Smith 649

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bikerdoc

bikerdoc

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Just got around to posting a pic of my last aquisition. Dandy for pocket carry.
I got it used from a old guy who is paring down his big bore stuff.

Anybody else like them.


IMG_1260.jpg
 
It's too heavy for pocket carry especially in regions with hot weather where light clothing is worn.
 
bikerdoc

I have the .38 Special version of the Model 649. One of my all-time favorite J frame snubbies. I originally had a nickel plated Model 38 and it was great, especially when I could just slip it into my coat pocket when I took the dog on his late night constitutional. Eventually though I traded it in on some new semi-auto that I wanted and made the switch over to a .380 for CCW.

Years later, having come full circle more or less, I decided to get another snubbie and ended up buying a Model 649. I gave it the Mothers Mag Polish treatment and now it looks like a nickel plated version of a Model 49. With a Tyler T-Grip adapter it's easy to conceal and still gives me just enough of a grip to be comfortable shooting with it. Last year I picked up another J frame, though this time it was a Model 638. I got it mainly because after all these years I still like the design and am very familiar with it; as well as having it with an alloy frame for the lighter weight.
 
I'm also another owner of an older .38 649 Bodyguard (-4?).

I picked it up after I'd sold off a 3" heavy barrel M36, thinking I'd use it as a pocket snub. While it was lighter for that role than a SP101 DAO I bought back around that time (and still own), it wasn't light enough for me to keep using it a pocket-carry role.

I eventually picked up 5 Airweight-style J's which served my pocket-holster carry needs better (a pair each of 642-1's & M&P 340's & a M37-2).

That Bodyguard still does fine for those days I don't mind a little extra weight, though, or want something with SA capability to really let me check my spot check my hand-gunning basics at longer distances with a snub.

I'd think the steel .357 Magnum 649 model would be better for shooting a lot of magnum loads than my M&P 340's. :uhoh:

;)
 
I bought my Model 649 off of Guns America about a year ago. It was a first year production (police trade in). I picked it up for $350 which I considered a bargain. It had a few issues, all fixable. Minor issues were some honest carry marks that were easily taken care of with 400, 600, 800 and 1000 grit wet sanding followed by hand polishing with Mothers Mag Polish. I got a nice high gloss finish that rivals any factory nickel.

It also had a little more end shake than I liked and the cylinder would jump over the frame stud frame. On the older J frames, the frame stud is a separate piece from the frame. I sent it to S&W and had the end shake corrected and the frame stud replaced. They brought the gun back to spec with a turn around time of about two weeks ~ all for a whopping $62.

The Model 649 Bodyguard is one of the S&W classics. Great shooter and CCW piece.
 
I have a 649-3 .357 that my father bought in '97 I believe. It's a fine gun, just a little heavy at 23 ounces compared to my 442 at 15.8.

The SA trigger is scary crisp and feels super light, but measures a safe 2.25#, not that SA gets used much.
 
I have a M640 in .357 Magnum and it's probably my favorite J frame or at least up at the top of the list. I find it to be very accurate and mine especially likes 145gr Winchester Silvertips. It's scary accurate with that load... I was looking for a M649 for a long time because I like the Bodyguard frame but when this M640 came along I bought it...
 
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