S&W 638 for CCW

F

fender1974

New member
I've been carrying a Ruger LCP for awhile now but have been thinking about also carrying my 638. I've read a few posts that talk about not having the hammer resting on a loaded chamber. With only 5 rounds, I can't imagine not having it loaded to capacity. Does the hammer not rest on a loaded chamber and is it safe to carry with 5 rounds?

I'm also looking for any thoughts on a IWB holster for the 638. I currently favor a N82 for the LCP and wonder if another would be appropriate for the S&W?
 
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I don't know of any issue about not carrying 5 rounds with 638. Mine gets carried with 5 all the time. As for as IWB any J - frame holser should work as long as it's an open top style. If you want a top strap it will have to be made for the Humpback series of guns 38,438 638 etc...
 
There is no problem with carrying with all chambers loaded on a modern DA revolver- the "leaving one empty" is a throwback to old single action guns (like the Colt SAA) where the firing pin rested on the primer of a round so that any bump to the hammer could fire the round. With modern double action revolvers the firing pin does not rest on the primer and cannot reach the primer without the trigger being completely pulled to the rear.

It's perfectly safe to carry with all 5 chambers loaded.

As for a holder, the J frame is much larger than the LCP; you'll need a pocket holster sized appropriately.
 
All post-1944* S&W revolvers with visible hammer spurs- including shrouded-hammer models like the M638- have a hammer block that is moved out of the way as the trigger is pulled. The hammer block physically blocks the hammer from striking the primer.

The mechanism is about as failsafe as gun-related safety devices get; it is designed to lock the trigger up if it fails, but I've never heard of a single instance of the mechanism failing.

Carry it fully loaded with confidence.

*Footnote: The J frame debuted in 1950, so every J frame is post-1944. I, K, and N frames vary. (The I frame is the long-discontinued predecessor of the J frame.)
 
Fellow forum member, do not worry, revolvers these days are very safe.
You should see this revolver I got from family. The hammer rests on the primer! LOL
 
There is no problem with carrying with all chambers loaded on a modern DA revolver- the "leaving one empty" is a throwback to old single action guns (like the Colt SAA) where the firing pin rested on the primer of a round so that any bump to the hammer could fire the round. With modern double action revolvers the firing pin does not rest on the primer and cannot reach the primer without the trigger being completely pulled to the rear.
Click to expand...

+1.

By all means, carry with all chambers loaded.
 
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