Opinions on S&W 638 Bodyguard

B

bad_dad_brad

New member
I have always wanted a .38 snub. I have in mind the S&W model 638 Bodyguard Airweight. I like the idea of a shrouded hammer that I can still manually cock. The gun has some history to it, and it looks different with that odd hump.

Any folks have one and if you do, what are your opinions pro and con about the 638?
 
I've carried a humpback Smith for over 27 yrs. For 20 yrs I carried a blue 49 (steel frame). Then in 1995 I came across a NIB, never fired, 649 (stainless steel) for $150 and have been carrying the 649 since. A local PD had it in its inventory for their detectives and never issued it. I've carried both everyday as my 2nd/backup and most of the time off duty it's the one I grab, particularly in the summer when it's a bit harder to conceal bigger guns. For a short time I had a nickle 38 and I kick myself for getting talked into selling it. The alloy frame was nice to carry altho a bit of a bugger with 158 LSWCHP+P.
I much prefer the the old humpbacks to the Centennial models. Great little guns. Ugliest gun S&W makes but they work well for CCW.
 
I have the M638.

This gun gets carried more than any other.

Here is my reply to another thread:
_________________________________________________________

I like the S&W Bodyguard Airweight, Model 638, with the "humped back", shrouded hammer.

For me, it offers the best of both worlds....you can still cock the hammer, if required, for a longer range emergency shot.

Also, you can perform a cylinder rotation check....You may think that the cylinder will never bind, but it has happened to me. (The dirt, dust, and lint that will get into your gun in ankle carry makes binding all the more possible.)

The Model 638 has the snag-free qualities of the enclosed-hammer, Centenial series:

1) It will not hang-up on the draw due to your hammer catching on clothing.

2) It can be fired from inside, and through a jacket pocket or a woman's purse.
 
I bought one several weeks ago and haven't stopped smiling. I had a 342 Ti that was a joy to carry, but wouldn't allow me to use 158 gr. +P LHP's. Every jacketed hollow-point I tried in the 125 gr. weight shot waaay off from the sights. I never felt confident in my ability to deliver a precision shot if necessary, even as close as 7 yds where the groups were often 4" from point of aim. I felt like I was carrying a dart gun.

My troubles ended when I picked up a like new 638 for $275 at auction. At the range, the first 5 rounds of Remington 158 gr. LHP's clustered into a one-inch target paster at 30', right at the point of aim. My factory duplication reloads using a Speer 158 gr. swaged HP crowd into the same hole made by the factory fodder. The single action is very good, allowing 2" groups at 50' if I do my part, and at least one or two of the five shots will take out the 1" orange target paster at that range. . Although it's not likely that defensive shots would take place at 50', it is great practice for trigger control and demonstrates that the gun is up to the application if I am. It's a great confidence builder as well. Double action is also very nice. While not as featherly light as its titanium predecessor, the Airweight Bodyguard and an Uncle Mike's #3 holster fit easily in my jeans front pocket. The satin finish is perfect, sights are adequate for their purpose. Recoil with the 158 gr. +P's is noticeable, but easily managed with practice. I replaced the Uncle Mike boot grips with Hogue Bantams that I prefer.

I am sooo much happier carrying this revolver. I haven't had a chance to shoot it at long range, but I honestly feel that, if I can see it, I can hit it with a fair sized chunk of lead. This is the first fixed sight BUG that afforded me that confidence.

I think you'll like it.
 
Mine's just about ideal...

I bought mine used. I believe it was a more recent model, finished off in brushed aluminum and SS. I don't know how many rounds had been fired through it but what a trigger it had!
Accuracy, functioning, handling, and carry desireability are superb. I think the only thing I didn't particularly like about the 638 is the excessively heavy trigger pull on an SA shot. The ol' thumb really gets a workout pulling that shrouded hammer back. Weight, fully-loaded was approximately 17 oz and toting in the pocket was very comfortable.
 
I've had an Airweight M38 for 12 years or so. Jeff's comments mirror my own thoughts. Mine has a lighter SA apparently. :D

Do I have more effective gus? Yep, but the M38 and a Sam Andrews pocket holster is an anywhere gun for me.
 
I have one that I bought from Greybeard on this forum. My 638 has become my most carried firearm. I like the fact I can ear that hammer back for a SA shot if necessary but it won't snag in my pocket. Best of both worlds as far as I'm concerned. It conceals just as well as my KelTec P32 and has more power.

Buy one, you won't be sorry.
 
I bought a NIB 638 three years ago and for the longest time it was the only gun I carried. I have now moved back to carrying my Glock most of the time. I still carry a snubbie from time to time, but right now it is my 331 in .32 magnum. My only complaints about the 638 are the stiff pull in DA and the sharp recoil.
 
rock_jock...

Stiff recoil?
I shot a model 36 for years and I can't even remember the recoil. The 36 weighs 5 ounces more. Does 5 ounces make that much of a difference in recoil? You see, Im trying very hard not to make the arthritis in my fingers get worse. If indeed the 5 ounces make that much difference, I'll stick with an all steel "Chief". I was just thinking the "Airweight" would be easier to carry and easier to maintain.:confused:

KR
 
Carried 638s as bugs as LEO. Excellent weapons within certain limitations. I liked the shroud so the hammer would not be caught up in any tangles. I liked the revolver for immediate threats. Didn't like the 5 rounds. Darn that double edge sword.

Carry Kahr P9 as bug now.
 
If I hadn't found a like new model 38 I would have bought the 638. Great carry gun. I can't think of a downside to the 638.
 
The first thing I did with my new 638 was have my gunsmith install a Wolff reduced power spring kit for the trigger and hammer...a HUGE improvement in DA trigger pull, and cocking that shrouded hammer. I replaced the Uncle Mike's Boot grips with Hogue Bantams. I also have the Bantams on my AirLight 337 Ti--I not only like them better than the Uncle Mike's, they are about 0.8 oz. lighter. The 638 is arguably the best conceal carry gun out there.;)
 
LOVE MINE! Buy one! It is my most carried gun as well. As far as accuracy goes I have shot a perfect 25 yard qualification several times with it. It is work, but they are as accurate as larger Smiths if you do your part. Without question, the perfect "deep" CCW. Friends don't let friends carry mouseguns or 380s when these are available with 158 lead +Ps;)
 
638

I respecfully diasagree!!!
I have been shooting and carrying handguns for 40 years. I carry the 649 S&W 357 with 5 Cor Bon bullets. The gun is all steel. I practice with this particular handgun on average of once per month to retain proficiency. With the all steel gun recoil is tolerable, accuracy at 7-15 yards excellent and I "feel" well protected. I might add that for pleasure shooting I shoot the S&W 44 Mag 629 Classic DX every week. Although I own many S&W revolvers and Siother semi-auto pistols I trust the all steel revolver S&W 649 "with my life".
Herb Leventhal
 
CLOSE, REAL CLOSE

M38.
Perfect gun(s).

Memory: read in (old) gunrag six of the best (like Cooper, Askins, Jordan, etc) standing around discussing guns and what their SO's carried; to a man they replied "S&W M38".

Mine carries the same..........

638 close enough :D
 
I carry and shoot my 638 quite a bit. Trigger pull was pretty heavy out of the box, so I put in Wolf springs. 12LB. rebound , and standard 8.5 hammer. Made a big difference. In my opinion it is the best pocket carry revolver made. Light, dependable, and accurate. Bought a new one about two weeks ago and put it away for the future.
 
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