SAG0282
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The shrouded hammer 638 is my definite preference.
Best pick for pocket carry snub - hammerless, shrouded hammer, or regular?
- Thread starter Green Lantern
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StrikeEagle
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I started with a Chief's Special... and that hammer is like a fish-hook. Fine with 'proper technique' as folks are pointing out. But will you have proper technique when your life is suddenly in the balance as you're called on to fight for it with no notice or warning?
For 'Close Encounters of The Worst Kind' I want something that's fumble free.
Next I went to the Smith Bodyguard. The humpback deal with the shroud. Problem for me was that it has a huge cranny back there and mine would get pocket crudballs in it. I had an airweight, and for some reason, after a few years the shroud started to bind. As though I'd been sitting on the piece constantly. Who knows, maybe I had been. But that's a weak link, for sure.
Finally, about 15 years ago, I moved to the 642. Airweight. Stainless. No hammer to catch. No pouches for crud to collect. No shroud to bind. It lives in my pocket no matter what else I'm carrying.
642... look no further.
For 'Close Encounters of The Worst Kind' I want something that's fumble free.
Next I went to the Smith Bodyguard. The humpback deal with the shroud. Problem for me was that it has a huge cranny back there and mine would get pocket crudballs in it. I had an airweight, and for some reason, after a few years the shroud started to bind. As though I'd been sitting on the piece constantly. Who knows, maybe I had been. But that's a weak link, for sure.
Finally, about 15 years ago, I moved to the 642. Airweight. Stainless. No hammer to catch. No pouches for crud to collect. No shroud to bind. It lives in my pocket no matter what else I'm carrying.
642... look no further.
lanternlad1
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Did Smith make a snub in 9mm? I prefer 9mm to .38. I know i can get a Taurus in 9mm, but I'd rather have a Smith.
BillinNH
Member
I have a m38 and think it is the best choice. It has no danger of snagging the hammer and worries about getting lint and debris in the gun are really not an issue in real life. It's easy to regard as DAO when carrying.
When I check the end play on a revolver I cock it and lower the hammer slowly while keeping the trigger pulled, then check the end play in that condition. How do you do that with a true DAO?
Single action is useful at the range for checking accuracy.
So for me the Bodyguard style is the best choice. But I'd still like to own a 442 as well.
Bill
When I check the end play on a revolver I cock it and lower the hammer slowly while keeping the trigger pulled, then check the end play in that condition. How do you do that with a true DAO?
Single action is useful at the range for checking accuracy.
So for me the Bodyguard style is the best choice. But I'd still like to own a 442 as well.
Bill
22luvr
Member
DA practice makes all of your shooting better
I have owned both a Mod 638 Bodyguard and a 340SC Scandium. Good practice for me is to make it as real-life as possible. That means drawing/acquiring/firing. Since I pocket-carry, I draw/acquire/fire as quickly as possible and my target is short-range, inside of 5 yards. How quickly can you empty your hammerless snubby in DA only into a 9" paper plate at 5 yards or less? Getting proficient at DA shooting has made all of my shooting better.
I have owned both a Mod 638 Bodyguard and a 340SC Scandium. Good practice for me is to make it as real-life as possible. That means drawing/acquiring/firing. Since I pocket-carry, I draw/acquire/fire as quickly as possible and my target is short-range, inside of 5 yards. How quickly can you empty your hammerless snubby in DA only into a 9" paper plate at 5 yards or less? Getting proficient at DA shooting has made all of my shooting better.
ronto
Member
Hammerless?
I think you mean spurless, every revolver has a hammer.
I picked spurless because Ruger doesn't make a shrouded model.
I think you mean spurless, every revolver has a hammer.
I picked spurless because Ruger doesn't make a shrouded model.
DrBoomBoom
Member
A buddy of mine made an interesting comment about hammerless guns like my wife's 642. He said in extreme close combat, someone grabbing for your gun could possibly stop a hammer from cocking, preventing you from firing. That wouldn't happen with a hammerless.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I don't remember what 638 looks like.
Green Lantern
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Mmmmm...gun pr0n!!!
Hey, I forgot about the advantage of being able to shoot through a jacket pocket (more than once!) with a hammerless - or "concealed hammer" I guess really is a more accurate term - model. Or the notion of the hammer getting caught on something...
My CCW gun is a Glock 19, and my backup/'deep cover' gun is a P3AT...so I don't think I'd "miss" being able to shoot single-action.
So, knowing that it must have been the materials rather than the design that made the shrouded-hammer gun lighter than the concealed hammer - I think that'll probably be the way I go.
And it'll be .357, for three reasons:
1) .357 > .38
2) Even if I find that the Magnum is too much for me in a snubby, It'll be a comforting thought that the gun I'm shooting .38s out of is designed to handle MUCH hotter loads!
3) In my pre-September ammo buying kick, I went ahead and got some .38s AND .357s in anticipation of eventually owning one
Looks like a LOT of love for S&W. I'm not in much of a rush, and this may be fodder for a different topic, but do you think I'd be a LOT better off to save my $$$ for a Smith rather than get a Taurus CIA?
Hey, I forgot about the advantage of being able to shoot through a jacket pocket (more than once!) with a hammerless - or "concealed hammer" I guess really is a more accurate term - model. Or the notion of the hammer getting caught on something...
My CCW gun is a Glock 19, and my backup/'deep cover' gun is a P3AT...so I don't think I'd "miss" being able to shoot single-action.
So, knowing that it must have been the materials rather than the design that made the shrouded-hammer gun lighter than the concealed hammer - I think that'll probably be the way I go.
And it'll be .357, for three reasons:
1) .357 > .38
2) Even if I find that the Magnum is too much for me in a snubby, It'll be a comforting thought that the gun I'm shooting .38s out of is designed to handle MUCH hotter loads!
3) In my pre-September ammo buying kick, I went ahead and got some .38s AND .357s in anticipation of eventually owning one
Looks like a LOT of love for S&W. I'm not in much of a rush, and this may be fodder for a different topic, but do you think I'd be a LOT better off to save my $$$ for a Smith rather than get a Taurus CIA?
jaydubya
Member
I OWN a 637, bought four years ago. If I had known then what I now know, I would have bought a 642 instead. I practice my 637 double action because that is how I would use it for HD/SD. I don't even bother to practice single action anymore. Hurts enough that I don't want to "overpractice" with it.
Cordially, Jack
Cordially, Jack
Cannonball888
Member
Yep. No such thing as a hammerless revolver. What people think is hammerless is just an enclosed hammer.
My snubbie (S&W m37, no lock) has a regular hammer, and that was my choice. I have arthritis, and there are times that the DA trigger is just too hard. A good friend on another board suggested a regular hammer, telling me that the "snag on the pants" issue is really a non-issue and that the hammer might be important for me to have.
He was right on both points.
I've carried that snubbie a great deal since I got it, and it has never once caught on my belt loop, my shirt, a pocket, or anything else. The hammer gives you an option for SA shooting, one which, say, if you have to shoot weak hand unexpectedly, might become important.
Get one with a real hammer.
Springmom
He was right on both points.
I've carried that snubbie a great deal since I got it, and it has never once caught on my belt loop, my shirt, a pocket, or anything else. The hammer gives you an option for SA shooting, one which, say, if you have to shoot weak hand unexpectedly, might become important.
Get one with a real hammer.
Springmom
MCgunner
Member
Shrouded hammer for me. I wanna be able to shoot any revolver I own single action if I wanna. I do clean my guns and shoot 'em occasionally, too, so I ain't worried about lint in the action. And the gun rides in a front pocket, so I ain't worried about sitting on it.
jamz
Member
I'm pretty sure there is a huge, gigantic thread about this in the revolvers forum....
Snubby 38
Member
Beauty Is In The Eyes of The Beholder!
I love the look of my model 649 and model 38. Call them ugly humpbacks, but I wouldn't part with either one!
I love the look of my model 649 and model 38. Call them ugly humpbacks, but I wouldn't part with either one!libertyrules
Member
I just ordered a S&W 649. Seemed like a good choice. I like the look and heft of it. I figure my range will be 3-4 feet, if I use it for why I bought it. Pull and shoot. Yeah.
The hammerless, actually internal hammer, revolvers have a slightly smaller demensions in the rear than their shrouded counterparts. As such, I give them the nod for "best" pocket design.
I'm awfully fond of those hump backs, though.
And carry a bobbed revolver in the pocket. (You left that off the poll.)
I'm awfully fond of those hump backs, though.
And carry a bobbed revolver in the pocket. (You left that off the poll.)
ArchAngelCD
Member.
You do know that a snub nose revolver is much more that a "belly gun", right? I can shoot my snub nose accurately from 25 yards out and there are some "old timers" that can shoot well from 50 yards out. Do your drills from 7 yds, 10 yds, 15 yds and then 25 yds and you will see the results.
Bilt4Comfort
Member
I'll be redundant and say 642.
Brassman
Member
Ditto on ArchAngel's last post. A snubbie cast reach out and touch if the toucher has done his/her homework.
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