Who carries a S&W 649 everyday?

[Super Trucker]

I currently carry a 642 daily which I do like but, I fired a friends new 649 last night and it made me think I want one now. We fired WWB ammo from both .38 in mine and .357 in his and I was more accurate with his, plus the ability to use the single action ( I don't really care for dao )made the trigger great. I think my question is will the heaver ( 8 oz. I think ) 649 be a problem for pocket carry, 12 hours a day. Thanks

 

[JohnBT]

I tried it for awhile with a .357 649 and found it to be too heavy for front pants pocket and jacket pocket. My 442 is much better. Didn't get rid of the 649 though because it is a very good gun for other uses.

John

 

[ACP230]

I'm carrying an M38 at the moment, but usually carry my M649.
It's the snub I shoot best and has the best trigger/action of all my snubs.
A buddy was looking at it, and I was real nervous while he was deciding if he wanted it or not. I'm very glad he decided to buy something else.

 

[JCM298]

I carried one for a few years until I wanted something lighter and replaced it with "the beast". my 340SC.

I still have it because it is the most accurate snub I've ever owned and I've had Colts, Charter Arms, other Smiths, and a couple from Taurus,

John

 

[Ruger Redhawk]

I usually carry my Glock M-27. On occasions I'll carry my M649 (38 spl).It is a little heavy. I had a M38 and stupidly sold it before getting my CCW.The 649 is a great carry gun as long as the extra weigh won't bother you.For carrying it 12 hours a day I would look for something a little lighter.I sure wish I had kept that Model 38 I had.

Ruger Redhawk

 

[Mal223]

I've had and carried a 649 and 49 as a back up on duty, and another 649, a 940, and 442 as a civi. I now use a older M-38 as my always gun. I think the steel frames are ok in a heavy jacket pocket or a holster but if you are going for a pants pocket carry you really should have a dedicated holster. I have shot a .357 640 and didn't feel that it was too much with the large Uncle Mikes grips on it but the 158 gr lhp +p .38s can be brisk without proper grips or a adapter on the lighter guns. I decided that I'd rather have a gun all of the time than some of the time and went with the M-38 and 110gr jhps. The single action/dao is a bit over rated I think, decide which one you prefer and buy it, I don't think it should be the deciding factor some make it into. You can get a higher and I feel a more solid grip on the Centenials but in the end I just liked the Bodyguards better. Now back to the weight issue, you are going to carry half again as much weight in your pocket with a 649 than the 642, I'm short, skinny, and live in south florida, so it got to me, but I carried left front pocket as a leo with a sewn in pocket holster and after awhile it wasn't a big deal with a .38 M649, I think the magnum is another 6 ounces so keep that in mind. Maybe your friend would let you carry it around the house for awhile to see if you're ok with it. Either way, the j frames are a great gun and my original 649 is part of the reason I'm typing this today. mal

 

[isp2605]

I have carried a 649 everyday since 1995 as backup and off duty. Prior to that I carried a blued 49 everyday, except for a short period of time that I had a nickle model 38. I ended up getting talked out of the 38.
The only ammo I've ever run thru any of them has been either W-W or Fed 158 gr LSWCHP+P. Several thousand rds thru each, more thru the blued 49 since I've had it longer. The blued 49 is getting a tad bit loose but the 649 is still tight. A person wouldn't notice the looseness of the 49 until comparing it side by side to a newer, tighter gun.
Love those humpback S&W. Great little guns.

 

[Super Trucker]

Thanks everybody, I will see if he would let me have it for a day to see about the weight issue. I use a smartcarry holster while working so I don't think I would notice it there but in the front pants pocket is what I am concerned with. I really like the 642 but have been looking at the .357 round on paper (ballistics) and think that it is a little better. I wish there was a slightly lighter .357 like in between the 649 and the 340pd somewhere.

 

[deputy tom]

I own a 642 and a 649 both in .38SPL.I've carried both in the pocket for many years and many hours of the day.I thought of selling my 649 a few years ago,thinking the 642 was going to replace it,but am glad I shelved that idea.I carry one or the other every day, depending on the situation.tom.

 

[Super Trucker]

Buddy said no, I forgot MI law says no loaning of hand guns. I will just get one anyway right now can't afford both so the 642 has to go first. thanks for all the replies.

 

[nhhillbilly]

649. I carry one for back up everyday on duty. Great little handgun. My is 38 special only. Use Nycad's in it.

 

[gumshoe4]

My 649 is my favorite off-duty gun. I carry it all the time. I have an older one chambered in .38 Special and it'll do the job.

Bob

 

[atlctyslkr]

I love mine. Got one after I carried an older Model 38 Airweight for a while. I really like the shroud design. You either like the design or you don't. I love the single action option. It's great for small game. The weight makes magnum rounds not as punishing as they are out of alloy models.

 

[model 649]

Every day, usually on my ankle, sometimes in a Null SMZ on my shoulder. Here's a pic, the holster is a Fobus.
Josh

 

[apxpred]

I don't carry my 649 everyday, but however it's one I'll never part w/

 

[BullfrogKen]

Super Trucker said: I wish there was a slightly lighter .357 like in between the 649 and the 340pd somewhere.

Why not get an alloy frame Bodyguard then? The model 38 has been mentioned, and I think the 638 is the modern production version.

 

[lawandorder]

I carry a 649 in right front pocket in a Galco pocket holster. Have done so for 2 years and have become very comfotable with both the 649 and the manner of carry. Of course,issue Glock 23, and either a 44 spl or 45acp are in the vehicle near at hand.

 

[scullydog]

consideration

have you thought of the 637? you get +p power in the Airweight frame?

 

[isp2605]

Carried the blued 49 for over 20 yrs and the 649 for almost 12 yrs. That's everyday, all day/night, in all kinds of weather, everywhere carry. It was always my backup/second/covert and a lot of times my only off duty. Only load ever run thru either was W-W or Fed 158 gr LSWCHP+P.