Greybeard
Member
Say Hey Stephen - Glad to see ya here! 
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Well, I decided on the new .38 Special!
- Thread starter Kentucky Rifle
- Start date
- Status
Mark IV Series 80
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 207
Don't do it!
I would find another way to afford the M638.
IMO, the M638 is the best snubbie made today..... but it would be difficult (and expensive) to replace your Model 14.
rock jock
Member
The 638 is a great snubbie. It has been one my two favorites snub-nosed carry guns for about 3 years. (the other is a 331)
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
Ah Rock_Jock...
Great minds think alike!!
My own favorite carry snub has been a model 331 for almost a year! I expect that the 638 will become a favorite too.
Yesterday, I purchased a Galco "Ankle Glove" for either the 331 or the 638. Both are listed as fitting.
The retired LEO who now works at the gun shop had a Kimber "Eclipse" on his hip, but he pulled up his pants leg and exposed a Galco ankle glove that held his own 638. He told me that the 638 had been his back-up pistol for about a year until he retired. Never having had an ankle holster that didn't hurt my leg after a couple of hours, I bought the Galco with a little trepidation. However, I wore it all day long yesterday and actually FORGOT that I had it on! Oh yes, I think the Galco "Ankle Glove" will be the one for me! (However, with my back, actually BENDING over to draw will be the problem.
KR
Great minds think alike!!
My own favorite carry snub has been a model 331 for almost a year! I expect that the 638 will become a favorite too.
Yesterday, I purchased a Galco "Ankle Glove" for either the 331 or the 638. Both are listed as fitting.
The retired LEO who now works at the gun shop had a Kimber "Eclipse" on his hip, but he pulled up his pants leg and exposed a Galco ankle glove that held his own 638. He told me that the 638 had been his back-up pistol for about a year until he retired. Never having had an ankle holster that didn't hurt my leg after a couple of hours, I bought the Galco with a little trepidation. However, I wore it all day long yesterday and actually FORGOT that I had it on! Oh yes, I think the Galco "Ankle Glove" will be the one for me! (However, with my back, actually BENDING over to draw will be the problem.
KR
rock jock
Member
Interesting, KR. I have never considered the use of an ankle holster. Let me know how you like it.
fastbolt
Member
Congrats on the new 638 ...
I have one of the older 649's, and although it required repair right out of the box ... cylinder fitting and rebound slide problems ... that was back when S&W was having their spotty quality control problems in their revolvers in the 80's and early 90's ... After the head armorer corrected the problems it's been a terrific little snub gun. Just "heavy" ...
So, I bought one of the 642-1 Centennials, and it's a VERY good little snub gun. I especially like that the latest aluminum guns are rated for a lifetime of +P use ...
My 642-1 "required" some minor attention by the head armorer, who's a S&W revolver armorer (I'm not, only on pistols) to remove some "burrs" in some engagement surfaces, and we tested a couple of different weights of Wolff rebound slide springs to find one that reliably returned the trigger as fast as I wanted to be able to shoot ... and then all it required was some of the bright neon orange day-glow sight paint, so my aging eyes could see the front post in the early morning sun ...
And I simply love this little revolver ... It slips into almost any pocket, and can be taken places ... comfortably ... that my other off duty weapons aren't easily carried.
I think you'll find an ankle holster a very easy way to carry your snub within easy reach while behind the wheel, by the way ... I don't favor them for anything else, but when behind the wheel, they're easily reached by simply moving your weak side leg back toward the seat. They do, however, subject the guns to more debris, depending on your pant cuffs ...
By the way, when I used the exposed hammer of the 649 to make SA shots, I often surprised a lot of the newer folks with how accurate the little J-frames can be. These are very underestimated guns when it comes to accuracy.
Enjoy ...
I have one of the older 649's, and although it required repair right out of the box ... cylinder fitting and rebound slide problems ... that was back when S&W was having their spotty quality control problems in their revolvers in the 80's and early 90's ... After the head armorer corrected the problems it's been a terrific little snub gun. Just "heavy" ...
So, I bought one of the 642-1 Centennials, and it's a VERY good little snub gun. I especially like that the latest aluminum guns are rated for a lifetime of +P use ...
My 642-1 "required" some minor attention by the head armorer, who's a S&W revolver armorer (I'm not, only on pistols) to remove some "burrs"
in some engagement surfaces, and we tested a couple of different weights of Wolff rebound slide springs to find one that reliably returned the trigger as fast as I wanted to be able to shoot ... and then all it required was some of the bright neon orange day-glow sight paint, so my aging eyes could see the front post in the early morning sun ...And I simply love this little revolver ... It slips into almost any pocket, and can be taken places ... comfortably ... that my other off duty weapons aren't easily carried.
I think you'll find an ankle holster a very easy way to carry your snub within easy reach while behind the wheel, by the way ... I don't favor them for anything else, but when behind the wheel, they're easily reached by simply moving your weak side leg back toward the seat. They do, however, subject the guns to more debris, depending on your pant cuffs ...
By the way, when I used the exposed hammer of the 649 to make SA shots, I often surprised a lot of the newer folks with how accurate the little J-frames can be. These are very underestimated guns when it comes to accuracy.
Enjoy ...
K.R.
Congrats on a fine choice . Hard to beat a "J" . I have a 37 that I carry at work . Sold my 649 several years back and miss it .
I inherited my Dad's like new M-42 "squeezer" a couple years ago . He bought it new in '73 and it still has the original box . I always admired it as a kid back then . It makes a good drawer gun but it's too choice to carry . I want to keep it like new . I have shot it though .
Congrats on a fine choice . Hard to beat a "J" . I have a 37 that I carry at work . Sold my 649 several years back and miss it .
I inherited my Dad's like new M-42 "squeezer" a couple years ago . He bought it new in '73 and it still has the original box . I always admired it as a kid back then . It makes a good drawer gun but it's too choice to carry . I want to keep it like new . I have shot it though .
bad_dad_brad
Member
You beat me to it Kentucky Rifle. The 638 will probably be my next purchase. I have to wait a bit as I am still reeling from the 800 clams I paid for my Bushmaster. So many guns, so little money.
Curious if you don't mind, what did your 638 go for?
Curious if you don't mind, what did your 638 go for?
Kentucky Rifle
Member In Memoriam
I think I got a pretty good deal...
$419.00--I have three J-frames. However only one is an "AirLite Ti".
(The model 331 .32 H&R magnum.)
A fellow in the gun shop has an AirLite Ti in .357 magnum. However, he said you couldn't pay him to shoot a full house .357 from it. By buying the "Airweight" instead of the "AirLite" I get a stainless cylinder and only three more ounces of weight. It's also about $150.00 less expensive!
KR
$419.00--I have three J-frames. However only one is an "AirLite Ti".
(The model 331 .32 H&R magnum.)
A fellow in the gun shop has an AirLite Ti in .357 magnum. However, he said you couldn't pay him to shoot a full house .357 from it. By buying the "Airweight" instead of the "AirLite" I get a stainless cylinder and only three more ounces of weight. It's also about $150.00 less expensive!
KR
Poohgyrr
Member
Congrats on your new snubby.
The S&W snubs are really nice. IMHO, Colt needs to find a way to update and reintroduce the Dick Special again.
Also, re: ankle holsters, Renegade out of Phoenix makes at least two models (#50 & #500 I think) that work really well, they stay put and are secure: Renegade, PO Box 31546, Phoenix, AZ 85046(602) 482-6777.
The S&W snubs are really nice. IMHO, Colt needs to find a way to update and reintroduce the Dick Special again.
Also, re: ankle holsters, Renegade out of Phoenix makes at least two models (#50 & #500 I think) that work really well, they stay put and are secure: Renegade, PO Box 31546, Phoenix, AZ 85046(602) 482-6777.
chieftain
Member
I swapped my 649 for a 638 some years ago.
I do believe the body guard series is the best of the J's.
38-49-649-638
I carry 158 Lswchp +p winchester, just an old fashioned guy.
And for the fellow talking about swapping his model 14
DON'T DO IT!!!!
I traded mine about 7 years ago, and I am still kicking myself!
Hang on to that 14! That is one gun you really can't replace.
In my earlier years I had a J frame 60 right when Smith came out with it to replace my 36.
I do prefer the airweights to the Ultra's. 38+p is more than enough in the little J's.
If you want more omph go to Rugers 101, little bigger and heavier but handles 357 much better. And I rcommend the 3" barrel.
Personally the model 10 2" guns were great CCW weapons. My own primary CCW before my conversion to semi Auto's was a model 66 3" with Night sights. SWEEEEEEET!
Now I carry SIG's the only Auto I trust to go bang every time. There may be others, but Glock failed, Baretta failed, 1911 was never in the running, and most of the other guns didn't exist at the time I was withdrawing from wheel guns.
Even carried a Smith by choice in Nam, literally threw the 1911 away! Never trusted the damn things, and 38 years later have yet to see any reason to change my mind! I don't mind 45 at all it is the damn 1911. There was a reason the cops didn't go to semi auto pistols untill reliable auto's were introduced.
The 1911 crowd will argue that it was other reasons, nope, Jammatic. Look at your IPSC production and IDPA matches. Most common non firing weapon, yup 1911! And most of them are modified against the rules. No body minds cause most of them will jam and break anyway!
IPSC hotshots shoot 38 super any way.
Standing by for flames!
I do believe the body guard series is the best of the J's.
38-49-649-638
I carry 158 Lswchp +p winchester, just an old fashioned guy.
And for the fellow talking about swapping his model 14
DON'T DO IT!!!!
I traded mine about 7 years ago, and I am still kicking myself!
Hang on to that 14! That is one gun you really can't replace.
In my earlier years I had a J frame 60 right when Smith came out with it to replace my 36.
I do prefer the airweights to the Ultra's. 38+p is more than enough in the little J's.
If you want more omph go to Rugers 101, little bigger and heavier but handles 357 much better. And I rcommend the 3" barrel.
Personally the model 10 2" guns were great CCW weapons. My own primary CCW before my conversion to semi Auto's was a model 66 3" with Night sights. SWEEEEEEET!
Now I carry SIG's the only Auto I trust to go bang every time. There may be others, but Glock failed, Baretta failed, 1911 was never in the running, and most of the other guns didn't exist at the time I was withdrawing from wheel guns.
Even carried a Smith by choice in Nam, literally threw the 1911 away! Never trusted the damn things, and 38 years later have yet to see any reason to change my mind! I don't mind 45 at all it is the damn 1911. There was a reason the cops didn't go to semi auto pistols untill reliable auto's were introduced.
The 1911 crowd will argue that it was other reasons, nope, Jammatic. Look at your IPSC production and IDPA matches. Most common non firing weapon, yup 1911! And most of them are modified against the rules. No body minds cause most of them will jam and break anyway!
IPSC hotshots shoot 38 super any way.
Standing by for flames!
Kahr carrier
Member
Just cant beat the J frame ,Ill second that.
Poohgyrr
Member
Well (grins), my personal favorite J frame is the 640. but I won't say any of them are bad. And my wife's choice was the standard M60 with UM combat grips.
And the 2" K frames are nice; I passed up on a buddy's adjustable sighted model years ago. It would be nice to have now.
And the 3" models are nice too, in all the frame sizes.
And the 2" K frames are nice; I passed up on a buddy's adjustable sighted model years ago. It would be nice to have now.
And the 3" models are nice too, in all the frame sizes.
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