conceal. Even the bigger K-frames just tend to disappear in appendix or right behind the hip.

BTW: How do you like those grips? Lot of people like the Barami hipgrip but I haven't seen much on those. I ankle carry my 642 and reholstering is a pain so I'm thinking about getting a set so I can "reholster" the gun in my waistband if I ever need to draw it in a SD situation. Thanks.

 

[bannockburn]

ABTOMAT

Still a good deal and you got the ammo, a hip grip, a couple of speed strips, a holster, and some snap caps. Sounds like you did all right with all of those extras. When I bought my Model 638 all I got was the obligatory gun lock.

 

[ABTOMAT]

The grips feel good although the clip gets in the way of your finger if you're trying for the most comfy target grip. They keep the gun from falling into your pants pretty well. Not sure I'd want to jog with it tucked in there but just walking around I'd expect it'd stay put. The grip profile is like the stock grips, only in hard plastic.