I bought my nickel Model 49 no dash from an FBI agent friend, he bought it when he was in Georgia as a back up/off duty gun. He said he hardly ever touched it, so rather than have it sit for another decade in his safe he transferred ownership to me.
I have fired it a few times over the past couple of years. The front sight is paper-thin compared to newer S&W J frames, so that (and the gun’s nickel finish) make sighted fire almost impossible at an indoor range. It wasn’t a whole lot of fun, I honestly prefer the 3” Model 36 with its larger Pachmayr grips and somewhat easier to see sights.
These are most of my J frame S&W’s; A 3” nickel Model 37 Airweight .38,,Model. 442 Airweight .38, 642 Airweight .38, 617 Air Lite .22 LR, Nickel 49 .38, and a 3” 36 .38. (Missing the 4” 34 .22/.32 Kit Gun.)
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You may like a 49/36 etc., especially if you like small .38 revolvers (Like I do.) The Model 36/49 guns shoot well and kick a lot less sharply than the Airweight .38’s do.
Stay safe.